New Capstone Blog

Thanks for visiting my blog! 

Effective July 29^th, 2016 I will start contributing content directly to Capstone Search Group’s Blog at http://www.csgrecruiting.com/blogs. 

Please visit the BLOG to read my posts plus more from other contributors at Capstone Search Group.

Chris Winterboer, CPC, RHU| Partner, Senior Search Consultant | Capstone Search Group
2480 Berkshire Pkwy, Ste A | Clive, IA | 50325
Main: 515-987-0242 x453 | Direct: 515-216-5453
cwinterboer@csgrecruiting.com / www.csgrecruiting.com

Recruitment 101: How to greet a candidate for an interview

It may seem like a simple idea, but it is so often mis-handled - how to greet a candidate coming into your office for a face-to-fact job interview. I would like to explore a couple of easy remedies to avoid making a poor first impression at your workplace.

Recently I had a candidate show up for a first meeting with a potential. The receptionist did not have anything on the calendar, the hiring manager had the wrong time on their calendar and was unavailable, and the person that filled in for the initial greeting was so distracted that it was not productive at all. They could have written a blog about how NOT to greet a candidate.

Here are some basic ideas to make sure you are putting your best foot forward to make a candidate feel comfortable coming into an interview:

1) Have an agenda prepared ahead of time for the interview. One of my favorite clients even does this before the interview. They email the job description, an application, directions to the office, and a clear agenda of who they will be meeting with and for how long. Now the candidate knows what to expect, can prepare accordingly, and will be ready to jump right into a conversation upon arrival.

2) Have a meeting place set aside. I can't tell you how many times candidates have followed up with me saying that they did not have a good place to interview. It was at someone's cubicle with a lot of outside noise and distractions. Or a conference room that was double booked and they were kicked out midway through an interview. The worst I've ever heard is that there was not a place at all to interview, so they cancelled the interview altogether. With just a little planning, this can be avoided.

3) Be ready at the appointed time. Another faux pas that is all too common is being late for the interview time. The candidate arrives ten minutes early, waits another fifteen minutes for the hiring manager or interviewer to be ready, and now they're nearly a half hour into waiting awkwardly for the interview to begin. Being so busy that you are late for the interview impresses no one. Instead, make the good impression by being ready a few minutes early to respect everyone's time.

4) Have water available. This one may seem unnecessary to some, but it is such an easy touch to add. If you are expecting someone to be talking for a good portion of the time, a glass or bottle of water is a welcome sight. It is a very small touch that could have a large impact.

5) Shut down all computers and mobile devices. Nothing is worse than sitting down in an interview and within two minutes the hiring manager or interviewer takes a call, looks at a text, or checks emails. No matter how "important" the subject matter, it sends a terrible message. Avoid the temptation altogether by shutting everything down and focusing on the candidate sitting across the desk or table.

While this all may seem too easy, I am here to tell you that many companies do not do any of these actionable items before an interview. You could already be several steps ahead of your competition for good talent by implementing even one or two of these options!

The first 90 days of a new job

When is the last time you tried a new workout? Did it have a 90-day plan to begin? If so, I would imagine it outlines the ups and downs that come with changing your diet, your exercise, and your sleeping patterns. In many ways, the first 90 days of a new job are similar.

First of all, you have to commit to leaving behind an old way of life. With a workout plan it might be most difficult to give up eating the foods you love. Or perhaps sleeping in until 7:00 instead of waking up to an alarm at 5:30 am. With a new job you may tend to focus on the good you left behind in your previous job. There was obviously some reason that you left in the first place, but as you adjust to a new work schedule and environment, it is human nature to wonder if you made the right decision. Maybe you used to have a perk or two at your previous employer that you don't have any longer, and it creates some doubt in your mind. Don't allow that to creep in, especially in the first 90 days. Focus instead on the reasons why you left the old way of life (or job) behind.

Next, you have to acknowledge there is bound to be some pain with the gain. When you start a new workout, you are bound to have muscle soreness and fatigue. That is your body's way of re-building and healing as you gain strength. The same concept will come with a new job. You have to learn new office politics, build new friendships, take some risks, and be uncomfortable at times. If you can really embrace this and pull the Band-Aid off early, your transition will be much more smooth.

