A former Google recruiter shares the 4 things that make you look really desperate when job searching

a former google recruiter shares the 4 things that make you look really desperate when job searching

Anadolu/Getty Images

  • Matt Opramolla has been a recruiter for over 5 years.
  • He says oversharing during an interview and accepting an offer immediately makes you look desperate.
  • Keep your answers concise, and always negotiate the terms of your job offer.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Matt Opramolla, a 32-year-old recruiter. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I started my career in sales and quickly transitioned into working for Indeed’s internal startup agency called “Indeed higher.” I did well there — I loved the work I was doing and knew I wanted to move into corporate recruiting.

Then I got a job at Google as a recruiter. I got to hire and work with some of the most amazing people. I also got to work on really impactful scalable hiring initiatives across the company. That was one of the best parts, and it was my favorite job.

People are desperate to find work today, especially with the many layoffs that have happened this year. I know this first-hand, because when I was laid off, I, too, was desperate to support my family any way I could.

But there are things that candidates should be aware of when looking for work — things that might make you look desperate to the company you’re interviewing with. When you look desperate, employers might feel like you only want the job just to have a job and that you’re not excited about their company specifically.

Looking desperate also gives you less negotiating power when it comes to the job offer. So here are three things you should stop doing and what you should do instead.

1. Asking for random referrals

As a recruiter, I get a lot of random LinkedIn messages or emails asking for referrals, but I don’t have an established relationship or connection to that person. Recruiters usually aren’t too keen on those “copy/paste” messages. Instead, you want to be tactful and respectful.

A better approach is to reach out to someone who has the job you want (or works on the team you want to be on) and have a friendly conversation with them. You could ask to learn more about the company or a specific project that you know they’re working on.

For example, you could write, “Hey, I see you’re working on a specific avenue of AI and that really interests me. I have some thoughts on the topic. Would you be willing to chat for 15 to 20 minutes?” Then see what they say.

You won’t get a response from everyone, but if you’re persistent, tactful, and respectful, it can later lead to a relationship. Then, if that team is hiring, they will think of you for putting in the extra effort.

2. Oversharing in the interview 

As a recruiter, one mistake I see a lot of interviewees make is oversharing or being unnecessarily transparent.

For example, it’s not wise to discuss the details of a layoff, why you quit a former job, personal issues involving your finances, or your family. These things aren’t relevant to your qualifications. Employers and interviewers are specifically trained not to ask questions around candidates’ family or financial situation, so it’s best not to bring it up. It’s extraneous information that takes away from the focus of what the meeting should be about: your qualifications for the job.

I can think of a time where an interviewee said, “I have to pay my rent in two months or I’ll be homeless.” That comment made the conversation awkward, and while it may have been true and something the candidate was genuinely struggling with, it wasn’t related to the job.

Another thing you shouldn’t overshare is that you don’t have other job options available to you.  This could lead to your being taken advantage of by an employer when it comes time for compensation negotiations. If they know you don’t have any other options, they will likely low-ball you — they know they can get you for less money.

If you keep the company thinking you have other options, it may prompt a sense of urgency on their end and get back to you quicker (we all know they can sometimes take forever).

So keep your cards close to your chest and be tactful. Sharing less personal details is best, so remember to keep your answers concise.

3. Accepting the job offer immediately

When you receive a job offer, don’t accept it immediately over the phone. Understand that if a company is offering you a role, they want you, and you can wait a day or two to decide. Make them sweat because you want to be in the power position, and push back at least once on something that’s negotiable, like base salary, equity, sign-on bonus, or vacation time.

I’ve not heard of an offer being rescinded because someone asked for slightly more money than what was initially presented. Your recruiter should be your advocate, and the worst they can say is no. Just make sure your ask aligns with the compensation expectations you outlined for them in the beginning of the process.

4. Following up daily 

If you’re being ghosted after your interview or if the communication is sporadic, follow up with the recruiter, but don’t do it excessively. Instead, reach out once every one or two weeks, depending on how long the process is.

When you reach out, have a specific ask. For example, don’t just ask for feedback, but ask something like: “We spoke about [specific topic] and I have some additional thoughts. Is it possible to send those to you?”

