Recruiter Real Talk

What If I Am Laid Off Tomorrow: How to Prepare for the Unexpected Even working for over 15 years in the recruiting field, I am not sure any amount of experience can prepare you for an unexpected layoff. The mere thought of losing a job can be daunting and unsettling. However, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself for such a situation and minimize its impact on your life. In this blog post, I will share valuable insights and practical tips on how to navigate through the unexpected and emerge stronger on the other side. When experiencing the loss of a job, it is not uncommon to go through a range of emotions similar to the five stages of grief originally proposed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. These stages are not necessarily experienced in a linear fashion, and individuals may move back and forth between them. Here are the five stages of grief that people may experience when they lose their job: 1. Denial: Initially, you may find it hard to accept the reality of losin...

If you follow @SHRM, you will know there is an important hearing taking place regarding skill-based hiring. During the hearing, I was captivated by the words of one speaker, who eloquently highlighted the limitations of conventional employment practices. They emphasized the need to look beyond degrees and focus on identifying individuals' gifts, aptitudes, and skills. Their words resonated deeply with me, as I had personally experienced the transformative power of skill-based employment practices. In my own journey, I realized that many talented individuals were being overlooked by employers simply because their skills were more challenging to identify than a degree on a resume. The prevailing assumption that skills can only be acquired through college education needed to be challenged. It was time for organizations to shift their focus from where skills were obtained and instead prioritize the skills themselves. One effective way to implement skill-based hiring is through the use ...

Striking the Right Balance: How I Conveyed Confidence without Arrogance in My Job Interview As I prepared for my recent job interview, I realized the importance of projecting confidence without coming across as arrogant or having an inflated ego. Navigating this delicate balance was crucial to making a positive impression and showcasing my abilities effectively. By employing several techniques, I successfully demonstrated my confidence while remaining humble and respectful. Here's how I did it: First and foremost, thorough preparation became the cornerstone of my interview strategy. I dedicated ample time to researching the company, the role I was applying for, and the industry as a whole. This in-depth knowledge allowed me to speak confidently and intelligently about the organization, its values, and recent developments. Armed with this information, I was able to convey my enthusiasm for the company without sounding boastful. To further bolster my confidence, I diligently practice...

Give Job Hoppers a Chance: Uncovering the Real Story Behind Frequent Job Changes As a hiring manager, have you ever immediately dismissed a candidate for a role simply because they've switched jobs every 1-2 years? It's time for us to reconsider our hiring strategies. The notion of "job hopping" has undergone a transformation, and we could be missing out on the absolute best candidate for a role, all because they have had multiple jobs in recent years. There are perfectly valid reasons why many candidates appear to be in a constant state of flux. Let me share with you some insights: 1. Layoffs and RIFs (Reduction in Force): The job market has experienced significant fluctuations since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the past year. Numerous companies have engaged in overhiring, only to resort to mass layoffs as a means of correcting the imbalance. It's crucial to recognize that these layoffs are in no way the fault of the employees. They may have ...

The Power of Recognizing Achievements: Unleashing Employee Engagement Hey everyone! In today's fast-paced business world, I believe that employee engagement is a crucial factor in determining the success of our organization. To achieve unstoppable employee engagement, we need to understand the factors that truly motivate and inspire us. One particular factor that stands out is the need to stop rewarding failure. It surprises me to see how many companies have embraced a culture of failing upwards, promoting employees who repeatedly fail without achieving success. In this article, I want to explore the recipe for success and emphasize the importance of recognizing and celebrating real achievements in driving higher employee engagement and enhancing overall morale. Recognize and Celebrate Real Achievements: I firmly believe that genuine recognition holds incredible power when it comes to motivating employees and fostering a positive work environment. It is crucial for us to acknowledg...

Navigating Rejection: Overcoming Obstacles in Your Job Search Rejection comes in many different forms. It can be scary, emotional, and let's face it, none o f us like it. Being on the job search during a pandemic is already a daunting task, and adding rejection to the equation adds a whole new level of difficulty.  After talking to numerous candidates currently looking for work, it's evident that one of the worst obstacles they face is rejection. So, let's unravel rejection and explore how we can strip away its power over our lives. What is rejection? Simply put, rejection refers to the feeling of shame, sadness, or even grief that we experience when we are not accepted by others. It can elicit physical reactions, make us lash out, increase anger, anxiety, and even lead to depression. In fact, rejection activates the same pathways in the brain as physical pain does, which explains why we truly feel its impact. But how do we work through rejection during our job search? Here...

