Working with Recruiters (Part II)

Working with Recruiters (Part II) Yesterday I blogged about working with recruiters. Heres another post of interest: The recruitment database is far from dead. Peter Cosgrove says that his firm, the largest recruitment agency in Ireland, took their 20 last placements and lists where they came from: Only one applied through a job board Two came from a cv database such as monster 3 came from our own Cpl website 2 were found on Linkedin 12 were by referral or internally found by the recruiter on our database. Read his short post for his thoughts. My thoughts? NETWORK!!!! Network with recruiters, but NETWORK with people who can refer you! Working with Recruiters (Part II) Yesterday I blogged about working with recruiters. Heres another post of interest: The recruitment database is far from dead. Peter Cosgrove says that his firm, the largest recruitment agency in Ireland, took their 20 last placements and lists where they came from: Only one applied through a job board Two came from a cv database such as monster 3 came from our own Cpl website 2 were found on Linkedin 12 were by referral or internally found by the recruiter on our database. Read his short post for his thoughts. My thoughts? NETWORK!!!! Network with recruiters, but NETWORK with people who can refer you!

How Most Employers Find Out More About Job Applicants -

How Most Employers Find Out More About Job Applicants - If you are looking for a job the way you fill out the application form really matters. It is the only way to make a prospective employer aware of what you have to offer. So, you need to make a good first impression. There are tons of articles out there that tell you how to write a resume. But, not many that provide you with an insight into what employers do when they receive your application. So, I thought I would fill that gap a bit, by explaining what resources prospective employers use to find out more about job applicants. Searchable online databases The first thing a lot of firms do is to use something like a White Pages search. This tool and others like it enable a prospective employer to instantly find out a little more about you. For example, they look at whether your address and contact details match the ones you used on your application. Naturally, if they find discrepancies in this basic information, that is a bit of a red flag for them. Later, they use these same databases and the ones the authorities hold to check that potential candidates have been honest about their criminal records. Some firms also search to find out if you have been registered as having financial difficulties. This is especially the case if you will have access to sensitive information or be handling large sums of cash. If you do have a criminal record, seek advice about what you should put on your application. Generally speaking, the more honest you are about such matters the better things will be for you, in the long run. There are many firms out there who are more than happy to give ex-cons a chance provided they are honest with them. Look at your social media These days a lot of firms ask you to include details of your social media accounts on your application. They do so because they can learn quite a bit about what type of person you are by looking at them. So, it is a good idea to tidy them up so that you put your best step forward, so to speak. You can find out how to do this by reading this short article. Check out other areas of the web If you have the time and passion blogging about your work can be an excellent way to raise your profile and make a good impression. So, if you have a YouTube channel, website or share what you write in other ways be sure to reference this in your resume. Increasingly companies are doing an in quotes search for the name of the person they are recruiting with maybe their home town. They do this to find news reports and forum entries. So, being involved in charitable work or changing your things for the better is a great way to stand out. If you are lucky some of what you are up to will be written about and posted online for potential employers to find. Ask for written references The old-fashioned approach of asking previous employers for written references is making something of a comeback. This is especially the case if you have shared an email address they can use to do so. Some prospective employers will even write back and ask a few questions about the job applicants reference they have received. The above is not an exhaustive list. But, knowing some of the main ways prospective employers find out more about job applicants should help you to be able to present yourself in the best possible light.

