Gersom Master Class 26.11.2008 Summary

Tips and tricks for successful applications

GersomVanderSpek HeadofRecruitment adidasGroupRussia

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Moscow,HSE, 26.11.2008

We are looking for people who… BEHAVIOUR

COMPETENCY

Have the ability to work effectively in a team

TEAM PLAY

Have the ability to learn quickly and willing to grow fast

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Like working in a challenging, dynamic and MOTIVATION / CULTURE FIT informal environment and passionate for sports and our brands Are high achievers and are action oriented

RESULTS ORIENTATION

Meet the professional, high standards in there area PROFESSIONAL SKILLS of responsibility Are able to meet deadlines and to deal with stress STRESS RESISTANT

‘Do not be mislead by our informal way of dealing with each other; adidas group is fun to work for but serious in its business. To be successful, it is not enough to be skilled and trained: you need passion. You don’t need to be a sports professional but you need a passion for sports. A passion for our products. A passion for your work.’

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Recruitment procedure – doesn’t take too long!

Steps

Specifics

1. Search for the job

Job sites, company sites, career fairs, Master classes, etc

2. Understand the job specifics

Responsibilities and requirements

3. Apply

CV and optionally writing cover letter

4. Brief phone interview Education, background, motivation with a recruiter 5. Tests at the office

Ability tests and optional personality questionnaire

6. Interview with recruiter

I will give you some insights later: link with competencies

7. Interview with department

This can possibly also include specific tests, translations or any other business case

8. Reference checks

I will explain you why this is important

9. Job offer

When you start, which salary and other benefits

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Maybe you wonder – why all these steps??? Validity of a method = correlation between methods used for selection (predictor) and applicant’s real Validity r Predictor for work performance on the job (criteria) performance R < 0.20

Bad predictor

0.20 < R < 0.30

Medium predictor

0.30 < R < 0.50

Good predictor

R > 0.50

Very good predictor

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This is why…. Selection tool

Validity r

Assessment center

0.36

Unstructured interview

0.14

Bio data

0.53

Structured interview

0.40

IQ/ ability test

0.53

Average school mark

0.11

CONCLUSION: THE COMBINATION OF ALL FACTORS GIVES AN EMPLOYER THE HIGHEST SECURITY IN HIRING PERSONNEL, BUT NEVER A 100% GUARANTEE

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Step 1: Search for the job • Idea: join in activities that companies organize for you!!! • I personally regret not having done this frequently during my study period • Good opportunity to explore the company’s culture, your future colleagues, etc • When labor conditions in companies are the same (think of BIG 4), you choose the company mainly based on the people who you connected with

• Internet nowadays is another great tool to make yourself familiar with companies • However, again, everything can be written on websites, but better to check it yourself ;-)

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Step 2: Understand the job specifics • When you know which companies you like, you can zoom in and look for specific vacancies • Closely analyze what the responsibilities & requirements are • Advice: feel free to contact the responsible recruiter to get more details if you need it! Avoid misunderstandings and wrong expectations.

• If you don’t see a job that you like, but you really want to work for a specific company, write an open application • Advice: if you participate in company’s events, you definitely can have a benefit with personal inside connections! • There is a real risk that otherwise you won’t get an answer • For great people, we for example sometimes ‘create’ a job or hire someone for a different role than the person originally applied for

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Step 3: Apply Cover letter • In Russia, I noticed that not many people don’t write a cover letter • And if they do, they are usually not very good ;-) • Advice: do it and do it well! Especially in this period of crisis and hiring freezes, you have to stand out and this is a good way of doing so • Until now, people were hired anyway. The crisis changes this situation. • Also with an open application, you can write a cover letter • Have your letter checked by several other people BEFORE you apply!

CV • Don’t underestimate the importance of a good CV!!!! • Remember that within 5 seconds, you need to catch the eye of a recruiter • Again, have your CV checked by professionals • For example, my CV was checked more than 100 times when I was living in New York SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FOR YOU……..

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A bad CV…. • Lots of pages, making a whole bookwork without any structure • Too many details about job responsibilities that you can also discuss during your interview • My first impression will be: the person has problems with summarizing and distinguishing key elements with irrelevant elements for the ‘target audience (recruiters)’

• Unattractive lay-out • Again, unstructured CV is unpleasant to read

• No specific achievements mentioned

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A good CV….example of structure Name / Contact info / Date of Birth Career objective

what are you looking for in the short term, and where do you want to be in 5 years (not more than 1 or 2 phrases)

Work experience (mention this first!!!)

company name and period when you were/are employed your job title your key tasks/responsibilities (be to the point!) main achievements (% increase of sales, finished projects, evaluation scores, etc)

Education

name of university, name of specific bachelor or master main achievements (red diploma, special study projects, etc)

Languages

Russian & foreign languages that you speak (indicate the level)

Computer skills

Office, Mail, Databases, etc etc (indicate the level)

Skills, knowledge, competencies, strengths ask your friends, colleagues, family what they find strong, no need to mention your weaknesses in CV, that will follow in interview ;-) Activities

what do you like to do in your free time? 10

A good CV…. • Remember, you need to catch the eye of a recruiter in 5 seconds!

