Your Resume May Be Costing You The Job

By Tom Bryan, Managing Partner, ISGF, Inc.

As a potential job candidate, your resume is the most important tool in your “self-marketing” arsenal!  It is the first impression you will make on an employer, but it could also be the last if your resume lacks enthusiasm or doesn’t highlight your skills and qualifications in the best way possible.

If you really want that job, it is essential that you make a memorable impression on the employer.  In today’s economy, many employers may get dozens or even hundreds of resumes for a single position.  This means that you are competing with lots of qualified candidates, and you must make yourself stand apart from those candidates!  Here are a few tips to help make your resume shine:

Show your enthusiasm – Who wants to read a resume that is as dull and lifeless as an encyclopedia?  Use action words in your resume.  Employers take notice when a potential job candidate is enthusiastic and energetic.  Words like achieved, negotiated, coordinated, delegated, enabled, increased, implemented and trained impress an employer, and demonstrate your ability to get things done.

Target your resume to each individual employer – When creating your resume, include skills, qualifications and achievements that relate directly to the position you are applying for.  Write your career objective in a way that demonstrates how it will benefit the company.  Include any training, special skills or accomplishments in past employment that are relevant to the position.

Ask yourself what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you – Employers are interested in how you will make their company or organization better.  Write your objective in a concise, clear manner that places the focus on how your objective will benefit the company.  Instead of writing “I want to use my 12 years of sales experience”, use “Apply 12 years of sales experience to . . . “.

Write your resume in a simple, professional manner – You may think that using fancy fonts, graphics and lots of bold headings will impress an employer, but it won’t.  Hiring managers are busy people; they want to get straight to the details they are looking for.  Write your resume using simple, easy-to-read fonts with a minimum of bold or italicized words.  Keep it brief, and leave plenty of white space around borders.  You want an employer to be able to quickly scan your resume for the pertinent information; what you do not want is for them to have to search for it.

Keep these tips in mind when writing your resume, and you will capture both the eyes and the attention of the employer, placing you high on the list of potential job candidates.

ISGF, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010.

HR No No’s – What NOT To Ask An Interviewee!

By – Tom Bryan, Managing Partner – ISGF.COM

When it comes to interviewing a potential job candidate, there are some areas employers or hiring managers simply should not approach – at least in a direct way.  An interview should always focus on the candidate’s experience and qualifications; all questions should be job-related.  The individual conducting the interview should stay away from personal questions regarding race, religion, sexual orientation, age, and a host of other topics.

That being said, there are ways you can transform a question that seems personal in to one that relates to the job.

1.  Never ask a job candidate about their religion.  You cannot ask an interviewee what religion they are, and if their religion will prevent them from working on the weekends.

What you CAN ask is if they are available to work on weekends, or what days the individual is available to work.

2.  Avoid asking an interviewee how old they are, as this can be taken as discriminatory.  Instead, ask the potential job candidate questions such as what their future or long-term career goals are, or ask if they are over 18.

3.  When it comes to family matters, never ask a woman if her name is her maiden name, if she has children or questions regarding her ability to get a babysitter if necessary.

What you can ask is if she has ever worked using another name, if she can travel or work overtime occasionally, or if there would be a problem should she be required to travel for business purposes.

4.  Of course you want to be certain that a candidate is legal to work for you, but when it comes to nationality never ask the job candidate if they are a United States citizen.

Instead, simply ask the interviewee if they are authorized to work in the U.S.

5.  Never ask questions about health and physical issues, such as does the potential job candidate smoke, drink, use drugs or questions involving height, weight or how many sick days the individual used last year.

Here are subtle ways to find out what you need to know:

Ask the individual if they have ever been disciplined by past employers for violating company policies regarding the use of tobacco or alcohol products.

You can ask if the interviewee uses illegal drugs, but do not ask if they “take” drugs as this could be misinterpreted – and it is illegal to ask if they take prescription drugs, so the “take” word may be confusing to the job candidate.

