Sunday, May 31, 2020

5 Bad Recruiter Behaviours Which Need to STOP!

5 Bad Recruiter Behaviours Which Need to STOP! Recruiters do a very important job. Without recruiters my career would not have been so rewarding nor so interesting as it has been so far. I find that working with a good recruiter will not only land you the job, but it will also give you an insight into how the market is moving, what the new trends are and what may be good development areas in the future. So let me start by saying thank you to all the excellent recruiters who have helped me over the years. You know who you are, I thanked you then and I have never forgotten you! Lately, however, there has been a trend in people who have been very angry with recruiters, publicly telling them off, calling their bosses and ultimately getting them fired. Undercover Recruiter  recently published  an article (Generic InMails: Just Chill Out for a Minute) about this, and this is my reply: While I find the reactions of the people being contacted by recruiters a bit much, I can sympathize with them to a large degree. There have always been recruiters who have overstepped their boundaries, but the behavior of recruiters is changing and making me wonder what is going on in the recruiting-world at all. Here are 5 things recruiters did which annoyed me: Contact for the sake of it I used to get a number of contact requests on LinkedIn, I am not a LION, but I am fairly open to new contacts. But it has changed from a few contact requests per month to many contact requests per week. All of them had something to do with recruiting, but almost none of them had viewed my profile. I can understand them searching for a candidate for a certain position, finding a potential match in me and wanting to initiate contact. But they have not viewed my profile so why do they want to initiate contact with me? Non-relevant job specs Recruiters will send me job offers with very specific requirements that I have no chance of fulfilling i.e. Basque-speaking PM and BW consultant for a 2-month contract in Ulan Bator. If they had looked at my LinkedIn profile they would know that that is not really my area of expertise, so why didnt they take the trouble of looking it up? Why leave it to me to decline and explain why? Over-persistent Some recruiters are very persistent and will call at all times of the day, not bothering to ask if now is a good time to speak (if its during the day, it probably isnt) and demand that I hear them out regarding the job offer they have. Once I was performing an end-user training and my phone was on because my daughter had been feeling poorly, and I was concerned that the school might call. My phone started ringing, one call starting as soon as the one before ended. It was awful, and I had to set my phone on silent. In the break, I could see that the same recruiter had been calling me non-stop. I called the company to tell them to please stop calling me during my working hours. The recruiter then sent me an email about a job that I am in no way qualified for, a LinkedIn contact request, and her colleague sent a LinkedIn contact request as well. I was astounded. I actually wrote to ask her if she were our roles reversed would accept such a contact request from me, but she never replied. I understand that the recruiter is only working but so am I! My worth to a recruiter only exists as long as I either have a job or am able to perform a job. My worth would rapidly be devalued if I were to be fired from my job because said recruiter cant call at a time where I am not guaranteed to be busy. And maybe even do a bit of research beforehand instead of wasting everyones time?! Aggressive attitude Some recruiters become very aggressive if a job opportunity doesnt work out, threatening that they will personally make sure that the person being recruited will never work again if they dont do as they are told, and that they will ruin their reputation. I have tried that myself and friends and colleagues of mine have experienced it as well. That is not a good way to do recruiting, please dont do that. Spam emails  Before, someone would not receive a ton of emails of which 98% did not apply their area of expertise. It annoys me because usually I spend time answering these emails, but now I simply receive too many emails, and just reading them takes a lot of time. I dont have time to answer them, and I hate the rudeness of it all. To be honest, my faith in a recruiter beginning their email with I am sorry if this email does not apply to you is very small. Why would they send it if they arent sure that the subject applies to me? To how many others are they sending it? Does the job exist at all, or are they just sounding the market? This is not just paranoia. I have tried replying to mails like this and getting the reply ohh yes that job well Im sorry but they found a match for it a few months ago. That is not how one builds confidence. I think the overall problem is that before, you would have a close relationship with a recruiter. They would get to know you fairly well before offering jobs. Now, most recruiters treat the people they contact as commodities, and that is not nice. I got my current job because a recruiter knew me and the company so well that she could see a match there even though there was no open position. We met and I could see what she meant. I got the job. Now that is excellent recruiting! About the author:  Rima Overgaard Fayed  is a certified SAP consultant since 1999 and has worked with recruiters since that time. In her spare time, she owns Jiddo Press, a publishing company that makes books for learning Arabic.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Knowing the Types of Resume Skills You Need