Best Practices for Canceling Interviews and Meetings

Best Practices for Canceling Interviews and Meetings We have all had to do it at one point in our career or will one day soon. A meeting or interview you scheduled needs to be canceled but you mainly fear burning bridges, insulting someone, or losing out on a job opportunity. So, we list some best practices for canceling interviews and meetings that will leave you feeling confident no bridge has been burned and you can reschedule.If You Sincerely Wish to RescheduleYou had the chance to book a meeting or interview with a company, mentor, or hiring manager. You are feeling excited! This is a great chance to advance in your career and business. But then you realize you screwed up and double-booked. There is no way you can make it.Try this:Look at your calendar and find a reschedule time you are 100% sure is best. Write a sincere apology and attempt to reschedule. You broke the plans...so prepare to be flexible.Show them you truly regret canceling the first meeting by making the second meeting, no matter what the scheduling conflict. When writing an email, try a template like this:Hi [name],I’m so sorry for the late notice, but I’m not going to be able to make it tonight. I feel awful for not letting you know before today, but the fact is I have an upcoming deadline and I want to fully devote my time to our meeting without feeling rushed.Please accept my apology and consider rescheduling. Let me know if [date + time] or [date + time] works for you to reschedule.If neither of those dates is open, I’ll gladly work around your schedule. Again, I apologize for the late notice. I was really looking forward to meeting and definitely want to get a new date on the calendar as soon as possible.Thanks,[Your name]If You Never Truly Wanted to Interview or Meet UpThis usually happens when a person seems to back you into a corner and pressures you to set up an interview or meeting. You said you would, but you never really wanted to in the first place. Some seem to have the ability to get you to agree to things you never want ed. But now it is time to be direct and upfront with the person.Try this:Let them know you have too much going on and will not be able to interview. Offer a way to set up a meeting or interview online via Skype, social media, etc. Make no offer to reschedule to meet in-person.Do not worry about their reaction(s) to you. You are just fixing up your mistake of agreeing to something you had no interest in doing:Hi [name],I was just looking at my calendar and realized I’m stretched way too thin this month; in fact, I will be for the next couple of months. At this point, it’s just not feasible to reschedule our interview/meeting. I’m sorry we cannot meet face-to-face but I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have about [this topic].I know you must have lots to ask. Would you like to meet via Skype or chat on LinkedIn?Again, my apologies for canceling on you. I try not to make scheduling errors but obviously, I still have a need for improvement.Best wishes,[Your name] If You Cancel on an Event (Not a Person)Canceling to appear at an event or on a conference panel is not “canceling an in-person meeting”. Think of it as canceling a meeting with hundreds, maybe thousands of people. It may seem easier because you are not talking to one person, but there are still people behind conferences who do planning and scheduling. Plus, you have the disappointed audiences who planned on attending an event or conference to meet you. Simply not showing up or canceling at the last minute is the worst possible way to handle it.Try this:Reach out to the person who first scheduled you and was your point of contact. Apologize for canceling and offer to stay in touch for future events. Change your response on social media, Meetup, and things like Evite to “not attending”.Next, send an email like the one below:Hi [name],Thanks for the invite for [name of event]. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to present as originally planned.I wanted to let you know a s soon as I could so that you could open the list up to someone else. I’m definitely interested in presenting or speaking on a panel in the future at these types of networking gatherings.I hope you’ll keep me on your list or we can possibly meet again in the near future.Warmly,[Your name]When All Is Said and DoneSome basics about canceling:Never cancel at the last minute or after the meeting/interview was to start Do a gut-check to make sure you really need to cancel Only cancel a meeting if you mean it; never because you just feel lazy. Control yourself when it comes to agreeing to meetings and interviews and know when to say, “No”. Try to make canceling a rarity.The last thing you want to do is gain a reputation as someone who flakes out on meetings or tries to please too many people by saying, “Yes!” to every meeting or interview request.The more reliable you are keeping your interviews and meetings, the more people will trust what you have to say.

Listen to the Stories, but Heed the Actions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Listen to the Stories, but Heed the Actions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Listen for the stories. Believe the actions A lot of companies tell great stories. Listen to them. They may include great folklore and mythology. However, pay special attention to what companies actually do. What they do is who they ARE. This is another way of saying Actions Speak Louder than Words Some companies get so caught up in the folklore and pageantry of their stories that they forget to seek or create new stories. This is true with OUR stories too. What we do is what defines us. The corollary is also true. When we become complacent we tend to miss things. Or we might resist taking on that next challenge. If you find yourself relying on too many old stories to define yourself, it’s time to reevaluate. It’s time to see if your actions align with what you want to be known for. You may have new scenarios and experiences upon which to build new stories.  However, if you  have not taken the time, carefully comb through them and craft your defining story. Take that time now. Focus on the points that align with the actions for which you want to be associated. If you don’t have the goods to build new stories then now is the time to  seek new experiences. Experiences happen everywhere … whether you volunteer, mentor or just do your day to day role. The reason to seek new experiences is so that you will have a new set of material to work with and build upon. The point is   Dont rest on your laurels. Your last story about your latest victory may be fantastic and worthy of retelling. However, it is just thatYour LAST story. Always be seeking new stories…which really means new  experiences.  Its the only way we can continue to innovate and improve and to seek the actions for which we want to be known. Author: Jeff   is a veteran in the Enterprise Content Management industry. Over the past 20 years he has worked with customers and partners to design, develop and deploy solutions around the world. Jeff is currently the Director of Strategic Alliances at Winshuttle. He has worked for Microsoft, FileNet (IBM), K2, Captaris, Open Text, Kofax and Kodak. He speaks and blogs about ECM and the Intersection between Social, Mobile and Cloud Computing.

