How to Spot a Good Recruiter from a Bad Recruiter

How to Spot a Good Recruiter from a Bad Recruiter There seems to be  a large, growing  population that views  the profession of third party recruiting  as  a  useless industry. They find recruiters  to be greedy, selfish and caring more about the commission checks they cash than the people they place.  Used car salesmen are starting to get better reputations. As a seasoned recruiter I take offense to this. It pains me to hear people talk so poorly about a profession I  have worked so hard at and take so seriously. At the same time, as a seasoned recruiter, I’ve seen enough to know these people deserve to look down on the recruiting industry.  They  are well within their  rights  to put a recruiter down and diminish the profession.  Unfortunately there are recruiters out there that are proving them right.  If you have a LinkedIn account, a few hundred bucks to get set up on CareerBuilder and a working phone line you can call yourself a recruiter. There is no degree to get into the field. And for most agencies there really aren’t any  specific  qualifications to be hired  either, which means anytime you receive a call from a recruiter you are either about to work with someone who can change your life, or waste 5 minutes of your time. It’s that latter part that causes such ill feelings about the profession. Dealing with someone who doesn’t value your time or more importantly, your career, can cause these negative opinions, and I don’t blame candidates for feeling this way. I want to highlight  5  points to ensure that when you do get that call, you  will know if they are worth working with or not: 1) Do they understand what is important to you? What I am about to say here is no surprise: recruiters are compensated by their clients, and, as such, the loyalty lies where the money  stream flows. The bad recruiter only sees this and their process is pretty simple. They  will get you on the phone, determine if you are a fit and move on. The good recruiter sees the bigger picture. They  will make sure that they are gathering the information that is important to your career, and if it matches the open job, then great, we are one step closer to a placement. If not, that’s  OK  too. Knowing what is important to the candidate will help  the recruiter  determine what future positions make sense to approach you about. Bad recruiters will sacrifice the long term relationship for immediate results. RELATED: Are Recruiters Really Bad People? 2) How much do they know about the job? Give me 10 minutes with  the most entry level  recruiter and I can get them to take a half decent job order from a hiring manager. Believe me,  it’s  not difficult. But what do they really know about the job? Of all things, this is probably the top complaint from candidates. However, candidates  must be realistic. Some information is just hard to get as a recruiter  because a client does not want to give too much to a third party. But a good recruiter will dive deeper they should understand why the position is open, how many people are on the team, how long  their client has been in business and  what personality traits are important to the hiring manager among many other things. If a recruiter is just reading off of a job description and hasn’t done their homework, look out. RELATED: The Principles of Being a Better Recruiter 3) Knowledge of your skill sets: Another popular complaint from candidates is recruiters not understanding their industry. This is an easy thing to be angry about because you take pride in what you do to have some person you never met try and tell you if those skills  that took you years to acquire  match a  few bullet points on a piece of paper  can feel intrusive and offensive. Recruiters aren’t Web Developers, CNC Machinists or Executive Assistants, they are recruiters, and their job isn’t to pretend to be something they aren’t. However, a good recruiter should do some research on what they are hiring for they should be able to talk to you with some level of understanding what it takes to get the job done for the position they call you about and they should be comfortable enough to be honest about not having the same knowledge of your industry as you do. RELATED: What Skills Do Employers Want from Candidates? [INFOGRAPHIC] 4) Follow up skills: A good recruiter should keep you informed throughout the process after all they are the middle man! If you go several days without hearing from  your recruiter, and they will not return your calls, that’s a concern. It’s unfortunate but more times then not a client will go silent on recruiters and there is nothing they can do about it, however that should not mean you shouldn’t hear from the recruiter! The recruiter should be keeping you up to date on whatever it is that’s going on. They haven’t heard back from the client in 3 days? Well you should know that. And realize that the recruiter can only do so much to get an answer from them during those times. RELATED: How to Contact Recruiters on Social Media [Best Ways] 5) Detail oriented: What is the recruiter’s process? Is it a 5 minute call and the next thing you know you are interviewing with a client? Although sometimes that is the case, for the most part your conversation should be pretty  thorough the recruiter should fully  walk you through every part of the job,  prepare you  thoroughly  for  any interview and take the  time to walk you through each step. You aren’t a child and shouldn’t  be treated as such, but this person has  taken a  lot of time understanding  the position they have approached you about, the least they could  do  is share  their experience for your benefit. Conclusions: I understand the decision  to lump recruiters in the same bucket. Even a few poor experiences can ruin your outlook on the entire profession.  However by doing that you are only hurting yourself. Countless times I have called candidates about a position only to be answered with “I don’t deal with recruiters!” What you refuse to “deal” with is my connections and relationships that  I have worked hard for, that  will leverage you to that next position you have been searching for. What I suggest to candidates I work with is find a recruiter who staffs your industry and works with the major employers you want to work with and build a relationship with them.  Ensure they are the type of recruiter that understands your career goals and can align you with the right hiring managers.  They may not have an immediate opening, but chances are they have already established a relationship with the  company that eventually decides to hire you.

