I recently appeared on CNN Newsroom in a segment that focused on taking control of your job search. I had the opportunity to discuss why job interview etiquette so crucial today, and I offered some immediate steps that everyone can take to jump start this process.
With so many of us are experiencing lay-offs and downsizing, we need to remain focused and responsive in formulating our plan. Take no more than 24 hours to “cry in your beer,” and don’t give in to the temptation to take time off, even if you receive a generous severance package. Go to indeed.com and simplyhired.com to research companies that you can target. Identify the positions you are interested in and create a resume and cover letter describing your SINCERE desire to work for that company. Outline your specific skill sets and how they relate to the position. Be clear, brief, but very concise. Make it easy for the hiring manager to recognize your qualifications for THIS job. By all means, use correct grammar and spelling. Choose a simple business font, and spring for slightly nicer paper if you are submitting a hard copy.
Now the real work begins. You must follow up within 48 hours to determine whether or not they have received your resume. Use voicemail and email. State your name, tell them when and how you submitted your resume and express your genuine interest in the position. Also mention ONE sentence about your key skills for the job. Ask what you can do to take it to the next step, and leave your contact information. Every 48 hours is a good rule of thumb for a follow up throughout this process.
Finally, network like crazy. It is perfectly acceptable to politely contact everyone in your database letting them know that you are in the job market and looking for something in “such and such” field.
Throughout this process, also remember the following points to help yourself stand out:
1. Make a connection. Find some common ground with that hiring manager, and offer them a sincere compliment.
2. Follow-up is EVERYTHING. Use voicemail, email AND a written note. Don’t forget to thank the receptionist or secretary, and follow up with everyone you met or were introduced to.
3. Use the connections you made and the information you gathered about the hiring manager to come up with creative ideas for follow up.
4. Ask intelligent questions during the interview process. What makes a great ABC Company employee? DO NOT ask anything about compensation or benefits.
5. When you close the interview, express your interest and ask what is the next step.
6. Thank EVERYONE. The world is a very small place and things have a way of coming around. Don’t underestimate anyone’s value or importance in the world.
Though this process is daunting and tedious, it is so important to keep a gracious and positive attitude. Your diligence and good manners will make you stand out from the crowd and are sure to put you ahead of the competition. Just remember that we can all "act up" in this "down" time, and trust that better times are indeed ahead.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Susan Zingaro of firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search Appears Live on CNN
Today, Susan Zingaro, Executive Vice President of Traditional Services and Healthcare at firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search, appeared live on CNN Newsroom Saturday to address concerns about finding a job in tough economic times. The segment was part of the continuing series, “Jobless But Not Hopeless.”
“You have to be a salesperson,” Zingaro said. “Your product is yourself, and you are selling yourself. If that is too hard to do, I cannot stress enough how much you need a recruiter. You absolutely need somebody that can present you as an entire package.”
Zingaro offered viewers other sound advice, including how to make yourself stand out during the interview process. “Flexibility is what it's all about,” she said. “And that's not just flexibility in title. It is flexibility in salary, location and hours. People are being offered positions every day, and those people are the ones that are flexible.”
In the end, Zingaro was optimistic about the job search as a whole. “It is all about ownership,” she said. “Your unemployment, unfortunately, is your ownership. But your employment will be your ownership as well. I'm not saying it will be easy. Some people will have to dig very, very deep to go back to that grind. But remember, there is something about you that made someone hire you before, and they will surely hire you again.”
“You have to be a salesperson,” Zingaro said. “Your product is yourself, and you are selling yourself. If that is too hard to do, I cannot stress enough how much you need a recruiter. You absolutely need somebody that can present you as an entire package.”
Zingaro offered viewers other sound advice, including how to make yourself stand out during the interview process. “Flexibility is what it's all about,” she said. “And that's not just flexibility in title. It is flexibility in salary, location and hours. People are being offered positions every day, and those people are the ones that are flexible.”
In the end, Zingaro was optimistic about the job search as a whole. “It is all about ownership,” she said. “Your unemployment, unfortunately, is your ownership. But your employment will be your ownership as well. I'm not saying it will be easy. Some people will have to dig very, very deep to go back to that grind. But remember, there is something about you that made someone hire you before, and they will surely hire you again.”
Monday, April 6, 2009
Etiquette in the Age of Social Media
I am being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the world of social media. Sure, I am aware of the benefits; I’m just not convinced that most individuals have the self control and discipline to use them in a professional and responsible way.
I do not currently have a Facebook page, but I realize that it is only a matter of time before the company will have one. Monitoring what goes on with my middle school children, however, can be a fulltime job because these social networking sites can be a huge breeding ground for rumor mills. I don’t believe it is healthy or polite for information (many times, inaccurate information), to be circulated so rapidly.
