Keep Current

Job search engines are a valuable tool to use but make sure your resume is current and that all your contact information works. As a recruiter, it is extremely annoying to try both posted phone numbers and the candidate's email address and find them no longer active. There are too many candidates out there to be negligent. Recruiters are not going to jump through hoops to track you down so please make yourself easy to find and communicate with!

Time to Focus

Many people thing the last two weeks of December are throwaway weeks but I tend to disagree. Not everyone has vacation days to burn and some hiring managers look at it as a time to get organized since the pace is a bit slower than normal. If you are out of work, there is no reason to stop searching right now. The fact you keep plugging along might just catch some one's attention, especially since much of the competition will slack off. Take advantage and keep those resumes and emails flying out of your computers!

ETC.

• Job openings are popping up in December, rather unusual but great to see!
• Candidates: wake up and jump in while the water is warm! Another cold wave could appear without warning.
• I wonder if Brett Favre has any ideas for his next career.
• Will salaries ever recover to where they were about three years back?
• Will either major political party do anything to create jobs any time in the near future?

Actions of several consultants working for me, a few candidates, and even a few hiring managers, got me thinking about the word integrity over the past several weeks. To me, integrity means never deviating from being honest, reliable, dependable, hard working, and trustworthy. I have seen so many people deviate from those standards of late that I really starting questioning whether or not I understood the true meaning of integrity!

Numerous dictionary sites all have basically the same definition and here it is: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

Look at yourself in a mirror and decide if you fit the definition of integrity. If not, the time has come to fix this and fix it fast before others notice your flaws!

Simply Amazing

How can the owners of professional sports teams justify their actions? This past summer, Yankee Stadium had numerous empty seats for many games as did several other popular venue. The NY Jets run radio ads every week trying to fill their new stadium. Yet, this past week has seen several seven year deals signed with players for over $140 million. Imagine how many unemployed workers that could sustain for the next seven years? Each contract could pay for 400 people per year at $50K salaries. Simply amazing.

Don't Hang Up!

The lyrics to Don't Hang Up by the Orions are stuck in my brain this afternoon. I spent several hours this sunny and chilly Sunday morning participating in a phonathon for the local branch of a worldwide non-profit agency. Of course, times are tough and none of us are rolling in excess cash. If someone answered the phone and said they were in need of taking a year off from contributing or needed to lower their pledge amount from last year, I was sympathetic and thanked them for their support. What I don't understand are responses like 'how dare you bother me for donations" or "I never support non-profits anymore" followed by a rude click and hangup.

My suspicion is that some of these folks might be covering up for the fact they are under-employed or unemployed. By being polite and talking for just a minute, they might have connected with me, someone who could potentially help them improve their situation. Like the Orions sang: Don't Hang Up!

Interview Processes

Employers seem to have very unique ideas on how to make hires. From personal experiences and the comments from colleagues, I have a collection of stories that could fill volumes! For today, just a few will have to do.

Many years ago, I was placing entry level computer programmers with a client who asked to see about 5 candidates. After the interviews were done, the employer chose the one I felt was less likely to be hired. Why? The manager had a huge saltwater fish tank that he was struggling to maintain and this programmer used to manage a fish shop and would be able to assist him!

A colleague sent a candidate to an interview a few years back, urging the person to take an extra minute when selecting her interview apparel as she had heard before that this individual showed up dressed neatly but a touch to casual. After the interview, the candidate reported back that the hiring manager wore a Grateful Dead T-shirt, bluejeans and flip-flops!

Predicting the mood or tempo of interviews is not easy. My best advice is to be prepared for the unexpected at all times!! PS: Feel free to share your stories with me!

Packaging Engineer Opportunity!

Excellent opportunity requires 3-5 years experience in the design and manufacture of primary and secondary containers for consumer goods including cartons and thermoformed bottles. Candidate must be capable of presenting design concepts at team meeting, directing the manufacture of prototypes, and overseeing production line testing. knowledge of aerosol packages helpful. Must have a B. S. in Packaging, Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering. ABSOLUTELY NO 3RD PARTY OR CORP-TO-CORP CANDIDATES AT THIS TIME. Candidates must be within local commuting range of the Plainsboro NJ area to be considered! ! Contact me with your resume via email: harold@smartstaff.jobs or Twitter @PlacementHarold