Please email your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration. Please include the position title in the subject line of your email. Only qualified resumes will be considered and we will contact you with more information about the position.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Positions Available
DISCOVER STAFFING has several available positions. Please check back frequent as the listings are subject to change.
Customer Care Specialist in Sandy Springs
Payroll Processor/Benefits Specialist in Sandy Springs Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Purchasing Expeditor in Alpharetta Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Project Specialist/Data Analysis (Manufacturing Experience) in Alpharetta
Renewals Specialist in Roswell Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Project Coordinator (Construction Experience) in Alpharetta Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Bookkeeper (Multi Family Property Management Experience) in Cumberland Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Executive Assistant in Alpharetta
Contracts Administrator in Alpharetta
Financial Analyst in Alpharetta Thank you for your interest in this position. Our client has made a hiring decision.
Production Soldering (Through Hole) in Alpharetta
Data Entry/Clerical/Customer Service in Alpharetta
Please email your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration. Please include the position title in the subject line of your email. Only qualified resumes will be considered and we will contact you with more information about the position.
Please email your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration. Please include the position title in the subject line of your email. Only qualified resumes will be considered and we will contact you with more information about the position.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Contracts Administrator
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a contracts administrator in Alpharetta.
Description Accountabilities:
- Draft contractual terms and conditions and negotiate directly with customers.
- Interface directly with customers, sales personnel, Legal and staff to ensure business, legal, compliance, security and audit terms and conditions and customer requirements are fully captured in contract documents.
- Sell value of terms and conditions both internally (i.e. Sales, Client Engagement, etc.) and externally (customer).
- Support RFI/RFP process by drafting common question (i.e. company information, security responses, etc.) responses and coordinating legal/corporate marketing approval.
- Serve as central point of contact for sales, legal, product management, customer managers and management for all contract questions related to assigned customers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required
- 3-5 years contracts drafting experience, preferably experience in Insurance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Strong organizational skills and time management skills involving prioritizing and re-prioritizing projects
- Works well in team environment
- Proficient using MS Office Suite
Please submit resumes to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration. Please indicate your interest in this position and your salary requirements.
Description Accountabilities:
- Draft contractual terms and conditions and negotiate directly with customers.
- Interface directly with customers, sales personnel, Legal and staff to ensure business, legal, compliance, security and audit terms and conditions and customer requirements are fully captured in contract documents.
- Sell value of terms and conditions both internally (i.e. Sales, Client Engagement, etc.) and externally (customer).
- Support RFI/RFP process by drafting common question (i.e. company information, security responses, etc.) responses and coordinating legal/corporate marketing approval.
- Serve as central point of contact for sales, legal, product management, customer managers and management for all contract questions related to assigned customers.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required
- 3-5 years contracts drafting experience, preferably experience in Insurance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Strong organizational skills and time management skills involving prioritizing and re-prioritizing projects
- Works well in team environment
- Proficient using MS Office Suite
Please submit resumes to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration. Please indicate your interest in this position and your salary requirements.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mastering the art of the follow-up : The Work Buzz
MSN posts a new batch of Career articles on their front page each week. Check out this great example of "The Art of the Follow-up". Knowing that competition is greater in this market than we have ever experienced before, following up in the most effective way can get you that extra attention. And following up in an inappropriate way can do just as much harm.
Mastering the art of the follow-up : The Work Buzz
Posted using ShareThis
Mastering the art of the follow-up : The Work Buzz
Posted using ShareThis
Friday, April 23, 2010
5 Employer Turn-offs
Anthony Balderrama of Careerbuilder is probably my favorite career blogger on the Internet. He consistently hits home runs with his frank, common sense articles. This article is no different.
5 Ways to Turn Off Employers
Don't do this in your job hunt
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Job searches, much like first dates, are about giving the other party -- in this case the employer -- a once-over and presenting yourself in the best possible way. Also similar to first dates, job searches give you several opportunities to make a single mistake that is a real turnoff.
You're on your own when it comes to finding true love, but for staying in an employer's good graces, we've got you covered. So put on your best clothes, style your hair and make sure you don't make one of these job interview gaffes that is certain to turn off an employer:
Turnoff No. 1: Arriving too early for an interview
The reason: Interviews are scheduled at specific times for a reason. Hiring managers have other meetings and responsibilities to deal with throughout the day, so they can't interrupt their schedule just to meet with you. Also, interviews often have multiple components. If you're scheduled to meet the hiring manager first, then have a conversation with some potential colleagues, followed by a tour of the company and finally a drug test, an early (or late) disrupts everyone's schedule.
The solution: By all means, arriving early is better than arriving late. However, from an interviewer's perspective, arriving 45 minutes early and letting the receptionist know you've arrived is just as bothersome as showing up 45 minutes late. If you get to the interview location too early, go to a nearby coffee shop, take a walk around the block or sit in your car to pass the time. Checking in with the front desk five or even 15 minutes early is acceptable and shows the employer you're punctual.
Turnoff No. 2: Letting the desperation show
The reason: Although you have been looking for a job for several months or even longer, don't let your frustration become the interviewer's problem. A negative attitude that causes you to vent about the hardships of being unemployed can leave you reeking of bitterness and repel employers.
The solution: Don't get us wrong -- being unemployed can be one of the worst experiences a person goes through, and anyone who has been there understands that eventually you reach a point where you want to scream. Nevertheless, do your screaming before you get to the interview.