Knowing the Types of Resume Skills You NeedYou should be aware of the type of resume skills you will need when you are trying to get a job. You will be able to better your chances if you understand the types of skills that can help you. The following is an explanation of these types of skills and some of the common ways to use them.The first type of skills that you will need on your resume is work experience. This will show your employer that you have a lot of previous work experience. You may have spent a lot of time in a certain field already, but this will help you show that you are a good fit for a certain job. You will also have previous employers to build your resume with.Another type of skills is being a volunteer. While this is not a skill you can show directly, it can be helpful. Showing your past experience in this way will help show that you are enthusiastic about a certain job and would enjoy doing it.Skills that can be displayed can be useful as well. This includes your abilities as a team player. Showing that you are part of a team where you have gotten along with others, can show that you are a good employee.Skills are also important when trying to be successful at school. Whether you are working towards a degree or taking an online course, you will want to show these skills. These skills can include things like good grades and getting good grades. Showing that you are an active student is important to show that you are committed to becoming successful in whatever you choose to do.Finally, skills that can be used include personality traits. Some examples of these are strong communication skills and showing that you have a good sense of humor. Being outgoing can show that you are a good team player, while being considerate of others can show that you have a good work ethic.In order to be successful, you should be thinking about the types of skills you will need on your resume. They are important and can help you get a job. You will need to know ho w to use these skills, but do not worry that you do not know. It is best to be prepared and know what you will need.As you can see, having good resume skills is important. You should be willing to learn about these skills and be able to work towards increasing your skills. With the right amount of knowledge, you can be successful with your future career and job hunting.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

4 Expert Tips For Never-Fail Negotiation - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

4 Expert Tips For ‘Never-Fail’ Negotiation - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Editor’s Note: This blog is a modified excerpt from professional “headhunter” and bestselling job-hunting book author Skip Freeman’s next book in the “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets series of job-hunting books, CAREER STALLED? How to Get Your Career Back in High Gear and Land the Job You Deserve-Your Dream Job. Publication is scheduled for early 2013. ________________________________________________________ If a new job is in the offing for you in the new year, chances are better than even that you will, at least at some point before nailing down the position, be involved in some form of negotiation, e.g., salary, number of vacation days, starting date, etc. Since most of us are not regularly engaged in negotiations of any kind, you might want to take some pointers about how to successfully negotiate from expert Stuart Diamond, a Harvard Law School graduate who teaches negotiation tactics and strategies to students and Fortune 500 executives at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Professor Diamond’s negotiation research spans over two decades and is informed by data generated from over 30,000 people in 45 countries. He offers FOUR basic tips for what he calls “never-fail” negotiation (Hey, Washington, D.C., are you paying attention?!): 1. Don’t think about “winning.” Diamond says that if you think about negotiation strictly from the standpoint of “winning,” you’ll probably just end up losing. “Negotiation is not a competition,” he points out, “its a collaboration.” Instead of winning, you should focus on meeting your goals. “If you think of it as ‘winning,’ you will think about beating them,” he says. “And if you do that, you will not collaborate as much.” Diamond’s advice: Define what your true, principal goal is in the negotiations and then make sure that your actions (and reactions) are helping you meet/attain that goal, not largely undermining your efforts in that direction. Example: If your true, principal goal is to land the particular job you are in contention for, but not every aspect of the offer at this point is necessarily to your liking, first concentrate on doing that which will help you realize your goal, i.e., getting the job offer. Then, to the extent possible, honestly negotiate those parts of the offer which are causing you concern. Keep in mind, however, that some aspects of a job offer simply may not be negotiable at all, e.g., company health insurance plan, while other aspects certainly can be, e.g., salary. 2. Ask what you can do for the other person. Negotiation is very much a “give and take proposition,” Diamond stresses, and when you ask the other person what you can do for him or her, it can go a long way toward successful negotiation. Example: When interviewing for a new job (even though you should already know at least part of the answer), ask the hiring manager what needs he or she is trying to meet by filling the position. Then, clearly demonstrate how you are prepared to meet the hiring manager’s needs. 3. Uncover and then clarify any misconceptions that may exist. Whenever there is a conflict/disagreement between what you think is the root cause of any “sticking points” during negotiation and what the other person thinks the root cause may be, don’t automatically assume that you know what the other person is thinking or what, specifically, may be motivating him/her to take any particular position. Ask the other person what his or her perceptions of the situation are, and then seek further clarification, if necessary! “Anytime you have a conflict with someone, ask what (they) are perceiving,” Diamond advises. Knowing what the other person’s true perceptions areâ€"and not what you think or suppose they areâ€"no matter how discordant these perceptions may be with your own, gives you   a better starting point for persuading the other person to see things the way you see them, he adds. Why? “Because you (will then) understand the pictures in their heads,” he says. (Emphasis mine.) Example: Suppose the hiring manager is adamant that he/she simply cannot go any higher on the salary offer on the table. Rather than merely assume that he/she is just being “contrary,” if possible, seek to learn why the hiring manager is taking that position. It may be something as simple as restrictions built into the company salary administration system, restrictions that the hiring manager cannot override. 4. Never threaten, issue ultimatums or “walk out” on negotiations. When faced with an apparent impasse during negotiations of any kind some people respond in, shall we say, other than a professional manner. They may make threats and/or issue ultimatums (“If that’s the way things are going to be, I no longer want to even discuss the issue . . .”), or, they simply “walk out” on negotiations, either figuratively or literally, and any potential deal under consideration can quickly and easily be doomed from that point on. Here is what Diamond has to say about acting in such an ill-advised fashion: “Keep your emotions in check or youll be checking out of your negotiation.” Example: As a “headhunter,” unfortunately, I experience “hard-line” reactions/responses from time to timeâ€"from both candidates and hiring managers. “There is no way I am even going to consider such a ridiculous (salary, benefits packages, etc.),” a candidate might say, when I present a hiring company’s offer to him or her. “This is all we are going to offer for the position and the candidate can either take it or leave it,” a hiring manager may say, when I come back with a counter-offer from the candidate. Obviously, when either (or both) parties to job negotiations take such apparently irrevocable positions, there can be no winners, only losers. Importance of Professional Brand in Successful Job Negotiations All four negotiation tips Professor Diamond offers are certainly “right on the money,” as far as I’m concerned and based upon nearly a decade of being professionally involved in job negotiations of one kind or another. However, it is significant to note that, in the case of job candidates, in any case, successfully negotiating any aspect of a job offer presupposes that the candidate has branded himself/herself in such a fashion as to be in a position to negotiate! If the candidate has in fact branded himself/herself as clearly and unmistakably being among the very TOP candidates available for the position under consideration, then he or she certainly is in a position to be taken seriously and genuine negotiation is possible. If that is not the case, however, then there is a far greater risk of the hiring manager issuing a “take it or leave it” ultimatum and moving on to the next candidate. To learn more about what Professor Diamond has to say about successful, “win-win” negotiating, check out his latest book on Amazon.com: Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life Author: Skip Freeman  is the author of “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever!  and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of  The HTW Group (Hire to Win), an Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Area Executive Search Firm. Specializing in the placement of sales, engineering, manufacturing and RD professionals, he has developed powerful techniques that help companies hire the best and help the best get hired.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

