5 Reasons Being a Recruiter Rocks!

5 Reasons Being a Recruiter Rocks! I love being a recruiter. Seriously, I think it’s the best job in the world. Yet 80% of people who enter this industry, fail in the first 2 years, leave, and are never sighted again. And it’s true, it is tough being a recruiter. And I believe in the modern era it’s getting even harder. During the downturn it got even worse. We all worked harder and harder, and earned less and less. On top of that, our customers seem to resent us more than ever, as can be seen in my recent blog, ‘God I hate recruiters’. Ironically there is a fate worse than being amongst the 80% of recruiters who fail. Yes, being an average, mediocre, ploddy recruiter who survives is real purgatory. Why? Because this job is too hard, has too many disappointments, not to be great at it. You have to be a great recruiter to reap the rewards that make it all worthwhile. So for the top 5%, the cream, recruiting is the coolest job in the world. Here’s why: Recruiting is a win/win/win:  Unlike most commercial transactions, recruiting is not a win/lose scenario. If I sell you a car I aim for the highest price, you push for the lowest. One of us will feel we ‘won’, the other a bit despondent that we ‘lost’. But in the perfect recruitment scenario everybody wins. Happy client, happy candidate, happy you. This is not as trivial as it seems. There is something intensely rewarding about doing a job where everyone is grateful, everyone is excited with the outcome… and then you get paid as well! You create great outcomes:  Maybe the coolest thing about being a recruiter is that this is a job where you actually make good things happen. The candidate is reluctant to go on an interview, but through your influencing skills they reluctantly go along, do fantastically well, love the job, and get hired! The client won’t see your top talent because of something they spotted in the resume, but you persist, explaining the person is better than the paper, the client relents and your talent gets the job, gets promoted and in time becomes your client!   For me, when I recruited, this was the real buzz. Making things happen. Controlling the process. I would crack open a beer on Friday and reflect. That would NOT have happened if I had not seen the opportunity and influenced the outcome. Beyond cool. It actually matters:  And of course that leads us to another reason why recruiting rocks. What we do actually matters. I mean it really matters. Recruiters get a horrific rap sometimes, and often it’s deserved but hey, at the end of the day, we find people jobs! And that’s a good thing right? Something to be proud of. It makes an impact. We change people’s lives. We solve companies staffing issues. We help people further their career ambitions. Fantastic! Its measurable: One of the beautiful things about our business is that it is so measurable. This does not suit everybody I know, but in recruiting there is nowhere to hide, and I like that. If you have the right temperament, you will thrive in this competitive environment, love the fact that you can measure yourself against your competitors and colleagues, and revel in the transparency of fee-tables and pay-by-results. Truly in our business, you eat what you kill. You can own your market:  If you have longevity, if you maintain integrity, if you deliver service and outcomes that your customers want… you can elevate yourself to a true trusted advisor, and then recruitment becomes a beautiful, beautiful thing.   All your work is exclusive, all your candidates come via referrals and commendations, clients treat you with respect, seek your advice, bring you into the tent . You actually ‘own’ your patch and that is a wonderful place to be! Yes it’s true. Recruiting rocks. When it all boils down, what all of us want from a great job is just two things. Fun money. And if you’re a great recruiter you’ll get lots of both. The fun of winning, the fun of finding people jobs, the fun of working in a job that actually counts. And money? I don’t mean how much you earn, although of course that is important. I mean working in a job where you get a great return on your efforts. That is where it is at! So if you are having a down day. Never forget: fun and money. Recruitment rocks!

Why Wont They Call Me Back

Why Won’t They Call Me Back Follow up is both an art and a science.    Jobseekers  who want to get hired work hard at following up on leads and interviews.   Here are some tips for effective phone follow-up.   When you are in the meeting or interview, ask if you can call to follow-up.   There are actually two parts to this question: Is it OK for me to call and follow-up with you about (the decision, next steps, etc.)? And:   When would be a good time?   You may get a general answer like “around mid-week” or “after Tuesday.”     It’s almost unheard of for someone to say, “don’t call.”  If they do, they will follow it up with a promise to call you at a certain date and time.  Asking permission in advance means that the recruiter or contact will be more likely to return the call, since they gave you permission to call. Call when they are likely to pick up the phone.   I find that busy people are most likely to be at their desks early in the morning and late in the afternoon.   Remember your busy working life â€" most meetings start on the hour at 9:00, 10:00, 1:00 or 2:00.   Call between 8:00 and 8:30, or after 4:30 and you may find the person at his desk and inclined to answer.   Lunch time also works sometimes; busy people  might use that down time to catch up on routine issues while everyone else is out of the office. It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than calling at 9:00, when business starts in earnest in most places. Leave a specific message.   Make sure you remind your contact about who you are and what lead or job you’re following up on.   It may be the only job you’re focusing on, but the recruiter might be managing dozens of jobs and candidates.   If you’re following up after meeting someone at an event, remind her of when and where you met. “We met last week at the chamber mixer, and you were kind enough to offer me an introduction to the hiring manager at ABC company.”  If you don’t reach your contact, call back politely until you do.   This Is the hardest advice to follow; but if you can manage it, it works almost every time.   If you get voice mail, leave a polite, detailed message (see #3.) Give it a few days or a week to allow for the possibility of business travel or vacation.   If you haven’t heard back, call again and leave another polite, clear message.   Call once a week until you get a call back.   It’s imperative that you never appear to lose your composure or seem annoyed at not getting a call back â€" that will be deadly to your cause.   Simply leave a weekly message at different times of the day and week.   Eventually, you’ll get something â€" whether it’s an email, letter or voicemail â€" that will acknowledge your efforts.   You must be realistic â€" if your contact does not call for three weeks, the news is probably not what you want to hear; no one puts off delivering great news.   But if it’s closure you’re looking for, you can get it.  And if the decision has been postponed or changed, you will know where you stand.   Losing your fear of follow-up is a goal worth achieving, and practice is the only way to get there.     Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a call to make.  

