Thompson's Recruiting Tips

Hello and welcome to my blog!  My name is Keri Thompson, and I am a recruiter with That's Good HR, a staffing agency that's been in business for over 10 years. 

Personally, I have been in recruiting for the last 10 years and have seen quite a few changes in this business over the past decade.  Some for the better and some for the worse.  Here at TGHR, I mainly focus on Accounting, Finance, HR, and occassional Operations positions when they arise. 

I love matching the right person to the right job and it's important to understand what both sides are looking for.  It's a great feeling when you can create a perfect marriage between a client and a candidate and it truly makes me happy when my clients and candidates are happy!

Please feel free to contact me if there's any area of interest that you'd like to hear more about!  My email is: keri.thompson@thatsgoodhr.com.  Also, check out our website to learn more about us and check out any open jobs that we are working on.

Thanks and happy reading!!

Congratulations!

You’ve finally landed that elusive job interview, hopefully through the guidance of your ever so helpful That’s Good HR recruiter!  Throughout my previous blogs, I’ve been giving you pointers and ideas on how to write your resume, how to handle the phone interview, what to say, what not to say, and a few other helpful hints during your job search.  Now that you’ve landed the interview and are all set to meet with the hiring manager or HR, what do you need to do to help close the deal?

One of the most important things that you can do during the interview is to sell yourself and your skills.  You are most likely not the only person interviewing for this position, so you need to stand apart from your competition.  Now…hear me out.  I’m not talking about being cocky or over the top.  Most hiring managers aren’t going to hire you if you walk in and start bragging about how lucky the company would be to have you and how you deserve to win an award for being the most awesome employee in the world.  However, they aren’t going to hire you if you’re so modest, no one ever knows that you’ve done anything successful in your life at all!  So, where is that balance?  And how do you “sell” yourself without coming across as being arrogant?

Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments during the interview.  It’s not bragging if you’re simply stating the facts about what you’ve done to help your current or previous employer.  Make sure you focus on M.S.A.  Made, Saved, Achieved.  For example:  “I caught an error in a financial spreadsheet that ended up saving the company $450,000 in potential losses”.   Or, “Led cross functional team efforts related to product management including a sourcing project which resulted in 5% cost reduction through increased purchasing leverage".  Use tangible examples that get to the point and showcase your abilities.  And, be prepared to talk in detail about what you did to get to this accomplishment.  Whatever you do, don't lie about anything!  Don't take credit for something you didn't do.  It will end up hurting you in the end and it's not worth it.

I know not everyone is comfortable talking about themselves during the interview process.  Just remember, it's what the hiring manager is looking for and wants to hear.  If you have any questions or want assistance in your job search, contact a Recruiter at That's Good HR today!  317-469-4141

Historically, the phone screen has been a tool that HR professionals use to quickly identify whether or not a candidate should be brought in for a full length interview. The standard phone screen would take 10 minutes max, and would be a very brief discussion of the candidate’s background. More recently, the phone “screen” has become an in depth phone “interview”. Recruiters and hiring managers are using this interview to rule candidates in or rule them out. This critical step in the recruiting process is often your first chance to really “wow” your potential employer. The phone interview should never be taken lightly and there are certain rules that you must follow in order to improve your chances of being successful. Here are a few tips to help make your phone interview a success:

1)      Dress as though you’re meeting someone in person.
While you don’t need to put your best suit and newly shined shoes on, the least you should do is get out of your pajamas and put on something professional. This will help you get in the right mindset. Don’t set your alarm to wake up 5 minutes before your interview! Get up, brush your teeth, talk to someone (yourself if you have to!) so that you can warm up your voice. People can tell when you’ve just rolled out of bed!

 

2)      Don’t talk and drive.
Find a spot with clear reception if you have a cell phone. Or, better yet, use a land line in a quiet room. You never want to be driving when you’re on a phone interview. The last thing you want to deal with is a dropped call. Be somewhere where you can sit and take notes, and most importantly, be focused!

 

3)     Get on the Internet.
Have the company’s website pulled up, check out the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile, take advantage of the resources that you have access to. A quick caveat…if you are easily distracted, print off some information before your interview and turn the computer off. I’ve conducted a few interviews where I could tell the person was surfing while we were talking, and that is a major turn off. You know yourself better than anyone…stay focused but take advantage of the resources around you!

