Bird In The Hand Recruiting Do It!

Bird In The Hand Recruiting Do It! Youve probably heard the phrase before: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. It means it is better to have a definite than hold out for the possibility of something better that may never come. It is time to start incorporating this methodology into your recruiting operations. The more the merrier: How many times have you been in this situation? Your hiring manager interviews a series of candidates for a specific opening and comes back to you satisfied with the candidates, however there is one issue. They want to see more candidates. This is understandable, not all candidates are going to be great for the specific role. So naturally you inquire why that is. The answer you receive? I just want to see who else is out there. Who else is out there? The most current figure on the population of the earth is 7.125 billion people. You want to see who else is out there? We may be here a while. Continuing your search: By: Westconn The problem with this mindset? It goes back to the bird in the hand analogy. Let’s assume you decide to hold off on those good candidates you interviewed for this mysterious “better” candidate. You continue to interview and 2 months later you realize the initial candidate was better. So you go ahead and call to deliver an offer. Well it is now too late and that candidate is working at your competitor. Sure your job may have been #1 on their list, but they have to continue their career search as well, and waiting for you to make up your mind was not in their plans. So here you are, back to square one having to re-evaluate candidates or even worse, begin the recruiting process over again. There are many reasons to decline a candidate. The wrong skill set, not enough experience, poor references, the list goes on. The reason of “there could be someone better” is not a justifiable reason. If this is your reason this means you in fact do not know what you are looking for. Either that or you are an indecisive person. Either way, you should be stripped of your decision making responsibilities. Leadership: Being a decision maker means being a leader. A person is put into a leadership role because of their ability to handle situations that arise. You wouldnt expect the CEO of your company to flip flop on every question that comes up would you? No. You would expect him or her to make the decisions that need to be made. Same goes for hiring. This article is not to suggest you hire the first candidate who comes through your door. Each recruiter will tell you differently when you ask them how many candidates hiring managers should be interviewing. However if you are doing your due diligence on the back end (i.e. phone screens and other vetting) by the time you bring in those selected candidates for interviews you should have a feel for what the market bears. That is what is most important. You need to get a feel for the candidates in your specific market regarding that position and make a decision from there. Are you going to end up hiring the best Java Developer in the area? Maybe not. That does not mean the one you did interview isnt a good fit. Stop declining the quality candidates you have because of this mysterious candidate you made up in your mind. [image credit: Shutterstock]

7 Tips to Improve Job Interviewing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

7 Tips to Improve Job Interviewing - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Job interviewing is an act. Yes, you are the actor, and both sides know the rules: You, who are one of the candidates for the position, are doing your best to convince the interviewer you are the ideal candidate. The interviewer, who is the audience, has choices, is an independent thinker and often skeptic, and needs evidence and proof before buying everything you want to sell. (Please pardon the mixed metaphor.) The winner in this competition is not only the individual who, on the positive side, has good answers but also the one who, on the negative side, does not make mistakes. So let’s look at both of those issues. What are positive factors in an interview? Without being specific, an interviewer’s number one concern is whether you’d fit into the company’s culture. This is a loaded subject because the decision is subjective. The candidate should attempt to find out as much as possible about the company’s culture by talking to present and past employees and should then display to the extent possible the traits for a good fit into the culture. The other factor weighing heavily on the interviewer’s mind is the image you create. A candidate who exhibits a great deal of passion and excitement as well as specific knowledge about the company seems very attractive. More ways to give a positive impression are via general appearance, attire, and, above all, a natural smile. Regardless of geographic location, language, or culture, a smile means the same thing around the globe. What are negative factors in an interview? Lack of confidence is an interview killer. If you’re not sure of yourself, or you don’t have specific examples, or you’re winging many of your answers, the interviewer will probably not be very impressed. Your body language will instantly reveal the truth, and both parties are thinking the same thing without talking about it. Certain things are universally considered gauche and should be strictly avoidedâ€"for example, being late or smelling of nicotine or strong perfume, dressing improperly, chewing gum, or the ringing of your cell phone in the middle of the interview. Any of those could be detrimental. And there are other ways a candidate can disenchant the interviewerâ€"for example, denigrating a previous employer, voicing strong opinions, being caught lying, pointing out where the interviewer is wrong about something, or making the interviewer feel badâ€"about anything. So, in summary, what is the holy grail of the interview process? The answer is, it depends, because a large portion of the decision-making process is subjective and hinges on the interviewer’s consciousness, past experiences, personal culture, and intellectual world. What I’ve learned from performing job interview coaching for several years is that the most important success factors are extensive preparation via mock interviewing the building of self-confidence. Both of those are instantly evident to an interviewer.

