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How To Effectively Communicate Your Career Goals to a Recruiter

WAI Staff

When navigating the job market, being able to communicate your future career goals effectively can significantly impact your career path. A common question recruiters often ask is, “What are your career goals and aspirations?” How you choose to talk to a recruiter regarding those goals can significantly vary depending on where you are in your professional journey. Each stage presents its own set of aspirations, challenges and opportunities. Let’s explore how to approach this for different career stages: recent graduates, mid-career professionals and those looking for part-time or temp work.

Woman discussing her future career goals with two interviewers

1. Recent Graduates or Entry-Level Candidates: Flexibility is Key

For those just entering the workforce, whether fresh from college or shifting from another field, having flexibility in your future career goals is essential. At this point, you might not have a clear vision of your long-term objectives, and that’s completely fine. Here’s how to communicate effectively when asked, “What are your career goals and aspirations?”:

Express Openness

Make it clear that you are open to various roles. Rather than zeroing in on a specific job title, mention areas that interest you, like marketing, analytics or project coordination. This shows that you have a goal in mind but are also adaptable and eager to learn.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Even with limited experience, focus on the skills you’ve developed through internships, volunteer work or coursework. Skills like teamwork, communication and problem-solving are highly valued across all industries, regardless of your future career goals. When preparing how to talk to a recruiter, it’s wise to have a brief, specific example ready that illustrates one of these skills.

Seek Guidance

Don’t hesitate to ask recruiters for their insights. Do some research on LinkedIn to find recruiters in your industry of choice, and set up an informational interview. You can say something like, “I’m looking to explore opportunities in [field/industry] and would love your thoughts on roles that might be a good fit for someone at my experience level.”

By demonstrating your willingness to embrace various opportunities when asked, “What are your future career goals and aspirations?” you can help recruiters match you with roles that could kickstart your career.

2. Mid-Career Professionals: Define Your Aspirations

For mid-career professionals, recruiters expect you to have a clearer vision of your career goals. Are there any specific aspirations such as leadership roles or specialized positions you’re aiming for? Here’s how to talk to a recruiter effectively: 

Be Specific About Your Goals

Clearly articulate the type of positions you are interested in and why. You should prepare one sentence clearly defining your future career goals. For example, “I’m looking to transition into a managerial role within the tech industry, where I can leverage my 10 years of experience in software development to lead teams and drive projects.”

Emphasize Your Value

Highlight achievements from your career that showcase your abilities. Quantifiable successes, such as, “I increased team productivity by 20%,” can help recruiters appreciate what you bring to the table.

Discuss Long-Term Vision

Share your long-term career objectives. If you aspire to move into executive leadership, explain how you see yourself getting there. Be realistic — you should also include what skills or experiences you still need to acquire to reach your future career goals.

Seek Relevant Opportunities

Ask recruiters for roles that align with your goals, and inquire about companies that offer growth and advancement potential. This dialogue can help them tailor their searches to better suit your goals.

3. Retirees or Those Seeking Part-Time Work: Clarify Your Needs and Interests

The answer to, “What are your career goals and aspirations?” may look different when you are retired or looking for part-time or temporary work. At this stage, clarity is vital to ensure that you find opportunities that meet your lifestyle and expectations.

Express What You Want

Preparing how to talk to a recruiter about your future career goals when you’re retired or only seeking temporary work looks different. If you’re hoping for a flexible schedule, a specific type of work environment or particular responsibilities, make these clear. This will help recruiters understand your needs and tailor their suggestions accordingly.

Communicate Availability 

Be upfront about your availability and the kind of work you’re interested in. For instance, “I’m looking for part-time opportunities in project management that allow me to contribute my expertise without a full-time commitment.”

Share Your Experience

Highlight your wealth of experience and how you can add value to an organization, even in a part-time role. Emphasize your past achievements more than your future career goals, and include how you can use your skills to mentor others or bring stability to teams.

Be Open to Varied Roles

While you may have specific criteria, being open to different roles or projects can lead to fulfilling opportunities that might not have been on your radar initially.

The Importance of Communication

In every stage, clear communication with recruiters is crucial. Knowing how to talk to a recruiter means you come prepared to answer questions like “What are your career goals and aspirations?” that the recruiter will always ask. When you articulate your future career goals effectively, you provide recruiters with the information they need to find roles that fit your aspirations. This collaboration benefits both parties — recruiters can present tailored opportunities and you get the chance to explore job openings that align with your career vision.

