Month: January 2015

Stand out from the crowd!

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Every January, recruiters across the globe are deluged with people wanting a change in the new year. But how does that make you look, and are you prepared for the question “Why are you looking to move?”… “Because I’m bored” isn’t a good enough answer (although it may be true!).

So how do you stand out from the rest of the crowd? Well here are some top tips:

1) Apply for jobs that are relevant to your experience.
While not impossible, it is increasingly difficult to move to something new unless you are prepared to take a salary cut as your experience can often count for nothing if you are moving into a completely new area. Use your existing skills and experience to get that leg up.

2) Do your research
Make sure you know where your CV is going and why. Simply sending a CV to a company or agency is not enough. Write a concise cover letter informing an individual why you have selected them as the person who could help you most and what you bring to the table. Follow this up with a phone call – it’s your job search so be prepared to do some legwork. Once you have formed a relationship with your recruiter you will be more likely to be front of mind when an opportunity is presented.

3) We’re on your side
Reputable recruiters will do all they can to assist in the best possible way as they are rewarded based upon success. So remember they are equally disappointed if you don’t get the interview or job that was presented. Whilst they can do all they can to try to ensure success they don’t make the end decision so don’t blame them. Listen to all feedback and if none is forthcoming then change recruiters! Good recruiters will always feedback interview/CV comments both positive and negative so that everyone learns from each process.

4) People like positive people!
Don’t bring any of your personal problems to the interview, especially if the interview is quite relaxed and informal. No one wants to hire problems! Unless your personal problems are going to impact on your ability to perform your job, don’t discuss them. They are your business and talking about them makes you appear desperate/negative and not that focused on your work. So stay positive throughout.

I hope these tips help you! Good luck, stay positive and remember building good relationships is key.

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“Please ad me to your network”….. Really?

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I want to get people’s take on this – I try very hard to limit my LinkedIn connections to only include people that I can pick up the phone to and ask a question. That way if you did really need a proper introduction to one of my connections, I can provide that service for you, should I so choose. I understand LinkedIn’s philosophy of building your network especially so you can find others, but I rely on the groups that I join to have that effect for search purposes. I also spend a lot of money per month having the best LinkedIn account money can buy so I can access and contact the profiles of others should I desire to.

I’m sure this happens to you as well – my news feed becomes too populated to really glean information from it without spending too much time scrolling through it! So I’ve wondered why anyone would accept LinkedIn requests from people they don’t know – most of the time I decline them. So if you really think I can add value to your network here are a few tips to encourage me to accept!

1) Don’t just send the message – “I would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” – this tells me you are lazy as you could not be bothered to say why. If you read Give and Take http://www.giveandtake.com/ by @adammgrant you will see you are a taker and should be more of a giver!

2) Don’t tick the “friend” option if you are not! This tells me you’re just milking the system.

3) Tell me how you came across me, why you think I would be a good person to know as it can work both ways! My recruitment brain will always think “hmmm, maybe there is a role for you”. It’s also interesting to learn where exactly you found me!

4) Tell me why it would be good to know you. Do you do something amazing? Are you really interesting? Can you grow a money tree?! I know I am being sarcastic here, but really I do love engaging with interesting people. People who challenge the norm doing great work or leaders in their field will always get an acceptance from me as these are people I want to engage with.

5) Be real – if all you think I can do is find you a job in paradise then say just that! I respect honesty more than anything else so if you open with “Hi Chris we don’t know each other but I really want to pay no tax and live in the sun could you point me in the right direction…” I am probably likely to help even if it’s only providing an introduction or giving you some advice. So be real. 🙂

Happy to hear other people’s take on this and how you actually use LinkedIn to help!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year……

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Ok so for my first blog its going to be industry related but hopefully useful – simplicity personified but useful….

It’s the most wonderful time of the year……

Or is it? Most recruiters would say that January is a nightmare, the first week back in January is typically the time when recruiters receive the most CV’s per hour compared to any other time in the year. So if you want to be taken seriously answer the following questions before sending your resume in to any job in January:

  • Are you still hung-over?
    1. Yep – and feel sick can’t do this anymore
    2. Mildly – really fancy a bacon sandwich
    3. Not at all I want to push my limits
  • Do you really want a new job or just a lay in for another week?
    1. Go away (pulls duvet over head)
    2. If I use holiday this early in the year it doesn’t matter no one will notice and ill probably leave by August
    3. Not at all I have energy and passion that’s just not utilized
  • How long have you been in your current position?
    1. Christmas temp (4 weeks)
    2. 3-6 months
    3. less than one year
    4. Been here more than 2 years done everything I can hit a glass celling and its time for me to do something about it
  • Where are you in your career
    1. Not a clue first job out of collage
    2. 2nd Job thought this was going to be the big time role
    3. Have some good experience with solid tenure and need to step it up
  • What do you want next
    1. Just need cash have loans to pay
    2. Not sure something cool with googley bookface type company thing…
    3. I want to further my current experience in a bigger market with an opportunity for upward progression… (Or something similar to that)

I know the above is a little tongue in cheek but sometimes you have to spell out the obvious….

So if you answered mostly A’s – seriously don’t bother we will see right through your good festive season, settle down evaluate what your good at and what you want to do by all means talk to us about the market but be patient and come back when your are truly serious and willing to listen to guidance.

Mostly B’s – Your still not sure, poss a little naïve in the ways of the work place. Ask for more responsibility, take on new project, put yourself in a position to be noticed, remember only growth or someone leaving will create an opportunity for you. What do you have to do to be considered for that option? Reassess in 3-6 months.

Mostly C’s – OK you are ready – You know what you want – you know what you have done, you know your market you will listen to advice and you will be prepared at interview. You my friend are a true job seeking Jedi. Apply for those jobs speak to good recruiters, success you will find (End Yoda voice).

Happy New Year and good luck!