first call back in two months!

[Sunnyday]

So I've been intensively looking for a new job since March.  

I just got a call back from a recruiter.  My first one.  She told me that she would contact me in the next week or so to tell me if I made it to the second round of interviews.

She totally took me off guard. I was deeply concentrated in my work, and I answered my cell phone with an irritated tone because I was sure it was going to be another telemarketer.

Ooops.

It's clear the recruiter knew absolutely nothing about my field, and she asked me weird questions like, "can you name something that you did that enriched your life or the life of those around you in the past six months."

No. I can't. But I babbled something vaguely appropriate. 

I don't know if this is a good sign or not that they called me so fast. I just applied last week.

Does anyone know how recruiters work? I know that I shouldn't get my hopes up or anything!!  so nerve-wracking!!!

[tloonya]

May 6, 2014 13:39:33 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

So I've been intensively looking for a new job since March.  

I just got a call back from a recruiter.  My first one.  She told me that she would contact me in the next week or so to tell me if I made it to the second round of interviews.

She totally took me off guard. I was deeply concentrated in my work, and I answered my cell phone with an irritated tone because I was sure it was going to be another telemarketer.

Ooops.

It's clear the recruiter knew absolutely nothing about my field, and she asked me weird questions like, "can you name something that you did that enriched your life or the life of those around you in the past six months."

No. I can't. But I babbled something vaguely appropriate. 

I don't know if this is a good sign or not that they called me so fast. I just applied last week.

Does anyone know how recruiters work? I know that I shouldn't get my hopes up or anything!!  so nerve-wracking!!!

I've actually thought you were an actress.
Well, when my DD was having auditions (after which there were call backs ) she was told to never dwell on your auditions and forget about it as soon as you done. Otherwise thinking about it will take best of you and you will not going to be able to do well next time.
Keep sending resumes out (I did for 10 month before my first job) - this will keep you busy. Do not think if it is good or not.
I have worked in largest recruiting firm ever - no one knows if this candidate is going to get it. Trust me. Unless it is mom-pop shop - there is
no good or bad signs. I went trough 40+ interviews and some worse landed me jobs.
Please, relax. Your worries will do no good to you or anybody.
Just forget it and move on. And best of luck!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

They probably have a standard list of questions they have to ask people. She just went down the checklist rather than improvise. I wouldn't worry too much about the question unless you gave some totally out there response.

I've been on job interviews where it's clear they are reading a checklist provided by HR because the questions have absolutely zilch to do with what I actually applied for. I consider it good practice for me to have to think up job appropriate answers on the fly.

[alabamagal]

Was it a recruiter that worked for a company, or an independent head hunter type recruiter.  Head hunters talk to LOTS of candidates, then submit their names of top candidate for a job.  So it could be a long shot.

I once had a call from a recruiter (I'm not really looking, but will talk to some) and she started asking me all kinds of bizarre questions. "What is your greatest accomplishment in life, and other touchy/feely type questions.  I am an engineer, we don't do touchy/feely. I offered to send her my resume, but she didn't want it.  She said "We like to get to know our clients and go beyond what's on your resume."  I told her all she needed was on my resume, and if she didn't want it I was not interested.

[raeoflyte]

Good luck!  

[resolution]

My husband has been getting interviews through a recruiter. His recruiter is paid by the companies if they hire him, and not by DH. He met the recruiter by applying for a position he saw advertised online, and it turns out that the recruiter was the one that had posted the ad.

DH responded to the ad with his resume and got a call that night by the recruiter. The recruiter reviewed his resume with him and talked to him about his work experience and what type of job he was interested in. Then he sent DH's resume to the place in the ad and also to several other employers that had openings that fit what DH was interested in.

The next day one of the employers contacted DH for a phone interview and he had an in person interview a few days later (on his day off). DH wanted more time to look around for jobs so he declined that job offer and the recruiter set him up for interviews with a couple more companies. So far he has gotten interviews from four companies through the recruiter, and they have all been solid companies with decent jobs available. After each interview the recruiter has called and asked for feedback on the interview from both him and the employer and provided some background information on the companies. DH is starting a two month trial of a job next week which was found through the recruiter.

I am really impressed with the recruiter. I just wish there were someone like that for my industry, because this guy has been very handy and taken care of everything for us. If your current recruiter doesn't work out it may be worth your while to look for a good one.

[Sunnyday]

Lol! I'm no actress that's for sure!

I think the recruiter is in-house because I created an account to apply on the company's website.

I don't know how to merge this thread with another thread about what drives you crazy, but the crazy amount of places that I've had to create an account and profile just to apply for a job. I know that I'm
not suppose to use the same password, but I will never remember 10 new passwords a day!

I feel like it's some kind of first round test of how much you want the job by proving how much hoops you're willing to go through.

[Deleted]

That was a seriously unprofessional move. No decent recruiter would call you to do an on the spot interview. They would call you to schedule a time to talk. 

[Sunnyday]

May 7, 2014 2:23:23 GMT -5 @lillylake said:

That was a seriously unprofessional move. No decent recruiter would call you to do an on the spot interview. They would call you to schedule a time to talk. 

Really? You think so. I wasn't impressed by the whole thing, and now as more time passes, I get even more negative vibes.

I also get the feeling that I went to high when she asked me for my salary expectations.

Oh well!! the commute would have been a bear!!

Thanks to the people who wished me well.

[toomuchreality]

Hey, at least you got a call back. Huh? That's a good thing.  CONGRATS!

Good luck in your job search!

[Deleted]

I will still hope for the best for you!!!!

Is this an independent recruiter? Its not a recruiter for a specific company, correct? The comment on making it through to the 2nd interview doesn't make sense.

If it is a recruiter on the payroll of a specific company, I find it even stranger that they would do an on the spot interview. 

If you are working with an independent recruiter or agency recruiter, they normally pre-screen you and then put you forward as a candidate if they think you are a good match for positions they are hoping to fill for a commission.

[Sunnyday]

May 7, 2014 23:06:03 GMT -5 @lillylake said:

I will still hope for the best for you!!!!

Is this an independent recruiter? Its not a recruiter for a specific company, correct? The comment on making it through to the 2nd interview doesn't make sense.

If it is a recruiter on the payroll of a specific company, I find it even stranger that they would do an on the spot interview. 

If you are working with an independent recruiter or agency recruiter, they normally pre-screen you and then put you forward as a candidate if they think you are a good match for positions they are hoping to fill for a commission.

Sorry, I should have answered the question about whether the recruiter was independent or not. I don't know=short answer.

I applied directly on the website, so I would assume that it was internal. But she had very very little knowledge about the work. If she was internal, I think that she was clueless HR, and she's pre-screening for the hiring manager.

at at any rate, I was happy to get a call, because it lets me know that someone does actually see my applications, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

I'm surprised that a company so small would need my services, so I really wanted to know what the scope of my work would be. And of course, the person had no idea!!