When you're preparing for the interview, think like an employer. Do you want to hire the person with amazing qualification, a great personality and the potential to grow with the company? Or do you want to hire the person whose primary concern is getting a paycheck, who sounds angry and who might quit the moment a better job comes along? Enthusiasm impresses an employer; desperation does not.
Turnoff No. 3: Being too aggressive with your follow-up
The reason: Employers want to see enthusiasm from job seekers, but they don't want to be inconvenienced by said enthusiasm. Two e-mails, a handwritten note, a few phone calls and a quick visit to the office just to see how things are going will not impress a hiring manager. That approach will scare them.
The solution: Again, enthusiasm wins over desperation every time. You need to a thank-you note, and you can send both an e-mail and a postal letter to cover your basis. Pestering employers doesn't just make you look desperate, it also annoys them. They don't have time for so many distractions and eventually the first thing they'll think of when they see your name is, "Oh, that's the one who wouldn't leave me alone." Prove you have common sense, which includes knowing when to stop.
Turnoff No. 4: Talking trash about anyone
The reason: You probably have plenty to say about your incompetent former boss and inept co-workers, but you know better than to say it. You've been told that employers hear you talk negatively about a past boss and think, "One day you'll be talking that way about me." You might forget that the same thoughts run through their mind when you talk about other organizations, too. If you're interviewing with the No. 2 company in a specific industry, you shouldn't take cheap shots at the No. 1 company every chance you get. Employers know you're job hunting and that you've probably been just as unkind about them in other interviews.
The solution: Stay positive. Explain why you want to work for the company. Point out how your experience has prepared you for this move. You don't need to pretend that your former employer is a personal hero, but you should demonstrate that you are bringing something from the company other than your 401(k). Rather than belittle the competition, promote this company. Say, "I know your competitor is doing this, and they've had some success, but you have the ability to do this and that to beat them." The focus remains on this company and also on your ideas.
Turnoff No. 5: Lacking direction
The reason: Whether or not they are micromanagers, employers like to have some trust in their employees. If your résumé, cover letter or interview suggests that you have no goals, you are not an attractive candidate. If you don't even know where you want your career to go, how can you know this job is for you? A cover letter looking for a job instead of this job implies that you're floating from gig to gig until you get bored.
The solution: If you're not positive what your future looks like, at least create a narrative that satisfies you. This job might not be your ideal one, but do you see yourself learning from it and putting you on a path to something better? What could you do after you spend some time working here? Figure out what that path is so you can show an employer you know where you're going. You don't need to promise that you'll stay at this position forever, but you can suggest that you are eager to learn and want to move forward. Employers like ambition because these workers tend to care about their jobs and ultimately improve the business in some capacity.
Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama
5 Ways to Turn Off Employers
Don't do this in your job hunt
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Job searches, much like first dates, are about giving the other party -- in this case the employer -- a once-over and presenting yourself in the best possible way. Also similar to first dates, job searches give you several opportunities to make a single mistake that is a real turnoff.
You're on your own when it comes to finding true love, but for staying in an employer's good graces, we've got you covered. So put on your best clothes, style your hair and make sure you don't make one of these job interview gaffes that is certain to turn off an employer:
Turnoff No. 1: Arriving too early for an interview
The reason: Interviews are scheduled at specific times for a reason. Hiring managers have other meetings and responsibilities to deal with throughout the day, so they can't interrupt their schedule just to meet with you. Also, interviews often have multiple components. If you're scheduled to meet the hiring manager first, then have a conversation with some potential colleagues, followed by a tour of the company and finally a drug test, an early (or late) disrupts everyone's schedule.
The solution: By all means, arriving early is better than arriving late. However, from an interviewer's perspective, arriving 45 minutes early and letting the receptionist know you've arrived is just as bothersome as showing up 45 minutes late. If you get to the interview location too early, go to a nearby coffee shop, take a walk around the block or sit in your car to pass the time. Checking in with the front desk five or even 15 minutes early is acceptable and shows the employer you're punctual.
Turnoff No. 2: Letting the desperation show
The reason: Although you have been looking for a job for several months or even longer, don't let your frustration become the interviewer's problem. A negative attitude that causes you to vent about the hardships of being unemployed can leave you reeking of bitterness and repel employers.
The solution: Don't get us wrong -- being unemployed can be one of the worst experiences a person goes through, and anyone who has been there understands that eventually you reach a point where you want to scream. Nevertheless, do your screaming before you get to the interview.
When you're preparing for the interview, think like an employer. Do you want to hire the person with amazing qualification, a great personality and the potential to grow with the company? Or do you want to hire the person whose primary concern is getting a paycheck, who sounds angry and who might quit the moment a better job comes along? Enthusiasm impresses an employer; desperation does not.
Turnoff No. 3: Being too aggressive with your follow-up
The reason: Employers want to see enthusiasm from job seekers, but they don't want to be inconvenienced by said enthusiasm. Two e-mails, a handwritten note, a few phone calls and a quick visit to the office just to see how things are going will not impress a hiring manager. That approach will scare them.
The solution: Again, enthusiasm wins over desperation every time. You need to a thank-you note, and you can send both an e-mail and a postal letter to cover your basis. Pestering employers doesn't just make you look desperate, it also annoys them. They don't have time for so many distractions and eventually the first thing they'll think of when they see your name is, "Oh, that's the one who wouldn't leave me alone." Prove you have common sense, which includes knowing when to stop.