 

4)      Be concise, but thorough.
Usually you have between 30 and 45 minutes for a phone interview. Make sure that you are answering all questions in a succinct, detailed manner. While this can be challenging, it will help you look professional and well spoken. Practice answering some of the standard interview questions (View some questions here) in the mirror so that you are prepared. You want to make sure you allow 10 minutes or so towards the end of your interview to ask questions that are important to you, so keep a watchful eye on the clock.

 

5)     Smile.
I can always tell when someone is smiling when I’m conducting a phone interview. When you smile, you sound happy and it’s easier to have a conversation. In addition to smiling, make sure your voice is strong and projecting well. Be confident in your abilities and skills and you’ll have a better chance of being called in for an in person interview.

 

6)      Don’t forget to ask about next steps.
If you are interested in pursuing the opportunity, make sure to close the interviewer.  Ask them what the next step will be and make sure you get their email address so that you can send a thank you email. 

These 6 steps can't guarantee that you will be selected to come in for the next interview, but they will definitely increase your chances.  These days there is significantly more competition for all Indianapolis job openings.  If you need help with your Indianapolis job search, call us today to schedule a meeting with one of our Executive Recruiters!  Visit our website for contact information - view our Meet our Staff page to learn more about our professional recruiters.

Now that the days of summer are getting shorter and shorter, vacations are wrapping up and the kids are back at school, most of us are turning our focus back to our daily routines and our careers.  For those of us who love what we do and have no problem getting out of bed in the morning, feel free to stop reading now!  For those of you who dread Sunday nights, hate going to work in the morning and just can't seem to get motivated, check out this article for some tips on how to get and stay motivated at work. 

Here are a few additional tips to stay motivated:  

1)  Understand Expectations!
If you don't know what you're supposed to be doing, how are you going to be successful?  And if you're not successful, there's no motivation to continue what you're doing.

2)  Reward Yourself! 
Set goals for yourself and when you accomplish them, do something good for YOU! 

3)  Have a Positive Outlook!
Don't let yourself get pulled into to office drama, stay away from those people who have a negative attitude.  Negativity slows you down, zaps your energy and drains the life out of you and the people around you.  Find things that make you happy, surround yourself with positive energy, listen to upbeat music throughout the day.  Soon you'll find yourself getting through the days without looking at the clock every 10 minutes!


If these tips just don't work for you, and you feel like nothing is going to help change your attitude about work, maybe it's time to start your Indianapolis job search!  For information on Indianapolis job openings and to talk to someone about a new career, call us at 317-469-4141 and ask to speak to a professional recruiter at That's Good HR.

As the economy is slowly improving, the Indianapolis staffing industry is picking up and we're seeing more companies hiring and more candidates interviewing every day.  More interviews equate to more offers, which means more and more people are making that long walk to their boss's office to have the dreaded “I’m Leaving” conversation.  For some people, it’s an open and shut conversation.  You give your notice, your boss accepts, and you figure out your last day.  For others, it’s more complicated.  Just when you think your conversation is over, your boss asks you “what would it take for you to stay here?”.  A counteroffer has been presented!  Your boss comes back with an attractive offer to stay and now you’re thinking to yourself “what should I do?”.  Do you accept the counter?  Or should you stick to your guns and let your boss know that your decision to leave has been made.

Here are a few things to think about if you happen to land yourself in this situation.

1. Question how much the company actually values what you do. Would they have made the counteroffer if you were not leaving?
   
2. Will your company start looking for a new person at a lower salary price now that they know you are not loyal?
3. Most likely, your future loyalty to the company will be in question.
4. When promotion time comes around, will your boss hold anything against you?  Will your counterpart be promoted over you because they’re not sure of your longevity?
5. When times get tough, your employer may begin the cutback with you.
6. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counteroffer.
7. Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year is extremely high.
8. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your co-workers may never be the same. You may lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.

Every company is different, and there are times when a counteroffer does result in a happy employee and a happy employer.  Make sure that if you decide to stay, you’re staying for the right reasons!
Click here to read a great article on counteroffers.

Have you experienced a counteroffer?  We’d love to hear your story!

 

A few days ago I had an interview with a candidate who was beginning to become very frustrated regarding her current Indianapolis job search.  She wasn't getting called when sending her resume into companies, she wasn't getting any feedback following her interviews, and she kept getting "ding" emails from companies letting her know that they were passing on her, but with no specific reasons.  As someone who was recently looking for a new Indianapolis Career, I could relate to her and wanted to do whatever I could to help her figure out where things were going wrong.

I spent about an hour and a half with this person, digging into her interview style, how she answers questions, walking through her resume, and talking about the positions to which she is applying.  What I learned was pretty interesting and made it very clear to me why she wasn't getting the results she wanted.  

What were her challenges?

1)  Know your Experience!
The first thing that stood out like a sore thumb was that she was applying to positions that she wasn't qualified for.  If you are a financial analyst with 3 years of experience, you probably don't qualify for a CFO position that is requiring 10-15 years of experience.  Don't take it personally, but it's not quite your time for that type of opportunity.

2)  Impress your Interviewer!
When I asked her more info about the companies to which she had applied, she knew basic information.  Name of company and what they did.  She didn't take the time to do more research on the company.  This is critical when you're going into an interview!  Know your facts, know a little about the financials, know the history of the company.  The more you know, the better chance you have of making a lasting impression on the people with whom you meet.

3)  Be Honest!
We all know the statistics.  According to research from the Society for Human Resource Managers, 53% of people lie on their resume in some way.  When we were going through her resume, I noticed some dates that didn't line up.  She had fibbed a bit on the dates to make a few gaps in her employment "disappear", and didn't realize that she didn't do her math correctly.  She also told me that she was a few credits short of receiving a college degree, when on her resume she listed her date of graduation and type of degree obtained.  These are big "no-no's", and employers will find out!  Companies do background checks, degree verification checks, employment checks.  Be honest up front, it's always easier than the alternative!

4)  Have Enthusiasm!
No one expects you to come into an interview doing cartwheels up and down the hallway.  But, it is nice for you to come in with a positive attitude, energy, and a smile on your face.  During my interview with this candidate, I could see the lack of excitement, energy and optimism she was feeling.  We all know that job hunting takes a lot out of you, but you have to go into each interview with the attitude that this could be the one!  If you're lackluster and feeling depleted, it's hard to convince interviewers that you have the drive and ambition to do the job well and to advance within the company.


These were just a few of the issues that I uncovered during my meeting with her.  Check out this article from CareerBuilder that lists out a few other reasons why you may not be getting the results that you are hoping for during your quest for a new opportunity!

If you need help finding Indianapolis job openings, or if you're looking for and executive headhunter (or recruiter, as we like to be called!) please call That's Good HR and ask to speak to one of our experienced recruiters.  We would love to help you!

I was having a discussion with a fellow recruiter yesterday and at the tail end of our conversation, we started talking about some of the hiring trends and challenges that we are facing with clients regarding the candidate selection process.  We have both noticed that more and more employers are turning away resumes from people who are currently not working.  He brought a very disturbing article to my attention from the Huffington Post about a few company's philosophies around hiring people who are currently without a job.   The article sites a few examples of job ads that specifically ask people who are currently unemployed NOT apply to their positions!    

Let’s step back and think about this.  The latest unemployment rate, as of May 2010, is 9.3%.  That’s roughly 15 million people currently without employment and this only accounts for those actively looking for work, not that actual number of people out of work.  As of April 30^th, 2010, there are 3.1 million open jobs.  For companies who are unwilling to look at people who are currently unemployed to fill these positions, it’s going to be even more challenging to fill that open seat, which means more money lost due to inactivity and lost productivity. 

Why would a company not want to receive resumes from those who are unemployed?  I’ll play the devil’s advocate and repeat a few of the reasons that I’ve been given by hiring managers over the years.  “Companies only downsize poor performers”, “Unemployed people don’t have good skills, otherwise they would be employed”, “Unemployed people typically have a negative attitude”.  The reality is, yes, sometimes those who are downsized or let go are poor performers.   If you’re fortunate enough to have a great recruiter working with you, he/she should be able to dig into the background of these candidates to find out the truth behind why they are unemployed.  And yes, maybe you’ll get a handful of resumes from unemployed people who don’t match the skills that you are looking for.  Something tells me that you’re going to get a handful of resumes from employed people who don’t have the skill set you’re looking for, either.

