Anyone wondering if all the job seeking advice they've received is really going to help them land a great career, read further.

For anyone who doesn’t already know this, there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. There’s not even a Tooth Fairy. And to make matters worse, there is no secret or magical way to get a job.

Sure there are a lot of articles and tools out there giving candidates advice about what they need to do to create the “perfect” resume or prepare the “best” responses to “typical” job interview questions.

However, when it comes right down to it, recruiters are not linked by a common brain. What they are is human, and they are unique individuals who have their own interview style, personal interview techniques, and favorite interview questions.

For this reason, while job seekers can read every job hunting article or book and practice for hours with friends and family, when it comes down to it until they walk in and sit down for the job interview, they really won’t know what to expect.

That’s why it’s important to know these five things about the recruiting process.

Resumes Sell the Candidate

All that stuff experts have been saying about the importance of writing a great resume is true. Sure, there are people out there who will say they’ve never used a resume in their life and they’ve remained gainfully employed. But then those are probably people without career aspirations.

Anyone who has taken the time to graduate with a four-year college degree, envision an unrealized dream job and expects to climb the career ladder will at some point need to create a resume. Not just any old resume, but one that professionally represents the best of who they are.

Human Resources is the Gatekeeper

Yes, those in human resources can be a pain in the tush. Yes, many job seekers find their way surreptitiously around them. However, be careful.

Every organization places a different value on the usefulness of in-house recruiters, and if their role is to pre-screen candidates, it’s better to make an ally than an enemy.

Preparation is Still Important

Imagine sitting in an uncomfortable chair under the glare of a hot, bright light and being grilled for hours. Okay, maybe it’s not a police interrogation. However, sometimes the stress and strain of the job interview process can be overwhelming.

That’s why it is important to be mentally prepared. Primarily this means candidates need to know themselves and their background. They need to be able to intelligently discuss and cite examples of their past work experience and accomplishments as well as their best skills and attributes.

Interviewing is a Two-Way Street

This is a very important concept to remember. It doesn’t mean that job seekers need to be cocky and feel all-important because they have a say in the process. However, they need to understand that while the company has the option to hire them or not, they have the option to accept…or not.

What is ultimately important is that candidates get as much from the interview process as the employer. That means clearly understanding what the company and position are all about and receiving answers to all their questions.

It’s All About Finding the Right Fit

What it finally all comes down to – after candidates have been interviewed, questions have been asked, references verified – is who fits best with the organization culture. And that’s equally important for the job seeker.

Every organization has a vision or direction of where it is going supported by a set of values. Most candidates have these same things. In order to be truly happy, the company’s culture needs to fit with the employee’s. That means it’s not just about finding the right job, it’s about finding the right employer.

What job seekers need to remember is that there is no definitive answer. Each situation, every job interview, has to be taken as an individual event and handled on a case by case basis. In the end, there is no secret, magical interview pill.