Imagine that you’re one of the thousands of job boards that provided Indeed with job postings from its inception. Imagine that in addition to providing those jobs (which turned Indeed into the most visited job site on the web), you also spent money promoting those same jobs – thus providing Indeed with a lucrative source of income. Imagine that, in return, Indeed provided your job board with a stream of inbound referrals (both organic and…

Lately I've been hearing and seeing a lot of articles and posts relating to the Video CV and the techno-geek in me just can't help having it's attention grabbed.

I haven't come across any companies that require a video CV (if you are one please let me know how they're working for you) but I was recently speaking to a consultancy who mentioned their CRM system possessing  functionality to enable applicants to record a brief video of themselves when registering at their…

There are certain news stories we one cannot help but muse on all the absurd potentialities.  One such story is one that came through a news letter to which I subscribe.   It  is an article in The Republic, in Columbus Indiana, where it reports that the Texas Legislature may allow employees to bring their guns to work with them.   That's right.  They can bring their guns, potentially, as long as they leave…

Over the past few months there have been numerous articles, blogs and commentaries related to handling the increased volume of candidates applying for positions; the continued lack of response from companies once someone applies for a position and what if anything candidates can do; and suggested new “tools” for addressing these issues. Companies complain, candidates…

This past weekend I attended “Energy Leadership” hosted by iPEC, where I’m training to become a Certified Professional Coach.  Their website is http://www.ipeccoaching.com/ if you want to look into coaching or Energy Leadership.  The reason I wanted to become a coach was two-fold: first it would give me an opportunity to work with people one-on-one in a non corporate setting, and second it would give me an opportunity to add value to my existing…

It is natural for a job seeker to be nervous in an interview.  We are at our most vulnerable when something is at stake personally (getting or not getting the job).  A key mistake made by many candidates is saying TOO MUCH when being concise would be better.  Candidates are good at starting stories and continuing stories, but not always so good at wrapping up stories and making a point.

A good business story told in an interview is like any good story:  It holds the listener’s…

You are in your car, reading the menu, in the drive-thru lane at McDonald's.

Then a voice appears-May I take you order please?

With confidence and without a hesitation you reply -I’ll have a number 5.

The voice says-proceed to the next window please!

You pay the 5 bucks at the first window and proceed to the next window

And… there it is, in a neat package-the value meal that you just ordered.  And that makes you very happy!

Instant…

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make when they fly by." – Douglas Adams

April 15th is fast approaching.  It's tax season.  I think we’re all familiar with deadlines.  Some people live by deadlines while others loathe them.  As a job seeker or career professional,…

Total volume added in the past 60 days and the percentage increase compared to the same period last year.

Data: WANTED Analytics | Analysis: StaffingU…

There are 8,766 hours in a year, and out of those hours the average Recruiting Professional spends about 520 hours commuting, 3,120 working a desk, and, if they are lucky, 2,190 hours sleeping.  Add all of these hours up and you have 2,936 to take care of your family, friends and yourself.  Is this unusual? No. What is unusual are the stress levels Recruiters are…

One of my very favorite songs is called Down Together by the Refreshments. The refrain includes the lyrics, "Cars break down and people break down and other things break down too so let's go...down together".

I had the chance to have dinner with…

I have been recruiting for 25+ years and just came across a new issue.  If anyone has suggestions, I would really appreciate the help.

I am dealing with the American subsidiary of an Asian company.  They are looking to hire a COO.  The compensation is about $300k, so it is pretty senior.  Now that they have started interviewing candidates, they are telling the candidates that they have a policy of a 90 day trial period.  This is, of course, a turn-off to all the people I have…

I recently read this very interesting post (via twitter) about an age old issue that continues to pop its awkward head above the parapet in the world of recruitment.  The double submission - when two agencies submit the same candidate to the same job vacancy (and the subsequent squabbling over ownership that inevitably ensues).

The…

"Hey you... Yeah you... the tall, balding guy who's getting a bit tubby around the midriff. Whats the best way to lay out my CV?"  I get asked this question a lot by friends and colleagues.  Over the years I've seen many designs and layouts from competency to chronologically career based with everything either side and in between thrown in for good…

It was a year ago when I sat in a conference where I met the legendary Jack Canfield, CEO and Founder of the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" Franchise and Books, and author of many books including "The Success Principles - How you Get From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be".  On that day, I shook hands with Mr. Canfield and got to receive an autograph from this giant among men in my copy of his book, which I received for free as a part of this conference, the best part - I was among fellow…