With that said, if social networking is working for you, it is crucial to follow some strict guidelines, regardless of what anyone else is out there doing. If you are seeking employment, working as a business professional or are concerned with maintaining a reputation, it is especially important to remember the following tips:
* Only include information or photos that you would be comfortable publishing in your local newspaper or having featured in the local news.
* Refrain from posting detailed descriptions about your life, your family, etc. Reading the “household update” each year in your friends’ and relatives’ holiday card is one thing, but who wants all that information on a regular basis? No one’s life is that interesting.
* Think twice before you add something to your site or to anyone else’s.
You have a responsibility to everyone to exercise good judgment when commenting on other peoples’ sites.
* Use correct English and polite wording.
* If you are even a tiny bit apprehensive about posting something, don’t do it. When it comes to social networking, always lean on the side of caution, because once it is out there, you’ve lost your power.
The bottom line for etiquette in the age of social media? Don’t get hooked. You cannot gauge your social success on the 10,000 “friends” in your network…because nothing can take the place of good old-fashioned face-to-face time. This is yet another area where being mindful of your manners really counts.
I do not currently have a Facebook page, but I realize that it is only a matter of time before the company will have one. Monitoring what goes on with my middle school children, however, can be a fulltime job because these social networking sites can be a huge breeding ground for rumor mills. I don’t believe it is healthy or polite for information (many times, inaccurate information), to be circulated so rapidly.
With that said, if social networking is working for you, it is crucial to follow some strict guidelines, regardless of what anyone else is out there doing. If you are seeking employment, working as a business professional or are concerned with maintaining a reputation, it is especially important to remember the following tips:
* Only include information or photos that you would be comfortable publishing in your local newspaper or having featured in the local news.
* Refrain from posting detailed descriptions about your life, your family, etc. Reading the “household update” each year in your friends’ and relatives’ holiday card is one thing, but who wants all that information on a regular basis? No one’s life is that interesting.
* Think twice before you add something to your site or to anyone else’s.
You have a responsibility to everyone to exercise good judgment when commenting on other peoples’ sites.
* Use correct English and polite wording.
* If you are even a tiny bit apprehensive about posting something, don’t do it. When it comes to social networking, always lean on the side of caution, because once it is out there, you’ve lost your power.
The bottom line for etiquette in the age of social media? Don’t get hooked. You cannot gauge your social success on the 10,000 “friends” in your network…because nothing can take the place of good old-fashioned face-to-face time. This is yet another area where being mindful of your manners really counts.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Negotiating Your Salary with Manners
With companies scaling back on hiring and spending, it has many of us wondering, is now the time to ask for a raise? Or is it wise to just keep quiet and be grateful that you have a job at all? Now is probably the wrong time to negotiate your salary unless you have a scheduled review. If this is the case, however, go into your review prepared to receive some type of increase in compensation, just a smaller percentage of increase than prior years.
Ten percent is a good rule of thumb when negotiating at the pre-employment stage, but remember that there are other ways to receive additional compensation or benefits. Things like additional car allowances, vacation or flextime can be very valuable as well. The biggest mistake people make when negotiating salaries is not preparing. If you are negotiating before starting a position, be sure to identify and list the concrete skills you are bringing to the table and the specific benefits those skills and attitude will allow the company. When negotiating as an existing employee, it is important that you prepare the same way:
·Never ask for a raise because you need it. No one cares that your bills have increased, your car broke down or your child’s tuition has gone up.
·Always ask for a meeting in advance. Do not just barge into your manager’s office with no warning.
·Use a respectful tone, know when to accept no and when to move on graciously.
·Leave the door open to revisit the conversation down the road, and get a commitment to do that within a certain time frame.
·Send a follow-up note acknowledging and thanking them for their time, and mention that you look forward to revisiting the subject in three months.
As crucial as it is to be paid what your worth, you need to be certain your “worth” is based on realistic data and not just “what you want.” At firstPRO, we want our staff to be paid at the high end of the industry, because we invest so much time and money into training individuals whose worth to the company increases over the years.
Ten percent is a good rule of thumb when negotiating at the pre-employment stage, but remember that there are other ways to receive additional compensation or benefits. Things like additional car allowances, vacation or flextime can be very valuable as well. The biggest mistake people make when negotiating salaries is not preparing. If you are negotiating before starting a position, be sure to identify and list the concrete skills you are bringing to the table and the specific benefits those skills and attitude will allow the company. When negotiating as an existing employee, it is important that you prepare the same way:
·Never ask for a raise because you need it. No one cares that your bills have increased, your car broke down or your child’s tuition has gone up.
·Always ask for a meeting in advance. Do not just barge into your manager’s office with no warning.
·Use a respectful tone, know when to accept no and when to move on graciously.
·Leave the door open to revisit the conversation down the road, and get a commitment to do that within a certain time frame.