Make a story out of your career

Make a story out of your career When someone asks What do you do? a one-word answer will put your career on ice. You need to have a story. When you want to establish a connection with someone, a story provides social glue. When you want to impress someone, a story is more memorable and than a list of achievements. Early in my career, I interviewed for a job as a user interface designer. The hiring manager asked me how I got involved in UI design. I could have said, I thought it looked interesting so I gave it a try and I was good at it. But anyone can answer the very standard how-did-you-find-your-career question with that answer. So instead, I told this story: An old boyfriend was a programmer, and he worked from home, while I was in school. He plastered designs all over our bedroom wall and our living room floor so that he could think them through. Finally, I told him if he was going to mess up the apartment then he had to be the one to clean it, and I handed him the toilet scrubber. We argued about who had extra time for cleaning and who didnt and finally he said, Fine. Ill clean, but you do the UI design. And to his surprise, I did. I got the job. And every time I have been able to tell stories in interviews, I have gotten the job. When it comes to your career, have a one-minute story ready. Its the story of you how you got to where you are and what your achievements are. When someone asks a question like, How did you get into advertising? tell your story. When you interview, tell stories. You know youre going to encounter the question, What are your strengths? Dont give a list. Its not persuasive. Tell a story about how you did something amazing by using your strengths. This way you tell the hiring manager something memorable and you get in a bit about your achievements. Once you get the job, keep telling stories as a way to promote yourself within the company. The first month of your job, no one knows you, so they ask questions like, Where were you before this? or What sort of experience do you have? These are times to tell your story. If you are funny, make your story funny. If you are not funny, be vulnerable in your story. For example, when people ask me how I became a writer, sometimes I start my story with how I was working just blocks away from the World Trade Center when it fell and my software company never recovered. This is not essential to my story, but the World Trade Center brings people into my story right away. Your success at your job will depend on you finding someone to help you navigate the corporate ladder: You need to find a mentor; you need to get on plum projects. You need to show people you are smart and interesting so that they want to help you. Dont assume that your work speaks for itself. It doesnt. Most people will have no idea what you have done, or what you do now. You need to tell them. And the best way to tell them without sounding boring or self-obsessed is to tell stories. Still feeling queasy about talking yourself up to people? Check out the book Brag! by Peggy Klaus, the master of self-promotion. Worried that you dont know how to tell a story? Give business books a break and take a look at Flash Fiction edited by James Thomas. This is an anthology of two-page stories that have similar pacing as those youll tell at the office. Spinning a good story is difficult. But building a career without a story is even more difficult. So youd better start spinning.