Regarding height, weight and sick days, simply ask the individual if they are capable of reaching items that are X number of feet tall, lifting boxes that weigh up to X amount, or how many days of work they missed last year.

6.  Disabilities are another topic you never approach directly.  Instead of asking a job candidate about any mental or physical disabilities, simply ask if they are able to perform the duties required for the job.

7.  You want to know if an individual has ever been arrested, particularly if they will be working in a capacity that requires them to handle money.  While you cannot ask them directly if they have ever been arrested, you can ask if the person has ever been convicted of particular crimes such as theft, fraud, embezzlement, etc.

It’s best to be on the safe side when conducting an interview and ask only questions you know for certain are legal.  Otherwise, you may find yourself the subject of a discrimination lawsuit.

Asking a question the wrong way may come across as personal to the interviewee; find a way to ask questions regarding the issues mentioned above in a way that relates to their qualifications and ability to perform the job for which they are applying.

ISGF is a Full Service Recruiting Firm Headquartered in Orlando, FL.  For more information, please call 407-481-9580 or visit us at isgf.com.

Interview Blunders. They’re True. We promise.

It’s understandable that when you go on a job interview you may be a bit nervous or anxious; after all, you want to make the best possible impression on a prospective employer.  Sometimes, trying so hard and getting overly stressed about your upcoming interview can make things worse.  What are the silliest, craziest, most unbelievable interview blunders that have actually happened?  That’s what we will talk about here – and some of the things that real people have done in a job interview will leave you speechless.  If you have ever actually made a blunder yourself, you may not feel so bad after reading this!

Due to an unstable economy, it is said that there are five people who apply for every job opening that becomes available.  Knowing that, it is essential that you present yourself as the best possible job candidate.  Enjoy reading these true but embarrassing job interview moments.

1.  One applicant sent in a resume that was packed full of errors; in the cover letter, the applicant asked the hiring manager if someone on staff could clean it up for them.  True story, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal!

2.  Can you imagine asking the hiring manager or individual who interviewed you if they would mind giving you a ride home?  This happened too according to Career Builder.

3.  In one Career Builder survey, hiring managers were asked about the funniest or strangest things that a job candidate did during an interview.  One answered that a job candidate actually wore pajama bottoms to the interview. Even if the dress is casual, this is a bit too much.

4.  Even though you may not be aware of your own bad habits, watch yourself when on a job interview.  Another participant in the survey mentioned above stated that he had actually had applicants light cigarettes, laugh like a hyena, pass gas, belch and pick their noses.  Be sure that you consciously check your bad behavior outside the interview room.

5.  One job candidate apparently forgot part of his wardrobe in preparing for the interview.  During the interview, a balding man excused himself.  He returned a few minutes later wearing a hairpiece.  True story, according to Work911.com.  Most men look better “au naturel”, so leave the rug at home.

6.  Also listed as one of the top blunders on Work911.com was an interview in which a potential job candidate had to interrupt the interview in order to call his therapist for assistance in answering specific interview questions.

7.  Never bring your children to a job interview, even if you have to pay a sitter to keep them while you are out.  One woman showed up at an interview with her two children; during the 20 minutes that the interview lasted, the kids were loud, disruptive, restless and had to visit the restroom twice.  Completely true story, one of the seven deadly sins of interviewing according to The Ladders.

This list of interview blunders could actually go on for miles; there are literally hundreds of silly and unbelievable mistakes people have made during job interviews.  Suffice it to say that those who committed these interview “sins” likely did not land the job.  Don’t let this be you!  Always be totally prepared, dress the part and present yourself and your abilities in a professional manner.

ISGF is a recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL.  ISGF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Copyright 2010 – All Rights Reserved.

Need a Job? Use a Recruiter to Your Best Advantage.

by Thomas Bryan, Managing Partner, ISGF – Orlando, FL

Recruiters are in the business of matching up companies in need of employees with the ideal candidate. There are several ways that a company can advertise an opening, which include online job boards, recruiters, networking and probing the internet for suitable candidates. All of these methods of finding the right employee are extremely time-consuming, and most companies simply do not have the time to sift through the hundreds of resumes submitted to an ad posting.

Are you one of the many who post your resume to several job sites? While this is a good idea, you are competing with an unknown number (probably hundreds) of candidates for a single position – what is the likelihood that you will get noticed above the other candidates? Unless your resume really shines, it isn’t likely to stand out to an employer.

It is essential that you use keywords strategically on your resume, so that when recruiters search the career sites to find the ideal candidates for a company, yours will rise to the top. Recruiters work for employers; it is the job of the recruiter to find an individual who possesses the skills, qualifications, and even personality traits that a company desires.

Send your resume out to recruiters that you feel are experienced and capable; your resume will give the recruiter a good “feel” for your experience, qualifications and skills. By sending your resume to recruiters you feel are qualified, you are essentially putting your resume in front of many of the types of jobs you really desire; a recruiter can often look at your resume, and instantly think of a company looking for someone with your exact qualifications.

To put it simply, looking for a full time job can be a full time job – especially today, when most job markets are fiercely competitive and there are fewer jobs available. Write a resume that briefly summarizes your most relevant skills, that is concise and highlights your strengths. Use verbs in your sentences that demonstrate your enthusiasm about the type of work you are looking for. Make your resume stands out from the rest, and avoid droning on and on about your responsibilities in previous jobs; instead, talk about what you achieved in your positions, how your performance was beneficial to the company.

When a reputable recruiter has your well-written resume in hand, it can be the link that places you with the perfect employer.

ISGF is a Full Service Recruiting Firm headquartered in Orlando, FL. The firm specializes in the placement of Sales Professionals & Information Technology Professionals. For more information, please visit www.ISGF.com . ISGF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

With All This Technology, Who Needs Recruiters Anymore?

Deciding to use a recruiter can be beneficial to both a potential job candidates and an employer. Successful recruiters often have many relationships with a diverse group of companies, which helps the recruiter understand what type of employee an employer is seeking. In turn, this helps the recruiter place a job candidate with the right company according to their skills and qualifications.

Thomas Bryan & Associates, LLC is a full service Recruiting Firm specializing in the placement of Sales Professionals and Information Technology Professionals. The firm is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Thomas Bryan & Associates, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). #

Benefits of External Recruiting to an Employer

Many companies draw from within the company when they seek to fill a vacant position. While this is fine, employers have a much wider range of talent and skill to draw from by recruiting externally.

It’s often beneficial to a company or organization to hire someone from outside of the company for many reasons. New people who are not “conditioned” to the work environment often bring in fresh ideas, which can boost the growth of a company that has become stagnant.

Of course it’s obvious that by hiring a recruiter you will have a much larger pool of job candidates to choose from, making it easier for you to select an individual with the exact skills and qualifications you desire. It may also help in maintaining good relationships within the company, as resentment sometimes surfaces when employees are promoted within the organization.

Advantages of Using a Recruiter to Find The Perfect Opportunity

Those on the hunt for a job, especially in difficult economic times, have their work cut out for them. In most industries, the job market is very competitive; established recruiters know the employment marketplace well. Much of the time, recruiters have access to unadvertised jobs which expands the number of opportunities available to a candidate.

Any individual who has pursued an executive-type career on their own knows there is a lot of work involved, including preparing and sending out a professional resume, making phone calls and setting up interviews. A recruiter acts as an “agent” of sorts, and can help you accomplish all of these tasks easily and in less time.

Experienced and successful recruiters have built relationships with a wide range of clients; they know what these employers are looking for in an employee; they also have a feel for the work environment. This helps recruiters place job candidates in a career that is the “perfect marriage” for both the employer and the employee.

A recruiter often plays the role of “middleman”; he frequently has the ability to negotiate a higher salary for the job candidate. Interviewing is a crucial aspect of the hiring process; a recruiter with insight in to what the employer is looking for in an employee can help the job candidate hone their interview skills in a way that is targeted toward a potential employer.

