LinkedIn no-no's during a search

I often see comparisons between LinkedIn and Facebook when reviewing candidate and company feeds for relevant updates.  We have all seen those images of LinkedIn not equaling Facebook.  Which I agree with, but today I am only going to focus on the LinkedIn part of your social media marketing plan as a candidate especially.

In our era of quick-clicks, "likes", and "now following", it is easier than ever to fall into the trap of being reactionary when you see something you like or dislike online.  One of the worst things you can do, however, is "like" the wrong thing.  Some are obvious, some are not so obvious.  Take, for instance, someone "liking" an article or a feed about PPACA (i.e. Obamacare).  This is a lightning rod issue and most people fall on one side of the spectrum regarding their thoughts and reactions.  So if you are out "liking" posts, articles, or even funny pictures about this topic you in theory have a 50/50 chance of offending someone that may see that on your own feed.

Or how about that individual you know that crosses the line and uses LinkedIn to post all kinds of stories about their favorite sports' team.  While not completely egregious in any manner, again remember that you are likely to upset someone with that.  I wouldn't say to completely go away from this, but there are particular groups where your topics can be discussed among fellow fans.  Alumni groups, team pages, and like-minded groups are where you might get bang for the buck.

Social topics are a big trap on LinkedIn.  Local, regional, and national news while intriguing and even possibly important are not going to serve you well in your search if you are talking about them on your LinkedIn feed.  Opinions can vary widely on controversial issues in the news, and employers or hiring managers could be quickly turned off if you are spouting opinions about something that has nothing to do with your ability to be a good employee.

Lastly be sure to make anything you follow, like, re-post or share is more professional than personal.  Employers certainly want to get to know you through the interview process, but they are most interested in your work product and abilities rather than where you had supper last weekend.  Save that for interviews when you can lighten the mood, perhaps put on Facebook, or even share through a tweet.

Remember that what you are doing on LinkedIn is public forum and can be tracked.  In the past few weeks I have seen some unbelievable stuff which has led me to dis-connect from some people.  While wanting my network to be as big as possible I don't ever want to be associated with someone who is completely mindless to decorum with LinkedIn.  You should remember the same when you are in an active search or feel you might be in the future.

Any other no-no's you have seen on your LinkedIn feeds that would be helpful for others to know about?

2015 recruiting trends

I don’t know about you, but the older I get the more reflective I become.  Looking back at last year to see what worked and what didn't played a big role in me determining goals for this year.  At the end of 2013 I predicted three trends for 2014 – 1) increased M&A or lift-out activity, 2) the rise of the passive candidate, and 3) addition of unique one-off types of roles.  We saw success in all three areas, and I believe it will continue into 2015.

This year I believe we will see some new trends that are already transforming the way we do business here at Capstone and could likely impact your organization as well.

The rise of social media.  Okay, this may seem like a “sure bet” if I were a Vegas odds-maker, but it is for more than the old reasons we have known for the past couple of years.  We all know that candidates oftentimes have LinkedIn profiles, Facebook pages, and even a few have a blog.  The bigger change we have seen is how companies embrace this when trying to brand their company’s recruitment philosophy.  See this article for some confirmation of this -   http://blog.accuchex.com/top-four-recruiting-and-hiring-trends-for-2015

Paying more for the right candidate.  I have seen this firsthand recently regarding some offer negotiations with candidates in the fourth quarter.  I was pleasantly surprised by how often my clients were seeking the “enthusiastic yes” from candidates by providing a competitive offer right out of the gates.  More base salary, more vacation, and sign-on bonuses were witnessed more than I have seen since pre-2008 hiring levels.  Along with my prediction last year of seeing more qualified passive candidates, this may come into play if you really want to send a strong message that you are looking to procure the best talent available.

