tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449289445449251912024-03-13T09:10:10.396-04:00EngageMeHITProviding keys that unlock the doors to better employment.EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-59440756419369130012024-03-11T09:53:00.002-04:002024-03-11T09:53:26.277-04:00The Struggle is Real<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCJxWFsA8tzAluDaNHaky7CnVe6GpZGFGjapYOQZ4DTuGqC_2TDQyNkSUA3qkKW4PHtOeMkD2KVIF2RaikwcX0_9jmBbOa_Zaxxts2KcYZsBAvmybgLOlyVL3ToqMDD7IJP83uo9HwSmHoqauQS-tGrKGAoMVzgb2h07FsEwLsYEAzygdHp5xDXogVUL-/s620/3-Ways-You-Can-Look-at-Any-Struggle-and-Turn-It-Into-a-Positive-Result.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="620" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCJxWFsA8tzAluDaNHaky7CnVe6GpZGFGjapYOQZ4DTuGqC_2TDQyNkSUA3qkKW4PHtOeMkD2KVIF2RaikwcX0_9jmBbOa_Zaxxts2KcYZsBAvmybgLOlyVL3ToqMDD7IJP83uo9HwSmHoqauQS-tGrKGAoMVzgb2h07FsEwLsYEAzygdHp5xDXogVUL-/s320/3-Ways-You-Can-Look-at-Any-Struggle-and-Turn-It-Into-a-Positive-Result.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">As a career Recruiter – I thrive on finding the right jobs
for my candidates, and having been in this role for over 20 years, I’ve gotten
to the point where I consider EVERYONE my candidate :0) – If my friend or
someone in my family is looking for work, I’m helping to revise their resume,
giving them ideas on how to market themselves, and following along in their
journey. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>It’s the same with present and past employees, co-workers
and contacts on LinkedIn. I truly want
to HELP people, and navigating the employment process is where my strengths
reside.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I see posts on LinkedIn of people who are struggling to
find work, some of whom have been unemployed for many, many months, at risk of
losing their homes, desperate for something to land, my heart aches for
them. I want to reach out to each and
every one – request their resume, help them to find that perfect role, but I
realize that I can’t help everyone, and that’s a tough pill for me to swallow.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />I CAN however, provide some tips from the wealth of
knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years. If you’re having a tough time
finding a job, hopefully you’ll find this information helpful.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. Make sure you
have an impactful resume. It should
include all your industry “key words” – it should also include your day-to-day
responsibilities at each job, as well as milestones and accomplishments.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. Put that
resume on all the job boards, make sure your LinkedIn profile mirrors your
resume, and send it out to friends and prior colleagues you think may be able
to assist you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3. Have a clear
idea of what you’re looking for, but be flexible. The current job market can be challenging, so
lacking flexibility can cost you. If you
demand a specific salary, be sure that’s a hill you’re willing to die on,
because you may find yourself being more flexible 8 mos down the road when you
haven’t found work.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">. Learn to
interview well. I’ve spoken to some
amazing people who probably would be fantastic in the job, but they don’t get
the offer because they tank the interview.
It’s so important to bring your “A game” when interviewing. Be professional, Be prepared, Know your
resume, Know your skills, be ready to answer tough questions with finesse,
don’t talk over people, don’t ramble on and on and on. Interviewing is a skill, if you’re
consistently being passed over, find a recruiter who is willing to be honest
with you, and help you interview better.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5. Stick to
business and keep it positive. While
sharing some personal information is acceptable – stick to business during the
interview. Don’t talk about your
problems. The potential employer doesn’t need to know that you’re struggling to
find work, that your marriage is on the rocks, that your bills aren’t being
paid. They want to hire someone that can
do the work and will be reliable.
Complaining or sounding desperate is a sure-fire way to not get hired.
(This includes social media! Keep your message positive) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find out
everything you can about the company and the role you’re interviewing for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The potential employer will be
impressed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long have they been in
business?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What things about the company
excite you? What about their product or vision aligns with your career
goals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about the role makes it a
sensible next step for you? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smile!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Engage! Regardless of how you feel in the
minutes leading up to the interview, put a smile on your face and be that
person that they want to work with every day.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8. Mindset is
everything – I know it’s tough to be positive when things aren’t going
well. Trust me… I KNOW! However, it’s
incredibly important to see the “up-side.”
There is truth in the saying that “like attracts like”. FIND things in your day to be positive about
and focus on them – even if they’re as simple as “I had a hot shower today”, or
“the sun is shining”. There is purpose
in your existence. Keep moving forward.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-30723509887721978682024-01-29T10:36:00.001-05:002024-01-29T16:02:15.902-05:00Recruiters.... Do Better!<p>As a recruiter, I speak to people who are searching for a job every day. More and more I am hearing stories about the issues people are having when being approached by recruiters. The two concerns I hear about most frequently are:<br /></p><p>1. Total lack of communication (never hearing back after an interview, no notification if a job was ever filled, etc)</p><p>2. Complete lack of personalization (they feel more like a number than a person)</p><p>I always have empathy. You'd think with the speed of which we can communicate now, and the ability to interview virtually, finding a job would be easier not more difficult. It seems however, that navigating the interview process has become more challenging, and the process has become more impersonal. People are being treated as a commodity instead of as a human being.</p><p>Today I accepted an invite to connect via LinkedIn from a recruiter. After I accepted the invite I received the following Inmail (with a few edits to conceal the person & company identity)</p><p><span color="rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18); display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-line; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
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</xml><![endif]--><i>Thank you for connecting, and I look forward to our next
conversation. Here are some of our key differentiators for your consideration:</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i> 30 record years out of 31+ years of business, 100% REMOTE, 100% retained search; no contingency work; therefore, you
are always getting paid</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>No business development. 99% of our searches are high-six-figure opportunities. Premium fee structure at 33% to client Full support, research, and database management. Minimal data entry 90% of leads are already sourced with personal email and
mobile numbers. </i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>We specialize in approximately 10 different sectors
(Agriculture, Horticulture, Construction, Landscape, Arbor, Facility Services,
Restoration, are just a few)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Generous incentive plan: 35% above the industry average. The position is 1099 and commission-based with NO CAP,
ideal for ambitious and confident individuals </i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>To move forward, we kindly request that you complete our
assessment, which will allow you to showcase your unique strengths while
providing us with valuable insights into your potential to excel in this role. Once you have completed the survey, we will reach out to
you promptly to schedule a time for us to connect and discuss the next steps.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Is this the new standard on how businesses are going to approach people? <br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Maybe the communication I received was from a Fake Recruiter? I've been hearing about people being spammed by Fake Recruiters<i>. </i>Until recently I was unaware that was even a thing.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Candidates are human beings, and they deserve to be treated kindly, and with respect. Even though its been a number of years, I remember being in the interview process, its a stressful time, particularly when you've interviewed and you're waiting for your recruiter to let you know if the company is interested in moving forward. Things like regular updates, clear and honest communication, and a personal touch are important.<br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Companies and Recruiters must do a better job at caring for the people they're courting. No successful, self confident, professional will want to work for a company where they are not treated with an element of compassion, and with respect for their time and interest.</p><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></p>
<p><span color="rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)" face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", "Fira Sans", Ubuntu, Oxygen, "Oxygen Sans", Cantarell, "Droid Sans", "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Lucida Grande", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18); display: inline; float: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-line; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></p>EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-74866209113441581902024-01-04T15:03:00.005-05:002024-01-29T16:02:26.272-05:00Does AI Have a Role in the Employment Search Process?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBubRw6USKXJOttIb1XKW13pA-wtf_vVpHf_qImEiI5R1-4sBsYmVJV1xSkGvLhcngLgFb1JR0Y7rIFLkhnXZpcltRa43UPiB9mD5HCyrElMbAZFx88ItxDBMA58klJcYVvamcA8yzpvuPOLz5pefjfK1Tj5N_IfuFIb7CfAMp09iRDrJp0scQTpkl3k/s328/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="328" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBubRw6USKXJOttIb1XKW13pA-wtf_vVpHf_qImEiI5R1-4sBsYmVJV1xSkGvLhcngLgFb1JR0Y7rIFLkhnXZpcltRa43UPiB9mD5HCyrElMbAZFx88ItxDBMA58klJcYVvamcA8yzpvuPOLz5pefjfK1Tj5N_IfuFIb7CfAMp09iRDrJp0scQTpkl3k/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We are all familiar with what AI is correct? You'd had to have been living completely off grid & social media free to not know about AI (Artificial Intelligence). <p></p><p>AI has been prevalent in the news lately, people are either touting its usefulness, or ringing the doomsday bells of our demise. Whatever your thoughts or concerns about AI, there might be a place for it in the job search process. Honestly, I'm a bit shocked at myself for even saying that, since authenticity is so important to me when selecting candidates, but maybe.....just maybe there is room for a bit of assistance along the way?</p><p>When recently receiving a tutorial on ChatGPT from my more tech savvy brother, I had him query "Act like a candidate and write a post interview thank you letter". For those not familiar with ChatGPT - you ask it to "act like a" <u>fill in the blank</u> and it will provide you with the content you're looking for - hopefully.</p><p>I was honestly quite impressed with the 3 paragraph Thank You note it generated, and had I received the note from a candidate, I'd have been equally impressed. I'm not going to waste time discussing Thank You notes here, I've written a previous blog post about that, but I've seen some very lackluster, if not downright deplorable Thank You notes over the years. </p><p>After reading the AI generated Thank You note, I had to have a very serious internal dialog about how married I am to authenticity when it comes to candidate communication. A lot of people already rely on a 3rd party to help them create a resume, why not rely on AI to assist with Cover Letters, Letters of Interest and Thank you notes? As long as the person takes the time to carefully read the AI generated content, make it their own, and learn what a good letter looks like, no harm right?</p><p>While writing this post I decided to ask ChatGPT to "act like a recruiter and write a few paragraphs on why it is beneficial to use AI to write a cover letter" and here is what it came up with:</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">As a seasoned recruiter, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of technology on the recruitment process. One area that stands out is the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to craft cover letters. While some might argue that the personal touch of a handwritten letter or the unique flair of an individual's writing style is irreplaceable, AI-driven cover letters offer several compelling advantages that cannot be overlooked.