Ashley Ellis

Office Manager Mistakes as Learned From History’s Leaders

Kevin Withers — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:59 +0000

Leading a department or a team of workers is not an easy task, and many managers often inadvertently make mistakes that can disrupt the positive flow of an office. History has shown us the benefit of great leaders, and mimicking their methods is a great idea, but not every person who has been in power has gone about leading in the right way.

There are several leaders whose mistakes managers can learn from and avoid at all costs.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Machiavellianism has been grouped in with narcissism and psychopathy to form what is known as the dark triad of personalities. Although the Italian politician and philosopher certainly made a name for himself during The Renaissance, he is generally remembered today for his most famous quote, “anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.”

Managing with an iron fist may maintain order within an office setting, but doing so could present a hostile work environment for employees – not to mention an awful lot of spite towards management. Managers generally need to walk a fine line between being a friend to their employees, which runs the risk of promoting sloth, and instilling a sense of urgency to get the work done. In the end respect should be the ideal balance. Employees don’t have to be best friends with their bosses, but they should respect and want to work hard for them.

Mary Tudor

Historians know her as Mary I of England, children know her as the ghost that appears in their mirror by reciting her name three times, and the Protestants she brutally murdered knew her as Bloody Mary. Queen Mary I was clearly one to play favorites, a trait that is just as unbecoming for a manager as it is a Queen.

As a manager, you may experience some employees who are better at their job than others, and there are bound to be certain employees with whom you bond with more so than the rest of the team. While it is good to work well with your team, it can be damaging to your overall goals if one or several of your team members feel left out. Building an environment where every member of your team feels just as vital as anyone else is the best way to achieve maximum efficiency and cooperation.

Henry VIII

One of the most well-known Kings of England, Henry VIII was known by his contemporaries as one of the most charismatic rulers to ever sit on the throne. He is remembered today for his six wives and their struggle to produce male heirs to the throne, which eventually led to multiple annulments and beheadings.

As a manager, you shouldn’t cut off all ties with anyone who doesn’t deliver exactly what you want. Constantly changing team members can make employees wary of your methods, and it could lead to their disloyalty. When the turnover in your department is so fast, employees may be worried about whether or not they will be next. This can lead to stressful work conditions as well as employees fleeing your office for more secure positions elsewhere.

Julius Caesar

The man who brought an end to the Roman Republic, thus becoming the most powerful person in the newly formed Roman Empire, may seem like a good example for a successful career, but don’t forget one important fact: he was literally stabbed in the back by his best friend.

Everyone wants to be successful, and many seek to rise as high as they can within their companies, but, your lust for power may be making you quite unpopular. Alienating your coworkers and fellow managers for personal gain will bring you more trouble than that promotion is worth. Sure, they are your competition at times, but treating them as a constant threat to your power is sure to make your time at work miserable, and they may just end up turning on you in the end.

Warren G Harding

It’s not surprising if you have forgotten about, or never even heard of, one of the least successful presidents in American history. Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States, was not known for his work ethic, nor was he known to fake it either. The man who was once quoted saying, “”I am not fit for this office and should never have been here,” was known to spend his days playing poker with his friends and roaming the halls of the White House smoking cigars. This went on for two years until he was succeeded by Calvin Coolidge after his death in 1923.

If it needs to be pointed out why you shouldn’t follow Harding’s lead then it is quite possible that none of this has been any help.

It is important for managers to lead with tact, and following the examples of successful leaders will lead to a peaceful, productive office. Following any of the examples above, on the other hand, can only end in tragedy.

By Kevin Withers

Tips for Technical Interviews and Coding Tests

jameswalsh — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:47 +0000

The other day, I sat down to lunch with some of our Search Executives and, after a bit of small talk, we started discussing the ways that candidates approach technical interviews. One recruiter, without naming the company or the two programmers involved, gave an example of two drastically different ways to approach a preliminary coding test.

In this scenario, programmers had to prove their coding proficiency with the Python programming language. Each finalist’s portfolio was packed with examples of successful and complex Python projects. Unfortunately, there was only need for one person, so they would either have to distinguish themselves as the forerunner in the technical interview or look for another opportunity elsewhere.

Here’s how it all panned out.

Candidate #1 approached the coding test as if he had already landed the job and was creating a web app that end users would actually interact with on a regular basis. He thought about the challenge by putting himself in the shoes of hypothetical users and establishing a game plan from those hypothetical requirements. He wrote advanced level Python code and integrated it with his other programming proficiencies to create a higher level user experience.

During Candidate #1’s coding process, new features came to his mind that would add greater complexity to the program’s performance. Though it may not have been required, he implemented these features anyway because he really wanted to deliver a more compelling end product. Best of all, when he presented this clean, highly efficient project to the hiring manager, he easily communicated his thought processes, demonstrating the ways that he pursued company objectives with his multifaceted skills. When all was said & done, it was evident that he would make an excellent fit on this team.

Candidate #2, on the other hand, approached the same coding test as if it were an obnoxious homework assignment that he was obliged to complete. He put some time into analyzing the challenge but ultimately opted for a bare bones solution that simply met the objective without reaching beyond for anything more. Though he was capable of more sophisticated Python code, his coding structures were simple and lacked inspiration.

When Candidate #2 presented the hiring manager with a finished project, his explanation was straightforward and shallow. Certainly, he had completed the assignment given but his work showed that he simply thought about getting the project done without imagining what hypothetical end users might think. His work wasn’t sloppy by any means but it also was never going to inspire anyone to return to the product after a single try.

It isn’t too hard to guess who ended up with the job.

That’s why, when you are faced with a coding test in a technical interview, you need to treat it as you would any other programming project in the real-world. A coding test exists not only to determine your technical skills but also to determine your creative process, your work ethic, your attention to detail, and even your personality. If you decide to put less than your best effort into completing the test, the complete rationale for hiring you may never be made clear. So, always keep these rules in mind as you work on a coding test.

1.) Don’t just complete the objective; excel beyond it.
2.) Show your creativity in unexpected ways.
3.) Use as many languages, & technical skills as possible.
4.) Keep your code efficient & clean without being too simplistic.
5.) Know exactly how your project would benefit the company.
6.) Understand how to communicate all of this to the hiring manager.

Though not a surefire way to land a job every time, your odds are substantially better than they would be otherwise. Even if you don’t get the job, this approach is never wasted effort. It can drastically enhance your ability to solve problems on the fly and next time around, may get you that one step closer to finally clinching an exciting new job.

by James Walsh

See Boldrin and Levine’s full case here
See more from Martin Goetz here
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Steal This Idea: The Arguments For and Against Software Patents

Kevin Withers — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:18:10 +0000

Since the 1960s software engineers, lawyers, and academics have been arguing over the pros and cons of software patents, and to this day no resolution has been reached as to how to legally secure intellectual property rights of formulated lines of code. With the inception of mobile applications utilized by smart phone and tablets – made by software giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Motorola – patent-eligibility once again finds itself center stage in nationwide and international debate.

The tangled web we have weaved

The trouble is that, while computer hardware is specifically covered under Title 35 of the United States Code, software programs and applications remain outside of the categorical definition of a patent. While software patents do indeed exist, their current definitions (I use the plural in this sense because it is virtually impossible to find a definition written in actual law) have created chaos for software companies. These companies, both large and small, struggle to maintain current and former rights to any number of patents that they deem necessary to profit from the application of the very programs they have developed.

This has led to a virtual scrum of software companies scrambling to maintain intellectual rights to their software while trying not to infringe on the patents of other developers. These patents cost software developers an estimated $25-30 billion dollars a year, and billions more are spent on litigations and settlements resulting from the violation (whether intentional or not) of rights reserved to competing companies.

Competing ideologies

The moral gravity of the situation, as well as the substantial risk of severe profit loss or gain, has bred two very opposing arguments over the existence of software patents. While many claim the patents impede development of future technology, and therefore should be abolished, others maintain that they provide necessary protections to innovative minds, and should therefore be maintained or amended to better protect intellectual rights to property.

The arguments against patents

Many lawyers and academics argue that software patents should be abolished because they stifle innovation. If programs are merely ideas, then they are not patentable. Many others just hold the belief that the billions of dollars spent by software companies on accumulating, avoiding, and violating patents could be better put to use in creating new and innovative software advances.

Michelle Boldrin and David K. Levine published a case against patents earlier in 2013 wherein they highlight the lack of empirical evidence to suggest that patents have any positive effect on innovation. They instead assert that history shows the eruptive growth of most industries, as well as the innovation of technology that comes with it, is a derivation of the competitive environment.

Equating software patents to awarding monopolies to favored individuals, Boldrin and Levine call for the abolishment, or at the very least severe reform of, what they see as inhibitors to innovation and free competition.

The arguments for patents

On the opposite end of the debate sit people like Martin Goetz, the first man to receive a software patent in 1968 for an improvised data sorting algorithm he developed. Over the years Goetz has emerged as one of the leading voices for the preservation of software patents.

Goetz disagrees with the definition of programs as mere ideas. He claims that programs, although containing ideas on processes (e.g. how to encrypt data), are still components on a machine, and are therefore covered under the current patent laws.

Goetz agrees that many of the software patents that have been granted over the years should not have been given. He argues that although there are problems with the current software patent standards, reforms, rather than abolishment, should be the focus of the debate.

The problem with copyrights

The problem Goetz sees with the abolishment of patents is that copyright protection really offers no protection to software at all. He states that a copyright really only “stops someone from literally copying your code. It in no way protects any inventive concept, including ideas, program logic, algorithms, systems, methods, concepts, or layouts”.

Common ground

The only point that both sides seem to agree on is that the current laws regarding software patenting need to be revised. The billions spent by software companies on and avoiding litigation is equitable to industrial waste. Patent accumulation and hoarding has led to the creation of companies or people that exist solely to amass patents for financial gain.

These entities, aptly dubbed “Patent trolls”, buy up as many patents on software as they can with no intention of innovating, using, or distributing the software. The purpose of accumulating these patents is to aggressively pursue litigation against any company that crosses the web of program rights they own, and that is how patent profiteering is done. Since there is nothing illegal about what these companies do there is no way to avoid costly settlements or litigation. Software companies must pay the intellectual property rights tolls for crossing the bridges of these patent trolls.

Where does it end?

As of now there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight for the current software patent predicament, and the problem has only gotten worse as lower courts have intervened and created rules and regulations of their own, obscuring an already murky set of patent laws. What can be said is that as technology becomes more digital than hardware, especially with Cloud systems replacing material data storage, it may be wise to take a Minor in Legal Studies alongside your B.S. in Computer Science.

By Kevin Withers

The Summer Job Search: The Secrets of Getting Hired

jameswalsh — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:15 +0000

Conditions may differ around the country but there’s no doubt about it: temperatures are definitely on the rise, heavy winter coats are finally being mothballed, and summer is almost here! You may be tempted to put your job search on hiatus in favor of grilling, picnicking, biking, swimming, vacationing, or any number of other things that bring you out into the beautiful summer weather. By all means, make time for those activities but don’t neglect your job search until autumn. You may miss out on a great window of opportunity.

Hiring doesn’t take a vacation:

Employees may scoot out of the office for vacations and four day weekends but hiring managers are still focused on acquiring top talent. Hiring doesn’t grind to a halt when the temperature perks up. In fact, many businesses escalate hiring during the summer months to take advantage of the slowed down pace of major projects.

There are no end-of-the-year financial deadlines to deal with or beginning-of-the-year launches. Pressures are down and hiring managers can dedicate the time to interview job seekers. With vacation time strewn in the mix, the duration of the hiring process may be a bit longer (up from a 3 weeks average to 5 weeks) but there are more opportunities available. Moreover, your odds are often much better.

The odds are in your favor:

Some job seekers are drawn into the myth of the hiring slow-down. Others, exhausted by months of searching, decide to give themselves a break until fall. Much like the winter holiday season, the competition begins to dwindle down as people make excuses to focus on diving boards & swimming pools instead of job boards & talent pools. So, unless you are a high school or college student in search of summer work or an internship, you are more than likely facing a diminished field of competitors.

Adjusting to the job is easier:

For those who successfully land a new job during the summer months, there may even be another advantage: a much smoother job transition. In certain industries, the summer months are dedicated to training employees during project down time, so you will get more attention as you transition into your new role. Furthermore, with the warmer weather, you can expect more companies to plan outings, cookouts, and other events where you can build bonds with your teammates from the start. There is less of a feeling of being in over your head. Take that when you can get it.

In conclusion:

So, when you are taking in the rays this summer (hopefully with a nice layer of sun screen applied), remember to balance your relaxation with time spent continuing your job search. Those who take a protracted break for the summer may return to find their skills rusty & brittle. So, if you want to give yourself a real edge in the job market, keep writing those resumes, applying, and making the time to interview (your tanning regimen could use a break anyway).

by James Walsh

Is Emotional Intelligence Important in Information Technology?

Clare — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:44:49 +0000

Everyone’s familiar with the old computer nerd stereotype: the code monkey with his eyes glued to the screen, tapping away at his keyboard, and awkwardly avoiding interaction with anyone else in the office.

But as the IT field becomes evermore ubiquitous in every workplace, this stereotype has become grossly outdated. And while even the best IT folks may geek out over the hottest new tech releases, the truth is that the emotional intelligence – the capacity to both identify and regulate emotions in yourself and others – is an increasingly important trait for those in Information Technology.

The Basics of Emotional Intelligence or EQ

EQ, as opposed to IQ, measures the way we perceive, discriminate between, and respond to our own and others’ emotions. Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence is something that can be developed purposely. Typically, a higher EQ is needed for career roles in which there is a lot of human interaction, like customer service or physicians.

The Need for EQ in IT

IT has become a highly integrative foundation for the majority of businesses, meaning the reliance on IT professionals is at an all-time high. The result of this, of course, is the growing importance of communication and collaboration between tech and non-tech people. The most successful developers know how to communicate effectively with both end users and their own team members. In short, the stereotypical computer nerd glued to his computer in the darkest corner of the office needs to adapt as the IT field grows more people-focused than ever before.

The Emotionally Intelligent Job Seeker

Honing your emotional intelligence can help set you apart from your competitors in the job search. You can’t always guarantee that you’ll be talking to a fellow techie in a company’s hiring process. You might have the hard skills to pass the technical screening, but if you’re also called in to interview with Human Resources, it’s your emotional intelligence that will give you the leg up.

How to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence

Experts say that the first step in improving your EQ is to reduce your stress levels. Stress masks your ability to tap into your emotions, so make an effort to manage that stress.

Secondly, you need to start recognizing your own emotions the moment you feel them. Sometimes it takes people a while to realize they’re angry, and the consequences of this delay can be costly.

Another tip to increasing your emotional intelligence is to begin to read social cues. Other people’s emotions are most often expressed through nonverbal communication, so you need to tune into those signs.

These few tips are enough to help improve your communication, collaboration, and leadership in the workplace. Emotional Intelligence is an increasingly important factor in the IT field, so developing the skills to increase your EQ is key to becoming a successful IT professional.

Job Skills You Didn’t Know You Had

Kevin Withers — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:17:34 +0000

One of the primary interview objectives of hiring mangers is to learn what skills you possess and how they relate to the job in which you are applying for. Elaborating on your qualifications is a must, but many job seekers leave out important skills that can set them apart from the pack. The trouble is that job seekers do not even know that they have a variety of experiences that can help them prove their worth to a company, and they don’t even have to be industry related.

After you have made it clear that you have met the basic requirements for the job, you can further help your chances by highlighting additional skills rooted in unrelated work/life experiences. These hidden skills can make you more a more unique and attractive candidate for any position, and can range from:

• Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking and Analysis
• Creativity
• Conflict Resolution
• Organization and Optimization
• Managing projects or people

The trick to relating any of these skills to a particular job is to reveal them through stories comprised of three parts.

The Problem

This is where you underline a particular problem or issue that you have faced. It can come from either your work or personal life. Just keep it positive (this isn’t the time to bring up how you handled your divorce). Let’s say you hit a rough patch on in your life where you had to survive on a minimum budget.

The Solution

This is where you focus on the particular skills or methods that you used to solve the problem. Perhaps you cut back on spending by eliminating unnecessary expenditures. Now you have shown that you can operate on a budget. Perhaps you found new uses for the things you already own, or created something you needed from certain things you already had. Now you have shown that you are creative and resourceful. As long as you show how you intuitively solved the problem you will demonstrate skills that your employer, and perhaps you, didn’t know that you had.

The Tie In

The final part of the story should explain how these skills relate to the job in which you are applying for. Why does the hiring manager care that you were able to use smart, creative, and resourceful strategies to pull yourself out of a budget crisis? It is up to you to tie it all together and convince the hiring manager how will these skills will make you the most qualified for the position.

Everyone has skills that can relate to any position, but not everyone realizes it. You can use any number of personal or professional stories to demonstrate that you possess any number of relevant skills. All you need to do is search your mind for stories that show why you are the best fit for the job.

By Kevin Withers

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The Future of Our Five Senses

jameswalsh — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:15:48 +0000

Digital technology is ubiquitous – it’s in our homes, our offices, and everywhere we go – but to some that just isn’t enough. Mobile phones & tablets broaden our social experience, but the feeling that we are dealing with pixels on a static, plastic slab is ultimately there. We may have adjusted but our five senses definitely aren’t fooled. There is still a defined line where we end & technology begins. Now, as augmented reality tech like Google Glass transitions from the drawing board to the production line, the line is being blurred.

Beyond sight, the digital experience has always been a bit bland but scientists, programmers, and artists are all pioneering new ways to heighten the way we see, hear, feel, smell, and even experience taste with technology. Google Glass may be the beginning of our augmented senses but it certainly isn’t the final word.

Sight & Sound:

In the future, Google Glass might overhaul our visual & auditory experience but for now, with its preinstalled features, its greatest capacity lies in the way we share that experience with others. As third party developers make headway on groundbreaking apps, that can change.

For example, when you are touring an art museum and you look at a French impressionist painting or Grecian urn, you may be greeted with pop up or audio information about the work of art. When out on the street, you may see a tag hovering over another AR headset user looking to connect on a business opportunity. Ultimately, the opportunities are endless and will only expand as innovators take the plunge into further experimentation.

A recent AR experiment run by students at the Royal College of Art in London is heightening sight & sound awareness in extraordinary ways. Known simply as Eidos, this project has manifested in the form of two major prototypes.

On the visual side, the team is exploring our perception of motion with a pair of gigantic, bone white shutter shades. An embedded web cam captures the wearer’s point-of-view and transmits a real-time video into a computer program. Instantaneously, that video is transmitted back with an after-effect that simulates long exposure photography and gives each moving object the impression of a conga line of phantom selves trailing in its wake.

On the auditory side, the team is exploring ways we can deal with environmental white noise through a large, polygonal mask that runs from the jaw line up to the nose & ears. The prototype combines directional microphones, speakers, & bone induction technology to help wearers extract speech & sounds from the muddying noise around them. The technology projects sound to both the inner & outer ear, sharpening sound to incredible levels.

Though both are a bit bulky, they have an aesthetic appeal that can catch fire on a global market. It simply takes the experimentation and collaboration of tech savvy professionals to push projects like these into greater levels of completion. A broad range of applications can be generated, from the practical to the psychedelic, and can change the way people experience the world. New tech disciplines can emerge and open up incredible jobs for those eager to incorporate other studies (i.e. art & science) into their skills.

Touch:

To keep up with the advances in hands-free AR technology, tech inventors are reconceiving the entire touch screen experience. Up to this point, touch screen technology has been limited to planar 2D displays in an otherwise 3D tactile world. Our instinct to grab and move items is limited by this eerily flat surface. Now, members of MIT’s Media Lab are playing with the very fabric of mobile touch screen conceptions.

Their most recent output is an interactive elastic surface that allows users to satisfy their sense of touch. The interactive membrane allows users to pinch, pull, push, & mold the screen to their will through a combination of depth cameras & linear actuators. The depth camera records the user’s movements while the linear actuators move back & forward to alter the amount of slack provided to the touch screen material.

Though it is definitely on the experimental side, as this technology becomes streamlined, it can completely affect the medium that software developers have to work with. Old limitations would be thrown out the window and a whole new paradigm could foreseeably arise. This technology can provide consumers, private companies, and military officials with an experience that was previously limited to the world of science fiction.

Taste & Smell:

Our senses of smell & taste, which are so closely related, continue to elude replication through digital technology. These senses are the most subjective and are influenced by a large number of unforeseen, uncontrollable factors. Yet there are still people who believe one day we can master this technology. They gather as members of the Digital Olfaction Society and discuss breakthroughs that may one day grow from kernels of knowledge into full-fledge applications.

Technology ranges from the truly gimmicky (cellphone smell-o-grams) to the life-changing (digi-censors that can detect cancer) and everything in between. Most are still in the early stages of prototyping but they have incredible potential as technology & science evolve. For those ambitious pioneers, this might be the exploratory field that can help make their careers.

The Big Picture:

Technology will only grow and integrate into who we are as augmented reality technology continues to expand. This can very easily be the way for tech-savvy trendsetters to make their mark on the world of IT by increasing our environmental awareness of the sights, sounds, smells, flavors, and physical sensations around us. The only question is: do you want to be immersed in this revolution first hand or just watch from behind a screen on the sidelines?

by James Walsh

The Importance of Writing Skills to Your Career

Kevin Withers — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:06:47 +0000

Whether you are working in or looking to break into the Information Technology industry, possessing excellent writing skills is important. But with so much focus on math and sciences in college it is easy to brush off English courses, and most universities only require math and science majors to take one or two classes. However there are not many jobs in any industry that do not require good writing skills, and poor skills may even leave you at a disadvantage when searching for employment.

Why are writing skills even necessary?

If you have ever struggled to write a cover letter, resume, or anything related to your career you should know the importance of good writing. Every career path requires its workers to write notes, memos, emails, and reports, all of which require good writing skills to effectively communicate a certain set of ideas. Poor writing skills can be a red flag to employers that you are not fit for management positions, and are often read as signs of lower intelligence.

When it comes to searching for jobs writing skills are crucial to making a good first impression. You only have a limited amount of space in your cover letter to impress potential employers, and good writing can maximize your chances of getting to the next stage. How are you to write an effective cover letter without proper grammar and a coherent writing style?

Unfortunately many job seekers fail in this regard. Cover letters that contain grammatical errors or lack style can doom your chances right out of the gate. If you have ever submitted an application and failed to make it to the interview stage you have to wonder why. It may be that your writing skills are not up to par.

What can be done to solve this problem?

You don’t have to be an expert in Linguistics or grammar to help your career. It is not necessary to learn the Latin and Greek origins of words, nor is it sensible to know the definition of a gerund or apostrophe (it’s not just the little symbol that combines words or forms possessives). What can help is for you to learn some basic grammatical uses of proper punctuation, sentence structure, and style.

The best way to practice your writing skills is to read everything you can get your hands on. Great writers read daily. Whether you are reading novels, magazines, newspapers, or scientific studies you are still learning proper style through repetition. If you find yourself struggling and need some practice there are a number of books on grammar and style that you can purchase to practice your skills.

The worst thing that you can do is let your basic writing skills get in the way of you finding a job or advancing your career. Just because you are better with numbers than words doesn’t mean that you have to disregard any all uses for the written word. So practice those writing skills. Your career will thank you for it.

By Kevin Withers

How to Adjust to a New Job

Kevin Withers — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:44:53 +0000

Settling into a new job can be hard. The new procedures, people, and responsibilities can be intimidating and lead to stress, so is there an easy way to adjust to a completely new office environment? Of course not, but there are several things you can do to ease your transition into your new job.

Be friendly

Now is not the time to sink into your office and become a hermit. You’re in a new environment, so now is the time to go out and meet your co-workers. Things will be a lot less awkward once you break the ice. Introduce yourself to everyone; your co-workers, the receptionist, even the employees in the mail room. That way the first time you meet someone it won’t be because you need something. You want to establish a mini-network inside of your office so that you can fully take advantage of all the resources available to you. Plus, you will make some friends in the process.

Do your homework

You should have already done some preliminary research on the company before you even submitted an application, but the first few weeks is the time to learn as much as you can about the company’s history, procedure, and future. The more you know about the comings and goings of the office, the better prepared you will be to jump right into any project that comes your way. Be sure to talk to as many people as possible to find out what they are working on and how it relates to the job you will be doing. Take some time to learn any industry terminology or technology that you may be behind on. The faster you pick up the basics, the faster you will become an asset to the company.

Find a mentor (or two)

Find a veteran of the office (ideally someone you will be working closely with) who is reliable and can be used as a resource. This will be the person that you rely on for information about company procedures, as well as someone who can answer most of the questions you will likely have. Your boss may not want you knocking on their door every second of the day with small questions or issues. Having said that, do not make yourself a burden on your mentor by incessantly bothering them as well. It may be a good idea to find as many friendly faces that can help you throughout the day. The more you meld with your team, the better off you will be.

Make mistakes, and lots of them

It’s a good idea to try to figure things out on your own before you seek help. Making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn. I’m not saying do something drastic and cost the company millions of dollars, but always try to figure things out for yourself before asking for help. You will undoubtedly learn more from the mistakes you make as opposed to being spoon fed the information.

Keep an open mind

This is not the time to go blathering on about how you used to do things at your former job. Every company is different, and what used to work at your old office may not be the chosen way of doing things at your new one. Constantly going on to people about how you used to do things can be bothersome and turn some people off. Having said that, do not be afraid to speak up and offer your opinions. They hired you for your skills and ideas after all. Just remember your place as the newest member of the team. Trying to revamp long established procedures (unless you have just been hired as an Executive VP) is not the best way to establish yourself at a new company.

Be patient

Always remember that this is only the beginning, and with a bit of hard work you will become more efficient in no time. This is the opportunity you have been looking for, and now you have it.

By Kevin Withers

Use It or Lose It: How to Keep Your Job Skills Sharp!

jameswalsh — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:30:39 +0000

Writing a resume, though not always fun, can be enlightening for job seekers. It can help us recognize which skills are razor sharp and which are choked up by rust. Think of your skills as a faucet controlling the flow of water into a sink. When a talent is regularly used, your output flows quickly and cleanly. When a talent sits idle for a while, your output can sputter to a start with a slow, yellow tinted flow before getting back to that 100% effort.

Doesn’t sound too appealing does it?

So, focus yourself on the following activities and keep from losing any ground in the job market.

Continue your education:

Whether through formal certifications or your own self-training, a continued education not only expands your knowledge but boosts your existing skills. When learning, your brain comes to an understanding through association. It takes old information and uses it as a framework to comprehend anything new. So, when you pursue bleeding edge tech or practices, you are really hardening your current skill set.

Even a refresher course may be beneficial. By reviewing the basics, you can solidify what you already know and turn any nebulous ideas into crisp & clear understanding.

Practice makes perfect:

Studying can be great but hands-on use of your skills really drives home your talents. If you are looking to recuperate any lost skill, create and pursue a new project. There’s no better way to master something than outside of your comfortable, academic bubble.

If you go this route, your time is best served working on a project that will get real world use. If no one sees the finished project, your motivation might be lacking. Volunteer your talents for a non-profit or extend a helping hand to a family member or friend. That way, the stakes are higher and you have people relying on you to make it to the end.

Keep up with your professional community:

Sharing information is a great way to permanently add that information to your brain. When you try to think of ways to explain it, you are reviewing the information yourself and strengthening the connections between your brain cells. So, the more you repeat back information, the more you learn it.

That is why you should keep close ties with your peer group. By teaching out your knowledge to newcomers or engaging in a friendly debate with industry masters, your skills will see a marked increase.

The ultimate answer:

Ultimately, the best way to sharpen your skills is to practice a little bit of each approach. The structure of study gives you a great foundation, the pursuit of a project gives you flexibility, and the connection with your peers keeps you up with the times. That way, you exercise every technical muscle while building up your job marketability. Never again will doubt your skills because you’ll have real proof that you can quickly implement then on any project.

by James Walsh

Cover Letters and Resumes for the Digital Age

Kevin Withers — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:58:16 +0000

So you’ve finished tailoring your cover letter to a particular company and position and now you are ready to email it to a potential employer, but you’re not exactly sure how to go about it. It isn’t like folding a piece of paper in thirds and stamping an envelope. The digital age may have changed how we send resumes, but there are still guidelines that you can follow to help your chances at impressing a hiring manager in the digital age.

Fix your email address

It’s shocking how many people still make this mistake, so it must be said. Hiring managers will open resumes from Yourname@website.com. Resumes from BeerChugger@website.com will get your application sent to the trash. Keep your work and social life separate.

Put Your Cover Letter in plain sight

Resumes may require a very specific format, so attaching them to an email is almost necessary, but cover letters can and should be added straight into the body of your email. The typical hiring manger receives so many emails containing attached resumes and cover letters that they will most likely thank you for saving them one less thing to download and open. Is it really that important to have them read your cover letter in the form of a Word Document or a PDF? The cover letter should be the first thing a hiring managers sees when they open your email, so put it right where they can see it and spare them having to read “attached is my cover letter” dozens of times a day.

The Greeting

There are many so many arguments about the benefits and shortcomings of starting cover letters with Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Hiring Manager, To Whom It May Concern, Good Afternoon, or a multitude of other greetings. The only thing that is certain about all of them is that none of them are original. In fact, short of writing, “Yo, what’s up doc”, there is nothing you can say that will cause you to stand out, so save that for your body paragraphs.

What you can do, thanks to the Internet, is use the company website to find out who the hiring manager is. If you have trouble locating who will be opening your resume, try calling the company and asking. It’s worth it to address the hiring manager by their name as opposed to any generic greeting. Cover letters that begin with “To whom it may concern” are the equivalent of receiving mail from a credit card company that starts, “Dear Valued Customer,” and when was the last time you read the rest of one of those?

Link it up

Do you have a personal website or blog that contains your portfolio? Have you designed the interface or programmed the back end development of a specific company website? Why only tell hiring managers what you have done when you can show them. Insert clickable links into your cover letter that will allow hiring managers easy access to see firsthand what you have accomplished. This is the 21st century and the Internet allows easy access to everything. Simply adding a hyperlink that a hiring manager can click on to link them to examples of your work can make all the difference.

What not to do

While there are many things that can be done to get your cover letter the recognition it deserves, there are a few instances in which you can go too far and turn off hiring managers.

Don’t get cute with the font

Stick with a nice standard like times new roman or the equivalent. Now is not the time to use Snap ITC to stand out.

Don’t rely on spell check

Cause its knot always thee beast idea.

Don’t get too causal

Remember, you are applying to a job, not texting a friend. Save the emoticons, text abbreviations, and casual speech for chatting with your friends.

By Kevin Withers

Making a good first impression during the interview

jameswalsh — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:00:54 +0000

Most people imagine the job interview starts and stops when you enter and exit the interviewer’s office. In actuality, it can extend far beyond that and include more people than you even expect. Any person that you interact with once you enter the building can help to decide your fate, so it is always a good idea to generate a good first impression with everyone you meet.

The Receptionist:

As the first person you meet on your journey through the office, the receptionist is key to your winning job interview strategy. Important information can flow through this person to every key decision maker in the company. That in mind, everything you do or say before your interview can make it back to your interviewer.

Never answer your cell phone while waiting for your job interview. It can interrupt the receptionist’s concentration and it definitely conveys a lack of professionalism. If you decide to strike up a conversation, make sure that the receptionist isn’t busy. If not, keep topics from getting too deep or polemic. Small talk about the weather, traffic, or local restaurant openings are all safe topics. Any attempt to go deeper – especially when probing for salary information or corporate goings on – can be dangerous. Those are the types of red flags that tend to make their way to the hiring manager.

Members of the Team:

If at any time you are introduced to members of the team, you definitely need to make a solid impression. An interviewer makes these types of introductions as a way of gauging how well you will fit in with the prevailing team personalities. That is why you need to be conscious of the verbal & nonverbal cues you are sending out.

Make a conscious effort to smile at everyone you meet. A friendly demeanor goes a long way during these brief interactions. Whenever you can, make direct eye contact with the interviewer and the team but don’t let your glare linger so long to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Also, you should keep up a strong posture that conveys your alert awareness; you don’t want anyone to perceive you as a slouch.

When conversing or asking questions, you want to make sure that your every word depicts you as a professional yet approachable person. As with the receptionist, you should stick to neutral topics that will not encourage any bad blood or tarnish your reputation as a loyal team player. That in mind, complaining about previous jobs or asking about the team members’ gripes with the company are definitely out of the question.

In Conclusion:

Send out professional vibes from the moment you walk into the building for your job interview. Anyone you speak to outside of the interviewer can impact the results of your interview process because you never know who has the ear of the final decision makers. Plus, down the road, when you actually land the job, you will have laid the foundation for positive work relationships that can last.

by James Walsh

The Art of Finding a Job

Kevin Withers — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:22:08 +0000

The tactics involved in searching for a job are not much different from those used in war, and there are certain bits of wisdom that can be taken from military engagements that can help you reach your goal.

In The Art of War, the renowned Chinese tactician Sun Tzu breaks down the strategy of going to war into thirteen parts, each of which can be interpreted as steps to helping you land a job.

Laying Plans/The Calculations

Whether you are a first time job seeker, recently unemployed, or just looking for a better opportunity it is important to take a moment to consider the journey you are about to embark on. Prepare yourself, focus on your goals, and then set out to accomplish them. Most importantly, remember to think of the companies you will be applying for as allies who present great opportunities, not as enemies who must be defeated. The real enemy is the stress, confusion, and difficulty of finding a job.

Waging War/ The Challenge

The economics of job seeking is costly. It may require you to live below your means for quite some time, as every day you spend searching will cause you to fall farther into the red. It may take some time for you to land the right position so it is important to live within your means. This isn’t the time to renovate your house or buy the car you have always wanted.

Attack by Stratagem/ The Plan of Attack

Have a plan and stick to it. If you work best in the morning, then get up early and work hard. If you prefer to sleep in and get a later start, do so. If you are a night owl and prefer to work late into the night, then that is your time to strike. Know what works for you and stick to it. Set a time of day (a few hours) when you will look for jobs, work on your resume, skill build, network, etc. Stick to your schedule and make sure you get closer to your goal every day.

Tactical Dispositions/ Positioning

Your position on the battlefield is crucial to victory. Equate this to your social media footprint. Get active on every social networking site you know of. Using these sites to promote yourself and gather Intel on companies that are hiring can be an effective strategy. Find out who does the hiring and where the company is headed in terms of short and long term goals. Just make sure not to hurt yourself in the process. Mistakes such as not tailoring your resume and cover letter to each individual job can hurt your chances of success.

Energy Directing

Get creative in how you search for a job. There are more ways to find jobs than the typical website. Research recruiters, employment agencies, or job fairs to broaden your search. Also, know the importance of timing. Follow up on your applications and never forget to touch base after you have had an interview to thank them for taking the time to speak with you.

Weak Points and Strong/Illusion and Reality

Know your strengths (research, communication, networking, creativity) and use them. Conversely, know your weak points and work to improve them. Make yourself more marketable by expanding your skillset. Also, look for weakness in the companies you apply to. Gear your cover letter towards explaining how your skills can improve their methods and productivity.

Maneuvering/Engaging the force

Rushing headstrong into the fray isn’t always the best option. Sometimes it is best to skip applying via the company website and instead contact someone in human resources. They may be able to tell you more about certain positions available.

Variations in Tactics/The Nine Variations

You must be able to shift your tactics and adjust to newer ways of doing things. Video interviews have already caught up in popularity to phone interviews. Learn how to conduct yourself in front of a webcam. Technology is changing and you must adapt to it. Do not allow yourself to fall too far behind industry terminology or technology.

The Army on the March/Moving the Force

Learn to evaluate the intentions of others. This is essential when you move on to the interview process. You will be on the home field of the company, so it is good to know them inside and out. The more you know about the company’s goals the better you will be. Similarly, it is important to understand the motive behind some of the more tricky questions you will be asked. Something like, “where do you see yourself in five years?” should be interpreted as the company asking how you see this job fitting into your future plans. Know the intentions of the interviewer and react accordingly.

Terrain/Situational Positioning

Make sure your social media footprint is clean. Google Plus and LinkedIn accounts are great, as well as anything on Facebook or your own personal website/blog. These types of accounts show how professional and creative you can be, but can also be damaging if you are careless. Pictures of you crashing a party on Facebook are not attractive to potential employers.

The Nine Situations/ Nine Terrains

Think about how you utilize the Internet, social media, job fairs, recruiters, and your networking capabilities. Don’t limit yourself to just one method. It is repetitive and can kill your moral. Internships and temp positions are great ways to get your foot in the door.

The Attack by Fire/Fiery Attack

Applying for jobs can be a game of numbers. You want to send out as many resumes as you can without compromising their quality (too many resumes sent out can hurt your chances, especially if you are sending out generic copies with the same cover letter). Each resume should be carefully planned, but at the same time you want to keep sending out as many as you can.

The Use of Spies/The Use of Intelligence

Network, network, network. This cannot be stated enough. The longer your list of allies, the more powerful your search will become.

By Kevin Withers

How to Make a First Impression That Doesn’t Stink

jameswalsh — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:00:31 +0000

Imagine that you have an interview today. You know that you want to make a good impression the very millisecond that you walk through the door, so you break out your professional best. You pick something that shows you take the opportunity seriously: an ensemble that is ironed, pressed, polished, & free of any trace stains. You even grab a bottle of your favorite perfume or cologne, spritzing on the fragrance to give you added appeal. Or do you?

Most people realize that their smell directly affects the way others perceive them. In general, they practice hygiene well enough to avoid reeking like fermenting wetlands or the mile radius surrounding a herd of water buffalo. Yet overcompensating in the opposite direction is not the right answer either.

One man’s treasure…

Interviews are unpredictable enough without throwing the hiring manager’s sense of smell into the mix. What one person imagines to be a pleasant smell, may be the equivalent smell of an active sulfur vent to another. The last thing you want is to walk into your interview, make a good visual first impression with your choice of clothes, and then smash that impression to smithereens by entering smelling range.

And smells are aggressive. You can’t simply focus on another aspect of that person as you could with his or her appearance. Smells can be invasive in ways that a paisley, three-piece suit could never be. Sure, hiring managers are physically capable of pinching their nostrils closed to alleviate the stench but that’s crossing a social line that most are unwilling to cross – they don’t find you to be contemptuous, they just want you to stop corroding their nose hairs.

Don’t overpower your hard work

Worst of all, if a hiring manager doesn’t like your smell, you probably won’t hear about it. Your responses may be perfectly crafted to address the company’s values & culture. Your wit may allow you to overcome any tough interview questions. Your proactive line of questioning may even give you control of the interview but if your smell looms in the background like a nuisance or at worst, a reminder of an old rival or lapsed love, you’re going to lose the job to a candidate who didn’t offend with every whiff.

A solution: clean & simple

Ultimately, how a job seeker smells is the one choice that hiring managers should never consciously notice. A neutral odor is the best option. You are not trying to assault or seduce the hiring manager (hopefully), so your smell shouldn’t really be on his or her mind.

So, skip the designer fragrances. Even avoid any musky or fruity body washes with strong scents. Just smell clean and you will make a first impression that doesn’t choke out all of your incredible qualities.

by James Walsh

How Acting Like a Child Can Help You Succeed at Work

Kevin Withers — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:41:53 +0000

Sure, children are stubborn, whiny, and often hard to deal with. They also possess some of the most fearless and creative minds in the world, a trait that should be made second nature to anyone in the workforce. Strange as it may sound, there are many traits that children have that can be useful when applied correctly to your work, and they don’t involve throwing tantrums or picking your nose.

Children do not take no for an answer

If you have ever told a child they can’t do something you will know that they rarely take no for an answer. This stubborn trait can prove useful at work. “It cannot be done” and “It’s just not possible” are the two worst replies you can hear when you put forth an idea at work, but they are not always binding. Stubborn determination helps when trying to perfect an idea, and refusing to take no for an answer allows for future breakthroughs. It may not be possible now, but with some dedication you can make it possible down the road.

Children have no fear

Remember speeding down a hill on your bicycle without any thought of possible consequences? That is because as a child you do not know what it’s like to fall, and are therefore fearless. As adults the fear of failure holds us back from trying new things or stepping out of our comfort zone. The trick is to be fearless and confident in your endeavors. When you come across a project that you may fail at, take it on anyway. Try something different, try something new, then try some more. Even Edison failed thousands of times before he perfected the light bulb.

Children do not know how to make mistakes

My high school art teacher once told me that children make the best artists because they have yet to learn the “right way” of doing things. While every line an adult draws is filled with doubt, children draw directly from their imagination. Only after we have unlearned the “right” ways to do things can we truly create. Innovative technology is created by people who refuse to do things the ordinary and old fashioned ways. It always stems from a “what if”. Sometimes problems at work require a bit of out of the box thinking to solve, and the only way to innovate is to erase the barriers of right and wrong. Free your imagination.

Children see everything in a new, fresh ways

Have you ever watched a child turn a stick into a gun, a sword, a magic wand, or whatever else they want it to be? Everything has endless possibilities for a child. Take a look around at what you have to work with. Start utilizing your resources in new ways, or create new resources out of tools you wouldn’t imagine using. Once you start experimenting you open up limitless possibilities. How are you not using your skills, your computer, or the Internet to your fullest advantage?

Children view the world as a playground

To a child the world is a playground and everything therein is a toy. Something as simple as bubbles can be the most enjoyable thing in the world. Have some fun with your projects at work and you will find yourself more motivated to work on them. There is always enjoyment hiding in what you do, you just have to find it. Start seeing taking a look at your world with a renewed sense of vigor. You will be much happier with the results of your hard work.

By Kevin Withers

The Ultimate Interview Answers

jameswalsh — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:30:36 +0000

The other day, I had two interviews scheduled with two promising candidates. On paper, they both had a good deal to offer and going into the interview, I was eager to hear their responses to my questions. In fact, I didn’t even think that I was going to be able to decide after only one interview.

Both arrived on time, were well dressed, and were friendly with everyone they met. Back in my office, we exchanged small talk and both seemed to be genuine, pleasant people. Then, we jumped into the meat of the interview. I started by asking both, “What are you most proud of in your career?”

The first candidate was brief and his response went something like this.

“I just released an app on iTunes that is getting some major hits. There were some problems but my team & I got through them. It’s probably my best Ruby app to date.”

I waited for a few seconds for him to go further but he seemed pretty confident with what he said. His response here, and at other times throughout the course of the interview, left me with more questions than answers. In his resume, he had reiterated, time & time again, that he was a great problem-solver but didn’t really provide me with any examples. It wasn’t too long before I was thanking him for his time and wishing him well.

The second candidate was full of great examples. When I asked her the first question, she was visibly proud of a similar achievement (releasing an app on the Android marketplace) and she took the time to give me details. Her first response went something like this.

“My team recently released an app on the Android Marketplace and we really overcame some big challenges to make it happen. Halfway through, we found out about an almost identical app. Some of the team considered scrapping the project but I convinced them to wait. I pushed for a new brainstorming session to improve upon the existing app. Then, as a team, we made adjustments to our features & code structure so we could salvage some of our work. We all divided up the objectives and worked nonstop to stay on our original deadline. We even completed a full code review at the eleventh hour. Now, the app looks great! It was definitely worth all those long nights in front of my laptop.”

Her response gave me a great idea of who she was as an employee: a hardworking, problem-solver who could hold her own within the team. When I had reviewed her resume & cover letter, I had really seen those traits shine through.

If there is one lesson you can take away from this, it should be to always use examples in your answers. Treat each question as an opportunity to tell a great story about your professional career. As with any kind of story, there are rules though.

• Talk about how you overcame a new challenge or a major conflict. A story isn’t worth telling if there are no obstacles to overcome.
• Show your soft skills in action. It really reinforces the idea for hiring managers.
• Never stray too far from the main topic. Save your meandering stories for someone else’s time.
• Always try to have something prepared. Fumbling for the right words never comes off as flattering.

So, remember if you finally have the ear of a hiring manager, make the most of your time. Provide detailed examples for every question and tell the type of story that a hiring manager wants to hear. That way, they’ll want to help you continue the next chapter of your story.

Turn the Tide of an Interview

Kevin Withers — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:10:21 +0000

The barrage of questions during job interviews can quickly drain your energy. While talking about ourselves comes naturally, being grilled about why we are the perfect fit for a company is not so easy to withstand. Fortunately, there is a simple way to turn the tide of any interview, and it all starts with the questions you ask.

Go from being the interviewee to the interviewer

A great way to go from being the interviewee to the interviewer is to consistently pose questions throughout the entire process. Don’t bookmark questions that pop into your head for later. An interview should not be set up like an interrogation, where they ask and you answer. It should be a conversation where you are posing queries of your own. If you approach a topic that you already had a question written prepared for, ask it. This will take some of the pressure off of you by focusing on the interviewer’s knowledge of the company, and grant your mind a much needed break from the barrage of questions being posed to you.

Of course the interview needs to remain about you, and you will want to tell them why you are the best fit for the position, but you can easily take control of the conversation by asking lots of questions that put the turns the spotlight on the interviewer. It will show that you are truly interested in the ins and outs of the company, and aren’t there solely because you need a job. The following are a few yes and no ways to go about this.

Ask them to explain, describe, and elaborate. Constantly pull more and more information out of them. If they tell you that they are thinking of heading in a certain direction, highlight any experience or skills you possess that relate to it. Then offer your own ideas and how you would help them achieve this goal.

Don’t

Simply pull questions from the internet. Chances are hiring managers have heard them a hundred times before and are fully prepared to answer them, turning the momentum back in their favor. Rephrase the questions from their generic writing and tailor them specifically for the company. This will force the hiring manager to avoid responding to them with a generic answer.

Ask open ended questions that cannot simply be pushed aside with a yes or no answer. Otherwise the hiring manager can and probably will answer with a simple yes or no. Followed by an awkward silence.

Don’t

Ask obvious questions that could have be answered with the information given on the company website. They will expect for you to have done your research and don’t want their time wasted explaining to you what the company does.

Ask where the company sees itself in the future (sound familiar). Provide suggestions of your own as to how you could help take the company in this direction. Present an idea and ask for feedback. It shows creativity and initiative. You will be presenting a vested interest in the future of the company before you have even accepted, or been presented, a job offer.

Don’t

Interrupt them while they are speaking. Wait for them to finish, or at least pause to think. Then answer their question and immediately pose yours.

Save at least three questions for the end of the interview. Avoid using up all your inquiries before they ultimately turn the table over to you. If you find yourself blanking on what to ask, thank them for providing you with such throughout explanations to your previous questions.

Remember

Turning an interview into a conversation requires quick thinking and a delicate balance, but doing so will take a lot of the pressure off of you while making you appear like a much stronger candidate. The important thing to remember is that the company is not only interviewing you. They should be telling you why you should work for them. Find out as much information as you can before choosing the office that you will be devoting yourself to in the future.

By Kevin Withers

Signs it is Time to Move on to a New Job

Kevin Withers — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:30:54 +0000

Finding a new job can be a long and arduous process that most people want to endure only if they absolutely have to. No one frequents job interviews purely for the fun of it. Because of this many people who are unhappy with their current positions are often hesitant to seek out other opportunities. Sure it is hard to find, apply for, and adjust to a new job, but doing so can be the best move for not only your career but your personal happiness as well.

There are many signs that your current position may be either holding back your career or causing you to be unhappy at your job. Recognizing them could be just the motivation you need to find a better niche for yourself in the work force.

Your quality of work decreases

Boredom or disinterest should be the number one sign that you are unhappy at your job. You should have a vested interest in your work. Most importantly, you should like what you do. You know it is time for a change when the quality of your work is decreases because you have little interest in your assignments. Pay attention to how you conduct yourself at work. Do you find yourself procrastinating or vigorously working?

Motivation is the number one key to proving your worth to a company, and the lack of it could cost you your job. Companies are not interested in holding on to someone who merely completes their work just to get it done. Make it a point to seek out a job that compels you complete the work to the best of your ability.

There is no more room for growth

And I don’t just mean promotions. While constantly being passed over for advancement can be frustrating, it isn’t the only red flag that your personal growth has stagnated. Your job should stimulate and challenge you in new ways, allowing your skills to grow with each new experience. Once this ceases to happen you risk getting stuck in a position that offers little satisfaction or fulfillment. Think about how you feel when you approach your work. Are you consistently inspired by projects that enhance your skills or encourage you to acquire new ones? Don’t settle for completing the same menial tasks day after day. Stagnant jobs are often sources of boredom and offer little sense of gratification.

You feel discounted at work

When you accepted the position at your office, remember that you agreed to be a part of a team. That means that you should not feel like a second-class citizen. If you are constantly being shot down by your co-workers you should find a job where your skills and ideas will be appreciated. Take notice of how your boss and peers treat you. Do they ignore you unless they need something? Do you feel left out at meetings or office events? Don’t let the people you work with treat you like a discarded piece of office equipment. Instead, find a place where you can fit into the environment and immediately hit it off with the team.

You dread going

This doesn’t apply to how you feel at 6:30am on Monday mornings. After a busy weekend not many people are excited to jump out of bed when the alarm clock rings. It may be time to consider a change of pace if your job has you so stressed out that going feels akin to attending a dinner with your in-laws. Think about how you feel while commuting to work. Your job may pay well, but at what cost to your personal happiness? You shouldn’t have to force yourself to go to a place day after day that makes you unhappy.

You bring your work home with you

Not literally. Sometimes work piles up, and occasionally there are a few projects that require extra attention after hours. But do you bring home the stress, rage, depression, or any other negative emotions you feel during work? If you find yourself griping on a daily basis about your job long after you have left the office then it’s time to relocate. No job should have such a negative effect on you that your personal time becomes a therapy session to vent your frustration. Plus, your friends and family will only want to be around so much negativity for so long.

Remember that finding a new job may be frustrating and stressful, but the long term benefits of doing what you love in an environment that makes you happy far outweigh the stress of job seeking. It is never worthwhile to stay in a toxic office environment

By Kevin Withers

Getting social in your job search!

jameswalsh — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Across the internet are thousands of professional communities that focus on everything from broad generalities to specialized niches. Most of us know about them but can you say that you are an active participant in your industry’s narrative?

LinkedIn, Dice, and countless other social forums can allow you to add to your industry’s ever-evolving conversation while simultaneously opening up your awareness of new positions.

You can benefit from being part of an online community in the following ways:

1.) You can explore the ideas of other users on networks like LinkedIn and find potential answers for perplexing challenges.
2.) You can make your voice heard to a broader audience of hiring managers and your peers.
3.) You can forge relationships with industry professionals who are otherwise outside of your geographical range.
4.) You can network with seasoned veterans and up-and-coming innovators.
5.) You can find out about open job opportunities through new contacts.
6.) You can build up the number of people who will act as your references to hiring managers.
7.) You can get the inside scoop on companies that you are interested in professionally.

So really, there’s no reason to go the job search alone. Keep up your other tactics but make sure to get a bit social from time to time. That way, you don’t have to break your back while trying to lock down a new job.

by James Walsh

Image here

26 Places & Ways to Lose, Misuse, & Abuse Google Glass

jameswalsh — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:30:00 +0000

If you are following the newsfeed on Google Glass, you know that long before an official widespread release, restrictions are already being proposed by senators, business owners, & activist groups. West Virginia’s state legislature is already discussing an amendment to ban drivers from using Glass on the road with others to follow. Some businesses are opting to forbid the use of Google Glass on their premises. For those thinking about picking up their own Google Glass, here are a few activities you may not want to pursue while wearing this device.