Turnoff No. 4: Talking trash about anyone
The reason: You probably have plenty to say about your incompetent former boss and inept co-workers, but you know better than to say it. You've been told that employers hear you talk negatively about a past boss and think, "One day you'll be talking that way about me." You might forget that the same thoughts run through their mind when you talk about other organizations, too. If you're interviewing with the No. 2 company in a specific industry, you shouldn't take cheap shots at the No. 1 company every chance you get. Employers know you're job hunting and that you've probably been just as unkind about them in other interviews.
The solution: Stay positive. Explain why you want to work for the company. Point out how your experience has prepared you for this move. You don't need to pretend that your former employer is a personal hero, but you should demonstrate that you are bringing something from the company other than your 401(k). Rather than belittle the competition, promote this company. Say, "I know your competitor is doing this, and they've had some success, but you have the ability to do this and that to beat them." The focus remains on this company and also on your ideas.
Turnoff No. 5: Lacking direction
The reason: Whether or not they are micromanagers, employers like to have some trust in their employees. If your résumé, cover letter or interview suggests that you have no goals, you are not an attractive candidate. If you don't even know where you want your career to go, how can you know this job is for you? A cover letter looking for a job instead of this job implies that you're floating from gig to gig until you get bored.
The solution: If you're not positive what your future looks like, at least create a narrative that satisfies you. This job might not be your ideal one, but do you see yourself learning from it and putting you on a path to something better? What could you do after you spend some time working here? Figure out what that path is so you can show an employer you know where you're going. You don't need to promise that you'll stay at this position forever, but you can suggest that you are eager to learn and want to move forward. Employers like ambition because these workers tend to care about their jobs and ultimately improve the business in some capacity.
Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2 Positions at Manufacturing Company in Alpharetta
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking two candidates for positions in Alpharetta.
Project Specialist:
This is a maternity leave estimated to continue through Mid-August. Will provide administrative support to director in a highly confidential environment and handle senior level internal and external communication. Must be able to work independantly. Will maintain databases, create reports and create correspondence. Must have expert computer skills in MS Office Suite, Lotus Notes, and MS Project. 8+ years of strong administrative support experience.
Purchasing Expeditor:
This is a 1 year temporary position starting between $14 and $16 an hour. Will assist the pruchasing staff in the process of orders and bid requests. Will maintain all purchasing related documents. Contact and follow up with vendors. Follow up on deliveries, changes or cancellations, etc. Be proficient in conflict resolution. Sarbanes Oxley and ISO experience preferred. Must have knowledge of MS Office Suite. Must have effective communication and listening skills and be able to work in a team environment. Must have strong customer service mind-set. 1-2 years administrative experience within a purchasing environment.
How To Apply:
Please submit your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com. You must include the title of the position to which you are applying in the subject line of the email to be considered. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Project Specialist:
This is a maternity leave estimated to continue through Mid-August. Will provide administrative support to director in a highly confidential environment and handle senior level internal and external communication. Must be able to work independantly. Will maintain databases, create reports and create correspondence. Must have expert computer skills in MS Office Suite, Lotus Notes, and MS Project. 8+ years of strong administrative support experience.
Purchasing Expeditor:
This is a 1 year temporary position starting between $14 and $16 an hour. Will assist the pruchasing staff in the process of orders and bid requests. Will maintain all purchasing related documents. Contact and follow up with vendors. Follow up on deliveries, changes or cancellations, etc. Be proficient in conflict resolution. Sarbanes Oxley and ISO experience preferred. Must have knowledge of MS Office Suite. Must have effective communication and listening skills and be able to work in a team environment. Must have strong customer service mind-set. 1-2 years administrative experience within a purchasing environment.
How To Apply:
Please submit your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com. You must include the title of the position to which you are applying in the subject line of the email to be considered. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Assistant to Support The Senior Buyer
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for an Assistant to the Senior Buyer at a company in Alpharetta.
This is a temporary position between 30 and 90 days. They are currently in the process of hiring a buyer but need admin support in the meantime. Will provide tactical admin support. This person will be issuing purchase orders, carrier requests, inputting into their software system. Payment details. AP Support. Processing the receipt of orders in system. Inputting inventory. A large amount of reporting into excel but experience with Access very helpful. Supporting the lead buyer. An analytical background and good interpersonal skills. Must be okay in a very dynamic environment where things change minute by minute. Someone who can hit the ground running. $14-$19 depending on what experience.
Please send resumes to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.
This is a temporary position between 30 and 90 days. They are currently in the process of hiring a buyer but need admin support in the meantime. Will provide tactical admin support. This person will be issuing purchase orders, carrier requests, inputting into their software system. Payment details. AP Support. Processing the receipt of orders in system. Inputting inventory. A large amount of reporting into excel but experience with Access very helpful. Supporting the lead buyer. An analytical background and good interpersonal skills. Must be okay in a very dynamic environment where things change minute by minute. Someone who can hit the ground running. $14-$19 depending on what experience.
Please send resumes to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Taking a Pay Cut
MSN Careers posted this article today. We talk with candidates every day who feel like they aren't getting a fair shake in the interviewing process because they are "overqualified". Try this approach next time you are interviewing for a job a level or two below your last position.
When Getting a Paycheck Means Taking a Pay Cut
By Harvey Mackay, author of "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You"
All the stars are aligning. You've been offered a great opportunity, maybe even your dream job: the company you've admired, top-notch staff, terrific benefits, ideal location. You've aced the interview, and you know you'd be a perfect fit. What more could you ask for?
Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe you should be asking, what less would you be willing to take?
A 2009 CNN Money report says, "With more than three job seekers for every opening, more workers are having to take significant pay cuts to find employment."
