Christina Del Villar, a marketing executive for 25 years in Silicon Valley, revealed all her recruiting secrets to CNBC Make it. She has coached, advised and recruited hundreds of candidates during her career. Focus on his valuable advice on recruitment and job interviews.
A professional career is not necessarily linear, it must however be built on the basis of a clear and “long-term” vision. When looking for a job, it is essential to have a clear idea of your dream job. The objective is to target specific companies and observe the type of profiles they hire, to know for sure whether you will be in alignment with their values and culture.
Christina Del Villar does not fail to remind us: “I myself created a list of companies I wanted to work for. Even if the job openings you’re aiming for aren’t at the top of your company list, having that overall goal in mind can help you land on the positions that fit you best.”
Research the company thoroughly
During a job interview, the goal is to impress the recruiter and prove to them that you are the ideal candidate for this position. This involves research work which will allow you to adapt your speech and provide concrete elements that meet the needs of the company.
Speaking the language specific to an organization is also a significant point during interviews. It is therefore recommended to take the time to get in touch with your colleagues and bring out all the common points that unite them. You will thus prove to the recruiter that you are not only determined to join the team, but that you are also ready to get involved in the development and growth of the company.
Christina Del Villar specifies: “I strongly advise you to get in touch with the people involved in the decision-making process and find out on different social networks, especially LinkedIn, about the different problems that the company is trying to solve on a daily basis. Approach the interview from this perspective of resolving dysfunctions and be proactive. » If for example, during your research, you notice that the company is having difficulty retaining its customers, you can tell the recruiter about the marketing campaigns that you have carried out during your previous professional experiences and which have generated more traffic or no more subscriptions.
Show off
If when applying for a job offer you notice that you do not have certain required qualifications, do not despair. Don’t let this little detail stop you from applying for your dream job. The secret lies in selling yourself, so that the recruiter only remembers your strengths and the value you are likely to bring to the company. Before each interview, carefully read your CV and highlight all your measurable and quantifiable achievements.
Christina Del Villar emphasizes: “I once interviewed a candidate for a marketing director position. She had written on her CV: “creation of a webinar”, which, at first glance, seems to be a fairly simple mission. But when I asked her for more details, she mentioned that her company had only hosted one other webinar, which only brought in around 100 leads. The one she took on brought in 1,500. By transforming a seemingly technical assignment into an impactful achievement, we better understood the type of value she could bring to our company.”
Demonstrate professionalism and determination
On the day of the interview, it is essential to demonstrate great professionalism and enthusiasm through the way you dress and communicate. It is recommended to send a thank you email at the end of your interview: The opportunity for you to confirm your interest in the position and to reiterate your key skills.
It may seem trivial, but following your dream business on social media is an important point to consider. You can take advantage of this to share articles or relevant information related to their activity or their flagship events.
Christina Del Villar shared her professional experience with CNBC Make it: “In 2019, I had the chance to interview for my dream job, Marketing Director at Autodesk, a company I had wanted to work for since I was a teenager. I was fascinated by the products she made. On the day of my interview, I developed a well-defined action plan. I learned about my recruiters, analyzed the company’s social media in depth, read recent press releases, annual reports and even attended some of their webinars. On the big day, I have never felt so confident during an exchange. Ultimately, my preparation paid off, as I got the job! ”
That said, the secret to a successful interview can be summed up in three essential points:
- A preparation taken seriously.
- A happy medium between showing off and not appearing pretentious.
- Flawless professionalism and a real and sincere desire to join the company.