Regardless of your career stage, remember that communication is a two-way street. Listen to the recruiter’s insights and feedback about market trends and potential roles. They often have valuable knowledge and can guide you in the right direction.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Future

Effectively communicating your future career goals is essential, regardless of where you are in your professional journey. If you’re struggling to find the right role for you, consider partnering with a staffing agency like Whitman Associates. Since 1972, we’ve dedicated ourselves to matching candidates like yourself to relevant temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent roles in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com today!

Showcasing Your Skills & Experience to Staffing Agencies

WAI Staff

“How do I describe my work experience when presenting myself to a prospective employer?” is one of the most common questions we get asked at Whitman Associates. The job market can be tough, especially if you’re unsure how to highlight skills in a job interview or on your resume. If you’re asking, “What skills do companies look for when filling jobs?” or wondering how to showcase leadership skills in an interview, a staffing agency might prove to be your most valuable ally in finding a job that really fits your skill set and experience. To maximize their expertise, however, you will have to be clear and convincing about your qualifications. Here’s how you showcase your expertise and skills to staffing agencies so that you can maximize your potential to land the right position.

Woman smiling at her computer typing to highlight her skills.

1. Understand the Role of Staffing Agencies

Before we get into how to best highlight skills, it’s important to understand what staffing agencies do. Agencies work as mediators between prospective employees and employers. They try to find suitable candidates for companies and help job seekers attain employment opportunities. Some staffing agencies specialize in a particular industry or type of position, so knowing which agency you are aligning with will definitely strengthen your job search.

2. Make an Appealing Resume

The resume is still the first impression in which the staffing agency will come to know about you. In that respect, let your resume be:

Industry Specific

The use of keywords and language specific to highlight skills in your field will go a long way in ensuring that your resume is on point. For those wondering, “How do I describe my work experience?”, look for job skills within several job descriptions within your desired industry and note common or repeated phrases.

Accomplishment-Based

Instead of providing lists of responsibilities, outline your achievements. Wherever possible, use quantifiable measurements, such as, “Increased sales 30% in six months,” or, “Controlled a project which yielded a 15% cost reduction.” This is the best method for how to showcase leadership and other skills in an interview and on your resume.

Clean and Professional

To prominently highlight skills and showcase your expertise, your resume should be easy to read, without typos and visually appealing. Headings, bullet points, and a professional font will make it quicker for the recruiter to review.

Explore more resume tips and tricks on our blog.

3. Create a High-Level Online Presence

Today, having a strong online presence is crucial. Many times, staffing agencies will search for you online as a way to learn more about you. Here is how to create your online presence:

Personal Website or Portfolio

Where applicable, create a personal website to highlight your skills. For graphic designers of social media creative types, this will be a portfolio of your work. If you are in a non-creative field, consider case studies or examples of completed work.

Social Media Presence

When appropriate, a professional presence on Twitter or other sites will be of help in connecting you with industry leaders and entering relevant conversations about your profession. Additionally, following industry leaders may help you answer the biggest question: “How do I describe my work experience?”

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is the most crucial and should be complete and mirror your resume. Add a professional photo to your profile, write an exciting summary about yourself and highlight what skills you have and what jobs you might be looking for. Comment and share industry-related content, showcasing your expertise.

4. How To Showcase Leadership in an Interview

Preparation is an important part of that first meeting with a staffing agency. Make sure to research the agency. Most will have an “About Us” page on their website emphasizing their specialty, values, and types of companies and roles they work in. You should focus your discussion on tangible ways you believe you would be a good fit with this agency. Prepare an elevator pitch summary about yourself and what you are looking for, but be prepared to explain your skills in depth. When you highlight skills, consider mentioning any specific situations using these skills where you can discuss results.

5. Be Honest About Your Experience

Be truthful in your communication with staffing agencies. Being candid builds trust and allows the agency to provide the best matches for you. Discuss strengths and weaknesses — although strengths should be emphasized, openness regarding one’s shortcomings displays self-awareness and a desire for growth. This doesn’t mean talking yourself down. If you don’t have a lot of experience in your desired industry, emphasize your transferable skills like communication, problem-solving and teamwork.

6. Highlight Soft Skills

While technical skills are essential, it is soft skills that can often differentiate a candidate. When considering, “How do I describe my work experience?” showcase your expertise in leadership and time management. When looking for what soft skills are most transferable to which jobs, flexibility is understated yet important — speak about your ability to adapt to new situations and challenges. Sharing a situation during which you took charge of initiatives, projects or teams is how to showcase leadership in an interview.