How to Stay Motivated When Looking for Your First Graduate Job #MondayMotivation

How to Stay Motivated When Looking for Your First Graduate Job #MondayMotivation First of allcongratulations on graduating! Youve worked hard and youve earned your degreewhat an achievement. Now begins a whole new chapter of your life, and first thing on the list is: Get a job. It can be a daunting and scary time, and for most people it doesnt come easy. Getting your first job can be a difficult and exhausting task and often it can feel like youre getting nowhere with your job search. But dont fear! All your hard work will pay off, as long as you stick at it. Here are my top tips for staying motivated when looking for your first graduate job: 1) Treat it like a full time job: Its so easy to become lazy and unmotivated during your job search simply due to a lack of routine. This is why its so important to set yourself timescales. You should treat your job search like a full time job. Start at 9 and end at 5 and allow yourself a one hour lunch break. Doing this will keep you motivated and will keep you productive. 2) Dont punish yourself: It can feel very isolating to be unemployed and looking for a job but one thing thats important to do, is to continue having a life and doing other things. If your friends are going to the pub go the pub with them. You shouldnt feel as though you should be applying for jobs every second of every day (although its hard not to) and you should still appreciate your downtime. 3) Talk to peers: Chances are, many  of your peers are going through the same thing. Discussing your job search with people in a similar position can help you feel more positive in your situation. 4) Network: Dont rely purely on applications to get you a job. You need to be ALL IN. Attend networking events, email interesting people just get yourself noticed in a different way. 5) Re-evaluate: If you hear yourself saying Ive applied for 2,300 jobs and Im still unemployed!, you obviously need to change something up. By changing your approach, you may see opportunities  coming in from places you never expected. 6)  Dont take it personally: If you receive rejections from companies, its a natural reaction to take it personally and feel a great deal of disappointment. The trick to staying positive during your job search is to make sure you dont take it personally. Remember its all a learning curve, which leads me onto my next point 7) Remember its a learning curve in itself: Every time you apply for a job, dont get an offer or mess up an interview dont forget that youre learning something from it. Now this is a point easier said than done but treat all the difficulties like they are little lessons of life. Each interview that doesnt work out, makes you more prepared for the next one. Treat every experience in a positive light, even if it gets hard. 8) Celebrate the little things: If an employer compliments you on an aspect of your CV, celebrate! If you get an interview celebrate! If a potential employer responds to your introductory email celebrate! Its important to remember each of these small steps is actually part of the bigger picture, and that you should celebrate each tiny progression. Keep your job search positive! 9) Ask for feedback: If you feel like youre getting nowhere with your job search then why not ask the places you applied for feedback. Even if they cant, theres no harm in asking and you might just get some really useful feedback. 10)  Be patient: Its not going to happen overnight so be patient in your job search. It may take some time but youll get there eventually! Do you have any other tips for keeping motivated during a job search? Let us know by tweeting them to @UndercoverRec

