The Dos and Donts of Contacting Candidates

The Dos and Donts of Contacting Candidates Finding suitable  candidates is one thing, however connecting with them and organising an interview with the hiring manager is another. When it comes to contacting candidates, there are some rules of thumb that recruiters should remember, so that they don’t destroy their professional reputations or  even that  of their  recruitment agency.   Here are a few things that you should do when contacting candidates  for the highest possible response  rate, as well as a few common mistakes to avoid for both your reputations sake and future opportunities.   DO  your homework: Before you contact a candidate, do your homework and make sure that there is a reason for you to make the contact. If you don’t have any jobs for a candidate, then they may not be interested in talking to you. They will be even less happy if they realise that you didn’t bother to look at their resume before you picked up the phone to call them and go on to  find  that the candidate isn’t a good fit for the job after the initial contact.   Make references to things they have mentioned in their resume and ask them to elaborate on them. This way it will indicate to them that you have taken the time to read up on them and are genuinely interested in the conversation. DONT  be rude: Contacting someone having not done your homework can come across as quite rude; and just because a candidate isn’t the right fit for a job or isn’t as good as you expect doesn’t mean that you can cut them off on the phone.   Manners are important when contacting candidates, as it is important that you give a positive impression of yourself whether they are right for the role or not. If you organise a phone call with somebody, be punctual, as chances are that they have set aside time in their day to take the call. the same goes for responding to emails. Being rude to a candidate will cost you your reputation because people will  talk to each other. If they have a bad experience, they will tell their friends, and their friends will tell their friends. DO make it personal: It is unlikely that many people will respond to you when it is obvious that you have done a copy and paste job to dozens of people. Sure, it does save time to recycle the same message time after time, but trust me, its obvious. By taking the time to do a bit of research about the individual and tailoring your message to their background the candidates will take you more seriously and it will greatly increase your response rate.   DON’T post and pray: Posting an ad or in a LinkedIn group then waiting for candidates to come to you is the lazy way to recruit. Make the effort to engage with, build relationships and have a conversation with people. DO follow up: Even when a candidate is not a good fit for a job, follow up with them. Job seekers get really frustrated when they apply for a job and never received a response, and they are not shy about sharing their feelings with others. Treat your candidates with the same respect and courtesy you extend to your customers, and it will definitely pay off in the long run. DONT use your candidates’ professional references as marketing contacts: Some candidates may have very impressive references. Their former managers and supervisors may seem like great marketing material for your staffing agency. However, as tempting as it is, do not use them as marketing contacts. In the worst case scenario, the manager will inform the candidate about this and you will never get any business from the candidate and his/her former employers. DONT wear out your candidates’ professional references: When you have a primary candidate for a job opening, ask the candidate for permission to contact his or her professional references. Don’t call them until you get the permission or when you are sure that the candidate is the perfect fit for the job. In addition, don’t call the references three or four times because these are busy people. They may refuse to give you any good references if you call them too many times. DO sell the job and company: Hiring is a two way street and it is just as important for you to sell the job and company, as it is for the candidate to promote their skills and experience. If you do not make the role sound desirable, candidates will not feel compelled to take it further and you will struggle to fill the position. DO stay connected with candidates who dont fit the role: You may know straight away that the individual you have contacted isn’t right for the job  them  self, but that  doesn’t mean you should end the  conversation straight away. You never know who they may know and they may be able to make a very useful  referral. Each phone call is a networking opportunity so make the most of the chance to make contacts.   Photo credit: Shutterstock