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Firstly, AI-powered cover letters can significantly streamline the recruitment process. With the ability to analyze job descriptions and candidate profiles, AI can generate tailored cover letters that align perfectly with the requirements and expectations of the hiring company. This ensures that recruiters receive cover letters that are not only relevant but also highlight the candidate's most pertinent skills and experiences.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Seco</span><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span><span style="color: white;">ndly, AI-driven cover letters can help level the playing field for candidates. Writing a compelling cover letter can be a daunting task, especially for those who may not have strong writing skills or are unfamiliar with the expectations of a particular industry. By leveraging AI, candidates can access a tool that helps them articulate their qualifications effectively, thereby increasing their chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Moreover, AI can also assist in eliminating unconscious biases in the recruitment process. By focusing solely on the content and relevance of the cover letter, AI ensures that candidates are evaluated based on their skills, experiences, and qualifications, rather than subjective factors such as gender, ethnicity, or educational background.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">In conclusion, while the human touch in recruitment will always be invaluable, the integration of AI in crafting cover letters represents a significant advancement in the field. By leveraging AI's capabilities, recruiters can ensure a more efficient, unbiased, and inclusive recruitment process, ultimately leading to better hiring decisions and enhanced organizational success.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="color: white;">Hard to argue with that!</span></span></p>EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-37983759000486998192023-09-26T17:27:00.003-04:002024-01-29T16:02:35.280-05:00Am I Still Relevant?<p> I love my career. For 25 years I've been involved in staffing, primarily as a recruiter. While the industry I service has changed a few times - my dedication to the people I'm serving has not. And by "people I'm serving" - I mean the candidates. Of course I care about the clients, their needs and their satisfaction, but my focus has always been, and will always be on the person I am helping to navigate the employment process.</p><p>I've noticed over the last 10 years that while my dedication to people has remained strong, my interest in diving into every little niche area of the market, reading endless amounts of data, and belonging to hundreds and hundreds of groups/publications/chapters etc etc etc has lost its appeal.</p><p>Staying current is important, and I find that my best source for the most up to date information comes directly from the people I'm interviewing on a daily basis. I enjoy those conversations, one might even say I thrive on them. I like engaging with people, learning about them, their experiences, their career objectives, and their passions. I find satisfaction in helping those people. Helping them doesn't always mean placing them in a job, it may mean showing them how to update their resume, or providing tips on video interviewing, or passing along their information to an industry colleague if my company doesn't have an ideal opportunity.</p><p>I read about some concerns recently over candidates receiving rejection emails on a Saturday. I can empathize with their concerns. Sadly - it seems like just about everything has lost the element of a personal touch, including the career search process. Some recruiters go as far as to use an automated system in the company database to send canned rejection letters to their candidates. Personally, I'm not a fan of that option. If a candidate has taken the time to interview with me, and I felt they were strong enough to be submitted to a job opening, I will always send a personal email letting them know if they've been rejected. Often, especially if it's been a long, arduous interview process, I'll pick up the phone and call them to let them know. Even if all I did was review the resume and determine they were not a fit for the job at hand, I'll still send a quick email. The only caveat to that process would be resumes that are wildly unqualified for the job at hand. If I'm recruiting for a CIO and the resume shows 3 years of experience as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly, I'm sending a canned response. Not that there's anything wrong with being a cashier at Piggly Wiggly mind you.</p><p>I don't like to toot my own horn, because honestly - I'm extremely uncomfortable with it - but I've had many candidates over the years tell me how much they appreciate my follow up because they rarely if ever receive regular communication from recruiters. That makes me sad. Sure recruiters can get busy, but that is no excuse. Sending a weekly email update to the candidates you have in process should be the rule, not the exception.</p><p>This all brings me back to - maybe I'm no longer relevant? Maybe the "old way" of recruiting has gone the way of the fax machine and snail mail? Possibly in 10 more years AI will have completely taken over my industry and the human, compassionate element will be gone entirely. By that time I'll probably be ready for retirement anyway.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-37847061432104186912023-04-17T16:52:00.006-04:002024-01-29T16:02:43.621-05:00Texting - When is it appropriate in the interview process?<p> Over the years, the options for communication have increased exponentially. Gone are the days of faxing or dropping off your resume at a place of business. In our virtual world, recruiters and candidates alike are using job boards, job board apps, LinkedIn, email, Twitter (X), text and other methods communicate. </p><p>With all this technology at our fingertips, during the application and interview process - when is it appropriate to use email, a call or text to communicate?</p><p>The rules of engagement are simple:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Once you have applied through any of the methods above, if you have not heard back from the recruiter or company representative, it is perfectly acceptable to send an email to follow up on your application. </li><li>If you have communicated with a representative of the company via any method, it is acceptable to email or call them directly with any further questions.</li><li>If you have been interviewed by a recruiter, so a relationship has been established, it is acceptable to reach out with small questions or quick notes via text. Examples would be: "I did not receive the invite to the video interview, can you please resend?" or "I'm trying to log into the TEAMS interview via the link you sent, but it isn't working"</li><li>When you text a recruiter, keep in mind that it is typical for recruiters have a dozen or more candidates in process at any given time. Due to the volume of candidates, most recruiters do not save candidate's contact information to their phone - so<u> it is imperative that you include your name in your text</u>. Example: "Hello this is Jane Smith, we discussed the sales position on Weds, I did not receive the invite to the video interview, can you please resend to JSmith@gmail.com?" </li></ol><div> Personally, I spend most of my day using my phone to speak with candidates, clients, consultants and internal team members, I turn my text notifications off, so they do not interrupt these conversations.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is challenging to receive multiple texts a day with no identifiable information. The most common text I receive is "any feedback yet?", which requires me to look up the phone number in our database or respond to the text with "I'm sorry, but who is this"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Simply by signing your texts, you can save time, and limit any potential confusion.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mYaK4KnuA_0c2Z5h7uUhL7RwzgokxhvZ6-hYR1NL_FPCNTHDXHKSAXy5Is1yH6JJY9ZCB2fiO2W90wjKvo8apHXfnsD5z_nA8hNpQzKwOz8XAikx6xUQU4sYauUPexh0tC1AOLKHOATWHkFoIOw13q-sr1Hro_Qxuk50bCcgLV94rMgEYCovM0Y1Mg/s706/Guesswho-0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="706" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mYaK4KnuA_0c2Z5h7uUhL7RwzgokxhvZ6-hYR1NL_FPCNTHDXHKSAXy5Is1yH6JJY9ZCB2fiO2W90wjKvo8apHXfnsD5z_nA8hNpQzKwOz8XAikx6xUQU4sYauUPexh0tC1AOLKHOATWHkFoIOw13q-sr1Hro_Qxuk50bCcgLV94rMgEYCovM0Y1Mg/s320/Guesswho-0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></div><p></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-19190952243932154312022-02-18T10:52:00.001-05:002024-01-29T16:02:52.584-05:00Knowing When To Quit - Professionalism 101<p>At one point or another in almost everyone's career, they've applied to a position they feel highly qualified for, only to be turned down by a recruiter or hiring manager because one or more of the requirements for the position was not clearly visible in their resume.</p><p>It might be an oversight on the reviewers part, an oversite on the part of the person creating the resume, or the job truly is not the right fit.</p><p>The best way to approach this situation, should you feel a mistake has been made, is to respond to the decision maker via email, and provide a few bullets showing your relevant experience.</p><p>Example:</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for reviewing my resume. I believe that I do have the qualifications you mentioned above.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>5 years of Project Management experience</b> - please note on my resume that between 2014 and 2019 I served a dual role as a Project Manager and Information Analyst for XYZ Company.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Regulatory & Compliance Certification - </b>While it is not on my resume due to an oversight on my part, I am HIPAA Certified since 2017</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">In an effort to keep my resume to 3 pages, I wasn't able to fit all of my 25 years of experience. I do have all the requirements of the role including (and list what they thought you lacked)</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I would truly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you, so I can provide a deeper explanation of my experience and qualifications.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />Sincerely,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is never </span>advisable<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to respond with the following, or anything similar (all of which I've received over the years):</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm the best candidate you'll find for this position, YOUR LOSS!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">I might not have a lot of the required qualifications, but I'm a quick learner.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good Luck! You wont find a better candidate.</span></li></ul><div>Responses like the ones above appear desperate, and some are just rude. No recruiter or hiring manager is going to react positively to someone who responds in that manner. Who would want to work with a person who responds in that way to a simple email? One cannot imagine what this person would be like to work with on a daily basis, handling complex work situations.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The best way to avoid this situation all together, is the make sure that the email accompanying the resume has a note highlighting the experience/qualifications/knowledge fit of the person applying.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div>In the long run, its always best to take the high road. </div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-15707182389617430512021-09-23T16:06:00.001-04:002021-09-23T16:06:28.036-04:00Acceptable Reasons For No Call, No Show<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> You've suffered a near fatal event</li><li> You've been abducted by aliens and do not have access to your phone</li><li> You're in prison</li><li> You died</li></ul><div>A "No Call, No Show" (NCNS) is when you don't show up for work, and don't call/text/email in advance to let someone know you won't be coming in.</div><div><br /></div><div>While this is obviously unprofessional, no matter how long you've been employed, it's more likely not going to lead to termination if you've been with the same employer for a long time, they know you well, and you've proven yourself to be a reliable employee. If, on the other hand, you NCNS on your first day on the job, you can rest assured you no longer have a job.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you find yourself unable to show up for work, the right thing to do is notify your employer as far in advance of your start time as possible. How you notify them is not important, anything - even smoke signals - is better that nothing. A quick text, email or voice mail stating that you're regretfully not going to make it in is sufficient, but a more detailed text, email or voice mail stating you're not coming in, why you're not able to be there, and when you anticipate being able to come in is ideal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't be afraid to be honest! As a recruiter, I'd much rather someone call me the day before they're going to start, and tell me honestly that they're not going to be able to start the job because they've decided to accept another position, than to have someone ghost me and my client, leaving us all in a bad position.