On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search kicked off their “First In Your Field” series with a breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. From 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., guests are invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast and hear from special guest speaker Nadia Bilchik, President of NadiaSpeaks.com.
During an interactive discussion, guests learned tips for becoming “first” in their field. Our goal is to discuss thought provoking issues, and send everyone away with knowledge and ideas that can benefit their companies.
As a renowned speaker, communications consultant and former anchor for the CNN Airport Network, Nadia Bilchik will share her expertise for achieving career success.
firstPRO is making this series a quarterly event, and future panels will cover issues of interest to top executives in hiring positions. Key industry leaders from many of the country’s Fortune 500 companies will be in attendance.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Etiquette of Crisis Management
As CEO of your company, you hope that your business is never faced with a crisis, yet this is something that happens to even the most successful people. Whether it is losing a valuable employee to the competition, having a major law suit brought against you or experiencing a major public financial setback, crises can affect businesses in many forms, and they typically occur without notice. A crisis, by its very nature, can be overwhelming, but like everything else in business, this can be handled in a mannerly way.
One of the most important parts of your crisis management plan is having preventive measures in place, because this can eliminate the potential for problems in the first place. Make certain that you have training and requirements in place addressing how staff should conduct business. Don’t be afraid to maintain high standards and require that from everyone involved. Think about all the situations that have the potential to go wrong and determine the steps you can take to position your company for limited exposure.
In my opinion, utilizing the web is a much better tactic because it reaches your client base on a more personal level. You may need to address the crisis on your website or in a mass letter or email. The challenge here is addressing the situation without making it into a bigger deal than it is. What might be huge to you might be a blip on the radar of everyone else. Again, this is where a team of trusted advisors can be helpful.
Keeping your cool while managing a crisis is never easy, but there is definitely proper etiquette to maintaining your composure, whether it be in front of your staff or facing the general public. Remember that people will take their queue from your reaction to the situation, so be sure to convey the severity of the crisis both in your dress and your demeanor. Taking the high road can mean taking a humble approach, apologizing if necessary and asking, “How can we make this better?” Often it is difficult to find a resolution when you have a defensive attitude, and crisis management is all about putting the incident to rest and getting back to business as usual. So remember to maintain your composure, and you will surely maintain the reputation and integrity of your company.
One of the most important parts of your crisis management plan is having preventive measures in place, because this can eliminate the potential for problems in the first place. Make certain that you have training and requirements in place addressing how staff should conduct business. Don’t be afraid to maintain high standards and require that from everyone involved. Think about all the situations that have the potential to go wrong and determine the steps you can take to position your company for limited exposure.
In my opinion, utilizing the web is a much better tactic because it reaches your client base on a more personal level. You may need to address the crisis on your website or in a mass letter or email. The challenge here is addressing the situation without making it into a bigger deal than it is. What might be huge to you might be a blip on the radar of everyone else. Again, this is where a team of trusted advisors can be helpful.
Keeping your cool while managing a crisis is never easy, but there is definitely proper etiquette to maintaining your composure, whether it be in front of your staff or facing the general public. Remember that people will take their queue from your reaction to the situation, so be sure to convey the severity of the crisis both in your dress and your demeanor. Taking the high road can mean taking a humble approach, apologizing if necessary and asking, “How can we make this better?” Often it is difficult to find a resolution when you have a defensive attitude, and crisis management is all about putting the incident to rest and getting back to business as usual. So remember to maintain your composure, and you will surely maintain the reputation and integrity of your company.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Christa Delk Promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search
April Nagel, President and CEO of firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search, announced today that Christa Delk will serve as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the Sales Division.
Christa’s ability to find quality employees is beyond compare. She has a great understanding of the Sales and Marketing industry and the resources required to meet today’s challenging business demands.
Delk joined firstPRO in 2004, and was the first recruiter with the company to specialize in the Sales Industry. After bringing several large sales force expansion projects to firstPRO, she built a team of experienced sales executives and recruiters to grow the Sales Division.
“I am looking forward to heading up this team that specializes in identifying sales talent across all levels,” Delk says. “We partner them with the best candidates and create a match that proves a powerful return for all parties.”
Delk is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business.
Christa’s ability to find quality employees is beyond compare. She has a great understanding of the Sales and Marketing industry and the resources required to meet today’s challenging business demands.
Delk joined firstPRO in 2004, and was the first recruiter with the company to specialize in the Sales Industry. After bringing several large sales force expansion projects to firstPRO, she built a team of experienced sales executives and recruiters to grow the Sales Division.
“I am looking forward to heading up this team that specializes in identifying sales talent across all levels,” Delk says. “We partner them with the best candidates and create a match that proves a powerful return for all parties.”
Delk is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Job Interview and Follow Up Etiquette
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.
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.
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.
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