Making more opportunity hires.  This is when someone comes along that is too good to pass up, but you don’t have a place on the bench for them.  More and more companies are creating that capacity and sometimes even re-structuring to ensure the role is challenging enough for the candidate.  As the market continues to become more competitive and sway a little bit back to the low supply/high demand end of the curve employers will be forced to adjust or lose out on that top talent.  Your competitors are all doing this, so it may be time to pay more attention to this growing trend.

The final trend is more of an observation than anything, but has proved invaluable to our process in the past few months.  That idea is transparency.  Don’t be afraid to unapologetically wear your heart on your sleeve when seeking new talent.  The candidates will embrace that, we have appreciated that immensely from our perspective, and the branding you create will have a ripple effect that you may never even know its full power.  Our best call is from a referral from a candidate that we did NOT place.  They say that this individual had such a good experience (again, despite not being placed for employment through our firm) that we were highly recommended to guide them through their search too.  That is high praise and something we work for every day.

What trends did you see last year?  And what trends do you see for the coming year?  We hope to be a part of that strategy directly or indirectly.  As always, please feel free to see what we’re up to on our social media platforms and our website – www.csgrecruiting.com.

I wish you a very happy and prosperous 2015!

Interesting advice from Google about your resume

Over the years I have had many requests from candidates to help spruce up or revise their resume to be noticed.  There are obviously all kinds of tricks and trades with key words, accomplishments, and even font that can help you get noticed.  But who would have thought getting rid of that old Hotmail or AOL account would be one of them?

I have heard from a couple of candidates recently that they found a recommendation online to get a Gmail account to be more accessible through their social media and optimize SEO on an individual basis.  I thought for sure that was another brilliant marketing idea from Google.  Which I am guessing still may play some small role.  The broader point is that updating everything on your social media, your resume, and your personal email shows your ability to change with the times.  It could also help integrate everything when it comes to gathering responses and building your network.

If you are going to do this I would also add some tips to really get the most bang for the buck:

1)  Create a Google Plus account.  You may not use it much, and you might be reticent to be added to "circles" from people you don't know well, but it is all part of the experience.  Google does a great job of promoting all things Google, and this helps you get noticed more.  Which is a good thing if you are about to embark upon a job search or an interview process.

2)  Link everything to this new Gmail account - Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, your resume, and anything else you can think of.  Use this email account for your smartphone, your home email, and begin to leave your old email address behind.

3)  While you are at it, you might as well be sure to have a Skype account.  For those of you that have all of the usual excuses - I don't have a camera for my computer, I don't want to download anything, I don't know how to use it - those are not valid any more.  If you own a smart phone you can set this up in less than thirty minutes.  Again, be sure this is attached to this new Gmail account.

4)  Be professional with your email address.  Many old Hotmail and AOL accounts had nicknames, numbers, birthdays, and even some inappropriate names.  Ditch those and if at all possible go with firstname.lastname@Gmail.com.  This will show a more updated and professional profile than SuperCoolDad1989@hotmail.com.

I want to make a caveat here that I am NOT advertising for Google or saying this is the only way to go.  The broader message is that keeping up with the changes in a new year will help propel you to the top of some lists as you begin considering interviews and new opportunities.  Many others are doing this already, and you're a step behind if you don't try to stay ahead of the curve.

Inspirational tips for your job search in 2015 #BooYah

Every year during the holidays I take time to reflect on the year that was and the year that is to come.  Then I set goals for the new year to improve upon the good from the year past, eliminate the bad, and try to take small daily steps to accomplish those goals.  I know my clients and candidates do the same, so I thought I would offer up some simple ideas going into 2015.

If you do not know the person in the image I selected for today's blog, simply Google the name Stuart Scott and you will have plenty of options to choose from.  Eulogies, tributes, reflections, pictures, and much more from some very influential people will appear in your feed.  Sadly he lost his battle with cancer yesterday morning after more than twenty years as a sports' anchor for ESPN.  The way he lived his life, and not just during his battle with cancer, serves us with plenty of good reminders about how we could apply certain concepts to a job search.

