Recruiter Interview – Drew Halpern

What company do you work for?

SBH Fashion

What is your job title?

COO/VP

What type of recruiting do you do?

Placement Agency

Tell us a little about yourself.

I went to Wisconsin from NY. Love what I do.

How did you get into recruiting?

My family is all in recruiting so it was natural for me to get in to it.

Tell us about your company.

We are SBH Fashion – we specialize in all things fashion, beauty, accessories, jewelry, etc. We are a growing agency with a boutique feel. We get to know our candidates and clients, really understanding their culture and what people fit the bill. It is not just about experience! We are launching a new division, SBHPlus, that focuses on jobs outside of just fashion.

Why would a fashion industry job seeker want to work at/with your company?

We work 24/7 to get the jobs filled. We are clear in our communication through the entire process. We are quick. And we are contingent, which means we aren’t due our fee until we place the role and the person fulfills our guarantee.

Tell us about the hiring process at your company.

We vet every candidate whether in-person, FaceTime or on the phone to ensure they are the right fit for the company. We take the candidate through the entire process from first interview to hopefully offer stages.

What types of fashion industry positions do you recruit for?

ALL

What are some common misconceptions job seekers have about your job?

Some companies think that we just post ads. That is not it at all. Ads are good way to get resumes for your database, BUT the best candidates are the passive ones. Most people we send out weren’t “actively interviewing” until we spoke with them and sold them on the opportunity.

What should job seekers know about your job as a recruiter?

It is extremely time-consuming and a lot harder than people think. We are here to save you time and money so trust that when we send someone , we have vetted them for you to meet.

What are some of the most common mistakes fashion industry job seekers make when looking/applying/interviewing/etc… for a job?

Make sure your resume aligns with the job you are applying to ! If you’ve done responsibilities in the job description that aren’t in your resume, add them in.

What’s the craziest thing a job seeker has ever said to you?

Can’t think of it on the spot, but I find it funny when job seekers try to blame me for them not getting a job after an interview. Once the interview process is under way, it’s up to you ! I can only nudge.

What’s the most inappropriate thing you’ve seen on a resume?

Someone had put as hobbies Wildlife Animal Hunting. Don’t think that’s something needed on a resume.

Not a fan of pictures either.

What advice do you have for younger job seekers?

Take Excel classes. Better yourself in every way. When you find a good job, great…but if they aren’t paying you fair wages then look elsewhere.

What advice do you have for older job seekers?

Keep up with the digital space, trends, computer systems, etc. Keep yourself relevant!

What are some common mistakes fashion industry job seekers make during the job search process? Resumes/Cover Letters/Correspondence/Applications/Follow-up/Interview/etc…

Make sure your resume aligns with the job you are applying to ! If you’ve done responsibilities in the job description that aren’t in your resume, add them in.

Cover letters are generally outdated in my opinion.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

There is no better partner in recruiting than SBH Fashion.

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