pyramid-admin
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Jabber/GTalk: pyramid-admin
Posts by pyramid-admin
Write a Cover Letter Someone Will Read
May 21st
Modern computers and spell check were invented for a reason!
Working in staffing really opens your eyes to the do’s and don’t’s of job applications. Aside from grammatical errors that make my skin crawl, careless mistakes are also really sad. It’s tough out there. Don’t make it harder by sending in a sloppy cover letter.
While your resume should speak for itself, the cover letter is a great place for you to fill in the blanks and highlight important accomplishments. You can use a cover letter to show specific interest in the company, to talk about gaps in your resume, and most importantly, to explain why you, specifically, are perfect for the role.
A nice resume does not always tell a hiring manager that you’re awesome. Make your cover letter shine.
Spend the most time on your opener
This goes for almost anything you will ever write. The first sentence sets the tone, and will make or break your cover letter. Think about this in relation to your own reading practices. If the opening sentences of an article make you fall asleep, there are a million other things on the internet for you to read. Recruiters think the same way about resumes.
Another good way to stand out is to find someone to address the letter to. With an extra 5-10 minutes of research, you will generally find the name of your potential manager or the hiring manager.
Keep it brief
Unless you enjoy 19th-century Russian literature, long, rambling blocks of text are not fun to read. Attention spans are short, and cover letters are plentiful; take out everything that is repeated or even slightly unnecessary. Your cover letter should be three quick paragraphs at the most. You don’t need to write a lot to sound smart – keeping things brief is actually harder to do than rambling on unedited.
Don’t rehash what’s in your resume
That’s what your resume is for. The purpose of a cover letter is to say something about yourself that recruiters wouldn’t learn otherwise.
It’s OK to sound conversational
While you want to write a cover letter that makes you sounds like a professional, competent individual, you also want to write one that allows your personality to come through. Cover letters that sound manufactured or forced are a turn-off. If you don’t use obscure vocabulary words in real life, or you can’t use them well, don’t use them in your cover letter.
Proofread
Typos will throw you in the slush pile. So will letters addressed to the wrong person, the wrong company or about the wrong position (it happens all the time). Professional writers don’t usually write in one swoop. They print out their work, read it aloud and write many, many drafts. Your cover letter should also be carefully crafted before you send it in. If you’re re-purposing cover letters for every position you apply to, make sure you do it properly. A cover letter full of grammatical errors will not get you an interview.
Writing is hard work. If you find yourself taking a lot of time to write your cover letter, you’re probably on the right track.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Reduce Job Interview Stress
May 20th
Going to an interview does not have to be the most stressful part of the job-hunting process! Because up to 93% of communication is non-verbal, it’s important to go into an interview with confidence and a great attitude. Any fear, anger or confusion you have about the interview or the job itself is going to show. Be prepared, and reduce your stress.
Choose a time that works for you
Don’t agree to an 8 a.m. interview if you’re not a morning person. The time an interviewer suggests isn’t the only time they can interview with you. If you like to have some time to unwind in the morning, set up an interview for a little later in the day. If you are a morning person, by all means, suggest a meeting early in the day.
Leave plenty of time to get ready
Make sure you set multiple alarms set so you don’t oversleep, and take some time to unwind and wake up before your appointment. You should arrive about 5 to 10 minutes early. You don’t want to be more than 10- 15 minutes early, or even more than one minute late.
It’s a good idea to set up everything you need the night before. Plan your outfit, iron your shirt, shine your shoes, do whatever you need to do to eliminate tasks from your list. You don’t want to waste a bunch of time in the morning updating your portfolio or looking for your keys – this will only add to your stress.
Be (over) prepared
Check out our recent article on how to be prepared for an interview, one of the best ways to relieve stress.
Do your research on the company, and be ready to ask and answer questions. Failing to do so will be apparent to your interviewer.
Remember: You are interviewing the company, too
Look at the interview as conversation. While it’s true that the employer brought you in to learn more about your background, this is also a chance for you to see if the company is a good fit. A job description can look great on paper, but if you go in to the interview and everyone you interact with is a jerk, it’s probably not somewhere you want to spend your time. Looking at an interview as a conversation can make you feel a little more powerful – the fate of your career is not solely in the interviewer’s hands.
Don’t over-caffeinate
Stick to just one cup of coffee or tea before you go in – any more can exacerbate stress levels. While you may not notice it on a regular day, in a stressful situation, anything you do to raise your heartbeat can have a negative effect. You don’t want to fall asleep, you just want to be relaxed and lucid.
