Saturday, September 29, 2012

How and What Recruiters Are Really Thinking


by Mary Salvino

Successful recruiters do more than find suitable candidates to fill positions. Both internal recruiters, i.e. those found in the HR department of most large companies, and external recruiters, i.e. recruiters hired by companies on short-term contracts, have the same goal.  Their goal is to elevate human performance in the workplace.  The most successful recruiters listen, advise and deliver performance-based people solutions.

Things to remember about recruiters:
·        They are a reflection of the core values and the environment of the organization wherein they work
·        They are cognizant of the fact the good interviews are inter-actional – During the course of the interview, both the candidate and the interviewer will be trying to determine whether or not the company is the best place for him or her to thrive
·        They are being paid to find the best candidate for the position based upon the information they were given by the hiring manager
·        They are not being paid to tell the candidate what they did, if anything, wrong
·        They do not want to burn any bridges
·        They will not call the candidate back if they do not believe that there is a market for the skill set the candidate possesses
·        They will judge candidates based upon some of the following criteria:
o   First impressions:
§  Your interview attire is outdated / messy / too tight / too revealing  / too flashy
§  Your physical appearance is disheveled / outdated / sloppy / smelly / overpowering (i.e. too much perfume)
§  Your eye contact is weak / shifty / intense
§  Your handshake is limp / too forceful / clammy
§  You say “ah” / “um” / “like” too much
§  You talk too much /say inappropriate things (i.e. swearing) when you answer interview questions
§  You appear overconfident / pushy / self-centered  / insecure / aloof / ditzy / scatter-brained  / desperate
§  You talk too fast / too slowly / too loudly  / too softly
§  You giggle / fidget  / act awkward / have facial tics  / lack expression
§  You appear to lack sincerity / self-confidence / clarity / conviction
§  You are too young / old
§  You are too fat / frail
§  You are the ‘wrong’ gender
§  You have poor posture
§  You are physically challenged 
§  You language skills are poor (i.e. vocabulary and/or grammar)
§  You are deemed not suitable based upon your ethnic background, political/social affiliations or religious convictions
 §  You did not display 'suitable' manners e.g. ask to be seated before you sat down
§  You did not use /thank them by name
·        They can ‘smell’ fear, anger, and confusion
·        External recruiters will work harder for you if you are not registered with other recruiters
·        External recruiters are likely  not be forthcoming with the name of the company for which they are recruiting

Things for you, the candidate, to remember:
·        You must find a way to feel good about yourself and your ability to contribute.
·        Confidence comes from knowing your strengths and embracing them
·        You will always be asked to identify your weakness(es)
o   HINT #1 - All ‘weaknesses’ should be work related
o   HINT #2 - All ‘weaknesses’ should be accompanied by an action plan to address / overcome the ‘weakness’
·        Confidence also comes from doing your homework on the company; you should be able to articulate why you would be a great fit for the job clearly, concisely and enthusiastically
·        You should always strive to interview the recruiter before they interview you:
      o   HINT #1 - Ask them about their background and details of the job posted
     o   HINT #2 - Do a background check on the interviewer, i.e. Google their name and review the information before the interview takes place
·        You have the power to choose by whom you will be represented
·        You have every right to decline representation by any particular recruiter at any stage of the job searching process if you are not comfortable
·        You should always ask that you be informed of any potential employer’s details prior to your résumé being forwarded to that potential employer

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”  ~ Winston Churchill


Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog authored by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com that is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. This blog is also dedicated to those who stand a little taller each time they picked themselves up after failing and those who gained the wisdom and humility from those experiences to help others do the same. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Someone Wants To Hire You. Congratulations!? – Part 3 of 3

 By Mary Salvino


If you are unemployed, is it ever a good idea to turn down a job you don't like? Clearly, there is no answer that applies to everyone all of the time. Accepting or declining a job offer depends on your personal set of circumstances as well as the job itself. It should also be noted that while financial distress is certainly a major factor in accepting an offer you don't like, money should not be the decision-making factor when it comes to your career.  If, however, you're out of work and financially squeezed, you would be classified as an unusual person if you didn't rate the importance of money highly and accept a job you didn't like.

