DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking a Human Resources Generalist for a position in Alpharetta. Client is looking for someone with a minimum 5 years HR Generalist experience. HR Managers or Directors are not being considered at this time. Will be responsible for employee benefits, employee relations, policies and procedures, maintaining employee records, training and development, compliance and reporting. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with focus on HR preferred. Proficiency in MS Office required.
Please submit your resume to laura@discoverstaffing for consideration. Only qualified candidates will be considered at this time. No phone calls please.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Not all Resume Advice is Good Advice
Advice on how to write a resume is as varied as you might imagine. Shine by Yahoo today posted an article by Shine Blogger, StyleCaster. Below is the posting along with comments by myself. The key is to take all the advice and process it to best suit your own job search and lifestyle.
Is Your Resume Costing You a Dream Job?
by StyleCaster, on Thu Nov 26, 2009 8:36am PST
Contrary to Legally Blonde, dyeing your resume pink and bathing it in Chanel No. 5 will not get you into Harvard, nor will it get you a job. In case you take career advice from Elle Woods, below you will find the worst resume mistakes in the history of resumes mistakes, followed by why these little errors are the reason why you're not even granted a pity interview. Spell check doesn't catch everything, and no one cares how active you were in Girl Scouts, unless you traveled to India to empower girls to sell Thin Mints. Which, in that case, we'll take two boxes.
The header
The idea of a resume is to fit the most pertinent information into a small space. (On that note, a resume should NEVER, under any circumstances, be more than one page long.) Your name and contact information should not be size 40 font, and you should include multiple ways of contacting you; phone, address, and email are sufficient.
[Here is where I disagree with StyleCaster. Recruiters today don't expect professional candidates to squish all of their important information on to one page. It is not only acceptable but also common to have your resume on two pages. However, don't let the information get out of control. Keep it succinct and professional and don't let it progress past two well-tailored pages. The ten page resume gets deleted just as quickly as the one page with no margins and too much information squeezed on.]
The objective
This should be no more than 5 or 6 words, and should state exactly what you are looking for. Keep in mind your wording could give them an impression of how experienced, or inexperienced you are. If it says "Seeking an entry-level position," guess what? That's the salary you'll be offered.
[Many recruiters also suggest that you leave an objective off all together. If you still feel the need to include it, tailor it to each individual company that you apply to. Recruiters will not consider a resume where the objective is "To seek a position in Accounting" that has been submitted to a clearly labeled Receptionist job posting. Instead, you may want to consider a summary or just begin your resume with relevant experience.]
Your experiences
Think of a resume like an upside-down pyramid. The most important information should be on the top, and the farther down the page you go, the less important the information is. Your potential employers knows how to skim resumes, and if they don't see something impressive in the beginning, they will move on. Make sure your experiences are first, recognizable names and companies are more impressive than what school you went to.
[Another rule of thumb for resumes is to keep it to the last ten years of professional experience. Recruiters and hiring managers don't need to see that you worked at McDonald's in college if you have also had 15 years of otherwise professional experience.]
Things not to include
Reasons why you were fired or left from a job, winning a spelling bee in high school, and your high school GPA and SAT scores. Also, do not include typos. Have ten people read your resume over after you, so that they might catch any grammatical errors that you may not have caught. Also, do not include your Myspace or Facebook page link. Chances are, if you're being considered for the job...they'll see it soon enough, anyway. Also, do not link to your personal blog unless it is somewhat successful or extremely relevant to the job you're applying for. Lastly, do not rhyme. (Saying you have a passion for fashion is more than not okay.)
[Not completely inappropriate advice. However, I would encourage you to use your LinkedIn page link on your resume. It is becoming a common standard for today's professional networking. But I do agree with the advice about your blog. If you have a successful blog that matches your career path, by all means include it. This also applies to hobbies; if your hobby directly relates to the position to which you are applying, feel free to include it. If not, leave it off along with other personal information including your birth date, photographs, or marital status.]
The worst thing you could do
And finally. Never appear at an interview without a copy of your resume. Can't find a printer in time? Reschedule the interview. Unless you won the Nobel Peace Prize, showing up sans resume is what Liz Lemon calls a dealbreaker, ladies.
[This is true - recruiters and hiring managers typically have a copy of your resume, but it shows another level of attention to detail if you bring one yourself. However, I believe it is negligent advice to reschedule an interview just because you have been unable to locate a printer. Be a 100% professional candidate and don't let either event happen.]