6 Ways to Simplify Social Media - Classy Career Girl

6 Ways to Simplify Social Media You can easily spend full-time hours on social media but remember that it is WAY more important for you to be focusing on working ON your business, not IN your business. Its so important to simplify your social media approach so you dont have Facebook open all day because that is really distracting. I also dont recommend delegating your social media in the beginning of growing your business. I never outsource social media until I know exactly what I want my branding and image to look like and until I test and practice and I know myself what is and isnt working. Seriously, social media should really not take that much time. Its about being disciplined and ONLY letting yourself be on social media at certain times of the day. Dont get distracted or overwhelmed by social media! Here are six ways to simplify social media: 1. Focus on one thing  at a time. Don’t get distracted. This is why I don’t recommend last minute posting on your social media sites and why I want you to have complete focus when you batch your posts. Set a timer and go! Schedule your posts only once per week. Give yourself only 1-2 hours to get everything up for the week. Watch how much faster you get it done when you are on the clock. 2. Organize your files. I recommend using Dropbox.com and creating a folder labeled “Content Calendar.” This will be your library of photos, lists of articles, quotes and text that you can use over and over again. 3. Recycle content. Check out your analytics reports and see what worked and engaged well in the past. Then, you can use it again and again or create other images and posts that are similar format. Most people won’t see it the first time anyways. 4. You don’t have to be everywhere. Pick one social network where your ideal clients are hanging out and become an expert at it. Spend way more time there and focus. When you are growing your business, its important to become great at one site where your ideal clients are hanging out instead of being just OK  on every platform. 5.  Recycle Dont keep creating new content. What content have you already written? What prior blogs, articles and ebooks do you have lying around?  Take quotes from content you have already created and schedule it on your Facebook page. A photo quote this week can be a text quote next week. A link to a blog article this week can be a text post the following week. 6. Link your sites. Once you pick your profile that you are going to focus on, use apps that allow you to post the same content on multiple profiles. This is not a great engagement strategy but a great time saving strategy for when you are just starting your business. For example, when I was first starting my business, I focus only on Facebook because that is where I was getting most of my revenue from. I installed a Facebook app so that everything I posted on Facebook was also posted to Twitter. [RELATED: Facebook Ad Strategies to Attract Leads] How do you simplify social media?

New Year Resolutions Professionals SHOULD Make

New Year Resolutions Professionals SHOULD Make What resolutions should you be making in the new year? When the calendar flipped to 2012, it ushered in a new year of potential and possibilities. As a job seeker looking to take the next step in your career, now is the time to make a resolution to turn the new year into a successful one. As the world leader in workforce solutions, we know what it takes for professionals to succeed. So to help you, we’ve put together a list of recommended resolutions that can help you land your next great job. Reassess your Career Did you love your previous position? Did you want more out of your day-to-day? Is part of the reason things didn’t work out because you needed a more positive work environment? Now is a good time to ask yourself these questions and determine whether or not you want to continue in the same line of work. John P. Strelecky, author of The Why Cafe, suggests that being unemployed is the ideal time to evaluate what you want to do with your career. According to Strelecky, 45% of Americans aren’t happy in their jobs, and if you are currently out of work, you are in the perfect position to explore a variety of options. If you’re looking for a career change, try taking classes, volunteering or working on a contract or temporary basis to get the experience employers want to see. You’ll learn more about the industry and improve your chances of securing employment at the same time. Refresh Your Online Profiles Today, employers turn to social networks when evaluating candidates like you. That means Facebook isn’t just for friending old high school buddies. LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus and other online networking sites can also be great platforms to present and market yourself. Of course, you also need to check your privacy preferences to make sure the information you post can only be seen by appropriate audiences. You wouldn’t want a recruiter stumbling upon photos from your wild weekend getaway. Your LinkedIn profile is especially important, as it is the most popular professional networking site. Click here for a list of recommendations to help you get the most out of your LinkedIn profile. No matter what service you use, be sure to keep your information up to date to increase visibility and catch the eye of recruiters or potential employers. Revamp your network Building up a network of professional contacts â€" and potential references â€" could help you in your job search. After all, “who you know” is often just as important as “what you know.” So how can you build a solid network? You can start by reaching out to former colleagues, bosses and associates immediately. Solidifying these relationships can take time and effort, and you don’t want to miss out on potential opportunities or potential references. You should also be selective when it comes to building your network; don’t contact people in the hopes of getting a recommendation for a position if you have no prior history with them. Instead, start a conversation on a blog or social networking site, comment on statuses, offer advice where appropriate, and position yourself as a resource. Remember that maintaining your network is a continuous endeavor and remaining in contact with your colleagues will be a vital part of your success. Rewrite your Resume Without a doubt, your resume and your cover letter are two of the most important pieces of content in your job search. They are the first things recruiters and hiring managers see and a poorly written or unprofessional looking resume can cost you a job even if you are a great match. That’s why it is so important to make sure yours is up to date and appeals to prospective employers. According to US News, there are a few steps you can take make a good first impression with your resume. First, tailor your resume to the job. Create unique resumes for each individual opportunity in order to highlight the skills that are specific to the position. Furthermore, be sure to read the application carefully and follow all the instructions. This simple step can provide you with a leg up on other candidates who are applying to jobs without taking the small details into consideration. Lastly, keep your resume simple. Leave out any irrelevant information, personal information, and photos, etc. You want your resume to be easy to read for the employer. If it takes too much time or effort to review your application, a potential employer will likely move on to the next candidate. Revitalize your marketable skills The Government of Alberta detailed the three critical skills that employers are looking for: Transferable skills, such as computer and technology aptitude, are very flexible and useful in a variety of jobs and industries. Time management skills and the ability to effectively manage your workload and schedule are also paramount. Work-specific skills, the ones you will use every day in your chosen career path, should be continually refined. In addition to taking professional development courses, temporary positions can help you gain real world experience and bolster your skill set to appeal to future employers. As an Adecco associate, youll have free access to our online skills training programs.   We offer access to thousands of courses across professional fields that will enable you to brush up on your skills- or learn new ones. You have the power to make 2012 a truly awesome year. Take the time to enact these resolutions in order to enhance your job search and land your dream job. But remember, these tips are just the start when it comes to putting your dream job within reach. For more tips and career advice, visit Adecco Staffing Services or contact your local Adecco office today. And now for a Contest! Adecco USA will be running a New Year, New You contest starting January 15, 2012. Check out the Adecco Facebook page for more details, and find out how you could win daily prizes throughout January 2012! One grand prize winner will   receive an interview suit and laptop- stayed tuned, and you could be on the path to career success! Ms. Career Girl Contest Now that you have these great New Year’s resolutions, which one are you going to stick with? Do you have another resolution that would be great for women in the workforce? Leave a comment here and the best idea will win a $50 visa gift card!  The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Friday January 13th at 5pm CST.