3 Reasons Your Cultural Background Might Be Holding You Back - Classy Career Girl

3 Reasons Your Cultural Background Might Be Holding You Back Helping young Latinas become leaders and achieve their full potential is the reason BeVisible exists and why I wake up every day. But it’s not an easy job. Ever since I came to the United States from Chile, I’ve been trying to honor my cultural background while at the same time trying to overcome it so that I can take advantage of the educational and economic opportunities that this country provides. And based on a Twitter Chat we did this summer, many of you experience that same dichotomy. Whether first or second generation Latinas, you struggle with the differences between what you want for yourself and what your family and community taught you to revere and strive for when you were growing up. And sometimes those competing interests and beliefs get in your way. Here are 3 reasons your cultural background might be holding you back… and how you can move forward without dishonoring it. #1: You were taught to take a backseat Very often Latinas are told, “Don’t get too good for your own good.” And they’re criticized for being elitists if they’re too loud and proud about accomplishing their own goals. These attitudes can wreak havoc on your confidence. Worse, when you’re applauded for keeping quiet and playing down your accomplishments, often without even realizing it, you stop taking risks and you stop yourself from working toward or even wanting greater success. When that happens, not only do you suffer, but so does everyone else who could’ve been touched by the gifts, intelligence and leadership you have to share. “I grew up being told, tone it down a bit. So I did. That didnt last long. I cant this is who I am.” “As women were taught to not take up too much space. Time to unapologetically take all the space we want.” #2: You were taught to work hard and that would be enough Working hard is great. But it’s only part of the equation. In the United States it’s expected that you work hard but that you also nurture and rely on your network to help you start, grow and advance in your career. The typical Latina doesn’t have access to sponsors and networks like her American counterparts do. She may have her own network of like-minded Latinas, but these networks don’t have the influence and power she needs to advance. You therefore not only have to work twice as hard as your peers, but you have to find your way into networks that might not be ready to welcome you with open arms. How do you breakthrough and get your voice heard? Identify all of the places and communities where you can add value Find a mentor who appreciates your experience and who fought her way through just like you want to Invite your peers to events, support each other, and always have each other’s back One of the most powerful beliefs you bring to American culture is your belief in your community and your conviction that you are stronger together than you are alone. Hold on to that and together you can help each other take up all the space you need to make the impact you want. “If you dont have a seat at the table, bring your own chair.” “We can find solidarity strength with other #WOC. We need to support each other to succeed.” “Bring peers to events, invite them to the table, network purposefully, have each others back. It’s all about #shinetheory. Visibility is key the more of us, the better. were probably the smartest in the room, so own it “ #3: You were taught to feel guilty for investing in yourself Latinas cultural background teaches them that family comes first. And anyone who acts outside of that belief by focusing on her own life and career is failing in some way. You’re taught it’s selfish to want what you want because you couldn’t possibly get what you want without taking something from someone else. This message is probably one of the most difficult to overcome. Because it’s so ingrained. But learning how to do for yourself without feeling selfish is actually a skill you can become better at. And the way you become better at is is by practicing. By identifying something you want for yourself and going after it without reservation and without apologies. Imagine that. That’s why I want to challenge you to take the words “I’m sorry” out of your vocabulary for one week. What if you just went after you wanted without apologizing to anyone, out loud or in your head? How would that feel? What would get to happen for you? Very often we accept beliefs without testing them. We tell ourselves we can’t do this because of X or we can’t do that because of Y. So we just don’t do it. But by not doing it, you never really give yourself the chance to test that belief. And if you don’t test it, you’ll never overcome it. “Were also carrying goals/expectations of our family/community. Not just our own. I can hear my mothers voice saying, ‘I didnt come to this country for you to…’” “There was much skepticism when I decided to attend undergrad across the country. Was I too good for the local schools?” What’s Next? With your powerful cultural background influencing your beliefs and attitudes, how are you supposed to ignore them? You don’t have to. You don’t have to dismiss them or be angry about them, you simply have to accept them as beliefs that were formed long before you came along. And long before you were even “allowed” to participate fully in American culture. Your family and community believe what they believe because of their own cultural background. They aren’t trying to bring you down, they’re just carrying on what is real and comfortable for them. The best thing you can do is educate them, be honest about what you want, and ask that they honor your experience and your goals because let’s face it, you have way too much to do and way too many dreams to be content to live someone else’s life.