Have something fun to look forward to
Having something fun planned when your interview is over can be a great way to relieve some stress, and even give you a better attitude about going in to the appointment. It’s hard work getting an interview, so reward yourself with something nice. If your interview ends up being a success, you’ll be able to go out for drinks with friends and brag about it. And if the interview is a dud, you’ll have something lined up to make you feel better.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 20, 2013 at 11:33 am, and is filed under Interview, To Do Before You Interview. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Jump Start Your Job Search
May 13th
Sending out resumes, but not seeing the response you want? Whether you’ve been recently laid off or are looking for a change, there are a few things you can do to make your job search more effective.
Make a Website
If you don’t already have one, make a website. Nowadays, it’s cheap and easy. You can register with WordPress for free, or buy a domain with some version of your name for around $14/year. Sites like WordPress and Tumblr are great because they come with templates that make it easy to build a basic site. Start a blog that promotes anything and everything you’re proud of – a design, an article, a conference you helped set up, anything that shows potential employers what you’re capable of. Add your website to your signature, promote it on Facebook and LinkedIn, and list it on your resume.
Contact Recruiters
Find recruiters in your area who specialize in your field. Provide them with a copy of your resume, and find out if they have any current openings. Opening your search up to recruiting firms (good ones) can be a powerful tool. Recruiters often have jobs that are unlisted or confidential, which you won’t have access to unless the company has your resume and has met with you to talk about your search.
Be selective with which recruiting firms you work with. Do your research and only spend time contacting the people who work in your industry. Don’t go to a fashion recruiting firm looking for an IT position. (Click here to learn more about working with us!)
Target Companies
Is there a specific industry or location you’re interested in? Do some research and compile a list of companies that you’d like to work for. What are their needs, who are the hiring managers? Check to see if there are any openings on the company website. (In order to keep the number of applications down, companies don’t always post open position on major job boards). If you don’t see any available positions on they company’s site, mail or email your resume and a tailored cover letter to someone high up the food chain.
Stay Organized
While it might seem like extra work at first, keeping a spreadsheet of all the companies you’ve applied to and people you’ve contacted will make it easier to see the progress you’ve made. This is especially helpful if you’re targeting multiple employers. JibberJobber.com is one resource that compiles all the positions you’ve applied to, but you can also just keep a basic spreadsheet.
Apply to Jobs You’re Qualified For
This might seem obvious, but applying only to jobs you’re qualified for will greatly increase your chances of being contacted. Hiring managers are overwhelmed because people apply to every position they’re even remotely qualified for, so their inboxes are flooded with people they’ll never call. Make yourself the person whose resume gets a second look because the job is actually a good match for you. Take some time and tailor your resume to the position you’re interested in. Read our resume tips here.
Looking for a job isn’t just about responding to ads- expand your search and improve your chances of finding a great position!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 13, 2013 at 12:29 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Develop Your Personal Brand
May 6th
Salt, lime, branding
One of the best aspects of my job is that I get to gallivant across the web in search of articles and commentary on successful career searches and job hunting. More often than not, I find myself struggling to become enthralled with the commentary across the myriad of sites and blogs that I frequent. The insights just seem to repeat themselves. Seriously though, how many lists of the “toughest interview questions” are there?
Every so often I get lucky. Buried within an insanity-inducing array of redundant career advice, I’ll stumble across one that grabs me: a rare gem, if you will. I’ll usually read through it a few times, email it to my boss with a subject line of “THIS IS AWESOME,” and promptly extract tweet-able insight from it. Last week, I found one of these gems, and 140 characters wouldn’t do it any justice.
First of all, if you don’t read Fast Company, you should. Their articles are always engaging and provide some thought-provoking insight on World Wide Web littered with Harlem Shake memes and the Grumpy Cat. **
In one of my content pursuing sessions (I like to call it that instead of web surfing because it sounds more professional), I was scrolling through Fast Company’s articles and came across this title: To Help Your Business Succeed, Find Your Guacamole.
Huh?
Being a connoisseur of the non-sequitur, I immediately jumped at the presumptive lack of any clear connection between the business world and guacamole. As I read the article, the aforementioned correlation became increasingly clear to me. I was actually moved by this article; not in the way one is moved when they read an article about a small-town hero, but in the way that it’s so in line with my beliefs that it actually jerked me around. The article’s message is simple: having great guacamole is a huge competitive advantage for Mexican restaurants, so businesses and individuals alike should strive to find their best advantage over their competitors.
