The Recruiting Process is a Series of Questions

The Recruiting Process is a Series of Questions The recruiting process can be full of roadblocks, bumps, and workarounds that eventually lead you to a great hire. Getting through each step of the process involves a lot of work, but is there a way to smooth things out and ensure the process doesn’t take such a toll on your team? Yes, there is a way and questions are the answers. Using a series of questions throughout each step of the recruiting process allows you to never miss a beat and consequently bring in the best candidate for an open position. The most important issue these questions address is the habit of making assumptions. It’s important to avoid making them to treat every candidate with respect and dignity. Where do you start and which questions yield the most conclusive answers? Assess Need and Evaluate the Position Your end result is directly influenced by the way you start the process. Coming up with a strategic recruiting plan based on your direct needs and current situation will only help you in the long run. In the beginning stage of recruiting some crucial questions to include: Assessing Need: Is your current staff stretched too thin? Can the duties of the role be dispersed? Based on past and future market trends, is this the best time to fill the position? Is the role properly budgeted within the department? Is filling the position the best use of your resources? Evaluate Position: Are there any changes that need to be made to the job role? How can you leverage a new hire to fill any gaps in the core skills of the team? Are there any upcoming changes to the team or department that will affect how this position should be filled? What was the demonstrated value of the position and how can this be improved? Receiving the answers to these questions can help determine your next steps including where to source hires and what the job description should look like. Candidate Fit After assessing and evaluating the open position and creating a job description, you’ve likely received a number of applicants. After filtering out the applicants who may not be qualified based on the description considering past positions and work experiences, you have now have a stack of candidates. How do you get from candidate to job offer? It’s time for another round of questions. These questions help determine which candidate will be the best fit for the position and who would be the most productive in the environment provided at your particular Some questions to ask include: Describe the management style that will bring forth your best work and efforts. What are the three to five expectations that you have of senior leaders in an organization where you will work successfully? What are the positive aspects of your current job and work environment, or the last position you held before coming to this interview? What is the single most important factor that must be present in your work environment for you to be successfully and happily employed? What were the 2 runner-ups? What is your preferred work style? Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team? What percentage of your time would you allocate to each, given a choice? When you work with a team, describe the role that you are most likely to play on the team. Selecting the Right Candidate: Key Performance Indicators You’re getting closer to making a hire, but now comes the time to do a little internal reflection using the answers from your candidate fit assessment. Evaluate the individuals who have come before them in this position, what made them succeed? Or what possibly made them fail? It’s also important to make sure you’re making a job offer because the candidate meets all the criteria and will be productive in that particular position, not just because they fit the culture. Questions to ask yourself include: What do top performers in this position look like? What traits are shared by the best (and worst) people who’ve done this job? Do I want the new hire to match the current company culture or expand it? Am I overlooking any red flags because they fit the culture? Thinking in terms of questions, you can even ask people What have I forgotten to ask you? This is less about avoiding complications and more about creating a process with fewer and fewer assumptions. This leads to open and honest communication, which leads to better process, which leads to a better experience for everyone, which leads to awesomeness in your recruiting process. About the author:  Chris Murdock  is Senior Partner and Co-Founder at IQTalent Partners.

