Your demeanor during an interview speaks volumes to the interviewer. Showing enthusiasm for the company and the position will go a long way. When hiring someone, one thing that all employers look for is someone who is excited about the job and shows it through their words and actions. There are several ways to show enthusiasm:
Congratulations on scoring an interview with Spherion! As one of the top global recruiting and staffing firms, Spherion is a great company to advance your career. But with so much competition for open roles, you need to be fully prepared to impress the interviewers
After going through the Spherion interview process myself I learned valuable insights on how to stand out. In this comprehensive guide I’ll share
- What to expect in the interview stages
- Common questions and sample answers
- Skills and qualities to highlight
- Tips to make a winning impression
- Costly mistakes to avoid
Let’s get started on putting your best foot forward in the Spherion interview!
Spherion Interview Process
The Spherion interview typically follows these key stages:
1. Initial Phone Screen: A 30 minute call with the recruiter reviewing your resume and experience.
2. Hiring Manager Interview: A 1 hour in-person or video interview focused on your relevant skills.
3. Reference Checks: Spherion conducts extensive background checks at this point.
4. Follow Up Interview (if needed): A final interview may be scheduled to meet other team members.
5. Job Offer: The recruiter will extend an offer if you’ve successfully passed all stages.
Understanding the progression will allow you to strategize accordingly. Now let’s discuss how to ace each phase.
Common Spherion Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some frequent Spherion interview questions along with strong sample responses:
Tell me about yourself.
As an account manager with over 7 years’ experience managing key Fortune 500 client accounts, I’ve consistently driven retention and growth. I’m highly skilled at building trusted relationships to understand client needs and deliver customized solutions. Spherion’s reputation for top-tier service and unmatched access to talent attracted me to this opportunity. I’m excited to leverage my account management experience to help optimize recruitment strategies for your clients.
Why do you want to work for Spherion?
What initially drew me to Spherion is your outstanding track record of connecting top talent with innovative companies. The depth of your network and recruiting capabilities is unparalleled. Beyond that, I’m motivated by Spherion’s values around developing talent and fostering diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Being able to make a positive impact through recruitment aligns perfectly with my personal and professional goals.
How do you stay motivated when working on long-term projects?
I break large initiatives down into manageable milestones which helps maintain momentum. Celebrating small wins with my team keeps spirits high. I also overcommunicate timelines and next steps to ensure alignment. Knowing the bigger picture of how each piece fits together motivates us through challenges. And I keep motivation levels up by checking in often, providing encouragement and reminding my team of our goals. This comprehensive approach sustains motivation from start to finish.
Tell me about a time you delivered excellent customer service.
When I was consulting for a client expanding to APAC, they asked me to source hardware and construction vendors in Singapore. Since I lacked experience in the region, I proactively researched options, networked to get personalized referrals, and identified vendors suited to their specifications. I presented them with 5 fully vetted choices tailored to their needs along with my insight on pros/cons. They were thrilled at the level of service and impressed with how I anticipated their needs, saving them time and effort.
Why should we hire you?
Beyond my track record of results in account management and recruitment, I have a genuine passion for connecting people to opportunities. I combine strategic vision with empathy, creativity and a meticulous attention to detail. Whether it’s counseling a candidate on their career path or advising clients on workforce gaps, I provide an unmatched level of service. These strengths make me a trusted partner who can immediately enhance recruitment efforts and contribute to Spherion’s mission.
Key Spherion Skills and Qualities
In addition to nailing the common questions, you want to demonstrate:
Recruitment Expertise: Knowledge of sourcing strategies, screening, interviewing, assessment, etc.
Client Management: Building trusted relationships and delivering customized solutions.
Communication: Listening effectively and explaining complex ideas clearly.
Problem Solving: Analyzing needs to provide optimal solutions and guidance.
Networking: Broad connections across industries to access top talent.
Interpersonal Skills: Developing strong rapport. Persuasive and engaging.
Multitasking: Juggling multiple priorities efficiently and calmly.
Analytical Thinking: Synthesizing data to derive insights on workforce gaps and recruiting opportunities.
Passion: Genuine interest in connecting talent with meaningful work.
Provide relevant examples that display these critical qualities to stand out.