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even in the case of most emergencies, it is possible to find a quick moment to shoot off a text stating that you're sorry you're unable to show up for work. This is one of many reasons why it is important to have the cell phone number of your recruiter or manager in your phone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being professional, and providing a "heads-up" can be the difference between a positive relationship with your employer or termination, bad references & burned bridges.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-6598114003339142372021-06-30T10:59:00.004-04:002024-01-29T16:03:05.815-05:00What Does Your LinkedIn Profile Say About You?<p>Employers are turning to LinkedIn more and more to research candidates, prior to scheduling an interview. If you're seeking new employment, your LinkedIn profile is likely to play a factor in your candidacy. Potential employers are typically reviewing your work history, possible discrepancies with your resume, and insights into your personality ("team fit").</p><p><b>What your LinkedIn Profile & Activity should reflect:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>An accurate work history with a few bullets describing each role</li><li>Professional Insight (photo, activity, etc that showcase your career & interests)</li><li>Information that correlates with your resume content</li><li>Activity and Posts that positively represent your career objectives, goals & personality</li></ul><div><b>What your LinkedIn Profile & Activity should not reflect:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Activity & Posts that are heavy-laden in political, negative, or non-career related content</li><li>Work history that does not align with your resume or is not up to date </li><li>False information </li></ul><div>It is safe to assume that any potential employer will be reviewing your LinkedIn profile, to determine if they want to consider you to join their team.</div></div><div>Your LinkedIn Profile content is as important, if not more important than the content of your resume. Take time to make sure that your profile accurately represents who you are, both personally & professionally.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></div><p></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-27807697300588374702021-01-20T09:02:00.005-05:002024-01-29T16:03:16.717-05:00Why to Steer Clear of the 5 Top Interview Questions<p> It seems over the years that the interview process has become more sterile, and there are 5 questions that get asked by almost every company during the candidate interview:</p><p>1. Tell me about yourself</p><p>2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years</p><p>3. Tell me about a problem you solved in the past at work (or some similar question about work related conflict)</p><p>4. What are your strengths & weaknesses (areas you need room for improvement)</p><p>5. Why are you looking for a new job</p><p>On the surface those <i>seem </i>like good questions, but the truth is, a savvy candidate is going to answer them with canned and prepared answers that may or may not be the truth. Most candidates that truly want a job are going to say what they believe is going to land them the position. </p><p>"Tell me about yourself" - is such an open ended question that you could spend 30 minutes listening to the person's life story. While that would turn any interviewer off, the truth is, just because someone wants to carry on about their history, doesn't mean they'd be a poor employee.</p><p>"Where do you see yourself in 5 years" - is supposed to provide an indication of the candidate's goals in life and business, but the truth is, we all change our minds. What a person's vision is today could be radically different a month from now. People get diagnosed with illnesses, get married, start families, get laid off, find new passions - any amount of things. This question is so expected nowadays that the candidate likely has a canned answer that they know will represent them well. In essence, this is a waste of time.</p><p>"Tell me about a conflict or problem you solved in your last position" - I've heard a number of variations on this question. What I've found is that it often leaves the candidate stimied. Off the top of one's head, it is difficult coming up with conflict related experiences in the workplace, unless you work in a industry where conflict is a daily occurrence. The candidate may have solved all sorts of issues, but doesn't feel like they stand out because they where typical occurrences on the job. Additionally, once one gets accustomed to being asked this question, you're going to get a canned answer which may or may not be true or elaborated on. </p><p>"What are your strengths and weaknesses" - No one is going to tell you their true weaknesses. If this person sits at their desk and instead of focusing on work, spends 1/2 the day on social media, they aren't going to tell you that. Typically you'll hear something like "I tend to run a little late" or some other idiom that is far from the truth. </p><p>"Why are you looking for a new job" - 9 times out of 10 if this person was fired from their last job you are not getting a true answer. Very rarely is someone going to say something like: "Well, I didn't really get along with my last manager, and I got tired of her always bothering me about the way I did things, so I told her off and got fired".</p><p><b>What to ask in place of those 5 questions:</b></p><p>Eliminate "Tell me about yourself" altogether. Instead of asking that question, take a few minutes at the end or beginning of the interview to just chat with the person. If they're on a Video interview where you can see photos or books or sports related items in their home - ask them a related question about those items, open them up and learn more about their personality, passions and past. You will not get to know the person without taking some time to create a good rapport. If its not a video call, or you don't have a window into the person's life, try to have a more friendly conversation to gain better insight into who they are before you end the interview.</p><p>Instead of "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" - ask "If your career went exactly the way you wanted it to, what would be your ultimate position / responsibilities" or just a simple "Why is this opportunity interesting to you".</p><p>Instead of a version of "tell me about a conflict or problem you resolved in your last position" - "What do you feel one of your greatest accomplishments in [whatever industry you're in] has been" People remember the things they're most proud of. Everyone should be able to tell you about a time they did something they felt pride in.</p><p>Instead of "tell me about your strengths & weaknesses" try "what do you enjoy the most about your current job" and "what responsibility do you enjoy the least" These questions take a person away from having to feel something is a strength or a weakness, and are more likely to provide more insightful answers. </p><p>In honesty, I often do ask someone why they're seeking a new position, understanding that I may not get a reliable answer. If you ask this question, you must be prepared to dig a bit further and ask follow up questions pertaining to their resume. "I noticed you've only been at your last 2 jobs for less than 2 years, can you explain why you didn't stay longer".</p><p>If you interview candidates on a regular basis, no two interviews should look/sound the same. Each interview should reflect not only the job you're hiring for, but the individual you are hiring. Prior to interviewing the candidate, review their social media (LinkedIn, Facebook etc) and their resume. Jot down some questions you want to ask that directly pertain to the information you've gained. People want to be treated like individuals. When someone feels you are truly interested in who they are, they are more likely to open up to you.</p><p><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></p>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-90721355459129716192020-06-09T09:02:00.001-04:002024-01-29T16:02:00.250-05:00Unemployed Due to COVID (or a lay off), What To Do Now?COVID-19 has hit many industries financially, causing huge lay-offs across the country. Many people have been waiting things out for the last few months and are now wondering what to do next.<br />
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Regardless of the industry you are in, the first task on your list should be to file for unemployment through your state government website if you have not done so already. In some states, like Florida, this has been particularly difficult, so the sooner you file, the better off you'll be. There are also funds available to Independent / Self Employed Contractors. (Check out your state website for more info)<br />
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So, other than chores, what else can you do during this downtime? Here are my Top 10 suggestions:<br />
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1. Revamp your resume. Make sure all those important industry key-words are on there. For tips on how to construct an eye-catching resume, see my previous blogs posts on resume development (there are a few).<br />
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2. Take a class! Gain some credentials to add to your resume.<br />
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3. Update your LinkedIn profile. It should mirror your resume so Recruiters that are using LinkedIn to search for candidates can easily find you. Make sure your profile shows you are actively looking for new opportunities in the "About" section and include your email address.<br />
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4. Connect with Recruiters in your industry via LinkedIn.<br />
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5. Put your updated resume on the Job Boards. (Dice, Careerbuilder, Monster & other industry related boards)<br />
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6. Reach out to people you've worked for and worked with in the past. Let them know you're available & looking. Ask if you can send them your resume to network for you.<br />
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7. Sometimes finding a job is a full time job in itself, plan to spend at least a few hours each day marketing yourself.<br />
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8. Consider moving temporarily to a different industry. Whatever experience you have, there is potential it will transition. For instance, if you are an Healthcare Technology Trainer, you could transition to a position in Adult Training anywhere. Start searching via the job boards & LinkedIn for job openings that are a potential fit for your qualifications in other industries.<br />
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9. Get your references in order. If you don't already have a short list of people to use as references, get one together. Ideally you should have 5 people, with at least one being a prior boss/manager, that a potential employer can call for a reference. Speak with these people, ask if you can use them as a reference and make sure you have their best phone number & email contact info.<br />
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10. Relax. Easier said than done right? Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair, you're doing something, but its not getting you anywhere. Things WILL turn around! In the meantime, treat yourself well, do things you've been putting off for a rainy day, and get prepared for your next adventure.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-54160312436127133552020-02-26T14:26:00.001-05:002020-02-26T14:26:12.482-05:00Fraudulent Resumes and How They Negatively Effect Hiring in the IT IndustryThere are many job boards available to job seekers today. Most everyone has heard of the Big 3: Careerbuilder, Monster & Indeed, but were you aware that all the major job boards get bombarded with fake resumes?<br />
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When you upload your resume onto a job board, you rely on the integrity of that entity. Unfortunately, on a regular basis, all the major job boards get flooded with fake resumes, particularly in IT related fields. These resumes are typically uploaded by unscrupulous 3rd party consulting / staffing firms that use them to bait employers/Recruiters into contacting them, they'll usually respond to the inquiry stating that the person you're reaching out to is no longer available but they have a variety of qualified candidates they'd be happy to submit. <br />
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These cases create a hindrance to qualified, honest job seekers by bogging down the system, wasting employer/recruiter time, and making it difficult to determine which resumes are genuine and which are not.<br />
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For example; today I logged on to a job board to search for a specific Human Capital Management software experienced consultant. I entered my key words and the search resulted in about 250 resumes from the last 6 mos. Of those resumes, about 50% were fake. I counted 4 resume variations (4 identical resumes), all with different names and all in different metropolitan areas. It usually takes a few minutes to pick up on the fact that a resume looks familiar, and realize the last 2 resumes you reviewed were almost exactly the same, with the same employers, the same key words, the same experience and summary, just the name and location were different.<br />