Why Going Solo Could Be The Key to Finding Your Passion -

Why Going Solo Could Be The Key to Finding Your Passion - As humans, we’re innately social, which has many benefits; we get to enjoy dinners out, new experiences and going to the movies with our friends and family.    However, our modern lives often have a way of making socializing difficult, especially when we reach our 30s and 40s.   In fact, 44% of Americans said that their plans are often cancelled because friends are simply ‘too busy’, and as a result, one in five haven’t seen their best friend in the last year â€" with just over half meeting up fewer than five times.    In being so sociable, we forget about the importance of doing things on our own. And in some cases, we forget how to be on our own at all altogether. In fact, when plans are cancelled, more than a quarter of people chose to do work or chores rather than go on their own.    So, when it comes to going solo, what are we so afraid of? Well, 57% of the populations said they lacked the confidence to do things alone because they felt ‘judged’, and a quarter worry about what other people think of them. However, Dr Sheri Jacobson, Founder of Harley Therapy, argues that “any such judgements are usually fleeting, and anxieties about what others think about our being alone can often be overinflated in our heads,” It’s clear there is a disconnect between our thought process and reality.    What’s more, Dr Sheri Jacobson also states that doing more on our own has a number of huge benefits to us as individuals: from being more engaged to not having to compromise. This is true. I hear from so many solo travelers on our Flash Pack trips that time traveling on their own allows them to tune into themselves in a unique way thats near impossible otherwise.    A rare moment of selfishness when you don’t need to worry what others might be thinking, and you can completely dedicate yourself to something. What’s more, the benefits it offers can be the key to discovering (or re-discover) your passion: You can actually enjoy being in the moment: Whether it’s watching the world go by from your favourite restaurant, or making the effort join an evening class and focus your energy on learning a new skill. Doing things on your own has a brilliant way of forcing you to be in the moment, which helps you appreciate it all the more â€" you can even try switching your phone on silent to ensure there are no distractions. No more compromise: Everyone is different. That’s the great thing about being human. But when you do something, it’s all about you. You don’t need to think about whether your friend is enjoying the experience, or if they’ll appreciate it in the way you want them to. You choose what you do, and when and how to do it. When going solo, every experience is exactly what you make of it. You have the freedom to fail: When you’re trying something for the first time, many people worry they won’t be good at it. And let’s face it, very few people pick up a new skill the first time, and a large part of the enjoyment comes from seeing improvements in yourself. However, if you are holding back through fear of failing, try going on your own. You’ve got no one to impress, and you might even find that you learn more from your failures. The chance to focus on you: Everyone has things they’ve wanted to do or try for years, but just never had the ‘time’ to make a go of it. By choosing to do something on your own, you’re already committing to using that time just for you, so you might as well use it to finally do that thing you always wanted to. Who knows where it might take you. If you’re still unsure about going solo, that’s understandable. Of those that did do things by themself in the last year, 39% said they found it awkward at first. There’s no easy way around the initial nerves. My advice, dive in headfirst and find out.    The chances are that, like 83% of people, you’ll enjoy the experience and reap the benefits.    And it could lead you to find or unlock a new passion you never knew about. About Lee Thompson, Co-founder of Flash Pack As a photojournalist with 14-years experience, Lee Thompson’s career took him across the globe. Fueled by a passion for adventure, he had the unique opportunity to discover hidden parts of the world that tourists usually don’t get to see. When he met Radha Vyas on a first date in 2012, they instantly connected over a shared love of travel, and a frustration for the lack of appealing options for people their age which sparked an idea. In 2014, the pair (now married) launched Flash Pack which connects like-minded professionals in their 30s and 40s, and sends them on epic adventures around the world together. Thompson has visited over 100 countries and these experience have enabled him to grow the Flash Pack brand amongst an audience of like-minded travellers, and deliver truly unique adventures. Now with a global community of solo travellers, Thompson has seen his business flourish from a back-bedroom startup in 2014 to a thriving global brand.

Fun Summer Activities for The Office - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Fun Summer Activities for The Office - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Summer is approaching and it is time to plan some fun summer activities for work. Let your employees get to know each other better and bond with the help of fresh air and sunshine. Below you can find some ideas: Field Trip: Summer is the best time to go outside for office bonding. The days are longer and the weather is nice so take advantage of this and go to a natural park for trekking or for a picnic. Your employees need time to relax and have fun as well. Make an Ice Cream Day: Order ice creams a day of the week during summer. Fridays can be great for this or Mondays because of the Monday syndrome. Employee Appreciation Day: Acknowledge your employees during summer. Find funny titles that fit to the personalities of your employees. For example; the funniest person, the workaholic, the chattiest and etc. You can give them small gifts such as gift cards, magnets, pens, mugs or you can give them funny gifts which symbolize that personality. Scavenger Hunt: Set a theme and series of clues around this theme outside of your office. Separate everyone in groups of 2 or 3 to encourage bonding and allow people to get to know each other better. You will see that after the activity, everyone will feel refreshed and happy. Volunteer: Volunteering is both fulfilling and great for bonding. Activities can be tree planting, teaching at underprivileged schools, raising money with food sale, organizing a youth sports game, taking care of animals in shelters and etc. Giving back to the community will make your employees satisfied. Barbecue Day: Celebrate the beginning of the summer by giving your employees free lunch. Set up a barbecue outside of your office. You can also turn this event into a potluck and ask employees to bring side dishes or deserts. Sports Game: Go to a sports game together with your employees and consolidate the team spirit while getting some fresh air and eating snacks. Become a Tourist for a Day: For only a day, become a tourist in your home town and do a touristic activity with your employees. You will have a chance to see the town you live from a different perspective and get a change of air.

