Understanding Headhunter Ethics #AskTheHeadhunter

Understanding Headhunter Ethics #AskTheHeadhunter When I was in my 2006 job search I thought that recruiters, headhunters, etc. would be my best friends. I thought I would get on their radar, they would be excited to know I was available, and hustle to get me my dream job while they were working towards some sweet commission. Talk about a win-win! Turned out that there was only one friendly interaction with a recruiter, and that was the one who finally candidly said: Jason, youll get yourself a job before I get you a job. It was this recruiter who helped me understand that no, I wasnt special to him, and no, he wasnt going to get me my next job. It really was all on me. I had a gross misunderstanding of how recruiters worked, and what they would do for me. In yesterdays Ask The Headhunter post titled My headhunter is competing with me!, Nick Corcodilos goes deeper into this relationship. I think its critical for us, as job seekers, to understand how we work with (and dont work with) headhunters. Why? Because if we have the wrong expectations we will be working the wrong way. Heres insight that I needed to understand back in 2006:  The [recruiters] goal is to fill the job, not to get you a job. Read that five times. Print it out and put it on your bathroom mirror and your monitor. You have to understand that recruiters dont work for you. And unless you fit something they are looking to fill, they have already passed you over. Theres no file where they keep hot candidates like you. Theyll tell you theyll file your stuff away, but Ive heard more than one recruiter say their file got too big, so they just deleted everything so they could start from scratch. This knowledge was unsettling to me at first. But then it became freeing. When I understood that I was going to find a job for me before any recruiter would, I realized that I had to do the right stuff in my job search. The wrong stuff was to get 30+ recruiters working for me. Because none of them worked for me. None of them even thought about me for more than 20 seconds (which was how long it took to think about their open jobs and whether I was a great fit). It was all on me. Instead of me being a tool to the recruiter, they were a tool to me. And that tool was best left in the toolbox while I did a real job search. Im not saying recruiters suck, or are ruthless, or have no soul. They simply have a job to do. We, as job seekers, havent understood their job, and so we have expectations that are not only unfair but unrealistic. Understand how that part of the job search world works and you can spend your time where you really should. Read Nicks post to understand, and then take personal responsibility in your job search and get on my Job Search Program. The $197 cost will be worth it. Understanding Headhunter Ethics #AskTheHeadhunter When I was in my 2006 job search I thought that recruiters, headhunters, etc. would be my best friends. I thought I would get on their radar, they would be excited to know I was available, and hustle to get me my dream job while they were working towards some sweet commission. Talk about a win-win! Turned out that there was only one friendly interaction with a recruiter, and that was the one who finally candidly said: Jason, youll get yourself a job before I get you a job. It was this recruiter who helped me understand that no, I wasnt special to him, and no, he wasnt going to get me my next job. It really was all on me. I had a gross misunderstanding of how recruiters worked, and what they would do for me. In yesterdays Ask The Headhunter post titled My headhunter is competing with me!, Nick Corcodilos goes deeper into this relationship. I think its critical for us, as job seekers, to understand how we work with (and dont work with) headhunters. Why? Because if we have the wrong expectations we will be working the wrong way. Heres insight that I needed to understand back in 2006:  The [recruiters] goal is to fill the job, not to get you a job. Read that five times. Print it out and put it on your bathroom mirror and your monitor. You have to understand that recruiters dont work for you. And unless you fit something they are looking to fill, they have already passed you over. Theres no file where they keep hot candidates like you. Theyll tell you theyll file your stuff away, but Ive heard more than one recruiter say their file got too big, so they just deleted everything so they could start from scratch. This knowledge was unsettling to me at first. But then it became freeing. When I understood that I was going to find a job for me before any recruiter would, I realized that I had to do the right stuff in my job search. The wrong stuff was to get 30+ recruiters working for me. Because none of them worked for me. None of them even thought about me for more than 20 seconds (which was how long it took to think about their open jobs and whether I was a great fit). It was all on me. Instead of me being a tool to the recruiter, they were a tool to me. And that tool was best left in the toolbox while I did a real job search. Im not saying recruiters suck, or are ruthless, or have no soul. They simply have a job to do. We, as job seekers, havent understood their job, and so we have expectations that are not only unfair but unrealistic. Understand how that part of the job search world works and you can spend your time where you really should. Read Nicks post to understand, and then take personal responsibility in your job search and get on my Job Search Program. The $197 cost will be worth it.