1)  Every day I fight.  In his infamous acceptance speech of an award last year at the ESPYs Stuart eloquently outlined that he was not "losing" his battle with cancer.  Instead he chose to live every day knowing it could be his last.  That enjoyment and joy was evident to all around him.  Similarly you can apply this to your job search.  Whether you are in initial phases and wading around in online ads, or trying to re-connect with everyone in your network, or maybe even in the final stages of an interview, always choose to fight.  By fighting I mean striving to make a good impression, using good communication skills, being honest with yourself and others, and working toward the ultimate goal of getting that new job or being happy with the one you have.

2)  Boo-Yow!  This was one of many phrases that Stuart was the first to use on-air and has been used over and over again by many others.  Many people thought it was Boo-Yah, but he wanted it to be even more unique and those around him knew it was in his notes as Boo Yow.  The lesson here is to celebrate the achievements during your job search.  If you made it past the first phone screen with HR, be jubilant.  If you received the offer, regardless of whether you accept or not, pat yourself on the back.  If as a hiring manager you source an unbelievable candidate for your opening, tell others about it and plan a strategy to ultimately hire that person.  Put on your recruiting hat and make the hire happen!

3)  Have a purpose.  Stuart lived for his daughters, and in his words "fought like hell" to beat cancer so that he could one day walk them down the aisle at their respective weddings.  Your purpose doesn't have to be grand, but it is good to write it down and make it formal.  Perhaps it is more money to provide for your family.  Or more flexible hours to spend more time outside of the office.  Maybe you desire to be in management and no longer an individual contribute.  It is time to make that leap to sales from client service and you need to adjust your spending habits with an income that may fluctuate in the near future.  If all you are doing is "fishing" around to see if there might be something better out there you will never be fully prepared for the interview process.

4)  Know you can't control everything.  It is said that Stuart Scott never wanted to know what stage his cancer was in at any given time.  He was afraid that if he found it was in final stages that he wouldn't want to fight any longer.  He accepted that fate and decided to show up every day and give 110%.  There were times during his fight where those around him saw him fading away.  But the minute the cameras came on he was a consummate professional and was always on top of his game.  Many viewers had no idea how bad his cancer really was because he always seemed to be the same on air.  The same with a job search can apply - if you don't know where things stand with an interview you know you have to keep giving 110%.  You never know what turn may come to swing things in your favor, even when things are looking gloomy.

I could go on and on as stories are popping up everywhere regarding Stuart's great past as a successful sportscaster and good human being.  But I'll allow you to search the stories on your own and learn from his example.  I will, however, leave you with one last quote from Stuart, "You beat cancer by HOW you live, WHY you live, and in the manner by which you live."  Great life lesson for all of us.

I wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015!

Holiday tips for your job search

It seems like this time of year everyone has a few tricks or ideas to get through the holidays.  Either to enhance the joy of the season or is some cases flat out survival.  From gift ideas to travel tips to party planning to baking and cooking gems there is an expert willing to dispense their knowledge at a high level.  So I thought I would throw my hat in the ring to provide some holiday thoughts related to your job search.

1)  Seek balance.  With party after party after party with sweets, drinks, and extra meals, have you ever craved a good salad over the holidays to put an end to the seemingly endless stomachaches?  In the same way, take some time off of your search to spend with loved ones or flat out "me" time.  Catch a few movies, sleep in, and enjoy some down time.  It is still okay to stay active during the holidays, but with many hiring managers away from the office the response rate may be delayed.  So don't feel guilty if you're not online ten hours a day looking for that "perfect" opening.

2)  Set goals now.  Have you ever noticed how many people use New Year's Resolutions as a crutch to do whatever they want to do over the holidays?  Go ahead and put on fifteen pounds because you are going to vow to lose twenty by January 1, right?  Why not set a reasonable goal to lose ten pounds in the new year and gain no more than five over the holidays?  In the same way, think of where you hope to be with any pending career moves NOW and then generate activity in the coming days and weeks that move you closer to those goals.  No sense in waiting.