Then after some initial gain, you might plateau and not see results. With a workout that can be really frustrating. You see immediate results in a few weeks and then for a few weeks don't see much at all. With a new job this part may not be quite as frustrating, but it happens quite often. The first few weeks are exciting and may even involved a bigger company event or accomplishment. Then a few more weeks go by and you're waiting to start a new project or something is put on hold. I have even had candidates tell me during this part of the transition that they are bored. While certainly not a good thing, some of this is bound to happen. Patience is the best medicine here, along with having someone to talk to, like a mentor or third party recruiter. These moments usually don't last for long and you are back on track before you know it.

Lastly, you get to the end of the 90 days and almost have another decision to make. With a workout plan it is whether or not to dial it down or try something different. With a job you can't be quite so cavalier. But there is certainly some truth to the idea. You will have had a chance to see most of the inner workings and culture of a company or department in 90 days. Be honest with yourself and assess if this is what you really signed up for. Most times it is in my experience, and then it is time to face all of the challenges of maintaining and improving upon your routines to have a "happy and healthy" next 90 days!

What Kevin Durant can teach us about a job search

I heard over the weekend that Kevin Durant plans to fly to New York next week to host up to six teams and hear their individual pitches as he embarks upon free agency. I got to wondering how those teams may feel about it and what they will do to prepare.

While most job searches will look and feel nothing like that circus that will ensue, I did think of a few common denominators that may help in your individual situation:

1)  Be open-minded. While I truly believe there is a good chance Durant doesn't leave OKC (his current team), he wants to hear how other teams may better position himself for a chance to get his elusive NBA championship. As you consider career opportunities, at some point most people believe that not making a change is the easiest route. No one likes change. But if you have serious career goals that you hope to achieve, perhaps you need to wear your heart on your sleeve a little more and listen to new ideas.

2)  Be good at what you do. Let's be honest - the reason six teams are willing to go through with this charade is that they all believe they have a chance to make an offer Kevin cannot refuse. Those teams would not be pursuing him so actively and risking so much if he were not one of the best players in the NBA. Especially with this summer's free agent class. If you are good at your job, you will get noticed by others. You can use that to your advantage.

3)  Be likable. In addition to being a tremendous basketball player, Kevin Durant sure seems like a good teammate. It is one thing if you can be a good employee and do your job well. It is an entirely different thing if in addition to that attribute, everyone likes you. This is sometimes called the "X Factor" when companies look to make an integral hire. Possessing that skill will take you far.

4)  Make those around you better. Showing that you will impact the development of others is huge. The manner in which you contribute to the bottom line is exponential if you improve morale, teach skills, or mentor others. Far too often people watch out only for themselves. While that may work in the short term, it is always better in the long run to help others along the way.

The final thing is that if you can find a way to have six employers fly to one place at your request, you're bound to get the job you really want. Keep me posted how many of the six respond if you do go down that path.......HA!

How to deal with distractions in a job search

Many of you have probably seen the movie "Up" and recognize this picture for today's blog.  If you are anything like me with young ones at home, it also can describe your children at any moment.  Unfortunately it is also something that plagues candidates I work with on a daily basis.

Instead of squirrels, there is a laundry list of distractions that candidates encounter during an interview or job search process.  Personal issues, work issues (if currently employed), changes in an interview schedule, new opportunities that arise, comparisons of two (or more) job interviews, doubt, fear, surprises, concerns, questions.......the list goes on and on.

So how does one handle those external pressures and white noise to stay focused?  I turn to the world of golf for some answers.  For those of you that might not have seen the final round of the U.S. Open yesterday, something amazing happened that included one of the biggest distractions I have ever seen in a major championship.  Dustin Johnson was getting set to make a putt on the fifth hole.  The ball moved, he asked a rules official to come over to talk through a possible penalty, and they agreed that there would be no penalty.  He made the par putt and continued his round.  Only to have another rules official approach him on the 12th hole to let him know a possible one-stroke penalty could be assessed at the completion of his round.  They also let all other officials and golfers know so that they could strategize accordingly to finish their round.  Which obviously set up a chance for an enormous controversy depending upon how things shook out.  Fortunately for everyone, Dustin went on to finish three strokes ahead of the field, even with the one-stroke penalty assessed after the 72nd hole.