Saying goodbye is never easy, its absolute, it is something that we consider to be an unknown.  Saying goodbye is never easy; it's absolute, and it's often accompanied by a sense of uncertainty. We often find ourselves contemplating how the other person will react, whether they will be offended or assume we don't like them. To avoid such confrontations, we sometimes choose to vanish without a word. On the other hand, we might also worry that we're making a big mistake by parting ways. In the context of leaving an employer, here are a few ways to smoothly and professionally approach saying goodbye. First and foremost, remember to keep it professional. While you may have developed a bond with your employer over the years, it's important to recognize that this is ultimately a job. If something were to happen to you, your employer would need to find a replacement and keep the business running. So, it's crucial to maintain professionalism during the farewell p...

It was love at first sight. I was in awe of you. You were perfect in every way. You said all the right things and made all the right moves. This was truly “IT”, I found my perfect candidate! When Candidate Love Turns Sour: How Bad Hires Can Break Employers' Hearts It was love at first sight. I was in awe of you. You were perfect in every way. You said all the right things and made all the right moves. This was truly "IT," I found my perfect candidate! Little did I know, you were about to break my heart. As an employer, nothing stings more than realizing that a seemingly ideal hire has turned out to be a costly mistake. However, in order to prevent heartbreak and mitigate the impact of bad hires, employers must learn to swallow their pride, hire fast, and fire fast, setting ego aside in favor of making effective hiring and firing decisions. The Temptation of Perfection: When we come across a candidate who seems to embody everything we're looking for, it's ...

Hard Knock Life: How to Stand Out in a Hard Candidate Market Think about it. It's a competitive, cutthroat nightmare out there. All the job search competition trying to climb on top of each other just to get ahead. Candidates are being measured for what they can do and criticized for what they can't do. You didn't say this right, you've got to act this way, you need to build your profile just like this to get noticed. It is sheer madness, and unfortunately, it is the reality we face. So, what do we do? How do we stay ahead without losing our minds? In this dog-eat-dog world, it's essential to focus on what truly matters: your skills and the value you bring to the table. It's time to take a step back and reflect on what makes you stand out from the crowd. The bottom line is this: Do you have the skills to pay the bills? Seriously, have you developed the expertise and abilities that make you an asset in the eyes of potential employers? You are not just...

It’s so hard to find great talent in this market.   All the good ones are taken.   That’s the word on the street anyways….. Attracting Talent with an Engaging Story In today’s competitive job market, I’ve realized just how challenging it can be to attract top talent. Candidates have so many choices, and it’s crucial for us to stand out and show why joining our team is a game-changer. That’s where I believe a well-crafted job description becomes a powerful tool. For me, it’s not just about listing responsibilities—it’s an opportunity to tell a story that informs and inspires potential candidates to imagine a future with us. So, when I sit down to write a job description, I start by asking: What’s in it for them? Beyond salary and benefits, I think about what truly matters—growth opportunities, learning experiences, and career advancement. I want candidates to see the path they could take with us, to feel excited about what’s possible. Next, I focus on what makes u...

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Overcoming Self to Grow Professionally  Living outside of your comfort zone can be a daunting prospect for many individuals. It requires the willingness to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and challenge oneself in order to grow and achieve personal development. Today, I had an insightful conversation with my networking colleagues about this very topic, and it got me thinking about the decisions we make on a daily basis. When faced with a decision, there are two distinct paths we can choose. We can opt for what feels safe and familiar, sticking to our comfort zone like a cozy refuge. Alternatively, we can choose to venture into the unknown and do something different, even if it means stepping outside of that safe space. It raises the question: when setting goals, do we aim for attainable milestones or dream big, setting goals that are so audacious they make us tremble? Let's begin by understanding what exactly a comfort zone entails. It is a psycho...