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March 4th, 2011Networking
May 7th, 2010
There are still jobs out there?
So how does someone find out about them?
Networking!
As a Recruiter, I can tell you first hand that the majority of the positions that I fill are from internal referrals. More than 75% of the positions that I fill are from internal employee resources. Advertising a position online, or in the newspaper is the last resort after all of my internal resources have been exhausted. This is why networking is so important. Networking plain and simple is the process of “talking to people”. Start by making a list of everyone that you know including family members, friends, neighbors, ex-coworkers, etc., to inform them that you are looking for a job. This is important because if your contact does not know of a current opening, they might know of other available jobs through other contacts. When your contact informs you of an opening, make sure that you meet the qualifications for the position before you present yourself as a viable candidate. You don’t want to put your friends reputation on the line by applying for any job just because it’s available. How Does Networking Work - A Recruiter’s Perspective When an employee approaches me to inform me that they know of someone that could possibly fill my “xyz position”, I am more than likely to follow-up especially if the referral comes from one of my top performers. For example, this past week, an employee who wanted to confirm that I received the online application from one of her good friends that was in the job market approached me. I immediately took the name, contacted her referral, set up the interview, and I am now considering the referral for hire. In addition, the employee will qualify for a $100 referral award provided her referral gets the job.Networking is not as hard as you think
A lot of people think that networking is hard. I hear excuses like, “I’m too shy”, or, “I don’t like to ask for anything.” There is a saying…”you have not, because you ask not.” If you can increase your chances of getting an interview by simply letting someone know that you are looking for a job then why not?
“Sending thousands of resumes is a lot easier,” is what some people say. Statistics show that you will probably get one interview for every thousand resumes sent. In my personal experience when I was job-hunting, I used one of those services where you pay a fee, and the service promises to send your resume to thousands of employers. I thought for sure I would get at least ten interviews. I received NONE!
A Beginner’s Step to Networking
1. Make a list of everyone that you know.
2. Contact the people on your list to let them know that you are looking for a job, and ask for their help?
3. If your contact knows of an opportunity, find out how to apply for the position as more companies now require that you apply online as the initial step in the employment process.
4. Also, get the name of the decision maker so that you can follow-up with them once the initial introduction has been made.
5. Once your referral informs you that the initial contact has been made, call the decision maker to introduce yourself and ask if it is possible to set up a time to discuss the position.
If provided the interview, don’t forget to follow-up with your network and thank them for referring you. Also, make sure that you keep in touch with the your contact as networking is a give and take relationship.
What Does that Question Have to do with the Job?
May 7th, 2010
Although these questions can give the interviewer some insight into your personality, it is my opinion that they have absolutely no relevance to how successful you could be at any given job. It is also important to note that there really is no right or wrong answer to many of the questions listed.
1. Why is there fuzz on a tennis ball?
2. There is no right or wrong answer, but if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
3. What kind of car do you drive?
4. What magazines do you subscribe to?
5. If you were an animal, which one would your want to be?
6. What is your greatest fear?
7. What do you like to do for fun?
8. What do you do in your spare time?
9. What is your favorite memory from childhood?
10. Tell me one thing about yourself that you wouldn’t want me to know?
11. What are 3 positive character traits that you don’t have?
12. How would you weigh a plane without sscales?
13. With your eyes closed, tell me step-by-step how to tie my shoes?
14. Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil other than writing?
15. Say you were dead-what do you think your eulogy would say about you?
16. If you were a brick in a wall, which brick would you be and why?
17. What is your favorite food?
18. If you were at a business lunch and ordered a rare steak and they brought it to you well done, what would you do?
19. What was the last book you read?
20. Who are your heroes?
The Real Meaning behind the question “Why Should I Hire You?”.
May 7th, 2010
This is usually the final question that I ask a job applicant when I am about to end the interview.
Typical answers that I get are:
- “I really need a job.”
- “I am a really hard worker.”
- “I am a dedicated person.”
The issue is that - the last twenty people that I interviewed said the same thing.
So I rephrase the question. “What makes you the best candidate for the position”? This is the real meaning behind the question, “why should I hire you?” If you have done your homework, and have prepared for the interview by researching the position and the company, the answer that you provide should align your skills, knowledge, and abilities with the job requirements of the position.
Here is an example of a better way to answer the question:
|
Scenario: You are interviewing for an administrative assistant position at the “XYZ” company. The job description calls for someone who is organized, someone who can handle multiple projects at the same time, and has excellent verbal communication skills. |
Interviewer : “Why should I hire you for the administrative position?”
Interviewee : “I believe that I fully meet the requirements that are listed in the job description. Based on my previous examples during the course of our discussion, I have provided you with a solid example of my organizational skills by describing how I organized the holiday party for the entire staff at the “ACME” company.
While organizing the party, I had to demonstrate handling multiple projects [list them] to successfully plan an exciting event that everyone would enjoy.
In addition, having to discuss the intricate details while dealing with several vendors indicates that I have the proven track record of excellent verbal and communications skills that you are looking for in a successful administrative assistant.”
As you can see from the example, the interviewee has successfully answered the most important question of the interview by providing specific examples of how they are the best fit for the position.
An answer similar to this will always set you apart from the candidate who just “really needs a job”.
The Number One Reason why you Probably did not get the Job
October 6th, 2009
The Number One Reason Why You Probably Did Not Get The Job
LACK OF PREPARATION
One of the first few questions that I usually ask a potential applicant is:
· “What do you know about the position you are applying for?”
· “What do you know about XYZ Company?”
· “Why do you want to work for XYZ Company?”
The typical response that I get is a “deer in the headlights look”, and a answer usually to the tone of “well I just need a job”, or, “I’ve never really heard of XYZ Company before.” STRIKE ONE!
A lot of people start the interview by asking me to be patient with them because they are nervous. As a Recruiter, I understand, because anxiety is a natural part of the interview process.The best way that you can reduce the stress and anxiety before the interview is to prepare, prepare, prepare.
The majority of job hunters are poorly prepared to interview. They simply attempt to “wing it” and expect to get the job. You don’t go on a blind date without attempting to find out all that you can about your potential suitor. Treat the job interview like a blind date and try to get as much information about the company and position before the interview to increase your chances of getting the job. Here are some helpful tips:
- If you know someone who works for the company, talk to them to find out information about the company.
- Try to get the name of a person who is working in the department for which the position is posted.
- Call that person and ask if they have a few minutes to discuss the position with you.
- Find out what issues the company may be facing so that you can position yourself as a problem-solver during the interview. Ask questions about the day-to-day responsibilities of the job and visualize yourself actually doing the job. A lot of times, there is a huge difference between what the job description says and the actual day-to-day duties of the position.
- Based on the day-to-day responsibilities of the job, anticipate what questions the interviewer might want you to answer during the interview and rehearse answering the questions.
- Role-play as if you were the hiring manager. What qualities would you look for in the best candidate? What type of questions would you ask the potential candidate in order to fill the position?
You might say: “Well this is a lot of work.” And yes it is. The question is whether you want the job badly enough to beat out your competition.