Ring...Ring...Ring!

The term “playing phone tag” has become a common annoyance for both the recruiter and the applicant. This game of calling each other back and forth can go on for days, and sometimes even weeks. Let’s be honest, no one has time for this game.

Here are some tips for leaving an efficient voicemail to avoid the game of tag.

Recruiters:

• Talk slow and clear – It is important that the person on the other line can clearly understand what you are saying. Take your time and enunciate. A speedy mumbled voice mail will only lead to error and lack of response. Background noise needs to be eliminated as well. If there is too much noise in the message, it is hard to pay attention to the information that is being provided.
• Leave your full name – Do not assume that you are the only Ashley that is going to call them. Leaving your full name will set you apart and keep you memorable.
• Name your company/ position they applied for – when applicants are in the market for a job they are applying for multiple companies and positions. Stating the company you work for as well as the position will help jog the applicant’s memory about the specific application.
• Call for action – Always leave a call back number and the best time for them to reach you. Be specific on your availability and be sure to actually be available!  Let the applicant know the reason for your call because it will help increase your response.
• Work phone - Use a phone that has a voicemail set up or you will get phone calls all hours of the night and will most likely forget to follow up the next day in the office.

Applicants:

• Talk slow and clear – It is important that the recruiter can clearly understand what you are saying. Recruiters receive hundreds of phones calls a week. Take your time and enunciate. Remember, you want to be the person chosen for the job. Don’t lose your opportunity because of an unclear voicemail.
• Phone details - Phone edict is important. Pay attention to the number they left you on the voice mail. It is not always the number they call you on. Phone calls should be returned between 9am and 5pm, unless otherwise stated by the recruiter.
• Who are you? – Your full name should be given every time. As previously mentioned, recruiters receive many phone calls. Clearly stating your name will allow the recruiter to find your resume and contact you accordingly.  By the way, if it is a difficult name, spell it!
• Your Position - Stating the position you applied for will help for a quick response from the recruiter. It will save them time trying to search you and find out what position you applied for. Remember, recruiters often hire for multiple jobs at once.
• A working number - Always leave a working number with a mailbox that is set up and make sure it is NOT FULL. It does not help you if the recruiter can’t reach you or let you know they are trying to. After you have left a number, tell them when the best time to call you back is. Be specific on your available time, it will increase your chance of a quick response.

I hope the following tips will help you get in contact with who you need sooner than later. 

Have any additional suggestions? Feel free to email me at ashly.collins@mfrm.com

Mattress Firm's 30th Anniversary + Happy 4th of July!

On July 4th, 1986, the Mattress Firm story began with the opening of our very first location in Houston, Texas. With just a business plan, a shared apartment with borrowed poolside furniture and a dream to revolutionize the bedding industry between them, three individuals embarked on a journey that would take America by... sleep!

Today, July 4, 2016, Mattress Firm celebrates our 30th Anniversary with 3500+ stores nationwide. We are thankful to have served millions of Americans "from sea to shining sea" in finding better sleep!

Sleep Happy this Fourth of July!

Happy Birthday to Us!

http://capturethecastle1.blogspot.com/

May marks Heroes of Hiring's 6th Birthday! 

Thank you to our loyal readers. 

Mattress Firm Spotlight: Mary Alice Springer!

With today being Administrative Professionals Day, we wanted to take a moment and recognize one of Mattress Firm’s favorite Administrative Professionals - Mary Alice Springer. She is currently an Executive Assistant to MFRM's President and CEO and Chief Business Officer. We sat down and asked Mary Alice some very important questions regarding her time with the organization as well as a few others. Take a look below!

• How long have you been with Mattress Firm?  
• I have been with MFRM for 11 years and 3 months.

• What is your favorite Mattress Firm memory?  
• Gosh, there are many but the one that stands out the most was when I was invited to the 2010 Houston National Conference at the Hotel Derek.  During the awards night, I was asked by Steve Stagner [former Mattress Firm CEO] to come forward along with Holly Jo Wetzig and Jenny Beam.  He presented to each of us a Tiffany key ring and said that you are the key to our success.  This was truly a very special moment for me.

• What do you enjoy most about your job?  
• I so enjoy helping others.  As an assistant, you are required to juggle many tasks but I feel the most important responsibility of my job is to help your customers and co-workers.

