The One

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, as a recruiter, I would love to share some Interview Honey Do’s to help make sure you are “The One” for the position the company is trying to fill.

 

 

1)      Do: Research on the Company and the Position: One thing that really works my nerves is when a candidate has no clue about the company or the position that they are interviewing for. Do yourself a favor and research the company this will help you be more successful in your interview. Research things like the company’s history, the requirements of the job, their mission statement or core values, and maybe even visit one of their locations (if applicable). Having a good understanding of the position you are interviewing for will give you a leg up on your competition.

 

 

2)      Do: Arrive on Time for the Interview and Dress for Success: There should be no excuse for being late to an interview, unless something disastrous really does happen. Arriving 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled is a good rule of thumb. If something does happen and you will be late, make sure to call the point of contact or interviewer to let them know. Also, make sure to dress the part “Dress for the job you want not for the job you have”.  Make sure to ask the point of contact what the dress is for the interview and do research on what may fit the organization.  Your clothing should fit nicely, should be clean and pressed, keep jewelry and makeup to a minimum and make sure you brush your teeth before the interview (nobody likes stinky breath). These are ways to help you make a good first impression on your future employer.

 

 

3)      Do: Watch your body language – Be aware of the message your body language could be sending to the employer. Positive forms of body language are smiling, making eye contact, sitting up straight, and actively listening. Body language to avoid can be slouching, yawning, looking off in the distance, or playing with your pen, these are signs that you are no longer interested or are not paying attention. Positive body language, in a natural style, can help the employer see that you are driven and eager to earn the position.

 

 

4)      Do: Speak to what you have done not what you will do – Employers want to hear what you have already done that would help you in this role. For example: instead of just saying “I am really good at sales” tell them what you have done say “Last year I was able to gain 20 new accounts for my company resulting in $XXX amount of new business and I was able to maintain these accounts by.” This will show that you are able to speak to your accomplishments and shows that you can make an impact in the new role.  

 

 

5)      Do: Have questions to ask at the end of the interview – if you have no questions this can show that you have not done enough research on the organization. Even if you know every single thing about the company you still need to come up with some questions. This will show you are really interested in the position.  An example of some good questions can be; asking about the interviewer’s story or experience with the company, why they have stayed with the organization so long, or even why did they choose this company.

 

 

6)      Do: Go for the close - Ask what the next steps in the process will be and the timeline that they will be getting back to you.

7)      Do: Thank the interviewer – you can do this in person, by email, or even a personal thank you card. This leaves a lasting impression on the employer and can help them remember you.

Best of luck to you in your interview process! I hope these tips help you become “The One” on your next interview! Happy Hunting!

http://www.quintcareers.com/job_interview_tips.html

 

angela.hubbard@matressfirm.com

 

Happy Holidays from your Heroes of Hiring

1.bp.blogspot.com
 



Lost in Translation

careercompetencies.org

As a recruiter there is one thing that always gets under my skin, when applicants down play their past skills! I realize that you may have left your last job because you didn't like the ethics, or the pay, or the movie Horrible Bosses hit a little too close to home. I get it. But that doesn't mean that your last job was a total loss to your development! I think that all too often people get caught up in the search for a new job that they overlook the research that goes into being successful in THAT job that they are applying for! 

 

 

When you get that call from that company that you applied to last week trying to set up an interview, take a minute to do just two simple things to put you in the right place to win.

Research them MORE: I know you did your research but do MORE! Your research topic has changed. You have shifted from Is this right for me? to How can I stand out? Look for things that match your skills, making you a unique candidate. What do you do well? What can you do that no one else can?

 

 

Think outside the BOX: You are a unique person with a skill set that no one has! Analyze every position you have held, match it with their skills and highlight that in the interview. Think outside the box. Altering the lens at which you see your past job is paramount to thinking critically about switch careers.

There wasn't a class you have taken, a club you joined or task you have completed that you haven't learned something from and made you who you are today! For that interview make sure your skills aren’t lost in translation.

 

 

matthew.haneman@mattressfirm.com

 

Your Turn to Interview



clker.com

If you think interviewing for a job is a one way street, think again! This is a common misperception when in reality; you should ask follow up questions. Asking questions not only shows a higher level of interest, it also allows you to decide if the company fits your needs. When asking questions, the type of question is really important. Be sure to ask thoughtful, good questions. The biggest turn off for a recruiter is having no questions or only asking about compensation.  Need some help?  Check out a few suggested questions below by Monster Staff Writer, Thad Peterson:

1.       Can you tell me about the culture here?

·         Company culture can be a bit difficult to get a handle on until you walk through the door and experience it yourself. The interview is a great time to ask questions that reveal the company’s personality.