How to Find the Right Resume Writing Service

How to Find the Right Resume Writing ServiceIf you're new to the job market, then you will need to find the right resume writing service for your career needs. Finding a quality service that is able to provide you with a well-written resume is crucial to the success of your career, and there are several things you can do to make sure your choice of service is well worth the money you invest in it. To ensure that you have a quality service that provides the best products and services for your career goals, here are a few important considerations.First of all, keep in mind that not all services are created equal. Your resume is going to be a very important document that you create with yourself as the main role model, so you should look for a service that focuses on professional standards. Even though you don't have a lot of time to develop a resume, it's still a very important document and should therefore be professionally done.Next, consider the fee that the service charges for its services. While the resume writing service you find may not cost as much as you would like, it's still important to find one that will be able to fit within your budget. Some companies may offer lower rates than others, but remember that even the best service will still be costing you money. You want to make sure that the service you choose is affordable but also offers the quality you expect, so think about how much you can afford to spend before you go out and get a service.Another thing to consider is whether or not the service offers personal customer service. Many services that charge high fees may not be so accommodating in this area, so it's important to ask for customer service before you sign any contracts or order anything. This is something that everyone needs from a service, and if it isn't offered then you're probably better off finding another service to use. You should also see if the company has any sort of online customer support option and if so, what sort of suppo rt they offer.Another way to ensure that you get a great service is to check out their portfolio. If you're looking for a service to send out samples of work to a client, this is a great way to find the best possible option. A portfolio will show you the different jobs that the service has completed, and this can help you figure out what type of services the company offers and if it fits your style.Good news for many job seekers is that many of the top services are offering discounts, especially if you buy in bulk. This is an excellent way to save money but make sure you do your research ahead of time and get a sense of what sort of discount is being offered. Some people are tempted to buy in bulk just because of the discounts, but this is not always the best approach because there are other factors to consider when choosing a service.Lastly, make sure that the service you choose can provide you with an email address where you can contact them. This allows you to check on the progre ss of your resume and get answers to any questions that you may have. While you may have to pay more to get this service, it will save you a lot of time if you ever have to contact the company in the future.There are several things to keep in mind when you're trying to find the right resume writing service. Before you decide which one to choose, be sure to check out the service's website and see if they offer a portfolio or contact form on their site. By keeping these three important considerations in mind, you'll be able to find the best possible service for your career needs.