• What did you do before this?  
• I have always been an administrative/executive assistant.  Prior to moving to Houston 22 years ago, I worked for 7½ years at a management consulting firm in New York City.

• What would be your walk-in theme song?  
• “Come Hell or High Water” by Poison

• What did you want to be “when you grew up?” 
• I wanted to be a meteorologist.

• Do you have a guilty pleasure?  
• Oh yes and it’s Nestle Drumstick ice cream cones.

• What is your favorite book? 
• My favorite book is One Month To Live by Kerry & Chris Shook.  It’s a great book that shows you how to stop waiting for “someday” and start making each day really matter.

• How do you feel you fulfill our purpose of “improving lives one relationship at a time?”  
• At work, I feel that I improve lives by simply connecting with others.  I enjoy taking a moment by reaching out to see how you are doing, is there anything I can do for you. On my personal time, I enjoy volunteering at my neighborhood assisted living facility.  It’s an amazing feeling to put a smile on one’s face.

• What do you think cats dream about?  
• Hopefully playing with a feather toy and not stalking prey. 

Feel like shooting Mary Alice another random question? Email her at MaryAlice.Springer@mfrm.com

MFRM Elite Leadership Summit

In early April, Mattress Firm’s Talent Acquisition team hosted 10 dynamic student leaders from universities across the country. These students were invited to attend the MFRM Elite Leadership Summit. They were selected from a large applicant pool of highly influential students that are making a difference on their local campuses.  They were invited to the Mattress Firm corporate headquarters for a day of leadership content provided by top executives and former ELS attendees.  Content spanned from “Building your Brand”, “Servant Leadership”, to “Inspiring Change.” 

“This event made a big impact on my life. I have been inspired by not just the speakers, but also the student [attendees].” – 2016 ELS Attendee.

Check out some great photos below:

2016 ELS Attendees

2016 ELS Attendees & MFRM Talent Acquisition

Photobooth Time!

Maria Guerrero Pinero- scholarship recipient 

Former ELS Attendee Panel 

Josh Feinberg, Director of Events & Expositions

The MFRM Elite Leadership Summit was created with the intent to bring together and empower student leaders from universities across the nation, for the purpose of developing passionate, humble and creative leaders of tomorrow. 

For more information, feel free to visit www.MFRMElite.com. 

Stress in the Workplace

Image from: ircmentorcollaborative.org/stress-management

Have you ever had a stressful day at work?  Ever asked yourself “When is this day going to end”?  Probably so.

Stress in the work place is a serious issue that not only affects the health of the employee but also the productivity level of the company. Work-related stress arises when work demands exceed our personal capacities and therefore making it difficult for us to cope.  Everyone wants to be recognized for their hard work, but working “too hard” can lead to more than just stress. 

Here are several symptoms associated with stress:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Sleeping difficulties (big no-no in our company)
• Depression
• Anxiety

We’ve all experienced these symptoms at some point in time.  However, what can we do to make sure we minimize our stress levels?  

Well, for starters…talk about it with your employer.  Remember that your employer wants to maximize your productivity output.   If there is a work-related issue holding you back they can help.  Never assume that they want to add more stress just because more work is coming in.  Remember if you lose, they lose!  Also think about making a “to-do list”.  Make sure you put the tasks in order by priority so you have a sense of accomplishment when you complete one.  Sometimes just seeing that you have completed a task can give you more energy and motivation to complete the list.  Last but not least, RELAX!  Take some time off and don’t look back.  Be sure to disconnect from work.  Close that laptop, ignore that phone call, and just BREATHE!  Taking a break can re-energize you and have you back at max productivity in no time, which is a win-win situation for everyone!

Speaking about taking a break…..I need a vacation soon!! :) 

Know some other great stress relievers? Email Tony at Tony.Velazquez@mfrm.com 

Nonverbal Mistakes!

Check out this great image from www.interviewlaboratory.com! 

interviewlaboratory.com

Wake Up to a New Career!

On the job search? Looking for a new career? Please join MFRM Family of Brands for their National Career Day! Feel free to RSVP in a city near you.

http://www.mfrm.com/national-career-day

Is your current job a snooze?!

Join MFRM Family of Brands on January 27th at our National Career Day! 

Click below to find out more information.

http://www.mfrm.com/national-career-day

There is no such thing as too much research... said no one ever

One of the worst things that could happen in an interview is not knowing anything about the position you are applying for, the company you’re interviewing with and not conducting any research beforehand. Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the job-seeker's part.

