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.

In a recent interview, one of our candidates asked –

“Why do companies hire Pyramid Consulting Group if they already have an HR Department? What is the benefit?”

Brand Best

In addition to partnering with various brands to assist in scouting the best candidates for their open positions, our team is also representing the brand.  Once one of our candidates have met with us, face to face, our recruiters will divulge the name of our client.

When acting as the “middle man” between candidate and client, it is crucial that cords of the telephone never get tangled and all communication is smooth, quick, and effective.

As representation of client and candidate we want each party to have a positive experience with the other through Pyramid Consulting Group.

In No Time

In the time it takes to find a candidate with an internal HR Department – Pyramid Consulting Group can send numerous resumes with the candidate’s availability for an interview. Working with an agency is a time saver!

Quality vs. Quantity

We understand that it is more important to send quality candidates than inundate a client’s inbox with resumes “just because.”  The candidates that we send for consideration meet a majority of the qualifications in the job description.

We also pride ourselves in bonding with our candidates.  We spoke with them frequently, placed some of them previously (as temps) and received feedback on their performance. We are also familiar with their personality thereby making our decision to send them for an open position based on how well they will blend in with the company culture.

If You’re Small – Go Big

Some small businesses cannot afford to permanently employee a Human Resources Department.  A great option for small companies who aren’t always hiring is to meet with Pyramid Consulting Group to go over their candidate needs and to work with us on a project basis.  This saves time and money.

The bottom line is that Pyramid Consulting Group and its clients are working towards the same goal. We want to hire the best candidate for the position, in a timely manner, for the least amount of money. Save on your search!

Have you ever been contacted by a recruiter while at work?  Did you turn the call away because you were happy where you were?

Although you may love your current job and are not active in the market, do not assume that what the recruiter has in store for you now (or in the future) won’t be the job of your dreams – or the dream job of one of your friends. (We have a great referral program!)

Here are some reasons why you should take the recruiter’s call:

• Nothing Is Official – Yet!
  • While the recruiter might be calling you for a potential opportunity nothing is set in stone.  Take time to listen to what the job has to offer. If it’s not for you it may be a good fit for someone you know.
• Stay Active While Inactive
  • Even though you are currently happy where you are it is still beneficial to update your knowledge of the job market within your industry of interest while you’re not searching. You never know when you will desire a change or need to find another job in a hurry.
• Build Relationships
  • Building relationships and networking can only help you in the future. Practice staying in touch and following up! Keep your recruiter in the loop and they will continue to contact you in return.

Do not shy away from new opportunities and relationships just because you are happy at the present time.  Change is inevitable and nothing is permanent. Take the call!

If you find that you have been out of work for longer than you would like to admit, you may want to introduce some change into your daily routine.

Here are some ways to mix it up:

• Give Back

Volunteering and participating in charity events is a great way to spend your free time. It also benefits your self-esteem and self-worth!

• Enroll

Do you want to learn a new language, become a Pilates expert, master downward facing dog? Sign up for classes. Short on dough? Check out places that are donation based like Yoga To The People on Saint Marks.

• Part Time

Take a job working part time. This way you can gain experience, make some extra money, and continue on your job search

• Call A Recruiter

Get in touch with a recruiter today to help you on your way to your next full/part time job.  Most recruiters, like us, work with a large variety of companies. We network for you!

Email your resume today – resumes(at)pyramidcg(dot)com.

This post, inspired by Miriam Salpeter, may help you in your job search if you find you lack experience required to apply for a job that you know you are qualified for. These Super S’s will aid in marketing you so you do not have to “exaggerate” your experience on your resume.

Strength

• Highlight your transferable skills. Job descriptions will almost always list all skills required to apply but that doesn’t necessarily mean you must meet all of them.  Find a skills that would be considered synonymous with one’s listed. If you’re not an exact match for the job but know your past experience is something you can use successfully in the position, apply anyway. Everyone has something special to offer. Don’t let the job description deter you from applying. Be strong, list your achievements and remain confident.

Soft Skills

• Your Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) is also an important factor to consider when writing a cover letter and drafting a “specialized for the job” resume.
• People want to hire someone who they can get along with. Being personable, outgoing, and a team player are just as important as your administrative, software, and operational skills.

Social Media

• Interacting on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are all great ways to make you more visible.
• Following companies within your industry, initiating discussions and forum groups on a company’s Facebook wall, Twitter page, and LinkedIn profile are also all great steps in the right direction.

Click below to follow US today!

Don’t forget – your resume is your selling point. This one piece of paper is your ticket to a foot in the door at your potential next job.  Use it wisely and consult the Super S’s if you’re lacking any experience when applying for a job where you know your contribution would make a difference.

One of my favorite job blogs, Jobacle.com, has posted a great article sighting that temporary gigs are the new permanent spots.

Working at a recruiting firm gives me insight into how true this point truly is. Pyramid Consulting Group is always searching for candidates who are open to taking temporary positions.  Whether it’s filling in for someone on maternity leave or a newly created position on trial – these positions have their benefits.

1. Get your foot in the door and make some connections
2. Gain experience in your field or new field of interest
3. If you’re thinking about changing career paths temping is a great “taste test”
4. Make some extra money while searching for a permanent position
5. There is always the opportunity that the temp position will go permanent

According to the Wall Street Journal, referenced by The Jobable, the usage of temps has grown, citing that “temporary-help payrolls have risen for 11 of the past 12 months, with the sector adding 16.900 jobs in September.”

If you’re currently looking for temporary work and have open availability please let us know. Send your resume to resumes@pyramidcg.com and we will be in touch if a temp position presents itself! Don’t forget to include “Temp” in the subject.

Welcome to Pyramid Consulting Group’s blog! We are proud to introduce ourselves, our services, and help you on your way to your next great job or perfect employee. Follow our posts and gain insight into what’s hot on the job front, what to wear to your next interview, how to “right” your resume, and so much more.

Our Divisions Include:

Fashion, Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Temporary, and Administrative

What we do:

For the Job Seeker – Our recruiters work with you to find the right job that matches your qualifications. We do not charge you for our services. The various clients we work with range from Fortune 500 companies to luxury retail brands.

For the Job Provider – We work with our clients to fill open positions in their companies with the best candidate for the job. We screen candidates whose qualifications fit your job description and submit them to you for your review. Our large pool of candidates give us a lot to work within a short amount of time, saving you time and money.

Stay tuned for job updates, hot industry news, and all thats job, employee, interview, and attire related.

Tory Johnson, founder of Women For Hire, said it best

“Let’s not kid ourselves: Finding a job is no picnic. Whether you are a new grad or a seasoned pro primed for a change, it takes time and commitment to land the right opportunity. Even though you’ve worked hard to get where you are today, finding that dream job can be a nightmare. Pounding the pavement is the pits. Women often face unique obstacles in their job search—from a discomfort with self-promotion to an aversion to negotiating. But these are not brick walls…”