9 Things That Seal the Deal for Hiring Managers - Man-Tra

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“
Obstacles are
those frightful things
you see when you take your
eyes off your goal.
”
— Henry Ford
9 Things That Seal the Deal
for Hiring Managers
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com
One thing about the hiring process is true: It leaves much room for speculation.
Whether you got the job — or you didn’t
— most job seekers want to know why.
Why were you chosen over the next guy?
Or, better yet, why weren’t you? Was it
your experience, your attitude, your
interview answers, your outfit?
We decided to ask hiring managers
directly: What seals the deal when you
choose to hire a candidate? Why do you
choose one person over another? Their
answers will give you some insight as to
what you should pay attention to the
next time you’re up for a job.
Here’s what hiring managers had to say:
“One of the big things for me is [following]
up. If I’m on the fence about a candidate
but they take the time to e-mail me and
thank me for having them come in, it shows
me that they are motivated, tactful and
professional. On the other side of the coin,
if I interview someone and they are using
lots of banal business speak and don’t give
me any impression of what their personality
is like, I will usually pass. I hate when
I ask a candidate what their favorite thing
to work on is and they say ‘everything’
-- it leaves me with the impression that they
either have no personality or won’t speak
their mind.” — Keith Baumwald,
interactive marketing analyst, Shoplet.com
“I know I have a good candidate for hire
when they come in prepared with as many
questions about the job and company as
(Continued on page 2)
Career Connection is sponsored by the Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board and published
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under a Workforce Investment Act grant provided by the Department of Commerce and Economic
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For specific access information please contact (Voice) 618-998-9921, ext. 230, (TTY) 618-998-9602 or
cindywebb@mantracon.org. Please allow two weeks advanced notice for interpreter requests.
Spotlight On...
Seal the Deal
“Put Illinois
to
Work” Program
Earn $10 per hour...
if you qualify!
The Put Illinois to Work program is an
initiative funded by the State of Illinois
and federal funding from the Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families Emergency
Contingency Fund provided by the
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (ARRA). Governor Pat Quinn began this initiative in an attempt
to create jobs throughout Illinois and provide employment experience to
those hardest hit by the recession.
Through Put Illinois to Work, unemployed and underemployed Illinois residents
can be placed into employment positions for up to six months with wages
paid by state/federal funding. Participating employers must provide each
participant with supervision and training for the duration of the placement.
Wages will be paid at a rate of $10.00 per hour.
(Continued on page 4)
Re
s o u r c e
f o r
Jo
b
Se
e k e r s
6 Hot Tips for Career Growth Now
M a r y F i n e d a y , F i n d t h e R i g h t S c h o o l . c o m , Y a h o o ! H o t J o bs
The U.S. Department of Labor has recently been reporting rising job
numbers in several sectors of the economy — including manufacturing,
retail, transportation, restaurants, and hotels. Here are six job tips will
help you ride this new wave of economic recovery and job growth.
1. Train smarter. Instead of enrolling in a general liberal arts associate’s
degree, consider degree and training programs that are aligned to careers
with a lot of potential growth. Value specific training over general education.
2. Connect the dots. Seek out growing career fields that appeal
to your interests and skills, and connect your existing experience to
education. Management training plus retail experience could lead
to a retail management job, for example.
Career Spotlight: Hotel Manager
A hospitality and tourism MBA combines business training with the
specific challenges of hospitality work. Lodging managers earned mean
annual wages of $52,550 in 2008. The U.S. Department of Labor reports
that hotels and restaurants have added nearly 50,000 new jobs in the
past two months. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that
(Continued on page 4)
(Continued from page 1)
I have for the candidate — especially when
their questions go beyond just the pay
rate and benefits. By showing interest in
learning more about what the job opportunity actually involves, it shows that the
candidate is just as concerned about this
job being the right fit for them as I am.”