Many are out of work through no fault of their own and can't afford to wait for the dream job to open. Others discover the jobs they had weren't right for them -- too much responsibility, too many hours, burnout or philosophical differences. Whatever the reason, plenty of qualified people who are looking for jobs have real challenges convincing interviewers that they can work for less and be content.
What motivates hiring decisions
Shrinking company budgets force managers to get maximum bang for the buck while finding ways to maintain or grow business. Hiring decisions have greater impact when fewer employees must carry the load. A bad hire can be disastrous.
Try to explain to a hiring manager that you are interested in taking a job that includes a pay cut and a number of questions pop up: Were you overpaid at your last job? Will you jump ship the minute a more lucrative opportunity is presented? Will you be able to survive on a smaller salary? If you are such a bargain, why hasn't someone else hired you already? Do you have some ulterior motive?
Hiring managers look for competent people who are confident in their abilities. Your biggest selling point, surprisingly, isn't your price tag. You have demonstrated that you are flexible, willing to take on a new challenge, bring great experience with you and can't wait to get started. You are prepared to work as hard as you can to advance the company's goals. The interviewer is starting to wonder why any company would have let you slip away.
Being upfront
As an astute candidate, you know that salary negotiations come much later, after you have convinced the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. Be honest when you are asked why you are willing to work for less.
"I know that the market can't support my previous salary, but I have much to offer and can make a positive contribution to this company's success."
"I love my work and I was sorry when my former company eliminated our department. I am willing to prove my commitment by working for free for 60 days."
"My company relocated to another state. My wife's job is here, and we chose not to move our family even though it meant giving up my job."
"I know that times are tough everywhere, and I am willing to help the company move to profitability knowing that the employee contributions will be rewarded at a later time."
Stating your reasons in direct, honest terms will mitigate fears that you are looking for a glorified temp job until something better comes along. Few companies have been exempt from downsizing or budget reductions. Relating that reality to your personal situation can reassure the interviewer that your expectations are reasonable.
One cautionary note: Don't apologize for showing interest in a lower-paying job. Your worth can't be measured only in dollars.
A pay cut may mean a better job or the path to one. Keep your options open.
Mackay's Moral: You can move from survive to thrive.
Harvey Mackay is the author of the new book "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You," as well as The New York Times No. 1 best-sellers "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" and "Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt." Mackay is a nationally syndicated columnist for United Feature Syndicate whose weekly articles appear in 52 newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun Times, Rocky Mountain News, Orange County Register, Minneapolis Star Tribune and Arizona Republic.
When Getting a Paycheck Means Taking a Pay Cut
By Harvey Mackay, author of "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You"
All the stars are aligning. You've been offered a great opportunity, maybe even your dream job: the company you've admired, top-notch staff, terrific benefits, ideal location. You've aced the interview, and you know you'd be a perfect fit. What more could you ask for?
Maybe that's the wrong question. Maybe you should be asking, what less would you be willing to take?
A 2009 CNN Money report says, "With more than three job seekers for every opening, more workers are having to take significant pay cuts to find employment."
Many are out of work through no fault of their own and can't afford to wait for the dream job to open. Others discover the jobs they had weren't right for them -- too much responsibility, too many hours, burnout or philosophical differences. Whatever the reason, plenty of qualified people who are looking for jobs have real challenges convincing interviewers that they can work for less and be content.
What motivates hiring decisions
Shrinking company budgets force managers to get maximum bang for the buck while finding ways to maintain or grow business. Hiring decisions have greater impact when fewer employees must carry the load. A bad hire can be disastrous.
Try to explain to a hiring manager that you are interested in taking a job that includes a pay cut and a number of questions pop up: Were you overpaid at your last job? Will you jump ship the minute a more lucrative opportunity is presented? Will you be able to survive on a smaller salary? If you are such a bargain, why hasn't someone else hired you already? Do you have some ulterior motive?
Hiring managers look for competent people who are confident in their abilities. Your biggest selling point, surprisingly, isn't your price tag. You have demonstrated that you are flexible, willing to take on a new challenge, bring great experience with you and can't wait to get started. You are prepared to work as hard as you can to advance the company's goals. The interviewer is starting to wonder why any company would have let you slip away.
Being upfront
As an astute candidate, you know that salary negotiations come much later, after you have convinced the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. Be honest when you are asked why you are willing to work for less.
Stating your reasons in direct, honest terms will mitigate fears that you are looking for a glorified temp job until something better comes along. Few companies have been exempt from downsizing or budget reductions. Relating that reality to your personal situation can reassure the interviewer that your expectations are reasonable.
One cautionary note: Don't apologize for showing interest in a lower-paying job. Your worth can't be measured only in dollars.
A pay cut may mean a better job or the path to one. Keep your options open.
Mackay's Moral: You can move from survive to thrive.
Harvey Mackay is the author of the new book "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You," as well as The New York Times No. 1 best-sellers "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" and "Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt." Mackay is a nationally syndicated columnist for United Feature Syndicate whose weekly articles appear in 52 newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun Times, Rocky Mountain News, Orange County Register, Minneapolis Star Tribune and Arizona Republic.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What to do when the answer is "No".
Great interviewing advice from Hotjobs. Please consider the following article, especially this information:
After the Recruiter Says No
How to handle job-search rejections.
by Charles Purdy, Yahoo! HotJobs
You had high hopes for this job: The job requirements matched your skill set perfectly. You aced your interviews. And you imagined hearing those sweet words so many of us long to hear:
"You're hired."
