How to Ace an Interview!

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Interview coming up? Congratulations! You’re a few stepping stones away from that new job.  Here are a few tips to help you do your best:

Ask questions.  Pertinent questions.   “How would you describe the working atmosphere here?”  “Do you offer any in-house or off-site training to keep up with new software, techniques, etc. to help your employees advance skills?”  Keep in mind that as much as this is an interview of you, it’s also an interview of the company. You want to make sure that you’ll be happy there too.

Do Research, Research, Research.  It will show.  If the hiring manager asks you what you thought of their website, or if you saw that they recently launched a new media campaign, giving a thoughtful response will mean a world of difference in some instances.   Visit the company website, ask around, visit the location, Google them and read up on recent news items.  If you can during the interview, add in a relevant piece of information you’ve discovered about the company.  Ex: “I saw that you updated your website to include this.”   Recent research may also come in handy when you’re asked if you have any questions. Ex: “I recently saw that your company acquired a new property downtown, do you believe a new location will impact the position I’m interviewing for?”

Thank yous, small as they are, speak volumes.  They show the employer how invested and interested you are in the company and the position.  Even a short email in lieu of a handwritten card is just enough to show that you appreciate the time they took to meet with you.

Even if your interview doesn’t go as smoothly as you’d have hoped it would, make mental or literal notes on what you could have done or prepared for differently to be more successful at your next one.

Do you have some interview clincher tips to share?  Please do!

5 Tips to Avoid Getting Trapped in a Job Scam

Once, it almost happened to me. 

I applied to a receptionist job on Craigslist that sounded legit.  “Great small but growing downtown office needs assistant to run errands, perform clerical duties, etc.”  I assumed I would just be going on coffee runs, answering phones, and maybe filing the occasional bit of paperwork.  If you’re cringing right now, it’s with good reason–the job was totally a scam.

Craigslist is a great resource for job hunters and employers alike.  It’s free, it’s easy to use, it’s just about everywhere, and it’s somewhat reliable. Unfortunately in this case, after I submitted my carefully written cover letter and resume, I was asked for a social security number and bank information to do a credit check. Red flag. BIG red flag.

Of course I didn’t send them any information, and neither should you if you’re asked while job searching.  DO read the disclaimer offering advice on how to recognize scams that Craigslist and similar sites offer.  An employer can’t ask you your birth date, social security number, or bank information before offering you an actual job.  It’s unethical and just plain wrong.

Job hunting can be bad enough–don’t make it worse by making yourself a victim of identity theft.  Here are some more tips to avoid getting ripped off while you’re on the hunt:

1. Don’t give out too much personal information.  Scarily enough, I’ve seen resumes where applicants proudly display social security numbers and birth dates.  DON’T GIVE INFORMATION LIKE THAT OUT WITH OR WITHOUT BEING ASKED BEFORE A JOB OFFER IS MADE!!  Nobody needs to know what your mother’s maiden name was to decide if you’re hireable or not.

2. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  A golden rule for just about everything in life.  If you see an advertisement with testaments that you’ll “Make $100 an hour….just by sitting at home!” with a photo of a dude in a Lamborghini in front of a mansion…be wary.  Is it possible such a job exists?  Yes.  Probable?  No.

3. Speaking of things being too good to be true…. DO question “Work at Home” opportunities.  They’re EVERYWHERE but are they legit…?  Maybe.  Again, if you’re interested in trying them out, just use some common sense.  Follow rules one and two–if it sounds too good to be true (“I made more than $100,000 in one month!!”) or they’re asking for more personal information than your GP does, chances are your prospective employer is trying to steal your identity.  If you still want to check it out, be extremely careful.  Do some online research and ask around.

4.  If they ask for money up front, it’s not a good sign.  Some jobs might ask you to pay money up front for a training class.  Again, is it possible it’s legit?  Maybe.  Or maybe they’re just trying to take advantage of 9% unemployment.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  A legit employer welcomes real interest in their job postings from promising candidates.  Shoot off an email and ask specifics about the location of the job, the type of work environment, etc.  If they’re hedging your questions or just plain old don’t respond–take a hint.  It’s not that they don’t want to hire you, it’s that they’re probably trying to pull a fast one.  Or just jerks.

