These types of stories seem to come out once a quarter. This time CNNMoney.com offers America’s best jobs in the hottest markets. I’m sure you are wondering who is number 1. Orlando. The 2 year job growth forecast for that city is 6.8%. In fact, 5 of the top 15 cities are located in Florida while 3 others are located in Texas.
Continue ReadingProof Of Thesis Interviewing
There is a style of interviewing that we encounter frequently that leads many companies down a hiring path they should avoid. I call it “Proof of Thesis” interviewing and here is how it works. The hiring company publishes a job description on a major job board or, heaven forbid, in a printed newspaper. The hiring company refers to the published job description as a “sales ad.” It is not, but that is a topic for another post. Phone calls are generally discouraged. Email copies or resumes are passable. Complex and frustrating navigation through an online applicant tracking system is preferred. So the applicants respond and resumes pour in to the… Read More
Continue ReadingA Shot At Perfectionism
Since I work with perfectionists and am not one myself, I was drawn to Penelope Trunk’s latest article – Breaking the Perfection Habit. Let’s just jump into it: Here are the reasons I can’t stand perfectionists: €¢ Perfectionists procrastinate because they’re scared of not being perfect. €¢ Perfectionists are hypercritical to the point that they can’t support people around them. €¢ Perfectionists can’t finish a project because they can always think of a way to improve it. €¢ Perfectionists are phony, because no one’s perfect and they can’t handle showing that in themselves. Well, that is direct, isn’t it? I harass one of our perfectionists for always making a left… Read More
Continue ReadingAnother Ad Writing Mistake
This is straight from an ad for a sales executive – the opening line: YOU MUST HAVE ____________ SALES EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION. The rest of the ad is in normal case so the upper case is, in effect, screaming. I would not recommend using upper case sentences in any ad. Starting a sales ad with this type of statement is an invitation to recycle mediocrity from within your industry. The best method for hiring strong salespeople is to look for the skills and traits you need to be successful in your typical sale. Experience does not equate to success. Companies think their is less training with industry… Read More
Continue ReadingResume Blunders
CNNMoney.com offers the commentary piece 10 dumbest resume blunders. This is an entertaining read to start your Friday. Just a sample: 9. … stated that he works well in the nude. 3. … explained a three-month gap in employment by saying that he was getting over the death of his cat.
Continue ReadingThe Psychology Of 2
We enjoy telling prospects that if we performed perfectly in our process, they would interview only 1 candidate and hire him or her. That would be it – task completed. But we aren’t that good and our clients seem to want more than one interview. There is definitely a psychology behind 2 choices – people like choices especially when they are not certain of their selection. When out of control, this desire for numbers can lead to a “never-good-enough” mindset that thinks there might be a slightly better candidate out there. Probably true, but how long can you afford to wait and how much better will that candidate be? Our approach is… Read More
Continue ReadingThe Feathers Are Fine
Velvet Hammer’s recent post, Retention Past Retirement, did not “ruffle my feathers.” Nice try, Hammer Boy. As we read more and more about the “graying” of the workforce, it should stimulate some thoughts and conversation about experience and how to take advantage of the experienced workers wishing to remain active. Elizabeth Hocking, writing in the Small Business Times had this to say: To combat the graying of its workforce while recruiting and retaining younger employees, Cleaver Brooks started a mentoring program about two years ago. Older workers are paired with younger workers to share their experiences and mistakes, helping the younger workers move more quickly up the ladder, Pfefferkorn said.… Read More
Continue ReadingAn Objective Step For Hiring
We are strong proponents of using assessments for hiring – it is the backbone of our system. Yet, many people still have some hesitancy in completing the assessments. CareerJournal.com offers up Why Wasn’t I Interviewed After Taking Personality Quiz? which is a Q&A article about whether or not to complete the assessments. This mindset is almost unbelievable to me. From the article: Answer: Being asked to take a pre-employment personality test often puts candidates between a rock and a hard place. If you refuse, you won’t move further along in the hiring process. If you agree and take the test, you may be screened out without further contact with the… Read More
Continue ReadingSales Traits Series – Empathetic Outlook
This week we look at a critical sales trait that involves the salesperson’s ability to read the other person. Obviously, this ability has a tremendous impact on success. One key note – there is a fine line between too much empathy and not enough. This key factor is an aptitude we measure in all salespeople. Empathetic Outlook This is the ability to perceive and understand the feelings and attitudes of others – to place oneself €œin-the-shoes€ of another and to be able to view a situation from their perspective. It involves being conscious of how one€™s actions will impact others. A salesperson with strength in this trait will be able… Read More
Continue ReadingRetention Past Retirement
Most companies are aware of the shrinking workforce for which we are encountering as the Baby Boomers start retiring. One short-term fix is to simply employ these boomers past their retirement age. This approach has many merits that will benefit a company. However, a recent article from Small Business Times – Survey says employers need new hiring strategies – reveals that the vast majority of companies are not implementing any hiring adjustments for this shortage. In the study of 1,000 U.S. employers, 78 percent indicated they were not concerned that an aging workforce might hamper their ability to recruit and retain talented workers. Additional findings support this sentiment, including the… Read More
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