Is Your Resume Costing You a Dream Job?
by StyleCaster, on Thu Nov 26, 2009 8:36am PST
Contrary to Legally Blonde, dyeing your resume pink and bathing it in Chanel No. 5 will not get you into Harvard, nor will it get you a job. In case you take career advice from Elle Woods, below you will find the worst resume mistakes in the history of resumes mistakes, followed by why these little errors are the reason why you're not even granted a pity interview. Spell check doesn't catch everything, and no one cares how active you were in Girl Scouts, unless you traveled to India to empower girls to sell Thin Mints. Which, in that case, we'll take two boxes.
The header
The idea of a resume is to fit the most pertinent information into a small space. (On that note, a resume should NEVER, under any circumstances, be more than one page long.) Your name and contact information should not be size 40 font, and you should include multiple ways of contacting you; phone, address, and email are sufficient.
[Here is where I disagree with StyleCaster. Recruiters today don't expect professional candidates to squish all of their important information on to one page. It is not only acceptable but also common to have your resume on two pages. However, don't let the information get out of control. Keep it succinct and professional and don't let it progress past two well-tailored pages. The ten page resume gets deleted just as quickly as the one page with no margins and too much information squeezed on.]
The objective
This should be no more than 5 or 6 words, and should state exactly what you are looking for. Keep in mind your wording could give them an impression of how experienced, or inexperienced you are. If it says "Seeking an entry-level position," guess what? That's the salary you'll be offered.
[Many recruiters also suggest that you leave an objective off all together. If you still feel the need to include it, tailor it to each individual company that you apply to. Recruiters will not consider a resume where the objective is "To seek a position in Accounting" that has been submitted to a clearly labeled Receptionist job posting. Instead, you may want to consider a summary or just begin your resume with relevant experience.]
Your experiences
Think of a resume like an upside-down pyramid. The most important information should be on the top, and the farther down the page you go, the less important the information is. Your potential employers knows how to skim resumes, and if they don't see something impressive in the beginning, they will move on. Make sure your experiences are first, recognizable names and companies are more impressive than what school you went to.
[Another rule of thumb for resumes is to keep it to the last ten years of professional experience. Recruiters and hiring managers don't need to see that you worked at McDonald's in college if you have also had 15 years of otherwise professional experience.]
Things not to include
Reasons why you were fired or left from a job, winning a spelling bee in high school, and your high school GPA and SAT scores. Also, do not include typos. Have ten people read your resume over after you, so that they might catch any grammatical errors that you may not have caught. Also, do not include your Myspace or Facebook page link. Chances are, if you're being considered for the job...they'll see it soon enough, anyway. Also, do not link to your personal blog unless it is somewhat successful or extremely relevant to the job you're applying for. Lastly, do not rhyme. (Saying you have a passion for fashion is more than not okay.)
[Not completely inappropriate advice. However, I would encourage you to use your LinkedIn page link on your resume. It is becoming a common standard for today's professional networking. But I do agree with the advice about your blog. If you have a successful blog that matches your career path, by all means include it. This also applies to hobbies; if your hobby directly relates to the position to which you are applying, feel free to include it. If not, leave it off along with other personal information including your birth date, photographs, or marital status.]
The worst thing you could do
And finally. Never appear at an interview without a copy of your resume. Can't find a printer in time? Reschedule the interview. Unless you won the Nobel Peace Prize, showing up sans resume is what Liz Lemon calls a dealbreaker, ladies.
[This is true - recruiters and hiring managers typically have a copy of your resume, but it shows another level of attention to detail if you bring one yourself. However, I believe it is negligent advice to reschedule an interview just because you have been unable to locate a printer. Be a 100% professional candidate and don't let either event happen.]
Monday, December 7, 2009
Security Analyst
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a Security Analyst position in Alpharetta. Will be supporting the security, investigations and incident response team. Will monitor and execute security processes. Must have experience with MS Office, PC and Internet, and SQL. Must have excellent attention to detail. Track and update incident reports and review daily logs. This is a contract position, up to $17.00 per hour.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please send resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please send resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Shared Services Center Quality Support
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a Shared Services/Quality Support position in Alpharetta. Will be responsible for finding, extracting, analyzing and reporting data for quality, supply chain, customer care, purchasing and accounts payable departments. Will be developing and automating the metrics using information systems. Must have experience with creative data mining. Will also facilitate meetings, special projects and workshops. Must have experience with data management and structure, JDE and SalesLogix, MS Office, Business Objects and Lotus Notes. Bachelor's degree in Business or Science. 5+ years industry or business experience. Direct Hire position, $50,000.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please submit your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please submit your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Planning Specialist
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a Planning Specialist position in Alpharetta. Will be responsible for forecasting, production planning, logistics, supply chain management, inventory management process, production scheduling and control, and MRPII Systems. Must have a bachelor's degree in a science subject, Industrial Engineering preferred with Supply Chain focus. Must have 5 years experience within a supply chain function and production area. $50,000 annual salary, direct hire position.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Only qualified candidates will be considered. Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com - no phone calls please.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Certifications and your Job Search
Job seekers are always looking for that one thing that will put them over the edge when it comes to consideration. One thing that might help in your long term career plan would be certifications. This article from MSN Careers give some insight on this process.