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This fraudulent activity makes it so time consuming to find the right people that Recruiters are often turning to LinkedIn as the main source for qualified candidates.<br />
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If you are not on LinkedIn, set up a profile! If you are on LinkedIn, make sure your profile resembles your resume, has all the appropriate key words, and mentions in the "About" section that you are open to employment opportunities if it is safe for you to do so.<br />
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If you are loading your resume onto a job board - try to differentiate yourself from the fray by putting something eye catching in the Summary section like "Available For New Projects In June!".<br />
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Oddly this is a little discussed or recognized phenomenon. In conversations with some of the job board representatives, they are often unaware of the issue until a client who uses their service to search for resumes brings it to their attention, at which time they will conduct a search and remove the duplicated resumes. Hopefully the more these issues are reported, the sooner the job boards will make a consistent effort to remove fake resumes from their sites.<br />
<br />Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-36652407863765128452019-09-26T11:15:00.001-04:002019-09-26T11:15:33.658-04:00MORE Thoughts on Successful InterviewingNot that long ago I had a conversation with a candidate who expressed frustration because they were having difficulty landing a job, even though they'd interviewed for multiple positions they were clearly qualified for, with multiple companies over many months. I've had similar conversations with a lot of people over the years.<br />
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People who are frequently turned down for positions tend to express that they believe it is due to their age, looks etc, when most often the decision not to hire comes down to a poor interview. <br />
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Unless the candidate is video or audio recording their interview, it is impossible to be objective about the outcome. They may "hear" themselves in the moment, but without sitting and listening to (or viewing) the entire interview - the candidate truly does not have a thorough understanding of how they are coming across to the people interviewing them. Even then, it might be difficult to be impartial. Ideally it is best to gain honest insight from the perspective employer, or the recruiter that was involved in the process.<br />
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Whether the interview was over the phone or in person, these tips will apply:<br />
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<li><b>Stating the obvious</b> - if interviewing in person or via web/skype/video, look presentable, sit up straight, smile etc. (<i>It doesn't hurt to do this for a phone interview either, to put yourself in the right mode)</i> </li>
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<li>Not all that long ago I spoke with a friend who is a CEO of a large company. He stated that he'd been interviewing a gentleman over the phone for a couple weeks for a senior sales position, and arrangements had been made for the candidate to come into the office and have a final face to face interview. My friend was fully prepared to offer this person the role, but when the candidate showed up, he "looked like he'd just played 18 holes of golf on a hot, windy day" - his clothes were casual, wrinkled & disheveled, his hair hadn't been combed, etc. After that interview the candidate was declined for the position. In everyone's opinion, he should've known that since he was meeting with the CEO of the company, and given the role he was interviewing for, he should've taken the time to make himself presentable and wear a suit or at the very least, clean, laundered, business casual attire.</li>
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<li><b>Shut up & Listen</b> - Remember that song "Talk Talk" from the 80's? Call it the gift of gab, call it diarrhea of the mouth, call it Chatty Cathy syndrome - whatever phrase you choose, some people just ramble, and this can be the most detrimental faux pas of the interview process. <i>Excessive talking during an interview seems to come about for various reasons - the candidate may be nervous, they may have a habit of talking too much, or they may be trying to fill dead air. </i></li>
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<ol>
<li>Relax - Don't be nervous - easier said than done, but try to pretend you're on the phone with someone you're familiar with. Don't treat the interview like an exam, but more like a fact finding conversation.</li>
<li>Be conscientious of how much you're talking - are you losing your audience? How long has it been since someone else has spoken?</li>
<li>"Dead-air" - its ok for there to be a pause in conversation. Often the people conducting the interview take a moment to take notes, or consider an answer that has been given. If there is a longer pause that normal, ask if the call is still connected, if yes, ask if they would like a more detailed answer.</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Be Positive, no one wants to work with a complainer or someone who over-shares.</b></li>
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<li>Unless you're talking with a recruiter you've known for a long time, the conversation should stay very positive in nature.</li>
<li>Don't talk poorly about your current/previous employer, either leave that out of the interview or touch on it as lightly as possible with as much positive spin as you can.</li>
<li>Things like health, marital status / issues, children, family tragedies should never be discussed unless absolutely necessary. (example - " I understand the desired start date is 10/1 and that works for me, however, I feel I should make you aware that I have a surgery planned for 10/20 and will need that week off")</li>
<li>Serial complainers need not apply. If you find yourself constantly complaining about life, work, co-workers, employers, the weather ... etc., its time for a change in perspective. </li>
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<li><b>Don't oversell and Don't undersell.</b></li>
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<ol>
<li><b>Overselling</b> - it is never advisable to embellish your qualifications. You may be able to bluff your way through the interview process but it won't take long for your new employer to figure out you don't have the qualifications to complete your responsibilities. This is a huge waste of time for everyone - you'll be fired, the employer has to start interviewing again, and if you went through a firm to get the role, it makes the firm look bad.</li>
<li><b>Underselling </b>- some people are really humble, and while this certainly isn't a bad trait, it can kill an interview. No one will sell your qualifications better than you. Be confident enough to be able to speak to your experience & successes. One can sell themselves without being braggadocios or arrogant.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Know Your Audience</b></li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>It is always beneficial to know about the person/people you will be interviewing with. <i>What type of personality do they have? Why are they seeking someone for the position? What are their pain-points?</i></li>
<li>If a recruiter has submitted you to the position, ASK them to tell you as much as they can about the person you will be interviewing with. If they don't know, or you don't have a recruiter, research the person who will be interviewing you - LinkedIn is a great place to start. </li>
<li>Example: If you are a exuberant person who is full of energy and tend to be loud and excitable, but you learn the person you'll be interviewing with is quiet & reserved, tone it down a bit. etc.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
Finally, if you aren't sure how you come across during an interview, call a recruiter you know and have them run you through a mock-interview. You can also call a recruiter that has experience with you and ask them their honest opinion on why they feel you are having a rough time landing a position. Most recruiters are open to taking a few minutes of their time to help guide you through the process. Being able to be flexible in your approach & presentation is an important part of interviewing successfully.</div>
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<br />Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-60483023370935304902019-05-03T11:25:00.002-04:002019-05-03T11:25:37.428-04:00One More Time for the people in the back....The Proper Way To Make Initial Contact To a Potential EmployerIts been over 20 years since I accepted my first Staffing job. That's tough for me to believe, its gone by so quickly!<br />
<br />
Subsequently, I started this blog about 9 years ago to express some constant frustrations about the employment / staffing / recruiting process and hopefully help job seekers in the process.<br />
<br />
Over the years that the blog has been active, I've received feedback from quite a few people that it has assisted them in landing a job, BUT... I still feel like there are topics that beg repeating.<br />
<br />
It ALL comes back to communication! Communication is KEY to employment, regardless of the industry you're in, or the position you are applying for. Within this blog, there are numerous posts about resume formatting and distribution, how to interview, how to present yourself etc, but the most important impression is always the first. <br />
<br />
Think about how you want the potential employer to receive your first effort to communicate with them about the job you are interested in. One would assume you would want to stand out as a professional, thoughtful, educated and qualified candidate. In order to do so, you must consider the first method of contact. Typically the first method of contact is either via phone or email, both mediums require effort if you want the potential employer to take interest in you and respond.<br />
<br />
<b>Email:</b><br />
<u>ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS provide an up to date resume when you make initial contact with a potential employer via email </u> Additionally, the email should include the following:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>How you found out about the position? (if it was a referral, provide the person's name)</li>
<li>When are you available to start a new job?</li>
<li>A brief overview of your related qualifications</li>
<li>Best time and way to reach you.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Example:<br />
<i>Hello,</i><br />
<i>My colleague Joe Donut told me that your company is seeking a Cerner SurgiNet Specialist for an upcoming project. I have attached my resume for your consideration. I am available to start a new position in 3 weeks, and have over 5 years of SurgiNet design, build and testing experience.</i><br />
<i>I'm happy to speak with you at your convenience.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thank you,</i><br />
<i>Jane Eclair </i><br />
<i>555-555-1234</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Example of what not to do: <i>(no resume attached)</i><br />
<i>Hi,</i><br />
<i>I had a friend tell me you had an IT job that fit my experience. I'd like to talk to you about it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thanks,</i><br />
<i>John</i><br />
<br />
<b>Phone / Voice Mail:</b><br />
Good Example of aVoice Mail:<br />
<i>Hi,</i><br />
<i>This is Carrie Apple, my friend Tammie Fay told me about your Cerner SurgiNet opening and I would love to discuss it with you. I can be reached at (speaking slowly & clearly) 555-555-1234 after 3pm ET.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thank you</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Good Example of an initial phone call:<br />
<i>Hello!</i><br />
<i>I'm glad I caught you! My name is Carrie Apple, my friend Tammie Fay works for your company and she told me you have a Cerner SurgiNet opening that would be a good fit for my qualifications. Do you have time to discuss it?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
As a job seeker, it is important to remember that it is always likely there are numerous people applying for the same job. In order to be competitive, starting the communication off on the right foot is very important. <br />
<br />
It is also important to remember that HR Personnel, Managers & Recruiters receive dozens (if not more) emails and phone calls every day from potential candidates. The emails and voice mails that provide the best information will be responded to first. <br />
<br />
If a HR Rep/Manager/Recruiter is working to fill 5 - 10 (or more) job openings, receiving dozens of phone calls and emails, conducting and scheduling interviews, processing new hires, and countless other responsibilities, why should they take the time out of their schedule to respond to someone that didn't make an effort to provide the necessary information?<br />
<br />