Looking For a Professional Resume Writing Service in Cincinnati?

Looking For a Professional Resume Writing Service in Cincinnati?If you're looking for a professional resume writing service Cincinnati to write your resume and you need someone who's not only quick but also qualified, then you're in luck. It's easier than ever to search for a resume writing service in Cincinnati that's good enough to meet all of your needs and wishes.The internet is the easiest and most affordable way to locate a Cincinnati resume writing service in Cincinnati that you can hire. No matter what you need to know, if it's about qualifications, experience, or any other area of interest, there are plenty of web sites on the internet that can give you everything you need to know, so you can make an informed decision. You can narrow down your search to just a few companies, or you can give the entire city and country a try, searching from coast to coast, and maybe even all over the world.If you are looking for a resume service to help you write a CV and cover letter, which you will give to potential employers, then there are plenty of companies out there that can do this for you. You can have your resume up on their website within a matter of days, and the service will get it back to you in plenty of time for you to respond with a note of approval or disapproval.If you need someone to produce an impressive CV, resume, and cover letter for you, then Cincinnati is a great place to look. Cincinnati is an established business hub, so when you want to succeed, it will take a lot of hard work and dedication, but you will be rewarded if you take the time to explore the talent of these professionals and their services.The pace of life in Cincinnati is fast, but it is also a thriving area for business. This city has a history of dealing with a lot of public issues, which has helped attract a lot of people to the city. Being on the cutting edge of some of the larger and more significant issues has served to boostCincinnati's growth and its economy for years to come.When you think about it, Cincinnati has a lot going for it. It is well known and established for the large number of business establishments that can be found within its borders, and its state-of-the-art business districts and entertainment district provide ample opportunities for business entrepreneurs.When you want to get ahead, Cincinnati is the perfect place to start. There are plenty of jobs, so if you need to find the best place to start, the city of Cincinnati should be your first stop.Because of all of the opportunities that Cincinnati offers, you should have a look at its CV, resume, and cover letter services. These services will give you the opportunity to find out which is the best fit for your situation.

Is Your Resume a Turkey

Is Your Resume a Turkey Many people with great job skills and noteworthy achievements have resumes that are poorly written and fail to market their candidacy appropriately. Is your resume a turkey? Compare your document content against these common resume mistakes.Task OverloadMost peoples resumes have exhaustive lists of job tasks but never chronicle how those job tasks contributed to the bottom line for the company. Without an accomplishment focused resume, your document is bound to get lost in a sea of mediocrity. Stand out from the crowd by showcasing examples of how you help the companies you support make money, save money, and save time.An exercise to help you think of your experiences in terms of accomplishments is to identify the problems or challenges you faced on the job, the actions you took to overcome the obstacles, and the results achieved by your actions. By creating these stories, you capitalize on what makes you unique, rather than dwelling on the tasks that are part of many peoples jobs th at make you forgettable.Claustrophobic TextGood content helps make a good resume. But sometimes people include so much content in the resume that they sacrifice design and end up with a document that has so much text that it suffocates the reader. Choose a font size no smaller than 10 point and break the text up by using bullets and spaces rather than big blocky paragraphs. Keep the margins to at least .6 on all sides. These strategies will make your document more user friendly and encourage the hiring manager to read on.Spellcheck SuicideMany recruiters and hiring managers agree that having a typo on a resume is the fastest way to get placed in the no pile. It can be hard to review your own resume. By the time you finish it, you are so close to the situation that it can be hard to spot errors. Here are a few suggestions for catching those pesky typos.Use spell-check wisely. Spell-check is a great tool, but supplement spell-check with several human rounds of proofreading.Read the do cument backwards. Doing so forces you to slow down and pay attention to each word rather than skimming the sentence.Ask a friend or trusted colleague to proofread the document. Its amazing what a fresh set of eyes will spot.Get an 8th grade English teacher to read your resume. OK, maybe they are harder to come by, but they will know it all when it comes to spelling and grammar.Email EtiquetteYour email address is part of your professional image and a critical piece of information on your resume. Email addresses that are cute, silly, provocative, or difficult to key just wont cut it with hiring managers. Chose an address that is some combination of your first and last name and avoid using long strings of numbers or letters that dont form a word. Email addresses are part of your professional persona. You want to stand out from the crowd because of your unique accomplishments, not your unusual email address. Keep it simple and professional and you will quickly elevate your credibility with hiring authorities.