Instead, you got another rejection letter. According to recent U.S. Labor Department data, 5.5 unemployed Americans, on average, are vying for each job opening--so most interviews will end in rejection.
And that can be a crushing blow--but it can also be a career-making moment. When you don't get the job, what should your next steps be?
Don't beat yourself up about it.
John Kador, the author of "301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview," second edition (McGraw-Hill), recommends that you try to learn from each rejection--while understanding that it may not be your fault. "Sometimes you didn't do anything wrong," he says. "Someone else was more qualified or more connected. Companies sometimes go through the motions of interviewing applicants when they've already selected a candidate."
While the experience is still fresh in your mind, writing down what you've learned may help you put a positive spin on the experience--and give you something to refer to later, according to Lewis Lin, of SeattleInterviewCoach.com.
Be gracious in defeat.
How you conduct yourself after a rejection letter can determine whether that recruiter will consider you again--or perhaps refer you to another recruiter. Liz Lynch, the author of "Smart Networking" (McGraw-Hill), says, "Send a handwritten card thanking them again for their time, reiterating your interest in the company, and expressing your hope that they'll keep you in mind for future positions. And whatever you do, do not diss them on your blog!"
Ask for feedback.
Kador advises saying that you accept the recruiter's decision before you ask for feedback: "No one will talk to you if they think you're going to argue or appeal."
If you don't trust yourself to keep your cool, you may want to skip asking for feedback. If you do ask, email is the best medium. "Telephoning is probably too intrusive," says Lynch. "And whatever feedback you hear, don't be defensive."
Lin cautions that "you'll get canned responses most of the time" due to fears about legal issues, but he recommends phrasing your request for feedback like this: "If you don't mind me asking, do you have any feedback on how I can improve for future interviews?"
He adds, "You want to keep the conversation as professional as possible. Who knows? You could be their backup candidate."
Keep trying.
In most cases, you should actively pursue new openings at the company. The phrase "we'll keep your resume on file" is usually an attempt to soften the rejection, according to Kador, who says you should keep applying for relevant jobs and staying in touch with the recruiters you've met. "If a posting says no calls,' I wouldn't call," he says. "But that doesn't mean you can't write."
Bring the recruiter into your professional network.
If, down the road, you can help the interviewer or recruiter by recommending a candidate, for instance, or forwarding a relevant article, Kador says you should "go for it--make yourself known as a resource."
Lynch, too, recommends keeping in touch with the hiring manager in a "low-key way" and says that, when you do land a position, you should write him or her a note and include your new business card. Then you can send the manager an invitation to connect on LinkedIn so you can easily stay in touch.
According to recent U.S. Labor Department data, 5.5 unemployed Americans, on average, are vying for each job opening--so most interviews will end in rejection.
After the Recruiter Says No
How to handle job-search rejections.
by Charles Purdy, Yahoo! HotJobs
You had high hopes for this job: The job requirements matched your skill set perfectly. You aced your interviews. And you imagined hearing those sweet words so many of us long to hear:
"You're hired."
Instead, you got another rejection letter. According to recent U.S. Labor Department data, 5.5 unemployed Americans, on average, are vying for each job opening--so most interviews will end in rejection.
And that can be a crushing blow--but it can also be a career-making moment. When you don't get the job, what should your next steps be?
Don't beat yourself up about it.
John Kador, the author of "301 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview," second edition (McGraw-Hill), recommends that you try to learn from each rejection--while understanding that it may not be your fault. "Sometimes you didn't do anything wrong," he says. "Someone else was more qualified or more connected. Companies sometimes go through the motions of interviewing applicants when they've already selected a candidate."
While the experience is still fresh in your mind, writing down what you've learned may help you put a positive spin on the experience--and give you something to refer to later, according to Lewis Lin, of SeattleInterviewCoach.com.
Be gracious in defeat.
How you conduct yourself after a rejection letter can determine whether that recruiter will consider you again--or perhaps refer you to another recruiter. Liz Lynch, the author of "Smart Networking" (McGraw-Hill), says, "Send a handwritten card thanking them again for their time, reiterating your interest in the company, and expressing your hope that they'll keep you in mind for future positions. And whatever you do, do not diss them on your blog!"
Ask for feedback.
Kador advises saying that you accept the recruiter's decision before you ask for feedback: "No one will talk to you if they think you're going to argue or appeal."
If you don't trust yourself to keep your cool, you may want to skip asking for feedback. If you do ask, email is the best medium. "Telephoning is probably too intrusive," says Lynch. "And whatever feedback you hear, don't be defensive."
Lin cautions that "you'll get canned responses most of the time" due to fears about legal issues, but he recommends phrasing your request for feedback like this: "If you don't mind me asking, do you have any feedback on how I can improve for future interviews?"
He adds, "You want to keep the conversation as professional as possible. Who knows? You could be their backup candidate."
Keep trying.
In most cases, you should actively pursue new openings at the company. The phrase "we'll keep your resume on file" is usually an attempt to soften the rejection, according to Kador, who says you should keep applying for relevant jobs and staying in touch with the recruiters you've met. "If a posting says no calls,' I wouldn't call," he says. "But that doesn't mean you can't write."
Bring the recruiter into your professional network.
If, down the road, you can help the interviewer or recruiter by recommending a candidate, for instance, or forwarding a relevant article, Kador says you should "go for it--make yourself known as a resource."
Lynch, too, recommends keeping in touch with the hiring manager in a "low-key way" and says that, when you do land a position, you should write him or her a note and include your new business card. Then you can send the manager an invitation to connect on LinkedIn so you can easily stay in touch.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Consider Your Sources
A good personal network is very important no matter your current employment situation. Friends and family provide a lot of much needed moral support in our every day lives. MSN Careers shares this article on just which advice to take about job searching.