Own the Question

Own the Question This post was inspired by one at Inc.com by Geoffrey James http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/a-sneaky-secret-about-office-politics.html Geoffrey James, writing for Inc.com, reveals the secret he says “allows you to get the better of any opponent in just about every workplace situation.” Who can resist reading on? James says that the secret technique is simple, though not easy: Own the Question. He goes on to say that every business decision is based on answering some sort of question: How do we fix this? What step do we take next? The person who can frame the question and then go on to provide the answer will prevail every time. He gives the example of a team that has lost a big customer. One executive comes in with ammunition ready to answer the question of “Who’s fault is this?” The Chief Sales Officer comes in and stops that conversation cold with: “The real question we need to answer is ‘How do we get the account back?’” James writes: “The true power of this technique is to own the question before it even gets asked.” It occurs to me that that’s also the secret of making sure you get the job offer. Ask the question to which you are the answer. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'xy8If6XQQ5BByoSAQbzoaA',sig:'gsm8lGsLC5VDpQP3WNLkPYYHAMPXX3MKA5vr4mOLRWo=',w:'359px',h:'478px',items:'142841515',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); I believe that every good interview has a theme, and the candidate should think carefully about what his theme will be. If your personal brand relies heavily on being a “creative problem solver,” for example, you should prepare examples of when you used this skill. That’s not new. But what is new is preparing questions for the interviewer that bring out what kind of problems the company or the team is looking to solve (creatively.) “I understand from my research that the industry is very worried about losing a large cohort of baby boomer workers to retirement over the next five to ten years. What creative recruiting ideas does the company have to attract the next generation of workers?” If you happen to be a Millennial social media expert, you might be the answer to that question. It would be a great way to lead into a discussion of the engagement campaigns you’ve created for your current employer. Tim Tyrell-Smith, blogger and creator of Tim’s Strategy ®, gives a formula for creating a theme for your interview. “Identify 6-10 strengths. You may already have these on your professional resume or bio. These describe what you do especially well. Give them a title. Examples: “I build brands”, “I create productive processes”, “I motivate sales team,” “I drive top line revenue.” After you decide what your interview theme(s) will be, develop a couple of stories that illustrate how you used these skills in past jobs. Incidentally, if you build a strong theme, you’ll have an answer to “What is your greatest strength?” with solid examples of that strength in action. Next, develop some questions like the one above that will help you understand if the company has or needs people who think like you. You’ll be able to make a more informed decision about whether you’re a good fit, and you’ll position yourself as the strongest candidate for the job.