If I asked a friend who I know likes Mexican food to recommend a place to grab some good enchiladas in the city, they would tell me any number of places that are all largely the same. But, if I asked that same friend where I could get the best guacamole, they would likely jump out of their skin at the opportunity to tell me the exact location of the foremost green gold. As the article claims, this is because guacamole is a distinguishing factor for a Mexican restaurant; it’s what’s going to make you choose to go to Mercadito instead of Rosa Mexicano, even though the food tastes the same.
Now, take this principle of having a competitive advantage and apply it to your own life. If a restaurant perfects its guacamole to the point that the green stuff alone has the power to draw in customers, imagine what finding your competitive advantage can do for you. If you’re interviewing for a job, you had better be able to sell your distinguishing factor to the interviewer, otherwise the competition between you and those out for the same position can become a toss-up. By finding your guacamole, you can better position yourself as more desirable than your competitors. Distinction is key when placed among others who are equally as qualified as you.
The same precedent holds true for businesses in industries other than Mexican cuisine. If you’re selling a product that has an abundance of substitutes, you can’t simply market it as being the best. Every business thinks their product is the best; if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be selling it. Your unique selling proposition should be what your product has that your competitor’s product does not. For example, when Fred Smith started FedEx he knew that he couldn’t compete with the U.S. Postal Service with service alone. What he did was completely reinvigorate the hub-and-spoke distribution model that allowed the company to deliver packages overnight, something that was heretofore unheard of. By creating a genuine improvement over their competitors, FedEx found its guacamole and launched itself into the Fortune 500.
You owe it to yourself to read Fact Company’s article on why finding your guacamole is the most essential element to strengthening your personal brand. Digest its message and go in search of your guacamole. Remember that you are your own brand, and you should build it around your strengths and what distinguishes you from others. Whether you’re in the job market or trying to sell a product, it’s not enough to tell a potential employer or consumer that you have the necessary experience for the position or the best pest product around. You have to give them a taste of your guacamole so that they will remember you and want to come back for more.
–David Schwartz, Marketing Intern
**Disclaimer- I love grumpy cat, he reminds me of my best friend.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on May 6, 2013 at 10:35 am, and is filed under Look What We Found, Out and About. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Are You a Wisher or a Doer?
Apr 29th
This will not get you a promotion
There are two types of people in the world: those that wish, and those that do.
It’s perfectly fine to wish when you’re blowing out birthday candles or throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain. In fact, just for fun, here’s a list of all sorts of occurrences where it’s appropriate to wish. They’re all well and good, but for the love of all things good, don’t be a wisher in the business world!
Unless you truly are at the apex of your field, there’s a pretty good chance that you want to keep climbing the ladder. If you look at the ladder and think about how great it would be to be at the top of it, you’ll never get your feet off the ground. Take the first step, and be a doer.
People who spend their careers wishing for a promotion or a raise rarely get it. Wishers are the people in the office who are clocking out at exactly 5:00 pm every day. They have their sights set on something that benefits them but don’t want to saddle up, take the bull by the horns, and do what has to be done to get it.
Doers, on the other hand, are the ones that don’t just get the job done, but get it done well. They’re the workers who have the same sights as the wishers but forge a strong path to the goals. Doers go above and beyond, and are the first ones to ask if you need help.
Doers keep a candy bowl on their desks. And do you know why? A study several years back suggested that 90% of people who keep a candy bowl on their desk get promoted. That’s right, 90%. And who would have thought? DOERS! THAT’S WHO!
If you want to climb the ladder of success you have to be a doer. You have to be the one who gets noticed, not the one who wants to be noticed. Be diligent. Be intentional. And know that getting that promotion or raise is a two-way street.
Remember this cardinal rule: do and thou shalt receive.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on April 29, 2013 at 9:40 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Inspiration. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
When it Comes to Interviews, Think Before You Ask
Apr 19th
When I was 8, I raised my hand in class. While waiting to be called upon, I thought about how silly the question was and put my hand down. Apparently I did this abruptly enough that my teacher noticed.
“Don’t you have a question?”
“I did, but it’s a stupid question.”
“The only stupid question is one that goes unasked,” she said.
I then proceeded to ask the stupidest question I have ever asked in my life.
At the risk of having to re-live the embarrassment I felt when that cruel group of prepubescent demons gawked at me, I’m going to offer a counterclaim to my third grade teacher: there are such things as stupid questions.