• So make a good, structured lay-out • Highlight your main achievements, make it visible! • Even if you didn’t work for a ‘famous name’, you can catch the attention

• Be honest and realistic in what you write, but don’t hesitate to ‘sell yourself’ • Good interviewers will surely discover soon when you exaggerate in your CV!

• Try to put all info in 1 page! • If you want to include a reference list or some more detailed specifics, I advise you to add ‘appendices’

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What should be included in a good cover letter (max 1 page)? Your name Your address TO: Title Name of recruiter Address of company

(If you don’t know, find out and call! Especially when you don’t know the gender ;-) )

Place, date Dear ………, again, don’t forget the right gender ;-) Herewith I would like to express my interest in the job position of …………….. Below I will further explain why I am interested in this position and why I believe that there is a good match between the job description and my experience and skills. Part 1: what is so interesting about the company? What do you know about them and what appeals to you? (if you participated in a company activity or if someone referred you to the company, mention it!!) Part 2: why interested in this job? What/which challenges in the JD appeals to you? Why does this job fit into your short and long term career objective? How did you find out about this job? Part 3: explain why there is a good match between the job and your personal skills Part 4: why do you believe that you can be successful in this job and why you are so motivated Please find attached my CV and appendices for further details. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours,

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Step 4: Brief phone interview with recruiter • Will usually not last more than 10 minutes • Basic questions about your education, background and motivation • Foreign language skills are also checked, if you indicate them in CV Advices: • Be polite and clear in your answers • Show motivation for the job / ask questions if you have the chance • Be flexible in your time schedule when you are invited, don’t miss the chance!

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Step 5: tests Test

Tips

• Read instructions carefully (ask if you doubt) Ability tests: • Verbal information • Prepare what is necessary (internet connection, • Numerical information calculator) • Concentrate and ask not to be disturbed • You can prepare with similar tests online • Don’t come when you don’t feel 100% and postpone! • No good or bad answers! Personality questionnaire: • Try not to select the middle variant • Various questions, - We know that everything depends on situations, but mainly about your generally better to follow your intuition and make a preferences in work & life choice, unless you really don’t know • Do not try to appear better than you are, be yourself! -This will come out in the test! - don’t be afraid of the outcome; we know that this is only an indicator!

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Step 6: Interview with recruiter/HR (1) • Preparation • Learn more about the company – career website! • Study the job description • Dress code and culture – call in advance! • Think about concrete examples during your study/previous job! • Remember the competencies…you can expect lots of questions! BEHAVIOUR Have the ability to work effectively in a team

COMPETENCY TEAM PLAY

Have the ability to learn quickly and willing to grow fast

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Like working in a challenging, dynamic and informal environment and passionate for sports and our brands

MOTIVATION / CULTURE FIT

Are high achievers and are action oriented

RESULTS ORIENTATION

Meet the professional, high standards in there area of responsibility

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Are able to meet deadlines and to deal with stress

STRESS RESISTANT

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Step 6: Interview with recruiter/HR (2) • Be on time for the interview • Check the office address • Traffic jams are no excuse…. • Interview structure • Introduction recruiter and candidate’s self-presentation • Basic questions: education, previous experience, motivation, questions on letter/CV • Competency based questions • Presentation of the vacant position, ask your own questions and next steps • I always like it when I notice that candidates prepared own questions~! • Simple rules • Be polite • Listen carefully to questions, make eye contact and don’t interrupt • Put your hands above the table and don’t play with pen or paper • Don’t talk too much; be to the point in your answers • If recruiter wants more details, he/she will ask you! • Respect company rules and culture, but don’t be too informal • I have a nice anecdote for you….. • First impression MATTERS!

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How important is first impression? BODY LANGUAGE 55 % VOICE (MODULATION, SOUND, ETC) 38 % CONTENT 7% Of course, at the end of the interview the interviewer will need to evaluate ALL elements, but keep in mind how much you can already win with a good preparation and first impression!

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And of course, try to control your nerves…

Careful preparation and some practice in advance will help you very much in controlling your nerves. It is not easy to pass an interview; being interviewed is also a matter of experience! 18

Step 7: Interview with department • Same applies as for interview with recruiter, and… • Ask the recruiter what to expect • • • • •

What kind of professional questions can I expect? What kind of specific tasks? How can I prepare? Who will interview me? Can I get some additional information on the professional issues?

• After the interview, you can ask for a business card and write a short ‘thank you for your time’ email

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Step 8: Reference check - importance Selection tool

Validity r

Assessment center

0.36

Unstructured interview

0.14

Bio data

0.53

Structured interview

0.40

IQ/ ability test

0.53

Average school mark

0.11

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Ask some previous colleagues/teachers to give references for you

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Again, this is important info for companies!

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If you leave the company, try to do it in harmony – think of your reputation!

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Step 9: Job offer • Do your homework • What is marketable salary? • What is reasonable to ask, given my skills and experience? • What other benefits will I get? • Not only salary matters, also bonus plans, insurance, discounts on products/services and other benefits!

• You can negotiate, but don’t over ask! • The risk also exists that the company will not make a final offer if you behave too conceited

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Step 10: Welcome and congratulations!!!

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Questions? • Gersom Van der Spek, Head of Recruitment • Дмитрий Родионов, специалист по подбору студентов и выпускников

adidas Group Russia http://vacancy.adidas.ru

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