Once you nail the interview and land the job... you'll want to make another fantastic first impression!! Check out this article! While hilarious- it actually makes really great suggestions for the start of your new job.
The point about the asking questions couldn't be more true! We tell every new hire here at Monument- that the only way you'll be successful and will like your job is if you ask questions and try to learn.
Our clients obviously feel similarly! Just today I received a glowing recommendation from a client about a temp who worked with them for only 2 days, but in that time she was so impressed with Nick! One of the reasons that she mentioned was because he arrived early, asked questions, and TOOK NOTES!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ways to not get a job...
When I send a candidate out to interview with one of my clients, I cover a few basics, but I'm sure to the applicant, I sound like a broken record (as my co-workers will support)... but people seriously make these kinds of mistakes and often don't know why they didn't get the call back!
Most of what I tell folks seems obvious- but I swear the only reason I'm telling you about it is because these things ACTUALLY happen! I don't THINK you - my candidate - will do these things, but you and I both would hate it if you did and I didn't remind you! You want the company to decide on hiring you based on YOU not a mistake or mis-judgement.
Check out this article by Dave Kerpen on LinkedIn today. It really effectively summarizes some common (and not so common) mistakes but also the thought process that employers use when these things come up. This is a must read for everyone- I'll definitely be sending it to folks who are going on first interviews with me!!
My favorites are:
#6- Not Preparing Anecdotes
This is well put... I try to tell people to think of time that you did what the interviewer is asking so that you can speak with confidence- often if you picture the time you sound less vague. But this tip takes it one step further.... prepare some instances that might work for a few questions or some obvious ones and really color them up. Make them lively and interesting so when you tell those stories you're really painting a picture for them.
#10- Talking Themselves Out of the Job
I don't often cover this with candidates, because I think most people must want to sell themselves, but the article brings up a good point... you have to convince someone you're right. They probably automatically are inclined to see how you don't fit... its your job AND OPPORTUNITY to show them why they're wrong! You haven't used Salesforce? Talk about any other databases you use, or that you watched you tube videos and you've used similar programs and are confident you could get caught up on this particular skill very quickly. Sell it!!
#11- Hedging Bets
Another good point- you and I know you're going on a lot of interviews, but you want this company to feel like you're only interested in this role for them and nothing else matters. If they like you but for another position, have faith they'll see it and make that connection on their own!
Most of what I tell folks seems obvious- but I swear the only reason I'm telling you about it is because these things ACTUALLY happen! I don't THINK you - my candidate - will do these things, but you and I both would hate it if you did and I didn't remind you! You want the company to decide on hiring you based on YOU not a mistake or mis-judgement.
Check out this article by Dave Kerpen on LinkedIn today. It really effectively summarizes some common (and not so common) mistakes but also the thought process that employers use when these things come up. This is a must read for everyone- I'll definitely be sending it to folks who are going on first interviews with me!!
My favorites are:
#6- Not Preparing Anecdotes
This is well put... I try to tell people to think of time that you did what the interviewer is asking so that you can speak with confidence- often if you picture the time you sound less vague. But this tip takes it one step further.... prepare some instances that might work for a few questions or some obvious ones and really color them up. Make them lively and interesting so when you tell those stories you're really painting a picture for them.
#10- Talking Themselves Out of the Job
I don't often cover this with candidates, because I think most people must want to sell themselves, but the article brings up a good point... you have to convince someone you're right. They probably automatically are inclined to see how you don't fit... its your job AND OPPORTUNITY to show them why they're wrong! You haven't used Salesforce? Talk about any other databases you use, or that you watched you tube videos and you've used similar programs and are confident you could get caught up on this particular skill very quickly. Sell it!!
#11- Hedging Bets
Another good point- you and I know you're going on a lot of interviews, but you want this company to feel like you're only interested in this role for them and nothing else matters. If they like you but for another position, have faith they'll see it and make that connection on their own!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Case of the Mondays
What a Monday!!
Sometimes the day can start off on one foot and end on the other, even hop back and forth a bit, right? Well my Monday definitely did!
To start the week, I found out one of my temps had to leave a role she was previously liking quite suddenly. While stressful for myself and the client because we had to find a replacement, I understand that this is a scary process for most of the people I meet. The "real world" is not as kind as college or anything we've experienced before. For starters, there's no "degree adviser" to tell you how to get to your destination. When I was in college, I met with someone during my Freshman year and told them I wanted to be a family counselor. She immediately whipped out a piece of paper with the road map that would get me there... it had classes I needed to take, and even which semesters I should plan for them in order to graduate on time. When I changed my path to marketing, there was another counselor that took what I had already taken, applied it to what I'd need, and handed me another road map. It was so simple!
In the real world, there's no road map. There's no one way to get somewhere, and its scary to be unsure about if you're doing it right.