— Angie Nelson, marketing coordinator,
Les Bois Federal Credit Union
“A quick deal-killer for me is people who
are trying to answer questions the way
they think I want them answered. Honesty
in the interview is refreshing. I appreciate
applicants who tell the truth without
trying to sugarcoat things. I am not as
concerned with bad things that have
happened in their past as much as how
they dealt with those issues. That shows
their true character.”
— Phil Wrzesinski, owner,
Toy House and Baby Too
“Confidence is important, but there is a
fine line between that and arrogance.
I once had a candidate state numerous
times he was the one and that no way
anyone else could be better. This is not
only arrogant, but demonstrates ignorance
on the part of the candidate. One does not
always know who they are competing with
or all of their qualifications.”
— Thomasina Tafur, president,
Thomasina Tafur Consulting
“When interviewing candidates to join
our firm, two things can be deal breakers:
attitude and core values. You can’t
teach attitude, but you can teach skill.
A positive attitude, strong work ethic
and strong values should trump more
experience and skill.
I also make sure the candidate demonstrates our company’s core values. I ask
them to tell me their ‘story’ of their
(Continued on page 3)
2
Tips
for
Students
10 Job Search
Mistakes of New
College Grads
C h a r l e s P u r d y , Y a h o o ! H o t J o bs
Although this year’s college graduates
are facing a tough job market, they
have an advantage over other job
seekers, according to Andy Chan, vice
president of career development at
Wake Forest University: they are among
the age group most likely to be hired
in coming months.
“Organizations are very interested in
hiring young people because they have
a lot of energy and are willing to do
whatever it takes to get the job done,”
Chan says.
But no matter how well-positioned
these young people are, they — and
all job seekers — will have a better
chance of success if they avoid these
common job-hunting mistakes of new
college grads:
1. Not being proactive enough
Emily Bennington, the author of
“Effective Immediately: How to Fit In,
Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First
Real Job,” says, “This isn’t the time to
sit back and be casual in your approach. Create a hit list of five to ten
target companies, and really utilize
your network to locate an ‘in’ at each.”
2. Relying solely on the Internet
In a recent Yahoo! HotJobs poll, 57%
of respondents said networking was a
factor in landing their current or most
recent job. Brad Karsh, president of
JobBound, says, “When thousands of
candidates are applying to the same
jobs online and posting their resume to
(Continued on page 4)
Spotlight On...
“Put Illinois
to
Work” Program
(Continued from page 2)
Job seekers interested in participating must meet income eligibility
guidlines and be:
a parent of a minor child, or
n a non-custodial parent of a minor child, or
n 18 years of age or older, residing with a parent or caretaker relative.
n
Applications are currently being accepted and intake interviews are being
held at all Man-Tra-Con office locations. The program began May 1, 2010,
and will end on September 30, 2010. Additional information and application
forms may be downloaded at: http://www.putillinoistowork.illinois.gov.
If you have any questions, contact Career Specialist Chris Pell at 618-9980970, ext. 203, or via email at chrispell@mantrcon.org. u
Availability may be limited... apply today!
Seal the Deal
(Continued from page 2)
professional journey. Through their story, I get a better understanding of the
decisions they made and the values they have (or don’t have).”
— Michelle Roccia, senior vice president,
corporate organizational development, Winter, Wyman
“When a candidate is displaying a true desire to come work for your company,
they are often the one you want to hire once you are looking at the finalist
pool. The fastest way to end up with a short interview and ruling yourself out
from being considered is to arrive to an interview to only lack energy, give
short answers and show no excitement to be there.”
— James Thompson, vice president of business development, JMJ Phillip
“When I hire, I hire for ‘right fit,’ which doesn’t necessarily have anything
to do with experience or training. A ‘right fit’ candidate is someone who is
aligned philosophically with the company, has a passion for the products or
industry, and believes that the kind of work that they do is their mission,
not just their livelihood.
“For example, when I was staffing a green business in Orange County, California,
I didn’t hire the people with the longest résumés and the most degrees, I hired
the people who were passionate about the ‘green’ cause and had demonstrated
that in some way in their personal life.
