August 20, 2012
“What is Your Management Style?”
Asked the Interviewer
 The Redfish Technology Team by the Redfish Technology staff
Are you prepared to present your management savvy and experience in your next interview? Here are some questions to consider in preparing for the interview.
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August 13, 2012
The Job Interview and Your Ears
By Carole Martin
If you thought interviewing was only about answering questions, you’ve been missing the point. You’ve also been missing an opportunity to gather valuable information. Listening is one of the skills most underutilized by candidates. Most people go into the interview thinking and worrying about how they will answer the questions, and they forget that they are there to find out about the job and the company. They forget to listen, observe and read between the lines.
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July 23, 2012
5 Reasons Why You Need More Than a Good Resume to Stand Out from the Crowd
Source: CareerAlley
http://CareerAlley.com
 “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” – Whitney M. Young
You’ve probably heard hundreds of times that your resume is the most important document in your job search, and, that is so. But if you want to stand out from the competition, I say you need more than a great resume. In the end, only technically qualified candidates will get to interview for any open job. And, while your resume may (or may not) help you get in the door, you will need more than your resume to get the job. So, you may ask, what else do you need? Lots of research, interview preparation and (unfortunately), additional “documentation”. (more…)
June 29, 2012
The Best-Kept Secrets of Successful Job Seekers
 Jessica Holbrook Hernandez By Jessica Hernandez
Do you ever wonder why other candidates are bombarded with calls for interviews and are fielding offers for jobs left and right … while you’re struggling to garner any attention at all from hiring managers? It could be as simple as the resources these candidates have available to them and how they utilize them. (more…)
June 1, 2012
How to Beat the 10-Second Resume Scan
Jessica Holbrook Hernandez Global resume authority Jessica Hernandez of http://www.greatresumesfast.com is a former HR Manager who partners with professional- and executive-level candidates to create authentic, branded resumes and cover letters.
It’s hard enough to get past the ATS software scanning your resume for the right keywords, but if you can get past it and get an actual human to review your resume, then you have about 10 seconds (on average) to tell them what they want to hear. If you can get their attention during the first ten seconds, then you have a greater chance of them investing more time into reading your whole resume and getting a call for the interview. So what are some strategies you can employ to up your chances of successfully getting past the initial ten-second resume scan? (more…)
April 30, 2012
The Dos and Don’ts of Interview Follow-Up
By Beth Cliff, IT Engineering Recruitment Manager, Redfish Technology
 Do call your recruiter.
When working with a recruiter, let that person know how it went. Give them a call shortly after the interview to give your impressions, discuss anything unexpected that came up, affirm your interest, and discuss next steps in the process. (more…)
March 19, 2012
Job Search 101: Without a Well-Written Resume, You Won’t Get Results
By Christina Archer, Executive Recruiter, Resume Writer, Social Media Consultant and Author
Author Website: http://icareersearch.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/job-search-101-without-a-well-written-resume-you-wont-get-results/
I often hear candidates say they’ve been applying for numerous jobs, but all they receive is an auto-responder message from the employer or recruiter, stating their resume has been received. As a candidate, you need to realize that you won’t get answers to every application; neither employers nor recruiters can respond personally to each and every resume they receive.
If you do not get a response, re-evaluate your target and approach. It may be that you did not meet the exact specifications for a position. It may be that your resume isn’t properly presenting your experience, talent, and qualifications.
As a job seeker, your resume is your marketing brochure, with the goal of selling your skills and experience. I review many resumes that simply list in chronological order, all of the positions an individual has held over the span of their career. Does that really market you?
A quality resume has to spotlight and focus on your most relevant skills and experience, to the position you are targeting. One of the biggest mistakes I see candidates regularly make, is creating a one-size fits all resume, and actually thinking this will land them interviews. It can’t.
Here are 3 tips to ensure your phone starts ringing with interview appointments, today!
1. Know what your target job is. You cannot apply for every position out there, when you don’t meet the qualifications. Be deliberate in your approach, and know what position you want to get. Don’t give up too quickly; if you meet the qualifications, and your resume is crafted appropriately, you will receive calls.
2. Do your research before writing your resume. They can vary greatly, based on your industry and specialty. If you’re writing your own resume, look at the job description for the position you want, and include keywords you see within that description. In order to get results, your resume must be very focused and specific.
3. Consider hiring a professional resume writer. When you’re out of a job, it may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s literally one of the most important investments you can make in your career. Once you have a well written and impactful resume, you can easily update it as your career expands. Many candidates who utilize the services of a professional resume writer, find they obtain interview invitations and job offers exponentially faster than candidates who did not.
