Take me off!

We send out an email list almost monthly. The list is taken from our database of candidates and clients we've talked to. We don’t buy lists we don’t send out spam. If you've sent us a resume or have corresponded with us, that is how we got your email address. We keep great records and we know when you want off our newsletter.  Each time we send out TAGBits we get a report on who wants off and we make a note in your file and take your email address off the list.

Understandably we all get too much email, but it’s not very forward thinking to have us take you off the list. You’re better off just deleting our emails and letting us think you’re reading them. When working with a recruiter you want to nurture a relationship not cut it off.  Who do you think gets called first for a job? It’s not just the person that fits well, it’s the person who has kept in touch, who occasionally reads our emails and responds.  We champion the people we like.  Yes, playing favorites is part of the game so think and act like a favorite.  

Why You Didn't Get The Job.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had an article in it about “Didn’t get the job? You’ll  never know why”.  It was an article telling you that you’ll never know what you did wrong because no one wants to be sued for telling the truth. I’m going to tell you why you didn't get the job.

1. You didn't prepare well.

2. You never sold them on why you should work there. Which means you didn't prepare well.

3. You didn't know your resume and your background well. 
(Yes, you need to remember the years you worked there. Saying, “It was long ago, I don’t remember” is a lazy response when you’re interviewing. You didn't prepare well.)

4. You did something like wear too much cologne/perfume, looked ill kept, had bad breath, wore the wrong thing or forgot your resume. Check the company's website for their corporate culture (how to dress) to learn how to fit in. Bring a resume.  Again - you didn't prepare well.

• Got the hint? Prepare well. Know the company and know yourself! Sometimes the chemistry is just off - it happens -  but if you found a great job at a great company that's a good fit and you blew the interview, it's because you didn't prepare well.

To learn how to prepare well check out this video from Dave.

LinkedIn Recruiter Connects

Last month, one of my business associates sent me a note about constantly getting contacted on LinkedIn by recruiters. I thought her comments on what they are doing right and wrong are relevant to anyone trying to expand their network on LinkedIn.  Here are Bridget’s thoughts, including a compliment to me. Always have to keep those in right? She wrote:

You know I think you're the cat's meow as a recruiter, but have you noticed how some of your kin in your industry are not as savvy as they should be when it comes to using LI (LinkedIn) to recruit?

This year, I've come in contact with three recruiters who have no previous connection to me, yet they've sent me canned candidate search e-mails via the "InMail" feature, and they're usually mis-categorized as an "expertise request."  The most recent one sent me this long, chatty request to reply to her to inquire directly about and available position at her company. I responded right away, since she specifically asked me to get back to her with a time when she could call me to tell me more about the opportunity. I hear nothing back for two days, and then she replies with a single link to the position on their website.

The sad thing is, these recruiters were legit - in my case, all of them were HR department employees of the companies with positions to fill. Just a little anecdote for you that illustrates how the poor homework isn't always the fault of the candidate, LOL.

Some common issues I've noticed with recruiters using LinkedIn:

1. Spelling/grammar errors. Really?  If I'm taking the time to spell-check and punctuation-check an inquiry before I hit send, why can't they? 

2. Improper use of InMail. Only premium or enterprise account holders have unlimited InMail access - That feature gives you the ability to e-mail LI members without having to clear the hurdle of getting a connection first. The rest of us regular folk have to purchase the right to *send* InMail, so when we *receive* one, we tend to take it seriously. If you're a recruiter using InMail to attract a candidate, don't waste our time if you don't intend to contact us or formally ask for a resume. In addition, you're not asking me for my "expertise" or a "consulting request." If you can't find the right category to enter on the drop-down menu of the InMail recipient's contact preferences, don't use InMail. Make the connection request and scrap the generic LinkedIn greeting for a proper, personal introduction and request to connect.  

3. LinkedIn "party fouls." If you’re a recruiter that keeps lurking our profile and your settings aren't set to "anonymous," we can see the last 5 days worth of profile views without paying for a premium account. Quit being a creep and either make a connection request and CONTACT us, or stop stalking us! Seriously, it just gives a hungry job seeker a false sense of hope when you re-visit the profile, but take no action. :-)

4. If you are a recruiter who has already taken the time to become a first-level connection, ask for a resume, and perhaps even invite that connection to become part of the interview process, don't turn into a jerk the moment the candidacy process hits a wall or favors someone else. Case in point: I once had a recruiter "court" me from initial connection through five (YES, FIVE) in-person and phone interviews with her company, only to become a total cyber-ghost, failing to return any e-mails or calls about my status. 

I compare this to online dating. Sure, it's considered only slightly rude if you don't respond to a "wink" from a potential mate, but if you've taken the time to talk over e-mail/phone, or maybe even meet for a first date, it's rather tactless to vanish without a trace if you're just not feeling the love after the first meeting.  A simple, "Sorry, I think you're nice (sharp candidate), but I don't think we're a match (the right fit for what my hiring manager needed)," will suffice.

[Check out this video on You Tube - http://youtu.be/Ba6Igu1MvE0http://youtu.be/Ba6Igu1MvE0. It’s a funny parody on a Gyote song about lack of recruiter love.] 