The Importance of Follow-Up Emails on Job Applications - CareerEnlightenment.com

The Importance of Follow-Up Emails on Job Applications Many job candidates have experience, and now, more than ever, candidates are often college-educated, too. This means even more competition for jobs. However, to increase ones chances of beating out the competition, there are several things a person can do. One important action that people often overlook is the follow-up email after submitting a job application. Read on for tips and advice on why, how and when you should follow up.Why Send a Follow-Up EmailPeople often follow up with the employer via phone. This is not a bad idea. You should always contact the employer by phone or email after submitting your application. Contacting the employer lets them know you are truly interested in the job.While phone calls can be very effective, you must also be lucky enough to phone at the right time. Unfortunately, you may talk with someone via phone who does not know much about the hiring process, or you may be unlucky enough to call at a time when no one is available to take your call.Howev er, sending a follow-up email is just as effective as a phone call. Plus, you dont have to worry about emailing at the wrong time. Emails can be read at any time, and the responder will, hopefully, respond to your inquiry when free. Another reason to send an email instead of a phone call is that an email allows you to gather your thoughts better.When on the phone, you may forget to ask certain questions that you meant to inquire about. Calling back to speak to someone multiple times could result in frustrating the hiring manager.  However, you can write multiple drafts of an email before sending one. Read and re-read what youve written to ensure that youve covered all the bases. Then, send the message.Career Enlightenment  warns job applicants against sending their resumes into a black hole. Instead, you must actively seek employment. One obvious reason to send a follow-up email is to ensure that the employer received your application materials. For instance, if youre submitting you r resume and cover letter via email or postal mail, theres always the slim chance that it wont be received. Following up can help you make certain your applications materials are in the hands of the proper person.The most important reason to send the follow-up email is to ensure that your application hasnt been lost in the pile of applications. Often an employer with a huge pile of applications might only skim each one for a few seconds. However, if the employer has your application along with an email follow-up, hopefully, the employer will remember your name better. A good, well-written letter can make you look smart, professional and enthusiastic about the job. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. What to Say in a Follow-up EmailAccording to  Monster.com,  there are several things you should say in your follow-up email. Begin by greeting the employer by name. Use a title, such as Mr. or Ms. to show that you are respectful. If you dont know the persons name, address your letter to the hiring manager or human resources manager.In your first paragraph, be sure to mention the specific position for which youre applying. Then, state why you are excited about the position and what you believe you could contribute to it. Mention your education, work experience and any skills relevant to the job for which youre applying.Be brief. Your follow-up letter should be no more than 2-3 paragraphs. Dont babble about things unrelated to the position. At the end of your letter, let the employer know how to contact you. Give them your phone number and email address.When to Follow UpYou should send your follow-up email anywhere from a few days to one week after submitting your application materials. You dont want to wait longer than a week to contact the employer, and this is because you may miss out on your opportunity. If you wait too long, the employer may have already filled the position by the time you contact them.Sending the follow-up at least a few days after the application gives the employer time to at least read over your application materials. It also shows you are considerate of their time and that you dont expect them to get back to you within hours of the application submission.Finding work can be a difficult task, especially because applicants are competing with people who are just as qualified, if not more qualified. To tip the odds in your favor, always send an email after submitting each application. Make sure your follow-up email is fine-tuned and specific to the position and employer. Mention the position by name, highlight your qualifications, be brief and always use polite language. Following these tips can result in an offer of employment sooner than you think.