The Recession Has Ended…Now if it Would Just Feel More Like it

The Dallas Business Journal cited MSNBC and Moody’s Economy.com basically claims the recession is over in one out of every five major US cities. This includes my new home town of Dallas. An exciting piece of information for sure, not only for me but for many people across the country.

“Out of 384 metro areas in the nation, 79 are in recovery, according to the August data on jobs, manufacturing and housing, the report said. Another 270 areas have a “moderating recession,” meaning their economies were not contracting as severely as earlier. That leaves 35 metro areas in a full-blown recession.”

But no city is yet categorized as being expansion mode. Jobs are considered to be a lagging indicator and some have said we are going to see a jobless recover. There are still companies that are doing layoff, but as someone with “boots on the ground” experience in employment, I’ve noticed an uptick in jobs and requests for recruitment. Many of my associates at CyberCoders are seeing the same.

Finding top talent is still a priority for many companies and even with many candidates in the marketplace, companies are still finding it difficult to locate the right kind of people.

This paradox is a bit hard to explain since there is more supply than demand, but my experience is telling me that companies that are hiring are still trying to find the needle in the stack of needles as the haystack has blown over. Most are not settling on just someone who is good fit, but striving to find darn near exact fits in both salary, skill and personality.

What does that mean for you? Well, first with a rebound in the economy, more jobs will come. It may take time and hopefully you will weather the storm. Second, that building your network and using recruiters is still going to help you parlay yourself and your talent into career opportunities. Third, we aren’t out of the woods, but we are getting there.

Keep your head up.

Vahid Behzadi
Executive Recruiter

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More Interview Tips From CyberCoders

One of the reasons I really enjoy my work is that Team CyberCoders is committed to get supporting your career search efforts.  Our team has developed tools and tips that you can find available on the company site. One such tool would be the interview tips listed below. Read and review and maybe you want to bookmark this for your reference now and in the future.  This is a guide so it may not address everything, but its a great place to start.

CyberCoders Interview Tips

Telephone Interview

• Research – Prior to the phone call, research their website at length.
• Why are you Interviewing? – Know the reason why you would like to work at the company
• Laundry List – Have a list of accomplishments and pertinent skills in front of you and know why are you a fit for the job. If you can not articulate this you may not get to the face to face interview.
• Privacy Please – Schedule the interview at a time and number where you can be alone and talk freely. Land lines are better than mobile phones whenever possible.
• Resume at the Ready – Be sure to have your resume in front of you so you can follow along with your background as they ask you questions.
• Be Honest – Answer questions as directly as possible. If you do not know, say so. Be candid, friendly, cheerful and courteous. Confident but not cocky. If you sense that the other person wants to do lots of talking – let them. People like others who are interested in hearing them talk!
• Next Step? – At the end of the interview, try to get a face to face interview. Ask what is the next step before hanging up the call.
• Address Weaknesses – If you can, find out from the interviewer what they feel your strong points and weaknesses may be. This way, in the face to face interview you can reemphasize the strong points and address any perceived weaknesses.

Face-to-face interview

• Be Prepared – Prior to your visit, educate yourself about the company – go through their website and write down several questions that come to mind. Look them up on Google. Know the reason why you’d like to work at the company. People notice when you have knowledge of their company and/or products.
• Know Your Directions – Make sure the directions you received are accurate. Nothing says, “I’m not prepared” like getting lost on the way to an interview. Arriving 20 minutes early is a way to ensure you will not be late. Just wait outside the office until 3 minutes before the interview, then make your grand entrance…exactly on time.
• PRACTICE – Practice your interview skills – that means answering the interview questions out loud to yourself as if you were in the interview. Running through your answers a few times builds confidence and assures yourself you will come across as articulate, efficient and prepared.
• 5 Resume Copies – Take at least 5 copies of your resume – you’ll be prepared if they do not have copies.
• Take Notes – You may want to bring a ‘notepad or PDA’ to take notes and write down your top 3 questions.
• Dress Code – Know the office dress code – look sharp and professional. Being overdressed is always better than being underdressed. Unless they state that you should come in wearing business casual, both men and women should always opt for the traditional business suit as their interview attire.
• Confidence – Firm handshake upon arrival and positive attitude throughout.
• Be enthusiastic and friendly. Listen more than you talk (no single factor is more important in determining success in an interview).
• Eye Contact – Look people in the eye when talking or listening to them.
• Just Listen – No single thing you can do will affect the interview more than just being a good listener. Listen to questions asked of you. Answer them fully and directly. Do not talk too much. Never over sell your skill set.
• Salary – If present salary is asked, furnish accurate information – including bonuses and commissions. They may ask for a W2 later, so you don’t want to “enhance” any numbers! If they ask you what salary you want, the only acceptable answer at this point is “I am open to any fair and reasonable offer”.
• Nothing Negative – Do not criticize or come across as negative about your present or past employers or co-workers. Stay professional and avoid personal information unless it’s “polite” conversation.
• Ask for the job! – Let the interviewer know that you are interested and excited at the prospect of working for them and ask what the next step will be.
• Send a thank you letter – Ask for their card so you can follow up with a thank you letter via email. The thank you email can often be the deal maker or breaker on getting the position.