If you have reached out to a company in a professional manner with all the above mentioned information and STILL haven't heard back, dont be afraid to try one more time. If they do not respond, first, let me apologize on behalf of all recruiters out there, everyone who makes the proper effort deserves to be responded to, and second - it is unlikely they felt your qualifications were a match for any number of reasons and while everyone would like to know why they aren't chosen, its just not that important and a waste of your valuable time to keep trying. Move on to the next! <br />
<br />
<br />EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-40127590273437697002018-01-30T11:52:00.002-05:002020-06-12T12:13:34.534-04:00The #1 Reason Candidates Fail Interviews (UPDATED 2020)<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">The #1 Reason Candidates Fail
Interviews</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">For over 20 years I have sat-in on thousands of interviews; in person,
over the phone, via video and whatever other scenario is available. Some of
these interviews have been impromptu, others well planned, some with just 1
interviewer and others with a panel of interviewers. In almost every
interview that has gone off the rails, the people being interviewed have failed
for the same reason, they are not succinct in their answers.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Open ended questions – the questions that require more than just a
“yes” or “no” answer, tend to send candidates off on rabbit trails, which will
derail an interview in a matter of minutes. Short and concise answers are
ideal, but even the most polished professionals can get lost in their
responses.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Here is a prime example of a popular open ended interview
question: “Tell us about yourself” – I’ve heard people go off on tangents
about their hobbies, their pets, their middle school heartbreak, college sports
achievements, health issues, prior employment issues, and other even less
appropriate topics. Consider the industry you’re in and think about how
you’d answer that question in an interview…..(I’ll wait)….. Are you at a
loss, or do you feel you know exactly what to say? Here are a few things
to consider prior to answering:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">1.</span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "&quot" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">What do you know about the company
you are interviewing for? (Culture, Philosophies, Environment etc.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">2.</span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "&quot" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">What do you know about the people
that are interviewing you? (Background, Education, Personality etc.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">3.</span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-family: "&quot" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">What do you know about the position
you are interviewing for? (Management, Responsibilities, Why the position is
open, Who was in the position before etc.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now let’s dive into those 3 areas a
bit: (1) Prior to your interview you should have researched the company’s
web site to review their mission statement, their vision statement and learn anything
else you can about the company history – where they started, WHY they started
and where they’re going. Armed with that information you can align your answers
to their company objectives. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">(2) Your second internet search should be to Google the person or
people interviewing you – what is their title at the company, where did they
come from and where did they go to school, have they done anything interesting
(charity work, etc). If Google doesn’t turn up anything, search
LinkedIn. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">(3) And finally, do you have a complete job description of the
position you are interviewing for? If not that is something you should
request prior to interviewing. With this information you will be able to
express your past experience in other roles and give the interviewers spot on
information on why you are a fit for the role. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Once you’ve completed your research, you can prep for the
interview by jotting down questions you have about the company and the
position, along with some guidelines on how to answer anticipated questions
like the one I mentioned above. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
Below is an example of how interviewers want the “tell us about yourself”
question answered:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Interviewer: “Now that we’ve
discussed our needs, why don’t you tell us about yourself?” –</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
interviewers want RELEVANT information, not what is relevant to you, but what
is relevant to the job you’re applying for. They also want the
abbreviated version. Let’s pretend you are applying for a Healthcare IT
position (since that is the industry I’ve recruited in for the majority of my
career). </span></i><span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">You: “I began my career about 20 years ago in nursing, a few years
after I began my nursing career, the hospital I was working in upgraded to a
new EMR system and I was able to assist with the end-user training
process. That really piqued my interest in technology, so after the
implementation was complete I started my transition into the IT dept.
Over the last 15 years I’ve gained substantial EMR application build experience
in both Inpatient and Ambulatory settings (naming the applications you
specialize in and touch on any qualifications you have that are a match for the
job requirements) I’ve also gone back to college and obtained my MBA in
Informatics Management and have led multiple upgrade projects.” “What else
would you like to know?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">By providing a targeted description of your career in bullet
points, you’ve used the time you have wisely and reopened the floor to the
interviewer to ask more decisive questions about your experience. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you learned during your research that you
have something in common with someone that is interviewing you, you might bring
that up as well - such as "Tom, I see that we share an alma mater, we both
attended Southern Illinois University!" or "Tom, you may not
remember, but we both worked at NYU 15 years ago" etc. This can help
to build rapport.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e7e6e6; font-size: 11.0pt;">Personality plays an important part
in whether a person is offered a position or not. Not all people will be inclined
to take the time to do the pre-interview research or stay focused during the
interview, however the people that do are most likely to land the job.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-82687584594484079492017-10-24T11:40:00.005-04:002017-10-24T11:46:00.615-04:00There is a Time and a PlaceI have always been outspoken, even as a child. However, my Mother taught me early on that <em>there is a time and a place </em>for discussions about certain topics. As I grew older, more mature and started to wear a professional "hat", I learned that depending on your profession, the workplace is generally NOT a good venue for political discussions, religious discussions, and of course - sexual discussions, and any other potentially polarizing topics. You never know who will over-hear you, what their personal beliefs are, if they might be offended and how they might react.<br />
<br />
In our current political environment, the need for decorum is becoming more and more evident, and fortunately, the lack of tolerance for inappropriate words and actions is becoming less and less standard.<br />
<br />
My professional responsibilities include interviewing and hiring many people every year. Even though my sensibilities are certainly not delicate, I am often astounded at what people will say during an interview process. While I have not walked a mile in their shoes, I am still of the school of thought that if you are trying to obtain a job, that you would be on your best behavior during the interview process. Bringing up your opinions on various political topics, politicians, racial topics, gun rights, women's rights, religious beliefs and of course, the never appropriate sexual innuendos is not a step in the right direction toward securing that job.<br />
<br />
Many will say "What about the right to freedom of speech"? "I have a right to have my own beliefs". All that is true, there is freedom of speech in this country and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. At the same time, there is a level of decorum that should be adhered to. Take into account that the job you are interviewing for and the folks you are interviewing with also have a right to their own beliefs which might differ greatly from your own. In turn, they have a right not to hire you due to something you said during the interview process.<br />
<br />
Always keep in mind that it is also your right to work in an environment where you are not discriminated against or made to feel uncomfortable. Everyone you work with has that right as well. This is why keeping your political beliefs, religious beliefs etc. off the table at the workplace and definitely during the interview process, is important. I shouldn't even have to mention sexual advances and innuendos, but with the recent headlines, it seems it needs to be included.<br />
<br />
Comedians have a term "learn your audience" because not every audience is going to get your jokes, understand your humor or think specific content is funny. The same goes for the workplace. Get to know the people you work with before you say something that might put your job on the line.<br />
<br />
As a rule of thumb, while interviewing for a job it is never a good idea to express your religious or political points of view during the interview process if the job is not in either of those arenas. Should a person interviewing you ask you specifically about your religious or political views and those views do not pertain to the job at hand, be polite but clear and state that those topics are not of any relevance to the position. It is actually your right to not have to discuss those topics to avoid any type of discrimination.<br />
<br />
There is a time and a place to present your opinions on every topic imaginable, just know your audience and remember that everyone is entitled to their opinions, they might just not be the same as your own.<br />
<br />EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-80585380933878530552017-10-18T18:23:00.002-04:002017-10-18T18:23:53.651-04:00Identify YourselfWhen contacting a Recruiter or potential employer it is important to identify yourself. Whether you are submitting a resume for the first time, or checking in via voicemail or text about the status of your resume, it is crucial to let the other party know who you are!<br />
<br />
A typical recruiter or hiring manager will have multiple people in the interview process at once. Many recruiters and hiring managers are trying to fill numerous jobs at once. By identifying who you are when you reach out, it will save you and your point of contact precious time.<br />
<br />
Here are just a few example scenarios:<br />
<br />Phone Call / Answered: "Hi, we've spoken in the past and I saw you had an Ambulatory role posted online, I'm really interested" - typically this dialog goes on for a few more minutes, but I'm unable to look the person up in the database to see if they're qualified for the role until they take a breath and I can ask them who they are. <br />
Solution: "Hi There, this is James, we spoke back in May. I'm an Ambulatory Certified Analyst and saw you have posted a role that fits my qualifications do you have time to discuss"?<br />
<br />
Voice Mail: "Hi, I'm calling to find out if you have gotten any feedback from the client about my resume, let me know". - the recruiter / hiring manager will have to try to run your phone number through the database to see if your information comes up, or try to call you back and ask who you are. <br />
Solution: "Hello, this is Mark, I'm calling to see if XYZ Hospital has responded to my resume"?<br />
<br />
Text Message - "Hi! Did you get any feedback from the client yet"? - I have to text back "who is this"?. It would be impossible for every recruiter/hiring manager to have the phone numbers of everyone they have in the submittal/interview process in their phones.<br />
Solution: "Hi! This is Trina. Did XYZ Hospital respond to my resume yet?"<br />
<br />
Email: - Hi, I'm interested in hearing more about your go-live projects" - often there is no resume attached, no name and no other contact info. Typically these emails do not get responded to.<br />
Solution: "Hi, my name is Adeola, my resume is attached for your review, I'm very interested in your upcoming Epic go-lives".<br />
<br />
Taking a few extra seconds to identify yourself will help assure you get a timely response!<br />
EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-4260077706629739612017-04-25T15:45:00.002-04:002017-04-25T19:23:46.384-04:00How to Nail a Telephone Interview<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">How to Nail a
Telephone Interview<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve posted blogs with interview tips before, but this topic