7. Follow Through

Send a thank-you note to the interviewer after the interview, thanking them for availing you of the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position. Beyond highlighting skills during the interview, these little gestures reinforce your professionalism and stick in memory.

Get Started With a Staffing Agency

Effectively communicating your skills and experience to staffing agencies is a planned strategy in itself; it calls for preparation, candor and engagement on your part. Build a winning resume, create an online profile and nurture good relations with recruiters to rise above competing candidates. Remember, staffing agencies work for you in finding the best fit, and it is in the clear communication and mutual understanding that your journey will follow your career aspirations. Enjoy the process, highlight your skills, and you will be off to finding that perfect position!
Are you ready to get started with a staffing agency in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area? The expert staffers at Whitman Associates are ready to read your resume. Email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com today!

Temp of the Month for November: Cynthia Uchendu

Maggie Enright
Cynthia Uchendu is from the DC, Maryland, Virginia area. She is a Clinical Social Worker and provides therapeutic support to children suffering from mental illness. Cynthia is a firm believer of Jesus Christ, enjoys serving in ministry, spending time with friends and loved ones, and creating content on her YouTube channel. She also enjoys at-home self care practices, reading, and taking naps.

Temp of the Month for October 2024: Ellis Gyöngyös

WAI Staff

Ellis grew up in North Carolina and studied Chinese at UNC Chapel Hill before moving to Asia. He studied at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in China and lived in Hong Kong for several years where he worked in due diligence, anti-money laundering, and financial technologies.

Ellis enjoys listening to music, playing basketball, caring for his houseplants, and spending time outdoors.

Temp of the Month for September 2024: Jonah Estess

WAI Staff

Raised in San Diego and Brooklyn, Jonah is a historian of capitalism and American political economy. He received his Ph.D. from American University in May 2024. His dissertation, “Bank and State: Money, Law, and Moral Economy in the United States, 1775-1896,” explores everyday people and civil servants’ legal and moral struggles to make money and banks meet their needs and serve their best interests in a capitalist democracy.

He has written on historical topics and current affairs for outlets including The Washington Post, The Conversation, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, and Commonplace: The Journal of Early American Life. He is currently working on his first book, which stems from his doctoral research and draws lessons from that history for monetary policymaking and democracy today.

In addition to his work, he helps manage the Treasury Historical Association’s scholarly prize and serves in a leadership role with the Washington Numismatic Society. He is a lifelong numismatist and enjoys spending time cooking, baking, exploring state and national parks, visiting museums, traveling, and spending time with his fiancé, his friends, and his family.

Temp of the Month for August 2024: Elizabeth Chisum

WAI Staff

Elizabeth grew up in California and went to Oregon for undergrad.  After having gone on a number of amazing family trips to the East Coast, she fell in love and decided to move out here for law school, and has been here ever since.

Currently in the DC area, she has enjoyed all the opportunities she has had and is looking forward to what lies ahead in her professional career.  Elizabeth sincerely thanks Whitman Associates and appreciates all it has had to offer, and she has greatly enjoyed getting to know and work with a lot of great people while there.

Outside of work, Elizabeth likes traveling and exploring new places, kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking. Here in the DC area, she particularly loves visiting all the museums, getting out on the Vernon Trail and spending time at Gravelly Point.

Temp of the Month for July 2024: Ryan Foley

WAI Staff

Ryan Foley has lived in the DMV his entire life and greatly enjoys the area. Outside of work, Ryan loves to root for all of the local Washington sports teams. He is a lifelong fan of the local teams, especially the Commanders and Nationals, and loves to spend his free time in the summer going to Nationals Park to catch a game with friends.

Ryan greatly appreciates the opportunities that Whitman Associates has offered to him because he has been able to work with some great people, making many professional relationships, as well as being a crucial part of the organization where he was placed.

Temp of the Month for June 2024: Shierra Houston

WAI Staff

Shierra moved to the DMV area from Dubai, United Arab Emirates 6 years ago. She lived for in Dubai for 12 years working as an Event Operations Manager and organizing one of the world’s largest oil and gas shows and airshows.

Outside work, Shierra loves serving in her church community as a Mental Health Coach and a Prayer Minister, helping those who are hurting find comfort and peace in Jesus. She also loves studying the Bible and spending time with her family.

Through her work with Whitman Associates, she has met amazing people and has added value to the organization where she was placed.

