Executives prefer SUVs, navy blue suits and part their hair on the right. More than half of Americans leave 11 days of vacation on the table every year. 80 may be the new 65 for retirement age.

These are but a few results of the recent surveys conducted by market research leader Harris Interactive on behalf of their clients.  Harris Interactive provides full service market research and polling services for multiple industries across the globe including ad-hoc and customized qualitative and quantitative research, service bureau research (conducted for other market research firms), and long-term tracking studies.

We sat down with Harris Interactive’s Director of Recruitment, Wanda Callahan, to learn about how Harris Interactive hires – and also to get a few tips on job search strategy from the perspective of a recruiting insider.  Prior to joining Harris Interactive in 2004, Callahan worked in corporate HR recruiting for companies including Kodak Imaging Services and Pitney Bowes. She started her career as an executive recruiter for private search firms, so she knows the hiring process inside and out.  Callahan has a passion for finding and delivering quality candidates to hiring managers.

I would imagine that most people who apply to jobs at Harris Interactive have read your polls and are familiar with your work. What surprises candidates about working at Harris Interactive?

I think one thing that surprises people is how warm and genuinely friendly our staff is – as well as how smart our researchers are.

Harris Interactive was recently selected as a great place to apply by the Candidate Experience Awards.What stands out about your hiring process?  What’s unique about the job applicant experience at Harris Interactive?

We are a service organization so we want to hire customer-focused employees.   In turn, we want to be as responsive as possible to our candidates assisting those in the interview and on-boarding process as much as possible, as well as making sure that applicants know when a position has been filled and that we will retain their resume/CV for future opportunities.
 

What types of jobs are you hiring for right now? Is there one place to find all of your employment opportunities?

Right now we are hiring for several market research and inside sales positions. For market research, applicants must have a minimum of a four-year degree.   We can usually find quality graduates who enjoy research with majors in Psychology or Statistics.  The Harris Interactive website contains all our open jobs.
 

What makes a great Harris Interactive candidate and employee?

We look for high energy, client focused applicants – people who want to go above and beyond.
 

Can you tell me about someone you recently hired? And what made them stand out?

I recently interviewed a Ph.D. researcher for one position but discovered he was not appropriate for that particular job.   However, he was open to continuing a dialogue with us so we could learn more about him.  He had additional traits and skills in an area where we could expand our business.   This happens frequently.  We might have one job in mind for someone when reviewing a resume, but other jobs may be created.   Be open to other opportunities that you may not ordinarily consider. Many job seekers are closely tied to what they are looking for.  Increase your odds by expanding your search.  Never close a door.  Your background might be very appropriate for several different opportunities, even those not currently available and posted.
 

What’s the best way a job applicant – for any job, at any company – can stand out in the applicant pool?

With today’s electronic tools to assist HR in the interview process, many applicants may feel their resumes go into a black hole.  Something as simple as remembering to accurately provide contact information is vital.  Mis-spelling an email address or supplying the incorrect phone number on a submission form may eliminate or delay communication from arriving to your destination punctually.  Also, you will want to make certain you are applying for the appropriate position that meets your background.  Technology and one’s speed can sometimes click on the wrong job.

If you are relocating to a specific area, make certain to include that information with your resume.  A resume can easily be rejected depending on the address provided.
 

Why do people like working for Harris Interactive?

Our market research employees work on a lot of different subject-matter projects.  They enjoy the variety; to name just a few:  conducting online research regarding packaging of a consumer product, researching a political issue, determining if a new financial product is worthy of marketing, etc.  

In order to succeed here, researchers thrive as an individual contributor but also enjoy working and providing value on a team.
 

Use it now—actionable—advice for job seekers:

Research each company you want to work for.   If you are socially connected (personally or professionally via social media) with someone from the company, if appropriate, query those associates about the culture.    Ask relative questions about the job and the company.   

Interviewing is getting to know one another.  During the interview process, instead of answering questions with one word, tell a story about how you positively responded to a situation.  Before you leave the interview, ask what the next steps are in the process.  In the best-case scenario:   Ask for the job.

Harris Interactive always appreciates your opinion.  Join the Harris Poll.  We’d like to hear your thoughts.  It’s free to join.  And you’ll have the chance to earn rewards for your participation.  It’s free: www.harrispollonline.com