3)  Be thankful for what you have.  Instead of asking our kids what they want for Christmas each year we like to remind them what they already have.  It makes the idea of asking for everything in the Toys R Us catalog seem a little more ridiculous because they are already reflective on how blessed they truly are.  In your job search the first question you should always ask yourself is why am I not happy now?  Or better yet, am I happy and I don't even see it since a few things here and there don't go my way.  News flash - there is no such thing as the "perfect" job or "perfect" employer.  Maybe, just maybe, you should be more focused on how you can make your current situation better before you jump the fence to see if the grass is any greener on the other side.

4)  Take time to reflect.  I have seen a lot of commercials recently for shows coming up in the next few weeks that are reviewing the year of 2014.  If pop culture, music, TV, celebrity news, and world events are all worth reflecting on, isn't your current working situation a good one to think about too?  Try to be objective and view things from a 30,000-foot perspective.  We always live in the now and sometimes forget to look back to see what has shaped us and led us to where we are now.  This is particularly poignant for a job search.  Why are you even looking in the first place?  How many moves have you made in the past five years?  How many of your career goals have you achieved?  If you even set goals in the first place.

5)  Find a mentor or thank the one you have.  I am fortunate to have several people in my life that I can always count on if I am facing a difficult or important decision.  Career moves definitely fit into that category.  If you don't have this voice of reason to rely on during a job search you might make a move that goes bad and could have been prevented.  As a third party recruitment consultant I like to think I fit into that category for my clients and candidates alike.  But if you don't have that luxury, lean on the shoulders of those that have gone before you.  People that have made mistakes, recovered from them, and have learned something that could be valuable to you.  Mentors are ALWAYS willing to provide their wisdom and knowledge.

What other tips have gotten you through the holidays that have coincided with a job search?  Have you had something happen recently that would be good for others to know?

Happy holidays to you and yours.  I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts through blog over the past year and really look forward to more topics to explore together next year!

Don't give up, don't ever give up on your job search

For those of you that are not sports' fans and possibly have not heard about Jim Valvano's infamous speech many years ago, you should Google it and watch it.  Even if you don't know the first thing about basketball you will be inspired.

It holds more significance for me as I coach my son's fourth grade basketball team.  My son and I watched it together during Jimmy V week, and he didn't quite understand why I was crying throughout the entire piece.  I even used the inspiration to get the boys fired up over the weekend in a game where we were down 18 points and it looked like it was over mid-way through the second half.  I asked if anyone wanted to give up, and of course none of them did.  We came all the way back to force triple overtime and lost in heart-breaking fashion on a made free throw by the opponent.  We could have all thrown in the towel, had the same outcome (a loss), and on paper we would be in the same place today.  I was thrilled the team didn't want to go down that path.

I can't tell you how many times I have worked with candidates and clients alike that were ready to throw in the proverbial towel.  The candidate(s) couldn't find the right job or get the offer on the job they really wanted.  The client(s) couldn't find the right candidate or get themselves talked into extending an offer on a candidate that really wasn't their first choice.  Here are some thoughts that Jimmy V would probably offer to someone caught in that situation:

1)  Give it your best, even when you don't feel up for it.  The night of his infamous speech Jimmy V needed help getting up and down from the stage.  His body was worn down from tumors, treatments, and general weariness.  He admitted to not wanting to be there to accept the award, but he came despite his exhaustion and pain.  You would never know by watching his speech how awful he must have really felt.  If you are experiencing pain in your life, no matter how significant, show up to an interview or a meeting giving 120% as you don't know if that is your only shot at making an impression.

2)  Don't listen to others telling you to stop.  At one point during his speech Jimmy V mocks the red light that is the sure signal from the producers of the show that your time was up.  He joked that he is about to die from the dreaded cancer taking over his body and they wanted him to wrap up his thoughts in a matter of seconds.  He seized the opportunity and powered through, giving one of the most memorable speeches in recent sports' history.  During you search you might come across people that think you should just stay put and remain miserable because that is just what work life is all about.  Don't listen to those people.  Go blaze your own trail!