In most cases you can determine whether or not your question is a good one. Since experience breeds knowledge, you can more than likely deduce what kind of response you’re going to get for some questions even before you ask them. But what about those situations that you’re less familiar with? What about, say, a job interview? I’ve already given some insight into questions you should be asking during an interview, so now it’s time to consider those that you should avoid when in front of the desk.
“What exactly does your company do?”
The logical next step after asking this question is to politely get up from your seat, thank your interviewer for their time, and get out. I shouldn’t have to explain why you should never ask this question, but I’m going to for good measure. How you managed to lock down an interview without a strong knowledge of what the company does is beyond me. Any question that could be answered easily by visiting a company website tells an employer two things: 1. You did not prepare well for your interview and 2. You think you’re qualified for a job that you know very little about. In the event that you were so brash as to take an interview with a firm that you are so unfamiliar with, there are much more subtle ways to go about finding out what the firm does. Ask your interviewer what a typical day would be like. Don’t ask them what the firm does. It’s a stupid question.
“Are you going to check my Facebook?”
If you ask this question, here’s my question for you: are you an idiot? First of all, if you’re looking to be a professional it’s time to take down those pictures of you doing a keg-stand or drinking Natty Light – effectively, anything that you wouldn’t want a less-than-hip family member to see. If it doesn’t happen before your interview, this is guaranteed to happen after it. Secondly, by asking a potential employer if they’re going to check your Facebook, the implication is that perhaps they should. Even if you don’t have anything to hide and are just curious, there’s no need to ask. That’s a stupid question, too.
“What are the company perks?”
In the event that a company has some desirable perks your interviewer will more than likely bring them up as a means of impressing you. Everyone wants a company phone and a company car, but don’t inquire about it. You will come across as being focused on the wrong things, and will make it seem as though you should be rewarded for accepting a position. If you’re interviewing for a job, you likely need the job more than the job needs you. If you absolutely must know about any company perks, ask your interviewer what makes them love working for the company. But don’t ask them if you get a goodie-bag when you take the job.
“Will I have to work evenings or weekends?”
If you want to make your own hours, start a baking business out of your house or start a website and rip off your friends. Seriously cupcakes and websites can be pretty lucrative. Don’t come across as wanting to do just what’s expected of you. If you have to work late, work late. If you have to work weekends, work weekends. If you want to climb the ladder you have to be willing to put your time in. You shouldn’t be asking if you can come in later so you don’t have to deal with traffic, and don’t ask if you can leave earlier so you can make Happy Hour at the bar. You’re interviewing to increase the performance of the company, not your personal life. Don’t ask about when you have to work.
When you’re in an interview you never want to do or say anything that will jeopardize your chances of being hired. You wouldn’t answer a text message in the middle of a discussion with a potential employer, and in the same vein, you wouldn’t want to ask a question that makes you look foolish. Questions you ask an interviewer weigh as heavily as how firmly you shake their hand and how well your shoes are shined. Think before you ask.
–David Schwartz, Marketing Intern
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on April 19, 2013 at 11:09 am, and is filed under Awkwardly Asking. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Graduate School: Right for Me, Right Now?
Apr 11th
Going back to graduate school isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. Graduate school is a long, grueling, expensive process that, when attempted without a solid plan, can leave you with a string of problems. In some fields such as law or medicine, graduate school is required, but in other fields you have a decision to make.
Do not pursue a graduate degree without doing your research. Graduate school is NOT for everyone, and it’s completely different from your carefree undergraduate years. Here are a few things to consider before you start the application process.
Am I going for the right reasons?
Why do you want a graduate degree? Intellectual curiosity? To advance your career? To start a new career? Going back to graduate school because you don’t know what else to do, is not a good reason to go.
It’s tempting to go after degrees that current research says employers want, but that may change. You should be going to graduate school despite what other people say, because if you are in graduate school, you should be studying something that you love. If you want to get an MBA just because you think it will make you more money, but not because you’re excited about the field, not only will you be unhappy, potential employers will notice. People who love what they do and are good at it, with or without advanced degrees, find the best jobs.
Are you fine right now, without this degree?
Do I need a graduate degree?
If you have a specific career goal that you know requires a higher degree, then clearly graduate school is something you will have to complete in your lifetime. But many of us do not have our entire career paths planned. Sometimes we think that a graduate degree may help us move up the corporate ladder. This could be true, but you should probably wait until you have a goal in mind so that you can find a program geared specifically towards training you in those skills. There are also certificate programs that are not as consuming in terms of time or finances, and you may find that this is all you need to move another step up the ladder.