Are You Really Listening As You Job Search - Hire Imaging

Are You Really Listening As You Job Search - Hire Imaging What did I just say?! My father passed away 12 years ago. There was an inane conversation that sticks in my craw to this day. It was the day of Dad’s funeral and I stopped at a convenience store to pick up some breakfast items for out-of-town family staying at my mother’s house. The clerk behind the counter asked how I was that day. Bleary eyed, I replied that I was very sad; that my father had died and I was attending his funeral in an hour. Her remark? “Well, have a nice day!” Twelve years later it irks me. In college I minored in communications. One of my classes had us experimenting with listening. My friend (and classmate) and I went to a birthday dinner party at the home of a graduate student we knew.   The host greeted us at the door. We purposely arrived one hour late and while my friend stayed out of sight, I said, “I’m sorry to be so late! On the way over, we hit a train and Tracy is dead.” The host, deep in his world of birthday boy and center-of-attention-universe replied, “Well, I hope Tracy can come to the next one.” There is a premise I (we all) should take to heart as an unfortunate given. Realty check is that people are more interested in themselves than in you.  If folks think that you are there to give a rehearsed discourse, spew self-absorbed dialogue, or to monopolize the conversation, their interest in you quickly wanes. Listening is power Those who listen well have a talent to share with the world. I believe that total listening is a finely honed art. If you are a great listener, you hold yourself like a dangling pendant while you tune in to all the signals you are receiving from the other person. You confine your thoughts, to keep from rehearsing what you are going to say next, to repress all links you may feel between what the other person is saying and your own perspective or experience. If you are really an effective listener, you wait quietly while the other person finishes talking. Then you collect your thoughts for a response. You  not only absorb what is being said, but are able to paraphrase back what the other has said with such a clear understanding of the content and feeling of the speaker’s message that the speaker could recognize it, perhaps even more succinctly than the original words. Most of us have had someone in our lives who was that kind of listener. Someone who listened like we were the most important person in the world. And it touched our happy chord! The fact is, that people who are good listeners have a real edge in the job search and work world. Listening is one of the most powerful tools  there is to gain trust and in turn, trust-based relationships. Look, listen and land Sometimes landing in a new job comes from listening outside the formal interview. It happened to my client, Pat. He loves motorcycles! When he was 18, he hung around John Doe’s motorcycle shop every Saturday for nearly a year, asking questions about the business, the customers, and their buying habits. Mr. Doe started opening up to Pat about customer issues, returns that were chronic, the kinds of complaints that seemed to rear up more often than wanted, even arguments that had occurred. Mr. Doe spoke of a few customers who even got physical. Pat proposed to Mr. Doe that he, an avid motorcyclist and natural-born mediator and relationship farmer, could handle many of these customers. He could relate to them; he had grasped the issues and had confidence to deal with customer service. He got the job on a part-time basis. Today, he is Mr. Doe’s business partner. Look, listen and learn We love to be heard and understood. Try your own informal experiment. Try being a fly on the wall to see how you and others listen. Pay attention to it in all situations from interviews, to networking, to informal conversations. Let’s take interviewing. Remember that reality check? If given the chance, many interviewers would probably prefer to talk about themselves, their dreams, fears, hassles and bragging rights. Of course, they’re supposed to listen to you.   So I would think that if you listen carefully  to what they say, add thoughtful questioning, and allow their needs to be part of the conversation, well; how could this possibly be a negative? And how much could you learn from leads and contacts by listening? How about those in charge at places? Those who know people in charge at places? Listening actually becomes a charisma.   There’s that trust thing again. That warm fuzzy. Photo:  {studiobeerhorst}-bbmarie

The Missing Piece to your Wardrobe - Transform Casual Outfits into Office Appropriate Instantly! - Cubicle Chic

The Missing Piece to your Wardrobe - Transform Casual Outfits into Office Appropriate Instantly! - Cubicle Chic The Missing Piece to your Wardrobe â€" Transform Casual Outfits into Office Appropriate Instantly! Corporate Life, How To Wear, Office fashion, Outfits October 20, 2015 0 CommentsI’ll share my little secret upfront. I actually snatched up three of these sleeveless blazers this season. There. I said it.Ok, now the skeletons are out of the closet, we can get to what I want to talk about today! If you’ve been following me and my style journal on Instagram [here], you know despite I am the blogger of Cubicle Chic, I actually am a casual girl at my core… #jeansandtshirt would be all I hashtag all day if it was up to me.But I do work in a corporate office setting, albeit a rather casual one, I have to dress business casual 4 days out of the 5 every week.   So, I am always on the hunt for pieces that I can incorporate into my everyday wardrobe. And alas, I found the missing piece in my wardrobe (this season) that will do just that!Details of this outfit: If you know anyone living in California, you probably heard that we’ve had quite an entry of the fall season so far â€" a compl ete absence of it. So, the sleevelessness of this blazer has definitely come in quite weather appropriate. With a simple silk top on the inside, some black trousers, my office ensemble is complete. Here in the photos though, I am wearing a windowpane HM dress (similars found here, here, and here)  that might be a TAD short for business casual. I would personally rate this dress on the casual side, perhaps more suitable for a weekend outing with friends, or a holiday party with colleagues. To complete the look, I have on these Calvin Klein mules in the color nude (similars found here, here, and here). Need I say more? These mules are all the rage now, not to mention they instantly elongates your silhouette.Needless to say, I’ll be featuring more of these sleeveless blazer vests in my upcoming blog posts and Instagram. Connect with me if you haven’t yet!What’s your fall season office go-to piece? Share with me, I am curious!Until next time! -JessicaAll photography by Ngoc M Nguy en