1.) Try to count cards in a casino.
2.) Wear them during your interview with Yahoo.
3.) Record a solar eclipse
4.) Watch cat videos while driving.
5.) Take a shower.
6.) Reenactment your favorite scene from Fight Club.
7.) Wear them around angry, technophobic mobs.
8.) Visit a public bathroom.
9.) Record your White House Tour.
10.) Google your blind date without his/her permission.
11.) Take Glass into your next MRI.
12.) Bootleg the next Fast & Furious movie.
13.) Bob for apples.
14.) Stand outside of your neighbor’s window.
15.) Record someone’s ATM pin.
16.) Play dodgeball.
17.) Sit in a dunk tank.
18.) Spy on your classmates during final exams.
19.) Wear them into fancy restaurants.
20.) Attend an AA Meeting.
21.) Hop in a wind tunnel.
22.) Record a court session.
23.) Ride on the Tilt-a-whirl.
24.) Take pictures of your neighbor’s voting ballot.
25.) Attend a Skull & Bones meeting.
26.) Walk into the eye of a hurricane.

Have anything to add? Leave you comments below.

Image here.

Don’t Sneeze on the Interviewer

Clare — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:28:46 +0000

The good news? You just landed an interview for the job of your dreams! The bad news? You’re sick as a dog, just in time for that dream interview.

And so you’re faced with a choice. Do you put on your best suit and load your pockets with Kleenex and hand sanitizer? Or do you make that dreaded call and ask them to reschedule?

While we at Ashley Ellis have no official medical training, we can offer a few tips to help if this scenario ever becomes a reality for you. Good luck!

Are you severely contagious?

While even the slightest of colds is always contagious, spreading your germs can generally be avoided with a little commonsense. But if you’re sick with something that can be spread by simply breathing, it’s safe to say that you should definitely reschedule that interview. Showing up at this point will reflect badly on your judgement when everyone you come into contact with calls in sick the next day.

Do you look gross?

A dripping nose, swollen eyes, explosive sneezing, and profuse sweating aren’t going to do you any favors. Severe physical symptoms look more contagious, even if they’re not, and are going to be distracting to both you and your interviewer. Do what you can to eliminate any of these symptoms, from hot showers and cleverly applied make up to extra strength cold meds and mass amounts of water and soup. If nothing helps, consider rescheduling.

Are you there mentally?

While those extra strength cold meds may reduce your puffy eyes and runny nose, they may have the unfortunate side-effect of drowsiness or confusion. And if your cold is causing you to lose sleep, you’re probably not feeling your best. Plan ahead to try to get extra sleep, and avoid any nighttime medications. While nothing you do may return you to 100%, determine at what level you are capable of pulling it together and making it through an interview coherently.

Don’t look for sympathy

If your cold symptoms aren’t gross enough to keep you home but are still obviously present, it’s generally okay to mention to the interviewer that you’re feeling “under the weather.” Be matter-of-fact about it, and don’t look for sympathy. If, amazingly, you look 100% presentable and your sickness is only obvious to you and you alone, you’re probably better off not mentioning it at all.

Be realistic

Although we have recommended that you try to reschedule your interview in certain scenarios, be prepared that this may reflect just as negatively on you as it might have if you had showed up anyway. Ultimately, it depends on the employer, and while most are understanding, others may not be.

Our ultimate advice is to use your best judgment and take the necessary steps to feel (and look) better. Oh, and don’t sneeze on the interviewer. Please.

How To Create Your Own Information Technology Work Experience

Kevin Withers — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:26:51 +0000

As you search for a job it is not uncommon to see postings requiring two, three, or even seven years’ experience, which can lead you to wonder how workers ever get that experience if companies only hire applicants with multiple years on the job. But getting an entry level position isn’t the only way to gain valuable experience.

I was once introduced to someone who, with an overwhelming amount of passion, expressed to me that he wanted nothing more than to be a stand-up comedian. Intrigued, I asked him to share with me some of his material, to which his reply was that he had yet to write any, a notion that seemed unbelievable for someone so passionate.

“What do you mean you haven’t written any,” I asked him. “I don’t have the slightest desire to be a comedian and even I have some comic material written down” (if only for my own amusement).

As if to justify his position he offered the excuse that he just hadn’t found any gigs yet, and therefore there wasn’t any need to come up with any specific material.

Like this aspiring comedian many of us possess a notion that the only way to gain experience is to work in the field, but this should neither be an excuse nor a deterrent from obtaining a job. The Greek sage Epictetus once said, “If you wish to be a writer, write.” The same can be said about many job fields. If you don’t have any work experience, then create some. There is not a thing in the world that can stop you from constructing your own industry experience.

No Experience? Then Create Your Own

Do you really need a job and a boss to order you to create a program, a website, or any other projects? If you want to practice your programming skills, make it a point to design, create, or even modify an existing program in your spare time. Ask around and see if anyone needs, or knows someone who needs work done on a new or existing website, application, or program. Ask to work for free; do anything to get your name attached to a project.

Whether you are fluent in C++, Java, or a variety of additional programming languages, starting a side project not only allows you to sharpen your skills, it will also provide you with a portfolio to present to a company during the interview process. You will no longer have to offer a blank stare when a hiring manager asks you what experience you have. You will instead be able to reply with confidence that you have not yet held a job in this industry, but you can present some projects that you have worked on. It shows that you possess the diligence and capability to work independently, and it demonstrates a serious dedication to your craft.

Create Your Own Website

If you are familiar with HTML or any other website software, consider building a personal website. If you excel in graphic design over programming code, use one of the many website builder platforms that automatically convert text and designs to HTML. This can range from a simple blog containing thoughts on recent news and technology to a professional looking publication. It can have a creative name or something as simple “your name”.com. It only needs to be a place for you to store work you contributed to. Consider starting a commentary on the IT world or the current technology that is being developed.

Designing, building, and maintaining your own website will illustrate your creativity as well as will set you apart from applicants who only present a standard resume of work experience. It also exhibits your ability to manage a project, something sought after for someone being considered for future management.

The Internet has made creating meaningful side projects an easy and cheap (often free) way to build a portfolio of work and create valuable experience for potential jobs. So don’t wait until after you have obtained a position to start building experience. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to go out and create your own experience.

By Kevin Withers

What Not to Talk About During an Interview

jameswalsh — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:30:05 +0000

During a job interview, the reliable standard is to always tell the truth. We know that when asked a direct question, the response should be honest without any extra filigree or fabrication. If you lie, you will eventually be caught & let go, risking a permanent blemish on your job history. Does that mean you should approach interviews with your internal filters off, voicing every stray thought that comes to mind? Definitely not.

Like any professional interaction, there are certain things that should be left unsaid in the context of an interview. Aside from answering direct questions, you need to cherry pick only the best responses, aggressively preventing rotten ideas from ruining the rest. The following should be avoided outright.

Negative comments: If you discuss previous employers or previous jobs, make sure to eliminate the negative from your response. An interview should never degenerate into a venting session where you air your frustrations. If it does, a perceived weight may leave your shoulders long enough to transfer over to the hiring manager; most perceive griping as a big red flag.

If asked the reason for leaving a job, find a way to put a positive spin on a negative experience. For instance, if the office environment was the problem, say you are looking for a better cultural fit. If your workload was too static, say you are looking to branch out into new opportunities. Use your creativity and can find the right spin for any previous problem.

Remarks about appearance: Regardless of what you think about a hiring manager’s appearance, you should keep those thoughts to yourself. Comments on appearance, no matter how neutral, can be construed as flirtation or as an insult when made during an interview. In this space, you can derail the entire dynamic and taint the rest of your responses with just one otherwise innocuous comment.

Intense personal details: At times, you may feel a strong connection with the hiring manager. Your dialogue over the course of the interview may have a natural, conversational feel but you should not take that as the signal to unleash the more casual you. The interview setting is still professional & you should avoid any overly personal story, statement, or comment that strays beyond the surface of your personal sphere. Despite any chemistry you may have, the divulgence of personal details can easily backfire. So, quickly adjust the conversation if it begins to go in that direction.

by James Walsh

Time Honored Ways to Enhance Your Job Search

Kevin Withers — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:23:43 +0000

Sitting in an enclosed space for nine hours a day filling out applications, revising cover letters, and explaining what makes you different in a hundred and fifty characters or less is not only painstakingly mind-numbing, it also only gets you so far in a job hunt. So what can you do when you have filled out an application for every job on every website you know of?

It may seem like a strange notion to all but the oldest folks in the work force, but there was a time when people looked for jobs without the aid of the Internet. There were no online applications, email contacts, or social networking websites. Job seekers used nothing more than a hard copy of their resume and some good old fashioned grit to find a job. While using the Internet is still one of the best sources for finding a job, there are some time honored techniques that can prove useful in helping you obtain that elusive position you have been working so hard to land.

The following are a few dusty but reliable ways you can supplement your internet job searching efforts:

1) Work temporarily; work for less; work for free.

Don’t expect to land the perfect position with a top notch salary right out of the gate. Many old timers will tell you about how they once worked for pennies. Never turn down any experience, especially if it is the only thing presenting itself to you. Many internships, temporary positions, or part time jobs have the ability to turn into the career you have been looking for. Are you coming off another job and are worried about taking a pay cut? Just remember that any paycheck is larger than what you are making now (unless you are still collecting unemployment). Plus, they are great ways to fill in the employment gaps in your resume, meet people, and they still leave you time to seek out full time employment, all the while lining your pockets with money for bills. So seek out a temp agency and get yourself employed in any way that you can.

2) Network, not the computer kind.

Networking is the best way to put yourself on the job market, and I’m not just talking about how many friends you have on Facebook or how many connections you have on LinkedIn. Physically meeting people is still the best way to seek and gain information. Tell every person you know, or meet, that you are on the market. Tell your family, your friends, even the people you meet standing in line at a coffee shop that you are looking for a job. You never know who might be connected to, or turn out to be, a hiring manager at the company you’ve been trying to get into. You might also meet other job seekers who can tell you what has and hasn’t worked for them in the past. You can learn a lot from people who are in the same situation as you, and there is always strength in numbers, even if you are competing for similar jobs

3) Leave a paper trail wherever you go.

So you’ve started telling everyone you meet you are looking for a job, but how do you get them to remember you? Business cards are a relatively cheap way of leaving your mark on a ton of people, especially if you are a freelance or contract based worker. Make an eye catching card with your name, title, and contact information on it and hand them out to every person you meet. It shows you are committed to your line of work and are willing to put yourself out there. Ask local business owners if you can leave them on their counters or post them on advertising boards wherever you find them. Cast as many lines as you can wherever you go. You never know what you will reel in.

4) Find your local employment office.

Do you know the location of your neighborhood employment agency? Most people don’t, but they still remain a great resource in helping people find employment. It is their job to help you find one. Are you a college graduate? Most universities have career placement centers that make it their business to track down employers looking for employees with your qualifications.

5) Walk out your door, and kick down others.

Emails are easy to send out; they are even easier to ignore. Many end up as piles of digitized trash that are never opened, much less read. There is no better way to get your foot in a door than to walk through one. Phone calls can be diverted to secretaries, but walking straight into an office cannot be ignored. This requires you to build up your self-esteem and put yourself in an embarrassing situation, but walking through the front door to inquire about a job takes courage, and it is sure to get you remembered over an email. There may be an opportunity that has recently opened up and hasn’t been posted yet. Or they may not have any openings but know an office that does. The worst they can say is no, which leaves you no worse off than you were before you walked in.

by Kevin Withers

Odd Interview Questions Decoded

jameswalsh — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:40:19 +0000

As part of a recent trend, companies are beginning to use odd questions in their interview process, throwing job seekers for a loop. Now, you can decode the secrets behind these questions before you ever have the chance to get caught off guard.

During an interview, when you are blindsided with a baffling question (i.e. Which Beatle would you be? or How many stacked up MoonPies would it take to reach the moon?), your interviewer may not be experiencing a lapse in sanity. Big companies like Google, Amazon, and JetBlue are adding seemingly nonsensical questions to their standard interview questions with a method to their madness.

Peculiar questions can help break a job seeker’s well-crafted composure, revealing the core values, creativity, & psychology behind the prospective employee’s professional façade. Though preparing exact answers for these questions may be akin to predicting the next move of the Mad Hatter, you can at least prepare yourself to answer the subtext behind these types of questions.

• How do you make a grilled cheese sandwich?

Translation: Can you communicate simple instructions to others?

• Which historical figure would you love to go have dinner with?

Translation: What qualities do you value in others and in yourself?

• How many packing peanuts would be needed to ship the Statue of Liberty to France?

Translation: Can you apply sharp critical thinking skills to seemingly daunting tasks?

• If you had turned your cell phone to silent and it rang loudly during our interview, what would you tell me?

Translation: How do you navigate sticky situations?

• If an ostrich on a moped stuck his head through that door, what would he say?

Translation: How insanely creative can you be?

When asked these types of questions, the trick is not to focus on whether your answer is wrong or right. The first step is to keep your cool. Saying that you don’t have an answer is the worst thing you can do because a failed attempt is always better than no attempt at all. Even if your answer is less than perfect, hiring managers will see you are willing to step beyond your comfort zone to engage new challenges.

Furthermore, you are not expected to rush into an answer. When throwing curve ball questions your way, most hiring managers are willing to accommodate a few clarifying questions and a brief moment to ponder your response. That way, when you do respond, you can provide an answer that communicates your connection with the company culture and your ability to think through any question.

As with any part of the interview, you need to keep a level head while answering odd questions, focusing on the underlying question’s intent. That way, you can use your knowledge to decode the question and show you can effectively go with the unpredictable.

by James Walsh

What Google Glass Can Do for IT

jameswalsh — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:44:45 +0000

Google Glass could drastically change the way consumers interact with their surroundings but what potential does this technology hold for the professional IT world?

Google X Labs, the experimental division of the ubiquitous search giant, is walking a fine line between mere novelty and watershed technology with the forthcoming release of Google Glass. Until the device sees widespread release, we can only speculate on the complete impact that augmented reality technology will have on business & IT. However, some speculate that if the device conquers the consumer market, the paradigms of both would see a major shift. Like the iPhone & iPad before it, Google Glass can change the world in unpredictable ways. Before pondering that, let’s look at the basics.

Though the full specifications are still being hashed out, official videos & images have shed some light on the device. At a quick glance, Google Glass is a minimalist pair of shades without lenses. The sleek prism display gives users hands free access to an interface with a set of embedded apps that include Google search, photo & video recording, GPS guidance, and a “hang out” video chat feature that brings your audience into your first person view. All of these features function through the simple voice command “ok glass”, as will any subsequent apps. Though there are more features to come from Google Labs, the most intriguing prospects may originate from independent developers.

Through the Google sponsored #ifIhadglass campaign, many developers (in addition to entertainers, business moguls, and politicians) had a chance to win a VIP opportunity to purchase the device. Using their Twitter accounts, each applicant presented his or her case for a chance to buy & beta test the Google Glass Explorer Edition. The eclectic mix of proposals from the winners suggests incredible potential for business.

One proposed app could help users quickly check the reputation of prospective vendors. Another proposed app could let Google Glass users broadcast their skills for other users to see, helping connect job seekers & employers in unique ways. Other proposed apps that could impact paramedics, teachers, customer service reps, musicians, and countless other professionals can be found here. Needless to say, once one business in an industry adapts this technology, others would be foolish not to quickly follow. Entire sectors could conceivably change with a simple voice command and the blink of an eye.

For members of the IT community, Google Glass could make Android savvy members an even hotter commodity than they already are. This augmented reality headset is powered by Android, giving any business with aspirations to tap into the Google Glass app market incentive to staff their workforce with developers that possess nimble fluency in Android related skills. In general, the demand for mobile languages & SDKs is expected to see a sizable hike as other goliaths of the tech world (Apple, Microsoft, Sony, and even the Chinese search firm Baidu) prototype similar devices. If & when that happens, anyone with mobile app coding experience will be fending off hiring managers & recruiters by the droves.

Whether or not Google Glass remains vaporware or becomes the inception point for industry change will depend upon its reception during the official release. Until that point, we can only imagine the possibilities.

Give us an idea of what you think. Are you excited for Google Glass to hit the market? In what other ways can augmented reality technology change the professional sector? What problems could this technology pose? Let us know in full below!

by James Walsh

Proofread Your Resume: How to Win the Application Game

jameswalsh — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:28:06 +0000

Proofreading your resume & cover letter are key to the success of your application. To keep them looking sharp, here are a few tips to use as you revise and improve these critical documents.

No one enjoys writing resumes or cover letters. There are no avid resume recreationalists who get their kicks by condensing down their work history into a one to two page highlights reel. As a job seeker, you write resumes & cover letters for a strictly functional purpose and, when you bring your first drafts to a close, you may be tempted to ship them off across the information super highway without so much as a second thought. Gratifying as that may be, your hard work & effort can end up as worthwhile as a freshly minted wooden nickel if you fail to proofread first.

Though not every hiring manager is going to be a stickler for English grammar rules, you never know how nitpicky he or she will be. Some may forgive an error or two. Others may practice the “one & done” method, discarding a resume at the single sign of an error in grammar, spelling, or word choice. So, keep your eye out for what sticks out – relying on your early years hunting down a fugitive Waldo – and follow these proofreading tips.

Step away from the resume!
When you finish your first draft, allow your words time to settle. Do some quick research. Solve a short puzzle. Let your mind drift down a different promenade of thought. Do whatever you need to do to give your brain an Etch A Sketch shake up and clean your mental slate. That way, when you return to your work, your perspective will be fresh. This is essential since often, when job seekers attempt to read resumes or cover letters that are hot off the presses, they unconsciously overlook errors or fill in omissions that would otherwise stick out in someone else’s work.

Change the format!
After looking over your application documents for long spurts of time, your words may begin to bleed together. One way to break that up is to change the way your words are displayed. Vary up the appearance by making a temporary change in font type or character size, giving your eyes a refreshing change of scenery. If the screen, after an extended period of time, feels as if it is burning permanently into your retinas, print off a physical copy and find better results as you step away from the light.

Keep focused!
Good proofreading is all about focus. Any word that seems fine with a quick strafe might buckle under increased scrutiny. Grammar and tense issues tend to sneak by if your vigilance drops for just a second. One great way to stay focused is to read your resume aloud, hearing the errors as you speak. Plus, you can better adjust the voice of your writing, trimming out ungainly phrasing that could tank your resume or cover letter midsentence.

Another technique is to follow your proofreading with your finger, hovering over each word as you read it. That way, you can avoid the temptation to mentally auto fill the correct verb form or word. You will find you are less inclined to gloss over your writing when your eyes are zeroed in on every word.

Narrow your search criteria!
To cut down on clutter and competing ideas, split your searches into several different categories: grammar, word choice, factual information, punctuation, sentence structure, and verb tense. Then, read through your resume with only one category in mind. When you push other concerns to the background, your errors will soon stick out like a mariachi band in a monastery, increasing your overall efficiency tenfold.

Conclusion
Your written words are your first representative to a new employer; give them the power to make a good impression. Proofread your work with a clear head and a fine-tuned focus on little details. That way, when hiring managers are considering people to interview, you’ll stick out for all the right reasons.

by James Walsh

Virtual Hiring: Are Video Interviews the Way Forward?

jameswalsh — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:25:34 +0000

Video interviews are becoming more prevalent as employers adjust to the technology but is this interview format really the wave of the future?

Imo Udom, co-founder and VP of Sales and Business Development at Wowzer, was in the process of hiring a new team member. After reviewing a candidate’s resume, Imo was ready to say no and move onto the next applicant.

But his team insisted that, as a company that had created an innovative new video screening platform, they should use that very platform to screen this particular candidate first.

So Imo did. And he fell in love. Here was the perfect candidate for the job, and without that video screening, he would have been just another candidate, rejection letter in hand.

Let’s face it: Resumes get boring. Boring to write and boring to read. And yet they remain the foundational bricks of the recruitment process for the majority of companies.

Why has the resume maintained its dominance despite the massive evolution of technology? Because change is hard! Imo of Wowzer readily admits that the biggest obstacle to promoting the immense value of video screening is that people find change difficult.

Video interviewing and screening is a big buzz topic right now, and it comes with its stock of typical pros and cons.

Basic Pros & Cons

Those advocating video screening and interviewing often cite the cost and time savings that the use of video can provide. It’s also a great tool for out-of-town candidates, and simply a “greener” alternative to requiring masses of candidates to travel. Another benefit, depending on what platform is used, is the ability to record the interview for future reference and comparison.

Those against the use of video in the hiring process reason that technology isn’t always reliable enough for it to be beneficial. Plus, it’s easier for distractions on the candidate’s computer or in their environment to get in the way. Additionally, many people feel you can’t make the same connection via video; eye contact isn’t quite the same, and camera-consciousness can negatively affect body language.

Beyond the Basics

Despite these predictable pros and cons, Wowzer’s Imo insists that video screening will become the standard in the future of the recruitment process. To understand this, it’s important to point out a common misconception about video screening: It is not about replacing in-person interviewing. Rather, it replaces the initial phone screen between recruiter or hiring manager and candidate.

Imo explains that the goal of the Wowzer platform is to “leverage technology to enable higher quality interaction in the recruitment process.” Resumes have dominated the first step of the hiring process for so long that real, human interaction often gets neglected.

The most successful hiring processes are about people getting to know people. Video screening solutions such as Wowzer bring that human element to the forefront of hiring.

And solutions like Wowzer can also help combat some of the typical cons. The platform is used over your Internet browser, without any necessary downloads. Then, it allows the hiring manager or recruiter to record questions first – meaning the first candidate and the twentieth candidate get the same experience.

From there, candidates can learn more about the company before recording their responses. A completed interview can then be easily shared among the hiring team, before deciding which candidates to bring in for a face-to-face interview. This process can be adjusted depending on the position and any feedback from candidates.

Imo is particularly interested in empowering candidates to “own” the process; the better experience a candidate has in your hiring process, he explains, the more likely it is for that candidate to become a “brand ambassador,” spreading the word about your company to other potential candidates. So ultimately, using a tool like this can help your company better craft its employer brand and set you ahead of the curve.

While there is still a lot of confusion in the market around what exactly video interviewing and screening entails, the benefits are innumerable. The key when checking out vendors like Wowzer or experimenting with services like Skype or GoToMeeting is to determine exactly what you’re trying to achieve in your hiring process.

Video interviewing isn’t for every company or every position, but it is a hugely valuable tool that is gaining some impressive traction.

The Bottom Line

As Imo Udom, Wowzer’s co-founder and VP of Sales and Business Development, found out in his own hiring experiences, the traditional resume is extremely limiting.

Sometimes you’ll get resumes that are easy passes, but more often than not, the process of narrowing down exactly which candidates you’ll bring in for a face-to-face interview is complicated, presenting you with difficult and sometimes arbitrary choices to make. Video screening can help make that choice easier, while simultaneously helping your company stand out from the rest.

How to boost your job search through personal projects

jameswalsh — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:28:57 +0000

Looking for ways to boost your job search? Start up your own career-oriented personal project! It can do wonders for your search.

When in the midst of negotiating a slow-going job search, you may consider banishing your personal projects until you set your feet down on the terra firma of a new job. Ignore that inclination. Career-related personal projects – when given time, focus, and the full complement of your creativity – may do more to help you escape from a dead end career or a stint of unemployment than you would otherwise expect. Regardless of whether your work is for a cause, supplementary income, or just to boost your prestige among your industry peers, the benefits to your career can be enormous.

Boost your portfolio: A good personal project gives your portfolio a lively vibe, showing that the creative mechanisms in your brain do not stop turning the second you punch out for the day. When your resume lists off your personal projects, you are subtly communicating that you possess a number of soft skills that prospective employers love:

• You have the wherewithal to transform nebulous concepts into rich, concrete products.
• You have a burning passion that will guide you through the long hours and mind-racking conundrums that would leave others lost and defeated in the dark.
• You are self-motivated, functioning just as well without structure as you do with it.

Creating these types of mental associations for a hiring manager can earn you an interview, even if you are in the midst of an employment gap. They see that even though you may have stopped collecting a pay check, you will never allow your talents to rust or your passion to smolder.

Expand your knowledge: Is there a brand new software, technology, or technique that has caught your eye? Pursue it through the unbounded freedom of your own career-related personal project. At your own steady pace, you can apply your new knowledge in a real-world setting, test driving it in the context of a project you completely control. The objectives and deadlines are all under your direction, removing the stressful constraints you might encounter in a work scenario. This technique works best when you opt for a project that already piques your interest. That way, you aren’t arduously struggling against a torrential downpour of new challenges without the motivation to move onward.

By increasing your versatility and pushing your aptitudes forward, you can open up opportunities that would otherwise have been welded shut & outside of your reach. With your willingness to expand your knowledge, hiring managers may be more inclined to overlook any technical deficiencies in your current skills; they can see that nothing is outside your grasp and that it is more than worthwhile to give an adaptable pro like you a chance.

Establish new contacts: The lone wolf approach, though perfectly fine for some people, isn’t your only option on a career-related personal project. If you find others who share your interests, form a partnership to achieve your mutual aims. Learn from their knowledge, share your own, and pool your collective brainpower to steamroll obstacles that would have otherwise impeded your progress. Think of it as having a workout partner. As you strive to keep yourself in peak physical condition, you will have help to tighten up your techniques and to muscle through obstacles that would have otherwise left you crushed.

Best of all, a partnership like this can amplify your networking outreach. You can exchange job leads. Your collaborators can introduce you to other industry professionals, helping you to increase your web of influence. Better yet, it can catapult you beyond any wall that has blocked your search, providing you with new fields of opportunity that were previously outside of your range.

In conclusion: By making the time to pursue a career-related personal project, you not only feed your passions but can advance your standing & appeal in the overall talent pool. So, take the time, focus on where your devotions lie, and get down to business – the difference between a successful personal project and a pipe dream is action, plain and simple.

by James Walsh

What to Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer

jameswalsh — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:45:56 +0000

When you receive a job offer with a hefty salary, don’t jump the gun and accept the job before giving some serious thought to the big picture. Ask the following questions and make sure that you will be satisfied with the end result.

When your long, exhausting job search brings you through countless applications, interviews, games of phone tag, and polite rejection letters, you may be tempted to jump at the first opportunity offered without giving it a second thought. Avoid that temptation. Accepting a job offer should not be a decision made on a whim. Even though the salary might be right, you need to ponder over the big picture, analyzing both the pros & cons as you build toward your final decision. To make sure you maximize your time throughout the hiring process, you need to find the answers to these questions before the offer is ever presented.

Are there development opportunities? If you aspire to grow into a leadership role, a flat organization where management is staffed to capacity can leave you unfulfilled. If you are earnest about expanding your technical aptitudes, a highly compartmentalized organization can create the same effect. To find out whether or not development opportunities exist, ask what the position can lead to in 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years time. Ask about ongoing training, highlighting your passion to stay current & on point. If your questions elicit weak responses, you may have to look elsewhere to avoid sticking yourself in a stagnant rut.

Can you be productive in their office? An office’s atmosphere not only contributes to your on-the-job contentment but to your overall ability to produce exceptional work. Introverts & extroverts handle different workspaces differently. Where an extrovert may thrive in the commotion of a fast-paced open-office, an introvert may be stifled amidst all the chatter. Moreover, where an introvert may thrive in a secluded work place, an extrovert may feel cut off from the pulse of the company.

Personally, you know what works best for you, so ask questions during the interview to get some clarity on your future workspace. If you are taking part in an onsite interview, ask to see your future workspace. If offsite or on a video conference, ask questions about the office environment to tease out the answers you need.

Is the work challenging? A job that fails to keep you challenged will start to wear on you before you know it. So, start thoroughly investigating the position – through job board postings & inquiries during the interview – to find out whether or not the challenges you encounter will be too old hat for your skill level. Ultimately, if you find yourself unchallenged, the likelihood that you will grow or excel in this position is relatively slim.

Is there an ample work/life balance? Determining the work/life balance of a company is not always a straightforward feat. Some companies will directly discuss their culture on their website while others will remain coy until you ask the right questions. Avoid questions that explicitly discuss schedules, PTO, and other related perks (these questions always make you sound more mercenary than you ever intend). Instead, ask about the company culture & team dynamic, getting the hiring manager to unveil answers on his or her terms.

In conclusion: Do not wait until the very end of the hiring process to make a split second decision about these job factors. Be proactive throughout, asking the right questions and doing supplementary research to help you make an informed decision. That way, you commit yourself to a rewarding position and keep yourself free from the trying nature of the job search.

by James Walsh

3 Ways to Make Verbs Work in Your Resume

jameswalsh — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:14:33 +0000

Verbs are important to the power packed within your resume, so follow these tips & you will grab the attention of numerous hiring managers.

Though they may never read like a blockbuster action film, your resume & cover letter should still engage the interest of hiring managers through your shrewd use of evocative verbs. One of the main goals of these application documents, in addition to highlighting your talents, is to infer that you are an active employee who can bring great change to the hiring manager’s team. That requires smart, strategic verb usage. So, to amplify the power of your overall application, here are a few tips that will give your writing that extra pop.

1.) Stick to simple verb tenses. In the application format, verbs are most effective when they are simple & concise. That is why you should strictly stick to the simple past tense when you describe previous jobs & the simple present tense when you describe your current job.

For example, look at the simple past phrase “I supervised a compact team,” vs. the alternative phrase: “I was supervising a compact team.” The former implies that you brought your task to a successful completion while the latter implies that your duties might have been interrupted or relinquished after a period of time. Hiring managers do not need doubt added to the mix when other candidates & factors can already derail your chances at an interview. So, keep them on a diet of simple verbs and you will help them digest your positive, simple conclusions.

2.) Always select verbs with clear meanings. English is a robust language with thousands of verbs (not to mention words, period) at the disposal of those who speak it. That in mind, don’t waste your time with verbs that are bland & ambiguous. Always use your resume & cover letter to make declarations that create a distinct image.

If the verb “ran” was used in place of the verb “supervised” in the above example, the positive effect would have been diminished. “To run a compact team” lacks finesse and fails to convey the full extent of your responsibility. By depicting your former actions in a resonant way, you help the hiring manager to create a clear mental picture of what challenges you can handle in his or her company.

3.) Keep a thesaurus handy. No verb should ever be tossed in either your resume or cover letter in a haphazard way. Use a dictionary and a thesaurus to assure yourself that you have used the most appropriate verb for the actions you are trying to convey. If a hiring manager detects any verb misusage in your application, they may question your attention to detail before you even get a shot at an interview.

Ultimately, your verb choices are a pivotal part of your introductory interaction with hiring managers. If you make the right choices, you can give yourself an air of confidence & clarity that gets across the message of your unrivaled talent. If you neglect this important part of speech, the message you send may be weak & uncertain, robbing you of your chance to make a splash in a new career. So, review & revise the verbs in your resume and give yourself a fighting chance!

by James Walsh

5 tips to working with a recruiter

jameswalsh — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:31:08 +0000

When you decide to work with a recruiter, there are a few tips that will help you to make the most of your partnership. Read below to find out!

Whether a recruiter fortuitously calls you out of the blue or you proactively connect with one, your job seeker/recruiter relationship should never be one sided. Though your recruiter may take the lead, you need to follow suit with every movement he or she makes. So, to add extra power to your job search results, follow these tips to stay synched up with your professional partner.

Have a Good Idea of Your Needs: Before you begin your collaboration with any recruiter, sit down (independently or with a loved one) and consider which conditions you can adjust to and which conditions are outright deal-breakers. Determine how long you are willing to commute to & travel for any job, whether you’d relocate, and which benefits are pivotal to you accepting an offer. Once you establish your criteria, you’ll be able to address your needs in a straightforward way from the start, giving your recruiter a rubric to guide the search for that ideal position.

Be Open& Honest: Recruiters are at their most effective when you provide them with real transparency. On top of the aforementioned needs, things like your job history, previous pay scale, where you’ve applied, where other recruiters have presented you, and countless other tidbits are essential for your recruiter to take potent actions on your behalf. Essentially, your recruiter is your mouth piece and insider advocate to your prospective employers – you don’t want him or her misspeaking or redundantly promoting you to uninterested parties. Inaccurate information often forces opportunities to taper off into nothing before they have a chance to ignite. So, be honest from the start and avoid any unnecessary hiccups in your job search.

Act with a Sense of Urgency: Opportunities open & close in the time it takes to reboot your computer, so you need to make time to commune with your recruiter. When you receive a call, never let more than a day go by without returning the favor. Any large gap between rap sessions allows for the introduction of new, outside factors that can adversely impact your chances of success. If you haven’t heard from your recruiter in a decent stretch, give him or her a call. Even the most attentive recruiters can get caught up in projects. Plus, your friendly call or email might coincide perfectly with the emergence of an exciting prospect that can change your life.

Research Each Opportunity: Company research is critical to any successful job search. When you know intricate details about the organization you’re courting, you will have a much better chance of success. Job searches with the aid of a recruiter are no different. By getting yourself moving and actively researching any opportunity presented you, you do yourself a twofold favor. First, you quickly weed out the companies that do not meet your personal criteria. Second, you stock yourself up with valuable information that will improve the quality of your interview and distinguish you as a clear frontrunner among the other contenders.

Keep in Touch: Finally, when all of your mutual hard work pays off and you land a job, don’t allow the lines of communication to dissolve over time. A talented recruiter is a great person to have in your network. That way, even if you’re not actively on the hunt, you can assist those in your professional circle to make a grade A connection. Plus, if you end up on the job market yet again, you’ll have a long time partner who won’t miss a beat and will do all in his or her power to get you back on your feet!

by James Walsh

6 Unbeatable Video Interview Tips!

jameswalsh — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:17:17 +0000

Video conference interviews have their own set of rules and traps awaiting first time users. So, if you are new to the tech powered interview process, follow these 6 tips to come out on top!

Gone are the days when a face-to-face interview automatically guaranteed that your interviewer occupied the same room, city, or state as you; the advent of accessible teleconferencing tools (Skype, iChat, Jitsi, etc.) has extended us beyond that. Now, job seekers anywhere can connect with employers and make their case without ever crossing their threshold into the outside world. With this convenience comes a whole new etiquette that any job seeker looking to survive beyond pixel to pixel introductions needs to acknowledge.

Rule #1) Appear professional: Just because you aren’t meeting in person doesn’t mean you should neglect your appearance. You should still aim to impress your interviewer with the proper attire and grooming. Plus, your surroundings & decor should reflect your professional attitude. In this case, less is more and provides for a far better introduction. So, find a clean, spartan space far from your mountains of laundry, your katana collection, and your display case of creepy porcelain clowns. Anything that can jeopardize your first impression should be kept out of sight.

Rule #2) Find a quiet space: Even after you’ve stashed away any personal effects, a noisy environment can still do you in. So, make it explicitly clear to any family members or roommates that you shouldn’t be interrupted during your interview. For that beloved pet (cat, dog, or sugar glider) that loves to get into cheeky hijinx at inopportune moments, your actions will speaker louder than words, so shut them away in another room to guarantee your interviewer your undivided attention.

Rule #3) Make direct eye contact: The expectation in video conferencing, as with any face to face interview, is that you make eye contact or, in this case, the illusion of eye contact. Instinctively, you may try to meet the interviewer’s eyes on the screen but you’ll be better served looking into the web camera’s lens. That way, you won’t seem oddly fixated on interviewer’s right shoulder or neck. Furthermore, some video conference services like Skype, iChat, and others show you an image of yourself for framing purposes. If that’s going to give you a neurotic or narcissistic distraction, minimize or cover up the image: a piece of paper or sticky note will do in a pinch.

Rule #4) Avoid distractions: Close any window or program that can interfere with your video conference. A barrage of beeps from email and Facebook notifications can easily break the concentration of you and your interviewer.

Rule #5) Use reliable equipment: Avoid technical difficulties at all costs. Have your computer, tablet, or phone plugged into a reliable power source – video conference apps are gluttons for battery life – and only use a device you explicitly trust. If your laptop or iPad regularly threatens to swan dive at a moment’s notice, don’t give that device the chance to sabotage your efforts – use an alternative or borrow one if need be. If your microphone and speakers are weak, invest in a quality microphone headset. Plus, make sure you test all your equipment before your actual interview.

Rule #6) Make yourself picture perfect: Position yourself in the frame so that only a tiny margin exists between it and the top of your head as excessive headroom & extreme close ups can be disorienting. Your lighting is equally important. Avoid sitting in front of any windows or overpowering light sources that cause your image to melt into the white light of the background. Face a diffused light source and keep no more than 6 feet away: that way, you’ll be more than an ominous head in the darkness.

by James Walsh

Why You Should Learn about Cloud Computing Now!

jameswalsh — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:05:39 +0000

Get your head in cloud computing and open up a whole new world of exciting possibilities!

Cloud computing is not just a passing technological trend that will disappear with the next strong wind; it’s the next evolution in an established IT paradigm. Competitive companies are aware of that fact and are latching on to virtual servers to help them transcend into faster, stronger, more efficient business operations. According to a Microsoft sponsored white paper report, cloud ready professionals will increase in demand by 26 percent each year through 2015. At that point, open cloud computing positions will number up to 7 million yet many of them may remain unfilled.

Last year, over 1.7 million jobs were left vacant as hiring managers ran afoul of an insufficient talent pool. These weren’t just cloud architect positions; government agencies & big enterprises were looking for the full spectrum of cloud savvy IT professionals to help them adopt software, platforms, and infrastructures as virtual services. With that kind of talent gap, there are substantial opportunities available to industrious professionals who can keep up as the industry undergoes endemic changes:

Cloud Systems Administrators: As greater numbers of services and apps are transplanted from desktop locations onto the cloud, any cloud savvy administrators will become indispensable to the upkeep of business efficiency. Systems will be under greater duress and will need the oversight of someone who can keep virtual servers running harmoniously.

IT Security: As databases and infrastructures outgrow outmoded layouts, the talents of IT Security pros will be called upon to tighten access protocols and ensure that information isn’t leaking out as if through the holes in a sieve. With multiple users of varying clearances operating off of a centralized program, there will be new ways to exploit the system and a greater need for vigilant teams to close loopholes.

Software Developers: Both new and legacy apps will require software developers to have a broader understanding of the implications of cloud computing. With hundreds of users pulling services in hundreds of directions, developers’ handiwork will be subject to greater stresses than ever before. Code architecture will need greater elasticity to accommodate the fluctuating number of users across software-as-a-service (SaaS), platforms-as-a-service (PaaS), or infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) creations at any given time.

Quality Assurance: With entire companies accessing services from one location, only the highest quality can be accepted in each cloud computing solution. Cloud savvy QAs will double & triple check programs to make sure that only seamless structures make it to the inaugural launch.

So, to avoid fossilization before your time, the obvious answer is to certify yourself as soon as possible. With this technology as popular as it is, you have several avenues down which to pursue virtual server knowledge. IBM, Microsoft, VMware, CompTIA, Google Apps, and countless others all provide courses that will get you up to par in no time flat. Remember, the sooner you act, the sooner you’ll have a shot at the 7 million cloud computing jobs bearing down on the market in just a few, short years.

by James Walsh

How to make a good impression with hiring managers!

jameswalsh — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:42:52 +0000

First impressions are often the most powerful ones, so make sure that you win over the hiring manager from the start!

When you apply for a great opportunity, your qualifications may initially spark the interest of hiring managers but more often than not, your personality & demeanor will win the day. Hiring managers are focused on the big picture. They want someone who can dissolve major obstacles to business without upsetting the delicate team balance they’ve worked to create. So, as you go through the interview process, your intent should be to make as many positive impressions on the hiring manager as possible.

Before the Interview

• Write a cover letter: You can easily distinguish yourself as a forerunner simply by passing this preliminary test. A strong resume suggests you are qualified for the position but a strong cover letter suggests that you will be a good fit.
• Research the company: Knowledge is power and when you get to the actual interview, you’ll need all the leveraging power you can get. Solid research will help you hit home with the cover letter and build up your talking points for the upcoming interview.
• Dress the part: It has been said before and it will be said again: a surefire way to impress the hiring manager is to be dressed at your best. By taking cues from the company culture, you can even tailor your look to fit in with the vibe the team is trying to cultivate.

The Interview

• Be positive: Every interaction with members of the staff should leave them feeling warm and confident about your abilities. A positive aura should follow you throughout the office and, if asked, each person you’ve talked to should be able to sing your praises.
• Connect the dots: Use your research of the company’s mission, values, and obstacles to connect your experiences to what matters to this team. The more overt the line you draw between your skills and the existing company conditions, the better the chances the hiring manager will be able to picture you on the team.
• Ask smart questions: Relying upon your skills of deduction, identify all the major talking points of your conversation and get the hiring manager to elaborate by asking piquant questions. You’ll show your true colors as a pensive person and get your interviewer pondering what project to give you first.

After the Interview

• Keep in contact: After the interview finishes, ask about how best to follow up on the opportunity. Then, after the appropriate amount of time has passed, check back (if the hiring manager hasn’t already contacted you) to show your continued interest.
• Say thank you: It’s a classy way to show how dedicated you are to strong relationships. It hints at the type of conscientious team player you will be – plus, who doesn’t like to know that their time is appreciated?
• Keep new ideas coming: Show the company you are already aligned with their objectives by continually brainstorming new solutions. That way, when you reconnect with the hiring manager, you will send a clear message that your commitment is more than just a dog & pony show: it’s the real deal.

This whole approach is all about accentuating the positive elements of you. There shouldn’t be anything false or forced about it because, ultimately, when you land the job, you want to keep your hiring manager feeling positive about his/her decision to add you to the team roster. False fronts do little to keep up good impressions over the long run.

by James Walsh

The ultimate resume tip: take a break!

jameswalsh — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:05:01 +0000

When you get stressed out by resume writing, the best remedy may be to take a break. By turning to these activities, you can get your brain power up and return to your work with a clear perspective.

Have you ever been so focused on completing a project that your thoughts become an abstract puzzle you just can’t decipher? Have you ever stared at the gibberish you’ve written without seeing a logical message in sight? Sometimes, your resume & cover letter writing can come to a halt when what you intended to be an eye-catching document dissolves into nothing more than an infuriating series of false starts. You may glare at your computer screen and scream, “What am I doing wrong?” The answer may ultimately be that you’re trying too hard.

Relax.

When you run afoul of an impassable case of writer’s block, your forward progress is best served when you don’t try to break the block by force of will. Sometimes, like a Magic Eye poster, the best approach is to relax your focus and allow yourself to freely see what was there all along. Temporarily diverting your attention from the problem can provide you with much needed clarity and help you to generate an outside the box solution. So, when you need to relax your mind enough to spot that critical epiphany, step back and renew your energies with one of these rewarding activities.

Exercise: Simple exercise is the best way to increase your mental abilities when you feel stuck. Countless studies have proven that physical fitness can increase your brain power more than rigorous study, mental stimulation, or highly nutritional diet. The increased heart rate and augmented blood flow to the brain helps to enrich intellect, boost problem solving skills, and jump start neurogenesis: the creation of new memory-holding neurons within the brain. So, if you need to give yourself a fresh jolt of much needed mental vigor, go for a quick jog or swim.

Eat a nutritional snack: Proper vitamins and minerals are necessary for your brain to function at more than just an idling level. When you are writing your resume, you can’t afford to run on fumes or the inferior fuel provided by processed, sugary snacks. You need snacks that offer a long, sustainable mental boost: antioxidant rich foods like berries, cherries, peaches, an walnuts. If you’re thirsty, opt for green tea; human memory & cognition both see a discernible boost after a glass of this healthy beverage.

Update your LinkedIn profile: You can simultaneously enhance one of your best networking tools while keeping your brain near to the challenge of resume writing. By reviewing what you’ve already written about your talents, experience, & achievements, you can build up mental fodder for when you finally return to the act of writing. Remember, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with each application; you just have to customize it to fit the position.

Solve a mental puzzle: Crosswords, sudokus, and other mental puzzles are great ways to keep your brain active while diverting your attention from the problem at hand. Focusing your problem solving skills on a relaxing challenge can give you new perspectives and tactics when you do return to the table. Who knows? A word or phrase in a crossword puzzle might even give you the very spark needed to blast through your mental wall.

Take a quick nap: Sometimes when you are overloaded with information, taking a nap can allow your brain to catch up & process what you’ve already absorbed. A wandering mind, transitioning between sleep & rest, can generate incredible solutions that would have otherwise been trapped in your subconscious well outside your reach. If you’re skeptical about this option, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, and JFK were all avid nappers. So, don’t automatically rule it out.

You may have your own approach to breaking your mental block, so try to be creative with your solutions. The only proviso is that you don’t fall victim to television, social networking sites, or aimless web searches; these types of activities allow you to vegetate, siphoning off your creativity. So, keep your brain active while you take a break from resume writing, and you’ll return with new ideas that might just provide you with the breakthrough needed for eye-catching success.

by James Walsh

Four SEO Tips to Help Employers Find You on LinkedIn!

jameswalsh — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:30:08 +0000

LinkedIn can connect you with large numbers of companies and open positions as long as you cater your profile to the ways employers search for you. By following our SEO tips for improving your profile, you will be able to maximize your ranking within employer searches and land interviews for great jobs!

This year, LinkedIn hit the 187 million member marker and its membership is continuing to rise. With that quantity of potential job seekers in one place, you can bet that employers and recruiters have their eyes on this professional social site! They’re proactively searching for top talent and have taken to sourcing their next hire from the ranks of LinkedIn members. You may ask yourself, “How can I get employers to find me? How can I get my LinkedIn profile to send positive, rippling waves beyond my initial efforts?” The answer is to implement search engine optimization tactics into your profile. Search engine optimization, or SEO for short, is a way to increase your visibility in search engine results by tailoring your content or phrasing to stand out in search parameters. By following the four SEO tactics below, you’ll be able to attract the attention of employers as you continue your own job search.

1.) Keywords: Integrating keywords or buzzwords into the body of your resume is an axiom of resume writing that is equally important to your LinkedIn profile. Most employers and recruiters only skim your profile for about 6 seconds before deciding whether you’re worth more than a perfunctory glance. With that in mind and millions of users, LinkedIn has resorted to a ranking system which hikes or drops down the results page users show up based upon their keyword usage.

To ensure your resume is read by the right people, you need to make sure your profile’s headline, current position, previous position, summary, & skills sections are reasonably seasoned with your chosen keywords. Every sentence should read naturally and employers should never perceive flagrant stacking or bombing of your profile with poorly placed keywords. If they notice a clunky repetition of your magic word, you’ll probably be overlooked as a candidate. Not only that but if you repeat, for example, “search engine optimization” 4,000 times ad nauseam throughout your profile, the good people at LinkedIn will eventually shutdown your profile. So, keep things professional and you’ll still see good results.

2.) List Previous Jobs: When writing a traditional resume the rule of thumb is to limit your list of previous positions to three. Your LinkedIn profile, however, is more SEO friendly when you list around two decades of your professional employment history. There are a few reasons for this. First, if an employer or recruiter is dead set on hiring someone from one of your former companies, you’ll pop up in their search results. Second, by listing a multitude of previous jobs, you can connect with old coworkers, which will broaden your network and increase your outreach ability. That way, even if none of your primary connections are looking to hire, chances are good that someone in your secondary or tertiary list of connections will be on the hunt for someone like you. Best of all, you don’t even have to know about these people for them to find out about you!

3.) Be Careful of your Word Choice and Abbreviations: When looking to make your profile SEO friendly, you want to choose your words carefully to guarantee your chances of turning up in search engine results. Try to anticipate the phrases that employers and recruiters will input into LinkedIn’s search engines and you’ll enjoy far greater success as you rise to the top of searched lists. Try to only use industry jargon that is in widespread usage by your peers and avoid any inappropriate verbiage or slang. Additionally, don’t rely upon any abbreviations that are not part of the common industry dialect. That way, you don’t clip the wings of your keywords and limit the heights they can take you.

4.) Become Active in Industry Groups: Though not strictly an SEO tactic, this tip is a great way to expand your presence beyond your profile. LinkedIn Groups offer you a chance to connect with your contemporaries in the industry while providing you a soapbox to demonstrate your knowledge & expertise on industry topics. By posting pertinent comments, information, or links to your own blog articles, you can distinguish yourself from inactive members of the LinkedIn community and transform your LinkedIn activity into a beacon for passing employers & recruiters. Engaged involvement speaks of your uninterrupted passion and, through your expanded influence on LinkedIn, you’ll enjoy nothing but positive vibes from becoming a visible presence on LinkedIn.

by James Walsh

The Future of Your Workforce

jameswalsh — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:30:20 +0000

Conditions are quickly changing for the modern workforce but as an employer, are you prepared for what is to come? Find out with the following article.

Let’s face it: we can talk about hot topics like Gen Y in the workplace, the rise of mobile and cloud computing, the retirement of baby boomers, the increasing skills gap, employee retention and more until we’re blue in the face.

But ultimately, we need to look at all these topics in the context of the big picture, at the interaction between all these factors, and their combined impact on our workplaces in this increasingly complex world.

And if we don’t? We risk losing the applicability of each individual lesson, making us all the less adaptable at a time when speedy adaptability is key to our survival.

If we don’t want to be left vulnerable to being blindsided by an unfamiliar or unrecognizable future workforce, we need to consider the big picture and how it can help prepare us for what’s next.

We consulted with some experts for their thoughts on the way demographics, technology, and the economy interact to affect the future workforce.

Changing of the Guard

Demographically, it’s already a well-known fact that Baby Boomers are edging towards retirement while an entirely new generation is beginning to move in. It’s this new generation and how to accommodate them that are the hot topics right now.

As Joel Gross, CEO of Coalition Technologies, notices: with the ongoing entrance of this younger generation comes a “trend towards a much more laid back and casual work environment.”

This includes flexible hours and a more lax dress code. It’s also a generation that is always connected and more concerned with how their work life fits into their personal life than their salary or title.

Although the emphasis is on this younger generation, Erica Orange, Vice President of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc., points out that due to “the aging of the population, coupled with the transformation of the global economy… the older generations are lost in the sea of turbulent job surfing, too.”

As a result, the typical retirement age is being pushed further than ever before. When this fact is considered in relation to the rapid advancement of technology, it becomes clear that there is also a greater need for more effective training programs. As Erica adds, these older generations “simply do not have the skills. But they are able to learn.”

Technologically speaking, never before have we seen something with such an exponential growth rate that has managed to single-handedly overhaul the entire way we do business.

The Expanding Cloud

In particular, despite the existing widespread presence of Cloud computing, it really only seemed to become common “household” knowledge in the past year or so.

Dan Blacharski, Editor-in-Chief of Techie.com, pronounced that Cloud computing “transcends mere technology and has become a business model.” In other words, he says, “the Cloud makes it possible to do business from anywhere.” Blacharski is focused on how the Cloud is prompting a proliferation of tech start-ups, but in the big picture, the Cloud paves the way for so much more.

In addition to the Cloud, another major game changer is the array of new ways in which we communicate. This transformation of engagement is what makes the younger, ever-connected generation inseparable from technology.

David Ciccarelli, CEO of Voices.com, explains that, “there is a generation rising up that has cut its teeth in the digital age… Companies will need to leverage the strengths their new hires have and also embrace new modes of communication.”

The Economic Impact on Our Offices

Economically, we see a lot of turbulence. Most of the nation and various industries are still in recovery-mode from the latest recession. And while industries like Information Technology and Engineering weren’t as heavily hit, it was enough to make employers analyze just where and how they were spending money.

With a generation that has grown up with the idea that technology is a basic axiom of life, combined with advances in Cloud technology and communication that make business possible from anywhere there is an Internet connection, the question of economic efficiency becomes an easy one to answer.

Joel Gross perfectly sums it up in saying; “I see the interaction of these trends [in demographics, technology, and economy] moving us towards a more mobile workforce.” He predicts that within the next decade, “we are bound to see more employees working from home.”