Are You Getting Bad Job Advice?
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Your support network probably consists of your closest friends and maybe some trusted family members. You know these people will help you out in any way possible -- when you're at your happiest or feeling defeated. That's what friends are for, just like Dionne Warwick sang.
Unfortunately, these people aren't perfect. You know they want the best for you, and that's why you turn to them for help. But a new survey from The Creative Group finds that those closest to you might not always be the best advice givers, especially when you need professional advice.
Who's giving the worst advice?
Of surveyed advertising and marketing executives, 58 percent say co-workers gave them bad career advice. Bosses didn't fare much better, as 54 percent blame them for bad career advice. Parents and relatives are better career counselors, but 35 percent of surveyed executives received unsatisfactory guidance from them. Thirty percent of spouses and significant others are blamed for bad advice (and probably had to sleep on the couch at some point). Mentors have the best record for dispensing advice, as only 21 percent have the finger pointed at them.
As to why so many of our nearest and dearest make such unreliable advisers, you could just chalk it up to human nature. "Nobody's perfect" might be a cliché, but it's true, and your support network isn't likely to sabotage you on purpose.
Well, sometimes they might. Survey respondents admit that some of the bad advice they received did more for the giver than the receiver.
"My former boss discouraged me from going to work for a competitor, saying that I wouldn't last, but I did," says one surveyed executive. "I later found out that he had made a wager that I wouldn't join that firm, and that was why he discouraged me to work there."
Another respondent recalls, "A co-worker wanted me to take her job so she could take a new position. It wasn't a good idea. I wasn't ready to fill that job."
Considering that your career decisions affect your colleagues and boss directly, perhaps their tendency to give harmful advice isn't surprising after all. For that reason, Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group, cautions you to evaluate the motives of the advice giver.
The do's and don'ts of asking for advice
According to Farrugia, workers seeking help can take some steps to get the best advice. She recommends keeping these five tips in mind:
Do seek out experience
The best advice comes from someone who has been in your position. Even if the specifics are a little different, a similar experience will give the best insight.
"For example, if you're looking to transition into a particular niche, talk to someone who made a comparable change," Farrugia says. "If you're having trouble finding suitable contacts, use social networks like LinkedIn to expand your reach."
Do follow your own goals
Although friends and family may have your best interests in mind, they don't have your same professional and personal goals. Remember to listen to their advice without forgetting what you want for yourself.
Do explain yourself
No one can help you make the right decision if they don't know what you're looking to get out of your career.
Farrugia explains, "By describing your professional objectives and values to your acquaintances, you'll help them give better guidance."
Don't have a one-track mind
Your network is composed of people with different backgrounds and experiences, and even if they haven't been in your shoes, they've probably observed someone who was. Don't rely on a single person to get advice. Instead, talk to as many people as you can to hear their opinions and then decide what best aligns with your needs.
Don't forget your manners
"Thank everyone who takes the time to provide career guidance, and keep in touch with all helpful sources, returning the favor when you can," Farrugia says.
Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.
Are You Getting Bad Job Advice?
By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Your support network probably consists of your closest friends and maybe some trusted family members. You know these people will help you out in any way possible -- when you're at your happiest or feeling defeated. That's what friends are for, just like Dionne Warwick sang.
Unfortunately, these people aren't perfect. You know they want the best for you, and that's why you turn to them for help. But a new survey from The Creative Group finds that those closest to you might not always be the best advice givers, especially when you need professional advice.
Who's giving the worst advice?
Of surveyed advertising and marketing executives, 58 percent say co-workers gave them bad career advice. Bosses didn't fare much better, as 54 percent blame them for bad career advice. Parents and relatives are better career counselors, but 35 percent of surveyed executives received unsatisfactory guidance from them. Thirty percent of spouses and significant others are blamed for bad advice (and probably had to sleep on the couch at some point). Mentors have the best record for dispensing advice, as only 21 percent have the finger pointed at them.
As to why so many of our nearest and dearest make such unreliable advisers, you could just chalk it up to human nature. "Nobody's perfect" might be a cliché, but it's true, and your support network isn't likely to sabotage you on purpose.
Well, sometimes they might. Survey respondents admit that some of the bad advice they received did more for the giver than the receiver.
"My former boss discouraged me from going to work for a competitor, saying that I wouldn't last, but I did," says one surveyed executive. "I later found out that he had made a wager that I wouldn't join that firm, and that was why he discouraged me to work there."
Another respondent recalls, "A co-worker wanted me to take her job so she could take a new position. It wasn't a good idea. I wasn't ready to fill that job."
Considering that your career decisions affect your colleagues and boss directly, perhaps their tendency to give harmful advice isn't surprising after all. For that reason, Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group, cautions you to evaluate the motives of the advice giver.
The do's and don'ts of asking for advice
According to Farrugia, workers seeking help can take some steps to get the best advice. She recommends keeping these five tips in mind:
Do seek out experience
The best advice comes from someone who has been in your position. Even if the specifics are a little different, a similar experience will give the best insight.
"For example, if you're looking to transition into a particular niche, talk to someone who made a comparable change," Farrugia says. "If you're having trouble finding suitable contacts, use social networks like LinkedIn to expand your reach."
Do follow your own goals
Although friends and family may have your best interests in mind, they don't have your same professional and personal goals. Remember to listen to their advice without forgetting what you want for yourself.
