9 Ways to Guarantee the Future of Your OWN Talent Pool

9 Ways to Guarantee the Future of Your OWN Talent Pool Recruitment agencies: how do YOU guarantee your supply demand of your OWN future talent pool?! So, Im going to reveal a secret: everyone in recruitment is hiring. And there are not enough candidates to supply the demand! Ok so its not really a secret. Anyone in recruitment knows at the moment that there has never been a better time to: become a recruiter and be a recruiter. Not since the heady days of pre “darkness” as I call it, (ie 2008/9) have recruitment companies seen a consistent perm return nor (mainly) such candidate short markets good news for all! Or is it? I run a R2R business that is based on trust and integrity in a very  candidate-short market. I am not about to reveal my secrets about how I manage to make ANY money given: how saturated r2r is these days how much LinkedIn has affected direct approaches (i.e. my biggest competitor) given that if you are in recruitment, you are probably not going to move on if you are good and well looked after by your current employer! So how does any recruitment agency (ie. you) ensure that you can maintain a good supply of talent from people like me as a R2R, or directly, or both? This blog is therefore a synopsis to potential hiring clients in recruitment as a suggestions lists of how I prepare my carefully selected client portfolio in how to position their businesses versus their competitors and generally other hiring recruitment businesses: Meet your R2R frequently If this isn’t always possible, an update call periodically to let them know of your plans, changes to that plan, big news, will bring you back into their mindset for their role as your ambassador and it may spark a match that they wouldn’t have necessarily thought of otherwise! Ensure your terms payable are attractive No longer can hiring recruitment businesses (or SHOULD I mean to say) use a R2R on price. You know all the clichés and I am sorry but it is true, you DO get what you pay for. My average fee is 22.5% and there is a reason therefore that the retention rate of my placements made is above average. You pay a “bums on seats” rate, you get .”bums on seats”. Don’t use absolutely everybody and be a R2R tart  I am not saying just use one or even pay a retained R2R (I genuinely worry about how impartial you can honestly be to that recruitment consultant if you are only focusing on ONE client?), but if you want us to be motivated to speak to you and for us to trust that YOU are discerning, then be selective in whom your partners are. I am happy to share but not if the client uses R2Rs I distrust or don’t rate. I advise them accordingly. Know your own USPs Not generic ones. But specific ones, that maybe industry related, perhaps affiliations/accreditations with governing bodies. As well as obvious ones such as commission structures. Development programs all sound the same unless YOU tell US about testimony of actual staff you have in your business. Get passionate about the USPs. They are the reason someone will work for you Give us feedback, let us give you feedback  Be constructive in the process, not a barrier. Allow us to be the experts on each candidate. If some candidates WANT to come back in and meet more people, see the office, meet their colleagues etc, even if this is not your normal process, LISTEN to a discerning career seeker and accept their request! Make your process transparent, please be open, not guarded in the interviews themselves I always ask my candidates to just “ be themselves” so that YOU get to see the real (if slightly nervous) person. Well, the same goes for YOU. Let them know the warts and all but also why you work there/why they should! And no surprise tests or role plays please. If you insist on using these as part of your decision making, that is fine, but extend the courtesy by preparing the candidate beforehand. Don’t move the goal posts On salary, role, the process. And if you need to, TELL us first. No shocks in the interview please. Listen to US about what the candidate wants, their motivators, reasons for moving in the first place Not everyone has the same desires and buttons to push; you need to listen to what each person’s goals are. Then you can work your pitch to ensure you attract them individually. Above all, be HONEST with us Don’t keep your real thoughts to yourself until the final stage and then flood us with negatives and concerns. What a waste of time for all concerned. Be frank, candid and honest from day 1 and we all gain from knowing exactly what everyone is thinking and where we stand at each point in the process. I hope this helps YOU, as the hiring recruitment company. And if you are reading this as a recruiter thinking about a move (thanks for reading thus far!), what do you think? Have I missed anything off (I am bound to have done as I am writing this in between interviews!) that would affect YOU deciding on joining a new recruitment business? As ever, your thoughts, comments, shares and RT are gratefully and happily received. Image: Hager Group

JMU Resume Writing - Why Use JMU Format?