For employers, the expense of a physical office location plus factors like company-paid-for employee devices is drastically cut by the idea of a totally or partially mobile workforce, built of a generation that already comes equipped with the latest devices. For employees, the concept of a mobile workforce saves them the time and expense of commuting and satisfies the preferences of the younger generation’s laidback mindset.

David Ciccarelli concludes that, “the companies best equipped to navigate what’s coming up next will demonstrate responsiveness, be nimble and steward their resources wisely.” Each factor is currently presenting such unprecedented growth and change, that the emphasis on any single one rather than the interaction between them all will be detrimental to any company that wishes to stay ahead of the curve.

Ultimately, it’s essential that employers keep the big picture in mind when preparing their workforce for the future.

by Clare Saumell

The Secrets to Reading an Interviewer’s Body Language!

jameswalsh — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:30:37 +0000

There are secret signals in every interviewer’s body language. Are you capable of decoding those critical messages?

When interviewing for a job, you may feel that your body language is betraying you. Your gestures, posture, and eye contact all seem to involuntarily show your inner emotions, yet this doesn’t have to be a one-sided game of show & tell. You can train yourself to pick up the secret, nonverbal clues that hiring managers send out. When you watch for the following signals, you can direct the flow of conversation and keep yourself appearing cool under pressure.

Smile – Know that a smile isn’t always a smile. Sometimes, if something uncomfortable has been said, the hiring manager may resort to smiling as a defense mechanism. So, when you’re trying to determine whether or not a smile is genuine, take a look at the eyes. Authentic smiles are characterized be a narrowed, squinting of the eyes with crow’s feet wrinkles speckling the corners; false smiles are not. If you somehow have crossed a line in your comments or responses, take quick steps to apologize and steer the conversation onto a more agreeable topic.

Posture – The hiring manager’s posture is worth keeping tabs on. A slouching posture can indicate boredom and a rigid posture can indicate disapproval but you need to note the manager’s posture throughout to get a good sense of the meaning. If you’re losing ground, consider redirecting the attention on to the interviewer. Ask about their time with the company or the types of projects they’ve worked on. People tend to feel comfortable talking about their personal achievements and will lighten up enough to redirect the conversation back to you.

Eye Contact – Unrelenting eye contact can mean a number of things but often is used to elicit a knee-jerk response from you. The locked gaze of a hiring manager can be used as a litmus test for your ability to handle uncomfortable, pressured situations, so pass that test with flying colors. Break an unwavering stare with the natural gesticulation of your hands as you answer questions. This reinforces your control over the eye contact and allows you a few free seconds to loosen up.

Though you should be on the lookout for each of these signs, don’t let paranoia consume you. The true secret to any successful interview is your natural confidence with the hiring manager. If you start to preoccupy yourself with every little miscommunication, you can lose yourself on the wrong focal point. So, be aware of the hiring manager’s nonverbal communication, keep your responses strong, and, if you want to improve your own body language, check out our previous article. Good luck!

by James Walsh

How to Adapt to a New Job – Part II

jameswalsh — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:30:20 +0000

Last time, we provided you with three tips on how to adapt to your new job. Now, we’re passing along a few more tips to finish out the list and ensure that you adjust to your new office without a hitch. Here for the first time? Follow this link to catch up!

4.) Find a mentor: A mentor can offer you a wealth of information & insight that you would otherwise have to collect through painstaking trial & error adaptation. When you need insider tips on the day-to-day routines & obstacles awaiting you, your mentor can help with that. When you need to identify potential pitfalls or learn from failed projects without making the same mistakes, your mentor can help with that. Your mentor can even help you to engage your new coworkers better. So needless to say, a mentor is pretty important to your success on the job.

The key to identifying the right person for the job is to take a serious look at the full complement of your coworkers. You want to enlist the guidance of someone who is committed to the company, who reaches out to others and has a single-minded focused on the success of the team. That person may emerge from the crowd right away or may require time to find as you acclimate to the people around you. Regardless, never settle for a second rate mentor; receiving flawed direction can be even worse than receiving no direction at all.

5.) Volunteer for new assignments: Initiative is what sets exceptional employees apart from the rest, so show some and volunteer for new assignments as you adapt to the job. That way, you’ll quickly become a visible player on the team and elevate your importance within the existing structure. Plus, as part of a new assignment, you can more easily pioneer your own role. When you adjust slowly to a new job, you always run the risk of being shuffled into the project peripheries and finding yourself stuck in a rut.

When you volunteer for new assignments, you’ll need to define the difference between what you can push yourself to do & what is beyond your capability. You want the project be deep enough for you to fully explore your talents but not so deep that you end up in over your head and drown. To achieve this, you need to take a serious look at your talents & experience to determine the best way to modify your new job approach.

6.) Be flexible: Flexibility is what binds each of these tips together. If you can’t roll with the punches or adapt to the challenges that each person, situation, or project provides you, then your transition may be a rough one. An established company tends to be deeply rooted in its ways, so don’t expect too much pliancy from the other side. The need to adapt is all on you.

The best thing you can do is not be ruffled by new situations. In a new job, things are going to go wrong and as a new employee, you can’t expect to have everything work out perfectly every single day. Just take a deep breath, mold your approach to overcome the situation, and keep tabs on ways to advance your increasingly proactive techniques.

In conclusion:

Though new challenges await you on any new job, you can be ready to adapt at a moment’s notice with these 6 tips in your arsenal. Although you may not find the picture perfect Disney ending, you’ll find a place where your ability to adjust to new challenges will definitely go the distance.

by James Walsh

How to Adapt to a New Job – Part I

jameswalsh — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:30:11 +0000

After you’ve finally obtained that long coveted job, where do you go from there? We’ve got you covered with a few tips on how to adapt to all the demands of any new job.

Unlike the Disney films of your childhood, when you overcome all odds to succeed at the end of a long struggle, life doesn’t freeze in that idyllic moment and certainly doesn’t cue up a sappy overture to celebrate your success. It continues on, the way it did before, only with the challenge now being how you adapt to your new situation. The moment after securing a new job is no different. Depending on certain factors (industry, atmosphere, culture, people, and projects), your learning curve may differ but you can almost guarantee a smoother transition with these 6 simple steps.

1.) Learn the company’s history & practices: Unless you are on the ground floor of a company from day one, chances are that a culture, history, and way of doing things predate your arrival. You should be intimately aware of all three. Before your interview, you should have already performed some preliminary research (if not, brush up on this before your next interview). Using this information as your staging point, ask direct questions to determine the more involved aspects of the company’s history, procedures, & practices as you try to adjust.

When new employees fail to familiarize themselves with the past, they risk stumbling during those opening weeks. They may broach sore topics of discussion or trudge through well-worn project failures. Without research, even your best intentions may accidently stir up unnecessary office discord. To avoid that possibility, uncover all the important events, successes, and missed opportunities to keep your ideas sounding fresh and to minimize the potential for any gaffs as you acclimate.

2.) Ask questions: This is the perfect time to ask a slew of questions. As the new person on the job, it is perfectly appropriate for you to inquire about policies and procedures. In fact, if you ask really poignant questions, you can even build up your respect within the company as you build up your company knowledge base. Asking questions conveys your genuine interest in your new role, so it’s okay to show your gung-ho inquisitiveness from the start!

Just make sure that when you’re asking questions, you absorb as much of that information as possible. Of course, you’re allowed some wiggle room as you adapt to new loads of information. If time goes on in this new job and you fail to retain information, your inquisitiveness, once perceived as a positive, may soon paint you as a vacant, dead-end employee.

3.) Reach out to your new coworkers: Since you’ll be spending most of your waking hours with them, it’s best to establish friendly ties with your new coworkers. Your interactions on the job will be better and you will run into fewer major problems if your coworkers enjoy your company. For those folks naturally inclined to the gift of gab, taking those first social steps may feel as natural breathing. For introverted folks, those first social steps may not seem so natural, so here are some tactics to quickly modify your new coworkers’ perceptions.

Extend a friendly greeting when you first meet new people. Engage your coworkers in small talk and ask them open-ended questions about their family, lives, & interests. If you’re looking to make headway real fast, bringing in a snack for the whole office is never a bad idea. Whatever you choose to do, make it personal and make sure the effect isn’t only a brief, fleeting connection; the whole purpose of building up stable relationships as you adapt to your new job is to have a network to help you resolve problems, big & small, that might have otherwise stumped you.

Interested in the rest? Click here!

by James Walsh

The 3 Best Questions to Ask During an Interview!

jameswalsh — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:30:57 +0000

When asked if you have any questions during an interview, have the following questions prepared to make a lasting impression with your interviewer!

Whether you are up for a dream job, internship or something that will further your work experience, the interview can make or break the hiring process. While research is a must, many candidates get stuck in the interview when asked, “What questions do you have for me?” Having the right questions can help the interviewer understand you better and give you the opportunity to see whether or not the company and position are a good fit for your career goals.

Breakdown Your Responsibilities

When in the interview, ask about what your greatest responsibilities will be in the position. While you should be well aware of what that is from the job description, if you are unsure ask where the majority of your time should be focused if offered the position. By asking this question, you’ll be able to gain insight into the current processes in place as well as what you’ll be spending time doing. You’ll gain new knowledge about the pace of the working environment, the resources available, and whether what you’re doing is more individual or collaborative. Not only that, you’ll be able to uncover the expectations and how high the bar is set for this position.

• Key Question: How will my time be spent here?

Be More Successful

Businesses want self-motivated employees who aren’t afraid to lead or follow. In order to be successful, employees need to understand how the company they are at measures success. By asking this question, you’ll be able to discover how your success will be measured while demonstrating your confidence and motivation as well as your willingness to learn. Demonstrate your drive for delivering results by asking for tips right away. You’ll also uncover what direction the recruiter and the business want the person in this position to take so that if it is offered, you’ll know whether or not it aligns with the direction you want to take.

• Key Question: How could I exceed expectations or become more successful in this position if it were offered to me?

Think Progressively

Businesses are about growth – growth in profits, growth in customer engagement, employee growth, etc. By asking what role your position would play over the next few months and over the next few years can make a difference in your judgment about whether or not this company is for you. It also demonstrates to the interviewer that this isn’t a short term position for you and that you’re someone who wants to stick around – which is key as hiring new employees is a costly process. By asking about the goals of the company, you’ll be able to see where the company is eventually headed and determine whether or not that direction is something you want to be a part of if offered the position.

• Key Question: How does this position fit into the short-term and long-term goals of the company?

When you’re getting ready for an interview, the most important thing to do is research. Find out who the decision makers are (including the interviewer), what their products/services are, and who the competitors might be. Also, spend some time going over your resume and how your work history correlates to the position, as those are guaranteed areas of your experience that will be discussed. Be prepared with ideas, knowledge about the business, and how you can contribute as well as a few questions to ask. Always have these three go-to questions and two backups, based on the company, ready.

By Erica Bell

Author Bio: Erica Bell is a small business writer who focuses on topics such as HR outsourcing services and human resources software for business. She is a web content writer for Business.com. Find them on Facebook!

Read the rest on our Raleigh Branch’s blog!

5 Tips to Find a Great Job During the Holiday Season!

jameswalsh — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:52:03 +0000

While others are winding down for the holiday season, keep your search up & ring in the new year with a new job!

For all of you job seekers looking to wind down your search during the holiday season, think again. Hiring managers across industries regularly use the winter months to replenish the talent in their departments with new, invigorated employees. They have funds available, through departmental money set to expire or upcoming 2013 budgets, and are eager to jump into the hiring process. Either way, as other job seekers hibernate for the winter, you can be awake at the forefront of the employment search, considerably increasing your chances of landing a job.

Keep at it: Fight against the urge to simply sit back, relax, and sleep off the tranquilizing effects of holiday smorgasbords. Keep your eyes peeled on job boards as the influx of new positions continues escalate upwards. Maintain regular contact with hiring managers to express your continued interest in their open opportunities. You can even partner with a recruiter to find opportunities that companies don’t always openly advertise. These techniques are all the more important while other job seekers are sleeping on the job.

Network whenever you can: As you’re making merry with friends and family, don’t forget to utilize your social network to help you ring in the New Year with a new job. Have a casual script prepared that you can use to segue into a discussion of your job search. That way, when you broach the topic in conversation, it doesn’t seem forced, desperate, or aimless. Family, friends, and even acquaintances will be more inclined to help you out if you sound as if you have a solid game plan.

Remain connected to your references: Companies that decide to add new people during the holiday season are often focused upon streamlining hiring during an already hectic time. If they take an interest in you, they’ll want to expedite the process, so make sure to have your retinue of references briefed and at the ready. Even if you haven’t lined up an interview quite yet, reinforce any amicable relations with your references through a quick greeting card. You can wish them happy holidays, update them on your life, and validate their importance in your continued success.

Open yourself up to temporary positions: If you are encountering roadblocks trying to find a permanent position to fit your needs, don’t be afraid to investigate contract-to-hire opportunities. Many employers are looking for a permanent staff but do not want to be burned if the relationship ends up being a less than ideal fit. Contract-to-hire positions are often test runs and can earn a hardworking, competent person like you a permanent spot.

Keep yourself refreshed: As with any successful job search, your efforts deserve a break every once in a while. Don’t completely chain yourself to your computer for hours upon hours of searching during the full swing of holiday festivities. Enjoy your time at various parties, visit family members you haven’t seen in ages, and find time to sit down and break up the great work you’re doing. That way, you can shortly return to the process, revitalized to do what needs to be done to succeed.

So, keep persistent, connected, open to different opportunities, and most of all, happy & healthy during this holiday season!

by James Walsh

“Some Recruiter I Used To Know” (Gotye – “Somebody I Use To Know” parody)

kgallagher — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:39:40 +0000

Props to the team that made this video! You guys are too funny! Well done.

by
The recruiter – lawyer relationship is a tough one. It brings out some pretty heavy emotions, and the desire to sing some times.
From The Lawyers’ Revue Incorporated — 2012

Starring – Adam Edwards and Emily Jackson
Directed and Shot by – Adam King (www.doogfilm.com)

How to Send Thank You Letters to Group Interviews?

jameswalsh — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:00:34 +0000

With group interviews becoming commonplace, job seekers are adjusting to expectations as they address their responses to several people. Though the interview dynamics change from the one-on-one structure to that of a group, the basics are still the same: be prepared, be professional, and be personable. After the interview is over though, you may be wondering: how do you handle a thank you letter with more than one interviewer?

As always, you need to be prompt. If you decided to send an email, make sure you send it out in a few short days after the interview. If you are looking for added bonus points and go the traditional snail mail route, get your letters out the day of or one day after. That way, your interaction is still fresh on their minds and your letter builds powerful goodwill as each recipient reads your fresh words of gratitude. Having grabbed a business card from each interviewer, the message should go straight to where it needs to be.

From there, the most effective strategy is to send a personal letter to each member of the group. Regardless of the size (be the group 2 or 10 person teams), you need to thank every member equally. That way, when you enter as the newest member of the team, there will be zero animosity from any unintended slights.

The thank you letter, for all intents and purposes, should appear to be personal. Stock letters are always out of the question but a letter with slight variations from person to person is perfectly acceptable. Hit on all the major points across the board but address the specifics from each interviewer in a personal way. This will show that you are attentive and already working to build business relationships that will last.

When you finish off each letter, you should redouble your efforts to express your interest in the position and offer each person the opportunity to ask you any further questions. That way, when the thank you letter is added to the whole picture of your candidacy, each group member will see a unified theme – your genuine dedication to their cause – and do their best to bring you into the company fold!

by James Walsh

What 4 resume mistakes suggest to potential employers!

jameswalsh — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:30:36 +0000

When thoughtless resumes are submitted to employers, these documents can signal hiring managers to keep looking. So, take these suggestions to heart and avoid the following resume mistakes.

To hiring managers, your resume can be one of two things: a dinner bell that whets their appetites or a fog horn that sends them scrambling away. Regardless of the type of position, a mistake in your resume can sabotage you faster than the time it takes you to say “late for dinner.” In fact, each of the following four types of mistake conveys a specific, negative message to prospective employers that directly impacts your chances at a first interview.

Grammatical Errors: You may think that using “there” instead of “their” or occasionally overlooking subject-verb agreement only affects applicants for editing/copywriting positions but these types of grammatical errors send red flags to countless hiring managers. A messy, unrevised resume can imply a lacking attention to detail and suggest that your work will be fraught with serious mistakes. If you are an IT professional, these mistakes can suggest your code work will be sloppy and require numerous avoidable fixes down the road. If you are an engineer, these mistakes can suggest that your 3D models will lack structural integrity or possess glaring redundancies. For any position, these thoughtless mistakes can lead to costly realities down the line, a contingency that most hiring managers would rather avoid.

Inaccessible Structures: Resumes need to be readable, so when the key selling points of your resume are hard to extract in 6 seconds, most hiring managers will keep you at arm’s length. Though particularly condemning for graphic designers, a confusing resume layout can ruin anyone’s chances. These types of mistakes suggest that you fail to consider your audience, your end users, or anyone who will have to extract anything from your work. Basically, if you are unwilling to put yourself in a customer’s shoes, most hiring managers don’t really want you around.

Stock Resume Formats: When you use a stock resume that fails to cater to the employer or lacks potent buzz words, you send a strong message: that you are inflexible and unmotivated to succeed. These may be harsh words but when hiring managers imagine you in their open position, they see an obstruction to progress that may impede the dynamic flow of the business. Though this may be far from the truth, it will be unlikely you’ll have a chance to defend yourself face to face.

Issues with Length: Be it too long or too short, your paragraph and document lengths are not to be taken lightly. When you are too concise or too long-winded, it shows your lacking perception of resume norms. Once again, your adaptability can come into question. If you can’t fill in your experience or trim your work history down to relevant, recent roles, you can be seen as oblivious to the big picture and not worth the time & resources necessary for an interview.

Bottom Line: Resume mistakes create a narrative in the hiring manager’s mind that suggest thousands in losses and projects that drag on ad infinitum. Though not everyone will read intensely into a minor error, the risk is too high to not be careful. So, review your documents, use readable formats, and cater to the expectations of the hiring managers. You will cut straight through the lesser candidates and keep hiring managers waiting for the next course!

by James Walsh

Image via

Food for Thought: Keeping your references in the loop!

jameswalsh — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:30:15 +0000

References are a key element to a job seeker’s success, so why not show them your true appreciation?

Finally, after all the resumes, rigorous interviews with increasingly senior members of the company, and time-consuming aptitude tests, you’ve finally landed a job that excites you! The trials are over and now it’s time to transition into your new job. Before you prepare for a self-congratulatory dinner or drink, remember to thank those who’ve helped you along the way: your references.

When you need character witnesses, these are the people you know will have your best interests at heart. They may be lifelong friends, former teachers, employees, employers, or members of your community outreach group but whomever they are, they are still invested in your success. So, you need to let them know your genuine appreciation whenever they come through for you.

Soon after you’ve accepted the position, you should send out some form of thank you to each person. It could be in the form of an email, a hand-written letter, or a cheddar cheese bust in their likeness (which you should ship with care). You should make your thank you personal, a.k.a something more than a stock letter you stripped from the internet. Cater each thank you to each individual person and provide them with details about how their rave reviews have directly contributed to your success. By defining the positive impact of their comments, you will be subliminally reinforcing their actions and, hopefully, encouraging them to support you in the future. Remember, you can never have too many people in your corner at a moment’s notice!

by James Walsh

What Motivates You?

jameswalsh — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:00:14 +0000

By Jordan Howard, IT Search Executive at Ashley Ellis Raleigh

Knowing what’s important to your career can help you decide upon a new job or take the necessary steps to find a job where you feel rewarded & refreshed. Take a look at the list below to determine your motivation!

Figuring out what’s most important to you professionally and what complements your current life style can be a tough task. So taking a moment to sit down and really think about what is most important to you can be extremely beneficial in making that difficult decision. We all have different motivating or important factors to consider when making career decisions or choosing the right employer. At Ashley Ellis we take the time to discuss with our candidates what’s most important to them going forward. In fact, we even have them personally rank those motivating or important factors in order of importance. This is beneficial in helping us match our candidates in finding their dream IT jobs and assisting our clients in finding ideal candidates that fit their team. Below you can find a list of the most common important factors we discuss with our candidates so we can make that perfect match!

Money

For some of us out there the opportunity to go to work and get paid well for it is most important. I would think most of us would agree it’s nice to get compensated for all your hard work? Right?

Benefits

The opportunity to enjoy great employee benefits can be very important to most. Most organizations understand this and try to gain an advantage on their competitors by offering superior employee benefits.

Image via

Alternatives to the typical resume!

jameswalsh — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:00:20 +0000

When job seekers are willing to stray outside the resume norm, they often get the best results! Take a look at these alternative options and see the difference they truly make!

Hiring managers see so many cookie-cutter, template resumes on any given day that a detour from the norm may very well vault you ahead of the competition. As any successful job seekers will tell you, creativity and innovation are the hallmarks of a successful job search. So, when a regular resume just isn’t enough, here are a few standout alternatives that can successfully propel your job search forward.

Visual Resumes: For those job seekers who feel their portfolio speaks louder than their words alone, a visual resume offers an appealing alternative to the traditional form. Within this web interface, you can insert videos, graphics, documents, and links to your previous work in one user-friendly location. This way, you can provide direct evidence of your skills & talents, eliminating the need for hiring managers to take your word on faith alone. Best of all, visual resumes allow you to share your virtual resume with friends, recruiters, and hiring mangers through a few simple mouse clicks.

The one major limitation this option presents is that it is not always friendly to electronic submission systems. Where you would otherwise copy & paste your resume into a text box, you are limited to posting a hyperlink (which could easily be bypassed by auto-screeners). So, a traditional resume can still come in handy from time to time.

Business Card QR Code Links: If you already have your own website, this is a cool, hands-on way to market yourself to potential employers. Whether you personally design your own business card or order from a list of templates, adding a QR code can provide an immediate, mobile connection to your resume & portfolio. By simply scanning the code with a smart phone, hiring managers will be directed to your homepage, giving them an instantaneous idea of your leading-edge capabilities. Ultimately, this tool is more of a way to direct people to the exact profile (LinkedIn, visual resumes, or personal website) you wish them to see. Really though, scanning a QR code is a fun way to get recruiters & hiring managers where you want them to be.

Genre Breaking Resumes: Feeling particularly bold? Looking to stand out for the company of your dreams? Try breaking the typical resume mold with a resume that leaves a permanent impression. There are countless examples of uncanny alternatives on the web and after looking at a few, you’ll be brimming with great ideas. Completely shattering norms, these bold few disguise resumes as cereal boxes, sewn patchwork patterns, and comic book style mail away advertisements. They send a distinct message: I’m worth giving a chance!

Just keep in mind that these types of applications may not be appropriate in every scenario -some companies see this as a lack of professionalism while others exclusively require your resume info via online application forms. Regardless, stepping outside of the typical resume box can give you a boost above the competition.

Bottom Line: Don’t cling to template formulas. Be proactive, be creative, and leave an impression that sets you apart from the rest. More often than not, you’ll get an interview ahead of a more rank-and-file member of the crowd, and by getting your foot in the office door, you’ll have an opportunity to really demonstrate your genuine value as a member of the team!

by James Walsh

How to Get Noticed!

Clare — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:31:53 +0000

By Amanda Turner, IT Search Executive at Ashley Ellis Raleigh

So, you’ve written the resume and sent it out. But you’ve gotten no responses – or worse, a bunch of spam and scam responses.

What went wrong?

I talk to Hiring Managers and heads of HR all day and let me tell you they are busy people.
Human Resources normally handle all hiring and internal issues for the entire company, even the smaller companies have a busy HR representative.

Hiring Managers? Even busier. Not only do they have a department to run but if they’re actively hiring it means that they’re most likely missing at least one member of their staff which gives them even more to do.
Both of these groups are too important in their roles and too busy to read hundreds of detailed resumes.

What does this mean?

On average you have 8 seconds worth of resume to make an impact. That means that within 8 seconds of picking up your resume from that stack on their desk, the HR rep or Hiring Manager will decide whether or not to move forward with you. If they don’t see something that catches their eye they will move on to the next person.

Before you start crying that this process isn’t fair, think of it from your own perspective. You make snap judgments based on content daily whether it’s an article you choose not to read because the headline isn’t catchy enough or a new novel with a poorly written synopsis.

So, ask yourself: What does your headline and synopsis say about you in 8 seconds?

Read the rest on our Raleigh Branch’s blog!

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4 ways to make Halloween at the office a blast!

jameswalsh — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:00:10 +0000

Are you excited about dressing up for Halloween in the office? Take these tips to heart as you begin to put your costume together for October 31st!

Halloween at the office can be incredibly fun! You can gorge on candy at your desk, bond over unique costumes with your office mates, and push your creativity in fun and unexpected ways. Remember that unlike the chaotic parties of your college days or the nearly absent dress code of the local bar scene, there are a few friendly guidelines to maintain while letting loose with your fellow ghouls around the office.

Stay classy, San Diego: Playing chicken with exhibitionism is not the way of office Halloween. Now, I’m not exclusively recommending gorilla costumes or walking censorship bars but you should definitely save your studly tech support or sexy C++ Developer costume for after hours. Your coworkers will definitely feel more comfortable on the job if you don’t dress like fodder for a B-Grade slasher film.

Along the same lines, do not dress like anything excessively gruesome or post mortem. You don’t always know the levels of gore your coworkers can tolerate and you don’t want to push anyone to the brink of physical illness. So, save your detailed recreation of Walking Dead’s Zombie #432 for another day.

Stray from controversial topics: If your costume alludes to something in heavy rotation within the news cycle, stop while you’re ahead. More often than not, it’s going to push someone’s buttons and lead to an awkward time standing around the old punchbowl.

Keep comfortable: Have you ever tried sitting at your desk dressed as a fairy godmother with a ball gown & bustle? How about typing dressed as one of the droids from Star Wars? It’s more of a trick than you’d think. When picking out your costume, remember that you’re still going to be at work and will need to be physically capable of sitting, typing, or whatever else you normally do. So, pick a costume with mobility. As much as it pains me to say it, the two person horse costume needs to be stabled until you get off for the day.

Be creative: The main thing to keep in mind is that more often than not, the favorite costume of the day isn’t the most gruesome, shocking, or controversial (those costumes become notorious in their own right). It’s the costume that gets a good laugh from everyone. It could be an office inside joke or a witty take on something more traditional. You don’t have to freak people out or blow your entire paycheck; you simply need to harness the power of your (delicious) brain and get the party started with style, tact, and great wit.

by James Walsh

How to set strong career goals!

jameswalsh — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:37:13 +0000

Focusing on the strength of your career goal tactics can make all the difference between success and disappointment. By following the rules below, you will see the best results and make a genuine difference in you career!

We all know the importance of setting career goals but how we make them anything more than well-intentioned pipe-dreams is where the difficulty lies. Anyone can come up with vague, vaporous career goals (we’ve all created New Year’s resolutions that have flopped) but truly successful job seekers can set goals that make a change in their lives and propel themselves across the finish line. To join the ranks of the successful, here are a few clear guidelines that can get you on the path to a great career!

Make your goals specific: When goals lack structured definition, most people have a difficult time determining how far to push themselves. Quantifiable goals, in which you can definitively measure your progress, allow you to fix a point on the horizon and put all your energy into reaching that goal. By saying, “I will run a large-scale data network for a non-for-profit within the next 5 years,” or “Within 3 years, I will advance to the role of Sr. Mechanical Engineer and run my firm’s MEP projects,” you provide yourself with a timetable and create a greater sense of urgency in your work. You will push yourself harder to reach that goal and, even if you fall short, will have covered more ground than you would have otherwise!

Set attainable goals: Your goals should be realistic, providing yourself with time frames and job titles that you can seriously achieve. If you aim is to run the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in a year’s time, you are almost deliberately courting failure. When you are setting your career goals, be objective. Take a look at your starting point, analyze your current resources & skills, and determine whether or not your planned ascent is anything more than idle dreaming. If so, don’t be discouraged. Just set a goal that is feasibly within your reach.

Develop short term stepping stones: Even realistic goals can at times seem imposing. They can loom before you like a never-ending mountain range with no easy end in sight. That’s where smaller milestone goals enter the picture. They can break down the many miles to your final destination into smaller, manageable waypoints. When you achieve each goal, you can measure your progress and take satisfaction in the positives steps you’ve made in the right direction.

Get others involved: Everyone needs a shot in the arm once in a while to get them back on their feet. The pursuit of your career goals is no different. When someone is willing to hold you accountable, your motivation will be all the more powerful. When searching for that right person, look to coworkers, mentors, friends, and family members for someone who will invest in your success and genuinely care when you overcome obstacles. That way, you will have a legitimate partner to help you during the hard times and cheer you on during your successes.

Keep your goals dynamic: Once you achieve your career goal, don’t end it there. Look to the next achievement and the next triumph! Those who continually set new goals feel invigorated to reach out for that next challenge and keep themselves satisfied looking to the future success to come!

by James Walsh

Job Search Tip: Know your career goals!

jameswalsh — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:30:17 +0000

It sounds obvious but your career goals are inextricably tied to your job search. They directly affect your choices and without them, you may find yourself adrift without a compass to orient your journey. So, how do your career goals affect your job search?

No. 1: Concrete career goals can build your resume

Your career goals can help you fulfill all those prerequisites that may be keeping a more satisfying career at arm’s length. By looking at your short term goals, you can make yourself a more attractive employee. You can pursue certifications on your personal time (even on the company dime if they provide tuition reimbursement). You can volunteer at non profits, using your skills to meet stepping stone goals. You can even take on additional projects at work, expanding your professional repertoire in new & exciting ways. With career direction, you can tell a more focused story of who you are and better attract the attention of a company that will make you happy.

No. 2: Concrete career goals can streamline your job search

For those without a target down the line, job searches can rely upon trial and error. When reaching for new job opportunities, the whole application process may regress to a scattershot approach: firing at as many positions as you can in the hopes of hitting home with a place you can stand to work. When you have your goals lined up, the whole process is less random and exhausting. You look at opportunities that suit you and then tailor your resume with all the requisite skills you’ve worked to obtain. You can eliminate jobs that don’t fit your goals or place you on the wrong track. Overall, the whole process is less uncertain and the responses are better because you fit the mold as the ideal candidate.

No. 3: Concrete career goals can strengthen your interview responses

When you know that a job you are interviewing for fits your career goals, much of the uncertainty about the position fades away. You confidently respond to questions, knowing that your skills and experiences will almost speak for themselves. When asked about your career goals, you can confidently discuss them and explain how your passion will change the course of business for your future employer. Using what you’ve achieved through your goals, you can create a sharp picture of value and allow your interviewer to easily make the decision to offer you a job!

Defined career goals are essential to anyone looking to succeed in the job market. They set you on the appropriate course, guide you to jobs that suit your personality & dreams, and dictate your success during the interview process. Now you may be asking yourself, how do I best set out my career goals? Click here to find out.

by James Walsh

Image available from jayneandd via flickr

3 ways to avoid job scams!

jameswalsh — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:30:48 +0000

Your identity may be at stake. Keep safe while searching the job market by following these 3 simple steps!

Scams advance with technology and job market scams are no different. They’ve evolved with the internet, allowing crafty scammers to take advantage of job seekers by using job board postings to steal precious, personal information. Fake openings are designed to be too good to pass up but with some keen observation, you can pick out the real positions from the fakes.

Pay attention to details: When reading the initial message, review the content & grammar of the response. Check for missing words and glaring grammatical mistakes. Most human resource directors and hiring managers take pride in their companies and want to depict them in the most professional light. The occasional mistake can be overlooked (we’re all human) but once you get past a couple errors, proceed with care and make certain you do your homework.

Research the company: A quick web search can provide you the answers you need. If the company doesn’t have a website, it probably is a good indicator that you’re dealing with a scam artist (and an inept one at that). Though there are some companies that prefer privacy, most conformed to this web norm during the opening years of the 21st century. So always be wary of limited web information.

Other scammers can put together passable websites but that illusion can be torn down with a quick visit to the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission website. Both watchdogs keep tabs on scammers and can provide you with great resources. When a company checks out with either organization, you’re normally in the clear to go through with the application & interview process.

Avoid upfront Social Security requests: Scam artists go for broke with the time they have and focus upon the most precious information: your Social Security number. In most cases, your Social Security number should not be provided to a potential employer before an offer is placed on the table. That information is usually just needed to establish payroll and set up your employment records, so you should always be cautious about frivolous Social Security number requests. At the very least, several interviews should have taken place and the company should have mustered up to your fraud research. Always remember: your identity is more important than an uncertain dream.

Bottom Line: You can never be too careful. As the saying goes, “if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.” With so many opportunities in your sights, it can be difficult & time consuming to run every job opening through a scam check. If you find this process too difficult, reach out to a BBB certified staffing agency and allow them to eliminate scams for you. Either way, by independently avoiding scams or using the time-saving efforts of professional staffers, you are safeguarding your reputation until a legitimate offer worth your talent comes around.

by James Walsh

Image courtesy of Kenneth Lu via Flickr

Make yourself heard: Interview like a howler monkey!

jameswalsh — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:30:11 +0000

Can monkeying around really get you the job you want? The answer may surprise you!

In the dense, tropical jungle of the current job market, those job seekers who can emulate some of the habits of the South American howler monkey may see some surprising success while trying to grab a hold of a new job! Here are a few facts about the monkey to illustrate that point:

For most of their lives, howler monkeys reside atop the upper canopy of their South American home, descending to the ground on only the rarest of occasion. Here, they have a constant vantage of the ripest food and take advantage of any exposed fruit, flowers, and nuts. Basically, to be aware of the best meals, they position themselves above the impeding forest fray.

That’s how you need to approach your job search. Start by removing yourself from the distraction of lower priorities, elevating yourself above these root-like snares. Your greatest success can only occur when your distractions are several meters below your consciousness. For specific tips on how to better eliminate distractions, check out this article .

Howler monkeys, true to their name, let loose an intense howling noise when other animals invade their territory. Imagine a death metal growl filtered through a brass horn and you have the sound that each of these dog-sized monkeys makes. It is loud and distinct – some calls can be heard for up to 3 miles through dense foliage – and that is exactly how your confidence should carry.

You need to be reinforcing the full range of your talents, never allowing yourself to appear timid or dispassionate. Confidence is reassuring but, unlike the monkey, you should never board upon obnoxious arrogance. If you fail to assert yourself, you can lose job territory to a more assertive candidate. So, show some confidence and convince the hiring manager you already have the job.

On top of that distinct, throaty howl, howler monkeys also takes advantage of every natural advantage at their disposal. With a prehensile tail that acts like an additional limb, the monkeys can reach out for food that would have otherwise been unattainable. That allows them to stay atop the canopy and remain out of the reach of most predators.

Though your concern about predatory animals may be pretty slim, any extended connections you can make may give you a genuine edge. By restricting yourself to the web and job boards, you may not be able to reach out to those truly lush positions on the market. This is where networking comes in. Other people can act as your prehensile tail, allowing you to extend yourself into opportunities that would have otherwise been beyond your reach. Utilizing family, friends, former coworkers, professional recruiters, & the contacts you’ve made at industry gatherings, you can have that extra reach and wrap your fingers around sweet victory.

So, when someone tells you to stop monkeying around with your job search, you may want to give that statement a second thought. A howler’s approach may just stake out your claim on new job territory after all.

by James Walsh

The Truth Behind Interview Silences!

jameswalsh — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:30:23 +0000

The sound of silence can be disheartening. As a people, Americans often feel uneasy about gaps in conversation and see a stoppage in speech as a sign of being turned down. We particularly dread the silence that can work its way into interview dialogue. That’s when our greatest fears take flight. We begin to imagine that every idle second is a fatal sign of the end but the reality is far less doom-and-gloom.

Most of these silences happen for the sake of genuine thought. When the interviewer has just asked a new question or the job seeker has just finished a response, those words need a moment to settle. Even though you may have anecdotes or answers prepared, you need time to pick the right one. Without a question by question agenda, you can’t always rattle off a reply in an instant. Most interviewers acknowledge this and appreciate the time you are taking to give them a meditated response.

Your interviewer is in a similar situation. Without an advanced copy of your responses, he or she will need a moment to reflect upon the content of each statement. That lingering silence can indicate note-taking as your interviewer pieces together the big picture of your career. This is especially true during phone interviews. Without critical visual cues, you needn’t get carried away with the negative implications of silence. It could just be your interviewer writing down your qualifications and mentally fitting you into the company structure.

So, take some solace in silence. That brief meditation can make the difference between an abrupt no and well-pondered yes!

By James Walsh

Image courtesy of bpsusf on flickr

Why you should avoid an objective summary!

jameswalsh — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:22:59 +0000

There is a long standing debate over whether or not job seekers should completely abandon the objective summary from the resume format. Certain experts argue that as long as you can convey your direct benefit to the company, outlining your agenda in an objective is worthwhile. However, the risk of sabotaging yourself is much greater than the actual payoff. Here are a few reasons why:

You can sound narcissistic: A resume is a professional way to court an employer. You put on your best face, play up your good qualities, and impress upon your future employer how he or she cannot live without you. When you focus too much on how the company can benefit you, your objective summary may imply an unwanted level of self-absorption or self-centered focus. The company wants to feel valued and if you just talk about what they can do for you all night long, the benefit can seem awfully one-sided.

You can lose your reader: Resumes need to be short, sweet, & to the point. If you get carried away with an in-depth paragraph about how you can benefit the company, you may lose your audience. Hiring managers & recruiters look over your resume in a very limited time frame. So, if you waste too much of their time with a blocky paragraph, you run the risk of losing them before you really start.

You can pigeonhole yourself: As a savvy job seeker, you know how important it is to adapt your resume to meet the expectations of each new company & position (if not, check out this article). So, logically, you will change your objective summary to suit the position. This may actually limit your opportunities. By excluding the objective summary, you can allow the reader to logically come to a conclusion about what your skills can do for them. That way, if the reader sees direct correlations between your skills and another open position in the company, you won’t be left out of the running due to a misplaced summary of your intent.

Ultimately, a cover letter handles what an objective summary should outline without forcing you to stay within microscopic size limitations. With a cover letter, you have room to stretch out. Plus, most readers are willing to forgive several paragraphs in a cover letter; in fact, it is expected. So, just dismiss the objective summary and focus your time on more important things!

By James Walsh

6 Things to Know Before an Interview!

jameswalsh — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:30:53 +0000

There is critical information you should know before any interview. Preparing for the interview gives you an edge and reading through these 6 tips can increase your chances of hiring success.

1.) What the Company Does: This seems an obvious first step but the most common mistake that job seekers make during the interview process is not researching the company. Companies want you to be passionate about what they have to offer. They want you to eagerly pursue any information you can about who they are and what they do. Nothing suggests utter disinterest in the company quite like walking in without any prior prep work. If you cannot hold an intelligible conversation about the company’s products, solutions, or industry, you might as well just stay home.

2.) What You Will Be Doing: What are the primary duties of the job? Which of your skills will be called upon most? Which skills are you going to need to pick up? This information can help you prepare pertinent responses to questions about your experience and ready yourself for any preliminary tests the company may have you complete.

3.) Who Will Be Interviewing You: When a company expresses interest in you, make sure to find out who will be in charge of your interview. Once, you know your interviewer’s name, do a little research. Learn about that person from the company’s website or from your interviewer’s Linkedin page. Knowledge is power and any little tidbit you can obtain may later pay off in spades.

4.) Where the Interview Will Be Held: Of course, knowing the address is an obvious must but many people do not take the time to think about the environment they will be entering. Whether the interview is held in the company’s offices, a coffee shop, or a sports bar, there are certain conditions you will have to deal with and acknowledging those conditions in advance will help to address them when they occur.

5.) What is the Company Culture: The existing company culture can predict the way you interact with and are treated by management. Plus, this knowledge is a great way to learn whether or not this company is the right fit. Advanced research can even help you ask more informed questions during the interview. For more information on this topic, click here.

6.) What Obstacles the Industry is Facing: This is a great way to prove your worth. By researching prevalent industry obstacles, you can instantly demonstrate your worth during the interview. You can propose ways to eliminate business impediments, explaining how you and you alone can surmount these challenges. The idea here is to not completely reveal your hand. That way, you can create some intrigue without giving away your ideas for free.

by James Walsh

Tips on seasonal hiring!

jameswalsh — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:30:50 +0000

Hiring changes with the seasons: some months see greater hiring than others! Get the inside scoop on the rationale and get to applying right away.

With August quickly diminishing in our rearview mirror, we leave behind peak vacation months and enter a solid stretch of uninterrupted work weeks. By this time, people have either used their vacation days or have decided to conserve those days for late November up until the year’s end. Everyone is back to work. For eager job seekers like you this is a critical time to return to the work of your job search.

You may be saying to yourself “Why now? What makes these next few months so important? Come on, football just came back on!” That’s unbelievably true but you can’t miss out on the opportunities over the next few months. Here are a few reasons why:

• With fewer employees & members of management on vacation, there are greater numbers of mission-critical people in the office at any given time. Hiring managers can more easily coordinate with the appropriate parties, running through candidates to determine who will make the best fit, when departmental heads are present. These decisions can be made with informed insight, so nothing is holding these companies back.

• Critical end of year projects require invigorated new blood. To surge across the finish line before the fiscal year ends, managers need to obtain contract, contract-to-hire, & permanent employees left and right. Regardless of your desired work situation, there is probably a job and hiring arrangement that fits your needs perfectly.

• When adding new employees to the team, there is a necessary transitional phase when that new person has to acclimate to the environment, the goals, & the expectations. Even for those ideal people who can hit the ground running, it helps to provide some guidance during the opening stages of their career with the company. In November & December, there are so many other obligations that employers have a hard time sparing the time to integrate new team members. If you are hired and start soon, you will have ample time to properly integrate, experiencing a smoother transition than you would have otherwise.

The Bottom Line: During September & October, keeping a steady flow of applications leaving your outbox can connect you with a greater number of jobs. More hiring managers are looking to staff for critical projects and, if you send through a great, eye-catching resume, you may be the standout person who snags that perfect job!

by James Walsh

Finding The Right Company Culture!

jameswalsh — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:30:44 +0000

When looking for a new job, don’t neglect the company culture! With a little reflection, some keen observation, & some great questions, you can find an environment that is just right for you!

Unless you are a proud & prodigious career hopper, you, like most job seekers, are looking to settle down into a permanent career. Gone are your days of complacently wandering from one unsatisfying position to the next; you need your job to be a warm and cozy home instead of a draft, ramshackle lean-to. Sadly, that is often easier said than done. When on the market for a new job, many job seekers get lost in the deep, hypnotic trance of extraordinary salaries, forgetting to even consider the company’s culture. Then, after a few weeks on the job, reality sinks in and the atmosphere closes in around them. Before they know it, they’re out pounding the pavement again in search of yet another job. Learn from their mistakes! With some soul searching, keen observation, and a few focused questions, you can find a comfortable place to house your career.

Acknowledge your personal values: The first step is to allow yourself to be introspective. What are your personal values? What do you value in an employer? What conditions are absolute deal breakers on any job? Can you handle any office environment shy of an Orwellian nightmare? Knowing the answer to these questions can save you a lot of undue headaches, heartaches, & stress-induced ulcers. Ending up in a culture that is misaligned from your own values is a nerve-wracking experience. You may feel dissatisfied, unmotivated, or even deeply depressed. So, be true to your beliefs & know peace when applying for a new job.

Research each employer: The company website is always the best starting point for your research. Most companies are eager to talk about themselves and often provide you with a cultural synopsis in “Mission Statements” or “About Us” pages. On these pages, keep an eye for core values and how the company acknowledges employees. This is the best way to determine whether management will view you as a cog within the business machine or a valued member of a business family.

Furthermore, don’t limit your search to the company’s website. Management can occasionally get caught up in idealism and lose track of real world conditions. According to the Boston Research Group, where 41% of bosses are likely to say their firm rewards employee performance based on values, only 14% of employees actually agree with them. That is where it helps to double check the company using reliable media sources & industry publications. Unaffiliated with the company’s agenda, these sources can provide you with supplemental information for a more authentic view of the company culture. They can help you to answer critical questions: Is the company recognized as a great place to work? Is the company perceived as a caring member of the local community? Does the company boast a notorious reputation for the way it treats customers & employees? Positive & negative, these answers add to the overall tapestry of the company culture.

On a final note, never base your opinions on one source alone. The more sources you consult, the more informed your decision will be.

Be observant during your interview: Even the interview can give you essential clues about the company culture. Before the interview begins, take a close look at the interviewer’s body language. Does it suggest passion & energy or irritation & boredom. Listen intently to what is said on the other side of the table. What key phrases are repeatedly used? How prepared does the interviewer seem? How does the interviewer react to your questions? Keep all of these factors and more in mind while making your final decision.

Openly ask about the company: When asked if you have any questions, come prepared with a list of questions including some about the existing culture. Ask about core company values & the code of ethics, listening up for important keywords that align with your beliefs. If you have a chance to interact with other employees, ask them about their perception of the company culture – their responses are often more candid and enlightening.

Rely on a recruiter: Any good recruiter loves to play matchmaker, connecting you with a culture that fits your personality and needs. Recruiters can help you sift through open positions, separating the oh-so-right from the oh-so-wrong. Since most companies want an employee who fits into the existing culture mold, recruiters are often provided with the inside scoop on the office atmosphere, values, & unique perks.

by James Walsh

Answer This: Why did you leave your last job?

jameswalsh — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:30:27 +0000

If interview questions that ask, “Why did you leave?” or “Why are you leaving?” leave you stuttering for a good answer, here are a few tips.

You were fired

Let’s get honest. Was the workload too high? Was it just not the right work for your skill set? Once you figure out an honest answer that you feel comfortable explaining, craft a brief, concise answer. Avoid expressing any negative feelings about the situation. Instead, take responsibility; explain what you learned and how whatever the problem was, it won’t happen in the future.

You don’t get along with your coworkers/boss

Feel free to vent how much you hate your coworkers and boss to your friends and family, but an interview is not a place to get worked up. Put yourself in a positive mindset and explain simply that it wasn’t a great culture fit. Focus on the experience you gained instead, and how you’re ready to find a new opportunity and a great workplace to apply that experience.

You aren’t making enough money

Whether your living expenses have increased or you think you deserve greater compensation for you work, the last thing you want to do is come across money-motivated and greedy. Explain instead how, though the work was rewarding, you don’t believe your skills are being used to the best potential.

You left for personal/medical/family reasons

It’s completely up to you how much you divulge about your life circumstances, but you want to avoid giving the impression that you only want to work at a company because their benefits, schedule, location, etc will benefit your situation. Focus instead on how you’re excited about this new opportunity to re-apply yourself. Be careful of giving the impression that your life circumstances will continue to affect your work performance.

You were bored

It can be extremely unrewarding to work in a position where you don’t feel stimulated, and looking for a new challenge is a good move. However, you need to answer carefully or risk coming across as dispassionate or negative. Explain how you’re looking for an opportunity in which you can make a difference and reach your full potential.

Bottom Line

In any situation, employers aren’t looking for in-depth, intense answers. Keep it brief, avoid negativity, and be enthusiastic about the future. Also keep in mind that interviewers are looking to find out how you will help them in the company, not how they can help you in your career or life goals.

5 Technology Careers You May Not Have Considered

jameswalsh — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:30:15 +0000

Looking for an incredible, high-tech job? Look no further than these 5 cutting edge IT careers!

The huge amounts of data that dominate the working world create a multitude of career opportunities for someone with an information technology degree. Data must be managed, mined, disseminated and protected, and business sectors around the world (both public and private) are part of the game. While there are many routine IT jobs that are necessary and worthy occupations, the chance to do something unusual and original can be very appealing.

Big Data Analysis/Data Modeler: The term “big data” refers to amounts of data so large that traditional databases can’t adequately manage it. Organizing and making sense of it all takes unique talent, and it’s a talent that’s greatly needed. In fact, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently launched a new research center to focus on innovations in data collection and processing in response to the need.

Individuals who can define and extract valuable elements from big data, and design ways to use those extractions effectively, are rapidly becoming necessary within many organizations. The result: Data modelers and others with big-data experience will be in high demand in coming years. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative predicts up to 50,000 jobs related to big data in that state alone by 2018.

Cyber Security: Protecting those massive amounts of information is an equally important matter and is another area of high demand. Even the federal government is recruiting. Using the term “cyberwarriors,” the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has declared that there aren’t enough qualified candidates to address all the concerns of electronic security.

Analyzing systems, developing safety protocols, and monitoring and defending against attacks all fall under the category of protection, and the Department of Homeland Security is assisting some schools in designing related curriculums to help produce qualified professionals. Staying ahead of hackers is a matter of national security, but the situation also affects ordinary individuals who are potential victims of identity theft. IT professionals have an opportunity to help at all levels.

Computer Forensics: Retrieving data from computer media can be invaluable to businesses that have lost important information due to natural disasters, employee mistakes or perhaps willful acts. Computer forensics can also assist in restoring stolen identities and helping people get their lives back on track. It’s the CSI unit of the information world, and the work requires a high degree of precision and accuracy. For example, forensics investigators must ensure the integrity of retrieved data to prevent evidence tampering, which would render any criminal findings useless.

Retrieving deleted data, revealing hidden files and breaking into data-protected areas (legally, of course) are typical forensics actions. Overcoming intentional anti-forensics protocols that programmers implement is another challenge. Financial fraud, industrial espionage and countless other crimes often involve computers, creating an ongoing need for computer forensics skills.

Robotics and Nano-Technology: Robotics is growing so rapidly, and touches so many areas of business, there appear to be few limits. Robots function in large industrial settings, such as factories and assembly plants. They allow scientists to study other planets yet robots are also capable of intricate tasks, such as delicate surgical procedures and helping those with prosthetic limbs to regain near-normal abilities. IT professionals, such as information research scientists, work with engineers to program, maintain, and improve robotic capabilities. Imagining and creating new uses that travel far outside the box is an exciting prospect.

Meanwhile, computers continue to grow smaller and smaller, and the field of nano-technology is the next frontier. Nano-robots are of particular interest in the medical field. Efforts to store data on a single atom and to develop quantum computers for practical use have already yielded successful results, if very early ones. Imagine programming or maintaining data on an atom; it requires thinking small and huge at the same time.

Disaster Safety: Extending the idea of technology and IT professions is the development of resources for use in disaster situations where humans may not have access. The award-winning Autonomous Learning Agents for Decentralised Data and Information Networks project, otherwise known as ALADDIN, in Southampton, England, has developed and implemented autonomous devices, or agents, capable of functioning without human control. They can act singularly or communicate with other autonomous agents to carry out various tasks.

The project tested weather sensors; rescue simulations that evaluated communication capabilities; and evacuation scenarios that aimed at moving people safely out of disaster areas. The ALADDIN devices have been used in limited real-world situations already, although more testing is needed. This high-level work is groundbreaking; it could also save a lot of lives.

Earning an information technology degree can open the door to a world of possibilities. The most unique and exciting careers typically require additional education; however, taking the first step sets the rest in motion.

by Philip J Reed of the Westwood College Information Technology Degree Program

How to Effectively Apply for Jobs!

jameswalsh — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:30:03 +0000

Learn how to approach your applications and the importance of customizing resumes & cover letters.

You begin your quest for a new job, plopping down in front of your computer to do the application grunt work. Going through job boards, you find countless diverse opportunities. Some pertain to your past experience and others are interesting potentials. After reviewing the list, you have to make an important decision: how should you approach the application process?

