What Should You Expect From Your Recruiter?

Whether you are a hiring manager or an employee, you’ve no doubt used a recruiter before. You may have some definite opinions about recruiters; either positive or negative. Especially in today’s job economy, recruiters can save you time and effort. Before working with a recruiter, there are a few evaluation questions you may want to ask, to make sure your recruiter is working with your best interest in mind. Read more

5 Tips for Successful Interviewing

Competition is stiffer than ever these days; with many more qualified candidates fighting for the same job, what can you do to set yourself apart? In addition to some of the tips given in “10 Ways to Be Competitive in Your Job Search“, here are some tips for the actual interview, which can sometimes be the most nerve-wracking part for job seekers. Take consideration of the following tips to assist you in your next interview: Read more

10 Ways to be Competitive in Your Job Search

With recent unemployment and layoff numbers, it seems there aren’t enough jobs to go around for all of those looking for work. There are things that you can do to improve your odds when competing for a job opportunity; no matter what that job may be. Take these steps to ensure you remain a “top candidate” for consideration during these tough and competitive times. Read more

Giving your notice? Expect a counteroffer

So you’ve interviewed for that dream job and gotten an offer. Congratulations! Time to give your notice to your current employer. How will your boss take the news? Maybe he or she will begin looking for your replacement; however, there is a good chance they will make a counteroffer to persuade you to stay.

Here is what you need to know about counteroffers:

- Don’t flatter yourself, it has nothing to do with your skills/abilities. The likely reason you got the counteroffer is to buy your boss some time to find your replacement. Everyone is expendable.

- Counteroffers never work. Ever. Once you have given notice, you are seen as “disloyal” and no matter what your employer says they will replace you at the first opportunity.

- They may make more than one counteroffer! No matter how many times they beg you to stay, it’s still going to end in you being unemployed.

Additionally, it’s always best to keep the name of your new employer private. Some people will go to great lengths to impede your success if they feel a need for vindication.

The Video Resume: Some Points to Consider

There is an emerging trend among Web 2.0 specialists for presentation of their qualifications; the video resume. There are some evident pros and cons for this type of resume, as well as some resistance from HR professionals. For those candidates considering a video resume, especially for those in the social media field, my suggestion is to research, prepare and most of all have the ability to recognize if this isn’t for you.

Before deciding if a video resume is the way to go, consider these points:

Research:
Make sure you know the proper etiquette. Don’t just wing it. View other video resumes and decide what you like and don’t like about them.

Prepare:
The best approach is to be prepared with what you will say and present on camera. This type of “resume” will likely take you a few tries to get right. You don’t want to be too animated, however, you don’t want to look like a deer in the headlights either. Practice, if you have to. Have an “interviewer” if that makes you more comfortable. The video should be ideally 3 minutes or less and be well edited. You may have to hire someone to edit and/or record your video if you don’t have the right equipment or skills. This is generally not very expensive and a good investment if you plan to use a video resume. You should be dressed as if you are interviewing and good lighting and sound is a must. Most of all, have the ability to recognize if the video resume doesn’t do you justice. If you don’t think it’s a good representation of your true personality and communication abilities, then don’t do it – and most importantly, don’t send it!

The video resume can be a very useful tool in presenting your qualifications in a unique way. They do not replace a paper resume in my opinion, but are a great follow up and/or addition.

Further, video resumes allow you to showcase communication skills and personality; an essential component of most jobs – especially in Web 2.0 or Social Media environments, Public Relations, etc. For recruiters that work the national market or multiple locations, a video resume can be a great supplement to the phone interview. Having the ability to “see” the candidate before you present them to your hiring manager is important.

Confidential to HR Personnel: Consider that video resumes are not a means for finding a “barbie doll candidate”, but rather a precursor to an in-person interview. If a candidate sends a video resume that isn’t concise, well edited and planned – then I think that’s a good indicator of their overall abilities. Don’t lament about how you don’t have the time to sit through 20 minute videos. You’ll likely know in the first 30 seconds if it’s worth watching – about the same time it takes to review a resume and decide if you want to continue reading. I’ve listened to opposition from some HR folks warning of potential law suits, claiming it encourages discrimination. Let me ask you, how is it any different than interviewing someone in person? The same person that would hire someone based on how they look will do so regardless of the source, be that video or face to face interview.

Bottom line: It’s not for everyone. Doing your research and preparation is important in determining if this is the path for you, regardless if you are HR, the hiring manager or the candidate.