Going About Your Job Search

I had drinks with a former colleague of mine last night who, unfortunately, is on the job hunt.  Over the course of two hours, we sat talking about the types of companies that are popping up, the ingenuity (and sometimes, pure chance) of the people creating these companies, the opportunities he's interested in, the companies he's interested in, and what he'd love to be doing.

In listening to him talk about how he is going about finding opportunities for himself, it made me realize how many different approaches people take to navigate the job market.  Maybe you are using one of these strategies.  Maybe you aren't using any of them at all.  Perhaps you could use a fresh set of techniques to assist you in your search.

I'll outline some of the most common...

Job Boards.  Oh, the tried and true job boards.  There's something to be said about them.  They've existed this long because the strategy works.  There's a demand and a certain means to find that supply.  Easily searched, easily found.  It is a win-win for both employer and job seeker.

Target Companies.  Who wouldn't want to work for a sexy "brand name" like Facebook, Google, or Pinterest?  We all know those companies and many want to work for them to have the company name on their resume.  In the same regard, however, there are smaller niche companies that tend to attract certain candidates.  In the same way, those job seekers specifically target opportunities at those companies.

Corporate Recruiters.  As a Corporate Recruiter, I say with certainty, that people search LinkedIn for "Corporate Recruiter" and connect with all of them with a note saying something in the likes of "I'm interested in working for your company. Please contact me so we can chat."

Agency Recruiters.  An agency recruiter is one that is contracted out to many companies to fill roles.  They usually have a book full of listings they are trying to fill.  While they are acting as these company's recruiters, they are also building relationships with people like you.  Learning about your likes, dislikes, career history, career progression, and dreams.  I see them as match makers.  If you are in a niche market, find a recruiter that specializes in your trade.

Networking.  How often have you heard the phrase "It's not what you know, it's who you know"?  There's a lot of truth that rings behind this statement.  Someone you meet today, could very well be tomorrow's founder of the next-big-thing.  Your dad's old high school teammate and now fellow Board Member, is now the CEO of *insert big company name here*.  And your ex-girlfriend?  Well, she's the lead recruiter for that position you so eagerly have your eye on.

LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a great way for job seekers to follow companies, find job postings, figure out the people who posted the job posting, and network with people who currently (or formerly) worked there.  Using LinkedIn to network (see above) is also a great use of time for job seekers.  One day, it'll certainly come in handy.

Social Media.  With the popularity of sites like Facebook and Twitter, finding an opportunity via this medium is becoming a new trend.  There are millions of people and companies that have accounts on these networks and "social recruiting" is a growing trend in the recruiting world.  Find, follow, and interact with those companies/individuals that interest you.

Now, you are probably sitting there thinking "Which technique works the best?"  My honest answer: All of the above.

Happy hunting!

The Importance of Candidate Experience

Lately, there has been a lot of focus on the importance of candidate experience.  The value that candidate experience brings to a company is extremely powerful.  A poor candidate experience can ruin an otherwise great company and employment opportunity.  On the other hand, a great candidate experience has the power to give a company that competitive advantage in the hiring market place.

I have come to realize that there are just not enough “positive” candidate experiences out there.  In my own past job searches, I can’t even begin to count the lack of communication, lack of answers, and lack of genuine “care” for my candidacy.  Any offers I received, my preference almost always went to the company that provided me with the best overall interview experience – the one where the recruiter was responsive and kept me informed, where the managers were very informative and interactive, and where I felt I was being treated like a human being rather than a “just another resume”.

When I began my own interview process at SuccessFactors, I was overjoyed to find that my recruiter cared and made my interview experience fantastic.  I could not have asked for more.  As a company, SuccessFactors has always preached that we should “drink our own champagne”.  And, so here I am, as a SuccessFactors Recruiter, sharing how I hope to provide you with a great candidate experience.

SuccessFactors strives to keep as connected as possible with candidates through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn andGoogle+!

To me, the definition of candidate experience is how a company (and its recruiters) approach the recruiting process – how they interact with the candidate, how the candidate feels throughout the process, and ultimately how that all affects the candidate’s decision making process.  I firmly believe that recruiters have the power to influence an applicant’s attitude towards the company.  They are, after all, the first “face” of the company an applicant comes in contact with.

1)     Be warm and knowledgeable.  Answering all candidate questions with warmth and enthusiasm seems to matter heavily in the eyes of the applicant.

2)     You can never over-communicate.  “No news is good news” does not apply in recruiting.  As a recruiter, I try to let my candidates know of their application status weekly and will send them an email even if just to say “I don’t have an update for you yet”.  This goes a long way.  Be honest and keep the candidate as informed as possible – even if they are no longer being considered for the position.

3)     Offer feedback.  The interviewing candidate thought he was a good fit for the role, which is why he got to interview with the manager.  Offer to provide any feedback on why they did not get the job, where their weaknesses were, and/or how they can do better next time.  This falls under the “communication” category (see #2).

4)     Be reachable.  Whether it is by phone, email, or text messages, I try to make myself available to my candidates at all times.  I will answer promptly when they have questions about the interview process, interview preparation, or candidacy updates.  How many times have you felt your recruiter fell off the face of the earth?  Not with me.  I’m at your disposal for any question, big or small. On Twitter or LinkedIn.

In the end, when a candidate has a positive experience, whether they were offered the position or not, they are more likely to recommend the company to a colleague or another candidate, or return again in the future for a new opportunity.

That said, we promise to try to provide you with a great candidate experience.  And, if we’re not, please let us know so we can fix it!  We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you.

** This blog appeared here on the SuccessFactors Blog

Maintaining Recruiter Relationships

In the world of recruiting, building and keeping relationships are key for both parties.  As a recruiter, it benefits us to “keep tabs” on our best candidates, even if we don’t have an opportunity for them right now.  At some point down the line, we will have the perfect opportunity for you and we will reach back out to you to check your interest.  As a candidate, it is in your best interest to maintain a good/professional relationship with your recruiter since they may have the keys to your dream job… in a couple of months.

I cannot tell you how many times I have cut someone out of my network simply because they called 10 times too many in the course of a week, or how many times candidates lowered their “professional wall” because they were not an active viable candidate.

Maintaining recruiter relationships is good.  Setting expectations and boundaries are better.  Here are some ways to make the most out of your recruiter:

1)     Know your skill set.  I have received a number of emails from a number of candidates expressing interest in any and all job openings posted to our job boards.  Did you read the opening and the requirements?  If you don’t have the skill set we are looking for, you will likely not hear back from us.

2)     Be positive.  “Do you KNOW who I am?? I am ’s #1 sales rep and your email is offensive, rude, and unwanted.  Please take me off your spam list.”  You got it.  Coming off as rude will, almost always, put you immediately into our “trash” file.  We are just doing our jobs, and our jobs are to find the best talent out there for our company.  A “thanks, but no thanks” works wonders, and may work in your benefit down the line.

3)     Network.  Whether you are working with an agency recruiter or an in-house recruiter, it’s likely that you have a network of colleagues (or former colleagues) that they may be interested in.  Making this relationship a mutually beneficial one will help keep you on top of a recruiter’s mind.  On the other end, connect with the recruiter via a social media outlet like Twitter or LinkedIn.  Many recruiters are utilizing Social Media tactics to attract and advertise to new talent.

4)      Mind your manners.  When I was in sales years and years ago, I remember being trained by the renowned motivational/sales trainer, Zig Ziglar.  While the outline of his presentation was “Will + Skill + Refill = Success”, he stressed the importance of etiquette.  Calling four times a day, leaving no messages, “Following up on my follow up” emails are not the way to win anyone.  A call/message and/or an email once a week is fine.  Anything more and you run the risk of making yourself look like a pest.  Sell yourself appropriately.

5)     Express thanks.  Today’s recruiters are very proactive, versus the reactive nature of yesteryear’s.  We are headhunting and talking to candidates who are not actively pursuing other opportunities.  We don’t win over every candidate, but we appreciate your appreciation.  Always.

As a recruiter, I ask you to heed some of the above advice.  In return, we promise to keep you in mind for your dream job, speak great things of you to hiring managers, and to provide you with valuable and constructive feedback.

** This blog appeared here on the SuccessFactors Blog

Questions to Ask in an Interview

Interviewer:  Is there anything I can answer for you?
Candidate:  No, I think I know everything I need to know.

Let's face it.  Do you really know EVERYTHING you need to know about the company you're interviewing at?  

You should assume that every interviewer will allow you an opportunity to ask questions of them.  I urge you to ask them!  Engaging the interviewer shows them that you are a part of the conversation, and that you are interviewing them as well.  After all, you will have to be working with them.  On top of looking like you are genuinely interested in the company and the team, it shows you came prepared.  

Below, I list some of the types of questions you can consider asking your potential-future-employer:

• Future of the industry (ie: cloud technology, solar, potato powered cars)
• Growth of the company over the past few years
• Planned future growth of the company
• Company culture
• Team structure / hierarchy 
• Opportunity for growth
• The interviewer's career path

Things you should avoid asking:

• Salary (unless the interviewer brings it up)
• Benefits (unless the interviewer brings it up)
• Soft benefits
• Paid Time Off / PTO
• Sabbaticals
• "Bring your dog to work" day

At the end of the day, remember that an interview is just a conversation.  It should never be question-answer-question-answer.  Make it interactive; make it a give-and-take.  Don't be afraid to ask questions mid-interview.  Don't be afraid to interject if you are confused about the job duties.

Just as much as the company is interviewing you, you are interviewing them.

Using Glassdoor in Your Job Search

When job hunting, how many times have you asked yourself:  Where do I start?  How do I know if this company is good for me?  What’s truly entailed in this position?  If you are anything like me, the answer is:  A LOT!  Starting your job search is, not only daunting, but complicated!

A good site that I have utilized in my own job searches in the past is Glassdoor.com.  This site gives access to a ton of job openings, and gives you an insider’s view of what it is like to truly work there.  These are unedited opinions and statements about the corporate culture, salary, benefits, and company reviews. 

Below, I will outline some questions to ask yourself in your job search, and great ways to utilize Glassdoor in helping you find your dream job!

"What kind of role am I looking for?”  Answering this is the first step in your job search.  Narrowing down your specialties and where your passion lies is helpful in determining which direction to steer your job search.   Utilize Glassdoor’s access to job postings by going to the “Jobs” tab on their webpage and start searching for jobs that fit your background/specialty.

“What kind of company do I want to work for?”  The possibilities are endless.  Software, finance, health care, education, government, venture capital backed start-up, established Fortune 500?  Each company has their own “personality”, so to speak.  Figure out what has worked for you in the past, what has challenged you, what continues to challenge you, and what motivates you.  Once you have done some deep digging, narrow down your Glassdoor search to companies that interest you.

How do I know this company is worth applying to?”  I recommend signing up for a free (and anonymous) Glassdoor account so that once you have narrowed down your search, you can read reviews of each company.  Glassdoor will provide you with unedited, unbiased reviews about said-company – from corporate culture to salary, and pros/cons of working there.   While the information can be helpful, take this information with a grain of salt (and not a “deal breaker”) in your job search.  Interviewing with a company is your best bet when it comes to figuring out whether or not it is the right place for you.

How should I prepare for the interview?”  One of my favorite features of Glassdoor is the access to previously used interview questions.  Some companies recycle their interview questions, and while what is depicted on Glassdoor is helpeful, it should be used as a preparation tool rather than a strict guide.  Having questions formerly used in real-life interviews helps to get your wheels turning and thinking outside of the box.  It can also give you some insight as to the type of candidate they are looking for.

What questions should I ask in the interview?”  This is always a tough section of the interview process.  What do you want to know about the company that isn’t already publically available on the website / Google?  Reading through Glassdoor reviews can give you insight to areas of the company you might have questions about, like “What is the management hierarchy like?” or “What does career progression look like if I started in this position?”

Closing the deal.  Another cool feature of Glassdoor is the salary component.  Once you are on a company’s Glassdoor page, there is a salary tab which gives you information on the low, average, and high end of the compensation scale for a particular position you are interested in.  I like this feature because I feel that it not only allows you to gauge the type of talent the company is interested in, but it also gives you the opportunity to inform yourself before an offer comes to the table.  An employer who is fair to their talent, retains their talent.

I wish you the best in your job search.  It’s tough, but with tools like Glassdoor, it can be a tad easier!  Chin up, and carry on!

What Every College Student Should Post on LinkedIn

Click here for article - What Every College Student Should Post on LinkedIn

As I source through LinkedIn profiles every day, I come across recent college grad profiles that are blank.  Absolutely BLANK.  Their profile has nothing more than their name.  And so many recent grads come to me and ask, "Why can't I get a job?".  

What gives?

I'll tell you.  LinkedIn is vital to your job search these days.  Recruiters use LinkedIn to find you through searching for keywords, location, job titles.  If you don't have words on your profile, you are being overlooked.  So, yes... you have to have pertinent information in your profile to get found. 

While we are on the topic of Social Media.... 

These days, it's so much more than a resume and/or a cover letter.  It's about your social media presence.  What are you posting on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google +, LinkedIn?  Are you posting anything at all?  Recruiters and your future employers are watching (not to sound creepy...).  You are who your social-media portrays.  Take down (or make private) your college photos, clean up your Twitter language, put up a LinkedIn profile that represents who you want to be seen as.  

 This doesn't just target the "recent graduate" audience, but, rather, everyone.

Find Me A Job...

As a Corporate Recruiter, I cannot begin to tell you how many times someone (acquaintances and strangers are equally guilty) will email me their resume and say "I'm interested in working for your company".

GREAT!

But, do us a favor.  Please go to our Job Board and find a position that interests you.  Tell us why you are interested and what makes you a good fit.  If we aren't the recruiter for that position, rest assured that we will forward your resume to the correct recruiter.  While we'd love to help find you a great job, it is not a good use of anyone's time to go back and forth, "Do you like this position? What about this one? Or this one?"  We don't want to make assumptions on what you are interested in and/or what you would be good at.

If you are interested in working for our company...

ABCs Backwards in Under 5 Seconds...

A resume opener like this is a welcomed break in my day.  I'm glad someone has a sense of humor!

6 Seconds

Click here for article - Is Your Resume 6-Second Worthy?

I will admit it.  Recruiters really do spend only seconds on your resume.  It's not you.  It's your resume.  We scan for pertinent skills, expertise, and related industry exposure.  Make your resume easy to read, easy to grab information from, and draw my eyes to something I want to see.

Entice me.

It's really like dating.  How much time do you spend gazing at someone before you determine s/he is worth a conversation with?  Not long.  In that conversation, how quickly do you determine if you continue talking to this person?  Fairly quickly.

Make your resume intriguing.  Make it your own.  Cookie cutter resumes are boring and a dime-a-dozen.  

Now... tell me about yourself.

Job Search Rules to Break

Click here for article - Ten Job Search Rules to Break

I saw this article posted on LinkedIn this morning.  For the most part, I think it's a great read for those on the job hunt.  There is so much unsolicited advice circulating about "how to look for a job".  In the end, it's all a process... sure.  But, it doesn't mean you have to play by the "rules".

I think the biggest take-away from this article is this:  The job hunt isn't what it used to be (think: social media).  The proactive candidates are the ones getting the jobs.  

The Worst Interview Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

As a recruiter, there have been plenty of situations that I have come across that have left me scratching my head.  I once had a candidate who came in to interview at a very business-formal office.  He arrived wearing sweatpants (not joking), then asked for a bathroom so he could change… into jeans and a t-shirt (also not a joke).  He asked me to take his bag to his car for him so that no one saw anything “suspicious”.  The interview day proceeded to unveil a slew of surprises – he didn’t know the company or position he was applying for, did not bring copies of his resume, did not have any questions prepared, and started using inappropriate language with the interviewer!  Little did he know that just because he was an employee’s son, it did not serve him well to disregard interviewing etiquette.

Below are some of the biggest interview mistakes.

1.       Weak handshake.  A good handshake can really make or break an interview; they help make those first impressions.  A handshake should be firm (but not too firm) and enthusiastic.  Maintain eye contact with the other party, and smile.

2.       Being late, sometimes VERY late, to an interview.  Nothing makes a worst impression on your interviewer.  It shows, not only disregard for their time, but also gives some insight to how you may be as an employee.  Leave absurdly early to ensure you are on time to your interview.  However, beware.  Do not arrive TOO early to your interview site.  “Only fools rush in.”  If you are early, head to the closest coffee shop or restaurant.

3.       Being rude to the receptionist.  Oftentimes, EVERY party involved in the interview process (from recruiter, to receptionist, to managers) take a part in the hiring decision.  If you are rude to the front desk, how will you act towards other colleagues?  Smile, be courteous, and treat them as if they are your employer.

4.       Dressing incorrectly.  The rule of thumb, “don’t judge a book by their cover”, goes completely out the window when it comes to interviews.  A lot of the time, the decision as to whether or not they like you is made within the first few minutes.  The remainder of that interview only helps the interviewer validate their initial judgment.  First impressions count.

5.       Bringing a friend.  We understand that you may have nerves, or that you needed a ride to your interview.  But actions like this scream “dependency” and most employers want someone who is independent and ready to do anything at a whim’s notice.   Leave them outside the building, and especially outside the reception area.

6.       Not doing homework.  Please, please, please.  Do research on the company that you are interviewing with.  Coming to an interview unprepared shows a lack of care and interest.  Learn about the company, the brand, its products/services, and competitors.  Formulate questions around information you find, and around things you did not – like, “what is the culture like?”

7.       Saying negative things about your former employer.  It is a shame you were fired, or that you didn’t get along with your boss, or that you hated the corporate structure.  Leave those feelings at home, and don’t ever badmouth your former workplace.  This will only brand you as a complainer.  Instead, focus on the positive things you took away from the experience and find ways to grow from it.

And finally…

8.       Name dropping.  Your attempts at playing the “I know so-and-so” can backfire terribly.  Many employers will, no doubt, contact these individuals and ask for “backdoor references”, and they may not come back favorably.  A better way to use internal contacts is to have your contact introduce you directly to the appropriate individual.

Bear in mind that these are just guidelines.  But also be aware that as much as you are being interviewed, you are interviewing the company for the best fit for yourself.  So, take an interest in your career path, and take these informative meeting seriously.