When it comes to volume, you want to strike up a strong balance. Too few applications and you limit your opportunities; too many and you needlessly exhaust yourself. The key to sending out effective applications is to create a focused number of customized submissions for relevant positions.

Start by taking a critical look at your experience, skills, & career path and apply for positions that correspond. Sending out scattershot applications to scores of companies does you little good. Your time is better suited pursuing jobs that suit you. Don’t waste unnecessary energy, taking away from more fruitful applications & your own personal time.

To have the greatest effect, make sure to cater your submissions to each individual employer & position. When writing your resume & cover letter, you should never rely on stock pieces. You need to integrate keywords & relevant experiences into both resume & cover letter, highlighting your pertinent assets for hiring managers. You boost your chances just by using a little analysis before hitting the submit button.

Ultimately, when applying, the key to success is striking up a balance and upping the eye-catching potency of your written work. The more you add relevant keywords and specific details, the better off your application materials will be.

By James Walsh

3 tips to keep balance between your work and personal life!

jameswalsh — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:30:10 +0000

The balance between work & life responsibilities has fallen out of proportion for the American workforce. Take back your personal time with these tips!

54% of American employees feel overextended in their jobs according to a survey conducted by The Families and Work Institute. This is a sign of the continued thinning of the once defined line between the work lives and personal lives. Increased workloads, mandatory overtime, and ‘round the clock availability through technology have made it difficult to juggle more than just your work priorities. Don’t lose hope though. You can still reclaim that balance between your work and your personal life. Here are some tips

Optimize Your Work – A great way to reestablish your life balance is to schedule your time and increase your productivity. By focusing on priority work, the top 20 percent of important tasks, you can address and complete the most important deadlines first. Additionally, creating goals and scheduling your day can help you streamline your workload to better optimize your time. All you have to do is make a conscious effort to multitask and prioritize. With time, you will feel less of a weight upon your shoulders.

Define the Line – In the Families and Work survey, 68% of employees who took one to three days off of work, without work related interruptions, returned to the office with diminished feelings of stress. Lower stress levels allow you to objectively assess projects and perform critical tasks with a level head. Plus, you need time for you, your family, & your friends. Don’t cut yourself short!

Your best bet is to make that clear in the workplace. When you have vacation time, take advantage of all of your available days. If coworkers attempt to coax you into assisting them with a project you cannot add to your juggling act, then be honest about it. Explain your own workload and amicably decline. Stretching yourself too thin will only add to your stress levels and make you unhappy in the long run. Ultimately, make sure that you don’t sacrifice yourself as you try to help your coworkers.

Talk with Your Boss – Starting a dialogue with your boss about alternative scheduling options can also be extremely productive. More and more employers are implementing flexible schedules, telecommutes, and four-ten work weeks to retain the best talent. By simply discussing your outside needs, presenting your options, and highlighting the pros of these scheduling opportunities, you have started the ball rolling in a positive direction.

In the end, reestablishing your work/life balance is an ongoing process. It requires patience, dedication, and the ability to leave your work at the office door. Keep working on defining your outside needs, prioritizing at work, and pursuing new ways to schedule your responsibilities. By doing these things & partnering with your boss, you can come to the solution you need. So, good luck and make sure to live a little!

By James Walsh

How to find a job using Facebook!

jameswalsh — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:30:28 +0000

Job boards are old news. Here are a few tips to finding a job on Facebook.

1. Follow companies you’re interested in working at.

As soon as you click that “like” button, you’ll instantly have access to any updates the company posts. Keep an eye out for those that advertise new opportunities.

Some companies you follow will actually have dedicated career sections on their Facebook pages, through which you can often apply directly to an opportunity.

Finally, liking a company on Facebook will keep you updated on their activities, which could give you an upper hand if you ever do interview with them.

2. Networking with your Facebook friends.

You never know who might know about an open position. Let your friends know you’re looking by writing a simple status update, asking if anyone might be able to point you in the right direction.

If you’re feeling more private about your job search, you can always privately message any friends you think might be able to help you.

3. Facebook Marketplace

Did you know Facebook has a job board? If you go to Facebook Marketplace, you’ll find a listing of jobs, which you can filter to a specific category, location, position title, and more. You can apply directly through this application, too.

4. Facebook Ads Part One

Some companies will post ads for new opportunities, so keep an eye on the sidebar of your Facebook window. Also keep in mind that they’ll filter these ads so that they’re only viewable to a specific target audience. Make sure you have a few keywords relating to your field or career path in your Facebook profile that will help you fall into the right audience.

5. Facebook Ads Part Two

If you’re feeling bold and don’t mind putting yourself in the public eye, you might want to post a Facebook ad that advertises your candidacy. Keep it short and sweet, and link it to your Facebook profile, website, LinkedIn bio, etc. Make sure you define a target audience so that the right people see it; i.e. hiring managers or department leaders of certain kinds of companies. It’s a unique path to take, but it has been known to work.

Check out a Jobs Page on Facebook!

7 ways to eliminate job seeking distractions!

jameswalsh — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:30:53 +0000

Distractions can ruin your chances at doing your job search justice, so follow these simple tips and get on the right track to a new job.

We’ve all done it before: interrupted our work flow with trivial distractions. We’ve rechecked Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the 400th time to ensure, without a doubt, that the internet remains and a moment in history hasn’t elapsed without our awareness. We have allowed our minds to wander like a child down the candy aisle, sacrificing productivity for the sweetness of instant gratification, socialization, and the pursuit of Cat videos (even as I typed the words “cat videos,” I was instantly tempted to hunt them down).

When writing resumes, researching for upcoming job interviews, or performing any task that require the full facets of your agile mind, you need to be on track. Wipe the clutter out the clutter and see the difference.

1. Remove yourself from comfortable settings. If you feel too relaxed, the space is probably not right. I’ve always found my home to be the worst place for any ounce of productivity. Television, music, video games, or people eager to draw me into conversation are ever looming in the back of my mind. Quiet & removed is your best bet. Opt for a local coffee shop, a public library, or, if you have a room that can keep you honest, a designated workspace within your home. If you have a broadband card, I might even recommend a quiet public park. Just make sure to hightail it out of there the moment any chattering summer camp kids, fireworks displays, or traveling, psychedelic noise bands start up on the scene; you don’t want to trade the distractions of your home for the weirder distractions of the outside world.

2. Eat something nutritional. The nutrients you feed your body & brain have a direct effect on everything you do. Antioxidant rich fruits like cranberries & blueberries can increase your cognitive performance, problem-solving, & memory. Omega-3 rich fatty fish like salmon & tuna can optimize your brain & keep up your spirits. Green tea can even keep you focused, allowing your brain to run smoothly on steady levels of glucose. When looking for a snack, make sure to avoid high sugar, high fructose foods. They cause momentary, seismic spikes in your brain activity that settle into globs of mental malaise. So don’t grab for sugary candy or energy bars when you are preparing to work; grab a natural alternative instead.

3. Pre-work aerobic exercise. Nothing gets the flow of blood to your brain like aerobic exercise. By getting your body moving with as little as a 15 minute jog, you can promote your own health and accelerate the flow of oxygen to your brain. It’s a perfect way to prepare yourself for nimble problem-solving.

4. Log out of all social networking accounts. If your social networking accounts are open in another tab, they will remain a constant temptation. Log out of every one of your accounts first and foremost. If your login remains active, you may be sucked into the decaying orbit of sites like Facebook or Twitter until you burn up your productivity upon entering their social atmospheres. If you cannot resist temptation, there are programs you can download to eliminate these distracting time-wasters. Programs like Invisibility Cloak or Kiwi Cloak create impediments to accessing these sites by locking you out of them for a set time frame. That way, you can’t stray even if you try!

5. Clear your mind. Entering any project, you bring the mental baggage from the rest of your day. To remove some of your other thoughts & preoccupations, there are a few things you can do. One is to take some deep, calming breaths before starting work; it moves more oxygen to your brain and allows you to focus in more comprehensive ways. Another approach is to unload your errant thoughts on a sheet of paper, transferring them from your brain to the page. It’s a good way to sever your connection with those distractions & gain some perspective.

6. Create a game plan. When you finally do begin to research companies or customize your resume, I always recommend establishing a game plan. Start by determining your overall objective: what you want out of this work session. From there, layout the stepping stone goals that will forward you, bit by bit, to your ultimate goal. By dissecting the big picture into smaller, digestible tasks, you will be able to focus without being overwhelmed.

7. Ignore that little voice inside. That voice you are hearing is the id and it probably wouldn’t mind if you just slacked off the whole day. It may try to sooth you into a sense of false security, suggesting that you’ve earned a break or that you are strong enough to tweet a quick thought or to google Yul Brynner, but don’t listen. There will always be moments where you want to stray from the work at hand but you’ll be better off putting your nose to the grindstone.

So when you prepare for the job search, remove yourself from distractions, give your brain what it needs, and make a game plan to accomplish your goals. Finally, when you finish up, take a break. You can then do whatever you want, having earned all the cat videos your brain can handle.

By
James Walsh

How to Fail a Phone Interview

jameswalsh — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:30:26 +0000

5 Tips for Phone Interviews

The phone screen is an increasingly popular tactic among employers for saving time and screening candidates before committing to a face-to-face interview. However, it’s all too easy to fail a phone interview entirely by accident. While you can’t treat a phone interview the same as an in-person interview, you also can’t treat it lightly.

Here are some tips for what not to do.

1. Too Much Background Noise
Without the privilege of a quiet conference room, you’ll need to pay attention to what sound waves will make it to the other end of the phone line. A crying baby, a morning TV talk show, or a beeping microwave will all make it hard for you to hear questions and the interviewer to hear your answers. Plus, it gives the impression that you aren’t 100% focused on the interview.

2. Multitasking
Your phone interviewer may not be able to see what you’re doing, but he’ll hear it in your voice if you’re distracted. Propping your phone between your head and shoulder while you check your email, clean the kitchen, and feed the dog is enough to make you lose your focus, miss an important question, and get generally confused. Find a quiet space where you won’t get distracted by other tasks.

3. Winging It
It’s easy to fall into the mindset of it being “just” a phone screen, rather than an “official” face-to-face interview. But treating a phone interview this casually and going into it without any preparation may be the cause of your demise. While a phone interview does technically give you an excuse to be in your pajamas, it’s a good idea be prepared and professional. Do your research and put on your best suit.

4. Filling the Silence
Because you don’t have the advantage of seeing what the other person is doing during moments of silence, it’s tempting to fill that silence with “umms,” “ahhs,” or general small talk. However, your interviewer may be jotting down notes or thinking about the next question, and they need that silent second without your filling it. Or, if the silence is on your end while you’re thinking about how to answer, don’t get nervous about the dead air; if necessary, say something like, “let me think about that for a second.” Stay calm, and get comfortable with the silence.

5. A Dying Cell Phone
Nothing could be worse than being in the middle of a winning answer when your phone blacks out because you forgot to charge it beforehand. Have the foresight to plug it in in advance, or at least have the charger nearby in case you hear that warning beep that your phone is on its deathbed.

Ultimately, your best bet is to treat a phone interview similarly to a face-to-face interview while simultaneously being aware of your surroundings and how you sound without the advantage of nonverbal cues.

Job Seeking like an Olympic Athlete!

jameswalsh — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:00:28 +0000

Olympic athletes are working hard to earn medals in London during the 2012 Olympics and you can apply their approach to your job search. Go for the gold!

The Olympic Flame has been lit, the London Stadium has resounded with the cheers innumerable spectators, and the 2012 Olympics are off to a running start. Athletes from around the world have invested time into rigorous training and are finally ready to compete for that coveted gold. Thousands of competitors will gather in London for a shot at that top position on the podium.

To many job seekers, this tough competition is all too familiar. In this aggressive job market, open positions pit hundreds of candidates against each other with only one who can secure the golden position. So, take some tips from Olympic athletes and reach for your goal.

Training: The road to glory begins with serious training. Athletes strengthen and tone to guarantee a shot during qualifying trials. They practice their technique over and over again, focusing on minute movements and turning the best strategies to second nature. The successful job seeker has a similar foundation. You need to practice your skills, pursue new certifications, & learn the intricacies of the interview process. Every nuanced addition to your job seeking training can bring you closer to a new job.

Discipline: Those Olympiads capable of victory, those willing to eat, sleep, & breathe their sport, are willing to discipline themselves to do what needs to be done. For a prospective Olympic athlete, it requires repetition 3 times a day, 6 days a week for the better part of 4 to 8 years. This is not a casual endeavor but dedication in its purest form. Daily work is essential. If you are unemployed, treat the job search like a job. If employed, dedicate time each day to obtain your next job. Sporadic applications will elicit far fewer results and keep your resume writing skills rusty.

Proper relaxation: After the workout routine, athletes allow their bodies to get proper rest. Sometimes sleeping 10 hours with naps throughout the day, this resting period regrows muscle tissue into leaner, more powerful locomotion machines. When searching for a job, it can be beneficial to take a short break. If you are overexerting yourself, there are chances you can become burnt out and subsequently torch your drive to apply. The occasional break to read, socialize, or exercise can help you to return to your search refreshed and ready to go.

Background research: Any seasoned athlete knows his or her sport backwards and forwards. Knowledge of the rules and awareness of technicalities can make the difference between a perfect score & disqualification. There are even government agencies dedicated to gathering Intel for their Olympic. So, background knowledge & research are a big deal. The same can be said during the job search. According to a Career Geek survey, 47% of interviewees made fatal mistakes by entering the interview with little or no knowledge of the company. To win the day, do the prerequisite research on the company, the position, the culture, and any other iota of information that can impress the hiring manager.

Learn from your weaknesses: The greatest Olympiads can turn the mirror upon their own failings. They review tapes of their performances and winning performances, looking for the misstep in their technique and what allowed someone else to succeed. When you review your own weaknesses, it is often best to enlist the help of a professional. Athletes have coaches & trainers; you have professional resume writers, career counselors, and recruiters for your slice of insight. As you leave an interview, you can even ask a hiring manager about your performance. If willing, they can provide you with insight into your verbal and nonverbal mistakes. It can be an enlightening experience.

You won’t always win: In the end, there will be those competitors who walk away with gold, silver, & bronze medals for their country and those who don’t. You won’t win every time. There are only 302 medal events and 14,000 athletes competing. Sometimes, you can do your best and still lose out to someone more qualified. It happens. So, if you don’t snag that dream job, don’t be discouraged. There are lessons to walk away from after any loss and new chances looming just down the road. Olympic athletes always have 2016 to look forward to and you have that next interview to prove yourself.

by
James Walsh

What Type of Company Should You Work For

Clare — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 22:41:54 +0000

Now that hiring is picking up across a large number of industries, most jobseekers are out of the woods of desperation where they’ll take the first job offer that comes their way. In fact, many jobseekers are now seeing several offers come in within days of one another, and they are left with the decision of which to choose. Do you know which you would choose?

The decision might be more complicated than you would at first think, as there is a lot to take into consideration. The easy answer might be to take the offer with the biggest salary. But for the truly satisfied employee, job happiness goes way beyond money. It can also go beyond commute time, benefits packages, and fancy position titles.

What it really comes down to is being a good fit in the company. Most hiring managers aim to find candidates who would fit into their company culture and environment, so if they extend an offer, they probably think you’ll be great. But you can’t rely solely on this judgment.

The first thing you need to do is determine what factors will make you the best, happiest employee you can be. And secondly, you need to find out as much as you can during the interview process. Not only will your questions portray your interest in your company, the answers can also help you make a better decision in the long run.

So, do you thrive in a fast paced, high-energy environment where there’s a lot of hustle and bustle from an outgoing team? Or do you prefer a quiet atmosphere where you can get the job done independently with the occasional friendly interaction with a neighboring coworker?

Are you motivated by an exciting, high-growth start-up company, with entrepreneurial team members and a casual, unstructured work environment? Or do you feel more comfortable in large corporation with a rich history of success and a more traditional office setup?

Whatever your answers, the important thing is to match up your personality with the company you have in mind. Make sure you ask them to describe their work environment, team dynamic, and overall company culture. If they tell you a job offer is in the works, ask if you can meet the team.

Ultimately, you need to find a company that works for you. Only then will you stand a solid chance of building a long-lasting, highly satisfying career with an employer you love.

Is your resume being read? You have 6 seconds. Ready? Go!

jameswalsh — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:30:37 +0000

Studies show hiring managers only spend an average of 6 seconds reading each resume. Will you get their attention?

A recent report from The Ladders cites a study that found most hiring managers spend a mere six seconds reviewing each resume for that initial yes/no decision.

It doesn’t sound fair, considering you put an exponentially higher amount of time into writing that resume, but when you remember you’re just one jobseeker in a pool of thousands, it’s really no wonder.

That said, there are ways to refine your resume in order to put those six whole seconds to good use.

The study found that hiring managers spend 80% of their time reviewing the following:

Name
Current title and company
Previous title and company
Current start and end dates
Previous start and end dates
Education

The remaining 20% is spent browsing for keywords.

What does this all mean? It means that if you carefully present the important information clearly, the better your chances of getting that initial “yes” from the hiring manager.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you should neglect the rest of the information typically found in a resume. These six seconds are just the initial review. Should you make the cut and stand out from that pool of candidates, that is the moment when all the rest comes into play. A concise description of your responsibilities, achievements, and skills will help you make your way towards that final hiring decision.

Ultimately, you need to ensure that you have an organized, easy-to-read layout that clearly presents key elements of your resume.

Are Thank You Letters Really Necessary?

Clare — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:39:20 +0000

Tweet
In short, yes; thank you letters are necessary.

When on the hunt for a new job, it is important to always remember the power of a sincere thank you. Before the interview, after the interview, and when you finally get the job, saying “thank you” is the way to go. You demonstrate your genuine gratitude, portray yourself as a friendly, conscientious person, & make it known that that you still care about the position. After the interview, email & physical mail tend to make the greatest impression, showing you have initiative & creativity at your disposal. This can give you an edge over less thoughtful candidates.

Before sending out the letter, make sure to meticulously review your spelling, phrasing, & sentence structure to avoid any errors. This can have a counter effect to your ultimate goal.

As far as the content goes, make it specific & make it concise. Address your letter to the person you interviewed with for the position – this is where having asked for a business card will come in handy – and refer back to specific tidbits about the company & the interview process. Explicitly reaffirm your interest in the position & express your appreciation for the opportunity.

Do not add much more than this. The more text you have on the page, the greater chance there is to write in a faux pas. The last thing you want to do is waste all of your goodwill with what was supposed to be a well-meaning thank you letter.

So when you have your shot, show that you care & put some time into a thoughtful, concise thank you letter.

Image courtesy of muffintinmom on flickr

The Importance of Work-Life Balance [Infographic]

Clare — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:55:38 +0000

Hardworking, ambitious, and productive are all great skills to have as an employee or job seeker, but your best work is done when you aren’t stressed out. This infographic reminds us how important work-life balance is.

Source: OnlineMBA.com

Going Social: The Role of Social Media in Hiring

Clare — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:14:41 +0000

You can’t get online anymore without seeing at least a handful of references to some miscellaneous social media platform. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter… These are the top three of what appear to be thousands of social networks through which people are interacting each and every day. And with millions of users worldwide, chances are likely that you’re pretty familiar with at least one of them.

Yet despite social media’s growing prevalence, the extent to which companies are using social media in their daily business routine is still surprisingly low. There are definitely businesses out there that stand at the forefront of technological trends and already have a strong social media presence – and you may even be one of them – but it’s still widely misunderstood just how social media plays a role in the hiring process.

Branding vs. Gathering
It’s important to realize that there’s a difference between using social media to build your image as an employer and using it to gather information on a candidate. When talking about the role of social media in hiring, many people are referring to the latter. By this, they mean checking out a candidate’s online presence at some point during the hiring process, maybe to find out how tech savvy they are, what their interests are, or how their communication skills are.

No matter why hiring managers are checking out this information, it’s essential to understand that there may be legal implications, not all of which are clearly defined. For example, looking into this information may provide hints into a candidate’s religious and political views, sexual orientation, and more, all of which is information that can clearly not be used in the hiring decision.

However, beyond this, social media is an excellent tool to establish a strong employer brand that attracts candidates to your company. It’s a platform to make people understand and get excited about what it’s like to work for you. The bigger the following you attract to your career related social media accounts, the larger the network of potential candidates you will have at your fingertips.

LinkedIn
LinkedIn is by far the biggest social network in regards to hiring. It puts a professional spin onto the social media world, allowing candidates to present their resumes within their profiles, follow employers, and search jobs.

LinkedIn presents employers with just as many options for building their brands as it gives to jobseekers. First, if your company doesn’t already have a general company profile page, this can be a useful resource to get basic information out there. The company page includes a business overview, summary of services, and a careers section.

Secondly, a company group is very valuable, as it not only has the option to posts jobs, but also opens the stage for high-level interaction with other LinkedIn users. It is here where you can put a face on your company, by posting interesting discussions that create engagement between your group members. Also bear in mind that you can always create a Company Careers group separate from your company’s main group, if you have enough people to administer each one.

To attract job seekers, post discussions that include insight into current employment rates, advice and tips for the job search, and interesting links about industry news and trends. The stronger your group presence is on LinkedIn, the more response you’ll get to jobs you post. Plus, you’ll often find that candidates you find through this medium are of much higher caliber than those who saturate job boards.

Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and Twitter are two of the largest social networks out there, and both offer an excellent platform to present your company as more than just a business, but also an employer.

Both operate on a more personal, informal level than LinkedIn, which makes it easier to really engage users as well as show off your work culture. You have a couple of options as to how you go about using Facebook and Twitter in hiring. You can either use your company’s main account or you can create a separate account focused on careers. The choice here will probably rely on the size of your company and how often you’re hiring.

As with LinkedIn, the goal is to create high levels of engagement in order to increase the response you’ll get when you come to actually post jobs. Though you’ll want to create some variety between the two platforms, you can post discussions, questions, interesting links, pictures, and more to help encourage conversation.

To help promote your employer brand, you can also have some fun by offering sneak peaks into your company’s work culture. Post pictures of company events, have employees contribute to the conversation, and share insightful resources for growing careers.

Bottom Line
No matter which platform you choose, you have to recognize that it will take time and consistent effort to reach impressive results. But the results that you do get once you’ve established a solid social media presence will be more than worth the effort.

Be as transparent about your company and its work culture as you can. Employer branding, especially on online platforms, is about being realistic. If you brand yourself as something you’re not, you won’t attract the kind of candidate who will work out as an employee.

Ultimately, the use of social media in hiring is about creating an image that attracts and builds relationships with potential candidates. It’s an interactive tool that can play a huge role in the hiring process, provided significant time and effort are appropriated.

How to become a Data Scientist

jameswalsh — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:24:35 +0000

For those would be data scientists, here are the skills you need to be a success!

Check here to read the first part about Big Data!

Data scientists are the skilled professionals who can turn raw, unstructured data into answers about brand sentiment, product strategy, asset utilization, and much more. They provide predictive analysis that can pay off in dividends and earn both themselves and their companies a sizable fortune. Now you may be asking, “What do I need to do to pursue a career in data science?” What follows are key skills to have for any aspiring data scientist.

• A great place to start your training is through one of a number of growing university programs which cater to both college age students and ambitious executives looking to increase their business potency. One such program is available through Syracuse University, where they take great pride in providing interdisciplinary training through their School of Information Studies or “iSchool.” A mixture of business and technology, the program exposes students to a variety of disciplines, methods, and skill sets to prepare them for data science in the outside world. Erin Bartolo, the Data Science Program Manager at the iSchool, enthusiastically highlighted the university’s focus on more than just cutting-edge technology. She says, “we’re not married to any particular technical skill […] so if Hadoop disappears and something else replaces it, our students aren’t out of a job. We train them to be thought leaders.” Through Syracuse and other programs, theory and practical laboratory work are combined with soft skills that pay dividends in any position with the ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead.

• For those already outside of college, a great starting degrees for pursuing data science are in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science/Engineering. Additionally, any other degrees and skills you have may give you a unique edge. A broad knowledge base can give you the skills necessary to view big data analysis in a fresh new way!

• It is essential to master a flexible data-intensive program. Hadoop, Oracle, NoSQL, and countless others allow you to mine, index, and aggregate real-time data in substantial ways. As the predominant leader, Hadoop is definitely a good choice, thanks to its high performance velocity and massive parallelization. As an open source project, its massive user base is continually working to streamline operations and evolve possibilities. While Hadoop is in prevalent use among data scientists, that doesn’t mean you should overlook other programs. Alternates like Oracle and NoSQL offer strong scalability and an intuitive layout which is attracting BI analysts and data scientists alike. If you are

• Mining gems out of zettabytes of data is no easy task. It requires persistence to slog through messy, complicated information. Those with experience building databases are situated for greater success because they comprehend the structures and frameworks involved. If you have only performed data management, the transition will not be as smooth. A strong understanding of SQL Server or Oracle provides you with hands-on, in-depth work that can give you an edge in the industry.

A Final Word

If you have passion for and comprehension of big data, there are countless, diverse opportunities out there awaiting you. Positions can be found throughout industries and a great way to learn about new opportunities is to contact one of our recruiters. With new jobs coming through all the time, our recruiters are poised to offer you the guidance you need as you begin a career in Big Data science.

by James Walsh

The Essentials of Big Data Analysis

jameswalsh — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:00:16 +0000

An overview of Big Data analysis and what it can do for you!

Data is the indispensible commodity of our age. Businesses, research facilities, and government organizations all collect endless streams of data that, when correctly assessed, can mean unparalleled breakthroughs and growth. Organizations, realizing the true value of their data reservoirs, are willing to handsomely reward anyone capable of extracting refined nuggets of insight from these mounds of unrefined information. The rewards are definitely great.

For those skilled in big data analytics, the median salary is $90,000, and by the year 2018, there are expected to be 190,000 big data positions, many of which do not exist yet! So, if you are passionate about decoding hidden solutions from a treasure trove of information, you may have found your calling.

The Breakdown

The first step is to understand what it means to be working with “big data.” “Big” data refers to the vast quantity of information which we can now access, quantities that far surpass previously feasible database amounts. Less than a decade ago, a terabyte was an imposing amount of information.

Now, that same terabyte of storage is readily available on the consumer market through electronic retail chains & E-Commerce while companies regularly access and digest petabytes, exabytes, and zettabytes of information, only a sliver of which is structured.

Erin Bartolo, the Data Science Program Manager at the Syracuse University iSchool, says that the power of big data lies in the ability to handle quantities of unstructured data. She says that most information, “isn’t going in a relational database in a neat little row” because it is more complex than that.

In addition to numeric, quantitative information, big data analysis focuses upon unique, qualitative information. The goal of big data is to turn untapped information in the form of maps, images, weather patterns, physician’s notes, and a near multitudinous array of content into heretofore unseen business intelligence.

Traditional business intelligence solutions, which rely heavily on structured queries, are almost incapable of analyzing this trove of information without meticulous, time-consuming adjustments to handle even the smallest amount of semi-structured data. That is where the division is drawn and business intelligence allows big data analysis to take over.

To achieve more rapid, adaptive capabilities, developers began generating systems, applications, and frameworks like Hadoop, NOSQL, Oracle, and countless other programs to transform unstructured data into timely, fresh insight. Susan Puccinelli with Datameer, a Hadoop data analytics company, emphasizes the power that their program provides. She says, “Hadoop keeps all data in the raw form, so IT doesn’t have to go back and re-model and re-schema your data every time a business user wants to ask a new question or analyze a different set of data.”

The velocity of programs like Hadoop is phenomenal and provides savvy users with complex, indispensable information. This information can identify business trends, catch drug side effects in trial medication, use statistics to better combat crime rates, and provide countless other conclusions, all of which executives, scientists, and government officials are earnest to capitalize on. Using big data, you gain a glimpse into the bigger picture and in turn, need a broader, more ambitious mind to envision and predict the right solutions for the future.

Check out part two here!

By James Walsh

How Rejecting a Job Offer Can Ruin your Reputation.

jameswalsh — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:00:59 +0000

Tips for Avoiding the “Wrong Way” to Turn Down a Job Offer

As the job market continues to heat up, you may be fortunate enough to experience several job offers falling into your hands. However, having limited hours in the day and just one brain and body to work on your behalf, you obviously can only say yes once. In rejecting the rest of those offers, it’s important to avoid turning them down in the “wrong” way.

Wondering why such etiquette exists? If you turn down a job offer in the “wrong” way, you run the risk of appearing unprofessional and immature, a reputation you may have a hard time shaking. If you’re working with a recruiter, they’ll be wary about working with you in the future. And even if you’re not, any future opportunities with a company you reject may be out of the picture. Finally, depending on your industry and your geographic location, the network of hiring managers may be small enough that your name and reputation spreads, potentially ruining your future chances with any number of companies.

Wrong ways to turn down a job offer:

• Accepting the offer and then failing to show up and giving no notice
• Accepting the offer at first and then rejecting it just hours before you start
• Accepting the offer and then negotiating a counteroffer from your current employer
• Telling them you’ll think about it and then never get back to them
• Rejecting the offer in an immature manner, such as laughing scornfully

Any of these options are sure to ruin your reputation, which in turn may ruin your chances for future employment. Just remember to make calculated choices and be cautious if you truly decide to turn down an offer.

Words to Avoid on Your Resume

jameswalsh — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 13:00:47 +0000

Word choice affects how hiring managers pick candidates so get rid of these words from your resume and see results.

The English language is a bountiful one with, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, well over 171,000 words in current usage, not to mention all of those wacky, obsolete words that fell off of our tongues into obscurity centuries ago. Yet for some reason, as job seekers, we often rely on static language that has been treaded over, time and time again, as we try to depict our perfect selves in words. Cliché and hackneyed phrases bore hiring managers and lose your resume in the countless files cluttering his or her inbox. So spruce up your image and strike the following words from your resume writing vocabulary.

Creative, Innovative
Good alternatives: inventive, inspired, imaginative

Adaptable, Dynamic
Good alternatives: flexible, versatile, malleable, resilient

Effective
Good alternatives: potent, persuasive, emphatic results

Team player
Good alternatives: collaborative, cooperative, cohesive worker

Motivated
Good alternatives: Disposed, propelled, galvanized, compelled

Extensive Experience, Track Record, Accomplished
Alternative example: “Supported 1,500 Windows and Linux users,” or “Maintained uninterrupted network connections for 5 straight years.”

With words and phrases like the last three, your best bet is to simply focus instead on quantifiable examples of your work. You want the person reading your resume to realize you have extensive experience and a great track record. You don’t want to force-feed the concept to them. It should seem a natural and organic decision on the hiring manager’s part. The same can be said for “accomplished,” “results-driven,” “successful,” and “qualified.”

An original way of describing yourself leaves a lasting impression. It demonstrates inventiveness and dedication to generating a unique self portrait and implies your ability as a great communicator. Pick up a thesaurus and find words that suit your personality and the connotation you want to convey. Make sure you use words that you understand and continually work to expand your vocabulary.

by James Walsh

Extinguishing Job Burnout

Clare — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:00:21 +0000

Feeling burned out? Following are tips for conquering the burnout before your boss or your interviewer catches on.

Is that summer sun desperately trying to lure you from the depths of your stifling cubicle? Maybe that glaring computer screen is starting to burn its image into your retinas. Or, instead, the hoards of papers piled upon your desk are threatening to inflict several strategically placed paper cuts.

If these sound like familiar scenarios, you may be experiencing job burnout. And whether you’re looking to keep your job or you’re searching for a new one, job burnout is a fire you need to put out the minute you become aware of its heat.

Why? Because job burnout negatively impacts your productivity, energy level, and attitude, which are all important factors in both job performance and the job search. Without these three factors in your favor, you’ll likely find yourself buried in the ashes of unemployment.

With that said, here are a three simple tips for extinguishing job burnout.

Take a Break
It sounds like the easiest solution in the world, but how often do you take a real break from your work? Taking a few minutes out of your day that are completely uninterrupted by emails, phone calls, and nosey co-workers/family members should help give you the perspective you need to re-energize.

Stay Healthy
From your crumby Doritos habit to your nightly dates hand in hand with the TV remote, a couch-potato lifestyle is only going to perpetuate your job burnout. Squeezing in a weekly workout or munching on a handful of veggies can help your body get your brain where it needs to be.

Switch It Up
Laboring over the same tasks at the same desk under the same schedule day in and day out would drive anyone into the depths of a burnout. So shake things up a bit. Take a different route to work. Flip your morning and afternoon tasks. Take your work out of the office if you can. Getting your brain out of the familiar grind will give it room for creativity, and creativity is often the key to extinguishing burnout.

These three basic tips can take you in countless directions on the route to reversing your burnout. Once you’ve met those piles of papers with fresh eyes, taken a refreshing break from your computer, and enjoyed that summer sun for a few moments, you’ll find yourself much more productive, energetic, and positive, and on your way to a happier work experience.

Using Hackathons to Your Advantage!

jameswalsh — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:27 +0000

Imagine tables of people engrossed in their laptop screens, alternating between lines of breakneck coding and fuel sources – be it pizza, takeout Chinese, or cylinder after cylinder of liquid lightning – as they develop and design towards an ever-approaching deadline. Sound like a programming thrill rush? If so, you have the exciting world of Hackathons.

If you have never been to a Hackathon, you are missing out on a great opportunity. Programmers, developers, & software engineers get to leave the confines of their offices and homes to compete, code, and generally just have a good time with fellow code junkies. For anyone in the market for a new job, there are countless reasons to get involved!

Increase your coding speed: Hackathons offer structured, tight deadlines where teams compete to meet challenges with their creative innovations. To succeed, participants learn to concisely brainstorm, divide up tasks, and streamline their coding processes. All time wasting goes out the window. Every minute has to count for something – even if that minute is taking care to catch quick shut eye or eat – so losing your focus on the edge of victory can be killer. Nothing teaches you to make split-second decisions like a 24 hour deadline hanging, like a sword of Damocles, over your head.

Increase Your Network: As a dedicated programmer, chances are you’ve frequented a forum or chat room to gather the latest information and impart your own wisdom. You may have chatted with some users or even shared a meme or two, but chances are, you wouldn’t be able to identify lizi3lite or JavaMonster237 if they smacked you in the face. Hackathons offer a social, physical space where you can meet up with programmers, share some work, and put a face with that name. Plus, for those people you haven’t met, there are opportunities here to network, start up outside projects, and learn about employment opportunities firsthand. Plus, the host organization often uses the Hackathon as a way to scout out new talent!

Add to Your Resume: When writing your resume, Hackathon experience can pay off in your favor. If you are currently employed, it shows you are passionate about what you do and are continually looking for new and different challenges to put up against your knowledge base. For those who are unemployed, Hackathons are critical ways to keep your skills fresh and even add to your portfolio. It’s a good way to boost the appearance of your work history during any annoying employment gaps.

Do Something Awesome: Hackathons offer a variety of challenges dependent upon the host’s agenda. Some Hackathons are free form with no concrete objective outside of a finished product while others are geared toward improving a language, developing mobile games, or even benefiting regions where natural disaster programs are in dire need. Regardless the challenge, you’ll be doing something cutting-edge that you may not have a chance to do anywhere else.

So the question comes down to where these events can be found. A good starting place for Android, iOS and web developers is through Dice. Beyond that, with groups like Google, Microsoft, the Illinois Technology Association, and countless others offering events worldwide throughout the year, your best bet is to get involved with a digital community. Reach out to your peers, keep up with forums, and check out community events in your city to catch on to the right buzz. When you find one, jump on it because spots fill up fast and you don’t want to be left on the sidelines.

So what are you waiting for? The clock is winding down toward the next Hackathon. Where will you be?

By James Walsh

April Hiring Trends

jameswalsh — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:11:05 +0000

Steady job growth continued its onward march for both the information technology and engineering industries in April. Market Watch reported 17,000 additional information technology jobs, a 4 percent increase from prior statistics. This marks the fourth consecutive month of IT employment growth, spurned by several developments in the information technology world.

Cloud computing is on the rise, with greater numbers of Fortune 1000 companies and other ambitious firms assimilating this advantageous data storage technique into their IT schema. TechNavio predicts unrivaled operational gains for companies that readily ascend to the cloud and, in correlation, growth for cloud and SaaS savvy developers. Software Developers will also see gains. The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates vibrant position openings from 2010 through 2020, as application innovators, healthcare groups and electronic medical records firms vie for Software Development dynamos.

Engineering positions saw a 7.4 percent increase according to Department of Labor fact-finding. With petroleum engineering increasing in states like Oklahoma and with overall engineering unemployment at 7.5 – under the new national average of 8.1 – prospects are persistently on the rise.

On the business side, 27 percent of companies confidently reported to Deloitte LLC that they do not plan to seek outside financial funding, suggesting a return to greater stability in corporate accounts. So now, all that remains, as in any instance of potential energy, is a move in the right direction.

by
James Walsh

Sources: MarketWatch, Dice, Harvard Business School, U.S. Department of Labor

Step Brothers: A Cautionary Tale For Interview Success

jameswalsh — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:50:50 +0000

Probably not a newsflash but the characters played by Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly make titanically bad choices. As stunted step brothers or NASCAR buddies, the two bumble through every human interaction with an utter obliviousness to the ways of the world and leave audiences choking on laughter. Many find them hilarious but, needless to say, they are not the type of guys you want to positively model your job search after. However, “Step Brothers” does offer a montage of cataclysmic interview “don’ts” that is a perfect cautionary tale for anyone looking to succeed during the hiring process.

Dress the Part: Dress to impress. It is an adage we’ve all heard and one that most job seekers choose to follow. The most common recommendation is dressing a job level above your position. Sweatpants, spaghetti strap shirts, and logo bearing tees are obvious ways to create first impressions that sink your prospects to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Interestingly enough, overdressing can accomplish the same result. If you walk into an interview decked out in coattails & a bowtie or a flowing prom dress & tiara, jaws will probably drop. But not in a good way. Hiring managers will wonder which limousine driver dumped you far from your wedding reception or high school prom. Then, they will direct you to the nearest banquet hall, pat you on the back and politely ask you to leave.

Come Alone: Avoid the allure of a tag-team interview. This isn’t professional wrestling and you are not being interviewed by Macho Man Randy Savage. This seems obvious since you probably aren’t wearing spandex. Oddly enough, a greater number of job searches have been involving a third party: parents. Michigan State University reported that out of 700 businesses surveyed, 15% received calls from parents trying to argue their child into a job and 9% said parents had attempted to haggle higher salaries and benefits. Having your mom or dad call on your behalf stopped working in middle school. Hiring managers see this as a sign of immaturity and are reluctant to continue negotiations when parents or next-of-kin become involved.

Listen Attentively: In the movie, Ferrell at one point repeatedly asks a hiring manager to repeat herself. Not a problem at first but then he silences her, repeatedly, and draws out a nuclear meltdown from a once composed woman. In most cases, any clarifying, insightful questions are welcome during an interview. Questions can demonstrate a genuine interest in learning as much about the company objectives, policies and environment as possible. Hiring managers are less excited about repetitive questions. If you get lost in a thought that leads to lamenting over the disappointing game last night, thinking about your lunch, or wondering why toast always lands butter side down, you will probably derail the conversation. I wouldn’t be surprised if the hiring manager imagined a vacant, tumbleweed stricken lot occupying the upstairs apartment where your attention span used to reside.

Responses: Never tell a hiring manager to “shut her mouth.”

Keep the Personal Stuff Personal: Keep. It. Professional. Managers will sometimes probe into personal questions as a form of small talk. Answer honestly but never elaborate too much and never delve into the deepest, darkest secrets that only you and your psychoanalyst share. Limited personal disclosure is the name of the game. Better yet, avoid asking too many questions about their personal life. The moment a tuxedoed, crazy-eyed candidate starts asking deeply personal questions about a hiring manager’s spouse or family, that is the moment that tuxedoed, crazy-eyed candidate will be ejected from the building out onto the curb.

Avoid Discussing Money: Want to alienate a potential boss? Start talking about salaries. Job seekers are best avoiding the subject of compensation until the first interview is over. Sometimes, hiring managers will broach the topic early but you should always tread with care. Discussing salary makes you appear mercenary, as if you only care about money and will defect at a moment’s notice if the pay is good enough. An even worse tactic is to ask a hiring manager about his or her salary. You will know the meaning of lightning fast, when they shut you down.

Know Your Audience: Contradicting logic, Ferrell and Reilly finally luck out when they interview with Seth Rogan. He shares their sense of humor, irony, and even thinks they are cool guys. Unintentionally, they have played their cards right. One of the greatest tools in your arsenal is the ability to read your audience. Through observation, you can determine which way to direct your responses. Once again, honesty is key but by reading your audience, you will know exactly what truths to highlight. If you can get the hiring manager talking twice as much as listening to your responses, more than likely you have the job in the bag. In their favor, this was the best thing the brothers did by far.

Watch What You Eat: And then they ruin it with prolonged, unapologetic flatulence. What you eat before an interview makes a huge difference. Avoid broccoli, legumes, high-fiber cereals, and curry before an interview to keep your digestive system from voicing its opinions throughout your conversation. Additionally, watch the amount of liquids you drink. Coffee and water can shoot through you at inappropriate times, forcing you to rush for the restroom after being asked your greatest weakness (the answer is bladder control).

Overall, it all comes down to attention: attention to your appearance, attention to the way you are perceived, and attention to your approach. An interview is not something you just do. There should be considerable forethought, analysis, and preparation throughout the process. Every word and action suggests something about you, whether you intend it to or not. So your best bet is to prepare in advance, act shrewdly and offer your best face for the hiring manager. Down the road, when you are sitting in your new office, loving your new job, you can take a moment, and thank Ferrell and Reilly for failing stupendously and sending you down a different path. For now, just don’t show up in a tuxedo.

by
James Walsh

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Writing Resumes Without Shooting Your Foot

jameswalsh — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:35:37 +0000

Many people feel that as long as they include a few buzz words, they will secure an interview and have time to sell themselves once they get their foot in the door. Very few, however, consider what a resume does for you. Not only does it represent the culmination of years of your professional and academic career but, it’s also a snapshot of who you are and the most powerful representation you will show an organization.

As a technical staffer, I review hundreds of resumes daily. Most people would be shocked to find that the painstaking hours you spent on your resume is reviewed in a four, yes four, second glance or less. So what will it take to put your best foot forward? Consider these recommendations:

Formatting: Good formatting on a resume can make or break a company’s decision to bring someone on to the next step. As an employer, would you really trust someone who states they have an “acute” attention to detail when their resume is formatted with odd spacing, peculiar bullet points, or different fonts? If the attention to detail is this poor, what does that mean once that person shows up to work?

Recent First: Having the most recent work on the top of your resume is incredibly important. The last thing you want to do is confuse an employer who is trying to hunt and peck through your resume to find what they are looking for. Often, this is the number one reason why a resume gets discarded.

Course Work: If you are a recent graduate applying for your first job, make sure to include your school work; listing a degree is not enough. Every school and curriculum is different, so make sure to paint as clear a picture as possible, especially with Capstones and Final projects.

Work Examples: What speaks more than a thousand words? A picture. If you have examples of your work, include them. This can be as simple as a link to previous work or to your own website; it shows a better idea of your vision. If you are a front end, UI, or Graphic Developer/Designer, this is an absolute must. This little bit of effort will absolutely pay off.

Contact Information: Keep the contact information professional. You want an email address that has your first name and last name; if you have the same cute one from high school or college, highly consider a new email. Additionally, make sure it is not an email that will expire; there is always a chance to be contacted months or even a year later and an email that bounces will not be considered.

Descriptions: It is helpful to describe your general skills and the types of things you’ve done on the job. This should be less than 5 sentences. You want to have a description but not a novel.

Bullet Points: If you accomplished something unique or if you worked on a project that improved your skill-set, highlight them here. Your descriptions are there to impress, not for employers to get lost. Try to keep these in the 5-7 bullet point range.

History: So, you have 30 years of work experience. That’s great. Having a successful career is something to be proud of. However, how relevant do you think your technical work from 30 years ago remains? How much has technology changed in 5 years? To employers, that length of extensive work history means very little. Keep your work history to no more than 15 years. It’s time to move on and show only your recent, relevant skills. Most likely, those are the only ones that represent the jobs you are interested in.

Outside Experiences: Have you been leading a meet up group or coding session, volunteering your IT skills for a great cause or working on the side in a relevant field? List it. This is especially important if you are making the leap to a slightly different technology. If it’s not on your resume, how will an employer know about those experiences?

Length: Do you have 5 years of experience of less? Keep your resume to 2 pages. If you have more than that, then yes, you can expand. A caveat to long resumes is that more than 3 pages typically ends up raising more flags then answering questions. If you perfect your resume, you can sell the minute details later. Don’t expect to list every single thing since the beginning of time. Listing your summer camp experience with a technology company when you were 14 isn’t going to help.

Technologies: List the technologies as you use them. If you are using .Net, don’t take it for granted the employer will know that. For all we know you might still be on classic ASP so make sure to paint a clear picture. As with the descriptions, describe how you used each language within every important project. One of the largest mistakes professionals make is hiding technology proficiencies in a box at the top or bottom of the resume and expecting everyone else to translate their worth.

Overall: Make sure you represent yourself well to secure that first interview. Keep your resume updated as it changes; it will be far less daunting if something exceptional comes along. Also, keep your original template because reformatting is never fun. Hope that helps, and remember, I and our recruiters are always here if you have more questions.

by
Ana Malecki

Combating Counteroffers: We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet!

jameswalsh — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:19:23 +0000

Sitting in your boss’s office, you just delivered the speech you’ve been reciting to yourself for the last week: you found another job where you will be recognized and rewarded for your true worth. The hand is on the other side of the table and your boss decides to not let you go. Now, you are “irreplaceable.” Now, “every project will fall apart without you.” Now, you are made a counteroffer with more zeroes than you expected. What do you do?

This counteroffer may be characterized by pleading or flattery or the gnashing of teeth but ultimately ends with an overwhelming “greater” offer. Employers everywhere use this tactic to keep top performers in the fold but what is their ultimate aim? National statistics show that 89% of people who accept counteroffers are gone within six months. Here are a few reasons why:

Replacing the Irreplaceable: Your boss may characterize you as irreplaceable or indispensible now but more than likely, they are aggressively seeking your replacement. The counteroffer is often used to lull you into a sense of false security while they determine the best person to take your job. This tactic allows them to end the employment relationship on their terms, severing you at the first opportunity.

You Have Declared Your Lack of Loyalty: You were willing to leave before, what will prevent you from leaving in the future? That question is constantly mulling in the minds of management. You have marked yourself as a disloyal associate, out of line with the actively engaged members of their team. When cutbacks become necessary, you will be their first choice and when opportunities for advancement present themselves, you will be their last.

Your Passion Will Never Be the Same: Upon finding another job, you mentally prepare yourself for the coming departure. You focus on wrapping up loose ends and completing projects to their full extent; thoughts of the future lose their priority. Upon accepting the counteroffer, rekindling your passion can be a difficult, often insurmountable task leading only to further wanderlust. Ultimately, your days with the company are numbered.

Nothing Has Changed: The reasons that encouraged you to leave in the first place have not changed. Whether your work environment failed to stimulate you or you were inadequately recognized for your achievements, these issues will stagnantly remain the same. In most cases, management learns nothing from your threat to leave and you will only repeat the same song and dance months down the road.

When your boss makes that counteroffer, follow Nancy Reagan’s lead and “Just Say No.” The seeds of discontent have been sown and both parties will eventually tire of the mutual partnership. Skip the inevitable, cut the cord and take the new job. Your future and self-worth deserve better.

by James Walsh

Food for Thought: Where Work and Social Media Intersect

Clare — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:45:25 +0000

Since it’s been reported that by 2025 (a mere 13 years away), 75% of the workforce will consist of Generation Y (those born in the late 80’s and 90’s), the topic of social media in the workplace becomes an ever more important one.

Why? Because more than any other generation before them, this group of youngsters highly values work-life balance. Not only that, but it’s a more integrated work-life balance than has ever been seen in the workplace before. They believe that work and life should not be separate entities at opposite ends of the day and different days of the week. Instead, they should be meshed together in harmony.

This leads to a greater demand for flexibility in the workplace and a broader range of responsibilities that allow them to do what they love. Most importantly though, this means a greater level of connection and communication, primarily through social media.

Just as work and personal data are being combined on the same mobile devices, this generation wishes to do the same in the office itself. Many studies have found the surprising result that a good majority of this generation deems the use of social media at work more important than a higher salary. And in a study surveying Facebook users, over half of this generation are Facebook friends with coworkers.

It’s a phenomenon that many companies are already embracing. This is a generation that can brings fresh new perspectives to the table, and you may be surprised that despite their use of social media in the office, they are often more productive and passionate about their work than you might have expected. Even if you’re not actively hiring Gen Y-ers, chances are that you will be in the future. Now is a great time to look over your policies and practices in order to attract the best workers of this millennial generation.

Job Search Tips: Buzz Words!

jameswalsh — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:43:46 +0000

Picture this: a beleaguered hiring manager is peering into the pixels of a monitor, reviewing applicant upon applicant for a hot, new position opening in her cutting-edge corporation. Hundreds of people have applied and sure, there are strong candidates but finding the perfect fit has become a Herculean labor. Maybe because certain resumes fail to snap, the hiring manager begins skimming and your submission falls into the gray anonymity that leaves your inbox and voicemail empty and that new position out of reach.

When hiring, employers are looking for a vibrant candidate to jump out. Most take the time to highlight the desired attributes of that ideal individual, hoping for a perfect person who is both bold and apparent in the choosing. That is why accentuating your aptitudes is essential to your success and why using buzz words should always be on your mind. Buzz words are key adjectives and phrases that the employer essentially drops into your hands. Scattered throughout every job posting, buzz words describe exactly what each company wants down to the tee by suggesting desired skills, personality strengths and overall experience.

To start, the savvy resume writer always writes a fresh resume for every position with every company (generic applications and bullet points sabotage your chances before any first meeting). From there, you should customize your resume to highlight the exact qualities a manager is looking to see. So, when the job requires extensive SQL experience or work creating trading and auction applications, talk about those experiences. Optimize your potential by relating everything back to this position that you desire. If a job does not directly relate to your future work, discuss the transferable skills you have gained in past positions. Avoid wasting your time discussing every duty of every job or talking about all of the burgers you flipped in high school; anything that detracts from the image you are trying to convey should be trimmed as excess fat.

Now, that does not mean you should gloss over all your other talents. Demonstrating that you are a multifaceted employee is what makes you stand out among the clear-cut contenders. The greatest injustice you can do yourself is to limit your own portrait and avoid heavily emphasizing those transferable skills. Plus, if you over-saturate your resume with buzzwords, you may lose the very edge you are looking to promote. This type of over-stuffing suggests you are merely manipulating the company, moving beyond highlighting yourself as the best candidate to stuffing the very concept down their throats. In this, as in all endeavors, moderation is essential.

So when you apply, use the type of buzz words that grab attentions and convince employers, without a doubt, to arrange an interview; from there, you have the opportunity needed to make a stellar impression.

Good Luck!

by James Walsh

Are “Four Tens” For Your Business?

kgallagher — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:53 +0000

Before 1938 the American work week looked a lot different than what we see today. Often times, an employee was required to work over twelve hours a day, sometimes six days a week. To improve employee morale on a National level, the Federal Government instated the Labor Standards Act, which standardized the eight hour work day and forty hour work week. Thus, the landscape of traditional American Employment was created.

The idea that employees should work the hours outlined in the Labor Standards Act is no more than that; an idea. While the standard was changed back in 1938 to fit the needs of the American people, it now looks like companies nationwide are moving towards a new idea. The concept of the four-day work week with 10 hour days is revolutionizing the way we work and resetting the ‘standard’.