Do explain yourself
No one can help you make the right decision if they don't know what you're looking to get out of your career.
Farrugia explains, "By describing your professional objectives and values to your acquaintances, you'll help them give better guidance."
Don't have a one-track mind
Your network is composed of people with different backgrounds and experiences, and even if they haven't been in your shoes, they've probably observed someone who was. Don't rely on a single person to get advice. Instead, talk to as many people as you can to hear their opinions and then decide what best aligns with your needs.
Don't forget your manners
"Thank everyone who takes the time to provide career guidance, and keep in touch with all helpful sources, returning the favor when you can," Farrugia says.
Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Payroll Expert in Alpharetta
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking a payroll expert in Alpharetta. Must have 2+ years experience with ADP Pay Expert and 2+ years with General Ledger. Accounts Payable and Great Plains experience helpful but not required. Will be processing payroll for large company. Experience with 401K and benefits deductions. Temporary with the possibility of becoming permanent. $17 an hour or more depending on previous experience.
Please send your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.
Please send your resume to resumes@discoverstaffing.com for consideration.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Social Networking Advantage
I know we post a lot about Social Networking and the job search. I firmly believe that candidates who embrace the new media are going to have a long term advantage over candidates who do not. Recent statistics show that only 3% of candidates are using social media to find a job but 32% of employers are using it as a means to find candidates. Pay close attention to social networking in your job search and you may just end up with an opportunity that isn't available to everyone.
Yahoo! Hotjobs has posted this article on the subject.
How to Social Network Your Way into a Job
by By Karen Noonan, TradePub.com
Networking is a crucial component of any job search. And today's social-networking technology makes it easier than ever to network your way into the job of your dreams.
Many companies are employing social media as a means to market their products. And just as they are relying on blogs, wikis, forums, and social networking to pitch their news, they are starting look at how job seekers pitch themselves via these channels.
Use these tips to ping, tweet, poke, and post your way into your dream job or a new career.
1. Get LinkedIn to various networks.
A good rule of thumb for job searching is to make yourself visible and available. Traditionally, that means posting your resume on sites like Yahoo! HotJobs and making sure your friends and family know you're looking. But today, it's more than that. You need to become visible across the web.
Establish your web presence in various avenues, so employers can find you. Create profiles on multiple social networking sites and even consider starting a blog about your trade.
According to Paul Gillin, a social media marketing consultant and the author of "Secrets of Social Media Marketing," LinkedIn and Twitter are the two outlets you want to be sure to use as a job seeker.
LinkedIn is the place to start, according to Gillin. "The reason for that is that LinkedIn is very targeted and very focused" he says. "It's got all the tools and it's got this unique, degrees-of-separation concept where you can find people by being introduced by a common link." Finding common connections through the LinkedIn tools is a great place to start networking for a new career.
Secondly, Gillin gives high praise to Twitter as a job seeker's tool. "I recommend Twitter because it may be the fastest way to get in touch with someone you want to reach," Gillin says. "Anyone on Twitter can get a message to anyone else who is on Twitter."
Gillin notes that finding an email address for a contact within a company can be a challenge. But locating someone on Twitter and sending him or her a quick note is relatively simple. And emails to potential employers tend to be formal and somewhat wordy--these long-form emails are often ignored. But, Gillin says, "because Twitter is so brief, people tend to respond quickly on Twitter."
2. Clean up your social-networking presence.
Having a social-networking presence can be a great way to land your dream job. But it can also be a liability. Make sure your online appearance projects the image you want to share with potential employers.
HR professionals and recruiters have gotten very good at finding ways around privacy limitations when investigating job candidates. Even if you think you have a private profile, use caution.
"If you're going to share photos of yourself face down in a puddle of beer, you should choose to do that under a pseudonym," recommends Gillin. "Think of how you want to appear to the outside world."
Your online personality is as important as your resume. Just as you would proofread a cover letter or resume before sending it, edit your Facebook profile, tweets, and blog posts with the same detail.
"Spell checker is not sufficient for that task," Gillin says. "Before you publish anything online, have someone who knows the language read your website."
And monitor your behavior online as well--that is, "avoid loose-cannon behavior," Gillin says. Posting overtly nasty or vindictive comments, incorrect facts, or anything that doesn't appear polished can hurt your chances.
3. Have a distinct message about yourself.
Searching for a job is a marketing task--you are marketing yourself to a specific audience. And as with any good marketing plan, you need to develop the message that you want to get across. Define the message, and then figure out how to get that message heard. Find information that backs up the claims you make about yourself.
"It could be your words, pictures of the work that you do, or evidence of your achievements," Gillin says. "Then you promote those. You use the various social-media tools to push that out."
It's important to show employers what you've done. Post it on your Facebook page, tweet about it, etc.
4. Be honest.
"12 Essential Tips for Success in Social Media," a marketing brief focused on how to effectively engage through social marketing, urges social networking participants to be honest.
"One characteristic of social media is that people are more aggressive about reading between the lines to interpret other people's intentions. And they're remarkably savvy about it. ... If someone suspects you're in some way misrepresenting yourself, they'll use any of the tools available to investigate your past postings across the blogosphere to sniff out what you're really up to. It happens all the time, and it severely undercuts the credibility of anyone exposed as a shill. Whether you're launching your own social media site or just participating in discussions around the Web, be conspicuously honest and straightforward about who you are and whom you represent."
Creating a Facebook profile about your accomplishments is a great tool, but only if you have actually achieved the success you post about. Present yourself to the Web professionally, thoughtfully, and honestly.
