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Career Preparation

All She Wanted Was A Call Back (A Note To Recruiters – Part 2)

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Recruitment /

Your time away from your field or profession does not diminish your value… I’ve learned a great deal about people (and myself) over the past few years. More recently, I’ve seen my Wife selflessly sacrifice her career and what she enjoys doing to raise our Kids… Her desire to get back into the workforce has been an eye-opening and humbling experience for me to witness. I’ve seen her receive offers from those in my profession and companies that don’t come near her worth and what she can contribute to an organization. Kudos to her for not settling… A lesson to all of us…(especially recruiters and hiring officials within organizations)… Taking a career break for personal development, to prioritize your family, or for the sake of your well-being shouldn’t be penalized nor exploited… I am sorry for my years of poor judgment.

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A Recruiter is Calling…

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Inspiration /

A Recruiter is calling… Why not take that call? If you’re good for now, I get it. Who wants to waste their time speaking to a Recruiter when there’s no need to. “I only speak to a Recruiter when it’s in my best interest to do so…” …but why not take that call? “I’m doing well in my career…I work with a great team in a great environment. I’m progressing with my company and will be next in line for a lucrative promotion that will break me into a higher income bracket!” …but why not take that call? “I’ve never had an issue with finding meaningful employment. I’m highly sought after within my industry, and I’ll always be a high performer wherever I land…” …but why not take that call? “Recruiters are all the same – they take more than they give and never follow up with you after that initial call. I don’t need a Recruiter to find a job!” …but why not take that call? Better yet, why not meet for that coffee or lunch at the Recruiter’s request…It may seem unproductive to you given your present situation, but there are a lot of people who thought they were secure and insulated from the realities of the marketplace, only to find themselves now in need of a job… Now you’re willing to take that call?? I tried reaching you several times over the past year! …why didn’t you just have that conversation.

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Counteroffers – Part 3 (Candidate Story)

Career Insight, Career Preparation /

February 1st, 2022 – The following counteroffer took place… …I was moments away from finalizing a major deal for a new Chief Financial Officer for a manufacturing customer of mine… After presenting the offer to my candidate, the following conversation took place… Candidate: Don’t worry, Troy. The only way I don’t take this offer is if they throw “stupid money” at me (Stupid Money = an exorbitant amount of money that you’d be stupid to walk away from). Me: Okay, let me know how it goes (an hour or so later) Candidate: So, I just had that conversation with the owner of the company and they offered me stupid money…………I think I’m going to stay where I’m at. I’m sorry, Troy. May 10th, 2024 – This is precisely why you should never accept a counteroffer from your current employer! It’s been over 2 years since this candidate took the counteroffer from his company. I decided to call him today… It’s not good news! Shortly after accepting the counter, he was approached by senior management and told that they were hiring another CFO and that his role would become redundant. He was given time to find another position while they transitioned this new CFO into the company. He was paid during that time, but not given a severance. “…I should’ve listened to you, Troy…” For those wondering whether I said, “I told you so!” I held my peace. This was not an “I told you so” moment – it never is… It was a lighthearted conversation, and it was great to catch up with him… I could tell that it was a learning experience for him, and reaffirmed to me that counteroffers may seem attractive in the moment, but you’ll face the consequences of your decision at some point… The candidate remains a top prospect in my mind, and I hope to work with him again!

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Career Move Regret – How To Avoid It