First, you should understand the employer’s values, motives, culture and initiatives. A great place to find this information would be the company’s website. Read the details and make sure you are able to reference during the interview.

Next, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised. It is important to know the requirements of the job. What kind of role you will play? What is required of you? What are the basic skills you should have to make you successful for the position. I would suggest utilizing websites like Glassdoor.com, company websites and even calling employees that work for the company and asking them about it.  There are even websites that you can see reviews and comparable tools to see how companies measure against each other in terms of requirements and benefits.

Lastly, doing research on the background of the person (or people) interviewing you can help you connect to them. Websites like Linkedin and Facebook make it super easy to gather this kind of information and employers will find it to be impressive, not creepy. The more research you conduct, the more you'll understand the employer, and the better you'll be able to answer interview questions.

 Feel free to check out our Glassdoor page at http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Mattress-Firm-EI_IE28763.11,24.htm

If you have any research questions, contact me at Ashley.gonzales@mfrm.com

The Invaluable Question of "Why?"

In the process of preparing for an interview there are many key steps to complete: proofread resume, professional business attire and punctuality to name a few. However, often times while speaking with candidates when asked the pertinent and seemingly simplistic question of “What made you decide you want to work for us?” Or, “Why did you choose to apply?” Often the response is generic, unfounded, or none at all.

When applying for a position it is important to see it as the first step in building a relationship with a potential employer. In general when we formulate a relationship it should not be approached in a haphazard, random way. There should be a foundation of facts behind the decision connecting the employer with the candidate. In order to preserve time and to always put your best foot forward, consider the following questions:

·         What do I like about this company?

·         What is their history?

·         What are the benefits of working here?

·         What skills do I have that match the qualifications for the position I’m applying for?

·         Can I see myself having a career with this company?

·         Does this company offer me opportunity to grow?

In the interview process the company that you’re applying for wants to be a great match for you as you do for them. When a candidate researches the company they are applying for and gives thought as to why they want to be there, this is where progress is made right from the start. Whether an in-person interview or over the phone, knowledge truly is power. 

Want to practice your interviewing skills? Email anne.neidiver@mfrm.com 

Are you one to Cross your I's and Dot your T's?

A job application form is the screening tool many employers use to decide who they will interview. How you fill out the form can influence whether or not you eventually get hired, or at the least, even be considered for an interview. When starting the process make certain of these following tips:

Resume should only be one page long

·         Use a template online, if you’re unable to format it yourself

Always remember to reduce clutter

·         Note: Most recruiters spend less than 1 minute viewing your resume, you want it to be bold and concise.

Remember to always use proper Capitalization 

·         First and Last Name (Your Name or any References/Supervisors)

·         Addresses

·         Past Employers

Spelling and Grammar

·         Always use spell check, in fact make spell check your best friend

·         Have a 2^nd or 3^rd pair of eyes look over your Resume and/or Application before submitting.

Always put your best foot forward, by screening your material and making sure you are in fact dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s!  

Interested in filling out an application with Mattress Firm? Feel free to contact me at kelly.valiente@mfrm.com 

The Importance of Retention

In the acquiring talent world, there is a more dominant word that mirrors with recruiting. This word may be looked at as the other half of the see-saw for a recruiter’s work; a constant battle of up and down. The word is known as retention. (Dun dun dun…) 

Retention is a hot topic among our company and among many others as well. It seems to be a constant theme among most of our meetings, and in our daily conversations with our peers. Jim Stroud heartily jests about retention in his article “Retention is the new recruiting.” Stroud even opens the article up with a little song, “Cheaper to Keep Her,” by Johnnie Taylor. He talks about a recent Randstad survey of 11,000 workers on why they left their last job. And more importantly not only why these workers left, but what would make them stay. Ever thought what would make you stay in your current role at your company? Most workers said “good riddance” to their previous employer, because there was a lack of career growth, low compensation and poor leadership.According to the 11,000 surveyed a better work/life balance, competitive salary, flexibility, and corporate financial health are the top items that would entice them stay. 

In the article, while Stroud addresses possible solutions to the HR executives to consider, it is also important for the current job seekers out there to pay mindfulness to the key points made by Stroud. Ask yourself if there is career growth at this company? How is the compensation and leadership? And don’t forget to inquire about the work/life balance? 