is always relevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More and more
interviews are being done over the phone, particularly in the Tech
industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you’re going to be sitting in on a video/skype/facetime
interview – see other important tips here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="http://engagemehit.blogspot.com/2011/10/tips-for-video-skype-interviewing.html"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">http://engagemehit.blogspot.com/2011/10/tips-for-video-skype-interviewing.html</span></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Dreaded Telephone Interview 201<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you’re using your cell phone, make darn sure
you’re in a place with great reception.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Take the interview call in a place where you won’t
be interrupted by people, dogs, noises etc.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Try to build rapport early in the
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can, start the call
out with a bit of friendly banter with the potential employer – even if it’s
just a comment about their weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show
interest in them, how their day is going etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The employer wants to hire someone they like, someone that they’ll enjoy
working with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t all about
experience and qualifications.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Always keep your answers to the point, you will
likely have only 30 minutes to impress your potential employer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When answering questions about your
experience, follow this rule of thumb: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Answer the question positively – “Yes, I do have
experience with XYZ” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Explain where you have had the experience – “I
worked on XYZ at my previous 2 employers, so I have almost 10 years of
experience with it” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Explain your experience with enough detail to
make sense but not so much detail that you’re running on and on and on – “I
started building XYZ about 9 years ago, XYZ has changed some since then, with
my last employer I was not only responsible for the build, but I trained new
employees on how to build and I served as Lead Analyst throughout the
implementation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the potential
employer wants more specifics, they’ll ask.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t start talking until you’re sure they’ve
finished talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many conference lines
have a bit of a delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve sat in on
more interviews than I care to count where the candidate and the potential
employer spent most of their time talking over each other because both were
jumping in before the other had finished talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its ok to have a brief pause before you start
answering a question.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Never, Never, Never, downplay your
qualifications!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about what you do
know and discuss your qualifications confidently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t elaborate on what you don’t know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a client asks you about a qualification
that you don’t have, just say “I haven’t had any experience with that yet” or “I
have a working knowledge of that from my experience at my last client but it
wasn’t my focus” etc.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t try to oversell yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People that say things like “I’m the best in
the business with XYZ” or “you won’t find someone more qualified” and similar
statements typically get overlooked for job openings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a rare candidate that can pull off that
level of narcissism and get away with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confidence is good, an over-active ego is not.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Don’t get defensive, ever – for any reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had candidates flat out yell at me when
I’ve told them I don’t think they’re right for the position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you feel the person interviewing you is
mistaken about your qualifications, politely explain where you feel they’ve
missed the mark, never yell, never become rude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Typically, the person interviewing you knows what they’re talking about,
but if they don’t, consider it an opportunity to educate them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning them off by yelling or being rude isn’t
going to get you the position.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Always have a copy of your resume in front of
you so you can refer to it if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If a recruiter submitted your resume, ask them for a copy of what they
sent prior to the interview.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrap
Up:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically the potential employer
will ask if you have any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the interview you should have been jotting down any points you
want to cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time try to ask a
few questions, not just to show interest but to show you’re paying
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, take this time to bring
up any points about your qualifications you feel you might have missed earlier
in the interview.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thank them – before hanging up cheerfully thank
them for their time and express your continued interest in the position (if you
are still interested) and ask when you might expect to hear back.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After your interview has concluded, take a few minutes to
review any notes you’ve taken and go over the call in your mind, then write a
thank you note via email to express your continued interest, reiterate how your
experience lends itself to their needs and your excitement in hearing back from
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how good you are, you
can’t win the job 100% of the time, but by following these tips, you’ll be well
on your way to nailing telephone interviews!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></div>
EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-32049645363979922362017-03-28T12:53:00.000-04:002017-03-28T12:53:04.481-04:00The Communication HighwayTechnology is advancing so fast most of us cannot keep up with the new trends and software and gadgets. Over the years I've found that many people that have a career in Technology, don't always embrace it after-hours. My brother has been a programmer within Healthcare IT for over 20 years. He didn't get his first Smart Phone until 2015.<br />
<br />
With all this new technology there are now multiple ways to communicate with others through social media (Facebook, LinkedIn etc), email, telephone, text, Skype and the list goes on. How is one to know the best way or fastest method to reach their recruiter? Ask! That's how! Always inquire with your recruiter what method of communication they prefer.<br />
<br />
A few things to keep in mind when contacting your recruiter:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Recruiters at any given time could have up to a hundred candidates submitted to various job opportunities AND on top of those folks, they are also responsible to communicate with and care for everyone they have placed on projects. This means that recruiters are typically open to answering communication 24/7 if the need is urgent.</li>
<li>ALWAYS include your first & late name when contacting your recruiter. Recruiters receive 100s of emails, phone calls, texts etc. a week. If you do not include your name in the text, email, voice mail, how are they to know who they're to respond to? (I regularly get emails saying "do you have any upcoming go lives?" with nothing else, no phone, no name, no resume. If your email address doesn't have your name it in, how am I to know who I'm communicating with? I also will receive random texts that go something like this: "Hi! Any word from the client yet?".... What client? Who are you? There is unfortunately no way for me to memorize every phone number of every person I've submitted to a client.)</li>
<li>Don't be offended if the Recruiter responds asking "who is this?". Recruiters typically keep good track of who they've submitted and who they have working on projects, but we don't always remember everyone's phone number or email address. </li>
<li>All recruiters utilize a database to keep track of candidates, consultants, activity and so-forth. Anytime you update your phone number or email, it is best to notify the recruiters you work with. With this being said - most data bases will allow Recruiters to search for someone via email or phone - but providing your name in your communications will net you a much faster response.</li>
<li><strong>Social Media</strong> - for me Facebook is a professional no-no. I strongly believe that Facebook (Instagram, Snap Chat etc) is for friends and family and not for work related communication. LinkedIn is for business! Save your professional communications for professional web sites. If a recruiter contacts you via Facebook, ask for their email/phone and reach out to them that way. Facebook can be professional suicide. If a potential employer is scrolling through your Facebook feed - you never know what they might be turned off by - political posts, cat videos, family conversations.</li>
<li><strong>Message Alerts</strong> - we all get message alerts on our phone. Personally I receive text messages, Skype messages, LinkedIn, Pinterest messages, Snap Chat Messages, Facebook messages, email messages from both personal and business accounts and phone calls. To cut down on the noise & insanity I've turned off every alert except for email and text. Typically the best method to reach your recruiter will be phone or email, followed by text and LinkedIn and so on. </li>
<li>Which brings us back to - Ask... Each recruiter will have their preferred method of communication and they'll be happy to let you know the best way to reach them and at what times, just remember to include your name when you reach out :) </li>
</ul>
EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-6244075562834898872017-01-03T17:31:00.004-05:002024-01-29T16:03:37.779-05:00The Challenges of Working From Home / RemotelyThere are PLENTY of up-sides to working from home; not having to deal with morning or afternoon commute traffic, not having to "dress up", not dealing with the constant office interruptions, being more available for your family and many more. I've worked from home for over 20 years, and the #1 question I get asked is: "I want to do what you do! How you I find a job where I can work from home?" There is no easy answer to that question, and not everyone is wired to be able to work from home... by "wired" I mean mentally - not technologically. <div><br /></div><div>Working from home takes patience, and with that being said, there are a few drawbacks - for instance; neighborhood noise (no matter where you try to hide in your home to take a business call you can still hear your neighbor's dog barking or that chainsaw running etc), Delivery Personnel knocking on your door, electricity or internet outages, your own animals or children making noise, and other unexpected interruptions. I've dealt with all of those issues over the years, but the most challenging by far has been the assumption of others that because I work from home that means I'm available at anytime.</div><div><br />
Most people that do not work from home seem to believe that everyone that does work from home is available at the drop of a hat for an impromptu visit, a lunch break, to do them a favor like picking their kids up from school or letting their dog out or any number of other things. I have often thought, if I was working in an office would people assume it was ok to call me as ask me to leave my office to go pick up their children? Probably not. This is not to say that I mind doing favors for my neighbors/friends/relatives whenever possible, but I do work 8 - 10 hrs a day and cannot always flex my schedule to meet their needs. Its surprising how often people will get upset when you are unavailable for lunch or when they randomly stop by and you meet them at the door, phone to your ear - muted - on a conference call, letting them know you don't have time to hang out with them at that moment. I'm absolutely convinced they wouldn't just randomly stop by my place of work if I worked downtown and expect me to drop everything and have a cup of tea and a chat with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless of my efforts over the years to help people to understand that I actually am busy during normal business hours and often well beyond them, the belief that since I'm home I can't be that busy has not changed.</div><div><br />