The Most Basic Dog Walker Resume

The Most Basic Dog Walker ResumeA good dog walker resume is more than just one page of bullet points. In order to help your application stand out from the rest, you need to make it standout and make your resume stand out. The first thing that you need to do is to list the most important qualities of your job. These should be as follows:First, it should contain the most basic service that you offer. This is because you have to show how much your company values you by how you express this. If you simply state what you do for your employer, chances are they won't want to hire you. Always try to include your unique contribution in a way that you will be remembered and kept in mind.Secondly, there should be a little something about the most important service that you can offer. This is important, for it shows how much you understand your clients. You need to be able to bring them the best out of their life. Show them that you can make them feel better. This is important because you can't expect to show them how much you care if you're not able to show how caring you are.Thirdly, your services should involve some aspects that have to do with the quality of your customer. These are going to determine how good your customer is going to be to you. You also have to show your ability to adapt to their lifestyle. Make sure that you can get them out of their misery.Fourthly, there should be a specific word or phrase that describes the service that you provide. Remember, this is your defining attribute that will allow you to show how much you know your customers. This is the one thing that is going to allow you to stand out from the rest. You should also have a specific goal for the service that you offer.Fifthly, you need to focus on the four distinct parts of the service that you provide. This is important because you need to give a clear description about your services. This will allow you to communicate your requirements better.Your resume should be able to make a person understand why they should hire you. By doing this, you are going to be able to communicate what they see. The best way to do this is to tell your customer what they are going to get from hiring you.This is the most basic dog walker resume that you can have. Use these steps to write your resume and have a great resume.

Shoe Shopping for Fashion and Function

Shoe Shopping for Fashion and Function Womens addiction to shoes is undeniable. There is something therapeutic about slipping on a pair of brand new beauties and taking them home with you. Whats unknown, or maybe just unsaid, by many is that theres the shoe collection that we proudly showcase  stacked in nice shelves,  then theres the super comfy pair that we travel in and  stash  in a spare shoe bag before we glam up. When I was working in PR, I came in to work everyday in a trusty pair of flats, and changed into stilettos when it was time to power up my outfit. Lets face it, beautiful as they are, those stilettos are not really the most comfortable pair to strut in while in commute. Girls need to be more conscious of taking care of their feet. The beating that we give our feet in our youth will be paid for  in form of foot pain, bunions, and corns later on in life, so it is important to take care of your precious stompers, so a comfortable pair for daily use is a must-have. But why hide them? Why not go shoe shopping   for both style and function? Its possible! Here are some tips on shoe shopping for fashion and function. 1. If you have no time to shop in a boutique, you can find orthopedic shoes that are also stylish in online shops. This way you can get a number of designers in one place. Just be sure to shop with your size in mind and utilize the internet to do your research. Check for reviews and recommended designs.   You can also find great deals from many retailers, like Sears online coupons 2.  If you are shopping in person, do it at the end of the day. Your feet expands through out the day. 3.  Even when buying fashionable shoes,make sure you can still  wiggle your toes. Squished toes increases your risk for  corns and bunions. 4.  Flats are not always advisable since they put pressure on the wrong part of your feet do not provide arch support. Get a shoe with a half inch to an inch for your daily use instead of flats or flipflops. 5. When buying for height, wedges are your best friend. Save the stiletto for a special occasion, and go with a sensible wedge. Wedges can look really fashonable without compromising comfort. The higher you ant to go make sure the front end platform goes higher as well, so in essence you are only standing on a 2-3 inch heel. 6. Look for color and embellishments instead of height. There are even footwear that have color changing technology now! 7. Make sure your feet does not slip forward when walking. A strap can be very pretty and can also help save your toes! 8. When shoe shopping, look for shoes lined with soft material inside to make sure that your feet does not rub against hard material. Check how it is made inside from stitching to material, as this can affect how long you can walk in them without developing a blister. Dont swipe that card just cause theyre pretty on your feet. Invest on a pair thats good for you. If you already have physical issues, consider shoes for back pain or whatever the issue may be. After all, you can get many shoes but you only get one pair of feet, so be sure to care for them. Biggest tip of all, you dont need killer heels to strut your stuff. Put on some confidence and you can turn the simplest of outfits into a fabulous ensemble.