The Benefits of Four Tens

The idea of the four day work week has actually been around for a while, and hesitant companies have watched eagerly as bolder organizations tested the waters. The results have proven to be a bit surprising, as employees on this schedule have demonstrated more innovation, creativity and productivity since the switch.

In the 1930’s, renowned business owner W. K. Kellogg decreased his company’s work week. He had this to say about his decision: “The efficiency and morale of our employees is so increased, the accident and insurance rates are so improved, and the unit cost of production is so lowered that we can afford to pay as much for six hours as we formerly paid for eight.”

Experts speculate the increased proficiency and efficiency is due to a new found sense of urgency. As an employee’s work week decreases, their workload does not. Even if they are working the same amount of hours, the idea of one less day creates a psychological notion that they need to work harder and faster to complete their weekly tasks. In addition to a sense of urgency, experts also see increased productivity as a result of decreased absenteeism. With one extra day during the week to themselves, employees are able to complete personal tasks such as doctor’s appointments, court dates and more without having to miss work.

It has also been shown that employees who participate in a four day work week are generally happier people. Sixty percent of Americans admit they do not spend enough time with their families. With a four day work week, employees will be at home almost as many days as they are at work. More time at home and more personal time increases employee morale exponentially.

Managers at organizations that have already decreased their work weeks have also seen increased levels of morale due to more frequent social interaction between employees. Generally, people have plans with family and personal friends on Fridays and Saturdays. Opening an additional evening for your employees to gather as friends outside of work creates meaningful and lasting relationships within your workforce. One of the top reasons a person will stay at their place of employment, even when offered more money from another company, is because of a strong personal relationship with someone they work with.

The Challenges of Four Tens

Although the benefits of creating an alternative work schedule are numerous, it’s obviously a big decision to make for any company, and there are possible negative impacts which should not be left unexplored. For example, the issue of trying to find childcare to accommodate the extended work hours has proven to be a challenge for some employees. Also, dependent on the type of business, closing your doors during normal business days could decrease clientele.

But these issues have only proven to present themselves as problems in the initial stages of implementation. Once employees and clients alike have acclimated to the changes, the positives in most cases seem to outweigh the negatives. If something like childcare may be an issue for your employees, give it test run during the summer. If it proves to be something that doesn’t work for your company, simply revert back to the customary schedule at the close of the summer.

The Big Impact of Four Tens

Luckily, decreased work weeks have been in place in the United States for some time. There have also been countless studies documenting alternative work schedules, which could assist an otherwise weary business owner in making an educated decision. During the “oil shocks” of the 1970’s, it was actually federally mandated that companies cut down their work weeks to decrease the demand for oil. This benefit of commuting just four days a week is still a major plus for many Americans. If each company was required to stagger the ‘fifth day’ and alternate days off, commuters would see an overall decrease in traffic by twenty percent! Not only would we save time, gas and money, we would also significantly lessen the release of airborne contaminates and harmful pollutants.

Reasons Behind the Current Trend

So, why is the change happening now, after nearly seventy years of a compliant American Public? The shift in employee wants and needs is largely due to the fact that employee demographics are also changing. As Baby Boomers retire, ‘Gen Xer’s’ take on powerful decision-making roles and the ‘Gen Y’ nineties babies graduate from college to enter into the workplace, the landscape of American employment is drastically changing yet again.

These generations will be looking to do things differently and improve upon what their parents left for them. Both Generations X and Y are the first to grow up being “plugged-in,” so to speak. They have had computers in their homes from early childhood or early adulthood, with the internet at their fingertips and social interaction through digital means. With more value on productivity rather than presence, Gen Y craves a healthy balance between work and personal time. Offering a four day work week could possibly be that ‘extra something’ which will help companies land attract and retain the most promising Generation Y candidates.

Bottom Line

The four day-ten hour work week is a trend that certainly has great benefits. Instead of mandating that everyone take off one day a week, let the employee decide! If that is the direction that your company would like to head, then letting the employee take charge of their own schedules will, in the long run, work out in your favor. The benefits of the reduced work week will eventually spread by word of mouth, and it won’t be long until everyone is opting in!

5 Tips for Securing Strong References

Clare — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:10:38 +0000

Strong references complement an excellent résumé. A well-written letter of reference can shed an effective light on key skills that set you apart from other candidates. In a job market as tight as this one, it is imperative that you spend some time getting your strategy for utilizing references into tip-top shape before you send out your next batch of résumés. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your references:

1. Communicate Clearly about What You Need

You want the person providing your reference to be able to clearly articulate details that will illuminate the attributes you can bring to the job. Even if you have a conversation about the reference letter, make sure to follow up in a letter or email note. Always give the referring individual all the pertinent information s/he needs to complete the letter, including the deadline. Think about having different references for different jobs based on which skills you are trying to highlight. Be sure the person providing the reference has the time and explicitly agrees before adding him or her to your list.

2. Provide an Outline and Talking Points for Verbal Referrals

If you want to be sure your supervisor mentions your top marks on your last employee review, include it in the talking points. If you want a particular reference to highlight your soft skills, make a note of it on your outline. Remember you are trying to match your skills with concrete examples of actions that will demonstrate to a prospective employer that you meet their needs better than anyone else will. It is okay and even expected that different references will highlight different aspects of your professional attributes. Providing an outline will ascertain that the people providing the references know what role they are playing in your overall strategy.

3. Keep Your References Updated

Not only should you be sure that your contact information on your reference list is up to date, but you should also be in regular contact with the professionals who are providing your references. Sending a note once or twice a year keeps the contact fresh and helps to maintain the connection needed for the reference letter to read with the details and authenticity that will help you land the job. If you want someone to take time to help you, it is only polite that you take the time to stay in touch.

4. Keep a Portfolio of Reference Letters and Other Relative Information

Keeping copies of your stellar employee reviews, awards, citations and reference letters all in one place makes it easy to get a batch of supporting documents together in a hurry if the right job just happens to appear. Before you change jobs, be sure to get a letter of recommendation to add to your files. If you sense an older supervisor is about to change positions or retire, go ahead and ask for a letter of reference. You can pick and choose which letters to send to which employers, so try to obtain a good selection of effective letters that cover your hard and soft skills.

5. Remember Your Etiquette

Thank you notes are a must after someone writes you a reference. Sending a brief note to let your letter writer know that you appreciate his or her time and attention is good business etiquette to practice over the course of your career. If you know the person has fielded several calls on your behalf or has written several letters at once, it is nice to show some small token of thanks, such as a coffeehouse gift card or a movie pass once your job search is complete. Practicing professional etiquette will help you build a strong reputation.

Secure Strong Reference Letters to Compliment your Résumé

Securing strong references is essential for landing a great job, but professionals often underestimate the need to orchestrate a letter of recommendation strategy. Being sure your referrals match the entire range of your professional attributes can help show a prospective employer that you are the best person for the position. Giving your references the necessary details to craft the perfect letter of recommendation can help make your overall application more attractive to a hiring executive. Taking the time to plan a strategy is worth the effort, especially when competition for top jobs in this rocky economy remains competitive.

This guest post was provided by Erin Palmer from Bisk Education. Erin works with Villanova University’s online human resources masters degree and PHR Certification programs.

Image courtesy of fortysouth.com

Technology for Tweens: One-Year Anniversary

Clare — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:18:26 +0000

The team at Ashley Ellis implemented the program “Technology for Tweens” in February 2011. In short, it’s a program designed to give back to the community by donating brand new technology to local teachers and their classrooms.

As the program reaches its first year anniversary, it’s exciting to realize that it has helped us donate technology to hundreds of classrooms across the nation, reaching over 10,000 elementary, middle, and high school children.

What’s even more exciting is that within this one-year span, Ashley Ellis has grown from just three offices to more than triple that, meaning we can reach even more communities around the US.

It has been truly inspiring to watch as these schoolchildren embrace new technology, using it to exponentially enrich their education, and even their lives.

To help us distribute our donations, we partner with DonorsChoose.org, a reputable online charity that connects with teachers nationwide to support classrooms in need.

A Jobseeker’s Guide to Pinterest

Clare — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:47:20 +0000

Pin It

Online media just can’t get enough of Pinterest right now. You may have seen it mentioned on Mashable or TechCrunch, or you might have stumbled upon it all by yourself. What is clear is that while its popularity bred initially through people sharing things like wedding ideas and arts and crafts projects, it’s currently being launched into something much more versatile and important, especially for jobseekers.

What is Pinterest?

If you’re unclear what exactly Pinterest is, it’s not hard to quickly figure it out. In short, it’s a collection of online pin boards; users create their own categorized pin boards with visual “pins,” linked from all over the Internet, which they can then share with their followers.

To sign up on Pinterest, you have to have a Facebook or Twitter account. The good news is that, unlike Facebook or Twitter, you don’t have to put time into creating a profile, or even building a following. Just login, and browse others’ pins or start pinning your own stuff.

The Pinterest-Savvy Jobseeker

Don’t let the idea of “yet another social media site” overwhelm you. Pinterest has the simplicity you want to give you the versatility you need. As a jobseeker, you’ll find that Pinterest plays the dual role of showcasing yourself as a top-notch candidate as well as providing you with valuable information. And, it lets you have a little fun in the process!

As far as showcasing yourself is concerned, your use of Pinterest will not only portray that you’re up-to-date in the latest tech trends, you can also use it to share your diverse interests as well as elements of your own portfolio and online work.

For example, say you’re a web designer, you can build boards pinning elements of websites you’ve created and projects you’ve been involved in, in addition to a couple of boards showcasing your interests in technology and design. This will help create a visual resume of sorts, giving an employer a well-rounded perspective of you.

Pinterest in your Job Search

As far as being an important resource to a jobseeker, there are three sources of information it can provide you with. First, if you follow people in similar industries, you’ll come across pins that can help widen your knowledge within your interests. For example, following fellow web designers might give you insight into new branches of web design.

Secondly, you can follow companies in the industry. Watching the pins of companies you might like to work for will give you valuable insight into what that company values, should you ever interview with them. Plus, re-pinning or commenting on their pins can help create a new relationship that could help your job search.

Finally, Pinterest provides a fun and easy way to access career resources that can help you in your job search. Join Ashley Ellis on Pinterest to check out our boards on job search advice, what to wear to the interview, job seeker humor and more!

Getting Employers to Notice

So, once you’ve created a Pinterest-style resume, how can you be sure employers will even notice? Well, as with any social media site, your presence on Pinterest won’t be of supreme important to every employer out there. And, since Pinterest is still a young site, you may find your particular audience of users is still in early stages of growth.

However, it’s still a great idea to promote your Pinterest as much as you promote, say, your LinkedIn profile. Include it on your jobseeker business cards and your resume. Mention it – when the time is right – in your interviews. Connect with companies on Pinterest itself, re-pinning and commenting on their pin boards.

Be an Early Adopter

Pinterest is still in the early phases of exponential growth, but it’s a great idea to take advantage of it right now. Feel free to join us on there, and let us know if you have any questions!

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How to Prepare for an Internal Interview

Clare — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:46:22 +0000

Most of the literature out there regarding interviews concerns external interviews; that is, interviews with companies for which you’ve never been an employee. And while that information is valuable to a good number of job seekers around the world, it just doesn’t cut it when you’re faced with an internal interview for a position within your own company.

Interviewing for an internal position can present you with a range of both advantages and disadvantages. Either way, don’t assume that you won’t need to prepare for the interview just because you “feel” like you already know everything about the company and the position. Treat this interview like any other, and take the following points into consideration.

Potential Disadvantages
Just as you have more insight into the company than a fresh-faced job seeker would, the interviewer has more insight into you as a candidate. That includes your job responsibilities, your work habits, your weaknesses and flaws, and even your unique quirks and personality. Make sure you identify ways in which your interviewer may already be biased against you so that you have the opportunity to explain any mistakes or efforts to improve, and ultimately redeem yourself.

Advantages
Fortunately, just as they may know any negative things about you, they should also know all the good stuff. Refresh their memories by describing the accomplishments, contributions and successes that you’ve achieved in your role with the company.

Do Your Research
Make sure that any knowledge you have of the position you’re applying for isn’t based solely on water cooler gossip or through-the-grapevine news. Conduct some real research into what the position entails, current projects and challenges, and the make-up of the department. Be ready to present realistic solutions and goals you would have if you were to take the position.

Update Your Resume
Prepare an updated resume, and understand how your entire work experience as well as your current responsibilities will relate to and help you in the new position. It may be a while since you’ve looked over your resume, but you should be just as aware of its every detail now as you were when you first joined the organization.

Know Your Competition
A final advantage in your favor is that you probably already know who your competition is. This means you can accurately define exactly what makes you stand apart from the rest. What can you bring to this position that your competition can’t? This knowledge definitely gives you a leg up compared to the scenario of an external interview.

Good luck!
Ultimately, you should prepare for an internal interview as much as if not more than for an external interview. Be aware that there’s a lot more insight on both sides of the table, but good preparation should give you more advantages than disadvantages. Enjoy the confidence that results from these advantages, and don’t forget to look your best!

Improving the Candidate’s Experience

Clare — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:54:29 +0000

Chances are, you are already fully aware that an interview with a prospective employee is a two-way conversation, that you and your company are on the spot as much as the candidate is. It’s the innovative new “advice” to help make employers realize the importance of employer branding, of making a good and appealing impression on your candidates.

But typically, that advice, while valuable, is short sighted. It just doesn’t fulfill the big picture when it comes to hiring. Sure, the interview, especially if it’s the first of several, is an essential part of the hiring process, but it’s not the whole story. In fact, if you wait until the interview to focus on attracting the best candidates, you’ll be missing out on a world of opportunities to attract even better candidates in the days, weeks or months before the interview is even scheduled.

In the big picture, the full candidate experience begins the moment a candidate comes into contact with your company as a job seeker.

First Contact

Whether that first contact is by phone call or email or even via some social network, the response needs to be timely and considerate.

You probably know how frustrating it is in any situation when your email or call goes unnoticed or ignored, or is responded to in a curt or even rude manner.

Put yourself in the vulnerable position of a job seeker, and this predicament is even more aggravating. And most likely, it will be enough to turn a candidate off a company, even if the situation is a bad representation of how it would be to work there.

Ultimately, then, make sure you have a plan in place to respond to every candidate who approaches your company. Even a courteous auto-response to career-related emails is better than nothing.

Before the Interview

It’s unlikely that you’ll be the first person to greet a candidate when they come to your office for an interview. But all the people they meet beforehand are just as important in the candidate experience as you are.

If your best candidate is met by a receptionist who’s having a bad day, this can have a detrimental effect on the impression of your office’s work environment. On the other hand, a receptionist who’s friendly and happy gives the impression of a friendly and happy workplace.

In short, ensure everyone in the office is prepared for the candidate’s presence, even if they won’t be involved in the interview. You don’t want to create a bad image of your workplace on the off chance someone in the office is having a bad day.

The Big Interview

This is the part of the candidate experience most advice is focused on. It’s the advice that reminds you an interview is as much about a candidate finding out about you and your company as it is about you finding out about the candidate.

In which case, it’s important to show the candidate that you’re actively listening to their answers, and that your time with them is valuable rather than an inconvenience.

It’s also a good time to further explain the dynamic of your workplace, office culture, and work environment, as well as any attractive perks and benefits you offer.

Finally, take the time to thoroughly answer a candidate’s questions, rather than hurrying through them to finish up the interview. This will strengthen the impression you’ve been striving to make.
If possible, try to keep the interview process down to just the one interview. Conducting three or four interviews across a week or two runs the risk of creating the impression that you don’t value your candidate’s time. Plus, it gives them more time to explore opportunities with other companies, and you may just miss out on your best candidate.

Following Up

The follow up after an interview is the final component of the candidate experience.

Even if you’re not choosing a particular candidate, skipping this step altogether is inadvisable. A candidate who is neglected after an interview may choose to spread that news to a potentially large network of people, which could easily damage your company’s employer brand.

Similarly, feedback that is delayed by a week or more once again sends the message that you don’t value your candidate’s time. And, again, it gives them extra time to accept an offer other than your own. Follow up, whether it’s a job offer or a rejection, should be as timely and considerate as that first contact with your candidate.

Clearly, the overall candidate experience is longer and more complex than many people realize. But if you have firm control over every phase of the process, your candidates will respond better.

5 Things You Should Do Before an Interview

kgallagher — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:02 +0000

You’ve probably spent plenty of time preparing for what to do during an interview, such as rehearsing answers to common interview questions; but are you actually 100% ready? Don’t forget to take care of these 5 things before you leave for the office.

1.Study the Company – It’s easy enough to glance over a company’s website to get acquainted with what they do, but that won’t be enough to make you stand out from other candidates. Show an interviewer that you’ve gone above and beyond by researching the company’s current events. This includes press releases and any information from news articles, as well. Whether the news is about their recent growth, new acquisitions, promoted executives or something else, you’ll be able to make a great impression when you ask something like how that news makes a difference on the future of a career with the company. Proof that you’ve done your research will portray your interest in the position, which may help you move onto the next step in the hiring process.

2.Gather Your Interview Tools – What will you need in an interview? When scheduling the appointment with the interviewer, ask if you need to bring anything besides yourself. Even if the answer is “nothing,” make sure you bring a folder or portfolio with some copies of your resume and references, and a pen and note paper. It’s also a good plan to gather any “emergency” interview preparation items in your car or purse, such as a hairbrush, lint roller, deodorant, and other last minute items you may need before heading into the office.

3.Dress Appropriately – It is crucial for you to look the part during your interview. It’s a great idea to find out beforehand what kind of dress code a company abides by; not all interviewers expect you to show up in a suit and tie, so do your homework first. Your clothing and general appearance play a significant role in the first impression you give an interviewer, so you want to look professional and clean cut, no matter what you’re wearing. Lay out your interview outfit before the big day, and ensure that it’s clean and free of loose threads or lint.

4.Know your Resume – Your resume represents your entire work history, so make sure you know it inside out before you enter that interview. You should be able to answer any question regarding its contents in depth if needed. If you appear hesitant about your work history, responsibilities or skills, you may come across as an unreliable candidate. If it’s been a while since you’ve actually read the details of your resume, make a point to study it before the interview.

5.Be Yourself – The most important tip to follow before an interview is to commit to being yourself. It’s easy when preparing your answers to common interview questions to assume an adjusted personality that you think will make a better impression. However, a good interviewer will be able to tell and will question your integrity. Plus, expressing your true personality – while keeping it professional, of course – will help both you and the interviewer get a sense of whether you’d be a good fit in the company culture.

Following these 5 tips can put you above many other candidates applying for the same job. Good luck!

Eating Your Way to Interview Success!

Clare — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:18:30 +0000

You are preparing for the big interview that will finally lift you out of drudgery into the career of your dreams. So far, you have done everything right: you have prepared all of your talking points, printed a list of references to hand out and laid out professional attire that will drop your new employer’s jaw several feet.

Then the nerves come. What if you become fatigued halfway through the interview? What if your brain betrays you and all your well-laid talking points vanish? What if thinking about all of this is only making you more stressed and everything worse and now you realize there is a lone imperfection in one thread of fabric in your shirt that everyone will notice and that will prevent you from ever being successful? First of all, calm down. Second, do yourself a massive favor by eating one or all of the foods below the night, or morning, before any interview.

Antioxidant Rich Berries: These sweet fruits are obvious choices – containing high vitamin C content and more – but let’s focus on what they do for your brain. As your brain works, it creates nasty byproducts called free radicals that wreck havoc on your neurons, causing inflammation and slowing down the junctions of thought. If given free reign, these radicals will burn at your grey matter, leaving you at risk for diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. By eating berries daily, which are rich in antioxidants, you can remove unneeded stresses upon your brain. With berries, the fresh is always the better, so toss several cups into unsweetened yogurt and enjoy.

Fatty Fish: Most people assume that when eating meat, you should always opt to go lean. Though true for earth and air bound animals, it does not apply for nautical dwellers. Fattier fish like salmon and tuna store higher levels of omega-3 in their fat tissue, which builds brain tissues, protects brain cell membranes and keeps you on task. You get your full value out of these fattier fish, so switch up the beef, pork and poultry for a more rewarding filet. Your brain will thank you.

Seaweed: Western cuisine tends to lack many traces of this marine vegetation – we seem far more concerned with how many animals and vegetables we can successfully fit in a deep-fryer – but there are definitely reasons to change that. When your body is lacking iodine, you feel fatigued and inclined towards depression. Now, just a miniscule amount of seaweed, as little as a quarter cup, delivers a whopping 275% of your daily value! If you are feeling less adventurous, grab 4 ounces of cranberries; they contain about 138% of your daily value of iodine in addition to ample amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants and dietary fiber. Your body will be ready and rearing to go through your interview and beyond!

Green Tea: According to a Japanese study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants found a 20% decrease in psychological stress when they drank five cups of green tea each day, while those drinking less than one were more on edge and, presumably, more tempted to tear their hair from the roots. Drinking several cups of tea can calm your nerves, allowing you to present the best and most serene you. In addition to that, green tea suppresses appetite, so you have to worry less about your stomach raging over a minor lull in sustenance. So drink some green tea. Do your body a favor.

Yogurt: This is a great option for breakfast. Yogurt contains a strong source of protein, riboflavin, and vitamin b12 to name a few and can often be eaten by people with moderate lactose-intolerance. If you go with additive free yogurt, you will get the benefits without the artificial sweeteners. When it comes to interviewing though, you will be thankful for the lysine found in yogurt, which helps to lower your anxiety in stressing situations. Unsalted nuts have a similar effect thanks to an amino acid called arginine.

Ultimately, it is a good idea to balance out what you eat. It never is a good idea to overdo it with any food group (an over-abundance of carrots has been known to turn people orange). Make sure you eat right, eat well and go into that interview feeling like a million bucks.

~By James Walsh

Should You Take A Lower Paying Job?

kgallagher — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:11:32 +0000

When faced with unemployment or a less than satisfactory job, many professionals are pained with the question of whether to take a lower paying position. It’s a tough decision to make, and one which depends on many factors for each unique situation. However, no matter what the scenario, there are a few constants you should keep in mind: Here are a few things to consider if you have to answer that question yourself.

Job Satisfaction VS Salary

If your choice is between a lower paying job and extreme unhappiness in the job you’re currently in, regardless of if it’s higher pay, it’s usually best to put yourself first. If your happiness and overall emotional well-being is at stake, chances are that the higher salary isn’t worth hanging onto your current job for.

Additionally, your productivity, attitude, and general work ethic could be significantly and negatively impacted by your unhappiness. This puts you at the risk for bad reviews, worsening work conditions, and even termination. If your emotional well-being isn’t enough to convince you, then this resulting situation should be a clear sign that you should move on from your current positions, even if it’s for a lower paying job.

Living Expenses and Skills Maintenance VS Salary

If departmental layoffs have left you jobless, a reasonable pay cut may initially be necessary to keep up with your living expenses. Additionally, while you may not want to settle for less, it’s important to minimize that employment gap on your resume and keep up to date on your technical skills.

When faced with this scenario, your best game plan is to look for a job that can cover your basic essential expenses while also giving you a similar level of responsibility.

Career Advancement VS Salary

If you’re looking for a new job purely for advancement purposes, then taking a lower paying job is typically not going to cut it. The exception to this rule is if taking one step back will give you the opportunity to take two steps forward. If you can guarantee that a pay cut now will lead to a higher salary and career advancement in the the near future, then the opportunity may be worth it. If not – and assuming your advancement goal is not on a deadline – focus on your job search to help you find the right position.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that pay cuts can be temporary. Depending on your situation, taking a lower paying job may be the smart thing to do until a better job or promotion comes around. Avoid the mindset that pay cuts are always negative, and make sure you weigh both the pros and cons before throwing the job offer for a lower paying job out the window. Good luck!

Wellness in the Workplace

kgallagher — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:45:52 +0000

There are many investments a company must make to stay operational. Your employees, the building blocks and foundation of any organization, are generally the biggest of those investments. When trying to decrease overhead and spending, a business owner may turn to internal finance as a means of reserving resources. Generally personnel compensation is not something that can by trimmed down. However, their insurance costs are a whole other story! Employers can lessen their overhead, by encouraging healthy lifestyles, while not compromising employee medical benefits or compensation!

Health insurance is another area where, like employee salaries, companies cannot skimp. To keep competitive benefits while saving money, many companies are moving toward Employee Wellness Programs to earn insurance incentives. Employees are able to participate in everything from on-site exercise facilities and in office Pilates, to weight loss and smoking cessation classes which in turn puts health insurance premiums on the steady decline.

Encouraging a healthy workplace is not necessarily a new idea. Rather, it has been an ongoing struggle for employers to prove statistically to insurers that the implementation of wellness programs will actually save them money. More recently, it seems, the insurance companies are starting to come around, admitting that wellness programs do have merit, and are even starting to create programs of their own. At this stage in the development of Employee Wellness Incentive Programs, insurers are more apt to lower premiums when employees participate in programs that they sponsor, rather than programs created by their clients. For instance, Blue Shield of California offers “Healthy Lifestyle Rewards” to its client’s employees. The program offers cash and prize incentives to participants who fill out health questionnaires and display a healthy behavior.

Even if your medical insurance provider does not offer an incentive plan, there is still money to be saved by encouraging healthier lifestyles. Several studies have shown that companies save about three dollars for every one dollar spent on health and wellness programs. It is also common knowledge that daily exercise and a healthy diet, create a more active, energetic and focused person. Offering fruit in the break rooms, free fitness programs and in-office incentives for healthier behavior will improve over all employee performance and morale. Healthy employees will get sick less often, which means less absenteeism and more productivity for your company! Increased employee morale will generate a lower turn-over rate and higher employee retention, which will cut valuable resources spent searching for replacement personnel!

There is no arguing that wellness programs are a good investment. Whether your intentions lie in attaining lower insurance premiums, increasing employee retention or simply encouraging healthy behaviors, the benefits of a Well Workplace are limitless!

Resume Rules you CANNOT Break!

kgallagher — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:30:10 +0000

Your resume is the first impression you give a recruiter or hiring manager. Even things as little as the name of your document to the length of the resume are things you can be sure they’ll notice. To increase your chances of landing an interview, make sure you follow these three resume rules.

Avoid Embellishments – It may be tempting to exaggerate just how many years you have of a particular skill, but fabrications like this would be a big mistake. Many companies have practical tests to see how advanced your skills are, so any embellishments will catch up to you in the end. Make sure all your information is current and correct, from your address to your skill sets.

Do not write a book – Your resume is supposed to be a summary of your skills and experience. It is not supposed to be a play by play commentary of each position you have held since high school. On the other hand, details of the important tasks in your previous positions are essential. While a ten-page resume will barely be glanced at, being too vague does not give the hiring managers a good idea of what you did at your last jobs.

Multiple methods of contact – Many people list their email addresses on their resume as the only form of contact, and then only check their emails every couple days. Unfortunately, the chances of them missing a great opportunity this way are very high. Make sure there are at least two ways someone can contact you on your resume, preferably a phone number in addition to your email address. Do not let lack of communication be the reason you don’t get an interview.

Let your first impression be flawless. Proofread your resume and follow these rules to create the best representation of your successes. A well constructed resume should get your foot in the door, and then you can knock them dead with your personality in the interview. Good Luck!

p.s. If you join us on Facebook from now through January 31, 2012, you could WIN a Kindle Fire! Just like our page and sign up on the Happy New Year tab! Thanks for helping us build our online community!

Is IT the Industry for You?

kgallagher — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:15:50 +0000

Exploring the benefits of working in Information Technology

There are over 100,000 IT companies in the United States and over 2 million people working in IT. Every year, this industry continues to grow. According to SelectUSA.gov, the industry has been increasing revenues by four percent the past 10 years. There are many benefits in working in Informational Technology.

Always a need/ High Demand

There is no doubt that there will always be a need for IT professionals. They keep the company going smoothly and are the only people who really know the ins and outs of technology. Whether it’s a Network Engineer who looks at the company’s network or a Web Developer who designs and develops website and applications, these jobs are always in demand and growing.

Constant Change

In the technology world, everything is constantly changing. This makes your job more interesting. You will always be updating your skills and changing with the industry, which allows you to always be learning and discovering your strengths.

Good wages

IT is so important to maximize productivity and efficiency in a company, that many are willing to pay well to build a great team. Entry level positions can often start at $45,000 to $50,000. As you grow in the industry and gain more experience, the more firms are willing to pay. Senior .Net Developers can go up to $100,000 in salary depending on experience.

Great opportunity for growth

There are many different facets of an IT department, which often provides people with a lot of growth opportunities. Whether it’s moving up to a higher position, or going from one area of IT to another, there’s a range of interesting career paths you could take. As long as you’re working for a company that allows for growth, moving to different positions or getting promoted in IT is rarely a problem.

Information Technology is the new “it” industry. It’s constantly growing and changing, making it exciting every day. With the right skill sets and the right passion, this can be the industry for you. Good Luck.

Keeping a Spotless Digital Image

kgallagher — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:50:12 +0000

According to a survey conducted by careerbuilder.com, more than one in five employers search social media networking sites for candidate screening purposes. Although lawyers advise against it, as it could open doors to discrimination lawsuits, the proof is the pudding. Employers are doing it anyway, and the question is: What are you doing to ensure a positive impression?

Career Builder also asked employers which internet behaviors took the most potential candidates out of the running.

List and percentages courtesy of careerbuilder.com

• Information about alcohol or drug use (41% of managers said this was a top concern)
• Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate’s page (40%)
• Poor communication skills (29%)
• Bad-mouthing of former employers or fellow employees (28%)
• Inaccurate qualifications (27%)
• Unprofessional screen names (22%)
• Notes showing links to criminal behavior (21%)
• Confidential information about past employers (19%)

Employers are looking at everything from Facebook pages and groups, to general message boards, and in this realm you really are “guilty by association.” Something as ostensibly insignificant as slang or improper grammar can convey a negative image to your potential employer. Generally, people (not just employers) stick to the old adage, “birds of a feather flock together,” so be sure to keep your website clear of any inappropriate comments or pictures, whether or not you are the author!

For these reasons, some may wonder why job seekers don’t just avoid social media altogether. The answer is, simply, because social media is not all bad! Social networking sites provide an excellent opportunity to play up your positive attributes and showcase your skills. So make social media work for you by using an employer’s interest in your internet persona to your advantage!

As a job seeker, the most important thing you can do for your digital image is display yourself in the most positive light imaginable. Update your statuses frequently, even casually mentioning your latest accomplishments, i.e., “It feels so good knowing that I built that software from the ground up, and saved the company millions of dollars!” Let your friends and family in on the deal too! A simple “good job on that last project…” from a friendly commenter will shine light in your favor. There’s no such thing as too many positive comments. Another resource which can be used in your favor are professional networking sites such as LinkedIn. Create a profile there, and link with other professionals in your same field. Professional networking sites are designed to make you look good, so be sure to take advantage of that!

If you already have a few spots on your digital image that don’t seem to want to disappear, don’t stress! There are a few things you can do to lessen the chances that a potential employer may stumble upon them. The most recent and relevant postings will always show up at the top of a traditional search engine results page. By increasing your recent internet presence, you in turn push the older (and possibly negative) search results to the bottom of the page. If you follow the steps above, the only thing a hiring manager will set eyes on is what you want them to: positive Facebook statuses, professional networking sites, intelligent conversations in IT forums, and complimentary comments from friends and family.

Think of social media as a fluid resume, of sorts. It enables you to express a more casual and personal impression, while still delivering your skills and qualifications in a neat little package. You can only win half the battle when you do not maintain a spotless digital image. Be sure to land your next big role with the help of a perfectly manicured message board!

p.s. If you join us on Facebook from now through January 31, 2012, you could WIN a Kindle Fire! Just like our page and sign up on the Happy New Year tab! Thanks for helping us build our online community!

Top 10 IT Certifications

kgallagher — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:15:48 +0000

In the technological community, the value of IT Certifications has long been a topic of debate. In an effort to resolve the question of whether certifications play an integral role in career advancement or if they are of limited value, the job search website Dice, which services only the IT field, conducted a survey.

Dice polled 17,000 IT professionals to see which certifications proved to have the most “bang for your buck”. With many certifications staying current only a couple years, Dice wanted to know if the expense of recertifying would be an investment, with the return reflected as a salary increase, or if your recertification efforts would be in vain. The findings illustrate that certifications do not generate a guaranteed advancement up the company ladder. Employers want the entire package. Neither experience nor certifications alone will be enough to achieve your compensation goals. It’s the combination of both qualities which makes a successful employee. The Director of Dice Learning, Evan Lesser confirms, “When you combine in demand skill-sets and proven salary impacts, specific certifications become valuable to individual tech professionals.”

There are thousands of certifications available in the technological field, and some will have very little effect on your value to a company. “Not all certifications are created equal in terms of paycheck impact.” states Lesser. Additionally the survey noted that while many IT professionals possess certifications, few of them found a correlation between having multiple certifications and pay increases. So which certifications are the most beneficial to acquire and maintain throughout your career? Dice has created a comprehensive list of the Top 10 in demand certifications, and the certifications most likely to sky rocket your salary and career!

This list of top tech certifications, along with descriptions, courtesy Dice :

PMP
By earning the Project Management Professional certification, technology professionals prove they have the knowledge and skills necessary to shepherd projects to a successful conclusion, on-time, on-budget, and using the resources allocated. It’s a particularly important job today, when companies are beginning to resurrect projects they’d shelved during the downturn, but want them completed as cost-efficiently and quickly as possible. There are currently 1,400 jobs on Dice with PMP certification requested.

MCSE
Microsoft’s Certified Systems Engineers have shown they can design, implement and administer technology infrastructures using Microsoft 2000 Windows Server and other Windows server platforms. Sought by systems engineers, technical support engineers, system analysts, network analysts and technical consultants, the MCSE is for professionals who spend their time maintaining the basic platforms on which so much business is conducted. Nearly 1,000 available career opportunities request this certification.

A +
This vendor-neutral certification from the trade group CompTIA is a standard for tech-support technicians. By earning it, they’ve shown they can install networks, conduct preventative maintenance, secure them and troubleshoot them.

CNA
Cisco Certified Network Associates demonstrate their ability to install, configure, run and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks. They’ve also proven themselves with security and wireless basics, and their ability to work with a number of protocols. Slightly more than 650 available job opportunities request the CCNA designation.

MCP
Microsoft Certified Professionals include developers, trainer, system architects and other tech professionals who want to spotlight their expertise with a range of Microsoft technologies.

Network
Another certification from CompTIA, the Network+ proves a technician’s competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructures. It’s included in certification programs of tech leaders like Microsoft, Novell, Cisco and H-P.

CISSP
Security is a growing concern for businesses around the world, and this is the certification anyone truly interested in field wants to earn. Globally recognized as a standard for expertise, five years of experience in information security are needed before a professional can earn this certification. Nearly 750 open available career opportunities request this certification.

MCSA
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certification allows tech professionals to show off their expertise in systems administration and troubleshooting networks that use the Windows Server operating environment. It’s earned by systems administrators, network administrators, information systems administrators, network operations analysts, network technicians, and technical support specialists, among others.

ITIL
The three-tier ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) certification demonstrates the expertise of professionals in tech management. Public and private organizations use the ITIL as compendium of IT operational best practices. The Foundation Certificate shows a basic knowledge of ITIL terminology, Service Support and Service Delivery. The Practitioner Certificate demonstrates an understanding and ability to apply specific processes within IT Service Management. The Manager’s Certificate is obtained by demonstrating expertise in overseeing service management functions.

Security +
The CompTIA Security+ certification demonstrates knowledge of system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security – all important areas at a time when companies are investing real money to keep their technology platforms safe from cybersecurity threats.

A Look Ahead: Hiring in 2012

Clare — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:31:46 +0000

Although the recent recession officially ended back in 2009, signs of positive turn around have only really become apparent during the past year. The unemployment rate has slowly been creeping back down as news of companies hiring has been bombarding us from all angles.

From big name corporations like Google, Microsoft, Boeing and Dell, to small businesses across the nation, hiring efforts are clearly on the rise. These sure signs of recovery, along with many others, leave us set to end 2011 on a high note and ready to kick off 2012 with a bang.

The big question is, however, as this slow and steady recovery picks up pace, what new hiring and workplace trends will begin to show their faces?

Job Seekers Turn to Contracting

The downturn of recent years has left many employees wary of the job market. Scared away from the potential instability of the traditional career path, many people are starting to see the benefits of contracts, whether short or long term.

What these people have found is a new kind of flexibility and job satisfaction that they couldn’t achieve as a permanent employee.

Contract hiring is typically a more popular option during economic recovery in the first place; but now, more than ever, it is becoming an appealing and long-term choice on both sides of the table.

Baby Boomers are Ready to Retire

The first of the Baby Boomers were eligible to retire during 2011, but as the economy had yet to really pick up, the number of those actually retiring tapered off. During 2012, however, it is expected that this generation will be more ready to pack up their desks and say goodbye.

This trend not only results in the obvious need to hire new people, it will also force employers to re-evaluate just who they need to hire. The Baby Boomers were a unique generation, and newer generations couldn’t be more different, especially in their work styles. Now is the time to really look at the roles and culture in your workplace and how they will evolve with this change.

90’s Babies are Ready to Work

2012 marks the first year of college graduates who were born in the 1990’s. These will be people whose prime childhood years were immersed in budding new technology.

What does this mean for workplaces? At some point or another, employers will have to start hiring this generation to replace gaps left by retiring Baby Boomers. To really attract and retain these youngsters, you may need to be looking at both your policies and resources in regards to technology.

If your office is chugging along on decade-old computers while restrictive rules about social media are in full force, you might have a hard time adjusting to this onslaught of nineties babies.

Hiring Meets Social Media

The buzz about social media and its importance in business and hiring has become old news. However, the real-world impact of this buzz is only now becoming apparent. More companies are slowly taking action and putting a social media plan into place.

In today’s job market, social media is taking on a large role. It creates a unique impression for job seekers who research companies they’d like to work for.

A company’s online presence shows just how up-to-date they are with current trends. Beyond that, social media shows how interactive a company is with their employees, customers and job seekers. It gives a glance into the company’s value and interests, and ultimately, it creates a “personality” for your company. Employers that pay attention to all these things will understand how social media plays a role in the hiring process.

Branding Gets Bigger

Speaking of the portrayed “personality” of a company, employer branding is now more important than ever.

As the economy recovers and the job market frees up, job seekers are afforded the luxury of being picky about where they work. Their choices will be based on various factors, just one of these being the aforementioned social media aspect.

Other aspects include things like your website, especially if you have a dedicated career page, reviews your company may have received on web sites like glassdoor.com, any press coverage you have, your hiring process and how job-seeker-friendly it is, and the impression of your company given to a job seeker in the interview.

Are You Ready for 2012?

Clearly, the traditional hiring process is ready for a big upheaval. Contractors, younger generations, social media, and more are all factors that are basically forcing companies to re-evaluate the way they hire. Are you ready?

What Your Desk Says About You

kgallagher — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:14 +0000

A plethora of online tests claim a link between our personalities and our preference of snack foods, animals, and even colors. Those kinds of tests consist of questions that only you would have the answer to. There is a less conspicuous personality marker that many employees may not be aware of. One that shouts loud and clear to your co-workers, prospective clients, and bosses about what kind of person you are. With most Americans spending longer days at the office, and more time away from home, it’s easy to see why the desk has become such a magnet for self-expression.

The picture someone’s desk paints can also be an important clue into how your office and team members function together in the workplace. When an employer can deduce their team’s personalities from their desks, they can get a better idea of how to increase performance and productivity.

As innocent as family photos and bobble head frogs may seem, you need to be certain of what your desk is saying to the people around you. We subconsciously judge a person within the first thirty seconds of setting eyes on them. See which category below you fall in to, and what you can do to rid yourself of the “Detrimental Desk”!

“Post-It-Palooza”
Desks covered in post-it’s show a certain level of disorganization. But don’t get discouraged, it also shows that you’re trying! Rather than advertising that you don’t have the best memory, try using a task list or another digital equivalent of a string around your finger.

“Photo Frenzy”
Pictures of family and friends can convey that this person is more of a “people’s person,” and is motivated by relationships in and out of the office. Photographs of yourself and your significant other from last summer show the viewer that you have a stable work-life balance. While pictures of your children show that you have roots. It is possible, however, to over document the happenings of your personal life. Too many family photos could look like you are distracted and would rather be at home than at work. Even if you’d rather be, it’s best that you don’t flaunt it!

“Fanatical Fan”
Sports paraphernalia may be one of the most “dangerous games” you can play in an office environment. By plastering images of your favorite sports team on everything from mugs to mouse pads, you could be inadvertently creating an instant office rivalry. A sports background does show an inherent ability and understanding of how to work on a team. But sporting mascots from a different city can cause tension in the workplace. If you choose to personalize your space with sports teams, just be sure you represent the city you are in!

“The Sweetest Thing”
Employees whose desks are laden with overflowing bowls of candy are generally very giving. They like to make people happy and are conscientious of others. Candy bowls can also show that you like to socialize, and the negative connotation of socialize is the “office gossip.” If you genuinely like to have “visitors” swing by and chat while picking up their sweets, just be sure to keep it professional. Don’t talk about other co-workers or confidential business practices. You don’t know who is privileged to what information, and more importantly who is not. When someone spills the “jelly beans” that you are the information source, it could be disastrous to your career!

While personality analysis via Desktop Décor is a fun and fascinating topic, it actually proves to be quite a serious way for employers to gather information of who we really are. By following the tips in each category and making small adjustments to your surroundings, you will be able to maintain a positive work station portrayal, and still express your individuality.

- By Megan Oldag

Job Search Tip: Asking for the Job

Clare — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:54:20 +0000

Let’s face it, you go job hunting for several reasons. Often times, it may be that you fall into the unemployed, underemployed and unhappily employed category, which serves as the engine that kick starts your hunt for the “perfect” or “almost perfect” job opportunity.

Armed with the tools for your hunt (including your well penned resume) you are about to stir the interest of what could be your next boss. From the moment you get that call for the interview, you must immediately become an award winning researcher/investigator gleaning all the vital information you can find on the company.

The big day is here and the interview is going greater than you expected. You have connected all the dots regarding your skills set and the job description. From your interviewer’s description of the company, you’re loving the company’s culture, the scope for growth, salary package and their flexible hours.

Well, what are you waiting for? Seize the moment and ask for the job now! According to Karen Burns (author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use), here are two great ways to ask:

1. “I’m very interested in this job. Is there anything preventing you from offering me the job right now?”

2. “I am truly interested in the job. What is the next step for consideration? When will you be making a decision? Are there any questions I have left unanswered?”

You may feel a little forward in asking these questions, but they let the employer you’re definitely interested, which is important because they won’t want to extend a job offer to someone they don’t think is interested. Plus, asking about the next step shows your confidence and forward-thinking.

After all, you went job hunting for a reason. The hunt itself can either be long and frustratingly painful or very efficient, depending on the psychology of the hunter. Which route will you choose?

-By Betty Scott

A quick word about social networking in the job search

Clare — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Social networking is growing each and every day, but there are still a lot of job seekers out there who are avoiding it, saying it’s confusing, a passing fad, or not worth the time. But the truth is, there are so many opportunities in this world, and social networking helps us to reach a larger audience and make the world a smaller place. And ultimately, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Meetups, and more can really make a huge difference in the job search.

But why? Why put the time into social networking during your job search?

Simply, because there are a lot of hidden opportunities out there that only surface in the world of social media. Surprisingly, very few companies actually advertise their open positions on typical online job boards. Instead, they may tweet about it, or post it on another social network.

The fast paced world of social media caters perfectly to an employer’s sense of urgency in filling a position. Plus, those job seekers who effectively and efficiently use social media in their job search are typically more tech-savvy than their job-board-dwelling counterparts.

For these reasons, it’s important to stay on top of your social networking sites. The world is constantly changing and growing, and social networking is becoming more and more useful and common. Who knows, maybe your next opportunity is only a tweet away.

-By Tina Lopez

Where are the Best Candidates? Outside, living their lives.

Clare — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:24:04 +0000

So you have an open position on your hands. You want people who know how to get the job done, love what they do, and get along with your existing team. You’re ready to offer them the best salary and benefits you can get your hands on. But have you considered this: The best candidate also loves their life outside of work.

By now, most candidates have realized that “hobbies and interests” have no place on a resume, but in the chaos of the hiring process, this can make it all the easier to forget they have them at all. No doubt you’ve already heard all the hype and buzz about work-life balance. But the truth is, the lack of balance is still one of the biggest reasons people quit their jobs. And, given the current competitive candidate pool, it might just be the reason your best candidate rejects your job offer in favor of another.

What difference does it make?

We’re not just talking about rejected job offers and resignations. Implementing work-life balance policies in your workplace can provide inescapable benefits to each and every employee.

Have you ever lamented your team’s productivity for the week? Flinched at their lack of friendly customer service? Granted yet another sick day to someone who didn’t seem all that sick? Or maybe even caught an unenergetic employee with their head down on their desk?

They may not be quitting on you, but these employees aren’t being the best workers they could be – and it’s not necessarily their fault.

The benefits of a great work-life balance for each employee come in many shapes and sizes. Put just one policy in place, and you’ll see more energized team members who are more productive, more motivated to improve their skills, and more excited to serve their customers and clients.

Ultimately, it’s a simple equation. An employee who has more balance between their work and life is happier and more satisfied with their job. And an employee who is more satisfied with their job will perform better on than job than someone who’s dissatisfied, unhappy, and burned out.

The shapes and sizes of balance

Traditionally, the extent of a “work-life balance” policy is a couple weeks of vacation and a handful of sick days. In today’s workplace, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this is just not enough.

While the perks of work-life balance policies vary far and wide and can get very creative, you don’t have to be excessive to be effective.

The most simple form of balance that’s popping up in many workplaces is flexible scheduling. This includes flexible hours – such as 7-3 or 10-7 instead of your typical 9-5 hours – as well as telecommute options, compressed work weeks to create longer weekends, and even job sharing.

You might be nervous to let your employees choose their own hours or telecommute on occasion, but you’ll be surprised what a huge, positive difference it will make.

Other popular balance policies take the form of support services, such as childcare or health and wellness programs. Whether it’s full support, discounts, or simply extra time, it’s a solid gesture that you care.

Finally, many companies are focusing on the career path for their employees, through tuition reimbursement options, continued training, and mentors. This ensures their employees don’t get burned out in a rut.

Whatever you choose to implement towards your employee’s work-life balance, research your options first to find the one that works best for your company and its employees.

Making balance practical

Before you figure out what policies you’ll implement, make sure you first know your staff and what they need.

The only time money is wasted on implementing a work-life balance policy is when you neglect to evaluate the needs of your people first.

For example, there’s little point in providing free gym memberships if your employees aren’t the kind to appreciate it. Maybe they’d prefer a weekly telecommute day or even free fruit in the kitchen instead of those donuts you keep splurging on.

Instead of assuming their preferences, find out about their lifestyles and needs first. Conduct a survey if you have to, or simply offer them a variety of options to choose from.

Ultimately, when you make the move to provide better balance for your team members, you and your company will be quickly rewarded with greater productivity, performance, and company loyalty. And hey – let your best candidates know about your work-life benefits, and they’ll be much more likely to become your newest employee.

What is Your Body Language Telling Your Candidates?

Clare — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:12:53 +0000

If you have an open position or two that you’ve been earnestly trying to fill, no doubt you’ve become an expert at conducting an interview. In fact, you now know the art of interviewing inside out, in your sleep.

You know what the best questions are as well as the best answers, you know how to get insight into the person behind the suit, and you know what their slightest hint of body language means about their personality, attitude, and emotions.

But the question is, have you looked in the mirror recently? No, this isn’t about your new hairstyle or freshly laundered suit. The real question is, do you know what your own body language looks like during an interview?

It’s easy to become so focused on reading your interviewee that you overlook what kind of impression you’re giving and message you’re conveying on behalf of your company.

Here’s a quick run down of the mistakes it’s all too easy to fall into without ever realizing it.

Body Language: Having your legs crossed while shaking the top leg.

Message: The shaking leg portrays the image that you’re uncomfortable and nervous, or even bored and impatient. To the curious interviewee, this may say something about how you feel about the company or your position in it. Or, it could throw off a candidate entirely, leading to a misjudged impression on both sides. Keep that shaky leg still and you’ll show confidence and engagement, resulting in a better interview.

Body Language: Drumming your fingers or rubbing your face.

Message: Both of these gestures are clear signs of annoyance. If a candidate senses you’re annoyed with the interview or with them, they’re not likely to open up enough to judge their candidacy fairly. Or, they may become annoyed themselves, which makes for an overall negative experience for both of you. So try to be aware of and avoid those movements, and if you truly are annoyed, it’s a good idea to hide it.

Body Language: Leaning back while folding your arms across your chest or resting your ankle on the opposite knee.

Message: This move makes it appear that you are judging them or are skeptical. This clear arrogance can spark a negative reaction from someone who may have otherwise been a great candidate. It can also be very intimidating to a nervous candidate, which will hinder their interview performance. Instead, keep your arms down and your feet on the floor.

Body Language: Too much smiling.

Message: You may be trying to be friendly and make your candidate feel more comfortable, but put on that smile a little too much, and you’ll risk scaring off your candidate. A prolonged smile can make an interviewee feel as though you’re not taking them seriously or that you’re laughing at them. Put on a bit more serious of a face between those welcoming smiles, and your candidate will be more at ease.

Body Language: Pointing your feet or leaning your body towards the door.

Message: Maybe you have other work to do or maybe it’s late in the day, and all you want to do is get out of there. Either way, this subtle movement can reveal those very feelings, which can make your candidate feel as if he’s wasting your time. He’ll rush through his answers nervously, which will make it harder for you to evaluate him properly. Make sure you’re fully present in the interview, and don’t point your feet or lean your body towards your only exit.

Body Language: Leaning back while clasping your hands.

Message: This gesture can make you appear completely disinterested in the interview and what your interviewee has to say. And if the perception is that you don’t care, they’ll become negative and stopping caring, too, which once again makes for a pretty pointless interview. Your best bet is to lean slightly forward and keep your hands in your lap or on the desk.

Ultimately, your body language communicates a lot to your candidates. And while you are understandably human and it’s natural to get bored, annoyed, and generally disengaged, you are still conducting a professional interview, and it’s important to treat your candidate with respect. Plus, your in-the-moment feelings and thoughts shouldn’t be in a factor in evaluating each candidate objectively.

If you don’t take control of your body language in an interview, the potentially negative impression you inadvertently give a candidate may turn him or her against your company, which is bad news if they were your best candidate. Simply be aware of your own actions, and then you can get back being that interview expert you’ve become!

Job Seeker: How to utilize your recruiter the right way!

kgallagher — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:05:59 +0000

Finding a new career opportunity can be frustrating, but working with a recruiter can help take some stress off your shoulders. Once you’ve found a good recruiter to help you, it is important to maintain a good relationship with them. When there is a positive connection between you and your recruiter, the better the outcome will be. Here are a few basic rules:

Two heads are better than one. – Basically, your recruiter is your second head. They are devoted to finding you a position that will be your best fit in a great company. Does that goal sound familiar? Most likely, that is exactly what you want as well. In aiming for the same goal, it is best to create a partnership. They are here to help you, so keep lines of communication open. Ask any questions you have, and always return their phone calls and emails.