Some Questions You May Hear in the Interview:

• Tell me about yourself. They’re looking for a concise, descriptive, and informative summary of more current and relevant career information, not long past, personal information.
• Why do you want to work at XYZ Company? This is where your website and company history homework pays off. Give examples of specifics that you have found on their site, OR past projects that you enjoyed that apply.
• What is your proudest accomplishment/ What are your greatest strengths? This is your turn to brag a bit, but not to the point of being arrogant.At least 2 examples, offer references that can attest to your work, etc. The more specifics you can offer, the better you look. Bring up sales numbers, deadlines, $$ Savings, whatever is measurable and speaks well of your efforts.
• What would you classify as an area of improvement, and how would you go about achieving those improvements? Try to pick something that isn’t a “DEAL KILLER” meaning something that IS NOT a job requirement, and that is not easily improved upon. Lots of folks choose something that is indirectly related to the role so that it doesn’t affect your interview success. For example: “I realize this position requires a great deal of systems reporting experience and you work with system “x”. I do have considerable experience with reporting, but up to now, there has not been a requirement for me to learn “system x”. I can pick it up very quick as I do with all systems. At this time, I would have to say an area of improvement would be the learning curve on your particular software system.”
• What is the Salary you are looking for? It is always best to leave the door open and answer with something such as, “I would be happy to see your best offer. I am fairly flexible when it comes to the compensation since I am looking at everything including the company, the position, the growth potential, the benefit package, etc. Salary is just one piece of the pie and if you think I would be a good fit for the position, I am SURE we can come up with a figure that works for both of us!”
• Why you are leaving? Be honest, very concise and direct, but don’t slam your employer or boss. They want to hear that you are leaving on good terms (for everyone, not just you!) since it can easily be them on the other end of the equation if they hire you.
• Why should we hire you for the position? Summarize, detail, sell yourself, and ask for an offer! Give technical reasons why you are the best candidate over personality reasons.
• Sales positions: In certain sales position, you may be asked to perform a sample sales pitch for the product, and once again, this is where your preparation and website/company/product research will shine.

Questions you may want to ask (choose 1 or 2)

• Why is this position open?
• Where do you see the company in 5 years?
• What makes you successful, and different from your competitors?
• How long have you (the interviewer) been here, and what do you like most about your position, and the company?
• What qualities would your ideal candidate have? Listen and make sure you later bring out some of the qualities you have which match what you heard)
• How do you feel my qualifications match your needs?

Source: http://www.cybercoders.com/InterviewTips.aspx

Vahid Behzadi

Executive Recruiter

How To Get Noticed When Applying for Your Next Job

People always ask me how to get noticed when applying for a position. A fairly simple approach is usually the best. I will highlight my thoughts.

1. READ THE JOB AD AND DESCRIPTION: I will be the first to admit that I do not always notify candidates that are exact matches about openings that I have. But to be square with you, some of the time that is automated. I can’t possibly go through every single resume I’ve ever received over the years to check for all the details on first pass, so I will trust the technology I have and trust you to let me know if you feel like you are a good match based on the descriptions I’ve posted or emailed.
That being said, PLEASE, read the description before apply. If you are close, then continue, but make sure you have the necessary skills asked for. Otherwise you may be wasting your time and the last thing I want to do is waste your time. If it’s not a fit, a really simple thing to do would be just hit delete.
2. Resumes, Resumes, Resumes: So you hear recruiters say target your resume. This is a good idea. You can have 2-3 different resumes (hands-on, management, etc) on file and just tweak them for the jobs you apply to. If you don’t you maybe a great person for the position and we could miss you. It takes a few minutes of extra work on your side, but can add to your search efforts.
3. How to tweak: Read the job description. Find what matches your past during your career experience and highlight those skills in your resume. (via bullet points, job responsibilities section, skills section, etc). Trust me, this helps.

I know these can be annoying and feel like it’s not worth it. But it will help. Good luck in your search.

Vahid Behzadi
Executive Recruiter

Why Hiring companies use a recruiter

Yesterday, I brought you some information on why its a good idea for you to use a recruiter as a candidate. Today, I wanted to bring you more on the same frame of thought. This time, from a hiring manager point of view.

“When’s the last time you responded to, or actively courted, the attention of a recruiter? When happily employed people get a call, they usually terminate it fairly quickly – because they’re happily employed. Those who are unhappily employed respond if contacted but don’t generally initiate it.

On the other hand, for unemployed people, a recruiting firm is usually the very first step in the process of locating a new job.

So why do so many wait until they’re in a bind to turn to a person who can – free of charge – significantly broaden their options? It’s because, aside from horror stories and the varying skill levels of recruiters, people just don’t realize how many openings are handled by search firms.