How to Deal with Job Interview Rejection: Advice from Career Experts

WAI Staff

Nobody likes to be rejected, whether by a potential job or otherwise. It’s normal for many different emotions to arise after rejection, from sadness to confusion to anger. However you may feel about your interviewer, it is most important to check in with yourself by doing self-reflection after an interview rejection. To avoid common pitfalls such as self-pity or self-deprecation, seeking guidance on the right questions to ask yourself after a job rejection is helpful. At Whitman Associates, we’ve been helping people in the metropolitan D.C. area navigate how to deal with job rejections and find their dream roles for over fifty years. Continue reading for some of our best tips to set yourself up for future success.

Three women working together at a conference table

Be introspective

It’s easy to blame the interviewer for a rejection. However, you can gain nothing from blaming the other party after being turned down for a position. Playing the blame game can mislead your focus and keep you feeling down about the situation. Instead, the best way to bounce back after a job interview rejection is to be introspective. This may sound paradoxical, but there’s a lot you can gain from rejections. In our experience, the best method of how to deal with job rejection is to ask yourself some key questions to spark self-reflection after an interview rejection.

Did I fully understand the position and requirements?

Job interviewers want to find the best match for their open role, which means candidates who don’t demonstrate an adequate understanding of the position and requirements will likely be rejected. How closely did you read the job description in the original listing? Did you gauge your suitability for the role? These are all critical questions to ask after a job rejection. It’s wise to allow the job description to guide your interview preparation. When asked interview questions about experience and skills, ensure your answers stay relevant to the responsibilities of this particular role. Asking yourself this question helps you deal with job rejection because it may inspire you to prepare differently for your next interview.

Did I thoroughly research the organization and understand its mission?

Companies want to hire candidates who are aligned with their mission. Similarly to how all your interview responses should be relevant to the specific role you’re interviewing for, your responses should also align with the company’s values. During self-reflection after an interview rejection, you should consider what answers you could have given that may have better reflected the company’s mission. Moreover, it’s vital to understand what the organization does before an interview. Employers prefer candidates who demonstrate a passion for the company’s work. Mentioning specific aspects of the organization that intrigue you is one way to show that passion in an interview, but it requires thorough research in advance.

How would my previous experience be valuable in this role?

This is one of the most important questions to ask after a job rejection. If you’re confident that you were an excellent fit for the role you interviewed for but were still not offered the job, the problem may not be your resume. Developing your communication skills is critical to your success in an interview. You were likely qualified but did not effectively demonstrate the value your previous experience could add to the role and company. Before your next interview, think about how you can discuss your experience in a way that’s aligned with the job description.

Was I professional?

Self-reflection after an interview rejection wouldn’t be complete without evaluating your professionalism. Think deeply about this question, as professionalism applies to several factors. This includes being punctual, dressing appropriately, maintaining good eye contact and keeping your phone off and out of sight. For virtual interviews, you also need a stable internet connection, an appropriate video background and a distraction free environment. Learning how to deal with job rejection isn’t easy, but it’s beneficial to challenge yourself to do better in the future.

Did I comment negatively about a previous employer when explaining leaving or the desire to leave a job?

Regardless of why you are looking for a new job, you must never comment negatively about a prior employer during a job interview. It doesn’t matter if you had the world’s worst boss in your last role. Your current interviewer doesn’t know the whole story, and hearing a candidate bad mouth their former company, team or manager raises red flags. If you’re guilty of this, the best course of action is to find a new reason to give your interviewer for why you’re seeking a new job. Otherwise, your interviewer may see you as disloyal or worry that you might struggle to work well with others on the team.

Don’t dwell on the rejection

Taking the time for self-reflection after an interview rejection enables you to turn your rejection into a learning experience. Not all people are the right fit for all roles. When figuring out how to deal with job rejection, it’s best to learn what you can improve on and move forward confidently. Don’t dwell on job rejection without taking the time to ask yourself these questions. The job market is highly competitive– don’t let a few rejections disrupt faith in yourself.

If you are still looking for a job, consider partnering with a staffing agency. Whitman Associates proudly offers expert guidance, insights, and full service to talented job seekers like you in the D.C. area. We take the time to understand our candidates’ needs, ensuring high-quality matches. Instead of navigating how to deal with job rejection alone, email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

What to expect from entry-level secretarial & receptionist jobs

WAI Staff

Are you looking for work as a receptionist or secretary but aren’t exactly sure of what the job description entails? Or, maybe you aren’t sure what type of role you want and are still exploring the options. Either way, we hope this guide discussing entry-level secretary and receptionist jobs help you with your interview preparation and offers you more direction. Once you’re ready to apply to positions, check out our job board for secretary and receptionist jobs in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Woman smiling who fits the secretary job description.