Working from home is a luxury that I have never taken for granted, it has allowed me to be very active in the raising of my children, to have animals that get a fair amount of attention, and to excel in an industry that I love. There has been a huge trend toward remote work in the past year due to COVID. At the same time, COVID has also put a damper on friends & family dropping by unannounced, or at all for that matter. If you do find yourself dealing with people that don't understand that working remotely still means you're WORKING - I've found that putting a simple sign (Please do not knock unless this is an emergency or you have a delivery that requires a signature, we are busy with conference calls today. Send us a quick text and we'll get back to you as soon as possible) on the front door when I'm really busy seems to do the trick.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #333333; color: #cccccc; font-size: 13.2px;">*Copyright - Expressed permission must be granted by the blog owner to recreate, copy or use this material* - but please feel free to share the link if you enjoyed the content!</span></div>EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-32131381176414010862016-10-25T18:56:00.001-04:002016-10-25T18:56:43.895-04:00Candidate Fraud - Just When You Thought You'd Seen It AllI've been in the Healthcare Technology Staffing Industry for almost 10 years, and the Recruitment/Staffing industry for almost 20.... I honestly thought I'd seen it all, from the lamest to the most elaborate excuses for not showing up to work or to an interview - to the most outrageous reasons for being fired, but recently I learned there was a level of unprofessionalism I had yet to uncover.<br />
<br />
Not long ago while pre-screening candidates for an upcoming training related project I communicated via email and spoke with a very friendly woman with an unusual name. She was polite, well spoken and knowledgeable. Later a technical subject matter expert also spoke with the woman and was impressed with her technical knowledge and communication skills so it was recommended that the candidate be hired for the project.<br />
<br />
The next step was for the candidate to speak with a travel agent and schedule travel... however at that time it was discovered that the candidate booking the travel was a man... he provided ID, Credit Card and other information with the same name as the person that had screened for the job. When called to inquire if he was the same person that was screened, he had difficulty communicating, spoke very little English and made excuses to get off the phone, eventually he admitted to having someone else screen for him because "he just didn't have time". <br />
<br />
In the past almost 20 years I have never experienced anything like this. Maybe I'm naïve in thinking that people would never go to this length and assume they wouldn't be caught. Not only did the candidate make a huge mistake by having someone else screen for him, but the woman that accepted the call and took the interviews for him is just as fraudulent. Even more concerning is the fact that they must've gotten away with this in the past. <br />
<br />
Had the candidate managed to get to the client site without the deception being discovered, it wouldn't have taken the client long to determine he was not a fit for the job. The repercussions could've been deep and long lasting for everyone involved. <br />
<br />
From a candidate/job-seeker standpoint it is NEVER advisable to falsify information or allow someone else to represent you in the interview process. <br />
From an employer standpoint, it is increasingly more important to fact check and back check each candidate prior to placing them on a project.<br />
<br />
SMH....Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-16645724200140567392016-10-07T11:19:00.001-04:002016-10-07T11:19:40.119-04:00The Recruiter – A Consultant’s Main Source of Support
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Recruiter – A Consultant’s
Main Source of Support<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Within most Healthcare IT industry firms, the Recruiter is a
Consultant’s main source of support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This means that the Consultant should have their Recruiter on speed dial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the consultant gets stuck in an airport due
to a delayed flight and will be late to the client site, they should call their
recruiter, if the consultant feels they are being treated unfairly at a client
site, they should call their recruiter, if their payroll check is incorrect, they
should call their recruiter – etc., etc., etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is primarily up to the Recruiter to make sure things flow smoothly
for the Consultant throughout their engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All that being said, it is up to the Consultant to remember
important facts about their engagement:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What are their responsibilities, who is their main contact at the client
site, what time are they due on site, when they should enter their time and
expenses and how to use the time/expenses applications and so forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While a Recruiter should be the Consultant’s
go-to person, consultants have to keep in mind that their Recruiter is also
managing dozens of other consultants at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recruiters are there to help the consultant
but not be their fulltime personal assistant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While there are likely plenty of consultants that have
worked with inexperienced or unknowledgeable recruiters, recruiters can only
provide you with the information they are aware of, which occasionally means you’re
flying by the seat of your pants for the beginning of your engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning to “wing it” is a great strength for
consultants in the Healthcare Technology industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">During a standard onboarding process there is a ton of
information being exchanged between the firm and the Consultant; from standard
onboarding paperwork to infinite details about the client, travel, payroll,
responsibilities and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is up to
the Consultant to consolidate that information into one place so they can
easily return to it if they forget something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A good suggestion is for the Consultant to create a folder on their
laptop/phone/smart pad and place important information there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Consultant receives the names and
contact information for people at the client site in an email, copy and paste
that information into a document, label it “Client Contacts” and throw it in
the folder along with any other important items like directions, hotel
confirmations, rental car confirmations, travel expense particulars and so
forth. That way the Consultant can easily refer back to the folder instead of
calling their Recruiter to ask questions that have already been answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Below is a list of the most important reasons to contact
your recruiter:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You are being held
responsible for many tasks at the client site that were not part of the
original job description</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(While it is great to work for a client that
has faith in your abilities and feels you can handle additional responsibilities,
if you were engaged to perform instructional design and a few months into the
engagement you’re managing a team of trainers, conducting training classes AND
completing instructional design tasks, it is time to call your recruiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recruiter can bring the changes in scope
to their management team who can in turn speak to the client and discuss an
hourly rate raise.)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You are frustrated
for any number of reasons and considering quitting the engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(In
most instances, the issues you are dealing with can be dealt with and
corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never quit an engagement
without having a heart to heart with your recruiter first and if the decision
is made for you to exit, give notice whenever possible)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You are unable for
any reason to be onsite on time or you’re taking vacation time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(If
you are taking vacation, always clear the dates with the client and then let
your recruiter know. If you are stuck in an airport or you’re ill or any number
of reasons you might not be on site on time – call your recruiter, even if you
have your client site manager’s number, call the manager first and then your
recruiter. The same goes for running late to an interview)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You have discussed
something specific with the client that affects your engagement. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(If the client has informed you that dates
of your engagement are changing or that your responsibilities are going to
change, that they have an issue with something you’ve done, contact your
recruiter immediately so it can be documented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is always important to have a paper trail)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally, always remember your recruiter is there to help
and support you, treat them as you would a colleague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you happen to land a recruiter that is not
supportive, it is OK to remind them that you have expectations and be clear
about what those expectations are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the very least you should hear from your recruiter via phone or email once a
month during your engagement, once a week is ideal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, don’t have unreasonable
expectations, remember that your recruiter is also managing up to dozens of
other consultants, along with trying to fill multiple job openings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that in mind, don’t email or call your
recruiter multiple times a day with minor issues, save your thoughts for the
end of the day and make 1 phone call or send 1 email encompassing all of your
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By working together and forming a
relationship built on mutual respect, your recruiter will be your best ally in
the industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-39731982986995483412016-08-17T16:06:00.000-04:002016-08-17T16:06:10.650-04:00Job Board and Social Media Points To Remember<strong>There are a few things that are important to remember when posting your resume to job boards</strong> (CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed etc.)<br />
<br />
* If you want to post your resume but would prefer your current employer doesn't become aware of your job search, try posting anonymously. Ideally you will create a new email specifically for your job search. (cannot say how many times I've seen an anonymous resume but the email used on the job board account includes the person's name). Additionally make sure your current employer is not listed on the resume. <br />
<br />
* If you secure a new job, go into the job boards where your resume has been posted and either remove it or temporarily close the account.<br />
<br />
* If you chose to leave your resume available to view on the job boards, make sure you set a reminder to go in regularly and update the information whenever you change jobs, titles, contact information etc. <br />
<br />
* Keep a log of which sites you have used and any login information so you can easily make changes when necessary.<br />
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* After creating an account or changing information always log out and log back in and review your profile as others will see it to make sure everything is correct.<br />
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<strong>The same methods are also important on social media sites like LinkedIn.com.</strong> <br />
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* Make sure your contact and employment information is up to date. <br />
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* If you want Recruiters to easily reach you, include your contact information in the Summary section. <br />
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* Use your Full name on your profile. I've had people express to me that they don't use their full name until they've agreed to be submitted to a job, yet their email address IS their full name. Keeping your name hidden actually hurts you more than it helps you. An easier way to keep Recruiters from bugging you is to list your status in your Summary by saying things like "Not Seeking Employment Opportunities" or "Available for new Opportunities in Oct 2016" etc.<br />
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* Ideally your LinkedIn profile Employment History and Education should mirror your resume. You don't need to put ALL the information from your resume on LinkedIn but it is important to make sure the dates of employment/employer and education are the same. Potential employers will look you up on LinkedIn. If your profile doesn't match your resume it will call the validity of the information into question.<br />