These are just a few of the benefits of using a recruiter, both to employers and job candidates. What about you? As an employer or a job candidate, you will find that using a recruiter results in far less work on your part, and the perfect match between employer and employee needs.

How to Make Sure Someone Else Gets Hired for that Career You Covet.

 

By Tom Bryan, Managing Partner, ISGF

You’ve been training for the sales industry; you’ve got the perfect personality, never meet a stranger, and your motivation is through the roof. You’re ready to knock them down with your product or service, which is of course the best they will ever find. Now that you’re stoked and ready to go land that high-paying sales job, here are a few things that guarantee a competing job candidate will snatch it right out from under you.

1. You decided that since the company is known for being relaxed and laid back, you won’t dress conservatively for the interview as you normally would. A comfortable pair of jeans, your favorite t-shirt and some flip-flops should work just fine.

2. Decide not to send a cover letter with your resume; after all, the good stuff is included on the resume itself, so why bother? No need to put yourself out.

3. Appear needy and desperate. Instead of demonstrating your confidence in your abilities, act like you just cannot go on in this world unless you land the job. This should ensure that you have plenty of time to spend playing computer games or out on the golf course.

4. Leave your cell phone on during the interview – after all, you never know whose call you may miss!

5. Convey to the person interviewing you how every boss you have ever worked for was an idiot; oh, and don’t forget to add that all of your co-workers were jerks. This should instill a potential employer’s confidence in you.

These are just a few tips that ensure you can spend all the time you like fishing, playing golf or watching the Food Network all day long. If you’re going to land that sales position, follow the rules and most of all – be prepared! The idea is to make yourself stand apart from other job candidates, but in a GOOD way.

 

ISGF is a full service Recruiting Firm specializing in the placement of Sales Professionals and Information Technology Professionals nationwide. The firm is headquartered in Orlando, FL. ISGF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

 

Your Posts May Haunt You If You’re Searching For a Job.

 

Sure, nearly everyone has a Facebook account today and it’s fun – even nearly addictive to some people. Frequently, people post about whatever they are thinking at the time – which could be detrimental in your job search. Whether you’re venting about your boss or a co-worker, or bragging about that new tattoo you got, be careful what you write; it could very well come back to bite you in the you-know-what.

While you may think it is wrong for potential or current employers to check up on you or see what you have to say on that Facebook or Twitter page, it doesn’t mean they won’t do it. Many employers use the internet now to see what they can find out about potential job candidates or current employees. Remember that what you say online is out there for the whole world to see – including employers.

People often don’t stop to think what impact something they post on social networking sites may have on their future. You may have posted something about your former boss or a position you held in the past, and think nothing about it; however, it will still be there when a prospective employer is checking up on you. What will be the first thing that comes to their mind? If you posted negative comments or private information about a previous employer, you’re likely to do it again – only this time your posts may be about their company. Doesn’t shed a positive light on you, does it?

Employers prefer employees who understand that Facebook and other social networking sites are not the place to rant about dissatisfaction in a job, how their boss is a tyrant, etc. Not only that, but you probably don’t want to brag about all of your piercings, tattoos or those wild parties you attend either. All of these things can tarnish your image, making a potential employer think twice before hiring you – which probably won’t happen after they read all of your musings.

It’s estimated that about 45% to 50% of employers now use Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace to check up on job candidates. What exactly is it these employers do NOT want to find? Information about drug or alcohol use, defamatory remarks, inappropriate pictures and private information or

In a world where technology has made it so that the internet is the first place people go to look for information or to do some sleuthing, it’s best to keep some things to yourself, including your opinions about your boss, co-workers and employment in general. As one blogger so eloquently put it, Facebook is an equal opportunity information trap.

Thomas Bryan & Associates, LLC is a Recruiting Firm specializing in the placement of Sales Professionals. The firm is headquartered in Orlando, Florida and works with companies of all sizes to find exceptional talent. For more information about the company, please visit their website at www.ISGF.com.

 -by Thomas Bryan, Managing Partner, ISGF.COM – Orlando, FL