Thank you. That concludes my little LinkedIn gripe of the day. :-) I'm sure you're not guilty of these moves, right? LOL

My response to Bridget: "Love your comments! I get a lot of candidate complaining about lame recruiters and how they use LinkedIn. Me, I’m just super direct on it – asking for help and stating exactly why.   I might check a candidate out twice but that’s it.  I think Dave has instilled in everyone over here to respect the candidates even though we don‘t work for them. Eventually they may become a client and/or a great source for information. Bottom line treat people with respect and kindness and it will come back twofold!"

Multitasking Mama shops while working

I read an article about sitting too much and the blogger doing business while hiking instead of sitting.

Now, Hiking during a business meeting is serious multitasking and it got me thinking about how much I multitask. I multitask often and in fact I had a multitasking lunch today. I needed some warmer clothes since the temperature out here in sunny SoCal is below 60 degrees and I’m freezing.

Problem, I hate to shop.  

A few weeks ago a friend of the firm, Ralphie, asked me to meet him at South Coast Plaza for a business meeting/shopping trip. At first I thought he was crazy, who shops while working? But I went ahead and met him. I would never have thought that you can combine a trip to the mall and business, but it worked. Meeting at the mall is so convenient! Yeah you’re all thinking duh, but seriously I hate to shop and I avoid malls at all cost. 

So, today being cold won out and I did it again. I met one of my clients at the Nordstrom café. We ate, chatted about business, and I got my clothing! It seems so simple but I like simple and I like multitasking. I’m thinking maybe even the hiking while working thing could work for me. I should add it to my multitasking repertoire. I walk every morning and maybe one of these weeks I can incorporate a business meeting in my daily walk! Be warned: I do walk far and fast! 

Advice to the young professional

I've been working as a mentor for a local universities and I help coach our client’s kids before they head out to find their “real job”. I’m finding a few trends with the young professionals that need to be changed.

• To meet someone stand up straight, look them in the eye and shake hands.
• Sit up straight during the meeting don’t slouch and, again, look the person in the eye. 
• Don't chew gum.
• Don’t play with your pen, paper, or anything else your hands find. It's distracting.
• Turn your phone off or silence it.  Better yet, leave it in the car.
• Unless you have a photographic memory (being very sarcastic here), take notes during the meeting. It shows interest.(You know what, even if you have a photographic memory, take notes.)
• Show up to meet your interviewer dressed professionally. You don’t have to show up in a three piece suit but ditch the back pack, jeans and hoodie. You need to look like I can take you to meet a client.
• Ladies – do not wear “hooker heals” to a business meeting. If you love your high platforms, make sure they are on the conservative side, or at least the rest of your outfit is. Business dress is not the same as night club dress.
• Polish your shoes, brush your teeth, and wear minimal amounts of perfume/cologne.
• If you are going to a lunch or dinner, brush up on your table manners. Yes, the basics like putting your napkin in your lap and what fork to use when.
• Always send a thank you note after you've met with someone.

All of this seems simple, but it's surprising what some of the young professionals think is professional nowadays.  Recent grads, my final words of advice to you: keep it simple, be polite and show your interest in whoever you are meeting with! 

Resumes - Personal Statement vs. No Personal Statement

The latest resume question I've been getting is about the personal statement at the top of the resume. 

Just get rid of it! Put it in your cover letter. I don’t always read cover letters but many people do. The cover-letter-readers especially love reading a great personal statement that gives the client a good gut feel for who you are.

The newest trend in resume writing is bullets the top of the resume. It is a great thing to do.  It’s easy to change out and highlight what you want based on the company’s requirements. The top of your resume is valuable real estate and it should highlight all the reasons why the company should hire YOU - so use it well. 

If you do decide to stay old school with a personal statement make sure it doesn’t have too many I’s and me’s in it. What do I mean by that? The company wants to understand what you can do for them - but, it’s not about you, it’s about them. Now go update your resume! 

For resume writing tips go here http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8060489977260281178#editor/target=post;postID=5632614948864389561

Rookie Mistake

I had a great morning – made breakfast, did two loads of laundry, swam laps in the pool, kissed the kids goodbye and went off to work. I felt like I conquered all my mommy duties and took some time for myself.  Well, good thing my morning made me feel like a rock star, because my day turned a bit sour.

A CFO I’d known for years asked to meet me for lunch in Cypress. I planned for traffic, about 45 minutes, and got caught in some, but I was still on time and feeling good.  I got close to my destination and started following the directions I printed off Google. Problem was, I hadn't read the directions before I left. They were completely off.

I was heading into Cypress to a restaurant off Katella and the directions had me behind the race track in some residential community. I kept on thinking Google had to be right but it wasn't. The search engine of all search engines has failed me. Thank goodness for GPS on my cell phone and a patient client. I finally arrived at the restaurant, but not without my wounded pride. I felt like I had made such a rookie mistake.  I mean, I know better – review the directions and the map before you get in the car. It's step one. 

So to all you candidates I've lectured over the years:  know where you’re going to interview and be on time. And feel free to call me with a  - I told you so!  

Next time, I’ll double check my directions and or ask for specific directions. 

(To make amends I did buy my client lunch and they asked me to come back in a few weeks to talk some more.  It all ended well and I got a refreshed lesson on planning ahead and knowing where you are going.)