5. Participate in the conversation.
Your personal web presence is incredibly important, but don't forget that your potential employer likely has its own presence as well.
According to "12 Essential Tips," the key to building influence in your community is getting involved: "You need to participate in the conversation. If you've already identified the people influencing market dialog, comment on their blogs. Write posts that track back to their blog if they allow that. Write posts that engage or challenge them on a topic that matters. Go forth and get in the conversation; don't wait for it to come to you. To be successful, you need to continually engage and develop relationships through dialog with the influencers."
Find blogs and forums within your industry and become a participant. It's possible that your future boss operates or participates alongside you. Your thoughtful comments within popular industry spaces online will bolster your credibility and improve your chances of landing your dream job.
Yahoo! Hotjobs has posted this article on the subject.
How to Social Network Your Way into a Job
by By Karen Noonan, TradePub.com
Networking is a crucial component of any job search. And today's social-networking technology makes it easier than ever to network your way into the job of your dreams.
Many companies are employing social media as a means to market their products. And just as they are relying on blogs, wikis, forums, and social networking to pitch their news, they are starting look at how job seekers pitch themselves via these channels.
Use these tips to ping, tweet, poke, and post your way into your dream job or a new career.
1. Get LinkedIn to various networks.
A good rule of thumb for job searching is to make yourself visible and available. Traditionally, that means posting your resume on sites like Yahoo! HotJobs and making sure your friends and family know you're looking. But today, it's more than that. You need to become visible across the web.
Establish your web presence in various avenues, so employers can find you. Create profiles on multiple social networking sites and even consider starting a blog about your trade.
According to Paul Gillin, a social media marketing consultant and the author of "Secrets of Social Media Marketing," LinkedIn and Twitter are the two outlets you want to be sure to use as a job seeker.
LinkedIn is the place to start, according to Gillin. "The reason for that is that LinkedIn is very targeted and very focused" he says. "It's got all the tools and it's got this unique, degrees-of-separation concept where you can find people by being introduced by a common link." Finding common connections through the LinkedIn tools is a great place to start networking for a new career.
Secondly, Gillin gives high praise to Twitter as a job seeker's tool. "I recommend Twitter because it may be the fastest way to get in touch with someone you want to reach," Gillin says. "Anyone on Twitter can get a message to anyone else who is on Twitter."
Gillin notes that finding an email address for a contact within a company can be a challenge. But locating someone on Twitter and sending him or her a quick note is relatively simple. And emails to potential employers tend to be formal and somewhat wordy--these long-form emails are often ignored. But, Gillin says, "because Twitter is so brief, people tend to respond quickly on Twitter."
2. Clean up your social-networking presence.
Having a social-networking presence can be a great way to land your dream job. But it can also be a liability. Make sure your online appearance projects the image you want to share with potential employers.
HR professionals and recruiters have gotten very good at finding ways around privacy limitations when investigating job candidates. Even if you think you have a private profile, use caution.
"If you're going to share photos of yourself face down in a puddle of beer, you should choose to do that under a pseudonym," recommends Gillin. "Think of how you want to appear to the outside world."
Your online personality is as important as your resume. Just as you would proofread a cover letter or resume before sending it, edit your Facebook profile, tweets, and blog posts with the same detail.
"Spell checker is not sufficient for that task," Gillin says. "Before you publish anything online, have someone who knows the language read your website."
And monitor your behavior online as well--that is, "avoid loose-cannon behavior," Gillin says. Posting overtly nasty or vindictive comments, incorrect facts, or anything that doesn't appear polished can hurt your chances.
3. Have a distinct message about yourself.
Searching for a job is a marketing task--you are marketing yourself to a specific audience. And as with any good marketing plan, you need to develop the message that you want to get across. Define the message, and then figure out how to get that message heard. Find information that backs up the claims you make about yourself.
"It could be your words, pictures of the work that you do, or evidence of your achievements," Gillin says. "Then you promote those. You use the various social-media tools to push that out."
It's important to show employers what you've done. Post it on your Facebook page, tweet about it, etc.
4. Be honest.
"12 Essential Tips for Success in Social Media," a marketing brief focused on how to effectively engage through social marketing, urges social networking participants to be honest.
"One characteristic of social media is that people are more aggressive about reading between the lines to interpret other people's intentions. And they're remarkably savvy about it. ... If someone suspects you're in some way misrepresenting yourself, they'll use any of the tools available to investigate your past postings across the blogosphere to sniff out what you're really up to. It happens all the time, and it severely undercuts the credibility of anyone exposed as a shill. Whether you're launching your own social media site or just participating in discussions around the Web, be conspicuously honest and straightforward about who you are and whom you represent."
Creating a Facebook profile about your accomplishments is a great tool, but only if you have actually achieved the success you post about. Present yourself to the Web professionally, thoughtfully, and honestly.
5. Participate in the conversation.
Your personal web presence is incredibly important, but don't forget that your potential employer likely has its own presence as well.
According to "12 Essential Tips," the key to building influence in your community is getting involved: "You need to participate in the conversation. If you've already identified the people influencing market dialog, comment on their blogs. Write posts that track back to their blog if they allow that. Write posts that engage or challenge them on a topic that matters. Go forth and get in the conversation; don't wait for it to come to you. To be successful, you need to continually engage and develop relationships through dialog with the influencers."
Find blogs and forums within your industry and become a participant. It's possible that your future boss operates or participates alongside you. Your thoughtful comments within popular industry spaces online will bolster your credibility and improve your chances of landing your dream job.
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