Reposition Your Power Within to Improve Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Reposition Your Power Within to Improve Results - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Your inner thoughts precede your outward results. Belief in self is essential for achieving success. For many, one of the most difficult principles to grasp is that we do possess the power to become the person we envision. And for most, it seems as if this is a pipe dream, but in fact, it is reality. Our thoughts do determine our outcome. Have you ever thought to yourself, “I should be the one selected to do that because…” but you resigned yourself to the fact another would be chosen due to extenuating circumstances? If this is the case, I encourage you to take the Thirty Day Challenge: Over a thirty-day period track your thought process. Every time you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, turn it around to a positive. Document the negative and how you changed it into a positive. Next record the results from having made the change. Initially not much may change, but accumulatively, and if you remain faithful to the process, you will begin seeing a decline in negative thoughts and an increase in positive results. Become the person you dream about The subconscious plays a large role in determining our forthcoming actions. The step that complements the documentation is to focus on a far off goal that you deeply desire. Visualize having achieved your far off goal moments before drifting off to sleep. You are then able to do the right work while you literally sleep. Done consistently, you will find yourself taking action during the day to make the achievement possible. And before you know it, you will be ready for your next far off and attainable goal. Mind, body and spirit have an enormous effect on our well-being and daily living. Mind should be focused on values, principles for life, and priorities to find meaning in your work and greater reward. Eating healthily and exercising regularly provides us with added energy and renewed spirit that you are able to achieve whatever you desire. And when working in unison, this paths work to keep our spirit strong. When we are at peace with who we are, in all of these regards, we are moved to greater awareness and achievement. Adhering to taking care of our mind, body and spirit aligns us with positive thought and more thoughtful approaches to others. This is where our positive energy attracts those who think similarly whether for friendships or for business. Our spirit or energy may be sensed through all types of communication. This is why social media plays such a significant part in building business today. We have the ability to interact with people worldwide in numbers unheard of previously. This gives pause to question the type of people with whom you wish to connect. Empower others Combining an element of spirituality with business is accomplished by implementing a path for helping others by giving of your knowledge. The reward is a feeling of peace of mind. By repositioning to implement all of the above, you will attract larger audiences. Your rejuvenated personal brand of working to help others will enable you to enjoy the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of  Smooth Sale,  (800) 704-1499; authored “INSPIRED Business A New View for Building Business and Communities”;  â€œNice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews“. Elinor was designated as a “Top 25 Sales Influencer for 2012.”

How to Write a Resume For Project Manager Positions

How to Write a Resume For Project Manager PositionsIf you're considering writing a resume for project manager positions, the information that you put in your resume is very important. It's essential that your resume makes you stand out from the other candidates, and that you deliver your message effectively. As such, we've prepared this guide on how to write a resume for project manager positions, so that you can get started on your new career without any major issues.Firstly, it's important to understand that being a project manager doesn't automatically mean you have to have a CV filled with the names of celebrities. You don't have to be a celebrity or a business genius, nor do you need to be an engineer or rock star. You are, however, expected to be a leader and a team player. This is exactly what you're going to need to demonstrate to the employers who will be reviewing your application.Secondly, you need to make sure that your resume is completed in its entirety. The last thing you want to do is to cut it short. You should be able to fully explain your work history, goals, experience, and skills that you may have on the job. Don't cut yourself short, because it could negatively affect your chances of getting the job that you want.Next, make sure that you incorporate an executive summary at the beginning of your document. Many applicants skip this step, assuming that they will only have to describe themselves briefly, but it's vital that you go into more detail if you really want to stand out. Your summary should also make clear your objectives, and the duties that you perform on a daily basis. The executive summary should also give a short overview of your previous work history. A simple 'Executive Summary,'General Overview' will work, but if you really want to impress then a more in-depth version is necessary.Make sure that you send in a cover letter as well, because this is another important part of your full application. The letter needs to clearly tell the interviewer why you're suitable for the position, and why you're qualified to take the role. The applicant needs to focus on developing a strong profile that relates to the position. You can get a lot of information by looking at a job description in more detail than what is required for the job.Make sure that you maintain your personal style throughout your resume. You can do this by highlighting the accomplishments you've had in your previous work, while at the same time keeping your hobbies separate from your job title. To make your resume appear more professional, try using a standard font. On the other hand, you can choose a more engaging font and personality to make your resume stand out.One final tip is to be aware of the challenges that exist in your field. When writing a project manager resume, remember that the project manager role is often filled by a wide range of people. Make sure that you cover these traits, so that your prospective employer will see you as a roun ded person.These are important things to remember when you're writing a resume for project manager positions. These tips will help you create a resume that will lead you to success. Apply them and you can begin seeing your first project manager job within a few weeks.