Basically, it all comes down to using your noggin and trusting your instincts.  This article is not meant to bash free listing sites like Craigslist at all–I think they’re fabulous and use them myself quite frequently–it’s simply meant as a warning to be careful.  The job market out there is still struggling to recover and I understand how easy it is to get desperate, but don’t let these morons kick you when you’re down and make things worse.

Interested in learning more about job scams?  Check out some of these other online articles and resources:

• Beware of ‘Work from Home’ Scams
• FTC Money Matters
• National Consumer League’s Internet Fraud Watch
• Privacy Rights Clearing House

What are your tips for avoiding getting ripped off in a job scam?  Have you had experience with these fiends?  Share your stories and hints!

Need Resume Help??

We’ll be at Bizi Night in Binghamton, NY on Friday, August 26th from 5 pm to 8 pm and we want YOUR RESUMES! 

We’ll be offering free resume advice and critiques, and anyone that brings us a resume will be entered for a prize to be drawn at the end of the night.  We’ll also have job applications on hand for interested applicants!

So if you’re in the area, stop by and chat with us a bit!  We’ll have light refreshments available and look forward to meeting you!! 🙂

Why use a Staffing Company?

Why use a staffing company…?

Entrepreneurs, eat your heart out.

Staffing companies are an invaluable asset to your new company. Hiring employees is a big deal—no one needs to tell you that. You’re entrusting people with the business you’ve more than likely poured your entire life’s savings and then some into, and you want quality personnel to help it grow.

Finding those right people however, can be a tremendous undertaking. Creating job posts, reviewing applications and resumes and setting up interviews can be a daunting task when you have your own business to take care of—never mind handling payroll, benefits packages, unemployment, or worker’s compensation.

So let us carry that burden for you. We build pools of talent to have at the ready when a client requires an employee. Our applicants have already been screened and you know you’re receiving the cream of the crop when we send someone over to you.

Even after you’ve made a hiring decision, we continue to help. There’s no weekly payroll to consume your time or insurance benefits to wrangle through. We take care of it all so you can focus on your business. If someone files for unemployment or worker’s comp, we handle those claims too, not you.

For these reasons, staffing companies are useful for established businesses as well. We take the headache out of your personnel decisions to make sure your company can continue to function and grow to reach its maximum potential.

So the next time you’re in need of a talented individual to answer your phones, work on your assembly line, or do whatever it is you need done, keep in mind the huge resource bank right at fingertips and give us a call.

No Summer Job? No Problem.

It’s nearly here!

Summer that is.  Most of us grizzled Upstate New Yorkers look upon summer with relief–finally a time to thaw out and soak up some sunshine before battling winter again.  However, for some students looking for jobs, this summer could be particularly trying.

As this article from the Huffington Post suggests, finding a summer job for many students will be especially hard due to the economy.  Youths are competing with unemployed adults that have more work experience and more flexible schedules.  However, if you find yourself one of the unlucky jobless teens, this summer doesn’t have to be a complete wash.

While that extra pocket cash and the work experience is great, if filling out application after application is getting you nowhere, don’t give up.  When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.   So instead of wasting away the summer months, take this opportunity to turn around your chances of getting a job next summer.  Turn that empty space in your work history into something positive by volunteering.

Depending on the opportunity, you’ll be building a myriad of skills that will help you become more marketable the next time you’re looking for a job.  Team building, people skills, providing service, etc. are all qualities that employers value. Taking an active interest in your neighborhood and building relationships with community leaders also demonstrates your stability and sense of responsibility to prospective employers.

In addition, by taking the time to volunteer, you’re also doing yourself a favor by helping to beef up your references.  Chances are your supervisor will be more than happy to write you a great recommendation for all the hard work you helped them accomplish.

Down the road, volunteer experience is also excellent to put on a college application. Outside of your GPA and school clubs, showing an active interest in your community demonstrates to the admission board that you’re a well-rounded person and someone worthy of that scholarship and seat in the lecture hall.