Easily Exceed Year End Goals - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Easily Exceed Year End Goals - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Given that the end of summer is fast approaching many are preparing to take vacation. During this more relaxed time period, spend ample time anticipating what may be achieved upon everyone’s return to work. Dates to Review If you haven’t already, in the future ask your clientele when they anticipate taking vacation. Note the dates on your calendar to wish them a nice time away. The gesture will be appreciated and remembered serving to further build relationships. New Business Review Two lists are to be maintained through the year consisting of current and prospective clientele. Use your database to track when you need to follow-up to schedule meetings and continue conversations. Sales Goals Sales professional are familiar with the fact that most business is conducted the last quarter of the year. The reason is companies are careful to not spend their entire budget during the year, but the remainder will be lost if isn’t entirely spent. Therefore, it seemingly becomes the holiday season of giving when it comes to buying and selling, particularly the last quarter. Entrepreneurial Review Recall what your favorite moments were during the summer and why that might be the case. This may provide impetus for furthering that particular venue or creating something complementary. As Fall approaches, you will already have formulated ideas for your improved or complementary products and services to provide clientele. Two Lists Promise yourself to contact every single person previously connected with who expressed some interest during the year.   Create a primary and secondary list of people to contact. To build momentum and excitement about the “have-to” follow-up, call the secondary list first. The idea is to become very comfortable with this activity before you approach the serious prospects. The important factor is to further build relationships with everyone you meet.   As you begin to feel good about the sound connections being made, call those on your primary list. September Goal The calls should lead to 2-3 serious daily meetings for the month of September. You might suggest coffee with entrepreneurs or formal meetings with an executive’s team of decision makers at the corporate site. Agenda for Meetings After exchanging pleasantries, briefly recap why you asked to meet. Next, suggest you exchange updates and have the prospective client speak first.   This allows you to recognize a match and potential new ideas they might try.   By the end of the updates, you will know how to position what you have to say to their interests. The goal will be to obtain an official date to begin doing business. Joy vs. Pressure in Meetings By December, pressure is is felt with the countdown to build your own business or make quota per the corporate requirement prior to the holidays.   But with the holiday spirit is in the air it is important to do you best to maintain that cheerful feeling while in meetings. The first question in this case should be, “Do you have special plans for the holidays?”   This puts the conversation on a relaxed footing yet you may bring it back for a serious discussion. As everyone comes to agreement on the benefits of what you have to offer, specifically ask to get started in December.   Seeing a nod, present the paperwork ready to go. Using time efficient strategies as well as focused follow-up will increase the popularity of your personal brand.  Best of all, you will be enjoying the holidays and the  Smooth Sale!

How to Present a Resume Properly

How to Present a Resume ProperlyYou should do your best to make sure that your application to a job isn't completely ruined by using poor spelling and grammar on your resume. It may seem like a small thing, but you can greatly affect your application with an average resume, as employers will have much less information to go on if the written application is error free. You may also use your resume in many different ways to get in touch with different jobs.One of the most important things to remember is that a true phrase conveys the exact meaning of what it is written about. It is extremely important that you don't use any special characters on your resume, since they are going to appear on the initial screening interview. If you can present a resume that accurately describes what you are applying for, you can dramatically increase your chances of getting the job.One of the easiest ways to present a true statement on your resume is to present it as a question. For example, you can wri te on a resume that you know how to present a laser pointer, or that you can present a human being. The reason that this works so well is that an employer will instantly know that the line of inquiry was the one that you were searching for.Never use filler words such as 'and'or' to fill out a sentence. These words are considered filler, and if they are used it can ruin a resume. If you really have to use a filler word, make sure you place it in the next to last sentence or paragraph to be sure that it is noticed.Another common mistake made by many people is that they use double negatives. If you want to say that something is not the case, it is best to type the negative in quotes. Your employer can still use the words 'not the case,' because it is still a word, but it will be clearly noted that the statement is a negation.When writing a resume, it is important to do the proper formatting. This includes filling in all the blanks, or typos, and checking your spellings before you print the document. If you are unsure of your own writing skills, it is wise to seek out someone to help you.Don't procrastinate. When you get stuck on a certain part of your resume, take a break and think about it. If you continue to let a resume sit for days or weeks without correcting mistakes or getting help from a professional, you are going to lose a lot of job opportunities.If you have any questions or concerns about the way you are spelling or writing, or the way that a specific area is formatted, you need to ask someone. Don't wait until you're really stuck to make a mistake, because you'll never know if you will run into a job that you are seeking. When you know how to present a resume properly, you'll be much more likely to get the job that you've applied for.