Here's how he did it:

1)  He controlled the controllables.  That is actually a phrase that one of the announcers (Paul Azinger) talked about during that treacherous six-hole stretch when the final outcome was in question.  Dustin never wavered, made some crucial par putts, and even birdied the final hole to put an exclamation mark on his championship.  The same can be said for a candidate in the midst of a changing interview process with plenty of distractions.  Do not become frustrated if the process goes longer than expected.  Do not waver in your professionalism if something goes wrong on your interview day.  If it rains and ruins your perfect hair going into the interview, stay in control and give your best interview.  It is much easier said than done, but such sage advice - control the controllables.

2)  He learned from his failures.  If you rewind a year, history will show that Dustin had a chance to win on the 72nd hole of the U.S. Open.  Instead, he three-putted the final hole, including a very short putt to force a playoff, and remembered that going into this year.  It is likely that your past interview history is not perfect, and that is okay.  Remember back to when something didn't go quite right and think about what you took from that experience.  Maybe it was even recent and you are still stinging from it.  Use that to your advantage to fuel your future job search activities.

3)  He had support from others.  In an amazing display of professionalism, Lee Westwood (Dustin's playing partner for the day), patted him on the back after the rules official let him know of the pending bad news.  This is a competitor of his, vying for the same trophy, who just so happened to be in the middle of a terrible round where he played himself out of contention.  He encouraged Dustin to stay focused, was his biggest cheerleader during the final six-hole stretch, and even Lee's caddy made a gesture at the end praising Dustin's efforts.  If you have the luxury of a good support system around you with mentors, other professionals, or friends and family, you should absolutely lean on that in the midst of the distractions that come with a search.  If you do not have that luxury, try and find someone that could be that person for you.  Even if it is someone you don't know personally.  Read a good business book from a reliable author, check online for resources and ideas, or even look to social media.  There is so much content available on the "do's and don'ts" of a search or interview process that you'll be able to easily find a source of help or focus.

The world is full of distractions.  The sooner you acknowledge them and overcome them, the more success you will have in your search.  Or even life in general.  Here's to hoping that "squirrel" doesn't prevent you from achieving success!

How to be courageous in a job search

The great Muhammad Ali once said, "He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."  As we remember his legacy, those words ring true in many facets of our lives.  One of those areas is certainly our career decisions and pending job search(es).

Fear is undoubtedly one of the greatest obstacles to many candidates that I meet.  The fear of the unknown, the fear of change, the fear of loss, the fear of embarrassment, the fear of failure - the list could go on and on.  While fear can be an ally in certain circumstances, it is almost always an obstacle to be overcome.  So how does one do that courageously?

My first recommendation would be to face and embrace the fear.  There certainly is some inherent risk with reaching out to another employer while currently employed with another company.  It is likely, however, that on some level you are not happy with your current situation.  Otherwise you would not consider making a move in the first place.  Really spend some time thinking about why you are looking to leave, embrace the idea that there could be problems with a new employer as well, and begin early on building out a pros and cons list.  If the fear of leaving is stronger than the possibility of a greener pasture on the other side of the fence, perhaps now is not the time to enter into a job search or interview with other companies.

Next I would consider the risk factors involved.  Will my current employer find out that I am looking for another job?  What will they do to me if they read an email or someone sees me out interviewing at a restaurant or coffee shop?  You must be able to reconcile this if you are looking to interview for another job.  While there is no foolproof way to prevent your current employer from finding out, there are certainly precautions you can take.  Don't use your work email for communication.  Don't check your personal email on work time and on a work computer.  Don't tell colleagues about your search, even if you think you can trust them implicitly.  They might slip up and let something out inadvertently with no bad intentions.  Ask the employer you are talking with to please keep the conversation confidential.  Again, there is no 100% way to know something won't come out, but again if you weigh the risk/reward ahead of time and plan accordingly, things will go much more smoothly.

Another way to mitigate some of the risk or fear is to speak to a trusted advisor, business mentor, or good friend about your intentions to engage in a search.  If you can really trust one of these individuals, they will hopefully provide you with objective advice.  Sometimes hearing the truth hurts a little, but coming from someone you believe in could really help in developing your search strategy.  Oftentimes I even talk with candidates that I am not directly representing about how to handle turns and twists in the search process.  No two searches are alike, but over time I have learned some tips to navigate a bumpy and windy road.