Ace Your Job Interview Like A Boss!

Ace Your Job Interview Like A Boss! Ace Your Job Interview Like A Boss! You have seen the perfect job for you being advertised. You have checked the desired skills and qualifications needed and matched them on your resume and on one of our cover letter examples that you have customized with your own achievements. You can even visualize yourself sitting at your new desk in your perfect dream job. However, there is just one sticking point left to overcome that is sitting between you and your new role â€" the job interview!Even when you are convinced that you are a perfect match for this job, you need to remember that you will be up against a whole lot of other smart people who also believe they are right for the job opening. Preparation is key here, so let’s take a look at some good strategies to help you deal with tough interview questions and nail that dream job.What else can you deliver at your interview?The chances are that if you have been offered an interview, the employer will already have looked over your resume and cover letter, checked you o ut on social media and even spoken to your current or former employer to gain a little more background knowledge about you.You need to ask yourself what is left of value that you can give them at your interview to help convince them that you are perfect for the job.Try to remember that the main goal of your interviewer is to learn about you and your personality. The impression they may have formed about you from your resume and their research may be positive, but you will need to ensure you back up what they have learned about you to reinforce your suitability as a good candidate.What you can try to do here is to continue the good work that you have already done with your resume and social media information and go on to prove how well you will fit in with their company culture.Remember to answer their interview questions with positive responses using their company language wherever possible. Use the same terminology they use to describe the job being advertised. For example, if they describe the job title as communications officer, use this title in your speech even if the actual job title you had was slightly different.Research, research and research some moreAs with any job interview you go for, it is wise to do some homework on the company background and history to get a good feel for what they are all about. Learning about the company history and their company culture and work practices will help you enormously during your interview.You should be very familiar with all aspects of the company before you even walk through the interview door. Make sure you read the company website and absorb important information from their about us section. Check out the press releases section and learn whether the company supports any local or national charities or community groups.Doing this research will allow you to learn about how the company like to present themselves to the public and their business peers. You will also learn about the company ethos and what they cons ider important for their future. This can all help your chances to get noticed at your interview and improve your chances of landing the job.Use your research to flatter and complimentEvery company likes to hear people singing their praises and they love talking about themselves, so use what knowledge you have gathered to not only compliment them on their company ethos and beliefs but show them that your own beliefs and desires align perfectly with theirs.Talk enthusiastically about their latest achievements from the press releases you have read, and any charitable or community support they have been active with recently. By doing this you will be turning the attention away from being solely focused on you and make it more like a two-way conversation where you can demonstrate your mutual support for a good cause. By doing this you will encourage your interviewers to warm to you and confirm their first positive impressions of you. It will also make your interview more likely to st ick in your interviewers mind as one that stood out from others because you were having a two-way exchange rather than a single focused interview.Prepare yourself some really thoughtful questionsInterviewers have a pretty tough job on their hands and it can often be difficult for them to keep the conversation flowing and avoid awkward silences. Most interviewers will also take some time to allow you to ask some questions about the job on offer or the company as a whole, so be prepared to fill any awkward silences and ask some valuable questions.Having zero questions to ask your interviewer does not create a positive impression. It makes the interviewer think that you are not at all interested in the company and what they do. They will think that you may see this job as a simple stepping stone to something else further down the line.Asking valuable questions about the job and the company will help to cement that you are genuinely interested in taking the role and sticking with the co mpany for the long term.Also, by asking questions, you can get enough information to help you decide if the job on offer is actually what you expected and if it truly is a good fit for you. It can be a valuable tool to have, especially if it would be a major upheaval to leave your current job and then find out your new job isnt as perfect as you thought it was. previous article The 12 Best Cover Letter Examples To Nail Your Next Job Application next article Green Granite Free Resume Template you might also likeWhy Do You Want to Work Here? Best Answers to This Interview Question