Be Your Own Boss

Be Your Own Boss Generally speaking today’s women tend to be much more progressive when it comes to behavior and outlook than those of previous generations. Needs and attitudes have changed, as is reflected in how women feel about themselves and how they perceive themselves in the  workplace. Today’s professional woman is more likely to not put up with unfair practices such as disproportionate pay structures or unacceptable harassment. Others simply need a change of environment or really want to be independent. Below you will find some examples of women with strong entrepreneurial tendencies who have shown that there IS a new job market out there. IN THE MEDIA Oprah Winfrey Ever present amongst the world’s most powerful women, glamorous  Oprah  Winfrey has what it takes. As one of the most recognizable brands with successful endeavors in television and printing and the driving force behind the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, Oprah has shown all female would-be business owners that guts, perseverance and stamina are some of the qualities needed to make it on your own. Oprah makes the lists of the world’s richest and most powerful women year after year, without exception. If you’re brave, you too can break away from working for others; determination is what’s needed, and you too may write your own success story. Oprah has been an icon with millions of followers from all around the globe for many, many years. Angela Benton Founder and CEO of NewMe, Angela has shown that with determination the odds can be beaten. Giving birth to her first child at 16 did not stop Angela from becoming a force to be reckoned with as she launched Black Web 2.0 a few years ago and then in 2010 NewMe. Hugely successful from humble beginnings, Angela is now a leader in the field of online marketing and technology and widely admired for her courage. FOOD AND CATERING Gutsy duo, sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne These two ladies have shown the world that giving up a stable, salaried job may be just what is needed to be the architect of your own success. It did not take them many years to grow a mini empire from one building in DC where they opened  Georgetown Cupcake, to becoming best-selling cookbook authors, reality TV stars and the owners of various shops around the United States. Lynn Bolton Known as the founder of the  small business  Head in the Clouds Luxury Meringues and working from home in Faversham, Kent in the UK, Lynn is fast becoming a well-known face at fairs and her meringues are starting to appear in various bakeries and confectionery shops around the UK. Having developed 40 flavors and having been featured on Sky TV, Lynn believes the future looks bright; she is quite proud of her achievements in a very short space of time, and rightfully so. The recession of 2008 was just what Lynn needed to find her niche and prove to herself that adversity is often not the end of the line, but that it sometimes may herald successful new beginnings. WRITE! Arianna Huffington According to Technorati, mega powerful Arianna is the owner of the world’s top blog. Not everyone will create another Huffington Post, but we do live in the times where almost nobody can survive either socially or professionally without sharing information. Great opportunities have opened up in the world of writing if you believe you can write for other people. If you have a fair grasp of what it means to be a word-worker, then you should not be at a loss for opportunity. Some owners of websites, some magazine editors, even your community newspaper may be waiting for you! Or better still, start your own blog! The internet shares a wealth of information for would-be writers on how to make it on their own. Maybe you’re a good editor or proofreader? The opportunities are out there! For those looking for flexibility, freelancing may be a good option, as writers often work from home. MORE SUCCESS STORIES! Janine Allis Another story to inspire is that of Janine Allis, the plucky Australian who has built her Boost Juice Bars from her kitchen counter into a huge global brand that is found in almost 20 countries worldwide, in 350 shops! With no formal business training but an eye for a good idea, she got a brain wave which she turned into a hugely profitable business when the idea of grabbing something  fruity and fresh  as you find yourself on the go popped into her head. Lisa Price Carol’s Daughter line of beauty products came about when Lisa, while working on the set of The Cosby Show, started making organic beauty products in her kitchen, back in the 80s. Starting out as a mail-order business and venturing online, Lisa opened shop in Brooklyn in 1999. She has another store on 125th Street in Harlem. Not a bad start from experimenting in her kitchen! Through contacts and her own network and sphere of influence Lisa managed to get names such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J Blige to invest in her venture. GO FIND YOUR SUCCESS There are many more out there. An honorable mention goes to Noosh Catering, run by the amazing Kate Whitlock. In a fast changing world, work-from-home opportunities are becoming the choice for many more women, regardless of whether it is a way to supplement an income, or whether it is a full-time job. More and more women today find that the flexibility allows them to have a little bit of extra time to themselves in the long run and makes for more fulfilling lives. The possibilities are endless. Give it some thought if you feel you owe yourself more than working in an environment where there may be little scope for furthering your career, where you may be just another number. Think of things you can do from your kitchen, or from your laptop, or from your back yard. If the idea of starting your own herb nursery or cut flower business appeals to you, then go for it provided of course, you have the space and inclination. People start businesses from a garage in the back yard; a smart office environment is not necessary if you don’t have a lot of start-up capital. Be inventive and courageous. We all know that fortune favors the brave. It can be YOUR motto too! Do not allow other people to dictate your path, especially when it becomes clear to you that they’re not holding YOUR best interests at heart. YOU are the success story of your life. Go out and start living it!

Use Criticism to Improve Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Use Criticism to Improve Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In today’s world, consumers have greater control than ever. Through reviews and social media, they can learn and leave feedback about your business. Many entrepreneurs fear receiving criticism; however, negative comments can provide important clues to improving your business. Here’s how to use negative comments to expand your brand. 1. Remove yourself from the comment. In most cases, criticism isn’t about you, unless you were personally rude to the customer, in which case you deserve a negative comment. Instead, most people are going to be critical of your product or service. For that reason, you don’t want to take the comment personally or get defensive. 2. Find the core of the criticism. Sometimes consumers take the long route when complaining or giving feedback. Your goal is to sift through the complaint to find the meat of the problem. For example, a buyer may tell you why they needed your product, why they choose your product and the whole process they went through to buy, but what you want is the core problem, such as it broke, didn’t work or was the wrong color. 3. Use criticism to improve your product or service. Admittedly, there are consumers who will complain and leave bad feedback that is meant to be snarky or rude. Sometimes they get upset over things you have no control over. I once had someone complain to me and ask for a refund on a product I didn’t create or sell. However, many people provide feedback that can reveal areas you can improve in. Perhaps they like the product, but not your customer service. Maybe they feel the order process was too difficult or long. These are problems you can fix. 4. Use criticism to beef up your customer service. I love that when I complain about my printer or Internet service on Twitter, the companies respond asking for more information or referring me to a resource where I can get the problem resolved. Not all companies are responsive. When people complain, the speed in which you respond and the quality of your response can make a huge impact on your brand. If you respond well, not only will you retain a customer, but that customer may refer new business. However, not responding will result in more than losing a customer. It can also mean losing other potential customers because of negative reviews and comments. Negative feedback and complaints can’t be avoided. Even the best businesses receive complaints. However, smart companies recognize that constructive criticism is a learning tool they can use to improve.  Further, by responding professionally with the intention of being helpful they can create customer evangelists who will spread the company’s brand.

