Blog entries October 2009
10/23/2009*NEW WEBINAR TODAY*
Join us for a Webinar on October 28
CareerBoard and Jeremy Worthington, Job Search Coach and Professional Resume Writer for Worthington Career Services and Buckeye Resumes, are pleased to present the final webinar in our series, "Who You Have to Impress to Get Hired." Jeremy and his guest the "hiring decision-maker," Pete Bonfini, will discuss the deciding factors that determine if an offer is made to a particular candidate. Pete is the former Regional Vice President of USA Mobility Wireless, and has 13 years prior experience hiring District Sales Managers and Sales Executives.
Title: Who You Have to Impress to Get Hired- Part Three
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:oo PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements PC-based attendees
Required: Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh-based attendees
Required: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer
Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/442769497
Janice Worthington
10/23/2009Can You Pass The Hiring Test?
If you haven't been in the job search for awhile, welcome a world where part of the judgment passed on your being able to do the job is now determined by which circle you choose to fill in on a screen or in a booklet. In jobs with skills-based requirements, i.e. data entry or vocational trades, testing has always been an instrumental part in qualifying a candidate and understandably so. An employer has to measure the proficiency of the new hire that will be expected to immediately perform the very skill for which he is being tested. But now, with the largest talent pool since the Great Depression, comes psychological testing.
The best way to prepare for psychological tests is not to prepare at all. Be enlightened as to their existence and willing to go along with what may seem a bit illogical. Everything in a test has been calculated. Be candid and consistent, and not try to answer the questions as you think they may want you to, but as you truly feel. Don't think you can fake it. My research uncovered a litany of information on identifying fakers and companies are merciless to a candidate who misrepresents. So stay real.
Don't be extremely tired, and don't be mad at the dog. If the test instructions say you need one hour to take the assessment, prepare to have one hour of uninterrupted time. The true purpose of these tests is to predict if your skills and temperament are compatible with both the job functions and the company culture. No one is meant to work everywhere and scoring incompatible is different from testing unacceptable. It is far better for a candidate to be eliminated from the wrong situation in advance than to be terminated after-the-fact.
Janice Worthington
10/14/2009What is Up with My Job Search?
Maybe nothing! Unless you are not hunting hard enough! Check out these true stories!
John is a former client now serving as a District Sales Manager in central Ohio. With the economy beginning to turn, he called me with an opening for an Account Executive. We often have former clients hire from us so I sent three resumes. These were really fantastic candidates! Three weeks passed and nothing.
So tonight John calls and indicates that his counterpart from Cleveland also needs an Account Executive. Fantastic opportunity for another candidate but what about the three I sent for the Columbus opening? Oh John will be calling each of them but not until next week because
1. He just came off vacation...
2. His boss is in town all week.
So while Jeff, John and Scott, some of my best candidates would have probably waited and wondered, rather than continuing to move on, (they are unaware of the submission) there were no flaws in their candidacies!
The moral? Employers will never contact you as quickly as you would like but that doesn't mean they won't contact you. Stuff happens! Don't be surprised if you get an interview long after you believed a lead to have cooled. Just don't wait!
Here's another true story about a family member. It just happened:
Jason is a first year teacher but with a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language. With our growing immigrant community one would think that educators would be at a premium, especially those, like Jason, who prefer urban environments. After applying to schools throughout the US he was interviewed by an Ohio organization. He loved the students and the fit was perfect. Following a day-long visit to the school he was told to expect a call the next day. It came with an inquiry regarding his availability. He asked if they were making an offer and they responded affirmatively. Then no communication for two weeks; they wouldn't return his calls. Who knew they were testing students? It was tough on Jason but he wasn't going to chase them, and the day he accepted another offer, the first school apologized and invited him to trial teach. He too apologized but the auditions weren't necessary. He was teaching in real time!
It's difficult not to see lack of communication or follow-up as a sign of rejection, but we never really know...until we go behind the scenes!
Janice Worthington
10/05/2009Career Integrity
Does anyone knowingly plan to carry the baggage of a less than admirable reputation? I think not, but here are some true examples of how candidates may create their own demise.
Multiple Job Offers - Not long ago an Engineering Director accepted a local position culminating a long, difficult interviewing and decision-making process. Following a grueling job search he made the finals with two different companies. Both were outstanding opportunities, but the first job offer came from his second choice. He bought a long weekend to discuss the offer with the family while he went to his first choice and let them know he would only be available for a limited time. They would not commit. He accepted the offer he had on the table. Thirty days later his first choice company finally extended their offer. Giving his new employer of only 30 days two-weeks notice, he accepted the second offer. Six months later he was downsized and made sure his disappointment was noted. The results? Two local employers and two recruiters were privy to the questionable loyalty of one Director. Word had also spread quickly to his direct reports. Not a position of strength from which to again job hunt.
Day to Day Workplace Politics - Are you a team player? If not word may spread. Do you take exclusive credit for the work of your colleagues or verbally reprimand a subordinate in the presence of others? The extreme popularity of the television show Survivor demonstrates how calculated use and abuse sometimes results in victory and how we live in the midst of manipulation. However in the real world, negative behavior toward folks who don't seem to make a difference in your career advancement may leave you with a scar nearly impossible to overcome. One small comment from a past jilted colleague in the company from which you seeking an offer may kill the deal that you work so hard to negotiate. Employers face too much risk to make a hiring mistake and will listen to the least whisper of negativity.
Unhappy Endings - We know not to burn bridges but sometimes, when we believe we have not been treated fairly, it is tempting to leave a bad situation abruptly rather than with consideration and a pleasant face. Employers talk to each other, and remember your resume is in the hands of the company you are about to leave. Employers know where you've worked in the past. We teach our clients to recommend their replacements if possible and then offer to train them. Professionals are either remembered for their lack of respect or their willingness to go beyond the call of duty before they exit.
In the world of networking, it's not just who you know, it's who knows you. One large, local company includes an introduction to an entire department as part of the final interview. As we ascend in our careers we are likely to become known to an increased number of people, and while we need to be honest, ethical and pleasant on principle, we need to be aware that those we've met on our way up the ladder may indeed be the reason we can no longer continue the climb.
Janice Worthington