JMU Resume Writing - Why Use JMU Format?JMU resume writing is probably the best suited to online writing in terms of ease of use and efficiency. By using JMU format, you can produce your online document in less than an hour from start to finish. Also, the flexibility of JMU is most appreciated when producing resume for the first time. You will be provided with a set of templates in JMU format that can be easily customized according to your needs.There are several advantages of creating JMU resume writing. First of all, it is easy to use and does not require a lot of imagination to produce a well-formatted and easy to read resume. The document is intended to be used as a template which can be downloaded and used as per requirements. Also, if you want to make changes, all you need to do is modify the template. Also, there is no need to worry about formatting your resume, because it is clearly spelled out by the JMU format.Secondly, by using this template, you are allowed to personalize it and create your own standard resume in an instant. There is no need to worry about going back and editing your resume after some time since you have all the right tools in your hand. You can easily tweak the template to suit your needs.Thirdly, the format of JMU format is one of the most used templates on the web. There are hundreds of other people who are interested in JMU template so there is a good chance that your resume will get more visibility. Also, when you use JMU template, you can also add any information that you want to include in your resume.It is also easy to customize JMU templates as per your needs. You can add links to your portfolio, including your social networking sites and public profiles. You can even include any blogs that you post on the internet. It is only you who knows how to make it work for you.If you are looking to hire a freelancer, then using JMU format would be a good idea as it is an extremely easy way to submit your resume. The best part is tha t the job of a freelance designer is to provide the template that you want to present.However, before creating a JMU template, it is better to get all the necessary information about the format. A few minutes browsing on the internet is enough to give you all the needed information about JMU template. Once you know about the format, you will be able to customize your own JMU format in an instant.Lastly, JMU format is easy to read, edit and share on the web, this makes it an online document that can be read and re-read over again. In this way, your resume becomes a living document that keeps you updated of your career. Thus, JMU format is one of the best online formats and has a lot of advantages.

Should Personal Branding Take a Page from Celebrity Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Should Personal Branding Take a Page from Celebrity Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I live and work in Los Angeles, the capital of “The Star System”. Yes, it’s true â€" the method of creating and promoting stars in Hollywood used to be known “The Star System”.   It started with the movie studios in the 1920s and 30s.   Studios would select talented actors and create roles for them, complete with new names and new backgrounds. The Star System had ‘rules’ for the behavior of stars (the women couldn’t go out without makeup; the male stars had to act like gentlemen…), and, in fact the Star System actually became quite controversial by the 1960s, when stars and celebrities wanted to take more control over their own celebrity brands. Brands of   The Star System Cary Grant (born Archie Leach), Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur), and Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.) and many others went through the   star system.   Todays stars like   Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers may not go through a formal star system per se, but Hollywood is still number 1 at knowing how to create, market, and monetize a brand. At first blush, this doesn’t mesh with the authenticity of personal brand building of today. With the social web, 24-hour news cycle, etc., the idea of calculating and creating a Star (or brand) doesn’t feel right. And yet, is it that much different from personal or corporate branding today? Think about your own brand.   You have a Personal Branding marketing plan for you, your products and your company.   You have an action plan for when and where you brand appears, what the message is, the positioning, etc., correct? Heres something to think about with celebrity branding:   the public gets emotionally involved. This is not an accident. This doesnt just happen. The old Star System of yesterday and the Hollywood publicists and public relations folks work hard to get you emotionally involved for a reason. Savvy marketers know that when people have an emotional involvement in your brand they will be loyal, passionate, forgiving; they will advocate for your brand, they will champion your cause, they will put themselves on the line. Who doesn’t want an audience or customer base emotionally involved? Imagine the word of mouth marketing this audience generates for a brand it’s emotionally involved in! Celebrity brands live and die by this fact. Is it possible there are best practices from Hollywood marketing we should pay attention to as we develop our personal brands? I say YES. Start with this question, Is your audience emotionally involved with your brand? Star gaze your personal brand Spend the next week observing the celebrity PR machine as an object lesson and learn from Hollywood what you can apply to your own branding plan. It’s not as strange as it sounds. 1. Word-of-mouth marketing is extremely powerful. This is especially true as you build your personal brand today. Your marketing plan needs to keep your brand top of mind among your audience. When the buzz dies out, the brand fades, too. 2. Stay true to your brand message and image. This especially resonates today. You cannot afford to send mixed messages to your audience or they will turn their backs on you. 3. Bad press doesn’t have to destroy a brand. I talked about this last week with so many CEOs and others in crisis. A good personal branding campaign (otherwise known as the good ol’ PR spin machine in Hollywood) can wipe up just about any mess. Celebrities (and sometimes politicians) do this better than anyone. 4. Your audience is always watching. Just like the paparazzi is always following celebrities to feed consumers’ desires for more information about them, your audience is always watching you and your personal brand, too. Always put your best foot forward and make sure your messages support your overall brand. Especially because authenticity is so valued today, people want to feel comfortable that you are what your brand says you are. 5. The audience can be fickle. Your brand might be the most popular one day, but the next, your brand could be at the bottom of the barrel. Consumers are always looking for the next great thing. Think of this in terms of social media â€" where’s Friendstr today? Or MySpace? True, everyone loves a comeback, but it’s easier to keep your brand on top with   consistent and persistent messaging than to try to climb up again. After your observations for a week, be open to applying strategies and tactics that you think might work in your personal branding efforts.   Apply what you think works, and be on the lookout for what doesnt work. Theres certainly plenty to work with the antics of celebrities are seldom dull! Author: Beverly Macy is the Managing Partner of YM Partners and teaches a social media class at the UCLA Extension.   She also co-hosts Gravity Summit events.