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* After creating an account or changing information always log out and log back in and review your profile as others will see it to make sure everything is correct.<br />
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<strong>When responding to recruiters</strong><br />
* If a Recruiter has approached you via a job board on LinkedIn and you are interested always reply with your contact information, never assume they have it, even if it's available in your profile.<br />
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* When responding to a recruiter via email always attach your resume, even if they might have already gathered it from the job board, include a document copy.<br />
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* If you are not interested in a position a recruiter has approached you about, always include why: "Thank you but I'm in a permanent role and not looking for new employment" , "Thank you but I'm on a contract until 12/2016, please approach me closer to that time" "Thank you but that position isn't the right fit for me, I'm looking for "X"" and provide a description of what does interest you so they know what to contact you about in the future.<br />
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In the Healthcare Technology Industry there are some people that will get contacted constantly by recruiters because of their rare or popular skill sets. The best way to fend off the constant influx of inmails, emails and phone calls is to put "NOT CURRENTLY SEEKING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES" in plain site on your profile.<br />
<br />Recruiters really don't want to pester you. Our job is to find the best candidates available for our clients. Our goal is to help the client find the right person for the job and to help the candidates find a job that will tick all their boxes. Help us to help you :)EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-12258506870459194602016-05-12T10:36:00.000-04:002016-05-12T10:36:23.782-04:00How to's for Tendering Your ResignationThings have changed since the days when people would stay employed by the same company for 45 years and retire never having had to tender a resignation or format a resume. While a precious few of us will have that experience, at one time or another most of us will find ourselves in a position where we are determining the best way to tender our resignation to our employer. <br />
Based on your experiences with your employer, sometimes resigning is an easy decision, but it can also be one of the toughest decisions you've ever made. In either case, there are a lot of factors that go into resigning:<br />
<ul>
<li>How much notice do I give?</li>
<li>How do I provide that notice?</li>
<li>Who do I provide that notice to?</li>
<li>Do I call someone first or just email my letter of resignation?</li>
<li>What do I put in my letter of resignation?</li>
<li>Do I put my letter of resignation in the body of the email or in an attached document?</li>
</ul>
<strong>How Much Notice:</strong> Excluding situations where harassment or a hostile work environment is involved and an immediate exit is necessary, all other circumstances should require a 2 - 3 week notice. Some companies require up to a 30 day notice so make sure you re-read the agreements you signed when accepting your job.<br />
<strong>How To Notify: </strong>Face to face is always preferable. If that is impossible then an over the phone discussion is the next best option. If for any reason you are uncomfortable with a direct conversation, the last option is to email your resignation without prior notification. When providing resignation through email, it is always best to write your resignation in a document and attach that document to the email. In the body of the email write something like: "It is with deep sadness that I am writing to notify you of my decision to resign from my position, attached you will find my formal letter of resignation"<br />
<strong>Who To Notify: </strong>Typically notice should be provided to your direct manager first. In some situations this many not be appropriate and in those cases you can either provide notice to your direct manager's boss, the company owner or human resources depending on the size and scope of your employer.<br />
<strong>What To Put In The Letter: </strong>What you want to say will greatly depend on why you are resigning and whether or not you've had the opportunity to speak with someone about your departure first. If you're leaving your job because you're completely disgruntled, the resignation letter is NEVER the place to complain about all the things that lead you making your decision. Save those for the "exit interview". If you don't anticipate an exit interview, find a polite way to touch on those subjects without putting your employer on the defensive. You want to leave the job on the best possible note so future employers will receive positive feedback if they ever call for a reference. The resignation letter does not need to be a long drawn-out affair. A paragraph or two is sufficient. There are many examples available online for reference. In short, the letter of resignation should include the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>A Heading (Dear name of your boss here) Or (To Whom It My Concern) etc.</li>
<li>An opening sentence (it is with deep regret that I am tendering my resignation) etc.</li>
<li>A paragraph or two on your experience (it has been my pleasure to work for xyz company over the last 10 years. The knowledge I have gained and) etc. If you have concerns that have caused you to leave and you want to touch on them, do so professionally: (while I am grateful for the experience, the lack of opportunity to move into a managerial role has caused me to make the difficult decision to accept a position with another company where there is more room for advancement) etc. </li>
<li>Provide an end date (I am providing my 3 week notice, with my last day of employment being Friday, June 17th) etc.</li>
<li>Leave the door open for conversation (If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call. I'm happy to discuss my thoughts and end date) etc.</li>
</ul>
Finally, double check for errors. It helps to have another person review your letter of resignation prior to sending it. Make sure you either CC or BCC your personal email address when sending the letter so you have a record of the date you sent it and the information you provided. Most of the time separating from a job is not easy, as the old song says "breaking up is hard to do". By making your exit in the most professional way possible, you can leave the door open for good references and future communication.<br />
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EngageMeHIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05858913550240360479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-81708194654435123652016-03-24T14:27:00.002-04:002016-03-24T14:27:18.576-04:00Why "I Forgot" is never a good excuse...We all forget things; we forget where we put our keys, we forget to feed the fish, we forget to turn the oven on or to water the plants but "I forgot" should NEVER be the reason you miss a job interview.<br />
I would absolutely forget appointments if I didn't keep an up to date outlook calendar. <br />
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Forgetting things is human nature. Most people forget to do something on a daily basis. However, when it comes to your livelihood - your future - your career, you should absolutely never forget a job interview. Forgetting an interview is employment kryptonite, even though most people are unlikely to admit to a potential employer that they forgot the interview, employers generally will not give a candidate a second chance if they miss an interview with no prior notice.<br />
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Fortunately, even though our human brains may be lacking in the memory department, there is a miracle device that almost everyone has, it's called a <em>cell phone</em>, and with very little effort you can program your cell phone to remind you about important appointments. If necessary you can set an alarm on your computer, your tablet, your oven, your microwave, your alarm clock (if you still have one) and some cars will even remind you of appointments. If you're someone who is devoid of recent technology you can ask family members and friends to remind you - although that is the least reliable method - as we've already discussed, forgetfulness is human nature, if you can't remember your own appointments - how is someone else going to remember them for you?<br />
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There are plenty of books available regarding how to improve your memory but with so many options available to help you, there is no need to work that hard at it unless you want to. The next time you schedule an appointment that could affect the rest of your life, do whatever it takes to make sure you keep it.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944928944544925191.post-75012590323917588242016-02-16T11:17:00.005-05:002021-01-22T15:09:58.422-05:00Know How To Pick Your BattlesEarly in my Recruitment career my boss at the time provided me with a piece of advice that sincerely changed my life, he said: "You have to know when to pick your battles". At the time I was very frustrated by some changes that had been made in the workplace and I'm sure I was ready to take up arms and do battle with whomever I could to "fix" what I considered was broken. What my boss was trying to tell me was to slow-my-roll, take time to assess the situation with a clear head, and then determine how important it was to go into battle. Going into any situation guns blazing without a clear head and enough information is a recipe for disaster, especially in business.<br />
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Learning to diplomatically state your opinion after carefully reviewing a situation is a talent some people have never developed and that is unfortunate. We've all at one point or another worked with a hot-headed person that will ream you out first and ask questions later, or rampage about things that are not, in the larger scheme of things, all that important. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it makes for a hostile work environment and no one wants to work with a person like that.<br />
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Some people come by the ability to pick their battles wisely, for others (like myself) it is a learned skill. Not that I was ever a combative or aggressive person, I just had a tendency to get up in arms about things and voice my opinion before I took time to fully consider the situation. Thanks to my prior boss - I developed the <b>24 Hour Rule </b>and I use it in all aspects of my life. If something tweaks me the wrong way, I wait for 24 hours to give myself time to mull it over and try to understand the opposing side. If I'm still up in arms a day later I will diplomatically and thoughtfully state my concerns.<br />
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During my years in recruitment I've interviewed all personality types. I've been in situations where I've had to tell someone they didn't get the job only to have them scream at me and dismiss me as an "<i>idiot that clearly doesn't know what I'm talking about", </i>and I've received emails that advise me to <i>go "screw myself"</i> because I just lost out on the opportunity to work with<i> "the best in the business"</i>. The only outcome to that type of behavior is to be fast tracked to the DNU (do not use) pile. No one wants to work with someone like that. These folks could've benefited from knowing how to pick their battles.<br />
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The next time you find yourself frustrated and ready to vent your opinions, take a deep breath, then give yourself 24 hours to assess the situation and if you decide its a worthwhile battle - go in armed and ready with a cool head. "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?". Some battles just aren't worth the effort, even if you're right. The only way to realize that is to take the time to think about each situation before you react. <br />
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Food For Thought:<br />
<ul>
<li>Anger and bitterness and other negative emotions come from a place of fear. Always remember when dealing with an angry person they are fearful of something (losing their job, change, etc). By remembering this you can sometimes get to the bottom of the situation and dispel their fears before things escalate. </li>
<li>You teach people how to treat you. It is OK to tell someone that their behavior is unacceptable. If someone is acting negatively, explain to them calmly that you will not carry on a conversation until they're composed.</li>
<li>Crap rolls down hill - if you are being treated poorly by your boss, your boss is often being treated poorly by his/her boss etc. Don't be the next in line to continue that lineage. </li>
<li>Learning to meditate or even something as simple as setting alarms on your phone at specific times during the day to remind you to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths can surprisingly go a long way in improving your mood.</li>
</ul>
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<br />Cherie Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05819535387655046824noreply@blogger.com2