3 ways to impress at your university interview - Debut

3 ways to impress at your university interview - Debut This post was written by an external contributor. Have a university interview scheduled? Chloe Smith has some top tips to help you out.   Interviews are daunting at the best of times, but there’s just something about university interviews that make them particularly terrifying. Perhaps its down to being so difficult to impress when you’re up against so many other prospective students trying to stand out from the crowd is no easy feat. So to help ease those nerves,  here are three ways to help you impress at your university interview. Let your passion and enthusiasm shine through If youve applied to study a subject at university level, then youre probably going to have a passion for it already. However, your interviewer isnt necessarily going to know that, so this is the perfect time to show them. Im not talking about putting together a fifteen slide PowerPoint presentation; all you need to do is answer every question with enthusiasm. Know a little bit about the subject outside of what is in your school syllabus. For example, if you’re studying English, read and mention a few books in your interview that you haven’t come across at secondary school, college or sixth form (such as Chaucer or Sylvia Plath) just to show that you have a genuine passion outside of education. Remember, a tutor always appreciates a student who loves their subject. Dont be afraid of showcasing your knowledge. Talk about what areas interest you, or mention what modules youre looking forward to studying at that institution. Expand on your personal statement Before you go for an interview, make sure you know your personal statement inside out. Prepare to expand where necessary, and clarify any points that the tutor may have. My own university interview consisted of my tutor quizzing me on parts of my statement that interested them. It really showcased me as a person, and demonstrated the thought and care that Id put into the application overall. Your statement will have all the skills and achievements that got you the interview in the first place. If youre able to use it as a good base for conversation, then itll definitely put you ahead of the game. Engage your interviewer   The more engaged you seem at the interview, the more confident you’ll come across. The interviewer will definitely appreciate the fact that you’ve been paying attention and want to know more about the syllabus, which means you’ll make more of a positive impression overall too. If you’re feeling too nervous to think of questions on the spot, then it might be a good idea to ask a few generic questions about the university, or the course structure etc. One good piece of advice I was given before my interview was, they’re not just interviewing you, you’re also interviewing them’. Youll be investing your time and money in that institution, so think carefully about what you want. Will the course interest you? Whats the assessment process like? Are there any interesting opportunities like internships or studying abroad that you can take advantage of? Questions like these may help you see whether that university is the right choice. Sometimes, the interviewer may want to get to know  you  a bit more to see if youre a good fit for their school.  If you want to prepare for any dreaded personal questions like this,  then these tips are a great help. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

