Over the past week I have been excited about an opportunity I had to speak with Michael Allemano. Michael is a professional recruiter based out of Toronto, Ontario. His success in recruitment has led him to starting his own successful recruitment agency, The Allemano Group. Over the years he has passed on career advice to me that took me to where I am today.

In summer of 2009, I struggled between taking a management position with a sales organization or staying in school to complete my university degree. It was Michael who encouraged me to choose education first. I trusted Michael’s years of experience and completed my Bachelor’s Degree, opening up many more opportunities than I would have had without it. Michael was kind enough to do an interview for Bloodhounder. Below, he provides a treasure chest of advice for new graduates. I regularly follow Michael’s blog at www.allemano.ca/blog.

There’s a lot of generic advice on increasing your chances of getting hired: Wear a suit and tie, research the company, prepare interview questions, and follow up with a “Thank you” note… Could you give our audience 3 original tips on how graduates can ace an interview?

1. Give complete answers to the questions they ask you. Review the S.T.A.R. interview methodology to answering questions www.allemano.ca/tos.html. Prior to your interview, look up potential interview questions www.allemano.ca/potential_interview_questions.html and write out a full S.T.A.R. answer for at least 6 categorical answers. While the interviewee may not ask you the exact same question in the meeting, chances are, the answers you prepared in advance will apply.

2. Remember to interview them as well. You want to make sure that you truly want to work for this company; meaning you agree with their policies and corporate culture. Take in the “vibe” that hits you when you first walk in the office. Can you really see yourself working here for the next 3 to 5 years?

3. Don’t forget to sell yourself. Don’t wait for them to shower you with compliments because you have graduated. The face-to-face interview step is your chance to market yourself as the ideal candidate for the position. Don’t oversell yourself or make false claims, but present yourself as positively as possible.

Recruiting is a growing industry, yet many people are unfamiliar with how a recruiter can help them get hired. Could you tell us what you do for your clients throughout the hiring process?

A recruiters’ primary role is to find talent for our clients. Clients hire us to present the best and most qualified candidates for the job. We do this by constantly interviewing candidates for positions that we are currently working on, OR anticipate we will be working on in the near future. When we meet with candidates, we screen them for Skills/Qualifications and Fit. We will often provide candidates tips on how to better market themselves to prospective employers. We also assist in prepping a candidate before an interview, by providing them with additional information and insight into the company/manager. We help co-ordinate each interview step along the way and ultimately play a lead hand in negotiating the final job offer. All of the information between the candidate and the employer filters through the recruiter.

You specialize in industrial sales recruitment. Are there lots of job opportunities in this field for new graduates?

“Industrial sales” is a very broad field, and I am only looking at it from one angle. That said, there are some industrial companies that are known for hiring recent grads and developing them through their in-house training. Fastenal and Cintas are two companies that immediately stand out. They offer reputable training and exposure for new grads looking for a career in sales. Outside of the industrial segment, B2B companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Xerox and Canon are where many industrial sales reps get their start before moving into the industry.

What is your experience hiring graduates fresh out of university?

The recruiter/new grad relationship is an opportunity for both parties. As a new grad, chances are there will be few companies that recruiters will be able to get you in to. Instead, you will likely find this job by applying directly to the company. Why? For the most part, clients pay us a fee to find them candidates who have a specific expertise that they cannot find on their own. Fresh grads do not typically have this. Not to rule it out, on rare occasions, recruiters may be asked to find new grads. Instead, the opportunity at this stage in your career is to find a recruiter who specializes in the area you want to be in. Even if they can’t place you, talk to them on the phone or get a meeting and pick their brain. Where do they suggest you apply? What tips/contacts can they give you? This is the beginning of a career long relationship. If the recruiter can provide you with some valuable assistance now, then in 2-5+ years you’ll likely be working together on something mutually beneficial.

What is the #1 biggest mistake graduates make when applying to jobs?

It is a complete waste of everyone’s time when a candidate does a job board blast, sending their resume to dozens of companies for roles that they have not carefully read. Take your time and be selective. Read the job requirements carefully, and then tailor each resume, cover letter, and introductory email to the role. The person reading your profile will be much more responsive if they feel like you took the time to do your research and say something that helps you stand out. If you’ve done this and you haven’t heard back, be persistent. Follow up with a phone call and stay on top of them.