Certification Programs and the Job Search Edge
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Have you ever seen "CMP," "CQM" or "PMP" behind someone's name and not had a clue what it meant -- or if it meant anything at all?
Contrary to what you might think, those letters aren't just for show. In fact, those two or three symbols can separate you from the pack or be the reason you get the job over someone else.
"Especially in today's business climate, anything that differentiates you from the crowd and emphasizes your commitment to your profession is career critical," says Kent Johnson, partner for Da Vinci Search, a Minneapolis-based recruiting firm. "As hiring managers pore over the multitude of résumés for an opening, their eyes will naturally pick up those with the all important initials that trail their name."
Sheri Rice Bentley, APR, a public relations specialist for Knupp & Watson Inc., says earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) enhanced her career tremendously. APR, the only certification that exists for public relations professionals, consists of presenting work to a jury of PR professionals, followed by a written exam. After Rice Bentley passed the exam, she was immediately headhunted into a position that paid 50 percent more than her previous salary and boosted her to the managerial level.
Lesly Simmons, APR, a media relations specialist with the American Red Cross, concurs that the designation has been a huge professional improvement.
"In a field like PR that doesn't typically have degrees associated with it, it shows my peers that I have a certain level of expertise on the field. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely worth it," Simmons says.
How can credentialing help you?
Certifications show employers your dedication and commitment to your profession. They show you're credible and knowledgeable about current trends and best practices in your field. In addition, designations polish all skill sets -- not just the hard skills you might need in a position. In fact, 64 percent of employers in a recent CareerBuilder.com survey found social interview skills and the ability to communicate well were the most important assets in a potential employee.
"Staying on top of soft skills such as critical thinking and time management while maintaining expertise in hard skills such as widely used software programs provides candidates and employees with a necessary edge," says Christian Idiodi, director of CBInstitute.com, a division of CareerBuilder.com that offers online courses and certifications.
Even if you already have a designation, employers expect workers to consistently improve their current skill sets. According to the survey, the following percentages of employers want their employees to sharpen their skills in the following areas: time management (62 percent), customer service (45 percent), Microsoft Excel (44 percent), leadership (39 percent), interpersonal skills (33 percent), business etiquette (26 percent) and business ethics (17 percent).
While there is no doubt certifications open the door and improve your chances of getting an interview, official recognitions are not the silver bullet, says Wayne Botha, a project manager with two designations: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
"Certifications are especially beneficially when coupled with an appropriate number of years of experience in the field that you work," Botha says.
In some cases, however, certifications might count for more than just an added skill. Joe Palmer doesn't have a degree but believes his certifications as a bookkeeper, notary public, registered representative (series 7 & 63), and business coach and trainer count as qualifications in the absence of a degree.
"Years of experience are a great gauge, though interviewers had to see my highlighted accomplishments to even entertain me," says Palmer, a life coach and certified sales and leadership trainer. "I absolutely believe that my certifications are important and attractive to employers."
What kinds of certifications are out there?
There are literally thousands of certifications available to people, both on and offline, specializing in hard and soft skills, and in every industry. CBInstitute.com, for example, offers more than 4,000 courses and certifications in topics ranging from business etiquette and workplace safety to language skills and customer service.
"CBInstitute.com offers easy-to-use online courses at all levels to help employees get ahead in their current jobs or improve their skills to land the job they aspire to have," Idiodi says.
Looking to expand your skill set, boost your salary and make yourself more marketable to employers? Here are several certificate programs that you might not have known about to beef up your résumé:
Designation: Certified florist
Where you can earn it: Only a few states offer floral design certifications through their state floral associations. Among them are the California Certified Florist (CCF) and Texas Master Florist (TMF) programs. Shenlei Winkler received her TMF and says it always earned her a higher salary and more respect on the job.