25 Amazing Things That Happen When You Work Overseas

25 Amazing Things That Happen When You Work Overseas Globalisation is in full flight. Speaking of flights,  when was the last time you booked one? And by one I mean one-way. Lets straight up acknowledge that there isnt one universal  pathway for  a young person  to take into their early career. Some people will  focus on academia for longer than others, while many opt for on-the-job training instead.  Theres no right or wrong its what works for you. I know millennials cop a fair amount of flack for job-hopping and wanting the world, only without the work. While there might be elements of truth in there, its harsh conjecture really.  New technologies and social media have made it easier for global citizens to share information, painting vivid pictures of every corner of the earth. Our eyes have been  opened to  a world bigger and more exciting than ever,  and in some ways, smaller and  more attainable than ever. Its only natural to want to explore. While working abroad might not be realistic for many people, if you feel like  its within the realm of possibility,  why not give it a go? Heres 25 amazing things that can (and most likely will) happen to you when you move  overseas for work! (But be warned: even if its  only temporary, the travel bug you catch can stay with you for life). In no particular order 1. You become more independent Its amazing how self-sufficient you become when you only have yourself to lean on. 2. You learn patience and tolerance New customs and social norms render you able to accept and appreciate human difference. 3. You make life-long friends and they become your family. 4. You get a reality shock Seeing how other people live compared to you can burst your bubble in a great way. 5. You are  thrust out of your comfort zone Unfamiliar surroundings will coax new strengths out of you. 6. You swim because you dont want to sink Moving overseas is a huge investment. Naturally youre going to do everything to make it a success thats when great things happen. 7. You grow your professional network You  make yourself known in important circles  and new doors open. 8. You make yourself a better asset to companies Understanding international  markets is a huge value in business. 9. You can become bi-lingual Theres no better and easier way to learn a new language than actually living in the country and practicing. 10. You edge out your  competition You elevate yourself above candidates who have the same qualifications and experience. 11. You become humbled Feeling singled out  in a new place can make you  take a deep breath and get a fresh perspective. 12. You (might) meet the love of your life Not career-related, but happens! 13. You feel free and can reinvent yourself Being in an office full of people youve never met means you can bring your best self forward. 14. You can get some career clarity You will learn more about what you want to accomplish in your career. 15. You experience new things This one goes without saying, but working in a new country means you get to be a tourist outside of work hours! 16. You learn to appreciate what you have at home Its a great opportunity to reflect on your life back at home. 17. You miss your loved ones This isnt a positive in itself, because no one likes to miss people! But it does mean you cherish every second you have with them more than you ever have. 18. You pick up new fashion tips Shopping in foreign stores will give your style a new edge! 19. You grow as a person Your experiences and travel will make you feel richer and fulfilled! 20. You increase your cooking repertoire New cuisines will creep into your cooking book. 21. Your Cv looks great Adding international experience to your CV is really impressive to ambitious employers. 22. You  inspire others Colleagues, friends and family will likely follow in your footsteps, meaning you can open up doors for them too! 23. Family and friends come  visit Showing loved ones around your new home is really fun. 24. You educate people about your country While you absorb new cultures, you can also teach  elements of your nationality to the people you meet! 25. You catch the travel bug the best sickness in the world! The travel bug is often a lifelong condition, and one that, if treated properly with regular worldly trips, will make you happier and more confident than ever. Happy travels!