Lastly, at some point realize that you just have to go for it.  If you really believe in something, you can control your own destiny.  I read an article about Ali and the author argued that Ali's legacy was GREATER because he stood up for something he believed in and did not enter the draft in the late 60s.  It hurt his professional growth at the time as he was banned from boxing for three years.  But in retrospect history is showing he was even more of a figure in our minds because of that decision.  I am certain he thought of all the advantages and disadvantages to his decision, spoke with those he trusted, made a decision, and went for it.  One of his other famous quotes is "It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meetings challenges, and I believe in myself."

If you believe in yourself, the idea of "going for it" should not be something to be afraid of.  Be courageous and bank on yourself.  It could be the best thing you have going for you!

How to be yourself in a job interview

Have you ever seen that La Quinta hotel commercial where the sales guy is calling on a client, closes a deal, and is then invited to play golf?  He proceeds to rip away his suit and is wearing a golf polo and sweater underneath.  Then the new client suggests tennis instead.  The sales guy rips away his golf polo to reveal tennis gear.

Not only do I hope you don't have to change clothes during an interview to impress the employer, but I hope you don't have to change who you are either.  Unfortunately I hear about it all the time after a failed interview.  Case after case of a candidate waffling between what the employer wants to hear and what is actually true about someone's background.  Here a few easy tips to prevent that from ever happening to you:

1)  Stick to your strengths.  If you are usually a quiet, contemplative type of person, don't enter into an interview trying to act like Cheri Oteri on Saturday Night Live when she is an over-eager (and over-bearing) cheerleader with Will Ferrell.  The employer may really like that energy and expect it on a daily basis.  Be careful who you portray yourself to be just to get the job and then show up on the first day as an alter ego.  I can tell you exactly how that will turn out after a few months on the job.

2)  It is okay to say, "I don't know".  If an employer is looking for a very specific answer, and you don't know the answer, the worst thing you can do is fake your way through it.  Or point to how you are a quick learner before admitting you don't know the answer.  Stay true to yourself and focus instead on what you do know.  Or ask a follow up question to see if it is in fact something you could learn quickly.  If you jump too quickly to an answer that isn't you, it will be evident quickly.  I once had an employer tell me that a candidate took so long to improperly answer a question that the hiring manager forgot what the original question was that the candidate clearly didn't have an answer to in the first place.  The interview was unofficially over after that.

3)  You can adjust your answers on the fly, but don't abandon what has worked in the past.  I had a healthy debate with my son last night during Game 7 of the Golden State/OKC game.  He complained that all the Warriors do is shoot threes and hope they go in.  I argued that is their game and has been all season.  Why change now?  They certainly had to change a few things as the Thunder defense threw different looks at them, but if they had decided to not shoot any three-pointers at all during the pre-game strategy, it likely would have been a different outcome.  And not in their favor.  Again, if you are hired for a job based upon an interview process where you pretended to be Superman, and you're really just Clark Kent on a daily basis, the new employer will feel like you pulled the wool over their eyes.

4)  RE-LAX.  Now don't take this to an extreme - I am NOT advocating taking your shoes off and kicking up your feet on the desk.  Instead focus on the small details.  Breathe more intentionally, talk more slowly (people always speak more quickly when nervous), really consider your answers before blurting them out, be aware of your surroundings, etc.  Another story I can think of is a candidate who spoke for so long and in such circles that they had to ask the hiring manager to repeat the question that was asked ten minutes earlier.  The opposite of my story from above.  Can you seriously imagine such a verbal barrage coming out of your mouth that you couldn't even remember the question that was asked?

5)  Be the best version of yourself.  There are a few ways to accomplish this without much effort, but these concepts are often overlooked.  They include getting a good night's sleep before the day of an interview, eat a good meal beforehand, allow plenty of time to arrive early at the interview so that you're not flustered, use the restroom before the interview to make sure you don't have to later (this is also an opportunity to see if any of that pre-interview meal is stuck between your teeth or spilled on your collar), this list could go on and on.  Yet so many people fail to do this little things that would give them a better opportunity to truly be themselves.

The bottom line is that companies are going to hire based upon who they see and hear in an interview.  If that isn't who you really are, those first few weeks and months could be really awkward when they find out they hired Clark Kent and not Superman........