(Continued on page 5)
3
Tips
for
Students
10 Job Search Mistakes
(Continued from page 3)
the same job boards, candidates need
to stand out by making connections and
networking their way into a company.”
Job boards are an important tool, but
Karsh says new grads also need to focus
energy on networking.
3. Not creating wide networks
Career expert Liz Ryan agrees: “Use
your parents’, grandparents’, and friends’
networks to help you in your postgraduation job search,” she says. “Don’t
be shy — reach out to any long-ago
Scoutmaster, choir director, or babysitting
or leaf-raking boss. There’s no statute of
limitations on networking.”
4. Not creating customized resumes
Ryan says, “Don’t send out any resumes
that simply list your courses, the degree
you’ve earned, and your part-time and
summer jobs — use this opportunity to
make a stronger statement about what
you want to do with your adult life.”
And according to Jay Block, the author
of “101 Best Ways to Land a Job in
Troubled Times,” younger job seekers
often haven’t thought about what they
have to offer an employer (as opposed
to what they want to get from one).
With this mindset, they create resumes
that are “boring biographies” instead
of effective marketing tools.
5. Misusing the Internet
Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire
and the author of “Fired to Hired,”
says, “New grads don’t use LinkedIn
— it’s not sexy like Facebook or Twitter.
But it’s the best resource for getting
names and building a professional
identity. Don’t overlook it.”
6. Failing to follow up. Johnson says,
“It’s not enough to send resumes and
pray the phone rings.” She cautions that
(Continued on page 5)
4
6 Hot Tips for Career Growth Now
(Continued from page 2)
management trainees for large hotel chains almost always need a bachelor’s or
master’s degree, preferably in hospitality or hotel management.
3. Look up, not out. Consider the future potential of your current line of work.
Think about what kind of education you could use to move up the career ladder
instead of changing jobs completely. If your future path doesn’t appeal to you,
consider a change.
Career Spotlight: Retail Manager
While you likely don’t need any formal training for an entry-level sales jobs,
supervisor positions may require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business
administration or a similar field. Retailers listed 320,000 job openings, the
U.S. Labor Department reports. Additionally, Kronos Inc. reports that retailers
boosted hiring by 9 percent in March, to the highest level since fall of 2008.
The BLS notes that retail salespersons earned $25,050 in 2008, while salesperson
supervisors earned $39,910.
4. Seek out experts. If you have a dream job in mind, seek out individuals
who hold the same position and ask them how they got there. Ask about their
degree or training path and what they would do differently along the way.
Career Spotlight: Machinist
Become the expert of a set of machines in this highly skilled position.
Machinist training programs are found in apprenticeship programs, community
or technical colleges, or vocational schools, and can include up to four years
of hands-on training. Machinists are an important part of the manufacturing
industry, which saw 17,000 more job openings in February 2010. Machinists
earned mean annual wages of $37,490 in 2008, the BLS notes.
5. Get local — or branch out. Even if you’re not ready to apply yet, check
out employment listings in your area to find out who’s looking. Consider job
markets in other cities by looking at local employment ads, and pay special
attention to educational requirements.
Career Spotlight: Registered Nurse
Registered nurses still hold the top spot for fastest projected job growth,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 581,000 new jobs are expected
to enter the market between 2008 and 2018. What’s more, you can train for the
career with a two-year associate’s degree program in registered nursing, or a
broad-based four-year nursing degree that will allow you to specialize down the
road. Nurses earned mean annual wages of $65,130 in 2008, the BLS reports.
6. Reorganize. No amount of job growth will be satisfying if you don’t enjoy
your job. Think about what other type of work could make you happier, and
reset your goals if need be.
Invest in career training for valued jobs
Although no career training program can guarantee a particular job or salary,
training gives you the opportunity to prove your interest in a field while developing knowledge and skills. Prepare to take advantage of job growth during this
economic upswing by training in a career that values skilled workers. u
Source: Copyright 2010 – hotjobs.yahoo.com. All Rights Reserved. This article first appeared on
Yahoo! HotJobs. For more career-related articles visit http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles.
(Editor’s Note: The salaries listed in the above article are based on national
averages and may be higher than wages in our local area. For local wage data for
southern Illinois, visit http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/wagedata/edrwages.htm.)
Seal the Deal
(Continued from page 3)
What we ended up with were employees who
were willing to do whatever it took to make
the enterprise successful because they were
driven by an inner belief, not by a paycheck.
They were engaged at an extremely high level
from the first day they walked in the door.
I hire for passion, and then train for skills,
if necessary.”
— Barbara Farfan, management and retail
consultant, Authentic Communications
“During the interview process we tend to ask
oddball questions and gauge [a candidate’s]
reaction and the actual answers they give.
This will give us an idea as how they will fit
with our company and everyone else who
works with us. For the upcoming semester we
chose one intern over the others solely based
on her answer to ‘If you were a candy bar,
what kind would you be?’ She sat for about
three seconds but didn’t think we were crazy
for asking it. She smiled and said ‘I’d be a
Caramello because they’re awesome and hard
to find, but when you find them you get a
happy feeling inside.’”
— AmyLynn Keimach, Border 7 Studios
“When having difficulty narrowing down a
short list of qualified candidates based on
their experience, skills, upward potential and
education, I tend to put significant weight
on the candidate’s passion for what we do as
a company and how we do it. If the employee can show evidence that they genuinely
align with our company values, purpose and
mission, the likelihood of success increases
tremendously, in my opinion.”
— Matt Arrigale, vice president, human
resources, Schott North America
Source: Copyright 2009-2010 – CareerBuilder.com.
All rights reserved. The information contained in this
article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise
distributed without the prior written authority.
To view other career-related articles visit http://www.
CareerBuilder.com
10 Job Search Mistakes
(Continued from page 4)
job seekers can’t expect a resume to be discovered in that “big black online
hole.” “Hustle to follow up,” she says.
7. Setting expectations too high. Johnson says new graduates too often
focus on looking for the perfect job, instead of a first job: “Especially in this
economy, the first job should be about finding a position where you’ll learn a
great deal, you’ll be super busy, and you’ll be surrounded by lots of people.”
8. Appearing unprofessional. Make sure you’re ready for employers’ scrutiny,
says Tim McIntyre, president and CEO of The Executive Search Group. That
means you should “sanitize your MySpace page — right now. It will be checked,”
he says. He notes that many college students will need to change off-color
voicemail greetings. Ryan adds, “Don’t assume that Facebook’s privacy settings
will keep your youthful antics away from curious eyes. Rid your profile page of
any photos of the ‘three Bs’ (beer, bongs, and bikinis).”
9. Not taking the job interview seriously. Even when you’re applying for an
unpaid internship, you need to adhere to common standards of professionalism.
McIntyre says those standards include demonstrating you’ve done your
research on the company and dressing appropriately. Block adds that new
grads are often unprepared for tough (but standard) interview questions, such
as “Where do you see yourself in three years?” and “What are your weaknesses?”
10. Not using the college’s career office. “A career office can help
[students] identify networking contacts, learn important job-search skills,
and significantly improve their resume and cover letter,” says Wake Forest
University’s Chan. Ryan agrees, but adds that this is just a first step.
The career office’s job is to “to prepare you for your job search, not to
conduct it for you,” she says. “Use LinkedIn, reach out to everyone you can,
and begin researching employers who’d be likely targets for your job-search.”
Source: Copyright 2010 – hotjobs.yahoo.com. All Rights Reserved. This article first
appeared on Yahoo! HotJobs. For more career-related articles visit http://hotjobs.yahoo.
com/career-articles
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INSIDE:
u
9 Things That Seal the Deal
for Hiring Managers?
u Spotlight On...
“Put Illinois to Work” Program!
u TIPS for Students: 10 Job Search
Mistakes of New College Grads
u Resource: 6 Hot Tips for Career Growth Now
Important events are happening all the time — Call your career specialist or visit the
One-Stop Business & Employment Center nearest you to speak with a Man-Tra-Con representative!
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