Using a Fantasy Character Resume Writing Tool to Inspire You

Using a Fantasy Character Resume Writing Tool to Inspire YouDo you know what the most powerful resume writing tool is? The answer is a very long and narrow one but it can make or break your resume. It's called passion and it's actually what makes you the person you are.I remember when I wanted to become a chef, it was something I was passionate about and I had great ambitions for myself. I knew if I wrote down all of my dreams and aspirations I would be able to work as hard as I could to achieve them.In the years that I've worked as a professional chef, I have met so many people and seen so many professionals grow so much just because they had that passion. Why?The reason I say this is because there are a lot of so-called heroes out there who work hard but don't actually care about the things that matter. That's why I was able to achieve so much as a chef because I really cared about what I was doing. I put so much into my career and I wasn't satisfied with being mediocre.Now I'm goi ng to talk to you about the true meaning of passion. Passion will turn you into the best person you can be because it makes you want to do the best you can do. It inspires you to do better and you are able to deal with more difficult problems in life.As a professional chef, you should always put as much effort into your craft as possible and be as professional as possible. Because when you take an attitude like this, your passion will shine through and you will attract clients to you instead of other chefs who try to be the best by being perfect.If you really want your dream job or career, you need to start with a passion. It doesn't matter if you have one or two hobbies or interests, these things will build your passion. Don't let someone else tell you that you can't be happy with one of these hobbies because you can.So think about how much you enjoy the things you do and then realize how much you can bring to the table if you have a professional, well thought out resume. The more you write about the things you love the more appealing they will be and the more passion you'll have to get the job done.

3 for Friday Social media edition - Sterling Career Concepts

3 for Friday Social media edition 3 for Friday: Social media edition A day late but worth waiting for asthis weeks collection ofposts discusses the relationship between social media and job searching today. Ill show you mine if you show me yours.QR code, that is.They are popping up everywhere in magazines, on products, in real estate materials, on the front or back of business cards, and now on resumes. Technically-advanced candidates or job seekers inhigh-tech, marketing, or Internet-related fields may want to consider adding a QR code to their resume or networking card to link the reader to more information, perhaps a blog, LinkedIn profile, or online profile of work samples. QR codes are a hot topic of late in the careers field. As they continue to take off in the US, their presence on job search materials will proliferate. Read more here: Standing out from the crowd with QR codes; 3 ways tospark your job search using QR codes; andWhat is a QR code and why do you need one? Resumes are not joining thedinosaurs. My esteemed colleague Jacqui Barrett-Pointdexter wrote a compelling andeloquentresponse to the topical debate of whether resumes are a dying entity. Read Jacquis post here:Is your resume disposable?andsee why Jacquiarguesthat your resume is the heartnot the predecessorof your online career profile. Jacqui explains thatexceptional resumes require introspection, well-thought-out story ideas, the fleshing out and parsing of career case studies mapped to your target audience’s need, and then crisp, yet brilliant, hearty, high-impact writing that markets your value in a way that entices the reader. Positions available. Companies are hiring nationwide. Take agander atMSNs list and see if your skill set isa match withthese companies hiring this month.