How to Get More Energy At Work

How to Get More Energy At Work We’ve all experienced that post-lunch dip. That feeling of wanting to curl up and nap in the middle of the day. But for most of us who are stuck at work all day, napping is not an option. So, we often turn to sugary energy drinks and sodas or buckets of coffee.This may work for a while, but they all come with the inevitable crash. Luckily there are a number of ways to get energy naturally throughout the day andGetVoIPhas outlined all of them in their post abouthow to get more energy.Here is a breakdown of the main points.First, most people fall into four different chronotypes that affect sleep patterns and energy levels throughout the day. Tapping into your natural cycle and rhythm is the easiest way to ensure you are being the most productive at all times.ChronotypesThere are four major chronotypes, the dolphin, wolf, lion and bear.The dolphin is typically an introverted, yet intelligent person that is detail-oriented. They get their energy in waves throughout the day. Although th ey may wake up tired at around 6:30am, they have the most energy towards the end of the day.The lion is a diligent, athletic worker. They wake up around 5:30am and have a lot of energy to start. They are most productive the first half of the day.The bear chronotype wakes up at 7:00am and will feel groggy in the morning.They will be most productive from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.Last is the wolf, who wakes at 7:30am, but doesn’t really “wake up” mentally until noon. They become most productive once the sun has gone down.Knowing which type of chronotype you fall into will help you plan your day more efficiently.Boosting Energy TipsAside from tapping into your natural chronotype, there are some general tips for boosting your energy naturally.Start off strong: The morning meal is one of the most important. Start off with a breakfast that’s rich in protein. Drinking lemon-aid has also been shown to boost metabolism levels by 30%, it also contains potassium, which is a natural energy booster.Aside from breakfast, cold showers will boost dopamine levels, which can help boost energy as well.Stay Hydrated: Water is essential for staying energized. Dehydration is one of the main causes of feeling fatigued.Outdoor Time: Aside from getting the blood flowing, taking brisk walks outdoors in a park can help improve your mood and increase oxygenation in the brain.Listen to Music: Believe it or not, listening to your favorite song can trigger dopamine in the brain, which (like the cold shower) can boost your energy naturally.You can see the rest hereInfographic Credit â€" getvoip.com