Saturday, May 16, 2020

When to Use Resume Writing Reviws

When to Use Resume Writing ReviwsResume writing reviews are not new, and they are used every day by job seekers. It is important to know that these reviews can help you land the job you want.There are certain jobs that you should be aware of before you apply for them. A resume review is a tool to help you become prepared. If you don't have a good resume, you will probably be ignored and passed over.The resume writing reviw is composed of key areas, the first being your skills. The skills section is an essential one and should be very detailed.The second important thing is your education. Although you should be knowledgeable about all of the skills you have, some are just not necessary for your career. Make sure to include this in your resume writing reviw.The third section is your personality, and you need to be honest about your competitive nature. Your goal is to make the employer think that you are qualified for the job. You should tell him why he should hire you over other applic ants.Finally, your resume should have your references. Referrals are usually given but the employer still needs to read it before making a decision. You should know who to give the references to so that you will get a high rating.The resume writing reviews that you should follow are mentioned above. It is best to keep them in mind and take the time to study them. They are the core parts of your resume and you must take the time to write them properly.When you don't have the right words to express yourself, just keep it simple. Remember that the resume writing reviews are an important part of your job search. Take the time to study them and you will find the job you want.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Can you have a dream career without college

Can you have a dream career without college 8 Flares 8 Flares If you go to College,  you’ll strike it rich â€" or so schools like to imply. But with an increasing number of the population emerging from university with first class degrees, what chances have you got to make your mark in the graduate job market? Instead of fretting about future education, why not try a career that takes more than a nifty degree? A job path requiring dedication, industriousness and an entrepreneurial spirit is what you need â€" and we’ve rustled up a few options for you. Are friends electric? Or are they green? As mop-top rockers The View once sang, “Get a trade, son, and you’ll go far.” And they weren’t wrong. The employment market, even in sagging economic times, always needs tradesmen in some form or other. And nowhere are changing market demands breeding success more than in the fields of electricity and alternative energy. Many trade firms offer a microgeneration certification scheme that will help you corner the green energy markets. You’ll be taught how to harness renewable energy, in what is still a unique set of skills within the industry. Build on this and you could work your way up to owning a business of your own. Who knows where your success could lead. Improve your net worth The days of overnight internet billionaires might be on the wane, but that doesn’t mean the web can’t breed success for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re hoping to be an eBay junk hawker or a high-class web design pro, the internet will give you access to a global community of millions. The trick is to know how to play the search engine game with Google. Using the right tactics to boost your search engine rating will give you enough clout for clicks. After you’re past that hurdle, your website will actually have to be worth clicking on, so figure out how to make you content pop and you’ll have all eyes on your homepage. Internet success is never guaranteed, but it is worth a bash. Like runaway successes Instagram and Vine, even the smallest idea can blossom into billions. Start something small Whether you’ve got a passion for gaming or a penchant for food, starting a pet project business and allowing it to develop could be the key to turning your hobby into a career. Take Ian Livingstone, the multimillionaire polymath. In the 80s, he lived in a van while he created board games and fantasy gaming books. As time passed, he moved into video gaming, raking in millions from franchises like Tomb Raider. Nowadays, he lives in a mansion. The man is a walking money vault â€" and all because he followed his dreams. Do the same and, although there are no guarantees, you could find yourself walking in Livingstone’s footsteps.