Retention is just as important as recruiting. It is a consistent tug-of-war between the two, but you cannot have one without the other. Therefore, do your homework on the company you are inquiring about, and ask questions that are important to you in a new employer. Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!
 Happy Job Hunting! 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/retention-new-recruiting-jim-stroud

Have any questions? Feel free to email Janessa.Reyes@mfrm.com 

Color my World

I’m a new homeowner with decorating on my mind. I have grown a complete obsession with HGTV. I watch several of the shows, have a subscription to the magazine and found one thing in common…everyone’s overall goal is to decorate their home with things that make them happy. One challenge someone might face is picking a paint color as there is what seems to be over a billion colors to choose from.

The same can go for your work space. It should be a reflection of things that inspire, motivate and make you happy. I really enjoyed the article below from The Muse that discusses how colors in the office can have a direct relation to workers mood and productivity. Below is a brief breakdown of color ideas for your office space:

•Blue – stable and calming color that helps workers focus on the task at hand

•Green – good color for people who work long hours

•Yellow – optimistic color and can help stimulate activity

•Red – increase the heart rate, blood flow and also invokes emotion and passion

Keep these in mind for your new work space or if you’re simply looking to refresh.  Happy decorating!

https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-color-of-your-office-affects-your-productivity-even-if-you-dont-realize-it

Want to share some images of your office? Email me at erin.lindquist@mfrm.com

Voicemail Woes

What happens if your voice doesn’t have any mail? Or your mail doesn’t have a voice?

You have decided to take a HUGE chance and leave your current job or maybe you recently graduated college. You are excited and ready to take on the world, nothing can stop you! But, it can be scary and difficult looking for a job. There are a million things going through your head that you must make sure you have completed. Questions and concerns rush through your mind… am I qualified for this position? I need to update my resume. What jobs do I list on my resume? How long will it take me to get hired? Is this the best move for me? Is this job going to pay me enough?

There are so many things you have to think about and worry about, that you could be forgetting to do the most important thing of them all; paying attention to the smallest of details. It can get frustrating when a recruiter comes across a resume or application and they love what they see; this person is qualified, educated, and has a lot of experience. This person is exactly who we are looking for! I am going to give them a call and set up a phone or even a face to face interview.

We pick up the phone and as the phone is ringing over and over, we start to plan the type of voicemail we are going to leave. Then we hear those words, which no recruiter wants to hear. “I’m sorry, but the number you are trying to reach has a voicemail box that is not set up, good bye.” But sometimes someone does pick up, only to tell us “I’m sorry you have the wrong number.”

Searching for a new career is hard enough, there are a lot of things that you need to make sure are completed as you are applying for jobs.  But don’t let the smallest details slip your busy mind.

Before you send in that resume, or fill out the job application, remember to keep these things in mind:

• Make sure you have the correct contact number on your resume AND application. 
• Make sure your voicemail is set up and empty of messages.
• Make sure your voicemail is professional and simple. No need to have a 5 minute voicemail message with music blaring in the background.

It would be silly for you to miss out on a great job opportunity over something that is 100% in your control. 

For other great voicemail tips, please reach out to me at ryan.gentile@mattressfirm.com

Will You Checkmate Your Career?

In the early 19^th century the laws of chess were created to ensure all players are playing equally. Wouldn’t it be great if there were laws for our career? I imagine most of us would love to have a career check list to ensure we were doing everything required to move up to our next position. But just as the game of chess is dependent on the mindset and decisions of the player, you are the motivator of your career. Preparing, playing and finishing a game of chess may also resemble your aspirations for a strong career.

To start the game, you must set up the board. A great start to setting up your career is to define your career goals. Where do you want to be in 12 months, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years down the road? Write them down, as a “goal not written down is just a wish” – unknown.

There are several types of moves while playing chess- basic movements, capturing and castling to name a few. How many moves have you made in your career? Are you being strategic? Basic moves are great; they provide you the foundation you need to gain success and credibility. Are you capturing key lessons from those around you? In castling the King and the Rook move together, are you working with a team or mentor to help you move through your career?

Formal games of chess players are required to record their moves. Research shows we learn more from reflecting on our experiences, even more than the actual experience. How much time do you carve out of your day, week or even month to record your moves or reflect on what you have learned?

A game of chess can end in a variety of ways: the three main being resignation, a draw or checkmate. How will your career end? Will you resign from your advancement? Will you end up in a draw, maybe a lull in your career because of a lack of clear goals or a mentorship? Or will you continue to advance and checkmate into your next journey?