Receive your complimentary resume analysis now, and receive feedback via email with specific instructions on how to improve its performance.
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
December 12, 2011
Resume Review: Your 15-Second Sell
 Joanna Bradley By Joanna Bradley, IT Sales & Marketing Recruitment Manager
The perfect resume may exist, luckily there is a whole lot of variety in the way we can craft a resume. No matter how you slice it, the key objectives are the same however. Your goal is to seize the average 15 seconds that a recruiter or hiring manager will accord your resume, and be the one he/she calls.
How do you do that? Get answers to this question by reading Joanna’s article Resume Review: Your 15-Second Sell on the Redfish Technology website.
About Joanna Bradley:
Joanna leads the Technology Sales & Marketing team. Her passion for high tech and high paced demanding sales & marketing roles drives her find the brightest stars in the sector. She is motivated and perseverant and highly regarded by her peers and clients.
October 3, 2011
Secrets to Impressing your Recruiter and Landing the Job
 Rob Reeves
Whether you are applying directly to a company or working with an independent search firm, you need to impress the recruiter! The recruiter is likely your first point of contact, you need to impress them and do your part to streamline the process.
How? (more…)
August 1, 2011
To Counter Offer or Not to Counter Offer?
Whether a prized executive has been actively looking for another opportunity, or unexpectedly recruited for a new position, should you make a counter offer to keep him or her? (more…)
May 23, 2011
What Employers Need to Know About Background Checks
When hiring someone into your company, you vet them for their experience and ability to present themselves professionally. You verify their expertise and skills first by absorbing their resume and then getting acquainted in one or more interviews. Most hiring managers have a good sense of people and can feel pretty confident about the personal qualities, skill set and cultural fit to the company. Nonetheless, taking someone at face value can be risky. A background check should be a policy routine; and all offers made by the company should be contingent on passing a background check.
Cost of Hiring
A background check is crucial for many reasons. The cost of recruiting and hiring a new person is expensive; estimates range at 1.5 to 5 times the annual salary. Think of the staff time involved, the recruiting fees or internal HR department costs, advertising, travel and relocation expenses, training costs and time. (more…)
April 20, 2011
Do You Have Your References in Hand?
You Should!
Whether you are an active job seeker or not it is always good to be prepared.
Obviously if you are on an active job search, you want to be prepared. Some hiring processes are lengthy, but sometimes a job offer can come faster than you anticipated. If you have your references together, you demonstrate your professionalism and preparedness to move.
What if you are perfectly happy where you are and haven’t even thought of looking? (more…)
April 14, 2011
 Shannon Tinker How to Hire the Best Candidate: Get Out of Your Own Way
By Shannon Tinker
Last month, I offered some pre-resume reviewing steps for preserving time and sanity during the hiring process. Hiring isn’t rocket science. You get approval, decide what you want and need and then go about finding “It.” What’s surprising is what happens when you do find “It.” Managers make tough decisions daily, yet when faced with a viable candidate they don’t always make their move.
Even veteran managers accumulate reasons for why they shouldn’t extend a job offer to the right candidate. I’m not suggesting that you should jump on any candidate with Java on his resume and a pulse. (This isn’t 1999!) But it is interesting and heartbreaking when “best practices” and fear get in the way of hiring your next star employee. (more…)
November 15, 2010
Beth Cliff When is the Best Time to Look for a New Job?
By Beth Cliff, Executive Recruiter, High Tech Engineering Talent Manager
The old adage follows that the best time to look for a job is when you already have one. While this may still hold true, the reality of today’s economic climate dictates that many excellent candidates are finding themselves unemployed and in the midst of a job search. There are pros and cons to both classifications of candidates – those who are employed and those who are not, when it comes to identifying your next career opportunity. What I have found over the years as a Recruiter is that no matter what your motivation for seeking a new opportunity, preparation and attitude are key. (more…)
March 4, 2010
Thoughtful Interview Preparation – Originally published in the Find Your Dream Job Newsletter, Issue 2.
Getting Your Dream Job
You’ve identified an opportunity that you are excited about and well-qualified for. You’ve polished and targeted your resume, and crafted your cover letter. Great news: You are invited for an interview! Now it is time to really gear up. Preparation is key – whether you haven’t interviewed in a decade or if you’ve had ten recent interviews.
Whether you end up in a conversational style Q&A or are engaged in a competency based (behavioral) interview approach, spend time in advance thinking about answers to some potential questions in advance so that you are prepared to answer them naturally and informatively.