I think the hardest thing for some of my applicants to accept is that- there is no ONE WAY. If you want to be an assistant in a hospital the "right way" might have you starting at a private pediatricians office where you deal with screaming babies every day for a year. It could start with you going back to school. It could start by you bagging groceries until you've saved up enough money to move out of your parents house. There is no "right way". You get what you give to yourself in terms of opportunities to forge your path. In terms of advice, I'd say just do it- do something and have confidence that you'll figure it out along the way. The biggest obstacle is that first step.
If I had told my career counselor in college I want to be a recruiter for a small agency (if I even know that was a possibility at the time) do you think I would have been advised to work at Enterprise Rent a Car for three years first? Probably not. But things happen for a reason, and I can't say I wouldn't be here without that experience, but it did get me here, and I wouldn't have changed a thing!
Enough about that, though. Because after that start to the week, some really really incredible things happened for some of my candidates. Now that everyone's managers have been informed, I think its safe to spread the congrats around... no?
Congrats to Clementine, who was chosen for an EA role in the city with a great non-profit. She's going to be so happy there!!
And Congrats to Bryan who, after temping there for 2 months, just was selected for a permanent position within the same department at a University in the area.
Awesome news all around!!!
To top it off, my Fall Volleyball Season started up again last night, and I felt great to be playing with my team again! We're the best!! :)
Sometimes the day can start off on one foot and end on the other, even hop back and forth a bit, right? Well my Monday definitely did!
To start the week, I found out one of my temps had to leave a role she was previously liking quite suddenly. While stressful for myself and the client because we had to find a replacement, I understand that this is a scary process for most of the people I meet. The "real world" is not as kind as college or anything we've experienced before. For starters, there's no "degree adviser" to tell you how to get to your destination. When I was in college, I met with someone during my Freshman year and told them I wanted to be a family counselor. She immediately whipped out a piece of paper with the road map that would get me there... it had classes I needed to take, and even which semesters I should plan for them in order to graduate on time. When I changed my path to marketing, there was another counselor that took what I had already taken, applied it to what I'd need, and handed me another road map. It was so simple!
In the real world, there's no road map. There's no one way to get somewhere, and its scary to be unsure about if you're doing it right.
I think the hardest thing for some of my applicants to accept is that- there is no ONE WAY. If you want to be an assistant in a hospital the "right way" might have you starting at a private pediatricians office where you deal with screaming babies every day for a year. It could start with you going back to school. It could start by you bagging groceries until you've saved up enough money to move out of your parents house. There is no "right way". You get what you give to yourself in terms of opportunities to forge your path. In terms of advice, I'd say just do it- do something and have confidence that you'll figure it out along the way. The biggest obstacle is that first step.
If I had told my career counselor in college I want to be a recruiter for a small agency (if I even know that was a possibility at the time) do you think I would have been advised to work at Enterprise Rent a Car for three years first? Probably not. But things happen for a reason, and I can't say I wouldn't be here without that experience, but it did get me here, and I wouldn't have changed a thing!
Enough about that, though. Because after that start to the week, some really really incredible things happened for some of my candidates. Now that everyone's managers have been informed, I think its safe to spread the congrats around... no?
Congrats to Clementine, who was chosen for an EA role in the city with a great non-profit. She's going to be so happy there!!
And Congrats to Bryan who, after temping there for 2 months, just was selected for a permanent position within the same department at a University in the area.
Awesome news all around!!!
To top it off, my Fall Volleyball Season started up again last night, and I felt great to be playing with my team again! We're the best!! :)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Its August already!!!
August is here... SURPRISE! Boy, did that sneak up on us! :)
With the start of August brings the start for a few folks I've been working with on their job searches.
Kevin and Laura are starting their fantastic 6 month assignment with a Healthcare IT group in Waltham. Congrats, Kevin and Laura!! You'll be great! :)
Samantha was also chosen by a wonderful client in Boston to come on board in their marketing department. Sam is going to be getting some unbeatable experience (the marketing department at a huge law firm is something really impressive). Way to go, Sam!!
I've been working with Tim for a while on his job search... he came up this way with his GF who was re-located to the Northeast. Tim connected with me through a former candidate, Abby, and he's wonderful! So thinks a great tech startup downtown, because he showed up to help in their customer service department last week and they've had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. Someone finally saw what I've been seeing this whole time! Awesome job, Tim!
Finally, for a guy I'm really excited for.... CJ starts at Dana Farber on Monday! CJ was referred by my good friend Shannon, and I couldn't be more excited for him! Way to go, CJ! You're going to be great!!
With the start of August brings the start for a few folks I've been working with on their job searches.
Kevin and Laura are starting their fantastic 6 month assignment with a Healthcare IT group in Waltham. Congrats, Kevin and Laura!! You'll be great! :)
Samantha was also chosen by a wonderful client in Boston to come on board in their marketing department. Sam is going to be getting some unbeatable experience (the marketing department at a huge law firm is something really impressive). Way to go, Sam!!
I've been working with Tim for a while on his job search... he came up this way with his GF who was re-located to the Northeast. Tim connected with me through a former candidate, Abby, and he's wonderful! So thinks a great tech startup downtown, because he showed up to help in their customer service department last week and they've had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. Someone finally saw what I've been seeing this whole time! Awesome job, Tim!
Finally, for a guy I'm really excited for.... CJ starts at Dana Farber on Monday! CJ was referred by my good friend Shannon, and I couldn't be more excited for him! Way to go, CJ! You're going to be great!!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Another edition of: You won't be HR's first choice if...
*... the email accompanying your resume is written in ALL CAPS
*... your resume is in WebDings.
*... you send the same email 3 times in a row.
*... you don't include a resume.
To be continued...
*... your resume is in WebDings.
*... you send the same email 3 times in a row.
*... you don't include a resume.
To be continued...
Friday, July 26, 2013
How to Survive (Maybe even Succeed) in the Real World
First and foremost: We're not talking about the Real World where a bunch of 20-somethings live in a posh house with no responsibilities and incentives for being the most dramatic... the ACTUAL REAL WORLD. (Side note- how ironic that's what its called though, right?)
There are a couple things that every person should know, in order to be a successful and functioning adult. Some of these things, we learn very early on from our parents and we don't realize its a life-lesson: like the importance of always washing your hands and wearing socks. Some things come later and almost blindside you with how big a mistake you made: don't post pictures you wouldn't want your boss to see on the internet or else you could get fired, always have change on hand if your washer is coin-operated, you can never have enough TP in your house, rain adds 40 minutes to any commute in a metropolitan area, and renter's insurance is a sad but necessary reality. Some lessons though, you don't know you don't know until one day you realize you've been doing it all wrong for years. These surprise lessons are things like: Tide sticks are super handy, cooking is actually pretty easy once you make the effort to move past ramen, there are recipes for single serve brownies you can make in the microwave!
So I'd like to take a bit of time to review some "Things to know that will help you in being an Adult- Job Search edition".
* Always, always, always, always send a Thank You note! When in doubt- send it out!
* Do not underestimate the potential in networking to advance your professional career.
* If you're going to a job interview, err on the more conservative side- if you're a woman, choose the longer skirt and the higher cut blouse; if you're a man, go with the suit jacket and tie.
* If you're sending out your resume/cover letter via email- Triple check the email before you send it!! Don't accidentally attach a photo of your dad from the 5K he ran last winter... that's a bad first impression. So is misspelling anything in the email, sending the same message three times to make sure it went through, and writing in ALL CAPS.
* ARRIVE ON TIME- if not 5 minutes early!
* Try not to hit on anyone... EVER- especially on the first day.
Unfortunately for job seekers, hiring managers don't think you're as special as your immediate family might think you are. In order to have a fighting chance, you've got to go above and beyond for them! Your job in this search is to make it so impossibly easy for the hiring manager to pick you, they won't have any other choice. This means showing them exactly why your experiences align with their needs, replying quickly and efficiently (in the same mode of communication they use), and following through on everything. Bringing a prepared list of your references, extra copies of your resume, your full schedule for the next few weeks, and providing your contact info in an easy format are all really simple things you can do, to make it an easier choice for the company.
There are a couple things that every person should know, in order to be a successful and functioning adult. Some of these things, we learn very early on from our parents and we don't realize its a life-lesson: like the importance of always washing your hands and wearing socks. Some things come later and almost blindside you with how big a mistake you made: don't post pictures you wouldn't want your boss to see on the internet or else you could get fired, always have change on hand if your washer is coin-operated, you can never have enough TP in your house, rain adds 40 minutes to any commute in a metropolitan area, and renter's insurance is a sad but necessary reality. Some lessons though, you don't know you don't know until one day you realize you've been doing it all wrong for years. These surprise lessons are things like: Tide sticks are super handy, cooking is actually pretty easy once you make the effort to move past ramen, there are recipes for single serve brownies you can make in the microwave!
So I'd like to take a bit of time to review some "Things to know that will help you in being an Adult- Job Search edition".
* Always, always, always, always send a Thank You note! When in doubt- send it out!
* Do not underestimate the potential in networking to advance your professional career.
* If you're going to a job interview, err on the more conservative side- if you're a woman, choose the longer skirt and the higher cut blouse; if you're a man, go with the suit jacket and tie.
* If you're sending out your resume/cover letter via email- Triple check the email before you send it!! Don't accidentally attach a photo of your dad from the 5K he ran last winter... that's a bad first impression. So is misspelling anything in the email, sending the same message three times to make sure it went through, and writing in ALL CAPS.