So yes. Of course having a summer job is the ideal situation. Putting money into your pocket and work experience onto your resume is a win-win. However, if you’re turning up empty with your job hunt, don’t just give up. By taking up a volunteer project, you might not be getting paid immediately, but the investment you’re putting into yourself in the long run will be worth it.

If you or your son/daughter is looking for a summer volunteer project, check with your school’s guidance counselor or individual organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club or local animal shelters and summer camps about potential opportunities.

And if you’re still stumped about finding a project, here are some online resources to help you get started:

• VolunteerMatch.org
• Serve.gov
• DoSomething.org

Do you have tips for students looking for summer jobs?  What do you think the summer will bring for employment opportunities?

Track Potential Employers with Newsle

Social media blog Mashable just posted this article about a new startup called Newsle: Follow Friends & Public Figures in the News With Newsle.  Created by two Harvard undergrad whiz-kids, the startup allows a user to log-in either via Facebook or LinkedIn, and follow news about friends, families, companies, actors, etc.

For job seekers, this startup creates a great opportunity to follow potential employers.  Instead of digging through millions of Google search results for the latest news on companies you’re interested in, following them on Newsle allows you to keep up with them with little effort.  Researching a company before writing a cover letter, or appearing at a networking event, job fair or interview, has never been easier.  It always makes a good impression when a hiring manager sees you’ve done your homework.

Keep in mind, this is still the internet we’re talking about.  So before you launch into a conversation with a hiring manager or recruiter about an article you found on Joe’sNewsSite.Com,  take the information with a grain of salt and double check it first.

Have you tried out Newsle yet?  Did you find it a helpful tool for following people you know or companies you’re interested in?  Share your insights here!

Divine DOs and Disastrous DON’Ts of Resumes

A well-written, neat resume is an absolute MUST in this competitive job market.  Putting all of your years of hard work onto a piece of paper can be a frustrating process, but it can also be extremely rewarding.  It shows employers that you’re serious, and provides more information about why you’re unique and a good investment to them than a basic application does.

Conversely, a poorly written and ill-designed resume sends all the wrong messages.  It indicates to the employer that you didn’t even take the effort to properly construct and proofread a basic document, and gives them little reason to make an effort to better know YOU.

Here are a few key bloopers to avoid:

• Speling and Grammar Error’s.

We all make typos.  We all write hurriedly sometimes.  However, when creating a resume or cover letter…Be.  Extremely.  Careful.  I cannot emphasize this enough.  When the first sentence in your objective reads like a seven year old wrote it, no matter what kind of amazing educational background or work experience you have, it’s irksome.   If you don’t feel confident in your own skills, ask someone else to read over your work before submitting.

• Formatting.

Resumes written in Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font can be boring, and while creativity is nice to see, be mindful of the employer’s eyes.  If it’s dizzying for even you to read, they might not fully appreciate the funky fonts and psychedelic background.  Use your best judgment and try not to go overboard.  Fonts like Garamond, Calibri, or Tahoma make your text stand out more but are still easy to read.  Appropriate use of caps, bold, italics and underlining can also be an effective way to make a good impression.

• It’s a resume.  Not a research paper.  Therefore it should not be ten pages long.

While you want to highlight all of our attributes to grab a potential employer’s attention, too much info, is, sometimes just too much.  It’s great that you made the honor roll all through elementary school, but if means adding a fourth page, you might want to nix that part.  Alternatively, you don’t want to cram everything in with ¼” margins and size 8.5 font.  If you genuinely need it, use a second page.

• CupcakeKitty9500@youremail.com.

Whatever email address you used in middle school is probably not appropriate for job seeking.  Yes, your email address might be cute or funny to you, but in this day and age when so much of job seeking and recruiting is done online, a kooky email address isn’t a plus.  It can be a turn-off.   Creating a professional sounding handle is free with many providers like Gmail and Yahoo and can make a tremendous difference.

What are your divine DOs or disastrous DON’Ts for resumes?  Share your tips for getting noticed by employers–the good, the bad, and the ugly!