7 Practical Tips for Successfully Landing a Job Outside of Your Field of Expertise

7 Practical Tips for Successfully Landing a Job Outside of Your Field of Expertise There are few things in life as frustrating as coming to the realization that you no longer enjoy what you set out to do with your life. Maybe you’ve just become bored with the same thing day after day, or maybe you’ve just realized that your passion lies elsewhere. The good news is that it’s never too late to make a career change or to pursue your passions. While finding a job in the field you are completely unfamiliar with is certainly challenging â€" it is far from impossible. Here are seven tips to help you break into a new career outside your area of expertise. Research the Industry The first thing that you need to do is make it your field of expertise. If you’re going to make a go of it, you need to learn the ins and outs of the new field. If it’s already something you’re familiar with like a hobby or personal interest of yours, you may have a head start. If not, see if there are any free courses or books that you can find that can help you gain the knowledge you need to get started in the industry. Establish Yourself as an Authority Once you’ve gotten a handle on the basics, you can start building some credibility within your field. Join a professional organization and participate in online discussion forums. Create a website and start writing a blog. Reach out to other influencers in your field and offer guest posts on their sites. Start leaving a digital trail as early as possible, so that when a potential employer searches for you, they’ll find what you’re looking to present. Make it a Side Hustle Before you throw caution to the wind and quit your current job, it might be worth it to give it a shot on a part-time, trial basis. You can apply to freelance jobs and offer lower prices to potential clients. First, it can give you a chance to see if you enjoy it as much as you hope you will. Second, it allows you to maintain your current income, while getting yourself set up and testing the waters in your new career. This way you don’t compromise your financial security while you get the bugs worked out. Look for Volunteer Opportunities One of the best ways to get started is by volunteering for an organization in the field. You may find yourself working alongside people that can impart wisdom and expertise that you might not gain otherwise. In the meantime, you’re learning and building valuable work experience that can later be added to your resume. Networking If you’ve established your credibility, started a side hustle, and volunteered, then you’re probably already on your way to building a strong network. Don’t let it stop there though. Reach out to corporations in your industry, attend a conference, and build your LinkedIn profile. Keeping in touch with your network is the best way to learn about new opportunities and updates in your industry. Focus on Your Accomplishments Instead of focusing on what you’re missing, you need to begin focusing on what you’ve proven yourself able to do. When writing resumes or cover letters, explain your strengths, your knowledge, and your soft skills, rather than apologizing for your lack of education or experience. Don’t tell them what you can’t do, tell them what you can do. Accept Entry Level Depending on how long you’ve been in your current field, you may have to swallow your pride and take a pay cut. You can’t expect to be making the same money as someone who’s been working in the field for years and has a proven track record. Just remember that entry level means that there’s room for growth and advancement. Starting over in a new industry can seem overwhelming, but plenty of people do it every day. If you’re fed up with your current situation and eager to get started on a new path, these tips can help you realize your hopes and dreams. About Audrey: Audrey Robinson works as a finance and career consultant, helping people make right career choices and protect their personal finances. Currently supporting Learn to Trade an educational resource for investors, Audrey is easy to find online, where she participates in various discussions and shares her ideas and suggestions. If you wish to learn more, feel free to pm her at @AudreyyRobinson.

Does Your Resume Match the Job Description

Does Your Resume Match the Job Description When you first sit down to write your resume from scratch, it’s normal to sit there for several minutes before you write your first word. Where to begin writing an effective resume is difficult, especially in today’s competitive world. But even if you have a resume you’ve used in the past, chances are some significant adjustments need to be made if you’re searching for a new job. This brings up the point of targeting your resume to match the specific job description you’re looking at. You probably have heard from an executive resume service that it’s important to do so, but in what ways are you supposed to match them? Here are some tips to consider when writing your resume. Focus on Keywords in The Job Description The best professional resume writers will print out a job description, grab a highlighter and mark each keyword they can find. These keywords should describe the particular candidate the employer is looking for, as well as the strengths and skills you possess. Once you identify them all, plug them into your resume as high on the page as possible. Include as many keywords as you can, but be careful not to stuff too many of them in to make it sound unnatural. Think About How A Potential Employer Reads Your Resume It’s easy to talk about your past experiences and accomplishments. The biggest mistake professionals make is talking about previous achievements that aren’t relevant to the job they are applying for. When writing an effective resume, you have to write it while thinking about how a potential employer will read it. They want to see what value you bring to the table specifically for their company, and don’t necessarily care about anything else. By looking closely at the job description, the best professional resume writers can identify what’s appropriate to mention and what should be avoided. Discover What You Truly Want From A Job A common misconception about writing an effective resume is it should be more general instead of focused. The idea is the more general your resume is, the better your chances are of landing another open position, even if you don’t qualify for the one you really want. This can lead to a sloppy resume and an unfocused job search effort. Taking the time to truly discover what you want from a job, from a salary standpoint, cultural standpoint, work/life balance and more will help you target your resume. Professional Resume Services is an executive resume service that helps professionals write resumes that stand out. We will always ask for the job description of any job you are interested in and tailor your resume to match it. Our professional resume writers have experience in many different industries, so never hesitate to contact us if you need assistance with yours.