Trying to Jumpstart Your Job Search Here Are 2 Ideas for Who Might Help - Sterling Career Concepts

Trying to Jumpstart Your Job Search Here Are 2 Ideas for Who Might Help Trying to Jumpstart Your Job Search? Here Are 2 Ideas for Who Might Help Whether you’re just kicking off a job search or feeling stalled in the midst of one, it’s always good to be thinking of who might be your next best resource, contact, or referral source. I’ll share two ideas with you: Fellow college alumni Alumni love to help each other. Tap your colleges alumni database and ask for advice, recommendations, or suggestions. One tip for success is to not ask directly about job opportunities, but to ask about who they may know in a certain field or at a particular company. Parents of your childrens friends Ever notice how you fall into a pattern of politely not talking shop with the people in your social circles? When you do start talk business with them, you may be pleasantly surprised at who they know. People like to help others, and if you are good friends, they will want to help you if they can. You just have to let the conversation go there. So long as you dont overdo it, you won’t be bothering them. Think outside of the box when you start to assemble a list of potential networking contacts. You never know who may be one or two degrees away from a valuable contact for you.

3 tips on conducting a covert (not overt) job search - Hire Imaging

3 tips on conducting a covert (not overt) job search - Hire Imaging For whatever reason, if it’s time to move on from your current job to a new opportunity, how in this world of blasted messaging do you balance letting the right people know you’re looking, without alerting the wrong ones? There are some ways to not let the whole world in on your job search, as my client, Mariel found out. Mariel longed to leave Mariel and I had worked together right before she landed her current position as Financial Analyst with a large retailer’s corporate headquarters. After a few years of loving her job, as often happens these days, there was a major reorganization. Mariel’s boss left. Three of her colleagues left. The players changed. You get it. It was not the same. She was not happy. So, she set about launching a new search. Concerned about the fine lines of visibility, she adopted some practices. Here are just a few. Some may seem quite obvious; some a bit more subtle. Separating search space. Mariel was amazed at how often she had noticed fellow staff using workspace or property for what was suspiciously part of a job search. She set some ground rules around not handling any job-hunting duties from her workplace. Although convenient, she resisted the urge to use her work computer, run copies, send faxes or emails, or make any phone callsâ€"unless on her cell and in her car or a separate public place on her lunch break. Mariel’s employer can legally monitor company equipment to see what employees are up to. And it’s an at-will firing setting. And they pay more attention to employees whose behavior raises suspicions. At the very least, Mariel‘s private search on her employer’s time or money was simply not the right thing to do.  Mariel was also discreet about clothes. She kept stockings and a suit jacket in her car for days with after-work interviews. She arranged for the lion’s share of her interviews to be breakfast interviews, schedule d at 7:30 to arrive by work by 8:30 or 9:00; or over the lunch hour. And she made sure that everything revolved around current work commitmentsâ€"projects to be delivered, or meetings to attend. She went to work early or stayed late to make sure her work contributions did not suffer. Managing LinkedIn radar. Mariel felt that LinkedIn was a powerful job-search tool to use, but had to be handled delicately. She followed these steps: Veiled her activity through Profile Views. Under Privacy Settings, she selected “Nothing. I will be completely invisible to users I have viewed.” She was then able to review others’ LinkedIn profiles without them being aware of her activity. She was then able to find recruiters, HR or hiring managers in her target companies, without being detected. Adjusted how others saw her Profile Updates. Under Privacy Settings, she clicked on Profile and Status Updates; then selected “No, do not notify anyone” to ensure that no other users would receive notification of her updates. It prevented her network from receiving emails of her changing her profileâ€"a typical job-search activity. Tweaked her Connections Browse settings. Because Mariel wanted to connect with recruiters or insiders at her target companies, she blocked others in her network from seeing her relationships. Mariel also used LinkedIn to search for people in her network who had been promoted, changed jobs or established new links. She messaged them heartfelt congratulations, but made no mention of her own job search online. Instead, she followed up with a private email or phone call to arrange for coffee; and then asked them how they made their recent change. This led to sharing of advice, and several who introduced Mariel to people inside some of her target organizations. Using overall caution. Mariel was very selective about putting her resume into cyberspace. When she did post it online, she took advantage of options to keep it confidential with name, contact information and employer names. She did not use current coworkers as references; but used former supervisors or peers instead. In working with recruiters, she insisted that her resume not be released to anyone without her agreement. She was active on Twitter and Facebook, but said NOTHING about job search. Instead, she nurtured conversational-based relationships; then as with LinkedIn, followed up with personal emails or phone calls when warranted to further discussions (with people she trusted to not reveal her search) that might aid in her job search in a confidential manner. And something else she didâ€"that I absolutely loved: She wrote a handwritten note to companies of interest. She did not include a resume. She did not mention all she had done. She simply stated who she was and that she would appreciate consideration and follow-up. She scored three meetings with three notes. No kidding! Without confidentiality breach of any kind! Balancing a job search with employment boils down to discretion. Mariel put careful forethought and planning into maximizing the effectiveness of her search without compromising her current position. While still in her search, she has landed interviews that sound promising. And she is feeling no guilt or worry. Photo:   Sara G