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Job Interviewing Tips /

Most candidates don’t know how to properly qualify a position that they are interested in. The most generic questions that candidates ask hiring managers when interviewing for a new position are: 1. What is the salary range for this position? 2. Can I work from home? 3. What are the primary tasks related to this position? All important questions, but in order to really get to the core of the position in question, you’ll need to be more thoughtful and strategic with your line of questioning. The heart of this issue is that most people have not been trained to ask good questions. They make decisions based on superficial questions & superficial answers that sound reasonable to them, not realizing that there is so much more to a career opportunity than the 3 questions mentioned above. I’ve outlined some thought-provoking questions that will help you make better career decisions: 1. Why is this position available? (Asking “why” is one of the most important questions you can ask in life). Don’t take anything at face value. Question the legitimacy of the position that you are applying for. 2. If you don’t fill this position, how will that impact your business 6 months to 1-year from now? If an employer cannot provide a credible business case for this position, then I would question the significance of the role and whether the position has support from the leadership team within the company. 3. What are some of the investments you’ve made in the growth plans you’ve outlined? “You say you want to be a market leader in the development of……, but what are some of the steps you have taken towards accomplishing this objective? What is your timeline for delivering this product/software to market? What happens if you don’t meet this deadline?” 4. How will your personal role be improved/impacted by filling this position? Again, dissect the relevance of this position to your immediate manager/team and to the organization. 5. Since I have to relocate for this position, how will the company support my relocation plans? Don’t always attach a $ sign to this. Is the company expecting you to figure out the move on your own or are they willing and able to provide ongoing personal support to you where necessary. I’ve seen many positions that have involved relocation fall by the wayside. Again, these are basic questions in theory that any reasonably minded hiring manager should have the answers for. If they don’t, question that, “Why don’t you have an answer to this question?” There is more to a career than money or whether you can work remotely. As a Recruiter, I can tell a lot about the quality of a candidate simply from the questions they ask me. I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve had with people who have told me that things didn’t work out the way it was advertised to them, or there was a significant change in the structure of the position that caused their layoff or forced them to resign. Things happen, but there’s a lot you can uncover by simply asking better questions. If you’d like to set up a personal coaching session on this, please reach out to me directly.

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The Perfect Match: How To Choose The Right Recruiter For Your Next Career Move? (Questions That Every Candidate Should Ask Their Recruitment Partner & What To Beware Of!)

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Inspiration /

A credible recruiter takes you on a career exploration that hopefully leads to personal freedom and professional development. Before that exploration commences, that recruiter will ask the candidate some qualifying questions to better understand their current situation, educational background, work history, goals, ambitions, family life, etc. The answers to these screening questions will determine whether that candidate will proceed to a next step with the client or be passed into a pipeline for future roles & consideration. This candidate qualifying process is fundamental and sets the tone for future conversations. This qualifying process works both ways, and candidates should be just as prudent in how they select a recruitment partner as recruiters are about which candidates they decide to work with. If you are not asking questions to better understand your recruiter to help you determine whether they are the right partner for your next career move, then this article is timely. You wouldn’t put your health in the hands of just anyone, and neither should you with your career. What you do as a profession consumes the vast majority of your waking hours, and choosing the right recruiter will not only make the career search more fulfilling and enjoyable, but in the end, you’ll know that you landed with the right company. Afterall, this is about your family, your career, your professional development, and your quality of life. Before deciding whether to partner with that recruiter, please consider asking them the following questions (in no particular order of priority): Recruiters/Agencies are a dime a dozen, but a Recruiter who respects his craft is resilient, understands his purpose, and isn’t afraid to hold hiring authorities & candidates accountable. Whether you are an active job seeker or a passive candidate looking to take a leap into the market, make your decision wisely and do what is best for your career by choosing the right Recruiter. Be prepared for that next conversation & I wish you the best in your pursuit of greatness!

The Perfect Match: How To Choose The Right Recruiter For Your Next Career Move? (Questions That Every Candidate Should Ask Their Recruitment Partner & What To Beware Of!) Read More »

Counteroffers – Part 2 (What They Don’t Tell You)

Career Insight, Career Preparation /

CANDIDATES – If you are faced with a counteroffer from your current employer, please keep the following in mind: 1.      Your current employer is going to remember that you tried to leave once2.      Your current employer is going to remember that sick day or unexplained “family emergency” that pulled you away for half a day all so that you could meet with another company3.      Your growth at that company could likely hit a ceiling. Meaning, don’t expect to be considered for future promotions or increases in the future4.      They are going to remember that you backed them into a corner and forced their hand for more money When faced with a counteroffer, remember the reasons that made you search for or entertain a new opportunity to begin with. If there are issues at your current employer, then a new position or an increase in pay will not make those issues magically disappear. Ethically, remember that you’ve given your word to another company if you’ve already signed their offer and your reputation is on the line (most may not care about the latter). Balance is key – I’m not saying not to consider or accept a counteroffer, but do your due diligence. Evaluate the motivation(s) behind it, and make sure that you are doing what’s in your best interest for the long-term. Lastly, be honest with yourself and with your current employer and don’t burn any bridges behind you.