How will I pay for it?
Thoroughly research tuition costs for every school you apply to. You will also need to factor in additional fees not quoted in a school’s base tuition.
Will you be able to work while attending graduate school? Certain schools and programs are friendlier to working students than others. Similarly, some degrees are better equipped to guarantee a job or a salary increase upon graduation. While nothing is certain, be careful about incurring a lot of debt without the promise of steady income upon graduation.
Some companies will help foot the bill for their employees to go to college, if they see it as an investment. If you work in marketing for example, going back to business school can be sold to your employer as an investment opportunity- you will learn more about the profession, and help make them more money in return. Lots of companies will also pay in part or in full for professional certificate programs, which can be a good alternative to an MBA.
Am I ready for a lifestyle change?
Going back to graduate school, especially after you’ve been in the workforce for a while, will put you behind your peers. For a while, you won’t be able to afford the same things your friends can, and you’ll be stuck in the library on the weekends, especially if you need to hold a full-time job at the same time. This can be jarring if you’ve been used to corporate life, and it’s something you should consider.
Also, while your significant other should be a source of support, relationships can also suffer from extra stress and lots of time apart.
Weigh your decision carefully. You can always change your mind after you apply to schools. The amount of money you’ll rack up in application fees is much less of a burden than the amount of debt you’ll accrue for a program you weren’t really sure about in the first place.
Everything has its downsides, but there are definitely a lot of good things about pursuing a graduate degree. Having a graduate degree will show employers that you’re serious about your field, and it will increase your knowledge and skills. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree is becoming the new high school diploma, so you may find more and more that a second degree is helpful for career advancement.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on April 11, 2013 at 5:18 pm, and is filed under Out and About, Recent and Upcoming Grads. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Stay Motivated While You’re Unemployed
Apr 8th
Being unemployed can be a huge blow to your self-esteem. If you feel unproductive and useless, you have two options: decide you are doomed and feel sorry for yourself, or find ways to stay motivated.
Stick to a schedule
When you were employed, you woke up at the same time every day and got dressed. Now that you don’t have a set time to wake up, you are free to lounge on the couch all day in your pajamas. While you will certainly have days like this, it should not become a habit.
One of the best ways to stay focused and positive during a job search is to keep a routine. Looking for a job is a full-time job, so treat it like one. This means you should wake up at the same time you’re used to, have your morning coffee, get dressed and start your day at a reasonable time.
Set up a home office
Set up a home office space where you can keep all your materials in one place. If you live in a small apartment, avoid the temptation to work on your bed or anywhere else you associate with relaxation. Working in a coffee shop can be one way to combat loneliness and isolation, and especially if you live in a small space, can be an effective way to get some work done with minimal distractions.
Make to-do lists
Make to-do lists full of specific, short and long-term goals so you can see the progress you are making. Tasks can be s as simple as a list of job boards to visit throughout the day, or even errands you need to run unrelated to your job search. Make sure you are realistic with your goals so you get a sense of satisfaction from checking things off.
Remember to take breaks
If you are starting to feel frustrated, take a break, but make sure you set time limits so you know when you need to return to work. Get outside and go for a walk or get some exercise. Take a workout class, or call a friend to vent your frustrations.
Socialize
Because making connections is one of the best ways to find work nowadays, make sure you are out of the house and talking to people. While you might hate answering the “what do you do?” question right now, don’t be afraid to tell everyone you know that you need a job. You never know where your next opportunity is waiting, and no one will know you’re looking unless you tell them.
Volunteer
Volunteering, while not a way to relieve financial stress, can be a great way to keep you spirits up and put things in perspective. Find a charity that works for a cause you’re interested in, and seek out opportunities. Getting out of the house everyday
Keep your head up, and good luck!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on April 8, 2013 at 12:45 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Job Search, Mentionings, Sites For Seekers. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Questions to Ask During an Interview
Mar 29th
You should never leave an interview thinking, “I should have asked them that.”
Most people see an interview as the person behind the desk asking all the questions. The reality is, an interview is a meeting of people, with the prefix “inter” meaning mutually or between. If you’re not asking questions during your interview, you’ll feel as though you’re on the receiving end of a firing squad rather than hunting for a job. When you’re looking for a job, your interviewer shouldn’t be the only one asking questions.
If you don’t get a clear picture of your potential responsibilities, ask for more information. Just because you’ve held a similar position before doesn’t mean that the one you are interviewing for will be the same. Find out how frequently the position has changed hands. If it’s been very volatile, ask why. Ask them to give you an idea of the role that the particular department you’re interviewing for plays in the overall organization.