Make a Great Impression
Here are tips to impress your Spherion interviewers:
Ask thoughtful questions: This shows your engagement and interest in the company’s mission.
Discuss talent trends: Demonstrate your depth of knowledge in recruitment.
Highlight niche skills: For example, if you have technical sourcing expertise, showcase it.
Share success stories: Examples of solving pressing talent needs or boosting retention.
Get specific: Back up claims about accomplishments with details like metrics.
Express enthusiasm: Convey your excitement to join such a highly regarded staffing firm.
Follow up post-interview: Thank your interviewers and reaffirm your fit.
Making a memorable positive impression will give you an edge over other applicants.
Interview Tips by Stage
Certain strategies should be tailored for each interview stage:
Recruiter Screen: Concisely walk through your background and skill set. Ask questions to learn more about the role.
Hiring Manager: Emphasize your relevant experience. Ask smart questions about objectives, challenges, etc.
Follow Up Interview: Reconnect with key themes and strengths you highlighted before. Observe team dynamics.
References: Select people who can passionately back your abilities. Prep them to share key examples.
Targeting your approach for each step will set you up for a cohesive and confident interview.
Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these common missteps during your Spherion interview:
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Arriving late or disorganized
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Using too much technical jargon vs. explaining concepts simply
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Focusing too much on tools rather than underlying recruiting skills
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Not demonstrating curiosity about the role or company
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Appearing arrogant, entitled, or hard to work with
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Over-relying on examples from only one prior role
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Exaggerating achievements or abilities rather than being truthful
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Making excuses or pointing blame when discussing mistakes
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Letting nerves derail you – stay confident and avoid rambling
Avoiding these pitfalls will help your true talents shine through.
With preparation and focus, your Spherion interview can be a platform to showcase your recruitment expertise, passion, and fit for the role. Use the strategies and tips provided to make a stellar impression at each stage. From screening to offer, show them you have what it takes to contribute to Spherion’s renowned staffing capabilities. Now go into your interview focused and ready to succeed!
Do your research and ask thoughtful questions.
An interview is a learning process. There is a lot of information on there for the employer to learn about you, but asking good questions will help you figure out if the job is right for you. Before you start asking questions, though, make sure you know as much as you can about the company and the job. People interviewing you want to know that you learned about their business. If you don’t, they’ll be able to tell. So, do your homework! There are several ways to learn about a company:
- Visit the business’s website and read its latest press releases and annual report.
- Call and request sales materials.
- Conduct online research. Google the company, check news sites, and read reviews.
- Inquire with friends, colleagues, and associates.
Then, once you have absorbed key information, plan ways to weave relevant pieces of it into your conversation.
Let the interviewer address salary and benefits.
You shouldn’t talk about pay and benefits at your first interview. If you know the range is fair, you should wait until you’ve been given a verbal offer. But, if the interviewer brings up the subject, you should be prepared to answer. Here are a few suggestions for responding to salary-related questions:
- âIâm open to negotiation.â
- “I’m looking for a fair offer—one that gives me room to grow, challenges me, and a great place to work.” â.
- âI would prefer you discuss salary with Spherion.â
- “I’d love to work here if you make me a fair offer.” â.
- Respond honestly to questions regarding current salary, reviews, and benefits.
- Do not give a specific dollar amount; doing so could lower your starting salary or get you kicked out because it is too high.
- If you give a salary range, the highest amount you can expect is the lowest amount in the range.
How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions Sample Answers
FAQ
How do I prepare for a staffing agency interview?
What is a good job interview?
How long does it take to get a job at Spherion?
The process took 3 days. I interviewed at Spherion (Lansing, MI) in Nov 2023 I went to the office for testing it was a 3 part testing, including typing. It took 1 hour. Few days later I received an email for a google meet interview that took about 30 minutes. -Describe your experience in customer service and sales.
Why work at Spherion?
Spherion is excited to partner with a well-established manufacturer in the Columbia area in search of a Shipping Coordinator. This TEMP-TO-PERM position offers excellent pay, stable hours and schedule, and the opportunity to quickly grow and advance.
Is Spherion a good recruiter?
Spherion has helped me out over the years, and this time was no different. They are very well connected and understanding, and out of all the recruiters I’ve reached out to, they have been the ones to help first and foremost. They don’t shortchange your worth either, which is really respectful.