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3 Clear Cut Signs That Your Interview Went Well & An Offer Could Be Imminent

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Inspiration, Job Interviewing Tips /

I’ve facilitated many interviews during my career as a recruiter, the vast majority leading to positive results (thankfully). As a job seeker or passive candidate, there are usually signs that your interview is heading in a good direction. In this week’s post, I’ve highlighted 3 clear cut indicators that you’ve likely won the favour of the hiring manager and could be receiving a formal offer of employment in the near future. The top 3 signs are outlined below… Disclaimer: Even if these signs occur in your interview, that does not necessarily mean that you are the frontrunner for the position, or likely to receive an offer. It definitely positions you well, but don’t take your foot off the gas. Thinking you have the interview in the bag could lull you into a state of complacency that could end up derailing things for you. Stay humble, stay focused, and know that at every step of the process, you are being “interviewed”. We wish you the best in your pursuit of greatness.

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How To Strategically Carve Out Your Next Position – 4 Action Steps

Career Insight, Career Preparation, Inspiration /

As a recruiter, I’ve facilitated a considerable amount of career changes over my career, with the majority of those coming from candidates who were not necessarily in the job market (commonly known as passive candidates) but were willing to entertain something new if it truly represented a good career move for them. In fact, some of my most memorable candidate experiences have come from those who were gainfully employed, high performers. Career moves at all levels should be well-thought out and your reasons/motives should be clear in your mind and clearly articulated to a potential new employer. This is where having a career coach or a trusted recruiter 😉 can work wonders for you. For most professionals in their field of expertise, whether passive or an active job seeker, there are practical steps that you can take to position yourself for your next career move. Here are my top 4! Let’s face it, changing careers is daunting for most people. Preparation is key and remember, what you do as a profession should be rewarding and bring your life deeper meaning. You are working for more than just a pay cheque, and I’ve noticed that those who love what they do, end up making the most money. Be courageous in your pursuit of greatness!

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Your Job Search Needs A Makeover – Here Are 3 Tips…

Career Preparation /

It’s now day 30 of your job search and you’ve sent out over 50 applications through various job boards and external company postings. To date, you’ve only received automated acknowledgements to your submissions with no personal responses from hiring managers. The search for employment can be tedious and emotionally draining. Persistence is key during this time, but there are some practical steps that you can be doing as well to increase your chances of getting that call back from a hiring manager. If you haven’t checked out our Career Hub, please click the link below. Your career will benefit from the information we’ve provided. Leave us a question or comment about a topic you’d like to see covered… Career Hub Now, here are some tips that will help you navigate successfully through the crowd of applicants for that position you desire: This list a not comprehensive, but the tips are proven. These steps are quick, actionable, and applicable across any field or career level. If you’d like a free consultation or a copy of our resume template for intermediate and senior level professionals, reach out to us for a free copy.

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New Position Start Date – 5 Tips To Transition Like A Champ

Career Preparation /

So, you’ve signed the offer to join a new company and successfully handed over your resignation to your employer. You’ve crossed that major career move hurdle, but now you need to come to terms with the fact that you are switching careers and with that comes a level of uncertainty and possibly some first day anxiety. Change, no matter the type, is uncomfortable for most, but it’s the one constant that we can all look forward to in life. The key comes in your preparation. That’s where we come into play as your recruitment partner. If you’ve haven’t checked it out yet, please be sure to read our last article on how to effectively resign from your current position. Believe it or not, there is a right and a wrong way to depart from your current employer and you never want to burn a bridge behind you. Resignation Anxiety? Try These Tips… Here are my top 5 tips for how to make your transition into your new role with a new company a seamless one: This is not a comprehensive list, but a guide to help you make a successful leap to your new company. How you start is extremely important and sets the tone for your first day, and the week ahead. Congratulations on having the courage to make this change and I wish you the best in your new adventure!

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