PARADE Update Work your netWORK

PARADE Update Work your netWORK PARADE Update: Work your netWORK PARADE Update: Work your netWORK June 15, 2010 by Career Coach Sherri Thomas Leave a Comment PARADE Update: Work your netWORK Im so proud of Meghan! Today she had a terrific breakthrough. Through a series of powerful questions in our session together, Meghan was able to sort through all of the research that shes been doing, as well as the wide variety of industries, companies and job roles that shes had over her 10-year work history and define a crystal clear career vision that excites and motivates her. One of the biggest mistakes I see career changers make is being too broad in their career search. Applying for jobs in which they are under-qualified, over-qualified, or simply have no passion for. Those professionals who make successful career changes are laser focused on where they want to go and how they can add value to an organization. Now that Meghan has defined her career vision and completed her personal Career Success Blueprint, I can now help her align her networking opportunities, resume and interview responses towards that vision. Im confident that with her strengths, passions and past career successes well be able to snoop out job opportunities so that she can successfully transition into her dream career! ?? So now its time to build and leverage her professional network and to work her network. I provide a step-by-step strategy for this in my book, Career Smart 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand and a few of those strategies include Get connected to people who could hire you, or introduce you to others who could potentially hire you. Re-connected with past employers, customers, and colleagues. Meet new contacts by attending industry conferences, trade shows, business networking events, and association meetings that target the industry (high tech, health care, etc.), or the job role (marketing, finance, management, etc.) you want. Try to attend a couple of events each week. Meghan made a great connection at a birthday party last week! She met someone who has the type of job role that shes interested in and now Meghan has set up time with her to learn more about her career path, the company where she works, and her job responsibilities. Network in person and on-line. Another great way to network is by joining LinkedIn.com to connect with other professionals and executives (i.e. Facebook is a social networking site, whereas LinkedIn.com is a professional networking site.) Make sure you create a profile that showcases your career strengths, results, and successes. Meghan is already making great strides in connecting with past colleagues, customers and business associates. Be a resource for your key connections. When youre in a career change you never want to give the impression that youre hungry for a job. Instead, you want to be seen as someone whos resourceful, knowledgeable, and has a wide network. Send out personalized notes and e-mails with links to reports, case studies, press releases, videos, and cool websites that you think may interest individuals in your network. Invite them to business networking events, and introduce them to other movers and shakers. Professionals are drawn to other professionals who are resourceful and well connected. The goal is to create a pull relationship with your network so that they are drawn towards you (not running away from you!) When youre searching for a new job, remember to stay focused in what you want, stay positive, and believe in yourself. It takes persistence and patience but you WILL find those companies who jump at the opportunity to have you join their team! ??

Military Department of Defense In Use of Resume Writing Service

Military Department of Defense In Use of Resume Writing ServiceThere are many reasons why you would need a resume writing service. It could be that you are applying for the same job as someone else and they are having a better chance of getting the job. You are a contractor and need to have your resume written for a contract.This means that you need to have it done professionally so that your chances of getting the job are increased. If you have any experience in writing resumes, you know that you will probably spend a lot of time writing the resume. That can be a long and frustrating process. There is also the pressure of not wanting to let another person down who has given you the opportunity to do something special.Of course, there is also the worry about the military department of defense looking over your resume and keeping an eye on your activity because you are working with a professional resume writing service. That just adds to the stress of the situation.Of course, if you a re going to use a professional resume writing service, you will have to find one that you can trust. Most people will tell you that a good resume writer can charge $500. Some of them may be honest and ethical, but many of them are not and this can be a major concern for most people.A resume service that is not professional is not worth the risk. The government hires a lot of individuals to help out on their computers but you do not want someone that is not trustworthy. A good resume service will be familiar with the qualifications of the people they are hiring and will be able to write a resume for them.The military department of defense needs the best people possible to help out on their computers so the resume writing serviceis going to have to be top of the line. There are some who use personal names when they write their resumes so they can hide their identity. A good resume service should not be fooled by this so they can provide the resume that will get you that job.If you cho ose a resume service that is not professional then you are putting your safety and the safety of the government at risk. You should only use resume writing services that are going to be honest and ethical.The military department of defense is looking for qualified employees so you need to make sure that the resume service you choose is going to get you the job. If they are not, then you do not have to worry about your safety. With these resume writing service, you are only going to have one thing to worry about.