Tell them the good, bad and ugly. – As difficult as it may sometimes seem, the more information you give your recruiter, the better insight they will gain. This even includes any details you may typically avoid, like what you did during your 3 month gap of unemployment or what your current salary is. Also, give honest and detailed feedback about any interviews your recruiter send you on – even if you disliked the company or are afraid you messed up. Remember, you both have the same goal, so every piece of information helps.

Honesty is the best policy! – Holding information from your recruiter will only hurt you in the long run. Recruiters are here to help you, and they value someone who is being honest. For example, it may be tempting to embellish how well you know a certain skill set, but any technical screening a company may conduct will reveal the truth. Or, if at any stage in the process you land another interview or receive a job offer for somewhere else, tell your recruiter. This will give them a good direction of what you’re looking for, should you continue to use their services. Plus, it helps save both their and your time.

As long as you follow these basic guidelines, your relationship with the recruiter will be strong, and great opportunities will follow. Just remember that they are here to help you. Good Luck!

The Secret Interview

kgallagher — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:49:44 +0000

When you go in for an interview, the person manning the front desk will greet you and instruct you to take a seat and wait for the hiring personnel. Once in the interview, you answered every question with confidence and finesse, yet you still didn’t land the position. It could be due to the idea of the “Secret Interview.” From the moment you stepped foot in the building, unbeknownst to you, your interview had already begun. The “Secret Interview” is an integral part of the hiring process, which every applicant should be aware.

Receptionists are the “eyes and ears” of a company. They handle important information and phone calls, work closely, and form professional relationships with upper management. This relationship between receptionists and upper management proves to be an invaluable link to applicants. Generally, after the interview, management will ask the front office staff what you did while you were waiting. Make sure the only things anyone can say about you are good things!

Applicants definitely should not answer their cell phones, or try and strike up a conversation with a busy receptionist. If they aren’t busy, there is no harm in chatting about topics of relative unimportance; the weather, traffic, or the grand opening of a new restaurant in town. By no means should a prospective employee ever start a conversation with the intent of “digging” for information. Discussing salaries, other applicants, or details of corporate doings is not only inappropriate; it could also be against company policy to discuss these topics with non-employees.

The behavior exhibited in the moments before an interview is, in many instances, the “tie breaker” between otherwise equal candidates. It’s easier to be the person the company wants you to be when the hiring manager is sitting right in front of you. What’s important is who are when you think no one is watching. To ensure positive feedback from the front office staff, keep the mentality that the moment you get out of your vehicle you should behave as if you are being monitored… because you probably are!

By Megan Oldag

Because They’re Not Robots: Hiring for Personality Fit

Clare — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:24:32 +0000

You have your own individual style of interviewing. Maybe you stride in the room, armed with the hardest questions, ready to drill your sweating candidate. Maybe you’re relaxed and go with the flow, making conversation between light questioning.

Either way, you probably know that the right candidate usually has a good balance between great skills and a winning personality. A balance ensures they’ll be a good fit in the job alongside your existing team members.

The question is, how can a nervous, rehearsed, suited-up candidate give you any insight into their personality? And how do you know what kind of personality is best in any given position in the first place?

First, the best thing you can do is find out the personalities of your current employees. Even if you feel like you know them well, try to avoid subjectivity by finding a well-rated online test or look into testing companies. You want to make sure the test has a high level of validity so that results remain accurate no matter who’s taking the test.

With the results in hand, you can match up jobs and responsibilities with the personalities of the people who thrive in those positions. A pattern should emerge, and you’ll have a better idea of who will succeed in that open position.

Keep in mind that you would rarely want a team full of identical personalities. This can limit the level of innovation and new ideas, and can easily lead to a higher chance of conflict. As each personality has its own strengths and weaknesses, hiring a variety can combine those strengths and keep the weaknesses at a minimum.

So now you know who you want to hire, the first step is to write that into the job description you post or to tell the recruiter who’s searching for you. This should help attract the right candidates, so you’re not wasting time on candidates who don’t have the personality fit.

Once you’ve scheduled some interviews, now more than ever is a good time to have an accurate personality test. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to gather a good sense of a candidate’s personality, as the context of the interview changes everything.

Whether you’re an intense interrogator or a curious questioner, with the help of a test you should be able to determine personality, no matter what your interview style.

* Want to avoid administering a formal test? It can be possible to get a fair sense of a candidate’s cultural fit if, after the first interview went well, you introduce them to your team and watch their personality slowly come out in the open.

Congratulations! You now have a new employee who is a great fit both technically and culturally. The next step? It’s a good idea to make everyone aware of each other’s personality types. Knowing how each team member works, thinks, and learns best makes it easier to understand and communicate with each other. Additionally, a good leader should manage each person according to his or her needs and personal working style.

Ultimately, it is important to be aware how each position in your company is best suited to a particular set of personality traits. It’s equally important to understand the balance of personalities within your team. Only then can you guarantee a successful hire.

Job Search Tip: 3 most important interview strategies

kgallagher — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:25:01 +0000

Interviews are the hardest part of the job search process. With these three important strategies, you will be well on your way to being more prosperous during job interviews.

1. Study! Study! Study!
It is important that you show that you want this job and understand what the company does. There is nothing worst than a person who does not know anything about the company they want to work for. Start by looking at their website and current events regarding the firm. Second, read and understand the job description. Read the FULL description and not the summary. You may have questions about it, and the interview is a good time to ask those questions.

2. Your image can go a long way!
Whether it is eye contact or body language, employers notice it all. Make sure that your back is not slouching and you’re giving positive eye contact. Eye contact is one of the most important strategies because it’s the strongest nonverbal communication. Other small things you should keep in mind are: don’t chew gum, wear business appropriate clothing and take it easy on strong perfumes or colognes. An employer can understand a lot about the type of person you are by your image.

3. Use examples!
It’s important that when you explain an answer you “show” not “tell”. This way the interviewer will have a better feel of who you are and how you will be a good fit for the position. This is mostly important when asked what your skills are. For example, when asked how well you work under pressure, use an example of a time you were at work and had many deadlines, or something along those lines.

Whether you are just doing a phone screen or a face to face interview, these 3 strategies will help you get the job you are looking for. Follow these simple strategies and most importantly be yourself. Good luck!

Job Search Tip: Be Punctual

kgallagher — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:07:10 +0000

“To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late.” At first this quote might sound like a tongue twister, but it actually means a lot more.
Although this sounds like a very obvious point to make, punctuality for a phone screen or face to face interview is very important. The simple action of arriving at a certain time may cost you the job.

By showing up on time, you are simply showing respect to the employer and valuing their time. However, note that coming one or two hours early before an interview is not considering the employers time and is actually the most disrespectful thing you can do.

The best time to get to an interview is 10 to 15 minutes in advance. This allows you to mentally prepare for the interview, but also show that you are punctual. With that in mind, if you are going to drive, consider traffic and weather arrangements. If it is raining or snowing, you should know that traffic will be worse than normal.

In the end, punctuality will show your dedication to the position and to coming to work on time to fulfill your daily tasks. So be punctual, but not really early. Good Luck!

Job Search Tip: How to Eliminate Anxiety before an Interview!

Clare — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:55:13 +0000

Who would have thought that exercising would be a pre-interview tip to success? But indeed, working out can help you decrease anxiety before an interview. It will help you stay happy and worry-free when speaking with a potential employer.

There is no doubt that hiring managers can smell nervousness and discomfort when they are interviewing a candidate. Don’t let anxiety get in the way of getting the position you dreamed of.

Exercise has been proven to improve stamina, mood, and stress. These attributes will allow you to shine while interviewing with employers. Employers want to see someone who is excited and enthusiastic, but anxiety prevents this.

Exercising before an interview has been scientifically proven to result in better performance. The studies show that consistent physical activity produces serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These “brain drugs” create the positive results like lower stress levels, which, in turn, results in a good mental well-being.

Consistency is key for the best results. Whichever physical activity you choose, you must make sure you are doing this on a regularly basis. If not, then instead of taking away anxiety, it will actually shock the system. It will have the opposite effect and cause you to look as if you had been beaten!

The studies show it, so why not increase your chances at an interview and get yourself in better shape? Exercising as little as 30 minutes a day can make a world of difference. Just don’t go to the interview with sweat dripping down your face. Good luck!

Job Search Tip: 2 Top tips to Surviving long-term unemployment

Clare — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:05:59 +0000

It’s a tough job market out there. Even in industries that have plenty of jobs to offer, like in IT, hiring managers are so inundated with resumes that your job search seems tougher than ever. If the weeks or even months seem to be dragging on forever, here are two essential tactics to unemployment survival.

1. Evaluate your job search approach. If you’re not seeing any results from your job search, it may be time to really look at what you’re doing to see where your methods need improvement. Maybe you’re not customizing your resume to each company. Maybe your online presence isn’t as cleaned up as it should be. Maybe you’re lured in by the job boards and haven’t tried any other approaches. Whatever your situation, it may be time to take a long hard look at your job search techniques and see where you can improve.

2. Take care of yourself. It’s easy to get desperate during long-term unemployment, and it’s then when you easily forget that if you’re burned out and depressed, your job search is going to suffer, too. You must put yourself before your job search, so focus on getting healthy in body and mind. This of course includes good nutrition practices and exercise, but also, activities like your hobbies, side projects, and volunteering all help boost your spirits.

Job Search Tip: Tell me about yourself

Clare — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:11:03 +0000

It’s one of those dreaded interview questions that seems inevitable. Why is it dreaded? Probably because it’s one of the most vague questions there is, and it’s hard to know what the interviewer is expecting in response. So how will you answer?

Hopefully, you already know that this question should never be answered with nitty gritty details about your life, childhood, personal hobbies, your dislike for your previous boss, or the returned question, “what do you want to know?”

Instead, you want to give a brief introduction to yourself as a professional, and ultimately match your skills and goals with their needs. Explain – again, briefly – about your most recent work and why you’d be a great fit for this job. Do your research about the company to find out what they’re interested in. Then you can make sure you highlight the right skills and personality traits. Remember, as an interviewer, they’re more interested in you as a potential employee than you as a person. However, also remember that your goal is to stand out from all the other candidates answering the same question.

Job Search Tip: Tips for telecommuting

Clare — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:20:11 +0000

There is a recent trend towards telecommuting that seems to be growing steadily, the reasons for which range from a sense of environmentalism to work-life balance and more. It appears like a great perk to any job, but the problem is, not everyone is cut out for it, and if you’re new to the practice of telecommuting, it may be harder than you first thought. If you find yourself faced with the option of working from home, make sure you consider the following points.

Dealing with Distractions. Sure, you no longer have to deal with that annoying coworker hanging over your shoulder, but now you have your pets, kids, dishes, mailman, neighbor’s music, and the tempting TV to distract you. Make sure wherever you’re working is a quiet space that keeps you as far from those distractions as possible.

Keeping Communicating. Telecommuting means less face-time with your coworkers and less supervision from your boss. This lack of interaction can be a problem for some people who are motivated by a team environment. For others, a quiet, distraction-free space is best. Either way, make sure you keep in frequent contact with your boss or team members. Some companies implement frequent Skype sessions for those who work from home, but even just frequent emails and especially phone calls can help.

Drawing the Line. Once you start working from home, you no longer have a strict boundary between where work and home life begin and end. It’s important for both to make a clear distinction. If you start doing chores while you’re on a conference call or watching the kids while in the middle of a project, your work will suffer. Likewise, finishing up that project at the dinner table or working all hours of the night may become a problem in your home life. Make yourself a work schedule you can stick to and draw the line between home and work activities.

Job Search Tip: Picking up your career where you left off

Clare — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:15:15 +0000

There are many reasons for a break in your career, whether personal or professional. But no matter why you left your last job, the real challenge is in conquering that employment gap and picking up your career where you left off. Here are a few tips.

1. Evaluate your career goals. Are your professional goals really the same as they were months or years ago? People change, and whatever occurred to result in that employment gap may have changed you even more. Do you view your career in the same light, or are you heading in a new, unknown direction? Even defining a loose framework for your future goals will help you in jumping back into your career.

2. Stay up to date. While some industries move faster than others, it’s a good idea either way to refresh yourself with industry news and trends. Look into industry publications, online news, and company websites. Also, keep networking with people and leaders in the industry, whether at events or online via social networking platforms.

3. Be confident. It’s natural to be nervous when you start searching and interviewing and even when you start your first day after all that time off. But if you have confidence in yourself and your ability to pick your career back up effectively, the more quickly you’ll be re-oriented and comfortable in your career path.

Are Candidates Buying What You’re Selling?

Clare — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:59:09 +0000

Thanks to a shrinking candidate pool and a steady increase in jobs, particularly in IT, it’s definitely a jobseeker’s market out there. You might spend a month trying to find that perfect candidate, while that same candidate spends the same amount of time finding three perfect job opportunities. So which one will they take?

Now, more than ever, is the time to sell your company and the opportunity you’re offering. It’s easy to interview a candidate, asking all the right questions, to see if you’d want them. But it’s easy to forget to tell that candidate why they’d want you, and why they should choose you from a line up of other offers.

So what do you have to sell?

The trick to selling the opportunity to a candidate is in knowing what that candidate wants. The challenge here, of course, is that every candidate is different. It’s pretty pointless to try to attract a candidate with a loud, energetic work environment if he is an introverted, heads-down programmer.

While you can’t figure out everyone, you can break everyone into basic groups.

Selling to Contractors
The trend of freelancing is stronger than ever, and these temporary workers won’t just take any old job. If you have short-term projects that need the best contractors, you will have to sell the opportunity just as much as you would for a permanent position.

Your typical contractor wants a project that will expand their experience and make an impact on their career. Oftentimes, they’ll be sold if you can boast top-notch technology or the chance to learn new things. If the contract is longer than just a few short weeks or couple of months, then a great company culture and team environment could be valuable bargaining points.

Selling to Permanent Employees
A long-term employee will typically be attracted to a stable work environment and long-term benefits. Relationships are more important to a candidate who’s going to be around longer than a few months, so emphasize the culture of your workplace, and maybe introduce them to people they’ll work with. At some point in the interview phase, it will be important to mention long-term benefits such as insurance, retirement plans, and vacation.

Selling to Extraverts
When you’ve got an outgoing personality on your hands, this is the candidate who will be attracted by your enthusiastic team members, energetic environment, office parties, and open floor plan. If your office is more low-key, however, just try to hit it off and relate to this candidate. Make conversation, getting to know him on a personal level as well as a professional one.

Selling to Introverts
Just because a candidate is introverted doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate a dynamic work culture and team. Stress the benefits of your work environment as well as any opportunities to work independently and get their hands dirty in exciting projects.

Selling to Leaders
If your open position is in a lead or management role, there’s a variety of directions you could take. How many people will this person manage, and what’s your team environment like? Who will this person report to and how closely will they be managed? Will this person take ownership of exciting projects? Is there an opportunity to make a real impact on people or the company? Whatever your answers, appeal to the characteristics that make a person a good leader.

Selling to Juniors
If your position is a junior one or you have great candidates who have only a few years of experience, it’s a great idea to highlight the opportunity to create a career path and develop professionally. If there’s a chance to learn new things and get their hands into a variety of projects, don’t hesitate to go into more detail.

Miscellaneous Sale
Who doesn’t love free food here or random discounts there. Add up all the perks and benefits you can offer, even if it’s as simple as free coffee. You may have the best opportunity in the world to offer a top candidate, but if you’re going head-to-head with another company to hire him, it might just be your flexible hours, stocked kitchen, or gym discount that will sway him to accepting your position over the other guys.

Closing the Deal
Candidates know that an interview is basically a chance to sell themselves to you as the best person for the job. But in a candidate’s market where even big name companies are fighting over employees, it’s essential to sell your company and the position to your candidates.

The most important thing you can do is create a good relationship with a candidate from the moment you contact them. Each candidate is different, so use the interview to get insight into what attracts each one. From there, sell, sell, sell!

Job Search Tip: Writing that resignation letter

Clare — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:52:30 +0000

So you made the decision to quit, and now you have to make it official. Writing a letter is the best way to make your resignation official, even if your company happens to be a little more informal. A letter, given to both your HR department and your supervisor, makes miscommunication unlikely and your intentions clear. So what should your letter say?

First, explain the reason for your letter, detailing any weeks notice and your general intention to leave. Next, if you desire, you can briefly explain the next step in your career path. For example, a statement as simple as “I have decided to accept another position” works just fine. Feel free to briefly mention that the decision was difficult but in your best interests (be honest).

It’s a good idea to give your assurance that you want to help your company make a smooth transition over your leaving, as well as thanking them for their time and opportunity and wishing them the best in the future. Ultimately, keep your letter brief and to the point, avoiding negativity or blame-placing.

Job Search Tip: Making the decision to quit your job

Clare — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:17:32 +0000

Deciding to quit your job can be an emotional rollercoaster for anyone. The question is how do you know when you’re ready?

Reasons for quitting come in all shapes and sizes and it’s important to really assess your own personal situation. First get a clear understanding of your emotions towards your job, company, and coworkers. When you have a sense of what you’re truly feeling, it’s easier not to rush into a decision you might regret.

Next, assess your specific situation. Maybe the reasons for your leaving are circumstances out of your control, such as failing business, company values that no longer match your own, or personal scenarios like family or sickness. It’s important to realize which aspects you can control, so that you don’t encounter the same problems in future positions. Such aspects may include situations like conflict with coworkers or boredom in your work, which in some cases may be avoidable.

Sometimes, it’s simply that a better opportunity has come along, and you want to move on. Either way, don’t be in a rush to quit your job. Making a logical, informed decision will help you from regretting your decision or experiencing the same problem scenarios with another company.

The Secret Behind Hiring Successful Contractors

Clare — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:52:44 +0000

Hiring an IT contractor when your hands are full of tech projects is a whole lot easier than hiring a new permanent employee. However, it’s not quite as simple as hiring a plumber when your drainpipe springs a leak.

You see, your typical contractor is going to be around a few weeks or months longer than one wet afternoon. And while he may be a temporary employee, the impact he may make on your office and organization might not be so fleeting.

The goal when hiring a contractor, then, is not only to complete a successful project, but also to maintain or even improve a great work environment with flourishing team of existing employees.

The trick behind this two-pronged goal? Contractor Integration.

The process of acclimating a contractor into your workplace takes a 3-point approach.

Culture
Is your workplace fast paced or laid back? Is there a diverse team of techies or no IT people at all? Is your team an outgoing group or a quiet bunch? Do you foster a contemporary workspace,
a homely setup, or a corporate office?

You probably already have a solid understanding of your work environment, and it’s something you must keep in mind when hiring even the most temporary of employees.

Why? Because employees, even temporary ones, work most successfully in a place where they fit in. No matter how adaptable a person is, they’ll integrate better into your workplace and you’ll see better results if they’re hired for more than just their technical skills.

How will you know if a contractor will fit well in your culture? A good staffing firm should have a steady idea of a candidate’s personality, and even a quick interview should give you better insight, too.

Communication
Culture is only part of the integration equation, because what makes up your culture are the people in it, and that’s where communication comes in. Though it depends upon the dynamic of your organization, there are two main branches of communication; that is, interaction between your current team and your new contractor, and the discourse between yourself and this contractor.

Just as with a permanent employee, introductions are usually necessary. This way, your existing team knows what’s going on, and the contractor quickly understands the roles and responsibilities of the people working around him. While obviously the contractor will be managed differently, it’s important to treat him as one of the team, instead of superior or inferior, to avoid any conflict and animosity.

Make sure your contractor has the same communication tools as anyone would have, such as an email account and phone access. When it comes to communication with you, make sure it’s regular, whether in the form of frequent status reports or project meetings. This will ensure that your contractor is working optimally towards success.

Collaboration
This final aspect of integration depends upon how closely your current team interacts, but either way, collaboration can be important. It provides an opportunity for the contractor to better blend into the team, even if he is the sole IT person working independently on a project.

Additionally, when your team collaborates with your contractors, you suddenly have fertile ground for the sharing of new ideas, transfer of valuable skills, and training opportunities. Overall, collaboration can help make the hiring of a contractor into a very positive and fruitful experience for all your employees. Not to mention, of course, that your projects will be completed more quickly and effectively.

Bottom Line
There are clear benefits to hiring contractors, especially when it comes to saving both time and money. But if you want to take it to the next level, integrate your contractor into your workplace by using these three C’s.

In short, make sure your contractor fits your work culture; keep those lines of communication between everyone open; and encourage collaboration between your contractor and existing employees. A temporary employee may have a lasting effect on your business, so make sure it’s a positive one.

Job Search Tip: How to Survive Your First Week at Work

Clare — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:38:09 +0000

Starting a new job can definitely be daunting, even if it’s a place with a great work environment and friendly coworkers. Figuring out who everyone is, what you’re supposed to be doing, and where things are can be time-consuming tasks, leaving you confused and anxious about the week ahead of you. So how will you survive you first week?

1. Be friendly, positive, open-minded, and always smiling. Even if you’re a little more introverted, making a friendly first impression will really help you. Becoming one of the team quickly will help you feel a lot more familiar with your workplace early on.

2. Ask questions, lots of them. Sitting at your desk quietly, trying to figure things out on your own won’t get you anywhere fast. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, as the more questions you ask, the faster you’ll get comfortable in your new position.

3. Personalize your workspace. It might help you relax into your new role if you make your space yours. Whether it’s family pictures, mementos, or general office décor, when you make yourself at home, you’ll get that sense of belonging faster.

4. Be patient. Chances are, it will take a while for everything to click, and you can’t rush that process. Just remember that everyone’s been in the same situation at some point or another, and every company is different. Understand that these things take time, and before you know it, you’ll have survived your first week at your new job.

Job Search Tip: Coping with Nerves in the Interview

Clare — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:30:44 +0000

You know how it goes: sweating, shaking, biting your nails, chewing your lip, and more. Anxiety and nervousness about job interviews are common, and may hinder your performance if you’re not aware of it or don’t know how to control it. Here are few quick tips.

1. Be Prepared. This is one of the best ways you can beat those nerves. Make sure you do your homework, and find out about the company, your interviewer, and common interview questions. The more you know, the more familiar you’ll be with everything throughout the interview, which should lead to less anxiousness.

2. Banish negativity. Negative thinking and over-thinking can plague your anxiety to a point where you come across as entirely negative to everyone you talk to. Learn to recognize those negative thoughts and question whether they are truly realistic. If you have no good reason to believe the interviewer hates or you’re doing terribly, then force yourself to stop. Instead, envision your success, replacing those negative thoughts with positive ones.

3. Remember that an interview is a 2-way conversation. If a part of your mind believes that an interview is a painful interrogation, then of course you’ll be anxious! But an interview is a chance for you to evaluate the employer also, so ask questions and take an active role in the interview.

A Quick Guide to Understanding & Managing Generation Y in the Workplace

Clare — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:52:34 +0000

Wondering why your desk is a little more flooded with resumes than usual recently? As it gets warmer outside and closer to fully-fledged summer months, the Class of 2011 is flooding into the workplace en masse. Which, of course, brings up the ever-buzzing topic of Generation Y in the workplace.

It remains an important topic because this generation’s members are the first in history whose lives are so significantly entrenched in technology, and with each graduate class comes a new level of this entrenchment.

So, assuming one of their resumes catches your eye, the question inevitably becomes, how will you manage them in the workplace?

Why Gen Y

Many attribute Gen Y’s unique characteristics to the new style of parenting adopted by Generation X. But technology plays a huge role here too. For the first time, you have a generation that has grown up in a truly global community – one that changes the face of human interaction and offers true convenience and instant gratification.

So what you end up with is young adults who were encouraged to be “fair,” with no real “winners” – thanks to their parents – in a fast paced world where measurement, rewards, and communication is easier and faster than ever before – thanks to technology.

In the workplace, then, Gen Yers are not as competitive with each other as they are with themselves. They want feedback for these efforts in a measurable format and they want rewards when they increase those results. Plus, in keeping with their fast pace, they’re much more likely to switch jobs many times, rather than sticking to just one for years at a time.

Measuring Gen Y

Bruce Tulgan, founder of Rainmaker Thinking, writes that Generation Y acts in the workplace in much the same way as they do in a video game, where they are beating their own high scores over and over. Their standards are set by points, and the more these points are tracked and recorded, the more motivated they will be and the better they’ll perform.

Therefore, in the workplace, the most effective way to motivate Gen Yers is to apply levels to their work, where each project they complete and quality to which they do so gets them closer to the next level. As long as the quotas you set are realistic and meaningful, the more results you’ll see from them.

Rewarding Gen Y

Traditional rewards just aren’t going to cut it with these Gen Yers. They’ve been able to customize almost all aspects of their lives since childhood, especially as technology becomes even more advanced. So while one Gen Yer may be satisfied with a bonus for their superior productivity, the next Gen Yer prefers a reward of flex hours, and another likes perks such as gift cards or trips.

Granted, you may not want to up-end your entire existing compensation program, but as your workplace fills up with this newest generation, it’s definitely worth looking into incentive programs that provide short-term rewards. Even small acknowledgements of each “level” they reach in their work will be appreciated and effective.

Short Term Gen Y

As mentioned, this generation simply won’t stay at a job as long as workers in the past, giving each job an average of 3-5 years instead of an average of 5-7 or even 7-10 years. But this doesn’t necessarily mean Gen Yers don’t have strong career paths; the steps on that path are simply more frequent.

This means that if you want the most productive Gen Y workers, you must give them a sense of professional development and career growth, even if they’re only giving you a few years of work. Challenge them, and make sure they know the purpose of their work.

Plus, those rewards you’re giving them? They’re probably going to be more effective in smaller, more frequent doses.

Hire Gen Y

The bottom line is that Generation Y reacts very differently to traditional management styles than previous generations. Cater to their shorter attention span, by tracking their progress and providing feedback and rewards when their goals are reached. This may call for an adjustment in your management style, but you’ll soon have much more productive and effective employees on your hands if you put the effort in.
And hey – they may not have too much experience behind their backs yet, but given the richness of technology in their lives, they are much more valuable to your workplace than you may initially suspect. So don’t despair at that pile of fresh resumes on your desk; they are the future, so invest in them today.

Job Search Tip: Socialize your Interviews

Clare — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:37:54 +0000

Not literally of course. An interview isn’t an opportunity for a heart felt conversation over drinks. However, it is a good idea to get your know your interviewer as much as you can before you even get to interview. Without being a creepy stalker, that is.

Instead of going the creep route, search for your interviewer on several social media outlets. Follow them on Twitter and LinkedIn, and keep an eye out for links they post, statuses that mention their activities, and anything they post about work. Learning these things will make you feel more comfortable in the interview, as your interviewer will be less of a stranger. Plus, if the moment is right, and it relates to your conversation, don’t be afraid to mention you noticed a particular status or link that caught your eye.

Need an example? Perhaps you’re talking about company culture and the team environment. Maybe you saw an update from your interviewer that described a fun company event recently. You could say something like, “I happened to notice on LinkedIn that you recently had a company outing to the Cubs game. It sounds like you have a really close-knit group. What’s your team dynamic like?” Make sense?

Job Search Tip: Multi-Personality Job Search

Clare — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:54:31 +0000

If you’ve spent any amount of time in the job search, you might feel by now that you’ve somehow developed multi-personality syndrome. Every time the phone rings, you have to think about which persona to focus on, and the same for every email, meeting, and social gathering. Why? Because in today’s job search, you have 3 main sources of “you.” In particular, these are, the you in person, the you on your resume, and the you online.

Of course, you want be authentic, but these three versions of you are portrayed over such different mediums, that you have to be really careful that they don’t contradict each other. Manage all three so that you appear professional and personable. For example, many people get caught up in the false anonymity of the web; be careful what links you post, comments you write, etc, which may reflect back to your online public profile.

Job Search Tip: Timing is Everything

Clare — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:35:16 +0000

When it comes to the job search, timing is really everything.

1. Reaching out/ Sending your resume
The second you find a “job lead,” whether it’s an online job ad or a status update from an online buddy, don’t wait around to find out more and apply. The job market is moving fast, and the longer you wait, the less chance you have of getting noticed for the position. If you’re sending a resume, spend time only to customize it for the position, but otherwise send it right away.

2. Showing up at the interview
There’s rarely a good excuse for being late to an interview, and even getting there without a minute to spare can be considered late. Being a little early, by 10 or 15 minutes, not only gives a good impression, it gives you time to collect yourself and get ready for the interview.

3. Sending a thank you letter
A quick thank you note, whether by email or mail, can really stand you apart from other candidates and make a big impression on your interviewer. Go ahead and send a thank you note within a day of your interview. A lot of companies move very fast, and if you wait any longer than that, your note may be completely irrelevant and end up looking out of place.

4. Following up on an interview
Your best bet for following up after an interview is to specifically ask at the end of an interview when you should follow up. Each interviewer has their own hiring process, so asking beforehand will give you an idea of whether two days is acceptable or whether you should wait a whole week. If you’re not sure, you may have to simply gauge how the interview went and follow these two rules: don’t call everyday and become a stalker, and don’t wait a month before calling after they’ve forgotten all about you.

Job Search Tip: Show Don’t Tell

Clare — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:27:19 +0000

Chances are, you’ve got all your answers figured out to questions like, what are your strengths and weaknesses. But even if your answer is really great, you might be missing out on something essential that can make it even better.

So what’s the secret ingredient? Simple, show your answer, instead of just telling it. No, you don’t have to act it out in a game of charades! But a solid example of your strength or weakness in play in your previous workplace can make all the difference in the world.

Say your strength is that you’re a great team player. Okay, that’s fine, but anyone could be a great team player. How do you make this strength unique? Make your strength applicable and give an example of an important project you worked on as a team, explain your role in the team, and recount the success of the project as a result.

When you show how your answers hold up in real life, you make them much more memorable, and you’ll definitely stand out from all the other candidates.

General Employment Enterprises, Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Assets of Ashley Ellis, LLC

Clare — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:48:28 +0000

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — General Employment Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE Amex: JOB) today announced that on August 31, 2011, it entered into an asset purchase agreement with Ashley Ellis, LLC and Brad Imhoff for the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Ashley Ellis, including properties, rights, powers and privileges of Ashley Ellis. Ashley Ellis is an Information Technology Recruiting and Staffing firm with offices located in Naperville, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.

Salvatore J. Zizza, General Employment’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are very pleased to announce that we entered into this definitive acquisition agreement with Ashley Ellis. Ashley Ellis will be a complementary addition to our core business and will also strengthen our operation with the addition of two talented Ashley Ellis executives who will join our General Employment staff – Brad Imhoff, former CEO of Ashley Ellis, will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of General Employment and President of the Company’s Professional Staffing Division and Katy Gallagher, former COO of Ashley Ellis, will serve as the Vice President of Operations. Brad and Katy are sure to bring innovative ideas and new perspectives to our organization and they will play an important role in our organic growth. I am very excited about our future and the prospect of our continued growth both organically and through future acquisitions.”

A Quick Look at the Future of Cloud Computing

Clare — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:44:08 +0000

With a constant steam of technology trends weaving their way into people’s lives and business, it’s easy to wonder which ones will stick around and which will fizzle out, even if you work in the throes of IT itself. Yet, ask a handful of any given tech experts which trend has the most staying power, and without a doubt, the majority will tell you Cloud computing.

Just Like New

Why? Because unlike other new tech trends, cloud computing doesn’t need to cultivate staying power when the concept has fundamentally been around since the 80’s. However, as this “trend” gains fervor and slowly becomes a household phrase, questions about the future and impact of cloud computing become ever more important.

The Future

So, what is the future of cloud computing? Sahil Parikh, author of The SaaS Edge, puts it the most succinctly: “Today, Cloud computing is a trend. Tomorrow, it is going to be something that we all live with – just like electricity.”

In other words, the Cloud will be second nature in every aspect of our lives. As Parikh continues, “With the ubiquity of the Internet, every device [in your home, business, etc] will be connected to the Cloud in some way or another.”

The Benefits

One of the biggest reasons for such widespread adoption among businesses is simply the low cost. In very basic terms, running your business from the Cloud reduces the need for your own servers and IT guys to run it.

As Angela Denby, Founder and CEO of Java Social Networking, explains, though, decreased overhead is just the beginning. Another benefit of Cloud computing is increased efficiency, “now that employees are able to access files from any computer” or any mobile device.

And, with this flexibility of information access comes increased work-life balance. These are important benefits for any business, achieved at the fraction of the cost of other initiatives. And for these reasons, as Ms. Denby puts it, “Cloud computing isn’t going anywhere.”

The Impact

What do these benefits mean for the impact of Cloud computing? Ryan MacCarrigan, Director of Marketing at AppFirst, offers some interesting insight. Ultimately, lower overhead costs lead to higher revenue, MacCarrigan explains, and “if moving to the Cloud can help companies grow their revenue, then it’s fundamentally good for the economy.”

Aside from positive economical impact, MacCarrigan also comments that the widespread adoption of Cloud computing will “accelerate the rate of technological innovation, resulting from the democratization of data access.” It’s definitely an interesting and probable prediction; a case of one major trend paving the way for others.

Real Life Impact

For a more applicable example of the benefits of Cloud computing, Ben Cooper, Founder and CEO of Invizsion LLC, explains how Cloud computing plays an important role in the healthcare industry. Coopers explains that, “Cloud technology has enabled physicians and other health care providers the ability to remotely access and update patient medical records.”

In other words, medical details and imaging such as X-rays can be stored via the Cloud so that radiologists and other specialists can offer medical interpretation and advice, even miles away from the physical location of the patient.

In this case, the use of the Cloud can make all the difference between life and death. As Cloud computing becomes more advanced and entrenched in our lives over time, the possibilities are clearly limitless and life-changing.

Concerns

As technology like Cloud computing becomes ever more advanced, however, the concern for safety and security grows in equal proportion. Steve Santorelli, a former Scotland Yard cyber-crime detective at the non-for-profit Internet Security Research company Team Cymru, offers his input.

“You’re fundamentally trusting someone else to protect your assets,” he explains, “so you need to have a high degree of confidence in them…Your personal email might be one thing, but trusting your company to one huge potential single point of failure is another.”

When it comes down to it, use of Cloud computing simply depends on the company. With some businesses, an office break-in may be of more worry than a computer hacker. Some companies, however, will want to do their homework on the service they’re considering for their move to the Cloud.

Others simply need to be more careful, as Santorelli comments that, “sadly, many Cloud security mishaps boil down to a poor password choice or re-use by the end-user.”

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, it does look like Cloud computing is an integral part of our future, particularly for business. Though this was a brief look at it’s future, these are the issues at the forefront of Cloud experts’ minds. Certainly, if predictions are true, the Cloud will become as second nature as our use of electricity.

What do you think about the future of Cloud computing?

Job Search Tip: Avoiding the Unemployed Stigma

Clare — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:17:13 +0000

When you’re unemployed, it can seem like the whole world’ against you. Whether it’s your family, friends, or neighbors who’ve noticed you haven’t left the house in weeks, it can be a tough time. And the thought of explaining your unemployment to interviewers and hiring managers isn’t a pleasant thought either.

When you’re in this situation, there are two essential things you can do to beat the unemployed stigma. First, get out of the unemployed mindset. The more you think of yourself in the way your judgmental neighbors do, the worse off you’ll be. Refuse to succumb to the stigma and force yourself into a positive attitude. The more positive and confident you appear in an interview, the better your chances of ending your unemployment. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, check out this article.

The second thing you can do is being proactive. Treat your job search like a full time job instead of lazing around on the couch and only occasionally hitting send to email out your resume. Network your heart out, and take on side jobs or classes to stay active in your career field. This way, the gap on your resume can be filled in with your side projects, and you’re more likely to find something faster.

Job Search Tip: References

Clare — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:20:01 +0000

Here are a few quick tips in gathering a glowing reference list to set you apart from your competition.

1. Make sure you tell your references you’re using them as a reference! No one likes to be caught off guard, and you want your references to appear professional and ready to represent you, rather than flustered and confused.

2. A previous boss can be a great reference, but if you feel anxious about asking them or you weren’t on the best of terms, ask a supervisor or manager instead of the Big Boss. This way, you’ll still have an authority figure who can talk directly about your performance.

3. Customize your reference list to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a management position, it would be a good idea to list someone you has worked under your management before, in addition to your own previous manager.

4. Make your reference list easy for your prospective employer. Include as many details about your references as possible, including a phone number, email address, description of relationship, and best time of day to reach them. This will set you apart from candidates who provide only a phone number and nothing else for hard-to-reach references.

5. Thank your references! Make sure you show your gratitude for your references, so that they will continue to be a good reference for future opportunities. If you don’t show your appreciation, you may end up with a reference who speaks more negatively about you, or refuses to be a reference ever again.

Job Search Tip: Achievements Vs. Responsibilities

Clare — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:05:39 +0000

It’s typical on a resume to make a series of bullet points that list your responsibilities in previous positions. However, what many people don’t realize is how little this can sometimes mean. Why? Because anyone with the same basic skills could probably have taken on the exact same responsibilities, setting you apart from no one. The real question is, were you successful at those responsibilities? What did you achieve through those responsibilities?

To really set yourself above all the other candidates out there, focus those bullet points on your achievements rather than the basic responsibilities behind them. For example, maybe you developed a mobile application for a company. Sure, anyone can do that. But if that mobile application you developed was so successful that it’s still used today by hundreds or thousands of users and helped increased business by 10%, then make sure your resume says so! Maybe you helped your department become more efficient, increased the functionality of your company’s software, or created a highly successful solution to a problem. Whatever you’ve done, make sure you highlight the difference between the foundational responsibilities and the achievements you accomplished on top of those.

Job Search Tip: Getting an “In” at a Company

Clare — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:40:01 +0000

Did you know the large majority of jobs are filled through a referral? Whether it’s a friend, friend of a friend, friend of a friend of a family member, or someone you met randomly on the street, train, or plane, referrals can be your golden ticket to your dream career. An excellent tool to get this “in” at a company can be LinkedIn, the professional social network.

Continue to build your network by making connections with people in the same field as yourself and with hiring authorities or company executives. “Follow” companies that look interesting to you on a regular basis. Then, when you click on the companies you follow, LinkedIn will tell who you’re connected to that works there or knows someone who works there.

From there, you can send a message to your connections to get more information about the company and inquire about any open positions. Try to be friendly and yet brief, as you want to avoid accidentally looking too desperate or stalker-like!

Don’t know where to start? Join us on LinkedIn!

Job Search Tip: Proof Reading

Clare — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:40:45 +0000

The debate’s still out there on how much spelling or grammatical errors matter on a résumé or cover letter. Some hiring authorities say that unless you’re applying to be an editor or something similar, a couple of errors don’t make a difference to your ability to do a great job. But the truth is, you never know if the person you’re sending your résumé to agrees with this or not. And so, the simple solution is to always proof read every word you write on an application.

And don’t just rely on spell check, as often a misspelled word may still actually be a word, just not the one you wanted. Read slowly a few times through a printed version of your resume (it’s harder to catch errors on a computer screen), and even read it aloud or backwards, to make sure you catch all the errors. Or, hand a copy to someone you know has a great grasp of grammar and spelling. Whatever you do, make sure everything is error-free to guarantee your best chance for your dream career.

Job Search Tip: Listing Hobbies on your Résumé

Clare — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:18:07 +0000

Are you still listing hobbies on your résumé? It’s one of those old résumé habits that many people still cling onto, but unless your hobbies and interests relate to the job or company you’re applying for, those hobbies rarely do much but take up space.

With the little amount of time hiring managers spend reading résumés, hobby lists are usually ignored, especially if they’re completely extraneous to the job. If your résumé’s already pretty long, adding a whole new section listing hobbies and interests can be detrimental.

So the general advice is to skip the hobby section on your résumé. If the company you’re applying for prefers people who have hobbies, they will usually ask during an interview. If you’re insistent on the hobby section, keep it to relevant interests that relate to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a programming position, you could prove your passion for your work by mentioning that coding is a hobby of yours.

Switching Technologies: The risks of a career leap

Clare — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:52:14 +0000

Why Switch?

How will it affect me?

How can I explain this to employers?

So, you’ve decided to make the leap and switch from your current technology to something new. Congratulations. But what does this mean for you? How will it affect you in a job search and how do potential and current employers view it?

Why the switch?

There are a number of reasons for making a switch from developing in one language to another. Perhaps you are bored and not challenged enough. Perhaps you’re finding the market just isn’t what it used to be in your current field. Or perhaps you just woke up no longer loving what you do. No matter what the reason, keep one thing in mind: switching your career path will be most successful if it’s less of a leap, and more of a journey.

Understanding the Impact

Besides the typical challenges of starting something new, you also have to consider how this decision will impact you financially. You might not be money-motivated, but you do have to be realistic about the monetary consequences of changing your career path.

Let’s consider Joe the developer. Joe has been in Microsoft technologies for 8 years. He’s always stayed up-to-date with the latest and greatest, but he wants to explore open source technology. Joe is living comfortably at a salary of $100k+ and has built his work and lifestyle around his continued success with MS Technologies. So what could a switch mean for him?

While many employers appreciate an employee like Joe who wants to diversify his expertise and adapt to new technologies, this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily comfortable paying that senior status salary while he takes the time to learn those new technologies from scratch.

To clarify, technology is evolving and staying on top of it is key. But if you plan on entirely switching your career direction towards new technology, you’ll no longer be at the senior level you were before. In this case, it’s a rarity to maintain the same salary. A big career leap often equals a big pay cut.

Minimizing the Impact

You can, however, do things to minimize this cut, taking more of a journey rather than a jump in your new career. Instead of literally leaping from one technology to another, aim to make a smooth transition. Consider doing side projects or freelance work before switching entirely. Fill your resume with things that show recent work in your new chosen technology, and present those work examples to your current or potential employer.
It’s about more than just showing passion for a new technology; you also have to make the effort to back it up. If you can prove you can do it, then there is a strong chance you will maintain some of your previous senior status, and that leap will look a little less dubious.

Bottom Line

Taking a chance on something new is an admirable decision and can lead to many great opportunities. Just make sure you’re prepared for everything a big switch may bring, including your new level of work experience and the financial impact. Rather than making a big jump, choose to make your switch into a journey to help you make a comfortable transition.

By Ana Malecki – IT Search Executive at Ashley Ellis

Job Search Tip: Don’t have a degree?

Clare — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:22:46 +0000

While education might sometimes give you a step up, a degree is rarely required. Even though many companies list a degree in their requirements, these organizations will usually be satisfied with an equivalent level of experience.

After all, if someone has the education but can’t apply the lessons hands-on, they probably won’t be a good candidate for the job. Therefore, if you can prove you can do the job even though you don’t have the degree behind your back, don’t be afraid to apply anyway.

Job Search Tip: Resigning

Clare — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:35:30 +0000

You’ve taken plenty of advice for going about finding and a securing a brand new job, but now the time is here to resign from your old position.

Make sure you write a resignation letter, thanking your employer for the experience and offering to help them find or train a new employee. Try to avoid being negative, so that you can leave on good terms. It is often a good idea to provide both your immediate boss and the HR department with a copy of your resignation letter, so there is no miscommunication.

Feel free to ask for a reference if your relationship with the employer is good, and ask about the details of employee benefits that will be ended upon your resignation.

Job Search Tip: Interview Silences

Clare — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:25:26 +0000

With all the noise in the world, our society has been immensely uncomfortable with silence, and silence in an interview has to be one of the worse kinds of all.

There are two potential times silence can invade an interview. The first is after you’ve finished an answer and before the next question is asked. The interviewer is probably taking notes, processing your answer and figuring out what to ask next. The second is after the interviewer asks a question and before you figure out how to answer.

It’s easy to get nervous and turn the silence into awkwardness, but relax. Stay calm and understand that silence in either situation is simply a moment to collect your thoughts. This way, you’ll appear more comfortable and confident in the interview.

9 Myths of the Job Search

Clare — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:38:52 +0000

Some of the following statements are myths quite simply because they’re either out-of-date or incorrect. Don’t make these mistakes!

1. Job boards are the easiest way to find a job.

Correction: job boards are the easiest way to lie to yourself about your job search productivity. Finding and receiving a job via job boards is probably one of the hardest ways to go. The competition is high, and job boards practically breed resume black holes.

2. Sending resumes en masse guarantees at least a few interviews.

Sure, you might get lucky. But it will be an accident, and it probably won’t get you the job. Essentially, mass generic resumes make you look like everyone else, and you’ll never stand out enough to get a good interview and definitely not a good job offer. It basically looks like you really don’t care where you get a job. And why would a company hire you if you don’t actually care about them?

3. Networking is overrated and time consuming.

Fact: the majority of jobs out there are filled by referral. That means networking. The huge focus on social media over recent years may make it seem like networking is overrated, but don’t get distracted by all the buzz. Take the time you spent poring over job boards and put it into building relationships, whether it’s online on LinkedIn or in person at MeetUp groups. The more you get your name out there, the better your chances of finding and getting what you want.

4. If a company isn’t advertising open positions, nothing’s available.

Despite what the job boards make it look like, a very small percentage of companies actually officially advertise their positions. Instead, they reach out to current employees for referrals, to their organization’s social networks, and to recruiting and staffing firms. Don’t be afraid to contact these companies if you’re interested in working there; ask if they’re hiring or when they might be looking again. Get networking, and call a good recruiter.

5. If they like your resume, they’ll call.

By this logic, if they don’t like your resume, they won’t call. But chances are, they haven’t even seen your resume – especially if it was sent through a job board. This is why it’s important to follow up. Give them a call to make sure they received your resume and ask if they’ve had a chance to review it. Don’t go overboard on the calling though, or risk looking like a pest!

6. You have to have a degree to get a job

This is especially false in industries like IT. Very few organizations actually require a degree, because experience is a valuable teacher by itself. If you’re fresh out of school, try to pump up your experience by volunteer work in the field, internships, and side projects. Ultimately, you have to be able to apply your education hands-on, and you have to be able to prove it.

7. You must have all listed requirements in a job description to be considered for the job.

When companies write job descriptions, they are typically describing their wish list. Unfortunately, that perfect candidate rarely exists. There are often hard skills that can be taught on the job, and aren’t necessarily required. Determine from the job description which “requirements” are key, and if you meet those, send in a resume.

8. Phone interviews aren’t as important.

Phone interviews are becoming more common these days, and are definitely just as important as face-to-face interviews. Why? Because it’s an opportunity to make a first impression. If you come across as not serious about the interview, why should the interviewer take you seriously as a candidate? A phone interview sets the tone for all future communication.

9. Thank you notes are old fashioned.

Maybe this myth has popped up as snail mail becomes all the more obsolete, but this doesn’t make the practice of thank you notes any less important. Even if it’s simply a personal email, thanking the interviewer for their time is essential. It shows you care about the job and the company, and will set you apart from other candidates.

Job Search Tip: The Limp Fish Handshake

Clare — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:30:36 +0000

It’s every interviewer’s worst nightmare. They go to shake your hand, introducing themselves and asking how you are, and in return they receive your limp hand that’s barely worth shaking.

What does a limp fish handshake say about your character? It certainly doesn’t portray confidence or professionalism.

So get firm with yourself and put some muscle into those handshakes. It will show that you’re serious about the job and are ready to give it all you’ve got. It will make your first impression on the interviewer much more positive, and will set a better tone for the whole interview.

5 Easy Tips to Help You Customize Your Resume

Clare — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:48:22 +0000

You’re always hearing that you shouldn’t send out masses of generic resumes. You should customize your application to where you’re sending it. You hear it at least three times a day when you’re mid-job-search. And you’ve begun to tune it out. Who has time for that? How do you even go about doing it? Here, just for you, is a quick and easy guide.

1. Name the hiring authority

Even if you’re not writing a cover letter, you should have a specific name to which you can address your email. If the name’s not listed with the job description, poke around online or simply give the company a call to find out who’s in charge of hiring for that position. This is a quick way to show that you actually care about whom you’re sending your resume to.

2. Position title

Make sure your resume objective is specific, and instead of writing something vague, such as, “to obtain a position relating to my skills in….” or something equally generic, include the actual position title. After all, the objective of this particular resume is in fact to obtain that particular position.

3. Name of the company

In many cases, you will know the actual company you’re applying to, and you can easily write this into your objective too. This will be a clear sign that you’ve put in the extra effort to write this resume specifically for this company. If in the case you don’t know the company’s name, try to be as specific as you can, perhaps including the industry instead of the company name.

4. Required skills

Somewhere on your resume, you probably already have listed your skills and all the experience you have using them. Make sure that out of all the skills you list, the ones that meet the requirements of the job are listed most prominently. This way, whoever’s reading your resume will see the immediate keyword match, instead having to search them out.

5. Culture fit

You may not be writing a full-blown cover letter, but you should at least have a short introductory email. While it’s never guaranteed that your message will be read, it is a good idea to reflect the company in your note. Mentioning why the company appeals to you or how you think you’d be a good fit with the culture described in the job ad or on their website is another sign that you’ve done your homework and are serious about the job.

The Future of the IT Industry

Clare — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:20:46 +0000

We’re talking about far future. Like 25 years from now. Considering that 25 years ago, no one knew what the Internet was, it’s safe to say that few people can make any realistic predictions about what technology and the IT industry will look like more than two decades from today.

But we can dream. And we can take a look at the generation who will be in their prime 25 years from now; namely, those clumsy, runny-nosed, giggling kids who currently happen to be somewhere in the K-12 education process.

Technology in Schools

Teachers across the nation and globe are reinventing their classrooms to better reflect the 21st Century. It’s a challenging and slow paradigm shift, necessitated by the overwhelming impact that the current technological revolution is having on society.

What do these changes look like? You name it. Laptops, notebooks, tablets, iPods, eReaders, specialized education software, blogs, social media, video chat, apps, and more.

Organizations like the Texas Computer Education Association are highly focused on integrating technology into classrooms, and are working with administrators and teachers to do so.

Executive Director of TCEA, Lori Gracey, says, “we have recently seen an explosive growth in the ability of young children to manipulate intelligent devices, including smartphones and tablet computers.” Children can run applications and programs at a much younger age than anyone ever expected, Gracey adds.

After Graduation

Even the youngest of leaders in the tech scene right now were not born into technology like today’s youngsters. Instead, they discovered the Internet at the same time as their parents, at ages 5, 10, or 15. But for today’s 5, 10, and 15 year olds, the Internet is as natural as breathing.

So how will this affect the future of IT? As IT Manager Patrick Mitchell, from Best Essay Help, comments, the answer is “easy and straightforward: as more and more people deal with technology from early childhood, there’s a bigger chance of innovation to popup.”

And that’s putting it lightly.

Growing Up

The past two decades have brought many technological innovations, changing the way we function in everyday life. And while new tech innovation will likely continue at an impressive rate, it’s also a safe bet that there will be a greater focus on user interface.

It’s a typical process: first there is an invention, and only after that is the invention reworked to better fit into our lives. You can look at any technology for easy examples of this, be it cars, phones, music and more.

We’ve seen the beginning of this in recent years, a great example being the smartphone, integrating technology into more and more of our lives. But it’s probable that the next 25 years will bring this kind of integration and intense user interface and design to an extreme.

Project Manager Brian Gier agrees, saying, “Networks will become self-healing fabric stitched together by self-powered devices all communicating, updating, and notifying each other and ourselves… interfaces as we know them will cease to exist when the device become part of us.”

A recent article from UX Magazine, by Scott Jensen, states that the smart devices of today are just the beginning; “key chains, credit cards, headsets, head-mounted displays, smart jewelry…even smart blenders and knife sharpeners are not far behind.”

Jensen goes on to say that the process of choosing a computer and then buying hoards of software and applications on top of that will soon be obsolete, replaced by a model “in which people work with multiple devices on the same data, usually through the cloud.”

Certainly, the concept of the cloud has a lot of potential and will likely take directions we could never even imagine. And once again, this is sure to be just the beginning. Can you imagine what technology will look like in 25 years?