With that said, you need to read the room. I tell candidates that I will reach out to them if there’s an update. Personally, if the hiring process is taking longer than a week, I will reach out to them to tell them I don’t have any updates, but not all recruiters do that so following up with them doesn’t hurt.

If you’re a big tech recruiter with helpful tips to share, email Alyshia Hull at [email protected].

OTHER NEWS

20 minutes ago

Consumer mind mapping: how to become a splash of hot pink in a sea of grey

20 minutes ago

Posthumous Vivienne Westwood project raises funds for Greenpeace

20 minutes ago

Manzi Water opens 105th outlet in South Africa

20 minutes ago

Trialogue Business in Society Conference 2024: ABC to CEO – supporting the learning journey

20 minutes ago

Prioritising construction site safety, a vital commitment

20 minutes ago

Who owns a river? Bitter feud over High Country farmer’s green power plan

20 minutes ago

UFH and AngloGold Ashanti join forces to drive dairy sector innovation

20 minutes ago

Jamaal Bowman’s loss is about him — but it’s also about the Squad

20 minutes ago

AFL 2024: Essendon tries to find room for Nate Caddy in forward line

20 minutes ago

Reds land offload king in Super Rugby signing coup

20 minutes ago

Lauren Boebert's carpetbagging victory is a vindication of her attention-grabbing antics

20 minutes ago

Andie MacDowell's ‘The Way Home' Is the Way Forward for Hallmark Channel

20 minutes ago

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh borrows Kate's tiara for a lavish State Banquet

20 minutes ago

Gauteng government buys newspaper space to praise MEC

20 minutes ago

Which players are most likely to leave Barcelona this summer?

20 minutes ago

Harry Wild: If RTÉ made guff like this, we’d mock it. So why is it OK to buy it?

25 minutes ago

Eddie Murphy reveals plans for ‘Shrek' spinoff film about his character, Donkey

26 minutes ago

New WNBA Policy Affecting Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

26 minutes ago

Taxing super-rich debate should start with 2% levy, says economist behind plan

26 minutes ago

Can Trudeau survive Toronto byelection loss?

26 minutes ago

Rams in top 15 of ProFootballTalk power rankings but could take 'step backward'

26 minutes ago

EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Sage advice for hospital treating Princess Anne

26 minutes ago

Leaked photos show The Block's Phillip Island building site still in disarray weeks after filming wrapped and neighbours are NOT happy: It looks like a bomb site'

26 minutes ago

Reality star is threatened with physical assault in vile messages after posting an innocent video of her outfit

26 minutes ago

Lightning travels through tree and ground before striking Marengo man

26 minutes ago

21 million Miniverse toy sets recalled after reports of burns and respiratory irritation

26 minutes ago

The Wild Reason China Once Banned Online Searches For The Shawshank Redemption

26 minutes ago

Nets trade Mikal Bridges to Knicks in blockbuster move, reports say

26 minutes ago

WikiLeaks’ Assange pleads guilty in US deal to walk free

26 minutes ago

Australia in talks with Solomons to expand policing

26 minutes ago

James Webb Space Telescope spots 'Cosmic Gems' in the extremely early universe (video)

26 minutes ago

Voodoo Acquires BeReal for 500M

26 minutes ago

French PM, far-right chief clash in election debate exposing fierce tensions

26 minutes ago

Euro 2024 has been a tournament of drama and historic moments

26 minutes ago

Forza Horizon 4 will be deleted from online stores this year as licences run out

26 minutes ago

Biden administration ‘cut deal with Assange’ ahead of potential Labour takeover

26 minutes ago

'We can do better': Gordon insists as England finish top of group

26 minutes ago

Rep. Lauren Boebert wins Colorado GOP primary in new district 

26 minutes ago

Bush retreat near Darwin where disgraced crocodile expert Adam Britton filmed bestiality acts is listed for sale

26 minutes ago

Video: Keir Starmer opens up to the Mail about wanting to talk trans issues through with JK Rowling, moving his publicity-shy family into No 10 and keeping up his weekly five-a-side footie matches - as polls predict Labour leader is next PM