Designation: Search engine marketing
Where you can earn it: There are several search engine optimization and marketing programs that offer certifications; you just need to find one that's right for you. Jon Negrini, founder of the search marketing firm Arrive Digital Marketing Solutions, is certified in SEM with Google Adwords and Yahoo! Search Marketing. Negrini says his certifications with these companies, who are industry leaders in search marketing, add a nice touch and a level of professionalism to his résumé.
Designation: Certified plant maintenance manager
Where you can earn it: The Association of Facilities Engineering will administer an online and classroom course beginning in February 2009. The CPMM certifies these professionals are qualified in preventive and predictive maintenance, work-flow planning and scheduling and overall productive management.
Designation: Accredited jeweler professional
Where you can earn it: The Gemological Institute of America, which developed the four C's of diamond value (color, cut, clarity and carat weight), offers an accredited jewelry professional diploma program that focuses on product knowledge and proven sales techniques. It's offered through distance education only and is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council.
Designation: Certified purchasing manager
Where you can earn it: The American Purchasing Society has a purchasing certification program for professionals in the purchasing industry. If offers two certifications: a certified purchasing professional (CPP) and a certified professional purchasing manager (CPPM).
Designation: Professional in human resources
Where you can earn it: The HR Certification Institute offers several certifications for HR professionals, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). The requirements and qualifications for each vary, as do the conditions to keep certifications current. Cathy Missildine-Martin, SPHR, has had her designation for 13 years and says it's helped her establish authority. "HR historically has not had a lot of credibility, but I have found that having the certification helps with that," she says.
Designation: Certified wedding consultant and coordinator
Where you can earn it: It may seem obscure, but wedding certifications are actually available through a number of media and in a number of different ways. Some companies offer online certification, while The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, for example, says certification is available after working two years as a consultant, completing 18 weddings and obtaining 14 letters of recommendation.
Designation: Certified professional organizer
Where you can earn it: The National Association of Professional Organizers sponsors the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers, which offers the certified professional organizer (CPO) designation to anyone, not just professional organizers. Candidates must document 1,500 hours of paid work experience in the last three years, according to the BCPO Web site. CPOs must also adhere to a code of ethics.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Certification Programs and the Job Search Edge
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Have you ever seen "CMP," "CQM" or "PMP" behind someone's name and not had a clue what it meant -- or if it meant anything at all?
Contrary to what you might think, those letters aren't just for show. In fact, those two or three symbols can separate you from the pack or be the reason you get the job over someone else.
"Especially in today's business climate, anything that differentiates you from the crowd and emphasizes your commitment to your profession is career critical," says Kent Johnson, partner for Da Vinci Search, a Minneapolis-based recruiting firm. "As hiring managers pore over the multitude of résumés for an opening, their eyes will naturally pick up those with the all important initials that trail their name."
Sheri Rice Bentley, APR, a public relations specialist for Knupp & Watson Inc., says earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) enhanced her career tremendously. APR, the only certification that exists for public relations professionals, consists of presenting work to a jury of PR professionals, followed by a written exam. After Rice Bentley passed the exam, she was immediately headhunted into a position that paid 50 percent more than her previous salary and boosted her to the managerial level.
Lesly Simmons, APR, a media relations specialist with the American Red Cross, concurs that the designation has been a huge professional improvement.
"In a field like PR that doesn't typically have degrees associated with it, it shows my peers that I have a certain level of expertise on the field. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely worth it," Simmons says.
How can credentialing help you?
Certifications show employers your dedication and commitment to your profession. They show you're credible and knowledgeable about current trends and best practices in your field. In addition, designations polish all skill sets -- not just the hard skills you might need in a position. In fact, 64 percent of employers in a recent CareerBuilder.com survey found social interview skills and the ability to communicate well were the most important assets in a potential employee.
"Staying on top of soft skills such as critical thinking and time management while maintaining expertise in hard skills such as widely used software programs provides candidates and employees with a necessary edge," says Christian Idiodi, director of CBInstitute.com, a division of CareerBuilder.com that offers online courses and certifications.
Even if you already have a designation, employers expect workers to consistently improve their current skill sets. According to the survey, the following percentages of employers want their employees to sharpen their skills in the following areas: time management (62 percent), customer service (45 percent), Microsoft Excel (44 percent), leadership (39 percent), interpersonal skills (33 percent), business etiquette (26 percent) and business ethics (17 percent).