From Tots to Techies

With their tiny hands digging into technology from day one, today’s children will definitely rearrange the world into a future we cannot possibly predict.

Heidi Siwak, a 6th grade teacher who has created a website dedicated to her 21st century classroom, puts it perfectly: these children are building “digital footprint[s]” and the consequences of that will be great.

What do you think? How will today’s children use technology to change our future?

-By Clare Saumell

5 Types of Interviewers

Clare — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:44:57 +0000

Even if you’ve practiced and rehearsed your interview answers until you know them by heart, the one thing you can never predict is the person who’ll be interviewing you. How should you react to each type of interviewer?

The First Timer

Most likely, you’re expecting an interviewer who’s well versed and experienced in interviewing. But occasionally you’ll come across an interviewer who hasn’t conducted an interview before, or who is new to this company’s hiring process, or who is just plain nervous about interviewing.

Even if it appears you’re more experienced with interviewing than the interviewer is, don’t assume the upper hand. Maintain your professionalism and enthusiasm, and avoid getting distracted or thrown off by their style of interviewing.

The Casual Interviewer

Casual interviewers are the ones who talk more than they let you talk, who conduct a relaxed interview style, and who are generally quite friendly. It’s easy to reflect this behavior, but it’s advisable to refrain from doing this.

While it is important to be friendly and confident, getting too relaxed can appear over-confident or not serious about the interview and job. Additionally, if the interviewer talks a lot about the company and the position, but doesn’t ask too many questions, make sure to engage enthusiastically in the conversation, providing great answers whenever you have the opportunity.

The Scripted Interviewer

This is the type of interviewer who asks all the typical interview questions, rarely derailing from their notes. This person is potentially similar to the first time interviewer, who isn’t experienced or comfortable enough going beyond the objective questions. However, it is also a way for the interviewer to have the same relationship with every person who interviews, without making any subjective connections.

It’s likely these questions are similar to ones you’ve prepared for, so answer professionally like you planned. Be careful not to break the routine the interviewer is used to by bringing up another topic or taking your answer on a tangent.

The Interrogator

You may feel like you’re at the front of a courtroom when interviewed by this type of interviewer. The questions are fired off by someone who isn’t looking to make friends. They have a job to do and they’re not going to waste time with it.

Rather than feeling intimidated, stay calm and unflustered, taking your time to answer questions professionally. While friendliness is important, avoid being too casual, over enthusiastic, or too friendly.

The Mix

Everyone has a multi-faceted personality, but this interviewer brings that to their interviewing style too. They start out by-the-books, shooting out questions quickly in a mixed scripted-interrogator style, slowly becoming more relaxed and friendly.

This interviewer may naturally interview in this mixed style, or they’re trying to see how you react to different styles and personalities. Try to remain on an even keel. Don’t get too flustered or too relaxed. If your reactions differ as much as their interview style differs, they may be left wondering which you is the real you, and which one they can expect to see in the workplace.

Photo Courtesy of Flckr: hkricharusf

5 Interview Tips for Non-Verbal Communication

Clare — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:18:12 +0000

You may have some awesome answers lined up for your interview and a great resume to back you up, but is that enough to get you the job of your dreams?

Non-verbal communication plays a huge role in your interview, and most of the time, it consists of things you don’t even think about. Obviously you don’t want to be obsessing over these things during the interview, but browse these tips, rehearse and practice them, and keep them in the back of your mind for ultimate interview success.

The Handshake

An obvious non-verbal cue. You’ve probably been told many times that the handshake becomes part of the first impression someone gets of you. You’ve heard it shouldn’t be limp or crushing. But do you know how you yourself really shake hands? Are you conveying confidence and professionalism? If you’re not sure, practice your handshake with a friend or family member.

Eye Contact

Another fairly obvious non-verbal form of communication. It’s important to maintain good eye contact to portray confidence and respect, as well as interest in what the interviewer is saying. However, remember it’s natural to look away from the eyes every now and again, so make sure you don’t end up staring, which may be off-putting to the interviewer.

Posture

To show that you’re serious and ready to answer any question, sitting up straight is important. Even if the interview becomes more casual or relaxed, be careful about resting back in your chair or leaning on the arms or table, as the interviewer may believe you are too relaxed. Leaning slightly forward in your chair is often acceptable, however, as this shows you are engaged in the conversation.

Facial Expressions

You may be nervous or having a bad day, but a smile on your face shows your enthusiasm, positivity, and friendliness. Avoid a fake smile – a real smile is not just in the mouth, but also in the eyes and facial muscles – so it’s obvious if you don’t really mean your smile.

Hand Gestures

Hand gestures to emphasize your words and further communicate your meaning shows your great communication skills, as long as the gestures aren’t too big or too often. Avoid sweeping your hands through the air or waving them in the air, because this can be distracting, bordering on over-enthusiastic.

Miscellaneous

Make sure you’re aware of any nervous habits you have, such as playing with hair, scratching your face, shaking your legs, drumming your fingers, or swiveling in your chair. People often do these things completely subconsciously, so you may need a friend to help you recognize these actions. These habits not only give away your nervousness, but also can be distracting to what you’re saying. The more aware you are of these nervous ticks, the more likely you’ll kick the habit.

The Resume Mystery: Finding the Needle in a Haystack

Clare — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:57:12 +0000

You’ve heard job seekers complain about the resume black hole before, and you suspect your groaning desk may be the root of that black hole.

Google the word ‘resume’ and you’re bombarded with resources coaching job seekers in the art of resume writing. But what about you? The person who is bombarded with the results of those resources? Even if you know exactly what you’re looking for, finding those resume gems is a challenge. It’s really easy to miss that needle when you have a mountain of papers that are essentially mini autobiographies from real people. They are all so different and yet they all look exactly the same.

Where to start?

Step 1: Beating Blindness

Like I mentioned, you may have a fairly good idea of what you’re looking for. But you may not. And either way, you need to nail down exactly what you want before stumbling into the search blindly.

You probably have a general list of requirements, but which items on that list are the most important, absolutely key skills? Which ones are simply pluses and which ones can candidate learn upon hire? What are the responsibilities of the job, and how much experience would you accept for these responsibilities.

Sometimes it’s helpful to look back on resumes of people who are currently successful at your company. Figure out what you’re looking for, and you’ll notice that black hole of resumes isn’t as dark as it seemed.

Step 2: Layout the Basics

While it’s better to avoid rejecting a resume based purely on first impressions, the first glance can sometimes be very revealing. The layout and presentation of a resume can often give you some great clues to what kind of candidate you’re dealing with.

Say you’re looking for a graphic designer, then the layout of a successful candidate’s resume needs to echo their profession. If it’s messy, cluttered, and generally badly designed, they’re probably not the designer you’re looking for. If you’re looking for someone who’s detail-oriented with great written communication skills, but their resume is filled with bad grammar and spelling errors, you probably want to set that resume aside.

Step 3: Bottoms Up

A handy tip is to start reading the resume from the bottom up. Since the majority of resumes are written in reverse chronological order, you’ll get a bigger picture of who this candidate is and what their career path looks like if you actually read it chronologically, i.e. from the bottom up. A great candidate’s career path should show growth and a steady stream of accomplishments.

Plus, many candidates often stuff the top of their resume with the keywords they think you’re looking for. The story behind how they worked towards those keywords should be clear in the rest of their resume.

Step 4: Get Experienced

Ultimately, of course, the meat of the resume is in the descriptions of work experience. And it can easily be overwhelming when a candidate dedicates lengthy paragraphs to each position. Be aware that the responsibilities they deem most important are usually listed within the first couple of bullet points, so focus there first.

Keep in mind what you’re looking for, and then tackle the meat: Look at industries, skills, responsibilities, accomplishments, dates, and employment gaps. Relate these back to your needs. Are similar industries required or helpful? Do you need someone with identical previous responsibilities to the position you’re hiring for? Have they been at their previous company for so long that their skills are stale? Or not long enough for their experience to be as developed as you need? Do they hop around in their jobs or do they have large, unexplained unemployment gaps?

Step 5: Speed Reading

As you get used to finding these factors, the process should get faster and faster for you. It sounds like a lot to look at, but it’s all part of the big picture and if you neglect this perspective, you may end up with an employee who’s only half as successful as you’d hoped. But master the art of finding that needle in a haystack, and not only will you find the perfect employee, but your desk will start looking a little less like a black hole and a little more like a normal desk.

Graduating into the IT Industry? Job Search Advice for Grads

Clare — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:17:45 +0000

You just graduated. It’s summer and that senioritis is probably still lingering in your veins. It would be easy to kick back and ignore that anxiety about the job market, the current state of the economy, and your dwindling bank account. But this is the real world, and you’re going to have to wake up sooner or later. So here’s a little pep talk for you.

Battle the Graduate Catch 22

It’s a well known and frustrating fact that many employers prefer to hire people with experience. The question, then, becomes how are you supposed to get that experience in the first place?

First, don’t underestimate or neglect previous work experience even if it’s not your chosen career field. It still shows that you have real world experience, and you can relate learned soft skills to most any job, like teamwork, leadership, communication skills, and problem solving.

Secondly, as much as you’re aching for a full time money-making job, think about internship opportunities or even volunteering. You can find opportunities like these within your career field, which will build your experience, plus fill in the resume gap that is growing between your graduation date and today.

Be Proactive and Kick the Senioritis

As a first time job seeker, it’s tempting to hang out solely on the job boards. But the truth is, your time is better spent elsewhere, and a little more effort could result in a lot more opportunity.

Chances are you’re already well versed in social media, so clean up your online image and get networking on all platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Make meaningful connections with companies, people in your local area and chosen career field, recruiters and HR people, and fellow job seekers. A word of caution – avoid appearing desperate! Make sure you’re providing value and good conversation instead of filling every status update about your joblessness.

That lingering senioritis may also make it tempting to create a generic resume, which you send to every employer. The trick to getting hired, however, is to customize your resume and cover letter to each company you apply to. Make yourself stand out from the masses of other graduates.

It’s More than Just a Job

Don’t fall into the trap of being money-motivated in your job search. Be aware of factors like company culture, team dynamic, industry preferences, and overall values. Find somewhere that gets you excited about working there, do your research about the company, and express your enthusiasm in the interview. Focus on what you want in your career path, and be prepared for the steps you’ll have to take to get there.

Make Mom and Dad Proud

Take these simple tips to heart, and chances are you’ll find a great job and kick off your career! To recap, pump up your work experience, network like crazy, customize your resume, and do your research about the company.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Explaining Employment Gaps in an Interview

Clare — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:36:14 +0000

Worried about explaining that gap on your resume?

Whether you’ve been out of work for just a few months or a few years, when that question comes along in an interview, “what have you been doing in that time?” a little bit of panic inevitably hits you. What can you say that won’t scare them off? How do you express everything that’s happened since your last position?

We’ve talked before about filling those employment gaps, but addressing the issue in an interview is a whole other story.

What have you been up to?

Be honest. Have you been job searching after a lay off or termination? Or maybe you took time off for sickness, children or elderly parents. Perhaps you wanted to travel or explore a different career path. Whatever it is, be as honest as you can.

That said, don’t bare your soul. If it was sickness in your family, be as honest as you can without getting emotional or too detailed. If your job search in a tough economy left you jobless for months and months on end, avoid looking desperate or defensive.

Really, that’s all?

Once you’ve been honest about the main reason for your gap, make sure to highlight other activities you’ve focused on throughout that time. Emphasize your volunteer work, classes you took, contracts and side projects, and group involvements. If you took time off to simply figure out your life and career, show how you set goals and made specific steps to achieve them.

Discuss skills you learned during this time that can transfer well to your career path. Perhaps you advanced your social networking skills, improved your communication skills, or became a better leader. Prove that you continued to do your homework and keep up with industry trends by attending seminars, reading news, and browsing industry related journals and magazines.

And going forward?

Emphasize that you’re not money motivated. You may have been laid off or fired, but maybe the reason your employment gap is a little long is because you were looking for a long-term opportunity, not just another paycheck. Show your determination in staying focused on your chosen career path.

If your time off was for personal reasons, explain that you simply couldn’t continue to give the level of commitment to your previous position that you wanted. Reassure the interviewer that now everything is taken care of, and you are ready to recommit with full force.

Ultimately, convey how excited and enthusiastic you are about getting back into the workforce, especially at this company you’re interested in (explain why you’re interested!). Assure the interviewer that the gap in no way diminished your reliability or determinism. Re-emphasize your skills, how you’ve improved and stayed up-to-date.

An employment gap is not the death of your career, as long as you know how to handle it well. Think about your answer carefully, and next time, that wave of panic will stay well away.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

20 Tactics to Job Searching While Still Employed

Clare — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:08:28 +0000

How to fit your job search in with your job

Sometimes the role you’re in is just not quite right. Perhaps you’ve simply outgrown the position, want to learn more, or want to take your career in a different direction. Maybe your life has changed since you took this position, or maybe you don’t get along with your coworkers.

No matter what the reason you’re looking to leave, you know the smart thing to do is not leave until you have your next opportunity already lined up.

And that’s where the challenge comes in. How do you conduct a job search while you’re still working? Here are a few tips.

Confidential Tactics

1. Keep your search on the down low; don’t blab to your coworkers
2. Do any job search activity outside of work hours and location.
3. Avoid using your work email address and phone number.
4. When posting your resume online, most websites allow you to keep it as confidential as possible, including name, contact information, and employer names.
5. Use a professional recruiter – they know all about confidentiality issues.
6. Don’t use current coworkers as references; use former employers or coworkers instead.
7. Don’t schedule an interview during work hours.
8. If an interview falls close to work hours, avoid wearing your interview suit to work if business casual is the norm.
9. If your current employer does end up finding out about your job search, be honest. The only real reason it could get you in trouble is if you used company time and money for your job search activities.

Social Media Tactics

10. Don’t publicly advertise your job search on any social media site.
11. Update your LinkedIn profile – make sure to hide public updates if you’re concerned that work connections will get suspicious.
12. Join LinkedIn groups that are related to the job search or the industries and companies you’re interested in – but change your privacy settings so your membership is hidden from your connections.
13. Get new LinkedIn recommendations.
14. Connect to recruiters, HR people, and execs at companies you’re interested in – but set your connections visibility to hidden.

Time Management Tactics

15. If you have to do it at work, keep job search activities to lunch hours and breaks – and try to do it on personal mobile devices in case of employer tracking.
16. Don’t slack off at work; it could alert your employer to your job search activities and/or give them a reason to let you go.
17. Invest time. You may be busy with work, commuting, family time, dinners, and other activities, but even just a half hour each day to update your resume, network, and research companies is helpful.
18. Adjust your personal schedule if necessary. Wake up a little early, or take a break from extracurricular activities.
19. Most job boards are a waste of time, and you’ll end up wasting hours over just one or two good leads. Your time is better spent on networking.
20. If you’re really stuck for time, take a little vacation time and focus solely on your job search.

The Minimalist Job Search

Clare — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:30:28 +0000

The biggest side effect of the job search is anxiety.

It’s that weight on your shoulders and the reason why you can’t sleep. Enter the job search, and you’ve entered into chaos, because there’s just too much to do and too much going on in the job search world to maintain your sanity.

Right?

At first glance, yes. There are millions of people going through it right now this second.

But you don’t have to be one of them.

The minimalist job search may sound counter intuitive at first, but minimalism is about eliminating the clutter in your life, and that is exactly what your job search needs.

De-clutter your job search, and that anxiety will wither away and the only path left is the one leading directly to your next awesome career step.

The Biggest Step

Quit the job boards. We’ve talked about it before, but job boards are highly tempting, and giving them up is a scary thought. Ultimately, though, this is creating the most clutter in your job search.

There are hundreds of job boards out there, boasting thousands of jobs, to which millions of people are applying. It is so tempting to take a quick glance every day to see if there’s anything new and appealing, but before you know it, that quick glance turns into hours of poring over the same old job postings.

With all the hundreds and thousands of postings and applicants out there, it’s no surprise that the number of people who land their dream job from a job board is miniscule. The fraction is so tiny that it’s just not worth the time you put into obsessing over them.

So, as tempting as it is and as easy as it appears to be, the only way to minimalize your job search and find your dream career is to quit the job boards. Take a deep breath and say goodbye. The minute you start focusing on job search tactics that actually work, the closer you are to your next career step.

So what’s next?

The advice to quit job boards often leaves people asking where, then, will they ever find companies that are hiring.

The key is, job boards cost employers money. So usually, the first place they will post those open positions is on their own website, followed by free social media outlets, like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

How do you find these companies? Find yourself a company directory. LinkedIn is a great resource for company directories, and you can define your search by location, industry, company size, and more. Plug in your basic desires, and you’ll find a list of companies that could fit the bill for your next career.

From there, click through these companies’ websites, find their career pages, take at look at their social media accounts, or connect to their employees via LinkedIn. The process may seem slow, but chances are, you will find more relevant job leads this way than you would with hours of job board browsing.

Cutting through the clutter

As un-minimalist as it seems, it can be helpful to create more than one email account. Have one that you only use for your job search, to cut away all the clutter that is not related to your job search.

If you want to take it to the next level though, try to minimize the number of emails you send. You’ve heard about the resume black hole before, and it’s no lie that employers’ inboxes are filled to the brim with applicant emails. So cut through that clutter and make a direct phone call to the people you need to speak to in order to get that job.

Avoid general HR departments, as they’ll often just direct you back to email. Call a good recruiter or find the name of the person in charge of the department you’re interested in. These people get a lot of calls too, but significantly less than the number of emails they get, so put yourself in the smaller category.

The minimalist job seeker stands out

The next step, of course, is to actually apply to the places and people you find. Make sure your resume is clutter free, focused only on the most important aspects of your experience, skills, and accomplishments.

If you have a cover letter, keep it concise, and make it abundantly clear what it is you and you alone can bring to the table.

Customize each resume and cover letter to each company you apply for – a minimalist job search is not about mass mailing your resume to all the leads you find.

You will find in the end that by eliminating the clutter in your job search, you’ve applied to quality leads, instead of massive quantities of them. And this, in turn, should lead to the one dream job for which you’re a perfect candidate.

So not only will you have found your next career step by minimalizing your job search, you’ll also have eliminated that job search anxiety. Say hello to a restful night’s sleep.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Poaching Becomes Popular Tactic of IT War

Clare — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:24:53 +0000

TechServe Alliance reports continued positive growth in IT employment, with a 4.3% year-over-year growth and an incredible 14th consecutive month-over-month increase. Those 14 months have seen the addition of over 180,000 jobs, bringing IT employment close to four million jobs across the nation.

This news is reassuring as some companies are still pushing their way out of recession-related ruts. However, the IT Talent War rages on as many of these jobs are left unfilled due to decreased numbers of qualified, available IT professionals.

Even massive organizations are feeling the sting, and companies like Google and Facebook have been plastered over multiple news sites for poaching valuable IT people. According to Dice.com, over half of all surveyed hiring managers expect that tech talent poaching will become ever more aggressive over the next year. Only a measly 3% don’t think poaching will be a problem.

Dice advises employers to focus on retention efforts and keep an eye out for employees who look like they may “jump ship.” Some of the most popular retention tactics include flexible hours, opportunities to work on new technology, increased salaries or bonuses, and a better career path or promotion.

Daily Job Search Tip: It’s time

Clare — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:21:07 +0000

Time to take your time. Stop rushing in your job search, and you’ll find something faster.

Yes, we know, you’ve heard it before: Patience is a Virtue. Sure, but when you’re job searching, it’s easy to forget and resort to desperation under the pressure. When you’re anxious and worried about making your next career step, patience can be one if your greatest strengths and tools.

Desperation leads to mass resume-mailing, which almost never works, decreased interview performance, and job search despair, which is hard to break out of.

Be patient and remain positive. Take time to customize your resume to each company, prepare and rehearse for interviews, and keep plowing through your job search with maintained patient and optimism.

Daily Job Search Tip: How to Find a Great Recruiter

Clare — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:09:45 +0000

There are a lot of recruiters out there, so how do you know you’ve found the best one?

An excellent recruiter takes the time to get to know you and your career goals, and won’t present you with opportunities that don’t align with those goals.

An excellent recruiter provides you with as much information and advice as possible to prepare you for your interviews.

An excellent recruiter is a middleman between you and a company, making sure everyone is happy and gets what they want.

Overall, a great recruiter is one of your most important networking tools, so when you find one with all these traits, you’re on your way to your dream job.

Ashley Ellis Awarded Annual Award for Business Excellence

Clare — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:05:54 +0000

IT Staffing Company recognized for business achievement, growth, and community involvement

Ashley Ellis LLC, an IT staffing/recruiting firm, was recently awarded the 2011 Annual Award for Business Excellence in the Small Company category via The Daily Herald Business Ledger. Awarded just days after the company opened its newest branch, this award is further assurance that even as Ashley Ellis continues to grow, employers and job seekers alike will always be receiving the highest quality service.

The aim of The Daily Herald Business Ledger is to recognize the diverse range of companies that have contributed to the metropolitan area. The cornerstones of this award are business achievement, growth, and community involvement, and these are qualities the leaders at Ashley Ellis have succeeded in accomplishing.

With distinctions such as the Moving America Forward Award and BBB Accreditation behind their backs, as well as the opening of 4 successful offices in 2 years, and the recent creation of their “Technology for Tweens” corporate responsibility program, Ashley Ellis is honored to accept this prestigious award.

The company was recognized at an awards reception in March, where keynote speaker Maureen Beal, CEO of National Van Lines, expressed her thoughts that a company “should never be so large as to lose sight of the personal connections [it] has.” This is something Ashley Ellis strives for in daily business.

Teresa Olsen, Branch Manager at the Naperville, IL, branch accepted the award on behalf of Ashley Ellis, saying, “Excellence is something we strive for in all we do, fulfilling people’s professional career goals and helping companies be more successful…Being a part of Ashley Ellis is highly rewarding, and this award is further proof that we’re providing value and doing good.”

Ashley Ellis and all other award winners will be featured in the April 25 issue of The Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Daily Job Search Tips: The most important parts of your resume

Clare — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:42:20 +0000

Are you paying attention to the details in your resume?

It’s easy to research basic resume templates online and follow a general format, but are you paying attention to how your format is affected by the content of your resume?

It’s seems like a simple difference, but there is a distinction between bolding your job title instead of bolding your employer’s name – in most cases, who you are is more important than who you worked for.

Or between listing skills in order of your proficiency or importance instead of alphabetically – people want to know what makes you most valuable; they don’t care about everything else.

Or between putting the most recent work experience before relevant education – your most recent lessons come from your most recent experience, not school.

These are simple choices but they really do make a difference to how someone reads your resume. Pay close attention to every detail of your resume in order to have the maximum impact.

Daily Job Search Tip: The knight in shining armor

Clare — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:23:28 +0000

Solve a company’s challenges before you even get the job!

Wondering how you can customize your resume to a particular employer and appear as their knight in shining armor? A great way to do this is by understanding what challenges a company may have and providing your own ideas to solve those issues. How can you figure out these problems?

It might be hard to find out the challenges of a specific company, but it’s easier to figure it out for the company’s industry. Maybe their industry is struggling in the economy, or maybe their industry is changing significantly with new technology.

Once you’ve determined what potential challenges this company has, your resume and listed skills should suggest how you could help solve those challenges. Use your past experience and skills to show how you can help this company grow and succeed. This will help you stand out as a candidate and make your skills and experience highly attractive.

5 Things American Idol Can Teach You About Your Job Search

kgallagher — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:19:47 +0000

Daily Job Search Tip: Asking for the Job

Clare — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:27:03 +0000

Taking the Next Step with the Big Question: Asking for the job in the interview

Imagine having just been on a first date with that special someone. You’re unlikely to ask your date out for a second date unless you know they liked you enough to say yes. Right?

When it comes to interviews, the scenario is strangely similar. One of the biggest reasons employers don’t offer people the job directly at the end of the interview is that they don’t know for sure if they’ll accept. Even if the interview went great, the interviewer can rarely be sure if you actually like the company and can see yourself working there.

The solution? Tell them the opportunity sounds great. You can totally see yourself working there. Ask them what the next step is. Make it clear that you’d willingly accept an offer to work there. No matter how you approach it, your interest will spark theirs.

You Are Not Alone

Clare — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:08:10 +0000

Sure, the economy’s shaping up and job availability is skyrocketing. Yeah, mastery of social media should find you a job in a nano-second. Yup, who needs job boards when you’ve got the social skills of Justin Bieber?

Um, well, the truth is, even if you have all those things, the job search can get hard. And it’s easier than you’re willing to admit to fall into a job search rut and hit rock bottom.

Maybe money’s tight. Maybe your spouse or even your mom is bugging you. Maybe you’re bored out of your mind stuck at home.

But before you succumb to pajamas, daytime TV, and a Bud Light at 11am because the job search has just gotten too much, know that you are not alone.

Symptoms of the Rut

The job search rut may leave you feeling depressed, apathetic, negative, cynical, isolated, and unmotivated. You don’t feel like you’re supported, and the pressure is just too much. You feel like you’ve lost control, and the monotony of it all has your eyes glazed over.

The Dangerous Part

Self Pity. It is so easy once you’re down to wallow in it. To eat, drink, smoke, sleep, watch TV… and feel bad about yourself the whole time. It’s really easy to just say, “leave me alone,” to anyone who asks. The dangerous part is to stay in this stage of the rut for too long.

Too long and you’ll have a hard time getting back into the job search and a rough time explaining that long unemployment gap to potential employers. Too long and you’ll begin the fatal spiral into full on depression.

It may seem like the hardest thing in the world, but get up from the couch now and get yourself out of this rut.

Rut Recovery

1. Misery Loves Company. You may want more proof that you’re not alone in this job seeking madness, but be careful of the job seeking networks you join. Many of them are filled with the same negative feelings that will just bring you back down again.

2. Healthy in Body, Mind, and Job Search. Take a run to release the endorphins and eat something healthy to avoid crashing from sugar rushes. These will both get you thinking clearly and more positively. Which will help you more clearly formulate your job search tactics.

3. The Sky’s the Limit. Don’t limit your job search to one avenue. If your eyes are stuck to the same website for hours on end, you’re going to get bored and unmotivated fast. Keep job boards to a minimum and stay motivated by researching careers with companies that sound interesting.

4. Timing is everything. Try to treat your job search like a job and give yourself specific hours to confine your work. If you’re job searching at all hours of the day, you’ll be on your way to a quick burn out. Give yourself a break and take the opportunity to develop some time management skills.

5. Keep an open mind. This is vague on purpose. Keeping an open mind means staying positive. It means talking to the people in your life around you about how you’re feeling and what you’re doing. It means opening doors to opportunities you may never have entertained before.

Over and Out

So yeah, the economy is improving, social media can be very valuable, and networking will often open your door to new opportunities. But when the job search has got you down and you couldn’t care less about any of these things, it’s time to pick yourself up and realize you’re not alone in those feelings.

You are not alone.

So how do you get out of that job search rut?

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Daily Job Search Tip: Email Practices

Clare — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:52:52 +0000

The Place of Email in Your Job Search

Do you frequently get distracted by incoming emails from friends and family while you’re supposed to focused on your job search? Create a new free email account that you use only for your job search activities. Don’t share it with anyone other than the companies you’re applying to, and keep only this account open on your desktop during job search hours.

Additionally, check your email at least three times a day, preferably morning, noon, and night. Your goal is to reply promptly to any incoming mail from recruiters and employers. Checking regularly ensures you’ll always follow common courtesy in your promptness and showcase your efficiency and timeliness.

Finally, when sending email, be as relevant as you can in your subject line so hiring managers know exactly what to expect in your email. Keep the email short and sweet, and always double-check your spelling and grammar. Sign off professionally.

Daily Job Search Tips: Interview Research – Part 2

Clare — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:37:03 +0000

Part 2 of 2: Researching the company before you interview

Miss Part 1? Check it out here.

So far you’ve used the company’s website and social media in depth to find out more about the company you’re interviewing with. But what else is there?

Don’t forget about sources like trade journals, industry magazines, newspapers, and investor reference material. Think about browsing through the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Lexis-Nexis, Forbes, Business Daily, and Bizjournals.com.

Take a look at competitors sites and research the industry itself, including news and trends. Find out what career paths they offer, their training processes, growth rates and anticipations, company size and history, reputation and ownership, competition, and stock information like growth and price.

Find out enough to feel as if you already work there, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the crowd of other candidates.

How your open position is giving your competition the advantage

Clare — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:33:23 +0000

How waiting to hire is making you suffer
An open position is not just an empty desk. Letting an important position stay open is like chopping off your big toe, or your right foot, or even your whole leg smack in the middle of a big race. The rest of your body suffers trying to make up the difference, and it makes all the time and money you put into training a complete waste. And, ultimately, you’ll be left limping into last place.

An open position is basically a silent invitation to your competition to take advantage of your weakness. So just how much is that empty desk costing you?

Reduced Productivity

Great employees are the most important resources of any successful organization. Without all the resources your company requires, you cannot produce at the same level of excellence that you would if your teams were fully staffed and functioning at full capacity. Without your greatest resources, bright ideas are generated at a lessened rate and the building of your products and services is slowed to a crawl. Your company simply cannot effectively produce at the same rate or standard until that empty desk is filled.

Strain on Management

When that productivity rate is lowered, it’s someone’s job to pick up the slack. And whether management is you or someone above you, the pressure is on. It’s management’s responsibility to ensure timely and efficient delivery of your product or service to customers and clients. However, these strict goals are made all the more difficult to achieve with limited resources, especially when those resources are people.

Strain on the Team

The same pressure is put on the team when they are forced to fill the gap of an absent valuable “player.” It’s like sending your starting team onto the court of the NBA playoffs, but your recruiting department hasn’t found a replacement for the point guard. Now you have four players on the court, trying to make the shot without their point guard to set the tone for the play. It lowers team morale, and makes the success of the team almost impossible.

Strain on the Individual

Vacancies in any organization weigh heavily on an individual employee, because he or she is now charged with the responsibility of two, three, or even more people, depending on how large the deficit is. So now, not only are you missing one valuable resource, but you’re giving longer hours, more work, and increased stress to another valuable resource. And if that one desk sits empty for too long, the people in those other desks will soon become discontented, and you may even lose yet another asset to your company.

Decreased Level of Service

It’s no wonder that when your company’s productivity is already slacking and the entire staff is under great pressure to make up for it, you’ll soon enter into the ripple effect. Strained resources and overworked employees will inevitably impact your customers, which will cost you in the business you worked so hard to attain in the first place. The ripple effect is dangerous territory to enter. If you don’t do something fast, that one empty desk will turn into many, productivity will drop exponentially, the pressure will become painfully uncomfortable, and that one unhappy customer will multiply into thousands.

Competitive Advantage

It goes without saying that when the ripple effect is in full swing, your competitors have full advantage. If your competition stops the ripple before it even starts and fills that empty desk on day one, they will maintain or even increase productivity, resulting in happy and motivated employees, excellent levels of service, and new customers who have decided to end their loyalty to you and take a new direction.

Bottom Line

When you’re left limping into last place, the complimentary medal of effort probably won’t console you, and it definitely won’t make up for all the blood, sweat, and tears. When you’re missing your key player, that top-notch employee, the cost is great, and the only way to combat this loss is to fill that empty desk, and fill it fast.

By Toye Hart - IT Search Executive at Ashley Ellis

Daily Job Search Tips: Interview Research – Part 1

Clare — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:07:03 +0000

Part 1 of 2: Researching the company before you interview

Everyone knows to at least browse the company’s website before the interview, but a few glances are rarely enough. You’ll always perform better in an interview where you’re already comfortable with the company, what they do and how they do it.

Scour the company’s “about us” web pages, press releases, career page, and any “meet the team” pages. Find key people in the company on LinkedIn and even Twitter. Also search for general company LinkedIn groups and profiles, Twitter accounts and Facebook Pages.

All the information you collect should create an insightful big picture of the company, which should make you feel more confident and better equipped to answer questions such as, “what do you know about our company?”

Daily Job Search Tip: The most simple interview tip

Clare — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:37:03 +0000

A friendly reminder against the easiest way to sabotage your job interview

We really hope this tip has already been drilled into your head, but somehow it still happens. No matter how great your resume is, how vast your experience is, how stunning your interview performance is, if your cell phone goes off in the middle of an interview, you’ve just sabotaged your chance at getting a job.

You may be thinking this is so commonsensical that it’s not worth broadcasting, but you’d be flabbergasted by the number of times that pest of a cell phone actually rings during an interview. So here’s your friendly reminder: Turn it off!

Daily Job Search Tip: Prepare for Pre-Employment Tests

Clare — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:00:33 +0000

How to handle pre-employment testing in the job interview

In the IT industry, technology tests and screenings are very common. They are used to determine your exact technical aptitude, so you should definitely be ready for these. However, some companies also administer pre-employment tests to determine if your personality and attitude will be a good fit for the company and position.

Hopefully you will be warned in advance of these tests, but even if you’re not, the most important thing is to remain positive and calm about these tests. Since these tests are used to figure out if you’ll be a good cultural fit, they can also be of advantage to you. You don’t want to end up unhappy and unsuccessful in a place where you’re not a good fit, so make sure you answer these questions honestly; there are no “right” answers. Read the instructions and each question carefully, and be aware of any time limits.

Good luck!

Food for Thought: The New Graduate Catch 22

Clare — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:10:45 +0000

How do new graduates get jobs without experience?

It’s April, and you have just a month before you’re inundated with resumes and cover letters from 2011 graduates. If you’re usually quick to discard these emails, consider the fact that you’ll be feeding a popular Catch-22.

The IT industry is notorious for its part in this contradiction, which is of course the fact that new grads have a hard time getting work experience when most positions require previous experience to start with.

Many people will offer the solutions of internships and volunteering, but the truth is, there are plenty of advantages to taking the plunge and hiring a new grad off the bat.

Why? Number One: They’re highly affordable. Number Two: They’re a blank canvas. They haven’t been molded by the industry yet; they’re yours to teach. They’re open to new ideas and willing to learn, and can offer you a fresh pair of eager eyes and new, enthusiastic perspectives.
These new grads are usually pretty well versed in emerging technologies, particularly in the social media and mobile fields. This could be of great value if your company is looking to expand into these areas.

When you mix a new grad or two with your existing team, you create a dynamic team environment. The newbies quickly learn how business works outside of school and are quick to collaborate with existing employees. Existing team members will appreciate the fresh perspectives, creating an innovative learning environment for both parties and an overall enhanced team performance.

If you’re still concerned about hiring recent graduates, ask yourself why? Are schools to blame for this lack of experience or is this something that cannot be resolved?

Thank you notes
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To whom this may concern?

Daily Job Search Tip: Resume White Sound

Clare — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:44:29 +0000

Designing your resume with space in mind

You’re often told to keep your resume to just one or two pages. Unfortunately, many people understand this piece of advice to mean, stuff one or two pages with the same amount of text it takes to fill 10 normal pages.

But when you jam-pack your 1-2 page resume with a ton of text, it becomes illegible and unattractive. Cut down your text as much as possible, leaving your resume with only concise, brief sentences. Cut out any unnecessary or repetitive information.

Only then can you use the white space to your advantage. Spaces between sections and titles make it easier to navigate your resume and make the most important parts stand out.

Daily Job Search Tip: A Quick Guide to Follow Ups

Clare — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:39:51 +0000

Tips for following up after applying or after an interview

• Follow up by email or phone with the company you’ve emailed your resume to, but keeps calls to an absolute minimum to avoid harassing hiring managers or even receptionists.

• Always send a thank you letter to everyone you’ve interviewed with. Personalize it as necessary, but keep it relevant, short, and simple.

• If you haven’t heard back within a week after an interview, follow up with a phone call, but again, avoid becoming a stalker!

• Excessive emails or phone calls, or even showing up at the office un-asked, are a quick way to sabotage your attempts to land a job.

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Daily Job Search Tip: Top 3 Worst Answers to “What’s Your Weakness?”

Clare — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:50:20 +0000

The dreaded “weakness” interview question and the worst answers out there

1. “I’m a workaholic!” This implies that to improve on your weakness, you have to work less. Plus, employers want well balanced people, not people who never come up for air from their work.

2. “I’m a perfectionist!” This implies that to improve on your weakness, you have to be less detailed oriented. If you’re not very detail oriented, you’ll miss important aspects of the job, and what employer wants to hire someone like that?

3. “I have no weaknesses!” This makes you appear over-confident and unwilling to improve on your skills. It suggests you don’t handle critique very well and may be bad at following direction or listening to authority.

Daily Job Search Tip: The Car Salesman Guide to Job Searching

Clare — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:31:28 +0000

Being a job seeker is like being a salesman. You’re selling yourself to the best customer you can find: your dream employer. This is something to remember during every aspect of your job search. Your resume is your specs list and the interview is your dynamic sales pitch. Don’t be the used car salesman or the pithy door-to-door salesman.

Be your own salesman of the year and sell yourself to the best of your ability. Be confident and positive, treating each question as another opportunity to explain the most important parts of the product that is you! Be persuasive yet personable and honest. And remember that no salesman sells without asking for the sale; make sure you ask about the next step in the interview process!

[Photo Credit]

Daily Job Search Tip: Beware of Pre-Made Resume Templates

Clare — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:03:22 +0000

Resume Templates are a Bad Example

Whether you use the resume template from your word processor or if you’ve download one from the Internet, be cautious. Here are a couple of things to think about before you make the decision to use a template. First, consider the fact that a lot of people are probably using that template already, and you’re resume will look like everyone else’s and blend into the masses.

Secondly, these templates are often hard to manipulate if you ever want to change the design or add sections, so you may end up starting over if that’s what you want to do. Finally, these templates don’t always translate well onto other people’s computers once you’ve emailed it. Instead of directly using such templates, just use them to get an idea of how to design your own personal resume.

The Scary Truth: 9 out of 10 People Regret Accepting Counteroffers

Clare — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:06:54 +0000

A new look at job counteroffers

A previous article about counteroffers received an interesting comment, which we felt was worthy of inspiring a more in-depth discussion about counteroffers.

When it comes to counteroffers, the simple rule and most valuable piece of advice is that counteroffers should not be accepted once the decision to look for a new job has been made. One reader had a different opinion, saying, “I don’t believe your advice holds true for those who are looking [for a new job] primarily because of compensation dissatisfaction.”

The reader’s reasoning for this was that corporate policies often limit raises and bonuses, even when an employee merits it. His solution was to go out and find a better offer to prove your worth to your current company. “The tactic has paid off handsomely,” the reader finished.

Which left us wondering, was this reader an exception to the rule or could his tactic really work on a wide scale? We asked the experts.

Jeff Garton, best selling author of Career Contentment, made us aware of the scary truth that “up to 90% of people who accept a counteroffer ultimately leave within six months.” If your reasons for finding a new job were money-related and your current company only offers you more money upon your potential resignation, it’s hard not to ask yourself, “why weren’t they paying you that amount before?”

Cheryl Heisler, President of Lawternatives Career Consulting for Professionals, agrees with Garton that counteroffers lead to a lot of doubt. “If you weren’t sufficiently valued beforehand to pay up,” Heisler commented, “why is it that your value only increases after someone else notices you?” She adds that it is important to remember that ultimately, “no one is irreplaceable… You play a dangerous game when you use one offer to elicit a counteroffer from your current employer.”

Elene Cafasso President of Enerpace, Inc, Executive & Personal Coaching, offers three quick reasons why counteroffers are not the way to go. First, she says, “your old employer now knows that you will entertain outside opportunities and may feel it’s only a matter of time until you are ready to leave again.”

Secondly, Cafasso adds, “you may be considered ‘tainted goods’ now – not committed at best and a disloyal traitor at worst… Raises and bonuses will be much harder to obtain going forward since you got this “emergency” money now to stay.”

“It’s career suicide,” Cafasso finishes, explaining that if you accept a counteroffer after making a commitment to a new offer, “LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook make it easy to spread news in your industry that you do not honor your commitments.”

Finally, expert Debra Yergen, author of Creating Job Security Resource Guide, concludes the subject nicely, saying that, “counteroffers are rarely the beginning of a long and happy employer-employee relationship.”

Yergen believes that counteroffers, if handled well on both sides, can lead to success for both parties. However, “transparency is the key,” she adds, and this is where 90% of accepted counteroffers fall apart down the road. “Both parties have to be open and honest about where they really stand… Money is rarely at the root of [the problem],” she continues; “The biggest factors at the heart of this discussion are job stagnation, job dissatisfaction, and employees who feel overworked or taken advantage of.”

And it is for these reasons that Jeff Garton says, “Counteroffers temporarily soothe your anxiety about leaving, but once that peace wears off, you realize your problems are still there.” Ultimately, then it seems our reader is most likely a rare exception to a very solid rule.

What do you think?

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Related Links

Juggling Multiple Offers
Salary Expectations
The Truth About Counteroffers

Daily Job Search Tip: Resume Keywords

Clare — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:42:05 +0000

Using Resume Keywords to Unlock Your Job Search Success

Even though you spent over an hour or even a day writing your resume, the people reading it won’t afford it the same amount of time. Plus, the people reading aren’t always in the same career field, and their lesser technical knowledge leads them to picking out keywords. So how to you cater to these people in your resume?

Without making your resume completely illegible, put plenty of emphasis on keywords. Focus on job titles, applicable skills, and important aspects of the job descriptions. For some easy hints at what keywords are most important, take a look at the job ad for the position you’re applying to. The job ad will give you a clue as to the main skills and job descriptions, providing you with the exact keywords you need. Just make sure the keywords you focus on are an accurate description of your experience; you don’t want to make yourself out to be someone you’re not, just for the sake of using keywords.

Navigating the iWorkplace

Clare — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:08:13 +0000

Mixing Tablets with Business

Any IT-related or tech savvy company wants to stay ahead of the curve, and the latest craze to ride the cutting edge is of course the tablet, particularly the iPad. Many people are wondering if this craze is just that; a craze, a fad, losing momentum as quickly as it gained it. But the numbers don’t lie, and a significant number of companies, large and small, have integrated tablets into their workplace with the goal to keep them there.

The arguments for their pros and cons have gotten people riled up on both sides of the table, but the tablet seems to have a mind and will power of its own, with its sales predicted to surpass those of PCs by the end of 2011.

Functionality
The lure is clear. The newest tablets are exceedingly portable, versatile, and pretty. Beyond those factors, though, how does the overall functionality of the tablet stand up?
• Every Business. The top two uses of tablets in the workplace are reportedly business correspondence and web-based meetings. Plus, fast access to email, contacts, to-do’s, and more, no matter where in the world you are, is highly advantageous.
• Sharing. If you want to stretch your legs, the tablet is still easy to use. If you quickly want to show a colleague a file or make a short presentation to a client, just hand it over. When it comes to collaboration, the tablet is a pro.
• Other Business Stuff. Beyond your everyday business functions, the tablet starts to gain bad press. When you move onto data entry, creation, or editing, people turn back to their PCs. As for the meat of workplace business, the tablet often won’t cut it.

Productivity
Besides the fact that tablets generally load faster, thanks to lighter operating systems, and have longer battery life than laptops, the arguments for and against them in terms of productivity are pretty clear cut.
• More. The ease with which you can fly through your email, navigate appointments, and find what you’re looking for on the web can shave minutes and hours off your work day, giving you more precious time for work that matters.
• Less. The range of exciting applications available for tablets is dizzying, and often hugely distracting. Plus, along with quick and easy access to email and basic business functions is the same quick, easy access to games and general entertainment. Not to mention the fact that tablets often drive us into an extreme multi-tasking frenzy, eventually leading to tablet-induced ADD.

Security
Though you can find tablets in many workplaces, it’s a toss up between whether they’re company- or employee-owned. If the device is personal, there are risks mixing valuable company data with personal files. The owner is at his own will with security and privacy features, causing company concern about loss or theft. Additionally, many companies are used to monitoring computer and web usage, but doing so on a personal tablet used at work enters dangerous territory surrounding personal privacy. On the plus side, it’s possible to encrypt or selectively remote-kill information, so many threats could be tabled.

Ultimately
Tablets are growing in popularity and in value for many companies and industries, and it’s doubtful a growing list of cons will see its death in the workplace anytime soon. Though it’s equally doubtful that tablets will ever fully replace PCs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a more complete integration of them into the workplace over the coming months and years.

What do you think? Has your workplace adopted or dismissed tablets?

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Are You Paid What You’re Worth?

Clare — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:15:00 +0000

2011 IT Salary Analysis

Economically speaking, the IT industry did not plummet anywhere near as much as other industries. And now, the IT industry and IT employment is not only picking up, it’s shifting towards a whole new dynamic. The question is, are IT salaries headed in the same positive direction?

The Dice 2010-11 Tech Salary Survey Results help us understand more.

According to this Dice report, while 49% of IT professionals saw salary increases in 2010 compared to just 36% the previous year, the average increase was just 0.7%, a similar increase as the previous year. Essentially then, tech salaries have remained flat for two straight years.

A significant number of professionals anticipate making more money in 2011 if they change employers, suggesting a belief that these low numbers won’t maintain this flat in 2011.

Tom Silver, Senior Vice President, North America at Dice says, “Companies can no longer get away with paltry salary increases for their technology staffs based on the demand we are seeing for talent.”

Obviously, there are several factors accountable for various ranges of salaries. We’ve found that the most important of these are experience, company size, geographic location, and job title and the associated technical skills. This Dice Report reviews the salary ranges for each of these factors, as follows:

Salary vs. Title

Salary vs. Technology

Salary vs. Company Size

Salary vs. Experience

Salary vs. Metro

What do you think? Do you anticipate a good year for IT salaries?

Interview Tips on Video

Clare — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:56:04 +0000

Maybe you’re nervous or maybe you haven’t interviewed in a while. Either way, here are a few tips, brought to you by Henry and Bill on video!

Android: The Hottest Technology of 2011

Clare — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:42:28 +0000

Many people within the IT industry almost unanimously agree that mobile technology will reach unprecedented levels of development this year. Of these people, many are particularly focused on Android, believing it to be the hottest technology of 2011.

“Android has democratized smart phones in much the way Windows democratized PCs in the 90’s. It’s already outselling iPhones by a wide margin and that will continue to increase,” comments Matthew Maroon, founder and CEO of Blue Frog Gaming Inc.

Part of the reason Android is growing so significantly is the technology it has led to and is connected to.

Tim Masterson, Director of Engineering at Total Integrated Mobile, believes “this year will see a big growth in interest around the Android operating system and the SDK (Software Development Kit)…Technologies that unify mobile programming like Ansca Corona, [which] make it possible for code base to support both iOS and Android, will also grow in popularity this year.”

Chris Longley of Kent Web Design also agrees that technology used as an extension of mobile technology will be hot this year, particularly Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC is similar to Bluetooth, as a short range communication technology integrated into mobile devices. Longley believes the benefits of NFC are significant, including “mobile electronic ticketing services, mobile eCommerce, and identity confirmation purposes.” Longley also expects that “companies will eventually incorporate NFC into entrance security systems.”

Mark Bundschu of enLocal believes that Android “is going to take over the world over the next two years.” He explains that Android’s “opportunities are endless,” providing examples such as car manufacturers integrating Android with GPS systems in order to track the car in the event it is stolen.

Bundschu also agrees with the now-popular notion that “everything in the home could be controlled from your mobile phone.” Additionally, Bundschu even goes so far as to say that Android-related devices “could be sewn into children’s clothes to identify where they are.”

The level to which Android and other mobile technologies will develop certainly seems limitless.

Matthew Maroon says the only problem for Android is that “it’s struggled so far with independent monetization…Despite having more users than iOS, [the Android market] has only a tiny fraction of the revenues.” But he believes this will soon change. “They have a lot of low-hanging fruit and I think this year they’ll pick much of it.”

Clearly there’s a lot of buzz surrounding Android and mobile technology in general. It will be interesting to see what develops from these technologies over the course of 2011.

What’s your take on it? Do you agree that Android will be the hottest technology of 2011?

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Juggling Multiple Offers

Clare — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:12:59 +0000

It’s no secret that the job market’s picking up and more companies are starting to hire again after months of hiring freezes. You may have spent months job searching with no luck, but all of a sudden, it’s not uncommon to have landed yourself competitive offers from a number of different companies. So which one should you take?

It’s really important not to get caught up in the money side of an offer. An offer is about more than just a salary. Keep your minimum salary requirement in mind, but focus on what each company has to offer. Which work environment will you work best with? Which team members will you get along best with? Which company is most stable and somewhere you’ll stay for a while?

Keep doing your research on each company, and determine which will best fulfill your career goals. Keep the big picture in mind and you’ll become your very own matchmaker.

Job Seeker Tip: The second, third, and fourth interview

Clare — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:28:17 +0000

While there’s plenty of companies out there who will make the hire after just one interview, you have to be prepared for the fact that there are also many companies who have long interview processes. There are a number of reasons for this.

Maybe the first interview was technical, to determine your skill level, and the second interview is more personal, to see if you’d be a good fit with the team and work environment. Sometimes each interview is with a different person with whom you may be working. Other times, the interviewer is hung up between a few final candidates and thinks another interview will help them make a decision.

When you’re faced with multi-step interview processes, make sure you treat each one just as importantly as the last. Many people make the mistake of thinking the second interview is just a formality before a certain hire, which is not often the case. If you’re ever asked the same questions in each step, feel free to refer back to your previous answer, but don’t shortly answer, “you already asked that!”

If each step is with the same person, don’t get too comfortable; remaining professional throughout the process will set you apart from the crowd. Finally, ask about the next step after each interview, to show that you’re still interested in the opportunity.

Job Seeker Tip: Multiple Interviewers

Clare — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:56:21 +0000

Who will you look at? It’s not uncommon for two or more people to interview you at once.

Maybe they’re from different departments, or maybe one will ask the questions while the other will watch your body language. Whatever the reason for there being multiple interviewers, it can make your interview just a little more challenging if you’re not sure how to handle it.

First, make sure you bring multiple copies of your resume, just in case. No matter who asks you a question, balance your eye contact and attention between each interviewer, so it doesn’t seem like you’re ignoring someone.

Treat each interviewer the same, even if they choose to conduct a good-cop-bad-cop type routine – they are ultimately working together. Make sure you know everyone’s name, and thank each of them by name at the end of your interview.

Finally, send every interviewer a personalized thank you card or letter.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Getting into IT

Clare — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:12:46 +0000

There are a lot of people out there going to school for IT or switching careers and getting all sorts of IT certifications. And while the education is valuable, IT is – more than many other industries – very experience-based.

So how do you break into the IT industry if you have limited IT work experience?

A good start is to volunteer or do some IT work for someone you know, like someone who has a small business and needs some website or database development done. Look for advertised gigs or freelance opportunities that you can build up your resume. There are a number of entry level positions out there, but be aware that some cities have bigger IT hubs than others. Try to be geographically flexible as well as realistic about salary expectations, as the money makers in the IT industry are usually highly experienced.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Tell me about yourself

Clare — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:52:49 +0000

It’s one of the most common interview questions, but you may still be uncertain about how to best answer it.

You know the basics: don’t tell your life story from childhood through today, and don’t ramble on for hours. But beyond that, what exactly is the best answer? Ultimately, it depends on what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate.

Make sure you’ve done your research about the company and, if possible, about the person who will be interviewing you. Look back to the job description, read the career section of their website, and network with people who work there. Give them what they’re looking for by way of a brief description of your most recent work experience and biggest accomplishments. You can briefly recap your resume, but try to give them more than what they can get from simply reading your application.