Graduates can come out of university/college with outstanding academic success, but very little work experience. How important is work experience over education? Do you have any advice for graduates with little or no work experience?

When a company is considering a recent grad for hire, it’s not fair to hold their lack of experience against them. That said, hopefully you have done more than simply attend classes. Did you work in the summers? Or volunteer on campus? Did you work in the bookstore? These experiences will help you provide examples to questions asked during the interview process. But how will your lack of experience help you stand out over the candidate with the same lack of experience? It’ll come down to the fit and your attitude (soft skills). You had your first job when you were 15? You were working/volunteering evenings and weekends, and you were willing to take on the jobs no one else wanted to do? These are the experiences that employers will extrapolate from your answers.

I regularly read your blog on allemano.ca. The article “Want People to Return Your Emails?” helped me prospect new customers for my advertising business by avoiding bad keywords and sending emails when they’re most likely to be read. How do you pick and choose the articles you post?

I use Google Alerts to send me daily emails on topics that I find interesting. I also comb various websites including Forbes, CNN, Recruiter.com, Business Insider and LinkedIn for articles that stand out.

In her book “How To Talk So People Listen,” Sonya Hamlin discusses a growing trend. Today’s Generation Y wants to have more freedom, more creativity, and communicate more openly in the workplace. Give us your thoughts on this (and why texting your boss is never a good idea).

I think communication is critical, and more and more companies are incorporating social networks within their CRMs, email and smart phone platforms. One of my clients provides Blackberries to their employees and everyone is then added to BBM. Two observations; you need to be responsive to phone calls/emails at all hours. If you’ve waited more than 4 hours to respond, then you’re already too late and you’re hurting your career. Then, make sure you follow professional communication etiquette. Don’t reply to a coworker or boss using slang “Ur gonna be late?” It’s career suicide when you become too casual and comfortable in the office. Re-read every email at least twice before you hit SEND, and if your message is longer than 5 sentences, pick up the phone and call the person.

“I took your advice, aced the interview, and landed my first entry level job. I’m ambitious and want to climb the career ladder. What’s next?”

First of all, cool your jets a bit. Have you been there for over a year? If not, don’t even think about a raise or a promotion. Is your company in transition? You may feel like you’re ready to take your career to the next level, but is your company ready? Are they in the midst of a merger or restructure? Finally, are you exceeding expectations or just meeting them? You may be the best employee on your team, but if everyone, including yourself, is below target, then don’t expect to be promoted. You’ve got 40-50 years to climb the corporate ladder; so don’t expect to make your first leap within 18 months. Hopefully you have joined a company that is providing you great training, which is more valuable than any pay or job title in the first 3 years of your career.

Any final words?

Be humble. Don’t go after the money, instead go after the training. You’re a sharp and highly educated candidate, but you still have a lot to learn! Realize this at a young age and you will be miles ahead of your peers.

Bio:

Michael Allemano is the founder of the Allemano Group, an executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of business-to-business and industrial sales positions.

A graduate from the University of Toronto (Honors B.A), Michael began his career at Cintas Canada Ltd. in their Management Trainee program. Over the course of 3 years, he rotated through various leadership positions including: HR Manager, Plant Manager, Customer Service Manager and Service Sales Manager.

In 2008 he began his career as a recruiter, working for Lock Search Group as their B2B/Industrial Sales recruiter in Toronto. He was responsible for developing new business from tier 1 companies, and then finding the talent to fulfill their needs.

In 2011, after a successful 4-year career at Lock Search Group, he started the Allemano Group. www.allemano.ca

Michael hails from Burlington, Ontario and currently resides in downtown Toronto. His office is located in Mississauga, Ontario near the Pearson International Airport.

Thank you for your time, Michael. I’ve learned a lot from our interview and hope our readers have too.

Tip of the day: Contact a recruiter who specializes in the area you want to be in. Ask for advice and contacts. Build a relationship for the future.