A study by Coopers & Lybrand found that recruiters fill 64% of all vacant positions. That means only 36% are filled through advertisings and other sources. Here are a few reasons why companies use a search firm, and why you shouldn’t wait until you’re unemployed – and at a disadvantage – to be in contact with a recruiter.

1. Companies do not use recruiters as a “last resort”: – Companies that have benefited from developing a relationship with a recruiter often pick up the phone to call their recruiter first and never post an opening anywhere else at all.

2. The company is targeting a specific person: It’s highly unethical for a company to contact an employee who’s working for a competitor. But they can call a recruiter to contact that person and find out if that person is open to making a change. This is only one reason why when you’re contacted by a recruiter, you should listen.

3.The good ones are already taken: Companies know that using a recruiter expands their scope of potential candidates. They want to hire achievers, people who are happy with their current company and position and appreciated by their existing organization. These people aren’t actively on the market. They aren’t reading the want ads, and they aren’t sitting home unemployed. There’s a benefit to hiring people who are employed and open to change but not in dire straights: their priorities are more in line than those of the person who has been unemployed for a while and getting panicky as more and more money flows out of their bank account. Employed people are more objective and better able to make a decision about changing to a new company. The unemployed person eventually begins to make concessions about what’s of value in their next job, because their priority becomes getting a job. Once they’re employed again, reflection causes the person’s original values to re-assert themselves. Suddenly their wonderful new job isn’t so wonderful anymore.

4. Value-added services: Most companies appreciate the value-added services recruiters can provide. These not only include the ability to penetrate competitor companies, but a distinct access to people the companies wouldn’t otherwise know about. A recruiter also sorts through resumes, and screens and interviews potential candidates, which is vastly time consuming for any hiring authority.

5. Confidential replacements: Did you accept a counter-offer with your current company? Your position could be listed with a search firm right now. Are maxing out your sick time? Your days there might be numbered. Had distinctly unfavorable job performance reviews? Better polish up your resume. Your job is open, and no one knows it but your boss … and his recruiter.

If you aren’t in control of your career, then your company is. Corporate restructuring, layoffs and downsizing are taking place with alarming frequency as companies tighten their belts and look hard at who is contributing and who isn’t.

Sometimes it isn’t even a matter of contribution. In those plushy carpeted, window offices, the top executives and board members comfortably decide whose heads will roll and for what reason.

Sometimes it’s simply eliminating an entire department – and it has nothing to do with you, individually, at all. For instance, it’s not uncommon for a new manager or president to come in and bring his own people with him.

A friend of mine began work in the corporate offices of a state-wide corporation right after we graduated. had statewide offices.. Over the years, she obtained her MBA and continued to rise through the ranks. For twenty-five years she was with this company…..until she was laid off a few months ago. She hadn’t seen it coming. And she freaked out. It can happen that quickly, and it can happen to you.

If you want to stay in control of your career, develop a relationship with a few skilled and thorough recruiters in your industry. And when they call you, even though you’re not actively looking, listen to what they have to say – because one day, they may be calling with your perfect job.”

Source – http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Hiring-Companies-Use-A-Recruiter&id=801200

Contract JOBS vs Full Time EMPLOYMENT

So I run into this almost daily. I work mostly with candidates who are looking for full time work. Sometimes, the candidate comes from long and extensive background full of contract assignments. That really shouldn’t be a big deal but we run into big hurdles with this all the time.

Hiring Managers:
– Usually want someone with stable work experience and demonstrated track record of stability. Contracting can often give HR, Recruiters, or Hiring managers the perception that you are a floater. So you (and I) have to come up with ways of addressing this.

Sometimes, hiring managers themselves are contractors, but there is often no loss of cognitive dissonance here. Don’t ask me why, just remember that when you are in a position of hiring next time.

Candidate side:
– You’ve been contacting and making good money, maybe too good money. You now want to move to something more stable (or stop hunting that next 3 month gig). Have you been spoiled in your last role(s)? Are you taking the current state of the market into account during your search? If you don’t yourself to honestly evaluate these questions, then you may waste your time, my time and miss out on some really good opportunities.

1099 v W2:
– Getting a rate at X dollar per hour on 1099 and X on W2 are not the same thing. You’ve got to factor in the cost of taxes, health care for you and your family, and more. Do this. Do this now. Do this again tomorrow and once more next week. Come up with numbers that make sense for you, then talk to me. If you tell me something, I will likely get you want you want. But don’t change on me at the end. If you tell me you want 100k and I get you an offer at 100k and you really wanted 110k, then I am not a happy recruiter and you are not a happy candidate.

At the end of the day the important thing for your recruiter to know is the truth. Remember, we are in this together. We build relationships for the long haul and we will probably work again in the future. Help me help you. Help you help me.

COER Values. Don’t forget.

Vahid
Executive Recruiter