How Women Can Negotiate a Salary That Isnt Half What Their Male Predecessor Earned

How Women Can Negotiate a Salary That Isnt Half What Their Male Predecessor Earned Recent reports regarding GM CEO Mary Barras salary suggested she was earning half what her male predecessor, Dan Akerson earned. And while the latest reports note that GM has clarified that when Barras total compensation of base pay, short-term, and long-term compensation is disclosed later this year, the numbers will represent more equitable pay between the two, the incident has brought the issue of unequal pay for women to the forefront again.There are several issues that can impact pay for women, including a higher percentage of females leaving the workforce temporarily to raise children or a larger number accepting part-time jobs, but there is also research to suggest that the way women approach the salary negotiation process may be at play as well.The mechanics of the negotiation are the same for men and women, but the strategies often vary between the two sexes. Personality, style, and gender are all contributing factors that influence the outcome of the conversation. Here are four differences I have observed between male and female negotiation styles (and what you can do to level the playing field):1.) Relationships vs. Outcomes Women tend to value relationships over outcomes and are willing to compromise in an effort to keep the relationship intact. Some can be people pleasers who generally do not like conflict and confrontation, and many women associate salary negotiation with conflict. In a study by Babcock, Gelfund, Small, and Stayn,  Propensity to Initiate Negotiations,  men and women participated in an internet survey to identify if they believed it was appropriate to negotiate in various work-related fictitious situations. As a group, women were less likely than men to choose negotiation as an option, even though they recognized that negotiation was appropriate.Men tend to leverage relationships to achieve their goals. They ask for a particular salary with less compromise and are concerned with outcomes. They worry less about how their negotiation s affect the relationship. Their straight-forward approach can work well, especially for short-term financial gain.Recommendation: Women can be successful negotiators by positioning their needs as part of a collaborative process. By listening to a potential employer’s needs and recommending outcomes that benefit both parties, women and men can get what they want for themselves and preserve the relationship at the same time.2.) Needs vs. Wants Many women may make decisions about salary based on what they feel they need rather than what the market will bear. They use past salary as their benchmark and may rationalize that a similar or slightly higher salary is what they should ask for. Since employers tend to reward people no more than they require, women are at risk for receiving less competitive packages than their male counterparts.Men are more likely to ask for what they want. Cultural norms may be at play here, since historically it has been acceptable for men to be assertive i n the business world, while women who are tend to be viewed as aggressive or difficult to work with. In a study by Small, Babcock, and Gelfund,  Why Don’t Women Ask,  participants were asked to play a game and offered $3 as compensation. If participants asked for more, they would receive $10. Almost nine times as many males asked for more money, suggesting that men ask for what they want more frequently than women.Recommendation: Women can improve their negotiation skills by knowing their market value. Sites such as Salary.com,  Payscale.com, and  Glassdoor  help job seekers define a potential range of salaries for a particular job. By doing your research and presenting the business case for your requested salary, you improve your bargaining power and diffuse potential cultural biases.3.) External vs. Internal Centers of Influence Women may be more likely to assume that hard work alone will be recognized and rewarded with a promotion and/or increased monetary compensation. They of ten wait for external factors and group consensus to determine their opportunities for advancement.Men more frequently take matters into their own hands and believe they influence their opportunities and promotions. They are less inclined to stay in dead-end jobs and more likely to ask for a raise when they feel the situation warrants one. In the Propensity to Initiate Negotiations survey, researchers found that women were 45 percent less likely to see the importance of asking for what they want.Recommendation: Women can increase their opportunities for promotion by taking a proactive approach to their career development that includes reporting accomplishments regularly, taking on high-profile assignments, and developing influential networking relationships within the organization.4.) Low vs. High Goal Setting Women may set more modest goals than men and they generally make concessions earlier in the negotiation process. As a result, women typically have lower salaries than men in s imilar positions.A study by Riley, Babcock, and McGinn, Gender as a Situational Phenomenon in Negotiation,  revealed that men typically set goals for negotiation conversations that are 15 percent higher than women. By going into the negotiation process with higher goals, men can often receive better initial offers and additional leverage in the negotiation process. In subsequent negotiations, employers often assume that applicants with better compensation records are more capable than those who have been paid less.Recommendation: Women should adopt a negotiation style that meets their individual needs, but both should incorporate ambitious targets into their negotiation strategy. When you negotiate your compensation package you are not just negotiating your starting salary, but you are directly impacting every salary increase you receive from that point forward.While most job-seekers are intensely interested in how to negotiate the best package, few realize the importance of creatin g their own style and developing a set of best practices for their negotiations. Whether you are a man or a woman, these strategies can help you achieve the optimal total compensation package when you land your next promotion or new job.