Are secretaries and receptionists the same?

Secretaries and receptionists often need clarification and are usually the first point of contact for visitors, clients, and employees. While secretaries and receptionists frequently employ the same skillset, these roles are still unique. Perhaps the secretary’s job description calls to you more than work as a receptionist. It’s not unlikely that you are better suited for one role over the other, so pay close attention to the responsibilities of each position.

What do secretaries do?

Secretaries provide administrative and clerical support within an organization. They can be dedicated to an individual manager, a department or team, or the organization as a whole. Secretaries ensure company operations run smoothly, offering support across diverse positions. An entry-level secretarial position may suit you if you enjoy working with different departments. A secretarial job description may include:

  • Responding to messages and phone calls
  • Keeping track of documents and files
  • Communicating with stakeholders, both internal and external
  • Helping out with events and projects
  • Setting up appointments and meetings
  • Drafting and revising reports, presentations, and other copy
  • Planning travel and related expenses

What do receptionists do? 

A receptionist position is much more client-oriented. Receptionists are the first point of contact for assist visitors, clients, and customers. Often, that means they will have a desk set up in a lobby or entrance of the office or building they work in. Contrary to the secretarial job description, the responsibilities of a receptionist include:

  • Checking visitors in and out
  • Giving instructions, directions, and information
  • Responding to and transferring phone calls
  • Receiving and forwarding messages
  • Addressing questions and concerns
  • Handling mail and parcel deliveries
  • Maintaining a neat and inviting front desk and reception area
  • Making reservations and booking meetings and conference venues

Critical differences between secretaries and receptionists

Secretaries focus more internally, supporting employees or the organization. On the other hand, receptionists are more client-facing, assisting guests and customers more than their other team members. Having the role of a secretary, makes you more likely to be in a private office or a shared workspace with other administrative staff. Due to the nature of the work as a receptionist, your workspace most likely be in a public area at the entrance of your office or building.

Sometimes, secretaries may need specialized experience in the industry they’ll be working in, whereas receptionists rarely need industry knowledge before entry. The company will likely be prepared to provide industry training for entry-level secretarial positions. That being said, if you have experience in a particular field, it’s helpful to review secretarial job descriptions for the secretary’s office that relate to your experience.

Overlapping skills

Both of these roles require skills that overlap. If you’re looking for an entry-level position related to interpersonal and communication skills, applying for receptionist and secretarial job openings makes sense. The skills required for both roles include:

  • Excellent communication both written and verbal
  • Solid interpersonal skills
  • Strong customer service skills
  • Ability to organize
  • Technical skills
  • Ability to multitask and prioritize

Receptionist skills

Working as a receptionist requires some very specific skills. To obtain work as a receptionist, you will need to demonstrate the ability to:

  • Manage difficult situations and people
  • Operate in a fast-paced, high-pressure work environment
  • Follow protocols and procedures

Secretary skills

Meanwhile, the secretarial job description involves more of the following duties:

  • Prepare documents and reports
  • Conduct research
  • Perform problem-solving tasks
  • Work with a variety of software programs
  • Manage projects and events
  • Carry out data entry and analysis tasks

Open the door to a variety of possibilities

This guide provides a general overview on the difference between receptionists and secretaries, though every job will look slightly different. However, they all offer a great starting point for any career, as the skills you acquire in these roles broadly apply to various positions. Plus, working as a secretary or receptionist can help you earn industry experience based on the company you work for. Having experience as a receptionist or secretarial job looks good on any resume.

To succeed as a receptionist or secretary, remember you are an integral part of any operation. Your job is to ensure operations run smoothly, whether by steering clients in the right direction or organizing the company’s files. Receptionists and secretaries serve as the backbone of every successful organization. If you want an entry-level role that is fundamental to any thriving business, apply for receptionist and secretarial positions.

Plus, due to the dynamic nature of the receptionist and secretarial job descriptions, you’ll be able to network with other employees throughout every department. If you are just starting your career and are unsure of your long-term goals, entry-level secretarial and receptionist positions are an intelligent way to learn about your options.

A staffing agency can help job seekers like you find work in both the receptionist and secretarial fields. Whitman Associates has been delivering expert guidance, insight and career placement services to Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for over fifty years. If you’re interested in permanent or temporary positions in the DMV that are aligned with  receptionist or secretarial job descriptions, we encourage you to email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.