Your career can be your personal game of chess. Write down your goals, make strategic moves, and reflecting on your experiences may lead you to a checkmate! 

For some great chess moves, please email me at Brandee.Baker@mfrm.com 

Resume 101

A couple of weeks ago I ran across an article published by Business Insider that I could not agree more with in regard to information that you need to immediately remove from your resume. It is important to remember that your resume lands you the interview, not the actual job. If you get to a formal interview, that is the time to dive deeper into your experience – no need for your resume to look like a novel (the recruiter and hiring manager will appreciate that immensely).

Remove the following from your resume:

•  Middle and high school Information
• This becomes even more unnecessary if you have collegiate experience
• Average or poor GPA
• Passive language
• "Familiar with"; "Learned how to"
• A series of short-lived jobs
• Photos
• Objective statement
• They can work against you and are very difficult to write
• Really obvious skills
• Example: Microsoft Word
• Any information that can cause discrimination
• Age, religion, political affiliation
• Too personal of information
• Social security number, marital status
• More pages
• Keep it to one page, trust me, that's all you need
• 
  

Take it from me, if you omit the above information you will be left with a relevant and impactful resume. 

Happy job seeking!

To read the Business Insider article in its entirety, click on the link below.

http://www.businessinsider.com/outdated-information-on-your-resume-2015-7?utm_content=buffer733ac&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

For additional resume tips feel free to contact me at edith.botello@mfrm.com.

Looking to Start a Professional Library?

We recently sat down with Steve Stagner, CEO of MFRM Family of Brands, and asked which of his favorite books he would recommend to someone looking to start a collection aimed at business and professional development. 

1. Leadership & Self-Deception- The Arbinger Institute
2. Spin Selling- Neil Rackham

3. Good to Great- Jim Collins

4. Radical Leap- Steve Farber

5. Purple Cow- Seth Godin

6. The Innovators Dilemma- Clayton M. Christensen

7. The One Minute Salesperson- Spencer Johnson, Larry Wilson

8. Blue Ocean Strategy- W. Chan Kim, Renee Maubourgne

9. The Loyalty Effect- Frederick F. Reichheld 

10. The Great Game of Business- Jack Stack



If you have any great books to recommend, feel free to email me at erica.siri@mfrm.com 

America's got Talent- Do you?

I have recently started watching a new show on NBC, America’s Got Talent. My husband and I are not avid TV watchers, much less a diehard fan of any show, but for some reason AGT has slowly made its way into our lives every Monday evening.  One of things that we love about AGT is the uniqueness of each individual performing their art, talent, illusion or stunt.  There are people from all over the nation and even the world that compete for a chance to win a headline show in Las Vegas and a million dollars! Once they perform, the four judges then decide if the act stood out enough to make it through to the live show.

This got me thinking about all the growth MFRM Family of Brands is currently experiencing and the upcoming interviews, or “auditions”, our candidates will go through to find out if they have what it takes to join the MFRM family and the career they are seeking to land.

So, how can you make sure your “audition” stands out so you can make the cut? Check out this article from TheLadders.com on “How to Answer the ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ interview question.” This article can help you answer this dreaded interview question but also help to ensure that you can speak about yourself and show that you have what it takes to stand apart from the rest, just like the artists on America’s Got Talent!

http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-answer-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

For additional advice on how to answer this question or career opportunities with MFRM FOB, contact me at angela.hubbard@mfrm.com

Dress for Success

All too often I hear of great candidates whose professional dress overshadowed their true potential. 

We communicate through many channels; verbal communication, body language, and appearance. Your interview attire says everything that you are not. Your appearance has the power to make or break your first impression. Attire makes a strong visual statement about how you see yourself. Think of the brand that you are projecting to your future employer. In this competitive job market, are you a brand employers want? Your individual successes and failures will contribute to that of the organization that you are applying for. 

When dressing for success think how your potential employer will receive and process your image. Is it an image that is synonymous with your career goals? When your appearance delivers what the employer is searching for, you've made a great first impression. You've just overcome the first obstacle and can move on to impress them with your experience and knowledge. When employers don't judge the cover, they appreciate the 3rd and 4th chapter of getting to know YOU!

Good luck and dress for success!

For tips on interview attire, please email melissa.ballard@mfrm.com