3)  Let people know you care.  Some professional business coaches and recruiters say to keep emotion out of the interview process.  I don't necessarily agree with that.  At one point during the speech Jimmy V says, "To me there are three things everyone should do every day.  Number one is laugh.  Number two is think, spend some time in thought.  Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears.  If you laugh, think, and cry, that is one heck of a day."  Maybe keep most of the crying out of an interview, but you get the point.  Being relate-able is a lost skill in today's world of sterile social media posts for updates on peoples' lives.  Tell some stories, live a little, and show the person on the other side of the desk that you are a real person.

If you really listen to the speech you will notice that Jimmy V doesn't talk much about basketball despite being a coach.  His sage advice can be applied in many aspects of life, and I'm here today to insert it into the conversation regarding your job search.

What inspires you to look for a new job?  Or procure the one you are in final stages with a prospective employer?  The holidays and year-end usually bring up many of these questions.  Happy to hear your stories and thoughts as always as you reflect this time of the year.

How to overcome a mistake during a search

We have all been there at some point in our careers.  Considering a move, talking to another employer or two, and you fear you stumble by making a mistake or misstep in the process.  I would make the case that a mistake is bound to happen at some point.  It is not necessarily about prevention, but rather how you react when it inevitably happens.

I thought this picture was perfect for my blog topic today as it is an everyday item tripping someone up.  The proverbial slip on a banana peel is something you have likely never seen happen in person, but everyone can relate to the story that is being told.  I also think this time of year about slipping on that patch of ice you don't see coming after a winter storm in the Midwest.  After the slip you always find yourself looking around to see who saw that slip.

When a mistake is made during a search you may do the same thing.  Maybe you were a little late to the first interview.  Or you forgot to add an accomplishment to the most recent copy of your resume before the meeting.  Maybe even brought the wrong copy of your resume to the employer.  You can really sit and wonder if you blew it or you can work through the mistake when it happens.

I am all about moving on.  You must not pretend like the mistake never happened, but you have to keep going forward.  Acknowledge that it occurred and then try to overcome any lost momentum.  My son's youth basketball team had a game yesterday and on an out-of-bounds play accidentally scored on the other team's basket.  Two points for them and a lot of confusion for our team.  As the coach I decided to let them play through it and talk about it at the next timeout.  I brought the play up, asked if anyone was still thinking about it, and of course the answer was no.  They had already moved on and we ended up winning a close game.  By that time the mistake was a distant memory.

Now what if the mistake is a big one and can't just be overlooked as easily?  First thing I would suggest is to own it.  Do not act as though it did not happen.  Recently I had a candidate show up over two hours late to a meeting.  Granted traffic was the main cause and out of the candidate's control, but that is a big problem.  The client still met the candidate, had concerns afterward, we all talked about it, and everyone acknowledged it was not a deal killer.  The candidate really took ownership of the issue and apologized for not allowing enough cushion up front.  It is still likely something in the back of my client's mind, but that idea of accountability really seemed to resonate.  Joan Collins once said show me someone who has never made a mistake and I'll show you someone who never achieved much.

Lastly, what about the mistake that you don't even know happened?  This is the hardest one to overcome and requires a little more work.  This is when you can sense some tension during an interview or when receiving some feedback.  You sense some hesitation and wonder if you went wrong somewhere.  I would recommend digging into it a little more.  Without being overwhelming ask the direct and honest question - is something wrong?  I can't tell you how many times candidates and clients alike have admitted to something when I pushed politely for an answer.  Sometimes it is told to me in confidence, but without being able to process bad news occasionally we would all be left wondering.

How about you?  Have you overcome a mistake during a search that turned out well?  Or perhaps even one that did not turn out well but sharing with others could be a learning experience.