Link Up to LinkedIn

I have found LinkedIn to be a very good tool to both find and network with candidates and people in a particular industry. It's also great to find old business contacts, old friends, and most importantly, names of hiring managers at particular companies. Depending upon level of subscription you have, you would be able to send them a message telling that hiring manager about yourself. LinkedIn also gives you the ability to build your own network of contacts in your industry. Networking has been proven to be the most effective way to search for and acquire a job. Learn how to used LinkedIn, use it, and you will be surprised of the many ways it will help you connect with people that could possibly help you professionally and personally.

Tired of Being Cold

This morning I walked to my car, and once again, the frozen air of Wisconsin struck me hard. I really am sympathetic for outside sales people. These are the kind of days you just want to stay inside and not call anybody. My hands were cold as I reached my office, and my partner's Pepsi was frozen solid from the vending machine. I appreciated my job today as a recruiter because I could stay in my office, make a lot of phone calls, and talk to some very nice people around the country. If you are an experienced sales person and are tired of the cold and constant travel, maybe you should consider this field. Except for the frozen Pepsi, it was a good day.

Likes and Dislikes

When you think about your current job as well as jobs you've had in the past, write down a list describing what you liked the best from those positions. Then, write a similar list for what you disliked most about the positions you've had. It is good to refer to these lists when you consider applying or interviewing for a new position. Ask youself, "Does the job line up with my likes and dislikes?"

Don't Be Fooled

Not all open positions at a company are displayed or identified on the company's website. This is the case because the company wants that information to stay confidential or a person who is currently in that position is not performing to the company's satisfaction. Therefore, if you bring a skill set or background that you feel is a good fit for that company, I would encourage you to send in your resume with an attached note. The note should explain the success and experience you bring that match up with their company's product and market focus. Make sure you express your particular interest in their company. You might be surprised that there is an open job that might fit you.

Performance Counts

Smart managers look for people who have not only performed well, but have performed well over a number of years. There is a tendency by some sales people to change jobs frequently, looking for that better commission plan or new product that is "hot." However, I find that the sales reps who stay with companies longer these days are the candidates that are more attractive to new employers. Sales managers desire to hire people who show a history of being with a company for a longer period of time, sustaining a good level of performance year after year. Regardless of economic conditions, sustained performance counts.

Return the Call

If you get a message from a recruiter explaining a position in a very professional and thorough manner, make sure that you return the call...even if you are not presently looking for a position. Quality recruiters should be contacts that you maintain for the time when you might be looking for that next career move. Developing a relationship with a good recruiter assures you that you will be kept informed of attractive opportunities that fit your background and experience. So don't forget to call them back!

Great Candidates For Hire

Many highly qualified professionals have been victims of the recent economic slowdown. Companies are laying off now in anticipation of a very soft year in 2009. As a result, the availability of highly qualified people is very high at present. It is a great time for companies to interview these candidates for potential future needs or to upgrade their current staff. These candidates are very open to interviewing for future positions and could be a real "find" for your business.

The motto to remember is, "Keep Interviewing." You might just find a star who will significantly grow your business at a time when business is slow.

Positive Thoughts

It's always good to remind yourself of the positive attributes that you can bring to a company and to a position. Write down the strength that you think you bring in your current position and add as many thoughts to that list as you can. When you apply for a new position, have this list available to refer to and bring out these "positives" as it relates to the position you are applying for. In summary, STAY POSITIVE.

An Important Resume "Do"

When describing the positions you've had, it is very important that you describe what your company does, and what type of clients they deal with. Your resume will read more effectively if you clearly state the responsibilities of your position and how that relates to what the company does. This sounds rather logical, but in reality, most resumes do not follow this advice.

Assume that the reader (recruiter, hiring manager, HR) knows nothing about your company and what they do. You need to clearly illustrate the connection between your experience and the requirements or duties of the positions you are applying for. Describing your company and what they do will help you accomplish that.

Who We Are

As an executive recruiter for over 20 years, I have seen many different methods used by candidates and recruiters in doing a job search. I have also worked with hiring managers and have learned what thought process they go through in determining what candidate to hire. My goal with this blog is to share experiences and thoughts that might help people in finding a position to their liking or helping companies hire the right person for the right job.

Our entries will come in the form of short stories or short comments related to the area of recruiting and job search. These comments are based on my personal experiences and do not necessarily fit every situation.

The main purpose of this blog is to give you the "reality" in searching for a new job or in the hiring of a new employee. It is important for an individual in a search process, whether they're a candidate or a hiring manager to be realistic in their approach but also in their expectations.

I hope this blog will serve this purpose.