Uchics Diploma Diaries A gradu(ettes) guide to life

Uchics Diploma Diaries A gradu(ettes) guide to life As the resident “recent grad” at MCG, Nicole asked me to check out this book, U Chics   Dipoloma Diaries, which considers itself “The chic grad’s guide to work, love, and everything in between.”   Now I am one of 5, with an older sister (you know her as Katie Marotta Dawsonâ€"a writer on this very blog) and older brother.   In addition to the unlimited, and sometimes unavoidable, advice of my older siblings, I also have two loving and supportive parents with A LOT to say about “work, love, and everything in between.”   I was feeling pretty secure about my ability to judge the quality of Uchic’s advice.   Of course I was very excited to receive the assignment, and even more excited when the package arrived (who doesn’t love mail?).   I unwrapped it and… It was pink. Now, there is nothing wrong with pink!   Obviously I love the MCG layout, which also features pink.   My sheets, comforter, and phone cover are pink for goodness sake!   However, for one reason or another, the pink cover of Uchic made me commit the cardinal sin of an English Major:   I judged a book by its cover.   My first thought was “UGH, of COURSE it’s pink.   Pink is for girls.   What else could a girl possibly want??” and I feared a book full of dated tips about stereotypical “girl stuff.” I was happy to discover that I could not have been more wrong! As I read through the two-hundred plus pages of personal essays, Uchic tips, and editor intros on everything from making friends in a new city to organizing finances to working abroad, I found myself thinking, “that is just what Katie/my mom would tell me!”   Growing up in a household FULL of advice, I have heard everything about everything while simultaneously being encouraged to be myself.   Uchic’s guide really made me think about all the other graduating ladiesâ€"what if they didn’t have the support or advice I had been given?   What would I tell them?   I would hand them a copy of Uchic’s Diploma Diaries and tell them to look past the pink cover. You can find a copy of  Diploma Diaries  here!   Happy reading!

The ultimate winter skincare regime Â

The ultimate winter skincare regime   If you find keeping your skin at its beautiful best over winter a challenge, rest assured you’re not alone. The freezing temperatures, biting winds, rain and snow can play havoc with our skin. Even when you step inside where it’s warm, this part of your body can be under attack. Heating draws out moisture and can irritate any dryness and itchiness even further. The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to help protect your skin during the chillier months. Consider a new moisturiser If you use the same moisturiser year round, you may be missing a trick. The fact is, some of these products work just fine during the warmer months, but when temperatures drop, they become less effective. As long as it’s compatible with your skin type, try looking for an oil-based rather than a water-based product. These ointments create a layer on your skin that helps to trap moisture. They also do a better job of buffering your body from the elements. These days, it’s not hard to find premium beauty brands at affordable prices, so whether you’re looking for skincare tips    or want to try the latest RoC hydrating cream, you can find what you’re after at a good price. Remember to exfoliate Exfoliation is important regardless of the season. By getting rid of more of the dead surface skin, you can help ensure that the moisturisers you use really do their job. Remember to be gentle when you’re exfoliating though, especially if your skin is sensitive. Steer clear of harsh masks and peels In the dark depths of winter, it’s nice to pamper yourself from time to time and facial peels and masks might be part of your usual routine when you want to indulge and unwind. However, at this time of year, it’s better to steer clear of any harsh masks and peels. These products can strip oil from your skin and make it more prone to dryness and cracking. Instead, it’s a good idea to use mild, foaming cleansers that are softer on your skin. Remember UV protection It might seem strange to reach for the sunscreen when there’s ice on the ground. However, bear in mind that sun damage can occur year round, leading to premature ageing of the skin. This means it’s always important to use UV protection. For the best results, use makeup with this feature, or apply sunscreen to your face and hands around 30 minutes before you venture outside. Remember to reapply if you’re in the outdoors for a long time. By following simple advice like this, you should find it easier to keep your skin in tiptop condition regardless of what the weather throws at you. MCG Recommended Beauty Buy:  [amazon template=productasin=B00GMAWI66]