Just because a position looks great today doesn’t mean it will five years down the road. You never want to be stagnant in the business world, so inquire to see if the position fits nicely with your career aspirations. Does the firm encourage or even fund continued education? What have previous employees in the same position gone on to do? Will you be able to grow from within the firm, or is it a dead end? Be wary of any employees who can’t give you a clear role that the position plays in a career path, and look for a position that encourages growth.
Salary discussion usually doesn’t come until you have a job offer. That being said, don’t be afraid to ask what the range is for the position, and don’t shy away from smaller details about compensation. If the interviewer isn’t forward about it, ask about health and retirement plans. Does the company have health coverage? Do employees have access to a 401(k) plan? If bonuses are part of your compensation, what is the criteria? Are they performance based? The more you know about how compensation works before you are offered a position gives you a better perspective of how strong the offer is.
Lastly, be sure to gain some knowledge on how the company is doing and where it’s headed. Is the company living up to its mission? Is it meeting its revenue goals? How are business operations funded? If the answer to that question is venture capital and bank loans and the revenue goals aren’t being met, there’s a very good chance changes are brewing. Asking to review the firms business plan isn’t a bad idea if you’re applying for a senior position either. You’ll be able to compare what the firm wants to do and what it’s actually doing.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a job for a while it can be easy to jump at the first offer that comes your way. Look before you leap; don’t accept anything before you have a good feel for the company as a whole. Asking questions during your interview conveys your interest in the position and encourages the interviewer to believe that you’re dedicated and success-driven. Regardless of what your elementary school teacher told you, there are such things as stupid questions, but you can avoid asking them by going into an interview with a prepared set of questions designed to cover the bases that the interviewer doesn’t.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on March 29, 2013 at 4:20 pm, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, How To Answer, Interview, Interview With The Interviewer. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How to Work with a Recruiter
Mar 18th
A serious investment requires the inside knowledge and advice of someone experienced. If you wanted to buy a house, you probably wouldn’t just look at pictures on the internet and make a blind purchase. You want someone who can tell you about a faulty foundation, who your neighbors are and what’s great about the house that you might not realize on your own. That’s why home buyers use a realtor.
Job-seekers use a recruiter for the same reason.
Unlike a realtor, a recruiter provides a range of services completely free of charge. A good recruiter can present you with multiple opportunities at different companies that you wouldn’t find on your own.
Developing relationships with recruiters can be advantageous, as they may think to contact you whenever they land a job search assignment that matches your background. But don’t wait until you’re ready to change jobs to get to know recruiters. Like with most relationships, building good ones can take time.
Here are some tips for getting started:
Tell the Truth
Be honest about what kind of job you’re looking for, and be honest about whether you’re interested in a job you’re pitched. If you’re not interested, say so. This will help refine the kinds of jobs you are approached with. If you’re employed, only offer yourself to recruiters if you’re serious about changing jobs.
Talking to a recruiter can help you define career goals before you go in for an interview. They will help you prep before an interview so you know what your goals are, how they align with what the company wants and how you can sell yourself. A recruiter will not send you on an interview unless they believe you are qualified for the job, which should also give you some confidence once you’re there.
Set Boundaries
Some job hunters say they’ll take any position they want when they don’t really mean it. Make sure you are upfront with your recruiter about geographic locations, salaries or companies that are off limits for you. At the same time, you don’t want to narrow your boundaries so much that you miss great opportunities.
One great benefit of working with a recruiter is that they will help negotiate salaries for you. For most people, this can be hard to do on your own. Know what your limits are when it comes to salary in order to make this easier for the recruiter.
Show up for Interviews
If for some reason you have to cancel after you are granted an interview, make sure you let your recruiter know. Not showing up for an interview will damage your reputation with the recruiter and will ensure that you are not approached with further opportunities.
Explain Your Rejections
If you’re approached with a job that isn’t a good fit, explain why. Is the pay too low? Are the hours too weird? Do you not like the company? Explain your reasoning so that the recruiter won’t approach you with similar positions, and will approach you with positions that are a better fit.
Check In and Be Patient
If you’re waiting to hear about a position, be patient, but check in with your recruiter every so often if you don’t hear back.
Stay in touch with recruiters so you can stay on their radar and build a relationship. This will increase your chances of being approached with opportunities further down the line.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on March 18, 2013 at 4:25 pm, and is filed under Human Resource, Reasons Recruiting Rules. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
