So you’re not looking for a job right now? You're in IT, and you have great experience in your field.  The last thing you want to do is talk to a recruiter, right?  Before you answer this question, let me ask you another question.  How many times have you changed companies in the past 5 years? 10 years?

In IT the average length of employment is around 3-5 years (source: America's Dynamic workforce: 2006; U.S. Department of Labor). …

I love words.  I am one of those people who hears a new word, looks it up and uses it three times so it becomes part of my spoken and written vocabulary.  There is a name for that but i need to look up that word. :)

Words can and do sell.  One does not have to be a world class journalist to write a cover letter for a resume that inspires your client to want to know more or bring that candidate in or do a phone interview.  Every candidate has "a story".  When i present a…

Between Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and all the other social networks out there, it's difficult to figure out where you should be focusing your efforts. Getting involved in social recruitment is a daunting task, and we've come up with a few suggestions for you:

1) Pick out a couple of social networks that you'd like to start with initially - this could be Facebook or Twitter. More than likely, you already have a Facebook and you're familiar with its interface. Narrowing your…

If you are conducting background checks on contractors,you may want to check out the new Enforcement Guidance the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently published on the use of criminal records in employment decisions.

The guidance does not necessarily contain any new rules, but it consolidates over 30 years of court and EEOC precedent for Title VII discrimination claims into one document. You can read the entire guidance at …

The economy is growing, companies are hiring and recruiters are swamped in resumes. Do you ever get tired of sourcing and want to get back into networking? Here are 5 ways to better your recruiting efforts by expanding your search and thinking outside the box:

1. Networking Events- Every town has them, and they are definitely becoming the "hip" thing to do. Who doesn't like going to a nice restaurant and meeting new people? Make an effort to attend at least 1…

.....you'll need to agree to the cut rate, bargain-bin fee the other agencies agreed to.  The position has been open since December and we really need someone ASAP.  Do you have anyone?  The manager is losing his mind - and taking it out on me!

This happens ALL THE…

The Kentucky Derby is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” But it has nothing on recruiting. The recruiting game has plenty of the elements that make the Derby so riveting.

Speed:

Speed wins the Derby - and speed wins placements. In an industry where second place doesn’t matter, recruiters have to work fast to deliver the best candidate first.

Pedigree:

Some thoroughbreds are born to race. Some people…

Job boards have been around for what seems like forever.  If an internet year is the equivalent of a dog year (seven years to every one human year) then job boards are past their century mark and in some cases approaching dinosaur status.

Do people still use job boards?

Even just a quick online search reveals that yes, people do still use job boards. From brands like Monster, Jobsite and Totaljobs to aggregator sites such as Indeed or Broadbean, the job boards are alive and…

OK I got some really good ideas from my last blog that I will give you my dilemma of the day.  I have a search going on for a very prestigious law firm.  They are looking for a very specific type of IP Attorney.  This candidate has to have an Advanced degree, great grades, good undergrad school as well as law school, plus work in either the pharmaceutical or biotechnology fields.  Lo, and behold I found such a candidate.  I presented the candidate on April 17th and was told please send in…

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Findhire is a combo of contact management, project management and sourcing software for recruiters. Michael Dennis the CEO was a surprisingly candid, easy-going guest and because of that people liked him. It didn't seem as if he was being asked hard questions but he was. He just…

Anyone can write an article about what recruiters are looking for and suggest their own tips on how to land interviews and job offers, but how many of those articles are written from the heart of an IT staffing and consulting firm where hundreds of applicants are screened daily?

Here’s exactly what today’s recruiters are looking for and how you can be the person that stands out from the crowd:

Integrity- We all know recruiters spend mere seconds when sifting…

The Recruiter Files

There are certain traits I think every Recruiter needs to have, to be successful.    Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Be structured.   Recruiting…

If you currently have no LinkedIn, no Facebook and no Twitter you could be doubling the time it will take you to find a job. Unless you know people in high places (and lets face it not many of us do) you could be trawling job websites for weeks or even months before:

A. You get an interview  Or  B. Find a job you actually want to do

In 2 short weeks I believe that from having no online presence to having every type of social media…

Do you work in an office setting with others?   You probably have had a Potluck, where your co-workers would bring different food items, for everyone to eat.   Some are good at making desserts, others a main dish and still others liked to bring the plates, cups, napkins and drinks.    Everyone was good at something and brought that to the meal.

I learned how to Recruit, by Potluck.    When I started recruiting, it was a full working desk.   I needed to get and find the jobs and then…

In 1975, Charles Revson, Co-Founder of Revlon Cosmetics, was quoted as saying, “Oh Lord, give me a bastard with talent.”  I can understand the irreverent prayer because job hunting was a bigger risk.  The primary method of communicating jobs was the newspaper with limited geographic circulation.  Since that time, and with the dissemination of technology and understanding of hiring risk, new tools have increased the opportunity to find the right candidate faster and greater…

Have you ever found yourself buying something just because it's on sale? You see that 75% off tag and, even though you might not need an industrial strength pressure washer, you imagine all the things you could do with it. We've all been there and, surprisingly, the talent market in your industry is remarkably similar. The only difference is that the good deal you snap up will do more than collect dust in your garage.…

By Gina Storey, Senior Technical Recruiter at EdgeLink

A trusted relationship between an IT recruiter and a candidate is coveted in our business from both perspectives. You don’t…

Interviewing 101!!

Over the last 2-3 months I have been hit up about interviewing. Different interviewing styles, questions, setup etc. I remembered a set of posting I did a little over 2 years ago about this subject, and figured it was time to bring them back So here you go the first in a multi-part set of posts on interviewing. Keep in mind these are not in any order.

Conducting the Interview!!

During the interview your goal is to…

Since 1981, I have worked with over 3000 hiring managers across the United States.  Most of whom have never been trained how to interview.  Therefore, they bring their own unique interview techniques and questions to the interview party.

This is the beginning of a series of quick stories that my candidates have experienced.  The names have been changed - if there is even a name attached.  Of course, the candidates bring their own special treats to the interviewing party and I…