Why Freelancer Resume Should Detail Your Skills

Why Freelancer Resume Should Detail Your SkillsA freelancer resume is different from a conventional one. Most companies that post their employment positions have standardized written resumes that they will send to every applicant. The professional's professional experience and education are much different than those of an entry-level person. Because of this, the resume that is written for a freelance worker has to be more individual.Freelancer resumes must give an overview of the freelancer's skills, experiences, work history, or other relevant details. For example, if the person is a veteran writer, then he or she will need to explain what specifically he or she has done in the past to qualify as a writer. This information will be compared with the requirements for the job. It is very important to have a good knowledge of how to present yourself and to the hiring company.Freelancer resumes should also discuss how long the person has been doing freelancing. If the person has just bee n hired, it is best to disclose that right away. Once it is known the person has been doing freelancing for a while, then the potential client will be able to see that there is a lot of potential for growth.There are a number of advantages that come from knowing about freelance employment. Many times, these benefits are provided because the person is able to get the job in the first place because of the skills he or she already has. Also, in the case of entry-level jobs, the applicants can improve their chances of getting hired by simply having their skills checked. This can also happen when the job posting is out of their league.When choosing a writing resume, it is best to find one that combines the best of the two. If a person wants to improve his or her chances of getting hired, then he or she should always think about who might be hiring. The basic structure of a good freelance resume includes: a brief introduction that reveals what the person has done before freelancing; a lis ting of the kind of work that he or she did; some accomplishments that were accomplished; and finally, the reasons why the person deserves to be hired.The resume should also clearly outline the person's experience with the product or service that he or she is writing about. It should state if the freelancer worked on the project personally or if he or she was hired to do the same. Some jobs require a creative touch or the ability to work independently so the resume should also describe this. Sometimes, the entire contents of the document is the reason for a job offer or not.Other information that will help the hiring manager to identify which type of freelancer he or she is considering for the job could include the person's experience with technology. If the person worked on something like a blog or a website, then he or she will likely be more interested in using that sort of software to get hired. Also, the freelancer should have a background in computer programming languages. Peo ple who have gone back to school and received a degree in computer science often have better odds of getting hired.Because these large freelance organizations are not the only ones that post jobs, there are plenty of job listing websites. It is important that the person use the resume builder that best fits his or her needs. Many times, the building template will be the one that is accepted by many sites. All of the features that will be used in the job posting will show in the resume builder.

Turn Your Hobby into a Job - Wolfgang Career Coaching

Turn Your Hobby into a Job - Wolfgang Career Coaching What do you like to do in your free time? Photography? Gardening? Spending time outdoors? Cooking? Our hobbies can make us very happy. We enjoy the time we spend doing them, but can they translate into our careers? The answer is . . . it depends. Yes Some individuals can translate their hobby into their career. Consider the following example. My client, Mary, loves photography. She has spent years perfecting the craft. She has purchased an expensive, high-end professional camera along with the latest version of Photoshop. Her friends and family members ask her to be the photographer at family gatherings, weddings, or the family photo shoot. Starting a business as a photographer is something that she would love doing. Launching the business, crafting the marketing messages, keeping a flexible schedule, and making money doing something she loves truly appeals to her. No Using the same example from above. Mary loves photography, but the pressure of needing to make money in a business related to her passion causes extreme amounts of stress. Taking the pictures is what appeals to her, but launching the business is not something that interests her or is something she is skilled in. If the business fails, it may cause Mary to view her photography skills in a negative light. The flexible schedule seems appealing, but she doesn’t want to work on the weekends. Two different individuals two different results. For some, turning a hobby into a career is a lifelong dream, allowing them to work every day in an area they love. For others, turning their hobby into a career takes the fun out of that hobby and that past love is now work. There are many considerations when deciding to turn a hobby into a career. Below are just a few considerations: Can you do this for a living? Is this something people will pay for? How can do you do this for a living? Do you need to start your own business or can you work for others? Can you implement this career change with your current life and maintain the lifestyle you want? Will you enjoy doing the non-hobby or business aspects of the job? How will this impact your love for this hobby? If you are thinking of taking that hobby and using it for the next step in your career consider the questions above and think through the entire decision-making process. It makes sense in some cases and for others some hobbies are best left as hobbies.

bad news - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Good news/bad news - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ive got good news, good news, more good news and bad news. What do you want first? The good news: Im speaking at TEDx Copenhagen on November 30.This year the talks will be held in English, so Ill actually be able to share my TEDx talk with an international audience. Wooo-hooooooooo! The talk should be available right after the conference stay tuned. More good news: My speech in Bratislava last week went really well and was received very enthusiastically by a mixed audience of leaders, HR people and students. I was even on Slovakian TV news that night :o) Still more good news: Were entering the busiest time of the year. Over the next 20 days I and my fantastic co-workers are doing 27 client gigs (speeches, workshops and trainings) in 4 different countries. Thats a lotta workplace happiness right there :o) And finally the bad news: This also means that there will probably wont be a lot happening on this blog over then next few weeks. Follow me on twitter instead Ill still have time to tweet. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related