Daily Employer Tips: Cover Letters

Clare — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:52:40 +0000

The cover letter is dying in the IT world, there’s no denying it. Typical IT professionals are not writers, and typical IT hiring managers are inundated with way too many applications to even touch any attached cover letters. But the practice isn’t entirely out the window yet, and there is still some value to reading them. Plus, most candidates will at least write out a sentence or two when attaching their resume in an email to you, and these provide the same value as a cover letter. Depending on the position you’re hiring for, you probably don’t care too much about spelling or grammar issues, but the writing is usually a good clue to the communication skills of a candidate. As for the actual content of the letter, it’s not uncommon to find details that may be the deciding factor in choosing whether or not to interview them, which could be a big time saver for you. Don’t worry about reading every cover letter with every resume, though. If the resume is weak, the cover letter probably won’t change your mind, so save time by only reading those that accompany strong resumes.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: The shy job seeker

Clare — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:36:32 +0000

If nervous sweating, trembling, and stuttering sounds familiar to you, take comfort that you’re not alone. Taking job seeker advice is one thing if you’re confident and outgoing, but if you’re shy, spitting out those words and giving a successful job interview performance is a whole other story.

Typically, shyness is a fear of being rejected combined with negative presumptions. So when it comes to interviewing, how do you get over your shyness to get the job?

First, realize the power of self-fulfilling prophecies. If you believe it will go badly or that you will stumble over your answers, then that will probably happen. Practice answering interview questions with friends and family to teach your subconscious through repeated exposure that social discomfort isn’t necessary or rational. Be aware of your body language, as this will often be the first sign of your shyness and lack of confidence.

Daily Employer Tip: Personality Tests

Clare — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:36:39 +0000

Technical tests are pretty common in the IT world, but more and more employers are also choosing to conduct personality tests on job candidates. They are often used to figure out if the candidate will be a good cultural fit with your company. So how do you know if you should do the same or what type of test to use? The results of a personality test can give you further insight into a candidate, including their attitude, learning styles, preferred management styles, and aspects like being detail-oriented and being a team player. These tests can be valuable if they reveal certain factors that are hard to determine in an interview. However, it’s important to keep a good balance between the results and what you yourself understand from interacting personally with the candidate. Be consistent with how you read the results from one candidate to the next.

7 Ways to Motivate Your Employees

Clare — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:56:26 +0000

Don’t Paint Your Office Pink!
Is your office flat lining because of those long and dark wintry days? Or maybe because of that particularly hefty and exhausting project your company just got handed? Those lulls in productivity or tense and straining silences in your office can occur at any given moment for any number of reasons. Ultimately, it’s because the motivation has fizzled.

New hires and existing employees alike, motivation is always a key factor behind productivity in any office. In our count, there are seven avenues to motivating employees. Some may be obvious, but others are easy to forget about in the rush of the work day. You’ll find that most employees respond best to a combination of these, so read on and find out how you can spark that energy boost.

Purpose
Most companies aim to run the kind of office where they employ people who aren’t just working for the money, but are motivated by purpose and the need to make a real impact. If an employee thinks their work is basically pointless, they won’t put the effort in. Get them motivated by frequently pointing out the role of their work in the big picture and your company’s vision. Whether their impact is short term, long term, or even minimal, your employees need to know their purpose.

Autonomy
Micro-management is a highly un-motivational term that no one wants to hear, let alone experience. Understandably, you can’t often give an employee total freedom over their work, but you can usually still provide some level of autonomy. If an employee knows that no one will be constantly looking over their shoulder, they will be more motivated to take their responsibilities seriously and be more productive in their role. Even if it’s a small factor of their job, the more autonomy you provide, the more motivated an employee you’ll have on your hands.

Reputation
The better an employee knows they’re doing, the more motivated they will be to do it. To build this reputation in their own eyes and the eyes of others, you’ll have to provide frequent feedback that goes beyond those dreaded annual reviews. It can be as simple as a “good job” or “thank you” in everyone’s ear shot, or a five minute meeting with an employee to tell them that you appreciate their work. A good rule of thumb is praise in public, keep criticism behind closed doors, and give credit to everyone who deserves it, even if their role was small.

Challenge
If people are faced with the same mundane, no-brainpower-needed jobs day in day out, they won’t care about doing better. On the other hand, if you present your employees with a challenge, you’ll immediately spark their motivation. Give them challenges that relate to their strengths or to skills you know they want to develop. Let them figure it out first and only provide help if they ask for it. If people know that they may frequently encounter challenges, they’ll work harder to keep their brains active, meaning they’ll be more productive in other work too.

Reward
Some people are motivated by the simple fact that if they put in the hard work, they’ll receive something in return (that is, beyond their base wage). Many companies have a bonus structure in place for this purpose, but this is not the only option. Other rewards include contests and incentives, with small prizes like gift certificates or tickets. Also consider rewards like extra time off or official monthly awards. Additionally, there are services out there that provide incentive programs in which employees gain points towards prizes of their choice. Ultimately, rewards can be a huge motivator if you know what your employees respond to best.

Fun
A dull or stressful work environment can certainly hinder motivation. Throw some fun in the mix so your employees can get excited about work, let off steam, and start thinking creatively. Your options here are endless. Simple forms of fun such as toy basketball hoops, stress balls, and nerf guns are creative stress relievers. Social events like potluck lunches, movie nights, or bowling trips, and other fun factors such as free food, birthday celebrations, and casual days can all get your employees excited about coming to work. When people know their job isn’t all work and no fun, they’re more motivated when it comes to the work part.

Work Environment
You may be surprised by how much the paint color, lighting, and floor plan of your office can affect an employee’s motivation. For example, medium greens and pale blues are soothing colors that inspire production, while light oranges and magentas spark creativity and motivation. On the other hand, pink, lime green, and yellow are too stimulating and distracting to have any motivational effect on productivity. In regards to lighting, it’s important to find a happy medium between dim, soft light and harsh white, fluorescent light. The most motivational floor plans are open and flowing. These aren’t usually factors you think about in regards to motivation, but they can be just as important.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Explaining termination in an interview

Clare — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:20:42 +0000

So you were fired. Laid off. Let go. And now you have an interview, where it’s probably pretty likely you’ll be asked why you left your last position. What do you say?

The most important thing to remember is not to bash and blame the company, your boss, or other coworkers. Avoid rambling and complaining. Take full responsibility and learn what you can from the experience. Get to a point where you’re comfortable with what happened, so that you’re comfortable in giving an answer.

Keep your explanation brief and describe what you learned both from the experience and from the position and company itself. It’s perfectly understandable that not every job is right for everyone, and that there will often be differences between employees and employers. So stay objective in your answer and reasoning, and your interviewer should understand your perspective.

Daily Employer Tip: Reference Checks

Clare — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:16:56 +0000

By nature, candidates are only giving you the answers that show them to be the best of the best. But how do you know if they really are the best? Asking a candidate for references and actually checking them can often give you a good sense of the bigger picture surrounding a candidate. When calling references, you want to start out by verifying basic info, like employment dates, responsibilities, position title and salary. For further questions, relate back to what you already know from the candidate’s interview. Ask about the candidate’s accomplishments and contributions. Keep in mind that references will often try to be more positive for the sake of the candidate, so it is more important to pay attention to anything that isn’t negative rather than be swayed by glowing recommendations. Ask what the candidate needs to improve upon or if the reference would willingly work with them again. Watch for details that don’t match up with what the candidate told you. Finally, check with multiple references to get a better perspective.

Ashley Ellis Continues National Expansion in Houston, TX

Clare — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:28:13 +0000

Ashley Ellis, an IT staffing and recruiting firm, is excited to announce the opening of its newest branch in Houston, TX, on March 14, 2011. With the company’s personalized services and commitment to corporate responsibility, this next step in their expansion plan benefits local job seekers, employers, and even schoolchildren.

Ashley Ellis has maintained a successful track record in the IT staffing and recruiting industry, despite the recent economic downturn. They are confident that this additional office will bring something different to the thriving IT market that currently exists in Houston. The office, located at 2603 Augusta Drive, Suite 850, Houston, TX, will accommodate highly trained IT Search Professionals to provide one-on-one service with each job seeker and employer.

The company is also delighted to extend their recently created program, “Technology for Tweens,” to the Houston metropolitan area. Dedicated to giving back to the communities that support them, Ashley Ellis has created this program to donate new computers to local schools for every IT professional they place at a full time, permanent job. “Opening a branch in Houston has given us another great opportunity to enrich the lives of local schoolchildren, and that’s incredibly rewarding,” commented Katy Gallagher, COO.

Heading the new team in Houston, IT Search Manager Randy Lohmeier has recently relocated from the Naperville, IL branch. Lohmeier has proved himself to be a highly capable recruiter and strong, ambitious leader. “The past several months have been a whirlwind at Ashley Ellis, and I’m eager to buckle down and spread our success to Houston,” he remarks.

2011 will be a unique year in the IT staffing and recruiting industry. Hiring is picking up at a rapid pace, but many staffing firms did not make it through the economic recession of 2009 and early 2010. With fewer resources at hand, many organizations will find the search for top IT professionals difficult, and it is the goal of Ashley Ellis to fulfill these hiring challenges.

How to Lose a Great Candidate in 10 Days

Clare — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:25:24 +0000

A recent survey of CIO’s stated that IT spending this year will return to the pre-recession norm, and a huge part of this spending consists of hiring. So, with everyone hiring again, highly qualified candidates now have more options. It’s hard enough to locate and get the best candidates to apply to your organization, so how can you ensure that you don’t lose them?

Urgency

• If you don’t get back to your candidates soon enough after they apply, they may have accepted another offer. That stack of resumes on your desk or in your inbox may look tedious and intimidating, but if you don’t attack it now, those candidates will be gone from the market before you know it.

• Lack of urgency may be read as lack of interest, causing the candidate’s lost interest. They may have been excited about the opportunity when they first applied, but if you’re not urgent, they’ll quickly move on to other more exciting opportunities.

• After an interview with a candidate, make sure to provide feedback within the same day when possible. Commit to a yes or no and move forward quickly. A lack of urgency in this case will cause the candidate to think you’re unsure about their candidacy, and if you don’t move forward, they’ll move on.

Preparation

• Resumes can be a bore to read, but make sure you at least review the candidate’s background. Asking an interviewee about their previous responsibilities is fine, but if it’s obvious you have no idea about their background, they may lose interest.

• Plus, if you haven’t reviewed their background, how will you know that they’re applying for the position you have in mind? It may seem like commonsense, but it’s happened before! One interviewer interviewed a candidate for the wrong position, because they weren’t aware of the candidate’s skills sets and experience.

• Have a plan for your interviews. Know exactly what you need. Lack of preparation may make you miss asking the relevant questions and learning what you need to know about the candidate.

Sell

• It’s important to really sell the position and your company. Candidates with great technology skills, personality, and work ethic are a hot commodity, so they’re not desperate for any old job with any old company. They need to know why it’s great to work with your company.

• Don’t bad mouth any current employees or the work environment! Again, this may seem like commonsense, but it has happened in the past. Maybe you’re looking to restructure the team with awesome new people, but don’t focus on how bad you think the current team is, as this will really put the candidate off.

Don’t Undervalue

• It can be too competitive to make candidates go through a series of tests, whether technical or personal. If you ask simple technical questions, you may be insulting the candidate’s knowledge. And personality tests can sometimes feel strange to candidates; it’s not like you test your best friend or spouse – you guys just hit it off, so consider giving your candidates the same opportunity.

• Avoid low-balling, even if you expect to negotiate. Bear in mind the candidate’s previous salary history and experience, and make a strong competitive offer to show that you appreciate what your candidate has to offer. You don’t want to lose an amazing candidate just to save a couple of thousand dollars. If they turn down a low-ball offer, you’re back to square one, and to start the hiring process over and to leave that position open for even longer may end up costing you even more time and profits.

-Mary Binn – IT Search Executive at Ashley Ellis

Difference between Generation X and Y

Clare — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:10:44 +0000

Every person is a product of his or her environment, so it’s no surprise that the modern work place (consisting of Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y) is a complex mixture of varied work expectations, values, and degrees of tech savviness. Because of this diversity, a clear cut balance needs to be adapted in order for an office containing all three generations to thrive.

Before that happens, we need to truly understand each generation.

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers, born between 1946 & 1964, came of age during the early days of the Cold War. As they entered the workforce, they combined their parents’ work ethic with their own budding idealism in hopes of making the world a better place. As a group, Baby Boomers are loyal to a fault. Most are eager to trust their employer and only move to other companies to escape truly reprehensible conditions. For that reason, they respect hierarchy and most decide to climb the corporate ladder from within the company they start with.

Though they’ve been around for major advancements in the workplace, most jumps in business technology occurred after they had already entered the work force. Widespread computer use, cell phones, wireless networks, and The Cloud are all technologies they have adapted to after their formative years. To Baby Boomers, face to face is still the best way for office interactions. The entire idea of telecommuting to the office or remote access is well outside of their wheelhouse.

Generation X

Generation X, born between 1965 & 1981, saw the rise of two income & single parent families. With their Baby Boomer parents drawn into their work lives, young Gen Xers became independent at a much younger age. They possess a natural self-sufficiency and are resourceful enough to work their way out of any problem. On meaningful challenges, they will relentlessly work to achieve a solution but they are not blindly loyal. They consider themselves free agents and are more than willing to leave a job for a better opportunity.

Unlike the Baby Boomer Generation, most members of Generation X were introduced to digital technology before entering into the workforce. They are drawn to new technology and eagerly pursue any skill that can increase their marketability. Primarily, Gen Xers use technology as a means to end, focusing on how technology as a tool can enhance their lives outside of the digital world.

Generation Y

Generation Y, born between 1982 & 1994, is focused on following their own path. From a young age, the Millennial generation has been told they can do whatever they want by their highly supportive and engaged parents. In most cases, their adolescence was jam packed with scheduled events and technological distractions, making multitasking second nature. On the job, they are focused on achievement more than money, and will only stick around if they feel they are contributing to important tasks. When they work on projects, they expect to have regular feedback to make sure that they are going along the right path.

Having played around with technology from a very young age, the Millennials can instinctively navigate new, high tech equipment without any major learning curve. They passionately immerse themselves in new technology, not only to build their professional skill sets but to enhance every facet of their lives. Generation Y quickly turns to the internet for knowledge, networking, social interaction, and entertainment. Technology is ingrained in every part of their life, so don’t expect them to shut off when they get into the workplace.

Put them together and what do you get?

Working with individuals from multiple generations may seem like a daunting task because no single structure will keep all three generations satisfied on the job. Millennials may love regular input, but Generation Xers might become suspicious of this overinvolved style. Implementing telecommuting options may cause Baby Boomers to feel isolated, but going without them will upset Millennials who feel most comfortable utilizing the full power of the Internet.

To maximize the potential of this hodgepodge culture, a flexible structure needs to be in place. An implacable management style directed toward any one group will alienate more employees than it will inspire. Most importantly, the focus of the office should be on its goals, not the means in which individual workers get there.

The most important thing to do is create a team that understands the strengths of each generation. Encourage older employees to mentor younger ones in ways that promote intergenerational understanding and collaboration. Break down stereotypical walls: Millennials are not lazy, Gen Xers are not disloyal, and Baby Boomers are not stuck in the past. Only when the team realizes that they are all pursuing the same goals, albeit by different methods, can an office reach its potential.

It is also crucial to remember that not all individuals are the same, and relying on the overview of an entire generation to predict the actions of a single employee can often be as reliable as looking at that employee’s horoscope to predict his or her work behaviors. Bottom line: get to know your team. Only then can you customize the proper work environment to fit their needs.

For more resources, check out this article.

Daily Employer Tip: The 2 Sides of Body Language

Clare — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:40:03 +0000

We’ve talked before about reading the body language of the candidates you’re interviewing, but are you paying attention to your own body language in an interview? You may not be conscious of it, but it’s easy to send negative messages through your body language to an interviewee. Maybe you unintentionally appear disinterested, bored, or annoyed, which could put off your best candidates. Be careful about crossing your arms, drumming your fingers, leaning back, resting one foot on your other knee, and rolling your eyes. Many of these actions are simple habits that may inadvertently give you and your company the wrong image. Your best bet is to maintain good eye contact, lean forward slightly, and clasp your hands lighting if you’re not taking notes.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Don’t get lost!

Clare — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:37:54 +0000

It’s a simple tip, that you probably have the common sense to figure out.

Surprisingly, though, more people get lost on the way to an interview than you’d think. Getting lost is the worst excuse on the face of the planet, even if it’s the real reason you’re late. So get to know exactly where you’re going before you make the journey.

Don’t wait till the last second to program the company address into your trusty car GPS, in case it chooses to be not so trusty. Practice the drive if you have to and time how long it will take you. When you arrive on time the day of the interview, not only will appear professional and prepared, you’ll be much more confident and stress free from not getting lost on the way there.

Daily Employer Tip: Testing Techies

Clare — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:44:33 +0000

For those employers who aren’t technical, hiring IT professionals can be a challenging task. If to you technologies are just a bunch of random acronyms that somehow create some really cool stuff, how do you determine if a candidate is good at what they do? Testing may seem like the perfect answer. There are plenty of services out there offering technology tests so that you can easily determine the skill level of your candidates. However, a few words of advice. Technology is constantly evolving, and not all testing is up-to-date, or the test may not be contextual to the projects your candidates will be working on. Consider having someone in your tech department take the test first before you commit to using it. Or, have someone in your IT department create a customized test. This way, you won’t accidentally rule out great candidates or hire people whose skills aren’t quite what you thought they were.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Dress for success, even for a phone screen

Clare — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:41:31 +0000

Obviously, it’s important to dress and appear professional when you’re in a face-to-face interview, but what about a phone interview?

When you’re feeling professional physically, chances are you’ll come across more professional, too. Why? Because when dressed in a fresh shirt and pants, it’s likely that you’ll automatically correct your posture. And when you sit up straighter, you get more air in your lungs, which affects the tone of your voice.

Plus, what you’re wearing also affects your attitude, which is equally likely to affect the tone of your voice. So, make sure you’re comfortable but presentable. You may not need to pull up those long socks or shine your shoes, but that shirt and tie will make its way into your interview performance.

Daily Employer Tip: Keep your new hires happy

Clare — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:57:39 +0000

Day one for most new employees is full of thrilling paperwork and housekeeping busywork. Although these kind of first days are pretty much expected, it’s important to keep your new employees motivated and excited about your company from day one. This will ensure that they keep coming back and doing their best work. If you start them on a training program, make sure it’s interactive and stimulating. If you throw them right into their work, check up on them regularly, explain why their role is important in the company’s big picture, and reward their hard work. Keep them happy and motivated from the start and your best candidates will turn into your best employees.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Quality over quantity

Clare — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:53:00 +0000

You’ve heard it a million times, but you may still be under the impression that sending resumes to the masses to see what sticks may one day get you a job. Guess what? Focus on quality is what really gets you the job.

Instead of wasting hours clicking ‘submit’ over and over to every online job ad, determine what you’re applying to and if that position and company is really a good match. And spend more time looking outside of the job boards.

If a position looks like a good fit, tailor your resume to that company and write your cover letter to explain why you’d be great there. A handful of high quality matches is tons better than killing trees and littering inboxes with your resume.

Daily Employer Tip: Ask AND Answer the Questions

Clare — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:04:59 +0000

The best job candidates are going to have great questions when you ask, “What questions do you have for me?” The best job candidates are going to expect exceptional answers to those questions. Are you prepared? You’ll want to hire those top notch candidates, but if you don’t provide them the information and answers they need, you might just lose them to your competition. Get ready to answer questions about your company and its goals and mission, industry and key markets, growth and expansion prospects, work culture and team environment, daily activities and challenges, and more. Be enthusiastic about your answers; this is your chance to really show off your company and attract those awesome candidates!

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Hate cover letters?

Clare — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:02:03 +0000

Good! Most of the IT world does too! Very few hiring managers and IT directors read cover letters anyway, and if you do write one, you’re basically giving them another potential chance to cross you out of the running. Your best bet is to stick with a strong resume and be done with it.

If you are asked for a cover letter, or you choose to write one anyway, make sure you’re not just reiterating your resume. If you have an excellent resume, your cover letter is your opportunity to give a professional and personable face to that resume. Be clear and concise, sticking to just a few short paragraphs, and always try to get the name of the person you’re sending it to, so you can address it personally to them.

Daily Employer Tip: Get creative in your interview

Clare — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:25:34 +0000

Job candidates can find so many interviewing resources online these days that they often walk into interviews with perfectly rehearsed answers to the questions you’ll inevitably ask. But this obviously doesn’t give you complete insight into the candidate and their ability to perform at your company. To really get a good perspective, you’ll have to spice up your interview questions. Instead of, “what are your 3-5 year goals,” ask, “what 3 goals did you accomplish last year.” Or, avoid the “what are your weaknesses” question, and ask how they overcome weaknesses. Spice it up, and you’ll soon find your perfect employee.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Quit Job Boards

Clare — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:23:01 +0000

Poring through the job search sites may occasionally turn up a gem, but it’s so rare that it’s ultimately a waste of the many hours you put into it. Instead, many job search sites have RSS feeds or email notification systems that you can filter to the jobs that you want.

Every time a new one comes in, you’ll get an email, making the jobs come to you! And with all the extra time you have now, you can focus on active and valuable job searching, such as customizing your resume and cover letter, social networking, and preparing for those interviews you’ll get now that you’re a more productive job seeker.

Ashley Ellis Donates New Computers to Local Schools

Clare — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:41:16 +0000

Company’s success has inspired corporate citizenship

Ashley Ellis, an IT staffing/recruiting firm, is proud to announce the creation of their “Technology for Tweens” program. The socially conscious program will contribute to children in local metropolitan areas by providing their classrooms with the technology they need to engage and succeed in the 21^st century.

Based in Naperville, IL, Ashley Ellis has offices in Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, and, coming in March, Houston, TX. It is in these communities’ schools where children will benefit from the program. As more offices open over the next several months, this list of local communities will grow.

Despite the past months of a rocky employment climate, Ashley Ellis has thrived thanks to the support of the communities around them. In return, they are donating to students who don’t have readily available technology to connect them to an expanding world of information.

The concept behind the program is straightforward: For every IT professional Ashley Ellis successfully puts to work on a fulltime basis, they will donate a brand new computer to a classroom in the area. The firm has partnered with DonorsChoose.org to provide significant aid to local classroom projects with computer needs.

Brad Imhoff, CEO of Ashley Ellis, is excited for this opportunity to give back: “Dealing with successful IT people and companies everyday, it’s easy to forget there are people in our own back yards who don’t have access to a computer. In this technologically rich world, children must be able to harness the power of technology to enrich their lives.”

Katy Gallagher, COO, acknowledges what a profound effect “Technology for Tweens” has on her employees: “It was already rewarding to place candidates at their dream IT jobs, but it’s even more meaningful and motivating to know that for every one of these successful fulltime placements, our efforts are helping to transform the lives of children nationwide.” Gallagher is eager to introduce this program to clients, whose hiring efforts will now have a direct effect upon the future of their local schools and students.

Attract the Best Candidates (Before Your Competition)

Clare — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:29:37 +0000

Every good candidate knows not to ask about your benefits package in the interview, but you can bet they’re wondering. You’d also be pretty accurate in guessing that as the economy slowly picks up, the best candidates are going to be shopping around. This means that it’s up to you to provide and explain your unique benefits and perks to the best candidates before your competition beats you to it and snatches them up.

The question is, however, is your benefits package going to cut it? There’s no doubt that it’s harder than ever to find professionals that are the best, most qualified fit for your open positions, and to draw them out of the woodwork, you’ll need to dangle some more exotic varieties of cheese.

The Usual

The standard benefits package for a full time employee consists of medical insurance, 401K or similar retirement plan, and two weeks of vacation. It’s a typical package, and it’s sufficed for decades, but is it still enough? One size does not fit all. Have you taken into consideration your employee’s personal healthcare needs? Or his family’s needs? Have you asked him about his vision and goals for retirement? How would he ideally like to spend his vacation time?

Additionally, have you figured out the effects of the recent healthcare reform on your benefits package? Have you thought about the fact that, based on vacation length, US employees are considered unhealthy workaholics (Europeans get about 4-6 weeks of vacation the first year of employment)? What about expanding your benefits package to include other essentials like life insurance, stock options, parental leave (for both new mothers and fathers), profit sharing and more? Sure, these are big questions, but relevant nonetheless. Each employee has different values and goals, and when it comes to benefits, the norm may not be the best.

The Perks

Too many companies forget to mention the daily perks of working there. It’s easy to unintentionally take some benefits for granted and forget that they may be extremely attractive to your next employee. Perks range from something as simple as free coffee to something as extravagant as a company car. In the middle of these extremes, there are perks like movie nights, game rooms, volunteer opportunities, tuition reimbursement, cell phones, field trips and entertainment, free gourmet lunches, child care services, pot lucks, on-site or discounts to local fitness centers, and more.

How you run your workplace can also have its perks. Gaining in popularity are benefits like flex-time, so that your busy employees can choose their own hours, work-from-home days or telecommuting options, and innovative recognition programs, where employees receive rewards of their choice for their performance.

The Bizarre

If you really want to attract and retain talent but are worried about your flashy competition, here’s a few unique (yet real!) perks you could consider: Bonuses for using green transportation, refreshing nap times during the work day, on-site massage sessions or yoga classes, concierge services so busy employees can still get errands done, bonuses for traveling to places that will expand employee horizons, in-office bars, luxury retreats, and free scuba training for those free company diving trips. The list is endless.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, it depends upon the type of people you employ and wish to attract. What do they want? What would make them happier and more productive at work? Whether you choose to expand your existing benefits package, add some exciting perks, or simply advertise the ones you already have, putting a little more focus on the company benefits could be the difference between attracting (and keeping) the best employees and losing them to your competition.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Using Social Media in Your Job Search

Clare — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:54:09 +0000

We’ve talked before about using social media in your job search, and while this maybe second nature to some, many of you are still baffled and bewildered by it. So this is our quick-yet-in-depth guide to using social media in your job search.

So, why should I use social media in my job search?

It can be uncomfortable to leave the bubble that is job boards and classified ads, but the truth is, the majority of open jobs are not posted online.

Through social media, you can find unofficial job postings, or you can find out about them through online connections you foster at the companies you’re interested in. Ultimately, you can get your name out there and be known by the people who matter.

LinkedIn in your job search

• LinkedIn is a professional social networking site, where your profile focuses on your work experience.

• Start by completing your profile. LinkedIn will tell you what percentage complete it is, so aim for 100%.

• Many people’s profile simply reflect their resume, but while it’s a good idea to summarize your profession and previous positions, you should let some of your personality show, instead of dryly defining yourself with your resume.

• Use keywords, but be readable.

• Connect to everyone you know, including friends, family, and previous co-workers, to expand your network.

• Search for companies that interest you and their groups, as well as job seeker groups, local networking groups, and groups for your skill sets and interests.

• Watch for indirect connections you have to anyone in the companies and groups you find, or try connecting with people indicated as new hires, as they may be willing to share their experiences with you.

• Participate frequently in group discussions, providing valuable commentary and opinions.

• Ask questions in the Q&A section, or become an expert at answering questions in a topic relevant to your profession and skills.

• Keep an eye on job listings within groups.

Twitter in your job search

• Choose a professional username (@username), preferably one that incorporates your name.

• Include your full name, location, and link (to your LinkedIn profile, online resume, or professional blog) in your profile. Choose a professional-style photo of yourself so people can put a face to the name.

• You have 140 characters for your bio, so be concise and clear, mentioning your profession, main skills, and ultimate career goal. Keep details relevant.

• The key to starting on Twitter is following valuable connections, listening to what they say, and interacting with them.

• Build your community slowly, and follow higher-ups in companies, industry icons, recruiters, and other job seekers.

• Respond to people’s tweets by using the ‘@’ sign and their username (“Twitter handle”).

• Avoid asking bluntly about open jobs.

• Post valuable links to articles and news you find, share your knowledge and opinions, and build connections based on trust.

• Become familiar with @mentions, RT’s (retweets), DM’s (direct messages), #hashtags, and more.

• Treat Twitter as more than just a job search tool, and that next tweet might bring you one step closer to your dream job!

Facebook in your job search

• While Facebook personal pages are just that – personal, company and business pages are great sounding boards for company news, updates, discussions, and connections.

• Set your privacy settings so that only friends can see your profile.

• Start “liking” companies and organizations of interest.

• These companies’ statuses will pop up in your homepage newsfeed, so you can easily track what’s going on.

• Click “like” on relevant statuses or post comments with constructive feedback and opinions. Participate in discussions with other employees, so that the right people begin to get familiar with your name.

• Again, avoid being blunt about asking for jobs, as you don’t want to appear desperate.

Overall

• Participate frequently in discussions and conversations.

• Make valuable connections based on trust.

• Don’t bombard people with job requests.

• Be persistent and make gradual progress – go at your own pace.

• Be personable and friendly.

• Cross-post between your active social network sites, blogs, etc.

• Follow your connections’ blogs and leave comments often.

• Consider starting your own blog, where you can showcase your resume, portfolio, and professional posts.

• If you want to be innovative and aren’t afraid of the camera, look into video resumes, as video is becoming a bigger part of social media.

• Social media isn’t about making a profile and sitting back to wait and see what happens. Be pro-active.

• Social media is not a fast route to finding a job, but it is certainly a highly valuable route to finding your dream job.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Daily Employer Tip: Behind the Words

Clare — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:23:33 +0000

It’s a great idea to have two interviewers when hiring candidates: one for asking questions and listening to the answers, and one for watching the body language of the candidate. Their overall message goes far beyond their prepared interview answers. Watch for a firm handshake, good eye contact, professional posture, facial expressions, and more. If you don’t have the opportunity for two interviewers, focus on these nonverbal cues while the candidate is walking to and from the interview and interacting with administrative staff and other team members. Do they appear confident, professional, and friendly?

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Learning to Breathe!

Clare — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:19:49 +0000

Do you frequently mix up your words during an interview?

You know what you want to say, but the words are tripping over themselves coming out of your mouth, and your tongue feels like it’s in the midst of a tongue twister.

To get that answer out smoothly and professionally, focus on your breathing. This slows down your speech, makes your answer clear and articulate, and lets you focus on what you want to say next. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly, and you’ll give a stellar interview performance!

Daily Employer Tip: A faster interviewing process

Clare — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:19:48 +0000

You’re a busy person and you don’t have the time to be wasting hours and days interviewing candidates. But all too often, employers just like you are spending those hours on multiple step interview processes. Phone screens, technical interviews, personal interviews, follow up interviews, meet-the-team interviews, and more. However, not only do you not have time, but the best candidates could be getting job offers from elsewhere during the time it takes them to go through your process. Try combining some of those steps, and you’ll save time and ensure your competition doesn’t snatch up your best candidates first.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: To whom this may concern?

Clare — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:16:13 +0000

Yuck, what a horrible phrase! Instead of addressing your cover letters and emails to “whom it may concern,” call around the company you’re applying to and find out the name of the hiring manager, IT director, or general hiring authority. This will help your resume and cover letter from looking mass-produced, generic, and impersonal.

Reaching out directly to the recipient of your resume will often catch their attention over other generic cover letters or emails, giving you a better chance of getting called back and hired.

Daily Employer Tip: Providing Feedback to Candidates

Clare — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:00:40 +0000

While not every unsuccessful candidate will want to know why they weren’t hired, some will, and you’ll have to decide what that feedback will consist of if you decide to provide it. Keep the following tips in mind. Feedback should be objective rather than subjective and emotional. When possible, refer to notes you took during the interview rather than recalling details from memory. Most candidates want this evaluation so they know how to improve in the future, so try to be helpful and constructive. Try to be supportive and positive – remember that it takes some guts for someone to ask for feedback. Overall, be honest and open, leaving the candidate with a good impression of your company.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Using social media in your job search

Clare — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:58:20 +0000

Times are a-changing, and the traditional routes for the typical job seeker are becoming slowly less effective. Networking, especially through online social media networks, can be one of the most valuable paths to finding your dream job, if you know what you’re doing.

Write yourself a short but interesting bio/profile relating to your profession, and start connecting with other job seekers, companies of interest, recruiters, and advice-givers. Listen and respond to what they’re saying. Have conversations – don’t focus entirely on yourself and your job search, as this will appear desperate.

Need somewhere to start? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for daily tips, job opportunities, and conversation!

Stop Rehearsing: Brand New Interview Questions

Clare — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:24:02 +0000

Bad news: Employers are catching onto the fact that a typical candidate is bombarded with job interview advice from all over the Internet. They’ve read the “typical interview questions” lists that you’ve so diligently memorized answers for, and now they’re changing it up.

But before you panic, we’re here to tell you that you can still have a great interview. The motivation behind spicing up the interview is to get a better insight into the real you. But, those typical interview questions of the past were asked for a reason: they’re the things that indicate whether or not you’d be a good candidate for the job.

Therefore, the best way for interviewers to get the same information from a more realistic perspective is to ask the same type of question but in a more unique way to throw you and your rehearsed answers off. Below are some examples so you can prepare for your next interview.

Typical Question: What are your weaknesses?
More Unique Question: How are you constantly improving your work performance?
Here, they presume your weaknesses are work-related and that you’re striving to overcome them to throw you off and dig deeper.

Typical Question: Are you a team player? or Do you work well with coworkers?
More Unique Question: How do you deal with conflict in a team situation?
Since some level of conflict is inevitable in a team, they are pushing you further to find out how you work as a team member.

Typical Question: What are your 3-5 year goals? or Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?
More Unique Question: What 3 goals have you achieved in the past year?
A truly goal-oriented person won’t have to think too hard about this new question even if they weren’t prepared for it.

Typical Question: What motivates you?
More Unique Question: What did you find most rewarding in your previous position?
They’re still asking about motivation, but are giving it a more applicable, realistic context.

Typical Question: What’s your workplace personality?
More Unique Question: What kind of work environment do you prefer?
People typically prefer to work in an environment that reflects their personality, so your answer will provide them with a more honest perspective of your personality.

Other Unique Questions:
“What risks have you taken in previous positions?”
“What could your previous company do to be more successful?”
“What is the first thing you’ll do in this position?”

Bizarre Questions:
These questions give interviewers insight into your creativity and ability to think on your feet and outside the box:
“How many gas stations are there in the US?”
“What was the last book you read?”

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Daily Employer Tip: Stay Consistent

Clare — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:19:18 +0000

It’s natural to talk differently to each candidate you interview; after all, each person is unique and your connection with each is equally unique. But it’s important to keep the overall interview fundamentally the same because it’s the only way you’ll be able to successfully compare candidates to one another. You may get along really well with Candidate A and have a great conversation with him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be great at the job. So, make sure to ask the same questions of Candidate A as you do of Candidate B, and evaluate their answers by the same standards. Consistency is the key to choosing the best candidate for the job.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Breathe life into your resume

Clare — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:17:02 +0000

Hiring managers don’t spend long reading resumes, and if yours reads like everyone else’s, you don’t stand much of a chance for getting the job.

The trick? Get creative with your verbs. Chuck out phrases like “was involved,” “assisted,” or “responsible for.” These sound boring, get repetitive, and don’t give readers a true insight to your level of activity.

Check out an online thesaurus for help in choosing creative yet professional verbs. Catch your reader’s attention, and you might just get that phone call you’ve been waiting for.

Daily Employer Tip: Back to the Future

Clare — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:43:45 +0000

A good past doesn’t necessarily make for a good future. While it’s important to know what a candidate has done in previous positions and brought to previous employers, it’s better to focus on what they can do for you in the future. It’s all well and good if they were able to spark major successes with their last company, but don’t assume they can do the same for you. Ask your candidates how their previous accomplishments have prepared them for future challenges and what they can bring to the table at your company.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Bashing the Boss

Clare — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:28:16 +0000

Okay, so you didn’t get along with your previous boss. That’s fine…as long as you don’t bash your boss during an interview! Avoid any negative comments in answers to questions about your reasons for leaving, challenges you experienced, or how you interact with coworkers.

If you do let it slip that you think your last boss is a jerk, you’re basically saying that you don’t have a problem talking trash about your company and coworkers. And employers aren’t typically going to hire people who could bash them. So stay positive, and let past grievances go.

Daily Employer Tip: So it’s a date?

Clare — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:03:15 +0000

Don’t forget to check the dates on a candidate’s resume. Sure, they may be tucked away, aligned to the opposite side of the pages, but you might be missing important information if you neglect them. Did this candidate hop around from job to job every few months? Or have they been stuck in a stale position for the past 20 years? Are they trying to hide employment gaps by omitting specific months? Checking out the dates can provide you with valuable insight into the candidate’s work ethic, detail-oriented mindset, and general work history.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Shoe shine!

Clare — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:52:26 +0000

Ever notice how obnoxious the flip-flop of flip-flops is? Or the wet squeak of those snow boots on clean linoleum floor? No matter whether the sun’s shining or the snow’s blowing, it’s important to make sure you make a good choice in shoes when it comes to interviews.

You’d be amazed how noticeable scuffed shoes are or how obvious chipped toe nail polish and holey socks are! Well kept, sensible shoes give an employer insight to your work ethic, personality, and attitude, so don’t let interview shoes be an afterthought, and don’t get caught sporting un-shined shoes!

An Eye on IT Employment: Happy New Year to the IT World

Clare — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:23:02 +0000

The fireworks and festivities that brought in the New Year were not only a toast to the future, but also a celebratory goodbye to what was, despite everything, a positive and overall successful 2010 for the IT world. 2010 came shaking its fists and fighting tough after a rocky 2009, and while IT employment has not yet fully rebounded, glimmers of hope remain strong.

End of year hiring was slower than expected, yet demand for IT skills is higher than ever. Analysts and surveys alike agree that demand for skills in networking and mobile technology is trending across the nation, sparking from new projects and forward-thinking CIO’s.

General confidence and optimism in company prospects for IT growth and hiring remains high, and few hiring and IT managers foresee cutbacks in their future. It appears that the biggest challenge for IT employment is finding qualified IT professionals to fill open positions. The candidate pool has shrunk just enough over the past year to make locating such professionals significantly more difficult.

The biggest worry for 2011 is that many companies will turn to offshore outsourcing for many of their needs. Considering the recent increase in demand for IT skills in conjunction with recent lower than expecting IT hiring, this fear may not be irrational. It can only be hoped that IT managers realize that by outsourcing low level IT positions, the pool for future senior level candidates decreases.

Ultimately, however, IT employment is still thriving in comparison to current national employment levels, having added close to 50,000 jobs during the past year. So, here’s to a successful 2011 in IT employment. Cheers!

Source: TechServe Alliance, Dice, and Computerworld

Daily Job Seeker Tips: Weekly Round Up

Clare — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:54:33 +0000

Here’s a round up of the week’s worth of job seeker tips, plus one extra about resume objectives.

Spicy Objectives

The objective on a resume is like that bowl of chips and salsa at a restaurant. You eat it up without even paying attention before moving onto the main course. Make your objective stand out by spicing it up! Make them pay attention to you! Be creative and bold, and tell them exactly what you can bring to the table and why they should hire you. Keep it brief and concise, but steer away from the cookie cutter objectives that litter the Internet.

Thank you notes

After a job interview, the employer wants to know that you’re truly interested before they offer you the next step. A thank you note to them not only highlights your continued interest, it’s also shows initiative and a friendly personality. Read more.

What’s Your Weakness?

Hate the “what’s your biggest weakness” interview question? Translate it into “what’s an area of improvement you are currently working on and how?” It’s a little easier to answer, and less intimidating. It can be naturally uncomfortable to talk, and even think about your weaknesses in an interview, because it feels like admitting to a reason not to hire you. Read more.

Salary Expectations

It’s tempting to hike up that salary number in an interview with the goal of creating negotiation wiggle room. However, in 99% of all cases, this is a big mistake. Instead of landing your dream job with a big check, all you’ll succeeding in doing is coming across as money motivated. Read more.

Extracurricular Technology

When you think of volunteering, do you think of animal shelters and nursing homes? While these might be great causes for your good will, there are volunteer opportunities out there that will cater to your love of technology. Read more.

Daily Employer Tips: Weekly Round-Up

Clare — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:40:45 +0000

Here’s a round up of the week’s worth of daily employer tips, plus an extra tip about personality.

Personality is Key

So, you’ve found a candidate who has every technical skill you require – they can do the job perfectly! But the key question is, do they fit into your company culture? Even a candidate who seems technically perfect may not get along with your team, may be distracting to his co-workers, may falter under your management style, or may be too quiet or overpowering for your workplace. Determine what kinds of personalities are most effective in your work environment, and make sure your candidate’s attitude and personality match.

Candidate Employment Gaps

Easing Your Candidate’s Nerves

Required Vs. Desired Skills

Know What You Want

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Extracurricular Technology

Clare — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:45:58 +0000

IT Volunteer opportunities are great for people looking to give back, are unemployed and mid-job-search, or are looking for something to do in their spare time.

Check out the United Way Triangle and their Teaming for Technology volunteer events.

Daily Employer Tip: Know What You Want

Clare — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:34:43 +0000

So you know you need to fill a position, but have you defined exactly what it is you need in a new employee? It may seem like commonsense, but all too often, people start aimlessly searching through resumes before they’ve determined desired hard and soft skills and personality attributes. It will be significantly easier to narrow down candidates if you first know what you want. Not sure what that is? Look at your current employees and determine what strengths in them work the best at your company. Then when you’re looking through resumes, you’ll find what you’re looking for more easily. (If you run into the opposite problem and aren’t finding enough resumes that fit your needs, check out this post.)

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Salary Expectations

Clare — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:23:27 +0000

Employers are wary about money motivated candidates because these candidates are rarely interested in the company or the position, and they will hop to a higher paying job in a moment’s notice. Your best bet is to be realistic and honest about your salary expectations or simply leave the negotiating to an experienced recruiter.

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Daily Employer Tip: Required Vs. Desired Skills

Clare — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:13:43 +0000

When every technology seems to be related to the next, it’s easy to keep expanding that list of technical requirements on your open positions. But it’ll be a fight to find someone with absolutely every skill and experience you want. Keep an image of your ideal candidate in mind, but focus on the realistic. Cut down your list of requirements until you have 3-5 key skills and a short list of “plusses.” Remember that most skills can be taught, as long as the important ones are satisfied, and oftentimes you can coach a realistic candidate into becoming your ideal employee.

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Battling Job Rejection

Clare — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:24:08 +0000

Logically, you know that most adults have experienced job rejection, and you know it’s just part of the process whether or not the economy is weak or strong. And you know deep down that it’s nothing to take personally. But none of this stops that little voice in your head, sizzling with anger and irritation, feeding your stress, and generally beating you up about the latest rejection.

So this is a pep talk. Take that rejection by the horns, give it a good shake, and then breath and read on.

The Vicious Cycle

If job rejections are getting you down, chances are you’re stuck in a vicious cycle. When you take that depressed and negative attitude to a job interview, your interview performance will suffer and you’ll be facing another rejection. Which makes you more depressed and negative, just in time for the next interview. And so on.

A negative attitude really does affect your interviewing skills, drain your energy and passion, and lower your confidence, which are all things interviewers are looking for. The longer you hold onto the depression, anger, and frustration of job rejections, the harder it will be and the longer it will take to break out of the cycle. Read more about tackling the job search blues in our previous post here.

Not a Science

The easiest way to convince yourself not to take rejection personally is to fully realize that the rejecters are human and that hiring is not an exact science. The factors behind their decision are beyond your control, maybe even beyond their control, or maybe they even made a mistake. They’re probably reading hundreds of resumes a day and conducting tens of interviews a week, and it’s easy to lose some candidates in the masses or accidentally confuse you with someone who has the same last name. Or there could be too many cooks in the kitchen and someone carelessly misplaced your resume.

There could be any number of reasons why the fallible process of hiring failed you. Instead of chasing the culprits down with a stick and pouring your heart out, let it go and move on. It’s the healthiest option for everyone.

Bigger, Better Fish

A job rejection is a blessing in disguise. What if they didn’t think you’d be a good fit but had chosen you anyway? Chances are, they were right in the first place and you would have been miserable, trying to fit in somewhere it turns out you hate. Ultimately, if they don’t want you, then you shouldn’t want them. End of story. Take solace in the fact that this job rejection just saved you a ton of future unhappiness. Plus, you’ve now successfully narrowed down your search for the job that will bring you the most happiness.

Don’t Be a Stalker

But do try to get feedback from your interviewer. Shoot them an email or give them a call, and politely ask if they could give you some feedback about your interview and candidacy. Some companies and hiring managers won’t be willing to provide feedback, but some will, and what they say can be valuable.

Thank them for their time, and learn what you can from what they said. Maybe you just weren’t what they were looking for, but maybe it’s because your body language appeared disinterested. Or maybe your answers seemed too rehearsed or too desperate, over enthusiastic or unprofessional. Their perspective could give you brand new insight about the way you act in interviews. So learn from their comments and apply your lessons in future interviews.

The Bottom Line

Rejection is inevitable, so take it in stride. Don’t let it get you down, and don’t take it personally. Thank rejection for leading you to better opportunities, and learn from your mistakes. Focus on your strengths, and you’ll bounce back in no time. End of pep talk.

-Clare Saumell - Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis

Food for Thought: Hiring Goes Social

Clare — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:47:51 +0000

Nearly half of all Americans belong to a social networking site, and numbers of people looking to the Internet – including social media – during their job search is estimated at over 50 million. Such numbers are pretty motivating to employers who are looking to take their companies online in a big way. But to those who haven’t yet, the world of social media can be a scary place, and using it as a tool in the hiring process can be even more intimidating. Here are a few thoughts to make it less intimidating.

Become familiar with each network before taking the plunge, and develop a strategy for how your company will use each one. Social media networks are great places to really start developing your company’s employer brand. Profiles and biographies can be customized to your company and desired image, so learn what works for each network.

Additionally, social media sites provide resourceful platforms for conversations and dialogues with a wealth of people. The more you get involved in each network and the more you establish your employer brand, the more people you’ll connect with who could be perfect candidates or who could provide helpful referrals.

Finally, social media is a great way to get to know your candidates and find out if they’d be a good fit for your company. Do be careful about conducting unofficial reference checks through these networks, as this could lead to risks such as discrimination accusations. Other than that, however, social media is a great, free hiring resource, so start using it today!

Daily Job Seeker Tip: What’s Your Weakness?

Clare — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:02:03 +0000

Hate the “what’s your biggest weakness” interview question?

Translate it into “what’s an area of improvement you are currently working on and how?” It’s a little easier to answer, and less intimidating. It can be naturally uncomfortable to talk, and even think about your weaknesses in an interview, because it feels like admitting to a reason not to hire you.

But if you think of the question in terms of areas of improvement, you are showing your ability to grow professionally. The weakness question is pretty common, so think about your answers in advance so that you’re prepared for the interview.

Daily Employer Tip: Easing Your Candidate’s Nerves

Clare — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:51:34 +0000

How long has it been since you were the interviewee? Do you remember how nerve-racking it is? Ease your candidate’s nervousness by being conversational and friendly. Start your interview by offering refreshments and making small talk. Find some kind of commonality with the candidate, so they feel they can connect with you better (for example, maybe it’s snowing outside, and you both love skiing). The more comfortable and open the candidate is, the better they’ll be able to express their answers to your questions. You’ll get a better perspective on how they’ll be as an employee rather than just a nervous candidate.

Daily Job Seeker Tip: Thank you notes

Clare — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:55:19 +0000

Written appreciation and acknowledgement – whether through email or snail mail – is a key follow up technique if you want to set yourself apart from the masses of other candidates. Make sure you grab a business card of your interviewer so that you know exactly who to address your thank you letter to.

Daily Employer Tip: Candidate Employment Gaps

Clare — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:48:26 +0000

Do employment gaps mean couch-potato candidates? Not necessarily. It’s important to be wary of employment gaps on resumes, since it’s easy for candidates to lose their technical skills over time. But if everything else looks good, don’t make assumptions. The candidate may have filled that time with classes, volunteer work, side projects, freelancing work or more that they were unsure about including on their resume. If an employment gap is the only reason holding you back from acting upon a resume, don’t immediately dismiss it. Schedule a phone or face-to-face interview, and ask the candidate for an explanation of the gap before you come to a conclusion. You might be surprised.

3 Important Ways 2010 Changed the IT Job Search

Clare — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:53:07 +0000

2011 is just around the corner, and the champagne and fireworks are ready and waiting. But what about your job search plans for the New Year? Some important changes from 2010 will have significant effects on the job seekers of 2011, but are you ready?

The IT Industry

With an addition of close to 50,000 IT jobs over the course of 2010, growth rates that significantly exceed national levels, the dynamics of IT employment are changing, and you, the job seeker, should act accordingly.

As more positions are opening up, more people are looking around; so hiring managers are having a difficult time finding qualified IT professionals. To get their attention, you’ll have to step up and stand out. If you’re mass-mailing your resume to employers without catering it to each company and position, you’ll be easily dismissed. Spend more time researching the company, customizing your resume and cover letter, and even partnering up with a good recruiter, and you’ll soon get noticed.

Additionally, while IT hiring is up across the board, many employers are turning to contractors rather than permanent employees: The number of contract workers is reported to have risen 20% in the last 5 years and is expected to continue increasing. Why? The reasons for hiring contractors include advantages such as, no legal obligations to provide benefits like healthcare or retirement plans, lesser risk of hiring and firing related lawsuits, and lower training costs. Also, a generational shift in career values is also leading a significant number of workers to pursue contract and freelance positions, giving employers a greater selection of workers.

It’s definitely worth looking into contract opportunities instead of limiting your job search to permanent positions. Plus, giving your job search strategies a personal, customized touch will definitely help prepare you for the 2011 job market.

Social Media

While social media platforms are nothing new, 2010 did introduce new demographics and interaction trends to the web. Twitter alone reportedly added 100 million new users over 2010, and regular interaction of all users has more than doubled since 2009.

These kinds of numbers have peaked the interest of many employers, and a growing number of companies are entertaining the idea of using social media in the hiring process, if not already actually doing so. Whether it’s by posting job ads on these platforms, directly reaching out to job seekers, or generally building their employer brand through online community, employers have clearly taken social media in the hiring process to the next level.

And going forward, your job search will have to reflect that change. Keep in mind that social media in the job search will not lead to instant results; it’s a gradual process, and it’s about regular interaction and relationships. If you’re on Facebook, become fans of companies you’re interested in. Watch for updates regarding the company and open positions, and leave constructive comments on their statuses.

If you’re on Twitter, feel free to follow companies and any relevant personnel who may tweet about the company and any open positions. Get familiar with hashtags that may lead you to announcements about job opportunities and helpful job seeker resources. Build your community, interact with fellow job seekers, share valuable resources you come across, and generally get your name out there.

If you’re on LinkedIn, join relevant groups related to job seeking, specific technologies and skills, industries, or specific companies. Make new connections with group members and don’t neglect aspects of LinkedIn like the Question and Answer sections.

Evolving Technology

This one’s to be expected since any good techie will know that technology is constantly evolving. But 2010 saw some massive changes that will push IT job seekers more than ever to stay up-to-date with technology and to keep an open mind as technology begins to evolve beyond their wildest dreams.

Opportunities in sectors like networking, data storage, and green technology are predicted to pop up at an alarming rate over the next few years, but bigger than anything is mobile technology. In 2010, sales of smart phones exceeded those of laptops and desktop computers. And with competitors like Apple and Android sparring for the number one spot, and mobile applications becoming more intense and allowing for greater user interaction, opportunities in mobile and web technology will flow in overwhelming numbers.

-Clare Saumell – Marketing Director at Ashley Ellis