Bill Meirs's Blog (20)

Hey Recruiter, I thought you were on my side! Part III of III

Last time we spoke about identifying the true hiring decision maker (HDM). We will go on the assumption that has happened.

We will also assume that you have been in front of the interview panel and your keen intuition says you did well in the your interviews and made a connection with at least the vast majority of the folks you met with, including the HDM. If you feel your intuition is not working,… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on July 14, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

Hey Recruiter, I thought you were on my side! Part II of III

We have spoken about the circumstances around recruiters being less than cooperative with candidates and the many reasons. Yes, sometimes it is just perception on the candidate's part that a recruiter is not acting in good faith as I outlined in the last couple posts, but sometimes there is shared culpability.

Today let's talk about the candidate taking preventative steps to insure themselves… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on July 7, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Why is this corporate recruiter "just not that into me"?

Last time we spoke about some reasons why corporate recruiters don't always seems to be on your side. We discussed how these reasons could be mistakes made on both sides.

From some feedback I got (mostly from the recruiter world), there is sometimes a misconception of impropriety by the recruiter because candidates try to "shoe horn" themselves into being the right fit for a position even though it is… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on June 29, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

Hey Recruiter, I thought you were on my side!

I think most people feel corporate recruiters are always an impartial bunch whose sole purpose is to fill open jobs as quickly as possible with the best qualified candidates. As a former corporate recruiter, this is the principle I lived by. In speaking to people in the job market I am hearing troubling stories of corporate recruiters who may not be living up to this. This is particularly disconcerting in this… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on June 23, 2009 at 9:08am — No Comments

5 Networking Sites to See!

Most of you know the major social networking sites (Facebook®, LinkedIN®.) Well, there are a few out there you may not know about that are starting to emerge as viable networking places (membership, hits, growth, etc.) even though they may not be what you would think as a social network. If you aren't on or visiting these, you should check them out and get on at least a couple. By the way, I am not… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on June 4, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

Two-Face book

Obviously I am not the first to weigh in on the pros and cons of using social networking sites like Facebook ®, etc. I was actually late to the party getting on FB because I thought it was more for the much younger crowd, but it has become quite a useful tool for me to re-connect with people and also to get the word out about my business and blog and has yielded rewards.

I am much less an "open… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on May 28, 2009 at 11:39am — No Comments

Networking using LinkedIn®, part 2 of 2

2

OK, so last time we spoke about setting up your LI account and basics you need to get going. Today, we will talk about some basic hints on using it to find a job.

We will assume you have gotten some recommendations and have made connections to whomever you can. One thing I didn't get into last post was "open networking", because I didn't… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on May 19, 2009 at 1:49pm — No Comments

Networking using LinkedIn® for job seekers, part 1 of 2

Most people have heard of LinkedIn® (LI) and may even have an account. What I want to discuss today is if you are looking for a job and don't have a LI account (a basic account that is free is all you need), get one. If you have one, some easy things to make it work better for you.

First, a brief (well, we'll see about that) history of LI. It started out as a business to business networking platform… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on May 13, 2009 at 9:07am — No Comments

Applying to job postings vs. networking to find a job

I have talked primarily in this blog about the "traditional" job search process. That being defined as scouring job postings either online or in the printed media.

Although this is a necessary part of the complete job search experience, it really is inefficient and mostly yields low results.

The other fact is most people who apply don't get called back about the job nor do they get hired through… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on May 8, 2009 at 5:00am — No Comments

Smile, you're on Applicant Camera!

I happened to take part in a discussion with others in the recruiter/HR/career services world and the topic was about video resumes becoming the standard.

There was a definite strong opinion in one direction on this. Before I offer up my opinion and the general feeling of the discussions, I would like to get some feedback from you about it from both a job seeker and a recruiter/HR perspective. I… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on May 4, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

The "Counter (offer)" Punch

You have just dropped the bombshell news on your boss that you are leaving. After they pick themselves up off the floor, there will usually be one of three reactions:

Congratulations, good for you!
Traitor! Pack your stuff and get out (or work through your notice and endure my constant looks of contempt)
Sorry to hear that, is there anything we can do to keep you…

Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 28, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

I got a new job! Oh, I have to tell them I’m quitting this one?

That euphoric feeling of accepting a new position can quickly leave when you start to think about the prospect of having to go to your current boss and give notice. Mostly because you probably have a decent relationship with she or he and your co-workers, so it will be a bittersweet departure. Even if you absolutely despise everything about your job, it still can be tough.

The best way to approach… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 21, 2009 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

How to Handle "The Offer"

Alright, you have cleared all the hurdles and the company calls you and wants to tender an offer. How should I handle this?

Well, most of the time the person authorized to offer you a job will give a verbal offer over the phone. Basically it will be a high level summation of the offer:

Job Title
Base Salary
Bonus Plan
Anticipated Start…

Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 17, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

What is this in reference to?

Nice work. You nailed your interviews and are moving to the exciting offer stage. The thing that sometimes causes agita amongst job seekers is that little step in betwixt the interviews and the offer: The reference check.

Today we will discuss how to approach the reference check. First thing: Always have your group of references ready and updated if you are in the job market. Make sure they know they… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 13, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Interview Day - It's go time!

So the blessed day has come, you have your interview. We have already talked about how to prep before your interview day - now some last minute fine tuning and then what to do when you are in the midst of your discussions.

Ramping up or down:

Ramp up: If it is a morning interview, make sure you get a good night's sleep. If you are currently not employed, ramp up with some last minute study or review of notes/job/resume, read the Wall… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 7, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

YAY, You got the interview! Now what?

To hear that you have been invited in for an interview is always an exciting time. It gives you a renewed optimism, like when spring blooms in New England. Whenever the hell that will happen. It also can wreak havoc on even the most seasoned job seeker's innards because you feel so much is riding on your performance.

While I can't come with you, lean over and whisper in your ear the answers to the… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 6, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Demystifying the Cover Letter

People get so stressed about the cover letter.

Do I send?
How long should it be?
What should I put in it?
Do I put salary requirements in it?

Let's start with the first question. Carol from North Carolina said to me: "When sending in my resume for a job, I don't send a cover letter. It doesn't give me any advantage in getting the… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on April 2, 2009 at 1:46pm — 4 Comments

The Money Dance, Part 2: “The Discussion”

OK, you did all your homework and preparation so you understand your value in the marketplace, now you need to make the best of it when speaking to employers.

First rule of thumb: Don't ever be the first one in the conversation to speak about compensation. More than likely, your first contact with the employer will get around to asking. If you bring it up early in the game, it is a big… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on March 30, 2009 at 4:19pm — No Comments

The Money Dance, Part 1: Being Prepared

Salary discussions with a prospective employer are at best uncomfortable, so I am going to talk about how to maintain the advantage in these interactions. Since this is fairly complex, I am breaking this into 2 posts. One to discuss how to prepare, and the other to help you through the actual discussion.

Ken from Massachusetts asks how to respond when an potential employer asks what compensation he is looking for. He was thinking his default would… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on March 26, 2009 at 9:46pm — No Comments

Nail your Interview!

I usually don't plug other people's services on this blog, but in these difficult times you need to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack when you interview. I have worked with Greg Chenevert for a few years now and have found him to be the most effective coach on all things related to communication. He has worked to help all types of people improve their communications in the areas of sales, interviewing, networking, writing. Even political… Continue

Added by Bill Meirs on March 24, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments