Just What the World Needs

My how time flies...

2007-06-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted! I've been super busy preparing for the next training class, and things are off to a grand start! Last week I traveled to our offices in Raleigh, NC and Atlanta, GA, and attended my very first career fair at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Needless to say I'm knee deep in voicemails and emails so I better get back to work.

Please Sign In Vol.2

2007-06-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you that missed Vol. 1: "I swear if I have to create one more profile I'm going to set my eyelashes on fire...". Thanks Chris for revealing yet another of your secrets that has possibly saved me from public humiliation and shame.

I've applied for membership with MyLifeBrand so hopefully I'll get accepted. I'm not sure what the criteria is, but I had to write a little essay explaining why I should be granted access to their secret society of organized social networking. I imagine a group of graders sitting in a quiet, sterilized room, wearing anti-contamination suits, working under the guise of Big Brother.

My essay went something like "OMG This site rocks! I have a billion different profiles and this would be the best thing ever!".

I hope they don't do their research and discover that I'm quite possibly a genius simply posing as a mere commoner to gain access to their yummy pot of gold! (Cue Megalomaniacal Laughter. Starts off as a low rumbling, in the back of the throat, slowly ascending to a loud cackle.)

Mwahaha, muhuhaha, muwhahaha!

But what if they find out??? Is my fate to be tied to Excel spreadsheets to manage all of my online profiles? Will I be banned from online social networking all together? Will my Life remain Brandless....FOREVER???

Aaaaaand scene...

I thought only recruiters blogged?!

2007-06-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

A Candidate's Blog

I'm coming across more and more of these everyday! This is one of the better one's that I've seen.

What's your motivation?

2007-06-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

I recruit recruiters. During the interview process, one of the most important things that I look for is what drives them to be great, to be better than the day before, to graduate from college, to look for a new job, to enjoy their friends, to workout, to do a cross-word puzzle, to simply wake up in the morning. It's not a question that I ask during the interview, because then I'd get some cookie-cutter answer shoved down my throat and they'd figure out how to weave the word "motivated" into every single response from then on, and I wouldn't get even a glimpse of their true self.

Wikipedia defines motivation as having "the desire and willingness to do something. A motivated person can be reaching for a long-term goal such as becoming a professional writer or a more short-term goal like learning how to spell a particular word".

So what motivates a good recruiter?

I would say that the best recruiters are motivated by the challenges of recruiting itself, money, the high of actually making the perfect placement...the unparallel sense of accomplishment. I received my degree in Anthropology, so the tree huggin hippie inside of me is satisfied by knowing that at the end of the day I've helped someone. I'm in the unique position of being a college recruiter, and knowing that I've given someone their first opportunity to enter the corporate world the right way (training, a good team, great pay, etc) is worth more than my paycheck.

So tell me...what motivates you?

Phone Interviews are Interviews too!

2007-06-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

I've been phone interviewing like crazy, and the second round of interviews are starting pretty soon. I was thinking that if I were being interviewed today, and the recruiter asked me to name one of my weaknesses, I would say that I tend to build a rapport with my candidates too quickly. By the time I qualify them for the position, set up and confirm the phone interview, and call them for their scheduled time, they already feel like my BFF. Those candidates that get too comfortable tend to crash and burn in a Blaze of Glory.

Always remember that a phone interview is still an interview!! Never let yourself relax too much that you blow your chances for moving on to the next round.

Helpful hints to remember before you answer the call:

1) Don't chew gum or eat dinner or be drinking anything.
2) Use your professional phone voice! You know the one your mother used that drove you crazy.
3) Be alone so that you don't need to Shhhh... people as they pass through the room.
4) Putting me on hold is highly discouraged and frowned upon. I just may spontaneously combust the next time it happens.
5) Have your list of questions Googled already or written down. Don't wing it.
6) Have the website pulled up too. This is certainly an advantage when doing a phone interview.
7) Smile. Trust me, we can tell!! Have the same energy as you would in a face to face interview.

Good luck!

Please Sign In

2007-06-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

I'm all about social networking, but will someone please create a website where I can sign into all of my profiles at once?!?! I had to create a spreadsheet just to keep up with them all. I came across Ning and the RecruitingBlogs.com social network today, and I can't believe I was so out of the loop on this one! I'm loving the idea, but I swear if I have to create one more profile I'm going to set my eyelashes on fire...

The End.

I think this officially qualifies as a Short Post.

Are you an unemployed Crazy Russian Climber??

2007-06-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this job posting that was created just for you. And recruiters and salespeople.

What are we gonna do today Brain???

2007-06-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

The same thing we do everyday Pinky...

I truly believe that the Recruiting Blogosphere wants to take over the world. Every spare second we get our hands on we're browsing blogs, doing research, writing our own blog posts, always trying to get ahead and stay there. Each one of us wants to make our own mark on the industry, and hopefully change the industry all together.

As technology continues to advance at warp speed, I have the suspicion that most of us will not be able to keep up with the pace and will settle into our ways. The recruiters that will last will be the ones that are a part of the very generation that we are trying to lure into our tangled web. What this means for you Gen Y, is that you need to pay attention to yourselves! When I first entered the industry Monster and Careerbuilder were completely changing the way we job hunted so I learned them inside and out and was able to build a pretty solid reputation as a sourcer. Now it's blogs, social networking sites, and video that are paving the way for the next big thing. As much as us recruiters want to take the lead, i'm convinced that it will be Gen Y to bring it on home.

There's already proof! Before video resumes can really get their foot in the door, Alumwire is taking it to the next level. It's CEO is a recent Berkeley grad who doesn't have our training or "recruiting expertise", but simply understands his generation. That's a privilege that us old fart recruiters don't have total access to.

So which way are recruiters going? Who knows! Who could have envisioned Alumwire a few years ago? Well maybe Jason Goldberg, but as a whole we're at the mercy of students who have no idea what they will want from one day to the next and who adapt very easily to change and new technology. Either way, the future of recruiting is very exciting for us computer geeks, and yes I will continue to browse the blogs and new sites that pop up everyday to try to stay afloat...and attempt to take over at least a small corner the world.

The Mother of all Job Postings

2007-06-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of buzz about the future of recruiting, and with all of us geeks leveraging the internet to meet our career objectives anything's possible. Check out this job posting, and if you're anything like me the sting of "Why didn't I think of that" and pure intimidation will force you to step up your game... A LOT!

The Incredible, Not So Edible, Pimento Cheese Sandwich

2007-06-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Pimento Cheese Spread

1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 4 ounce jar diced pimentos, drained well
1/2 cup mayonnaise may need a little more
Dash of cayenne powder optional
1-2 garlic cloves minced optional

Mix all together until well blended. Serve with crackers or use as a sandwich filling.

The last training class lunch was catered in today and it was finger sandwiches from Celebrity. I thought about eating the Pimento Cheese, then decided that I needed to really think this through, so I Googled it and found this recipe. I also found out that Pimento is a Spanish word for pepper, it's very similar to a red bell pepper, and is the little red part in the middle of your olive. I hate olives. And I wasn't about to eat a cheese and mayonnaise sandwich. Yuck.

(Disclaimer: That's not a Celebrity sandwich! Celebrity is one of my most favorite places to eat for lunch, but this picture that I borrowed from the internet really drove home my point.)

Fun with Jobster Tags

2007-06-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

There are 13 Cool people, 353 Friendly folks, 2 Crazies, 3 Comedians, and this Ridiculous guy. I'm on a mission to find Jobster's funniest tag ever...

Didn't someone recently write a blog about wasting time at work?? It mentioned that employees typically work 1.5 hours per day. Hmm...let's time it.

The Truth About :: Life After College

2007-05-30T13:12:00.001-07:00

I've been out of college for 5 years, and I'm just now finding my footing, my great job, the nice car, a decent wardrobe, and trips to London. I'm still renting a regular apartment with crappy management, but I'm saving for the dream loft. And guess what?? I'm a typical 26 year old!

One of the biggest myth's about college is that a degree is your key to a big pile-o-cash and the corner office with a wet bar. A degree simply gives you more options, and that's about it. There's still a dark and windy road ahead that leads to the day where you're sitting on the couch watching The Breakfast Club and think...Wow, I've finally made it.

The Dark and Windy Road has widely become known as the "Quarter-Life Crisis". It sounds a bit like this:

"What am I to do with my life?! I graduated college in 2005 and still feel lost. I got a job a couple months after graduating. The job was very stressful and they didn't pay well, at all. The stress was too much and I had a hard time building up my confidence for the business world when I knew nothing about it. They put me in as an admin assistant...So there went my confidence completely." (Excerpt from The Quarterlife Crisis message board)

There are so many uncontrollable factors that determine your success in the corporate world that it takes years to learn to maneuver and find your niche. I think the new stats show that college graduates will have 8 jobs before they're 30! The best advice is to look at your twenties as the decade of trial and error. Most grads will not use their degree. Crossword Puzzling may have sounded like a great major and may have even been the hottest new job out there when you signed up for it, but the market changes constantly. Your dreams and interests will as well. Just learn to go with it.

If you're not happy with your current position, then get a different one! The perfect time to look for a job is when you already have one. This allows you time to be picky and only accept positions that are in line with what you really want. Perfect example...I got my dream job at a Marketing company as an Account Planner one year after I graduated. I just knew that Marketing was my calling. Once I was in the environment, I realized that the industry was much too cut throat for me and that I needed to find not only a different job, but a company that was a better fit for me and my personality. I had to move on, and build a different dream.

This blog isn't about how to avoid the dark and windy road, but just to let you know that it's there and it aint going anywhere any time soon. Just being aware of it makes things a lot less scary and almost tolerable.

Visit The Quarterlife Crisis site if you're already too far lost and need to know that you're not the only one wandering around aimlessly through life after college.

Look Mom...No Hands!

2007-05-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ever since I can remember I've been the edgy outsider, the weird kid in the corner, the new hire that burned her employee handbook with her bra. What a surprise it was to come across this article about yours truly, and know that I have finally found a way to use my super human powers for the greater good.

Oh, and this follow up article too.

Thanks John.

Times are a Changin'

2007-05-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

This entire post is dedicated to Joel Cheesman's sneer at the video resume, because this video resume rocks!

Sure it's a little over the top, but if one hiring manger out there digs it then I guarantee you this guy just landed his dream job with his dream boss. Matt will certainly get the last laugh!

I honestly don't see why video resumes are so looked down upon in the industry. I remember when my mother refused to buy anything online because she just knew that the internet devil would come and snatch her identity and plague her beautiful computer with a nasty virus. Now she doesn't know what she'd do without it.

How is the video resume any different from an in person interview or networking in the frozen food section at the grocery store?! HR buffs smirk at the idea and claim that there are too many legal issues surrounding the use of the video resume. But honestly, when you're at a restaurant and you have a great server, you hand them your card because they could potentially be a great candidate, did you not notice their race or age or gender? If I see a great video resume where the candidate is well presented, well spoken, and meets the job requirements..I will certainly give them a call. If any of those things aren't there...then I won't!

At this point, the key, which I have yet to read about or hear anyone else mention, is when the video resume will be introduced into the interview process. I agree that it should not take the place of a paper resume, but can certainly be used in conjunction with one. Once it's face to face interview time, then the video resume could certainly be a deciding factor as to whether or not a candidate continues to the next stage. It could potentially save companies a ton of freakin cash if used properly. Once they become popular all sorts of rules and guidelines will be established, and one day, a generation or so down the road, we'll be telling our kids what the good ole days were like before Video Resumes existed and they'll listen in complete disbelief.

We've progressed from pounding the pavement, to scouring the newspaper and faxing in resumes, to emailing and applying online. So please...send me your video resumes! It's only logical...

Preparing for Summer Recruiting!

2007-05-23T15:21:00.001-07:00

Look at those bright and shiny faces! The next training class date (August 20) will be here before you know it, and I'm faced with the ultimate challenge... to hire a new class that's just as good as the first one! So today I started to prepare for my summer recruiting season, and here's how:

Sesame Chicken combo from Panda Express for lunch: Nothing prepares you for a good night's sleep like shopping mall Chinese food.
I cleaned my cube: I really did some down and dirty house-keeping today. I reorganized my filing cabinet, purged old documents and resumes, cleaned off the dry-erase board, dusted...you name it, I did it. It took up most of my afternoon.
Surfed the web: There's so much going on in the world of college recruiting it's very difficult to stay afloat! I ended up with some ground-breaking ideas to spice up my job fair booth and a few Non-Top Tier Universities that groom incredible talent. I would say I'm certainly off to a good start.
Ordering Workout DVD's: It is inevitable that I will gain 10lbs from eating 3 meals a day at the airport! I have yet to use a hotel's workout facilities, but I love doing the home DVD's. I figure I'm more apt to workout in my room than anything else. Miami Beach here I come!

Next comes determining my target locations, setting up on-campus interview sessions, making travel arrangements, posting the position online, resume slurping, and networking, Networking, NETWORKING! I'm just about ready to attempt to reach a nearly impossible goal! This first class has far surpassed any of our expectations, but I'm excited about the challenge. Keep reading to find out what happens next....

How to survive a Mosh Pit...or a Career Fair

2007-05-21T11:54:00.001-07:00

Are you going to a concert...or a career fair? Have you seen the pits and have always been curious, but are concerned that you may come out with a broken face...or a bruised ego? With a little know-how and a lot of courage, you can make your way through the crowd and who knows? You might jump right back in....or get the job you want!

Who knew mosh pits and job fairs were so similar? Check out this WikiHow article and you'll be ready to sumbit your resume to the company of your dreams...

read more | digg story

Where have all the candidates gone?

2007-05-21T09:21:00.001-07:00

I'm a huge fan of social networking and anything related to online recruiting, but whose really reading this stuff? It's been talked about in the recruiting blogosphere time and time again, but I get a lot of response from other recruiters but not the candidates! I'm loving the new Jobster feature where I can check to see whose visited my profile, and I'm certainly not hurting for page traffic. I just need some feedback from the candidates as to exactly what you're looking for when you're searching online or using sites such as Jobster which seriously personalize the entire job hunting experience. You're not submitting your resume into some deep dark black hole, and you have access to your recruiter 24/7. Oftentimes, you even get links to their Blogs, Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, which gives you the chance to actually get to know a little bit about them before expressing any interest in the position at all. So tell me...why are you so quiet out there? Speak up and share your thoughts!

Work Hard, Play Hard!

2007-05-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

We're halfway through our very first training class, and my how much fun we've had so far! Here are a few highlights...

Technical Recruiter Training Program

2007-05-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's official! The next training class will start on August 20! Here are the details:

About Technisource:

Technisource is a leading national provider of IT and engineering services offering Practice-based Services, IT and Engineering Staff Augmentation and Direct Hire services. Please visit our website at www.technisource.com to learn more about our practice-based services and core values.

The role of the Recruiter is critical to the growth of Technisource. Recruiters are expected to place a minimum number of consultants per month, maintain detailed documentation of all recruiting activity, meet deadlines, and demonstrate ongoing attention and care to building good business relationships and providing a positive employment experience with Technisource. It is a fast-paced career with unlimited potential!

Think you have what it takes?! Then keep reading!

Become a Technisource Recruiter:

When: August 20, 2007

Where:

This premier training program takes place in our Frisco, Texas office, a beautiful suburb of the richly diverse Dallas Metroplex. We require that you be open to relocation, so that upon graduating from the training program we are able to place you in one of our 35 national branches. We have offices in California, New York, Ft. Lauderdale, and many more! Visit our website for a complete list of our branch locations.

How:

Over the course of the next several weeks, hundreds of candidates from all over the United States will be considered for our open recruiting positions; only a select group will be hired. The final group will attend our intense, all-encompassing 8 week training program which will prepare you for a professional career with Technisource from an entry-level recruiter to Executive Management. We will provide all foundational knowledge and tools that you will need to be successful!

Who:

The best recruiters come from diverse backgrounds, work experience, interests, and majors. They have experience in retail, the service industry, and customer service...just to name a few. Do you belong to campus organizations? Are you outgoing, confident, aggressive, resourceful, and competitive? Then you may be just the person we’re looking for!

Minimum Job Requirements:

•4 year degree with a preferred 3.0 GPA. All majors will be considered!
•Strong organizational, leadership, and time management skills
•Outstanding communication skills
•Proficiency with office equipment, email, and MS Office preferred
•Open to Relocation

Compensation:

•Full-time
•Paid training
•Competitive salary
•Aggressive Commission Plan
•Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, 401K

Apply Now!

Please email your resume as an attachment to kyoung@technisource.com. Include a brief cover letter explaining why you would be the perfect person for this position.

Losing Game

2007-05-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

Love is certainly a losing game, but as is true with any (game), practice makes perfect. I'm going through a pretty tough break up right now, and it reminds me of the "break up" that happens when I have to turn down a candidate. It's a very similar disappointment that must be handled with finesse but a certain lack of compassion. This time I'm on the receiving end, and it aint pretty. I feel as though I've lost my air and I'm gasping for last words. I can look at this as a candidate instead of the ex, and know that I have to keep interviewing to find the position that's right for me; the job that I look forward to waking up and going to everyday, where I can be myself, there's room for growth, a great benefits package (wink wink!), and where my work is appreciated and my voice is heard. It's difficult to believe that I was underqualified or wasn't performing, but I rarely received feedback so it's impossible to know the truth. Funny part is that it doesn't really matter what the truth is. You just have to move on with no regard. Well I've been obsessively listening to this Amy Winehouse song and just had to share...(and yes I'm always this dramatic!)

Blogging 101

2007-05-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

I found an article about how to write a good blog. Here are the top things it said to be aware of:

1. Stay on topic: Ok, but what if there is no topic?

2. Be informative: So people aren't interested in my extra-large lunch meat? (Reference from a previous MySpace blog post. I bought a lunchable at the $.99 store and needless to say there was a slight miscalculation as it related to the cracker to meat to cheese proportions.)

3. Old news is not news: Hmm. . . Future news. Now there's an untapped market.

4. Adhere to a schedule: I rebel when cornered.

5. Clarity and simplicity: Score! Well at least on the simplicity part. How clear I am is up for debate.

6. Keyword-rich: I will not blog about Paris Hilton's gas in Iraq.

7. Quanitity matters: It's the American way. I should Biggie-Size my posts I guess.

8. Frequency: To calculate the frequency of an event, the number of occurrences of the event within a fixed time interval are counted, and then divided by the length of the time interval.

9. Spell checking and proof reading: What is this a mid-term? Anyways, my blogs are much too boring to read the first time, let alone over and over again.

10. RSS: The automatic feeding machine.

So even though my blogging career never really began, i think it's over. But now the question begs to be asked. . . why do I even bother? Why do I obsess over the details of my life and take the time to jot it down for all to see? An exhibitionist? Well maybe. I actually read a google blog today that used the word antiquated. No one would ever say that in real life. Blogs are daydreams for adults.