2.       Would you mind telling me about how your career got to this point?

·         This question is good on two levels: It gives you a chance to learn a bit about potential coworkers or potential bosses, and it's also a nice ego rub for the interviewer. “People love to talk about themselves, so if you can get the interviewer talking about himself, you're one step up,” explains Cooke.

3.       Can you tell me about your management style?

·         If you're interviewing with the person who may be your boss, it's important to understand how he'll manage you and the people around you.

The interviewer's answer to this question should reveal a few things. It will give you a sense of some of the challenges you'll face if you end up joining the team, as well as tell you how your potential coworkers handle sticky questions. It may also provide some insight about how forthright they are.

4.       What’s your biggest source of job satisfaction?

·         This question can help you understand both what makes your potential workmates tick and what they think the company's strengths are.

 

No matter how much research you do on a company, few can give you greater insight into the company than the recruiter.  So, don’t forget to interview the interviewer!

 

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/your-turn-to-ask-questions/article.aspx

 trevor.friel@mattressfirm.com

R.E.S.P.E.C.T- Find out what that means to me (the Hiring Manager)

cwww.copertinedvd.org

Aretha Franklin sang it best in her 1967 hit, Respect. As her song continues to fill the minds and lips of the world (especially mine all day today), Aretha made us realize that we should demand our respect. But as important as it may be that we are given respect, it’s important that we give it as well.

 

For Example, Hiring Managers spend hours of their time preparing to find their next future employee. Hiring managers show their respect by taking time out of their day to meet you, dressing up for the interview, and listening carefully to what you have to say during the interview process. They even will do their best to provide timely decisions to you so you know where they stand in the hiring decision. Let’s return that respect to the Hiring manager. Below, you will find a few ways how you can show your respect to the hiring manager.

R- Remember your job experiences. Most questions you will be asked will be situational or behavioral based questions. It’s important to know and be able to communicate what you have been doing in the last few years.

E- Educate yourself on the company and its mission. Provide the skill sets you can bring to the table to benefit the company

S- Suits are preferable, so invest in a nice suit. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

P- Prepare before the interview. Set your clothes out the night before and do a mock interview with a friend or mentor.

E- Early to bed, early to rise! Make sure that you are well rested and ready to make an impact in your interview

C- Come prepared with good questions. You’re interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you.

T- Timeliness is key. Arrive 10-15 minutes before your interview.

Now you are ready to “Sock it” to the hiring mangers by showing your respect. (Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…… A little respect. Hopefully, you now have this song stuck in your head just like me) Good Luck!

 

Tips for a Successful Career Fair Experience

We have come to a close on our Fall Semester with Collegiate Recruiting! As a new recruiter, this fall was an eye opening experience for me! I had the opportunity to attend several career fairs nationwide and I couldn’t believe some of the interesting things I came across at these fairs. If you are looking to land a career there are a few things you need to do to make sure you make a lasting impression on the recruiter!

 

1)      Do your research – Find out what employers will be at the Career Fair, do some research on all the companies in your field and go to those first. If you really want to impress, have some facts ready about the company you are visiting as a conversation starter for the recruiters. This is a great way to show your interest and an AWESOME start to making a memorable first impression.

 

2)      Dress to impress – There is an old saying that says “dress for the job you want and not for the job you have.” You want to look GOOD. Business professional is best.  Wear a nice suit, get a fresh haircut, avoid gaudy jewelry, and look polished. Your first impression depends on it.

 

3)      Have resume on hand – Have a revised and updated version printed on resume paper. A nice touch is to have business cards made with your information. There are many websites available to guide you in this process.  

 

4)      Firm hand shake – A firm hand shake with an upbeat smile on your face exudes confidence. Studies show there is a sizeable relationship between the features that characterize a firm handshake with a favorable first impression. Whether male or female have a firm and full handshake with great eye contact will leave an impression to remember.

 

Use these tips to make a great first impression at your next career fair! Happy Hunting!

 

angela.hubbard@mattressfirm.com

 

National Christmas Card Day