While there is no doubt certifications open the door and improve your chances of getting an interview, official recognitions are not the silver bullet, says Wayne Botha, a project manager with two designations: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Project Management Professional (PMP).
"Certifications are especially beneficially when coupled with an appropriate number of years of experience in the field that you work," Botha says.
In some cases, however, certifications might count for more than just an added skill. Joe Palmer doesn't have a degree but believes his certifications as a bookkeeper, notary public, registered representative (series 7 & 63), and business coach and trainer count as qualifications in the absence of a degree.
"Years of experience are a great gauge, though interviewers had to see my highlighted accomplishments to even entertain me," says Palmer, a life coach and certified sales and leadership trainer. "I absolutely believe that my certifications are important and attractive to employers."
What kinds of certifications are out there?
There are literally thousands of certifications available to people, both on and offline, specializing in hard and soft skills, and in every industry. CBInstitute.com, for example, offers more than 4,000 courses and certifications in topics ranging from business etiquette and workplace safety to language skills and customer service.
"CBInstitute.com offers easy-to-use online courses at all levels to help employees get ahead in their current jobs or improve their skills to land the job they aspire to have," Idiodi says.
Looking to expand your skill set, boost your salary and make yourself more marketable to employers? Here are several certificate programs that you might not have known about to beef up your résumé:
Designation: Certified florist
Where you can earn it: Only a few states offer floral design certifications through their state floral associations. Among them are the California Certified Florist (CCF) and Texas Master Florist (TMF) programs. Shenlei Winkler received her TMF and says it always earned her a higher salary and more respect on the job.
Designation: Search engine marketing
Where you can earn it: There are several search engine optimization and marketing programs that offer certifications; you just need to find one that's right for you. Jon Negrini, founder of the search marketing firm Arrive Digital Marketing Solutions, is certified in SEM with Google Adwords and Yahoo! Search Marketing. Negrini says his certifications with these companies, who are industry leaders in search marketing, add a nice touch and a level of professionalism to his résumé.
Designation: Certified plant maintenance manager
Where you can earn it: The Association of Facilities Engineering will administer an online and classroom course beginning in February 2009. The CPMM certifies these professionals are qualified in preventive and predictive maintenance, work-flow planning and scheduling and overall productive management.
Designation: Accredited jeweler professional
Where you can earn it: The Gemological Institute of America, which developed the four C's of diamond value (color, cut, clarity and carat weight), offers an accredited jewelry professional diploma program that focuses on product knowledge and proven sales techniques. It's offered through distance education only and is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council.
Designation: Certified purchasing manager
Where you can earn it: The American Purchasing Society has a purchasing certification program for professionals in the purchasing industry. If offers two certifications: a certified purchasing professional (CPP) and a certified professional purchasing manager (CPPM).
Designation: Professional in human resources
Where you can earn it: The HR Certification Institute offers several certifications for HR professionals, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). The requirements and qualifications for each vary, as do the conditions to keep certifications current. Cathy Missildine-Martin, SPHR, has had her designation for 13 years and says it's helped her establish authority. "HR historically has not had a lot of credibility, but I have found that having the certification helps with that," she says.
Designation: Certified wedding consultant and coordinator
Where you can earn it: It may seem obscure, but wedding certifications are actually available through a number of media and in a number of different ways. Some companies offer online certification, while The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, for example, says certification is available after working two years as a consultant, completing 18 weddings and obtaining 14 letters of recommendation.
Designation: Certified professional organizer
Where you can earn it: The National Association of Professional Organizers sponsors the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers, which offers the certified professional organizer (CPO) designation to anyone, not just professional organizers. Candidates must document 1,500 hours of paid work experience in the last three years, according to the BCPO Web site. CPOs must also adhere to a code of ethics.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Shopper Recruiter
DISCOVER STAFFING is currently seeking candidates for a Shopper Recruiter position in Norcross. Will be recruiting independent contractors for mystery shopping opportunities throughout the country. (Not a "work from home" scam!) Hours are 9am to 6pm. Must be experienced in and comfortable with cold calling. Must be a creative thinker with great communications skills. Professional attitude is a requirement. Must be organized with excellent follow up skills. Previous experience with Cold Calling or Sourcing is required. Temp to hire opportunity starting at $12 an hour.
Candidates must be local to the Norcross area and have reliable transportation. Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com
Candidates must be local to the Norcross area and have reliable transportation. Please send your resume to laura@discoverstaffing.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