So, how do you know when to say, “Yes” to a job offer and when to say, “No”? Check out the job tips below:

Tip #1: If the money isn’t right, say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

This one might seem like a ‘no-brainer’, especially in a down economy, however, you would be surprised at how many people accept job offers that don’t even come close to meeting their needs.
The problem with accepting an offer wherein the financial compensation is well below your  needs or expectations, is that it’s easy to become resentful of your new employer if you don’t feel you’re getting what you’re worth.  This mental state of affairs will affect your morale and performance. (Not to mention that it is also extremely difficult to perform well when you are always stressed about money.)

Tip #2: If you don’t actually want to do the job, say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Job interviews are like two-way streets.  The ultimate goal of any job interview is to find out if you, the candidate, are a good fit for the company the company and for you to see if you are a good fit for the company.  It is only at the interview stage that you can find out if the job opportunity is, ‘as advertised’, i.e. the job description matches the actual job.  Every now and then, you will apply for a position and will assume that the job, based upon the job description,  will have one set of responsibilities and then, during the interview process, it becomes clear that the company’s expectations are very different from what was advertised.

Tip #3: If you don’t ‘fit in’ with the company culture, say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Even if the job sounds great and the offer is fantastic, if you are looking for a business casual work environment and the company’s culture screams, shirt and tie, you  firmly believe in work/life balance, and your new boss is expecting you to start at 60 hours per week, this is not the job for you.
Company culture is a large part of everyone’s job satisfaction level. If, at the end of the day, you do not fit in with the company’s culture, you are not going to be happy, and, you are likely to be back out on the job market far sooner than you had planned.

Tip #4: If you are not comfortable with the company’s position from a moral, environment or political perspective, say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Accepting a role or position that is ‘wrong’ for you may freeze you in place and make it difficult for other employers to imagine seeing you in a different role. The ‘wrong’ field may develop you in a direction that closes you off to other possibilities.  Being in an ethically-challenged organization can affect your résumé going forward. Even if you really need a job, don't take one where you have doubts about ethics.


Tip #5: If you cannot convince a trusted mentor/advisor/coach/friend that this job is a good fit for you, say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Business cases are meant to capture the reasoning for initiating a project or task. Traditionally, business cases are usually well-structured written documents although they can also come in the form of short verbal arguments or presentations.  The logic of the business case is that, whenever resources such as money (time) or effort are consumed.  The rationale for the business case should be to support a specific business need, in this case, why you should take the job.  It is always a good idea to get an objective opinion from someone you trust.  If you cannot provide a convincing business case for taking the job, then perhaps you should reconsider accepting the opportunity.


Closing thoughts and considerations:

If you are unemployed and deciding whether to accept an offer, it is critical for you to consider all the factors in play. It is important that you take the time to weigh culture, money, and your feelings about being out of work against the field, your prospective role, the content of the job, and the potential for accomplishment and personal growth over time. You should also think about other opportunities in the works and determine whether the job opportunity meets your collective needs better than staying focused on your job search.

Taking these steps may lead you to reconsider whether you really "must" take the offer, or say, “Thanks, but no thanks.” If you ultimately take the offer, you will know why you made the decision and you will be well-positioned to evaluate the new opportunity from a more balanced perspective.

Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog authored by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com that is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. This blog is also dedicated to those who stand a little taller each time they picked themselves up after failing and those who gained the wisdom and humility from those experiences to help others do the same. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Someone Wants To Hire You. Congratulations!? – Part 2 of 3

By Mary Salvino

In a perfect world, you apply for the job of your dreams, get a job offer that is more money than you expected, you realize your co-workers are going to be your new BFFs, and find out the company vacation package includes a time-share at some beach or mountain resort for employees to use.

Unfortunately, that is not always how it works. Sometimes the job offer isn’t right for you, and if that is the case, it’s better to decline than accept the offer, even in this tough economy. Taking a position that’s ultimately not a good fit can stress you out, keep you from finding the job you’re really meant to have as well as hurt both your résumé and your network if you don’t stay very long.

Saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” to a job offer can be complicated. Once you have sent in your résumé and participated in a series of interviews, your prospective employer is likely to assume that you want the job, so the last thing you want is for the hiring manager/prospective employer to think that you ‘played them’. 

Prospective employers like to be ‘strung along’ just about as much as you do.  If you realize during the interview process that there is a high chance you won't accept an offer, let the hiring manager know so s/he can focus on more viable candidates, and you can get on with your search. While it may be tempting to prove to yourself and others that you can get the job, it's also a waste of time to do it for your ego.  If you are unsure, by all means, proceed and stay the course.  I would urge you to be honest with yourself, express your concerns and desires along the way, listen more than talk, and remain open to the possibilities that come your way.   

If you do choose to decline the offer, you should remember that the prospective employer has spent a lot of time and effort into generating the offer.  NEVER imply that the job itself or the salary is to blame.  You should instead focus and articulate why the opportunity is not a good fit.  Being honest with prospective employers will earn you respect and keep the door open for other opportunities that may present themselves in the future.  Walk away in a manner that tells your prospective employer that if their needs change, or another opportunity that aligns with your experience or skill set presents itself, you would be delighted to be considered for the opportunity.  Always keep in mind that everyone you met during the interview process is now part of your network, so, it is always best not to be adversarial. 

Do you have anything to add to the discussion?  I would love to hear from you!



Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog authored by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com that is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. This blog is also dedicated to those who stand a little taller each time they picked themselves up after failing and those who gained the wisdom and humility from those experiences to help others do the same. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Someone Wants To Hire You. Congratulations!? – Part I of 3

 By Mary Salvino


Your focus to date has been all about getting a job and, you say to yourself that at this point in time, any job will do.  Your rent is due, utility companies are threatening to cut off your amenities, your children need braces, the list goes on.  You have spent more than 40 hours per week trying to land a job and now that you have an offer on the table, you are overcome by queasiness. The journey to landing a new job has been stressful and arduous, to say the least.  You don’t really understand why you would ever consider saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” when they just offered you a position, and yet, you are seriously considering turning down the offer. My advice is as follows:
  • If you truly believe that you cannot do a good job, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If your potential boss appears to be extremely difficult even before offing you the job, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If your potential boss appears to lean towards being a micro-manager and you know that kind of supervision makes you uncomfortable, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If you see that the economy and/or your industry appears to on the upswing, i.e. you are getting more calls from people who are interested in having you come in for an interview, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If you have done some research on the company, your potential boss and asked current and former employees about the realities of working for the company and you don’t like what you are reading or hearing, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If your research shows that the position being offered seems to show up again on a regular basis, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If your research indicates that the company’s mission, vision and values do not align with your personal standards for ethics or morality, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
  • If you know that you are going to hate the work, it’s time to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Before you accept the job offer or walk away, it is critical that you consider the following:
Have you been realistic about your prospects?

Unfortunately, most job searches do not follow an orderly process that lets you compare several offers at once. It is more likely that you will receive your first offer when you are still interviewing with or have just sent your résumé to other prospective employers. It is best that you remain ‘sane’ and strive not to compare the offer in hand to fantastical, theoretical possibilities. You need to be realistic about what is likely to come down the line.  Look at the applications you have under way and reasonably assess which ones are likely to result in, at the very least, an invitation to participate in an interview and ultimately, an offer. Take the time to compare the offer in hand against a wish list of what you really want in any job. 

Open your mind to the reality that sometimes good enough will have to do and to let go of the idea that there might be something perfect out there.  You may also want to cross off a majority of things on your ‘like-to-have’ list as well as settle for fewer things if the position offers something else: a stronger résumé, the opportunity to learn new skills, or access to an organization with which you would like to work at for the long-term. 

What if you really need the job?
In a tough job market, it's easy to overvalue an offer. You need to be wary of the "rose-tinted spectacles" you might be wearing if you have been unemployed or have been searching for a new job for a long period of time. Instead of talking yourself into something, explore other alternatives like accepting the job for a short-term period, say six to nine months, while you look elsewhere. If that's not possible and you really need the job, know the risks.