Do Robots Destroy Our Jobs Pros and Cons - CareerEnlightenment.com

Do Robots Destroy Our Jobs Pros and Cons LinkedIn Facebook Twitter 6 Google+ Are you afraid that robots will take your job? If you are, you might think of robotic automation as an inevitably disruptive force that has the potential to undermine our livelihood. Well, no one cannot really say that you’re wrong.Why? Listen to this.An Australian company Fastbrick Robotics has recently developed the Hadrian X, a robot that can lay 1,000 standard bricks in one hour. Clearly, no human can match this performance.A Swedish producer of dairy products DeLaval International recently made a statement in which the company announced a switch from human milking to robotic milking (yep, even this job may not be safe now).An American tech company Simbe Robotics has designed Tally, a robot able to work in a supermarket. It can roam among the aisles and ensure that all products on shelves are properly priced, stocked, and placed.Hadrian X robot (Free Image, Wikipedia).Wow, what a breakthrough. The humans are already designing incredible helpers that once were the stuff of science fiction. That’s great, right? Or should people reconsider the whole idea because it threatens to leave thousands unemployed?Let’s dig in deeper and discover what the future holds for humans whose job security may be threatened by robots.What Does the Science Say?To make an informed conclusion, we need to review the latest studies in the field and analyze the results.Recently, a group of researchers from Oxford University has estimated that 47 percent of jobs in the United States could be automated within the next twenty years. According to the researchers, these jobs were “susceptible to computerization,” so they were placed in a high-risk category.The list of susceptible jobs included office and administrative support employees, transportation and logistics occupation, and labor in production occupations.However, these results, although consistent with other studies, don’t guarantee that these jobs will be computerized.These fi ndings are supported by another study looking at U.S. employment from 1997 to 2007. It discovered that each new robot added to the total workforce resulted in a loss between 3 and 5.6 jobs in the local commuting area. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Moreover, the robots had an effect on salaries. Specifically, for each robot added per 1,000 human workers, salaries in the area fell between 0.25 and 0.5 percent.Clearly, those saying that robots will take our jobs may have a point. But what about the other side of the debate?Humanity is very much familiar with computerization and fear of losing jobs to machines. Yes, you read it right, we have already faced this problem before. If we look back to the industrial revolution, we discover that artisans, craftsmen, farmers, and ot her occupations were replaced by large factories and machines to create the 20th-century  economy.Amazon Go represents the new kind of supermarkets with minimum human maintenance (Free image, Wikipedia)Despite the people’s natural fear of their skills being rendered obsolete by technology, the new-century economy has created a wide range of new job opportunities. For example, finance experts are the group of new employees the need in which emerged due to an unprecedented increase in productivity.The list of new jobs also includes engine mechanics, pilots, analysts, and many more others.Those suggesting that the robotics industry will produce a similar effect this time have a point as well. The technology can help humanity to deal with this problem; for example, a recent report created by MIT experts suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) will create as many jobs as it eliminates.For example, the report describes that AI systems will need a lot of human workers to teach them h ow they should perform. Also, they will require people capable to bridge the gap between technologists and business management. Finally, there will always be a demand for maintainers of these systems.Pros and Cons of Robots in WorkplaceNow let’s recapture everything and define advantages and disadvantages of having robots working alongside humans.ProsIncreased worker safetySolution to labor shortageHigher volume of productionCreation of a wide range of new jobs for humans (maintenance etc.)ConsLess versatility (a robot is militated to what it’s been programmed to do)Loss of some human jobs to machinesMore environmental pollutionUnpredictable costsSignificant investmentThe Bottom LineThe spread of intelligent robots will certainly destroy some of the jobs held by humans. Last year, U.S. treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said he was “not at all” worried about robots displacing American workers.This may be true because the industry will create new jobs as the 20th-century indus trial revolution did, but strong evidence suggests that employment is likely to suffer.If history is any precedent, the humans will be fine. But no one can be sure, so defining the role of robots in the 21st century remains a critical task to ensure job security for thousands.