How to find (and land) a legitimate job that lets you work from home

How to find (and land) a legitimate job that lets you work from home How to find (and land) a legitimate job that lets you work from home Who wouldn’t like to work at home? Pajamas, the cat (or dog), the telephone, the computer, and you’re ready to roll. Ever tried to look for a job that will let you do that? The work-from-home job market is rife with scams and too-good-to-be-true jobs, including those “stuff envelopes at home” offers. So, how can you find legitimate telecommuting jobs? Real jobs where you can work from home successfully? The dream of working from home is becoming a reality for millions of people. Telecommuting participation has grown 103 percent in the last 10 years with 4.5 percent of Americans working from home full-time every day. Another 37 percent work from home regularly, at least a few days each month. And a recent survey by FlexJobs, a job-search service that specializes in telecommuting and flexible job listings, found that telecommuting full-time is the most popular type of flexible work, beating flexible scheduling, partial telecommuting, and freelance work options. I recently spoke with Brie Weiler Reynolds, director of online content at FlexJobs, to get her advice on how to search for â€" and land â€" telecommuting jobs, and what it takes to be a successful telecommuter. Here’s what she suggests: Focus Your Ideas Before You Start Searching There are a lot of variations and options when it comes to telecommuting, says Reynolds. Some jobs let you telecommute 100 percent of the time, always working from home. Others may require you to work from the office occasionally â€" or even regularly. And some have location requirements even though you’ll be working from home. In order to find the right telecommuting job for you, ask yourself these questions: Do I want to work-from-home all the time, or would I be okay with working from an office occasionally? How much travel, if any, do I want to do? Would my current employer be open to letting me telecommute? For that last question, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can telecommute in your current job. Reynolds recommends that you do some research to see if other people in your company work from home and ask them how they got into it. Then set up a meeting with your boss to discuss your options. Know the Most Common Telecommuting Industries and Jobs The most common fields for telecommuting jobs are, in order, medical and health, sales, customer service, administrative, computer and IT, education and training, accounting and finance, account management, data entry, and bilingual jobs. As far as location goes, these 10 states have the highest number of telecommuting residents: Montana, Vermont, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, New Hampshire, Arizona, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington. While these career fields and states have the most telecommuting jobs, Reynolds notes that there are open telecommuting jobs in more than 50 career fields and in all 50 states, so don’t be discouraged. Your search may take a bit of extra effort, but there are telecommuting jobs in almost every industry and location. Use the Right Keywords In Your Job Search Reynolds recommends staying away from keywords and search terms like “work-from-home” and “work-at-home,” which are commonly associated with job scams. Both the FBI and the Better Business Bureau have issued warnings against those phrases. Instead, she recommends searching for remote work, virtual jobs, at-home jobs, distributed teams, and telecommuting jobs to find real listings. Showcase Your Best Telecommuting Skills Hiring managers like to see previous telecommuting experience, says Reynolds. If you’ve ever worked from home, even just during bad weather or when you were waiting for the cable guy, use that experience in your job applications. It shows them that you understand what it takes to be successful when working from home. Regardless of whether you’ve ever worked from home before, Reynolds says that these are the types of skills and attributes most sought-after by employers that offer remote jobs. Be sure to highlight whichever of these skills you possess in your job applications. Strong written and verbal communication skills The ability to manage your own time and attention Focusing and keeping yourself on task, even amid distraction A dedicated home-office space and high-speed Internet access Previous experience communicating through IM/chat, email, phone, web conferences, and video conferences Once You Land the Job, Focus On Communication and Results When it comes to being a successful telecommuter, Reynolds says communication is paramount. Observe (or ask about) how your new team communicates with one another, and quickly learn any new programs or communication tools as necessary. Discuss meetings and regular communication with your manager, and make a plan to keep him or her informed of your progress. When in doubt, always speak up and ask questions. Reynolds emphasizes that the most successful telecommuters are open communicators who actively grow and maintain connections with their coworkers and managers, even if they’re working thousands of miles apart.