The bottom line is, there are people out there who have lost their job through no fault of their own.  Companies are downsizing, closing, off-shoring…doing whatever they can to cut costs in an economy that has been severely struggling for the past several years.  If you are a recruiter or hiring manager, before you discard a resume due to current unemployment, take a second and really look at the resume.  If the person has the skills you are looking for, give them a chance.  We all need to work together to lower our unemployment numbers, and it starts with each of us making a conscious decision to do our part. If you end up hiring the wrong person at the end of the day it is because something is wrong with your vetting process and I am guessing very little to do with the employment status of the qualified candidates you review.  What do you think?

We all know how frustrating it can be to search through all of those Indianapolis Job openings for the right one for you.  We also all know how exciting it is when you finally land that interview for the right job with the perfect company!  You feel like you've got a background that is an exact match, a personality that will knock anyone dead, and a power suit that makes you feel great even on your worst day.  Hiring trends are looking up and it is your time to shine!

You get up the morning of your interview, do some additional research on the company, practice your answers to some of the interview questions that you know will be asked, and you're ready to walk out the door.  What could possibly go wrong?  You feel like you are ready to conquer the world, right?  Well, before you go running out that door, make sure you follow these simple rules as found on CareerBuilder.com. Here is a brief overview for you...

1)  Don't arrive too early for your interview.                     
If you get into the parking lot more than 15 minutes early, hang out there for a few minutes.  Employers want you to respect their time, and if they know you're 45 minutes  early, sitting in the waiting room, they could get a little annoyed.  Recommended time to arrive would be 5-10 minutes early.

2)  Don't sound too desperate.
Be confident, let them know you've done your research on the position and the company, and show them that you're interested in working for them.  Don't make it seem like you are only in search of someplace that will give you a paycheck.  They want to know that you're running TO them, not away from something else. 

3)  Don't be crazy about your follow up.
That's Good HR has talked about this in previous blog posts.  Max follow up we recommend is one thank you card via mail, and one thank you email.  Though, one or the other is just fine.  There is no need to send 5 emails, leave 3 voice mail messages and stop by the office to follow up.  When they are ready to get in touch with you, they will.  Unfortunately, not all interviewers are good at retuning follow up.  This usually means (not always) that you will not be moving forward in the process.  If this is the case, bow out gracefully and move on in your search.

4)  Keep trash talking out of the interview.
May seem basic, right?  Don't say anything bad about your current or former employer, coworkers, or anyone for that matter.  Be respectful, no employer wants to hire someone who seems to have a chip on their shoulder.  Bottom line, be positive!!

5)  Know what you want and where you want to go.
Sure, we all at some point in our career will question what we really want to be doing or where we really want to be working.  But, during an interview, employers want to see someone with direction.  Have a path in mind and be ready to sell the reasons why you want to take your career in that direction.

There is no guarantee that following these steps will get you that perfect job, but it will definitely help you leave a great impression!  At That's Good HR, we specialize in preparing our candidates to be able to have the most successful interviewing experience possible. 

Over the last 10 years, I have seen some very interesting resumes come across my desk.  From candidate’s full length photos to birthdates and names of children, to social security numbers.  In today’s age of social media where everyone seems to know everything about everyone, this should not be your attitude while searching for a job. 

At That's Good HR, we like to help candidates while they're searching for Indianapolis Job Openings to keep your resume simple and succinct.  You'll have a better chance of landing that first interview.

After doing some research to see what other people are seeing out there, I came across a few articles that do a great job detailing what you should avoid putting on your resume.  Here’s one source that caught my attention.

While some things are more obvious no-no’s than others, here are a few things they listed that you may or may not be aware of that you should remove from your resume.

1)       College Graduation Date
2)       Irrelevant Experience
3)       Jobs from long ago and far away
4)       Personal Information
5)       Gaps in History
6)       PHOTOS!!

The article briefly hits on social networking sites as well.  Makes sure that your profile pictures on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and any other site is cleaned up and doesn’t show you doing a keg stand in your living room at your last house party.  While we all like to have a little fun, this isn’t what you want a potential employer seeing when they do a google search on you.  And trust me, they will.

Remember, your resume is your first impression.  It represents you and what you can do for a company.  Make sure it’s professional, honest and to the point.  Professional recruiters like myself are also a great resource for helping you to get your resume into shape as you pursue your next career move.