·Send a follow-up note acknowledging and thanking them for their time, and mention that you look forward to revisiting the subject in three months.
As crucial as it is to be paid what your worth, you need to be certain your “worth” is based on realistic data and not just “what you want.” At firstPRO, we want our staff to be paid at the high end of the industry, because we invest so much time and money into training individuals whose worth to the company increases over the years.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
April Nagel of firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search Appears Live on CNN
This was an opportunity to show viewers how to take control of their job search. We identified the most common mistakes that job seekers make, and offered some practical tips for surviving a layoff and landing another job. I also directed viewers to indeed.com, a resource for job trends, salaries and postings. In addition to this, I highlighted the SimplyHired.com, a job search engine that researches thousands of job sites and companies on the web.
In the end, I'm optimistic about the job search as a whole. Don’t be ashamed that you have been laid off. Be proactive and seek a solution. Tell everyone you know that you are out of work. You never know where the next great lead could be.
Friday, March 13, 2009
The City of Atlanta certifies firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search a Female Business Enterprise
Today I announced that the City of Atlanta’s Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBO) has certified firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE). Certification lasts for a period of two years and entitles the firm to be included in EBO plans submitted by contractors bidding on City of Atlanta projects.
We are thrilled to be acknowledged by such a widely recognized certification program. It has always been a goal of ours at firstPRO to encourage equal opportunity in the workplace. Earning our FBE certification was just another step in reinforcing our status as a woman-owned company and our commitment to diversity.
As a member of the EBO program, firms are encouraged to maximize their contracting opportunities throughout the city. Outlets for this include outreach sessions, local trade and business organizations and diversity programs. For more information, visit www.atlantaga.gov
We are thrilled to be acknowledged by such a widely recognized certification program. It has always been a goal of ours at firstPRO to encourage equal opportunity in the workplace. Earning our FBE certification was just another step in reinforcing our status as a woman-owned company and our commitment to diversity.
As a member of the EBO program, firms are encouraged to maximize their contracting opportunities throughout the city. Outlets for this include outreach sessions, local trade and business organizations and diversity programs. For more information, visit www.atlantaga.gov
Gender Protocol
At firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search, we were recently certified by the City of Atlanta’s Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBO) as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE).
Our certification as an FBE has also been a great marketing tool. While we have always been majority women owned, we had never gone through this particular process. Over the years, however, several of our large clients encouraged us to get our certification, and last year we saw no reason to miss this opportunity. Companies who have made commitments to a diversity program or do business with the government set aside a certain percentage of their vendor business for minority-owned businesses, and our certification automatically puts us in that category.
As a woman business owner, I believe that gender protocol has evolved in many (albeit subtle) ways. Today females are viewed more as individuals and defined more by the position they hold, their work ethic and performance results. Twenty years ago, however, we were still viewed simply as “women” and assumptions were made based on that fact. Male co-workers had difficulty not seeing us as females first, and were confused about how to treat us with respect but as work peers. But as awareness has evolved, there are less off color comments, sexual overtones and unacceptable, rude behavior. In regards to proper behavior and manners, I believe that the protocol for this should be gender-free as well. In other words, it is not a “ladies first” environment, although when it comes to ordering at a restaurant or getting off the elevator, it is still polite to allow women in the group to go first. As women, we need to make certain that we dress, speak and behave in a more neutral way.
At firstPRO, we work in a very results-oriented environment, and opportunities are created for individuals (not just women) based on those results. I do not believe that women can expect preferential treatment if they want to be taken seriously in the workplace.
Our certification as an FBE has also been a great marketing tool. While we have always been majority women owned, we had never gone through this particular process. Over the years, however, several of our large clients encouraged us to get our certification, and last year we saw no reason to miss this opportunity. Companies who have made commitments to a diversity program or do business with the government set aside a certain percentage of their vendor business for minority-owned businesses, and our certification automatically puts us in that category.
As a woman business owner, I believe that gender protocol has evolved in many (albeit subtle) ways. Today females are viewed more as individuals and defined more by the position they hold, their work ethic and performance results. Twenty years ago, however, we were still viewed simply as “women” and assumptions were made based on that fact. Male co-workers had difficulty not seeing us as females first, and were confused about how to treat us with respect but as work peers. But as awareness has evolved, there are less off color comments, sexual overtones and unacceptable, rude behavior. In regards to proper behavior and manners, I believe that the protocol for this should be gender-free as well. In other words, it is not a “ladies first” environment, although when it comes to ordering at a restaurant or getting off the elevator, it is still polite to allow women in the group to go first. As women, we need to make certain that we dress, speak and behave in a more neutral way.
At firstPRO, we work in a very results-oriented environment, and opportunities are created for individuals (not just women) based on those results. I do not believe that women can expect preferential treatment if they want to be taken seriously in the workplace.
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