Know your Audience: Research the company and the people. Read about them online, ask your recruiter to share insights into the company culture and strengths, network with current and former employees, read the bios of the people you will be meeting with and upper management. Be prepared to identify what about this company attracted you to them, show that you are someone who will be dedicated and invested in this company.
Know the Industry: Who are the company’s competitors, who are their customers and suppliers? What are the key business missions, messaging, and the recent benchmarks? What are the recent trends, challenges and opportunities in the industry? Be prepared to show your knowledge of the industry players/issues and how your experience and skill set is pertinent to the company’s business.
Know the Position: Re-read the job description and be very clear on the duties. What examples can you offer of your experience in success at accomplishing these responsibilities? What are the most relevant highlights of your track record? Be prepared to elaborate on how your experience and skill set will contribute to the company’s success.
Know your Take Away: Why are you the right person for the job? Why should they hire you instead of other candidates? How can you fit in and contribute immediately? Be prepared to communicate your take away message on why you are the right person for the job.
Here are some examples to help you in your interview preparation.
Ability and Career Initiative questions:
- How would your boss describe you?
- What is your reputation at work?
- What professional accomplishments are you most proud of and why?
- What is the most important thing you contribute to any organization?
- Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
- Name three things you like and dislike about your current/last position.
- Why do you want to leave/did you leave your last position?
- Why is your current organization a better place for you having worked there?
- Why would this position be a good move in your career development?
- What have you done in your current/last position to improve your company’s bottom-line?
You want to paint a picture of yourself as a qualified, capable person, ready, willing and enthusiastic about contributing to the company’s mission. If you are looking for a new position because the last/current one was negative, or if you’ve been unemployed for a while, formulate your response carefully. Never share dirty laundry and don’t waste time on negatives. Focus on the proactive and the positive aspects of your interest in the opportunity you are interviewing for and what you can bring to the table. Show career pride and initiative.
Competency-based questions:
- Tell me about a situation in which you had a miscommunication with a customer/colleague/boss and how you handled it.
- Describe a time when you didn’t accomplish a professional goal and how you rectified the situation?
- What was the biggest professional challenge you faced in your last position and how did you overcome it?
- Can you describe an example of when you worked with a colleague or group to solve a problem?
You will definitely need to have real-life examples ready. Be prepared to explain how you resolved the situation favorably, what you learned, and how that experience could be applied to the work environment of your potential employer. You want to demonstrate your ability to work well with others, accomplish the mission, be accountable and proactive, and problem-solve.
Real-life Work Scenario:
You may have a real work problem laid before you, and be asked to describe how you would proceed. While this is a little harder to prepare for in advance, you should be thinking about the aspects of the role and draw from your past experience. This is similar to preparing for competency based questions.
New-Age questions:
- If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
- If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be?
The interviewer is looking for a correct answer of an animal that is efficient, proactive, social, organized, and a fruit that mixes harmoniously in a fruit salad medley. Hopefully no one is ruled out because they say cat (sleeps a lot) or an avocado (doesn’t mix well in a fruit salad). Perhaps the true point is to see how you might react and if you have a sense of humor.
Gauging Interest and Engagedness:
- What did you like on our website? What attracted you to our organization?
- What questions do you have for me/about the company/role?
- How could our company do better?
There is no wrong answer to these questions except to not have an answer. This is your opportunity to find out more about the company/management culture, goals, strengths, etc. And importantly, this is your chance to show your serious intent and enthusiasm for the company. If you have no more questions, take this time to express that the conversation has touched on all the points you wanted to explore more and that you appreciate the manager’s candor and time; leave them with the impression of satisfaction as opposed to disinterest.
Formulate your responses using the STAR approach:
When formulating your response, maximize the opportunity to demonstrate your professional success. Situation. Task. Action. Results.
For example, if you are asked what you have done in your current position to improve your company’s bottom-line, “As the International Channel Manager (situation) of a company trying to gain market share in international markets (task), I spearheaded and drove an International Distributor meeting with focus sessions on marketing and sales strategies and tools, introduction to add-on products, as well as software localization and OEM technology and coordination (action). The result was 2 additional language versions of the software being produced, strengthened communications and renewed marketing and sales motivation with a 20% increase in International channel sales and a strengthened relationship with our channel partners (results).
On the humorous side, YouTube videos:
The Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRX0AQKFtwU
ABC’s The Middle Mike Heck on an interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_H-jNCaEvI
Do you have any funny interview questions or anecdotes? Please share them with us.
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