Know that there is a cost to switching jobs and/or taking short-term jobs when you are looking for long-term opportunities. Not only do you need to think about what job jumping does to your family, job jumping will also have an effect on your relationships with your clients, your network and future prospects. You also need to think about what kind of an investment an employer is making in you and how disruptive it will be if you leave.  Don’t be surprised if you run up against future employers and hiring consultants who will look down upon too many changes in jobs in short periods of time.

Points to ponder:
  • Be honest with yourself about your requirements
  • In the long-run, it is always best to turn down offers that just aren’t right
  • Time is everyone’s most valuable commodity.  Time is also a terrible thing to waste.  Use it and/or spend it wisely.



Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog authored by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com that is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. This blog is also dedicated to those who stand a little taller each time they picked themselves up after failing and those who gained the wisdom and humility from those experiences to help others do the same. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Could You be a Victim of an Internet Job Scam?

 
by Mary Salvino


There are no desperate situations; there are only desperate people and scammers know it!  Scammers prey upon the fact that people have a hunger to connect with other people and job seekers are desperate and want to believe that they are not being lied to or misled. Unfortunately, those who are most the most vulnerable are those who have identified themselves as ‘long-term’ unemployed or are simply desperate to find a new job.

So, how can you protect yourself from an Internet job scam?  Here are a few tips:

1.   Treat Google and all other search engines as your best friend – If you can’t find the name of the company, a website, or, the name of the person who contacted you, it’s a SCAM!  

2.   If the job posting does not contain a detailed job description, it’s a SCAM!

3.   If the job posting contains errors in spelling or grammar, it’s a SCAM!

4.   If you are offered a job based solely upon your résumé, it’s a SCAM!

5.   If you are asked to participate in an interview via an Internet messenger service, it’s a SCAM!

6.   Know that references work both ways.  Ask for references if you are not sure if the company is legitimate.  Ask for a list of other employees or contractors and contact those people on the list.  If the company is not willing to provide you with references (names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers), it’s a SCAM!

7.   If you are asked to sign a contract/job offer letter that is not encrypted and has been sent to you over the Internet, it’s a SCAM!

8.   If the above-mentioned contract/job offer letter does not conform with typical employment standards legislation, i.e. guidelines regarding the payment of wages, vacation pay rules, guidelines for hours of work, breaks and payment of overtime, etc., it’s a SCAM!

9.   If you are not asked to fill out any of the typical form for employment, i.e. tax forms, pension forms, employment insurance forms, etc., it’s a SCAM!

10.   If you are asked to send money via bank draft, money order, Western Union, or courier, it’s a SCAM!!!

How to Report a Scam:

File a Report with the Internet Crime Complaint Centre
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts online Internet crime complaints. In order to file a report, you will need to provide the following information:
  • Your name, mailing address, and telephone number.
  • The name, address, telephone number, and web address, if available, of the individual or organization you believe has or is attempting to defrauded you.
  • Specific details on how, why, and when you believe you have been or may become the victim of fraud.

File a Report With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
In the United States, The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft. 
  • Toll free hotline:        877-FTC-HELP          (877-382-4357)

File a Report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
  • Toll free hotline:        1-888-495-8501
  • N.B. You can file even if you have not lost any money and/or provided any financial information

File a Report with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Report the Company to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Enter the company name or the web site into the Better Business Bureau search box to find out whether there have been complaints and whether the company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau. You can also file your own complaint online. 

Report a Fraudulent Website to Google
If you believe you've encountered a website that is designed to look like a legitimate website in an attempt to steal users' personal information, report it to Google. 

If you suspect that a posting on Craigslist may be part of a scam, send the details to (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/feedback)


Have you ever been a victim of job search fraud or other Internet scam?  Do you have any other tips that should be added to the list above?

Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2012, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog authored by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com that is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. This blog is also dedicated to those who stand a little taller each time they picked themselves up after failing and those who gained the wisdom and humility from those experiences to help others do the same. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca