Hire Power

As if looking for a job isn’t already hard enough, try looking for a job AND being pregnant. Disclaimer: I am not speaking from experience on this one, so as usual, this is just my opinion. Let me start by saying, it’s completely illegal for a hiring manager/recruiter to ask you if you’re pregnant. However, if you are obviously showing, it’s usually best to address the topic (you’re not fooling anyone).

There’s no better time to look for a new job than when you actually have a job. Consider yourself lucky that you are gainfully employed and are choosing to seek alternative employment. It can, however, get tricky to find time to job search, interview and maintain your cool during the process. The following tips should help you as you embark on your job search while you are already employed:

Just as it’s important in everyday life, it’s even more important to learn how to accept constructive criticism in the staffing and recruiting world. When you are able to take advice from others you will see yourself in a whole new (and better) light.

Guest Blogger:

Jill Knittel, COO

ER Associates

As is the case in all industries, there can be some shady business in the staffing world, too. Today it’s my mission to help you recognize shady recruiters and shady job-seekers. First, it’s best to learn what a recruiter should do before you understand what they shouldn’t do.

The purpose of a personal pitch is to get the person hooked and eager to learn more about you. This pitch is often called an elevator pitch as you should be able to get your point across in a short amount of time as if you were on (yes, you guessed it) an elevator! Here are the three most import things to remember when preparing and perfecting your pitch:

Have you ever been tempted to add something to your resume because it sounds good? Or on the other hand, maybe you conveniently decided to leave some key details out of your resume in hopes that no one would notice? If there is one piece of advice I could pass along to job seekers it would be this: Honesty is the best policy! Lies will always catch up with you, it’s just a matter of time.

Have you been unemployed for too long and you just can’t seem to catch a break? Maybe it’s time to evaluate your job search strategy and make some changes.

Job seekers, how often have you taken advantage of the information on Glassdoor.com? For those of you who are unfamiliar with the information-packed website, Glassdoor.com is a compilation of reviews about companies, bosses, salary ranges, etc. Past and current employees go online and rate their companies and offer details on the reasons for such ratings. Another huge benefit? Past interviewees share some of the oddball questions you can expect during an interview with a particular company!  

Has your job search slowed during the holiday season? Just because the hiring manager isn’t getting back to you doesn’t mean you should give up the search. Try using this downtime to study up on companies you might be interested in and set your sights on starting a new job in 2012!

Have you ever wondered if you should list certain activities or affiliations on your resume? Well I’m here to let you know what you should and should not include! When it comes to politics and religion you should tread lightly. Unless you are demonstrating that you have held a leadership position for a particular group, opinions and views should be omitted from your resume. If you can show that your involvement with a particular group is directly related to a position you are applying for then yes, you may include it.

Last week’s blog discussed “The Rise of the Video Interview.” For a variety of reasons, many hiring managers are now choosing to do virtual interviews. Part two of the blog series focuses on the best ways to prepare for your small-screen debut!

You are well aware of the importance of a first impression, which is why you wear a suit to a job interview. Right? Well, then why do so many job seekers dress casually when attending a job fair? We are frequently amazed by the number of candidates we see at job fairs who come in wearing t-shirts and torn jeans. It’s extremely important to come to a job fair well prepped and well groomed. Here are a few tips:

Interviews can be nerve-racking, but don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. Your body language can be just as important as the words that come out of your mouth.

Has your job run its course and you need to cut ties? How do you know if it’s the right timing or the right thing to do?

Typos & Misspellings – The most obvious blunder, yet the most common mistake seen, are typos! Spell check doesn’t always catch misspellings or misuse of words. Always double and triple check your resume and have a few friends look it over as well.

We love this article we found on www.HowToNailAnInterview.com!  See below for great ways to prep for your big interview:

1. 10 seconds to sell or say so long

A QR code is a two-dimensional bar code that contains a set of data. This can include text, numbers or even a website link. The QR codes can be read by simply taking a picture with your Smartphone, which will automatically translate the code and load the embedded information.

A few weeks ago we covered the important questions for the hiring manager to ask during an interview. Now it’s time to switch gears and prep those of you who are interviewing!