HR answers the most frequently asked questions

Meet Gergana Todorova - recruitment assistant in our company. Geri is placed at one of our largest partners and faces the task of finding the most suitable candidates on a daily basis. As before, today we'll ask her questions you've heard countless times before, but with one goal in mind - to gather the answers of professionals in the field who have proven over the years that they know what they're talking about.

First of all, we can't resist starting with our favorite question, who is Geri?

My name is Gergana Todorova and I am 29 years old. I come from one of the most old towns in Bulgaria, namely Kyustendil. I graduated in law in Blagoevgrad, but today I work in the field of human resources here in Botevgrad.Yet, if I had to describe myself in a few words I would say that I am a loving mother of a 5 year old daughter and wife of a wonderful man. It is with them that I like to spend my free time.

Great, but how do your not so peaceful days go?

My day starts dynamically and necessarily with a cup of aromatic coffee. After I sort out the tasks for the day, I move on to reviewing emails and having conversations with active candidates and companies.

There are certainly challenges in these dynamic days, what is the biggest one you face?

In my job, the hardest thing for me is telling candidates that they are not approved for interviews and even harder is terminating a candidate that started.

And what is the most difficult situation you can face in recruitment?

It's almost impossible to get into a difficult situation because I'm very calm and I know there's nothing irreparable.

One of the most important steps, and usually the first one, in looking for a new job is creating a CV. What are the most common mistakes that are made in this step?

A poorly structured CV and an inappropriate photo. In my day-to-day life I almost always have to assist candidates to make a good CV.

And what do you definitely not like to see on a resume?

Let's put it this way: it's better to have no photo than to use an inappropriate one.

Okay, we handle the resume and get invited for an interview. And here we almost always ask ourselves one question, "Well, what should I wear?" Do you have any advice on that?

I'm rather thinking at the moment about what not to wear during an interview, namely "disco" clothes. We often make this mistake in our attempt to look elegant, but these two things are quite different from each other.

What is the main mistake candidates make most often in an interview?

Being late for an interview without calling - this is a sure sign of not being serious from the start.

What should you never do during an interview?

It's not a good idea to start the interview by asking "How much are you going to pay me?". Instead, it's better to show interest in the role, the duties and the team first, and leave the conversation about pay for an appropriate time.

What's the main thing employers have been holding onto for the last 6 months?

The main thing employers have been holding onto over the last 6 months is that candidates have previous experience in the role. This requirement often comes up in my conversations with them.

Yet is it possible that a candidate with no experience could be chosen over a candidate who has experience?

Rather not.

And what makes you believe in a candidate and give them a chance despite their lack of experience?

Motivation and the desire to develop. There are people who are aware that to succeed you will probably have to start from a lower position and prove yourself and improve over time.

If a candidate only has a choice of one thing to improve at, what would you advise them to choose?

I would advise him to focus on foreign language and reading books regularly.

Turning last to our candidates, I would ask what advice would you give them?

Whatever you do, do it willingly and find a job you love so you don't have to work.

Geri, thank you for those answers and advice. I truly believe they would be helpful to many people. I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few questions aimed at the other side, namely our partners?

Of course!

What is the best platform to search for candidates right now and why do you think so?

My candidates are mostly from Facebook as people find it very easy to find us there.

Are candidate expectations getting higher?

Definitely yes, especially for candidates with less experience.

Which is more important to candidates - the salary or the working conditions?

For candidates at the beginning salary is more important, and after starting they start thinking about working conditions.

And last... Why do companies miss out on good candidates?

Very often it happens that companies are slower to make their decisions and the market is so dynamic that candidates disappear in SECONDS.

And to finish.. something from you.

Do more things that make you truly happy!