* ARRIVE ON TIME- if not 5 minutes early!
* Try not to hit on anyone... EVER- especially on the first day.
Unfortunately for job seekers, hiring managers don't think you're as special as your immediate family might think you are. In order to have a fighting chance, you've got to go above and beyond for them! Your job in this search is to make it so impossibly easy for the hiring manager to pick you, they won't have any other choice. This means showing them exactly why your experiences align with their needs, replying quickly and efficiently (in the same mode of communication they use), and following through on everything. Bringing a prepared list of your references, extra copies of your resume, your full schedule for the next few weeks, and providing your contact info in an easy format are all really simple things you can do, to make it an easier choice for the company.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Happy Friday!
On this HOT HOT Friday in the Hub... I actually have a few people to throw some shout-outs for!
First, if you can- avoid being outside today... its almost 100* in Boston! This city and its residents are not made for this kind of weather!!
Second congrats to my homies: Winnie, Bryan and Ellen!! Winnie- pursuing her passion- Bio Tech by joining up with one of my favorite clients in Cambridge. Bryan, Monument's Main Man when it comes to helping our clients out with long term needs, strikes again! He's at MIT doing just fine! :) Finally, Ellen- who is a rockstar in her own right- starts with Harvard after her (awesome sounding) family reunion next week. Congrats, all around!
Another shout-out to the entire team at Monument Staffing!! Last month (June) we had our second best month ever! We have great candidates and great clients and it feels so good when we can match so many up! Way to go, Monument!
First, if you can- avoid being outside today... its almost 100* in Boston! This city and its residents are not made for this kind of weather!!
Second congrats to my homies: Winnie, Bryan and Ellen!! Winnie- pursuing her passion- Bio Tech by joining up with one of my favorite clients in Cambridge. Bryan, Monument's Main Man when it comes to helping our clients out with long term needs, strikes again! He's at MIT doing just fine! :) Finally, Ellen- who is a rockstar in her own right- starts with Harvard after her (awesome sounding) family reunion next week. Congrats, all around!
Another shout-out to the entire team at Monument Staffing!! Last month (June) we had our second best month ever! We have great candidates and great clients and it feels so good when we can match so many up! Way to go, Monument!
#MonumentSummerOuting2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Timing is everything!
I have a song that comes on my iPod every once in a while, and I stop in my tracks every time it does because it is such a pretty song! Its called "Timing is Everything" and without fail, every time I listen to it on my commute into work, something happens that makes me say "timing is everything"... and then think of that song. Which came first?
That couldn't have been more true today! Congrats to Haylee and Katy who both benefited from that sentiment!
Haylee and I met last week, because I thought her background looked good for a biopharm company we work with pretty often... and she was intrigued that I also worked with one of the large medical centers in Longwood- she's been dying to work with them in a research capacity FOREVER. I told her that it was unlikely I'd get her into a lab AND into the organization... lucky for her, she took and chance and jumped with me! Today she was chosen to start Monday in a LAB in the ORGANIZATION = HER DREAM JOB. I'm grateful I was a part of Haylee's journey because I know she's going to save the world with her research eventually! Way to go Haylee!!
Before Haylee's timing worked out, Katy's was chosen for a unique position at a local University! Katy came to me as a referral from Eric, and she had a funky situation... she was leaving her position after years, planning a move to the West Coast and looking to temp in the meantime... just like that one of our clients called looking for someone with Katy's programming experience to help them out for the summer... perfect timing for everyone!! Things are funny like that!
Congrats to Katy and Haylee for taking a chance and letting the universe do its thing for you! Just BELIEVE!!!
That couldn't have been more true today! Congrats to Haylee and Katy who both benefited from that sentiment!
Haylee and I met last week, because I thought her background looked good for a biopharm company we work with pretty often... and she was intrigued that I also worked with one of the large medical centers in Longwood- she's been dying to work with them in a research capacity FOREVER. I told her that it was unlikely I'd get her into a lab AND into the organization... lucky for her, she took and chance and jumped with me! Today she was chosen to start Monday in a LAB in the ORGANIZATION = HER DREAM JOB. I'm grateful I was a part of Haylee's journey because I know she's going to save the world with her research eventually! Way to go Haylee!!
Before Haylee's timing worked out, Katy's was chosen for a unique position at a local University! Katy came to me as a referral from Eric, and she had a funky situation... she was leaving her position after years, planning a move to the West Coast and looking to temp in the meantime... just like that one of our clients called looking for someone with Katy's programming experience to help them out for the summer... perfect timing for everyone!! Things are funny like that!
Congrats to Katy and Haylee for taking a chance and letting the universe do its thing for you! Just BELIEVE!!!
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