Job Seeker FAQs

Choose a recruiting firm with known bank contacts. Your firm must know what is important to bank leaders. The Symicor Group is comprised of recruiters with decades of actual banking background.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Reputable recruiting agencies have their own resume. Ask to see it. Check out their background and ask for referrals. Sometimes, a LinkedIn profile of your recruiter can tell you where he/she has been and if they are capable of helping you secure your next bank opportunity.

The recruiter’s job entails overcoming obstacles in order to satisfy both the candidate and the prospective employer. Expect to receive the following from the recruiter:

• A request for permission to send out your resume.
• Complete directions, timing, address and phone number of the bank with which you’ll be interviewing.
• A thorough briefing on the background of the bank, the people you are likely to meet, and any other insights about the bank and its corporate culture.
• Updates on any developments that may help you secure the position.

We’ll contact you when your background fits one of the jobs we are filling. We’ll share with you as much as we know about the opportunity, discuss the fit, and if appropriate, request your permission to submit your resume.

Assuming that each recruiter has explained the company and job, work with the recruiter who contacted you first. We discourage working with recruiters who will not tell you the company they are representing or who forward your resume to a company without your knowledge.

Hiring banks use an initial telephone interview to screen a number of candidates. Although these interviews are usually very brief, it’s important to be prepared. Keep your updated resume handy and keep your answers short and to the point. If you are unsure of what the interviewer is looking for, request clarification by asking “What specifically would you like me to comment on?” Or if you are unsure whether you have given an appropriate answer, ask “Have I provided enough information?” If you come across confident and capable in the telephone interview, you are likely get a face-to-face interview.

It is critical that the recruiter remains in the loop at all times. Keep communications open at all times. Be sure to tell your recruiter when the client calls you directly for any reason or if an interview has been scheduled or postponed. After each interview, call the recruiter to share what happened. If an offer is made, you’ll want to discuss it with your recruiter in detail. Let the recruiter know if you have other interviews and if you are getting close to another offer. This will help your recruiter represent you and secure the best offer for you.

The counter offer could look pretty tempting and you may even consider staying in your current position. Statistically speaking, 72% of employees who accept a counter offer end up leaving that job within one year. Consider the following before making your decision:

• Ask yourself why you had to resign before your boss offered you more?
• If you get more money, where did it come from? Is it just your next raise given to you early?
• Your boss now knows you’re restless and your company loyalty may be in question.

To help match you to the most appropriate position, your recruiter will ask for the following:

• Current chronological resume – The Symicor Group can guide you here!
• Current salary and salary expectations
• Geographic considerations

Like any successful relationship, recruiter-candidate relationship is based on mutual trust, respect and communication. Here are some simple guidelines to ensure success for both:

• Determine your long-range goals before exploring opportunities.
• Be open and honest about your expectations for the position and salary.
• Follow through on all of your commitments promptly.
• Provide accurate and complete data on your resume.
• Alert us if you already have been in contact with the bank in question.
• Be enthusiastic and keep a positive attitude.
• Provide us with an in-depth analysis of your interviews. Be sure to include all the “pros and cons.”