Out-of-the Box Works!!

We've all endured the most bizarre time in our lives and I believe it has altered the mindsets of many people. Some people tragically saw their careers put on hold as the fields they worked in simply dried up.

A lot of folks have asked me what to do to get back to work. Depending on your financial needs, I have a crazy idea to offer you. Find a completely new field to enter into which you have no experience with but feel you would be good at! Sometimes, this is a formula which will actually work out well!

Many years ago, the early childhood center, which my daughter attended daily, was struggling to maintain staffing levels in their infant/toddler program. They took a chance and hired an individual who had spent over thirty years as a manager in the corporate world (and recently retired) even though she had never been a parent or worked with toddlers. Quickly, she established herself as a phenomenal caregiver loved by the children, her co-workers, and the parents! Out-of-the-box hiring decisions can be terrific for both candidates and hiring managers. Paul Cecala, Certified Career Coach (he/him/his) Paddy Viswanathan Janelle Kowalski Janess Messner Cindy Gaudio Cindy Mazejy Elise Prezant Dale Favia Patty Kremen, Suzanne (Helmold) Iacono Brian Ricci

Keep Searching!

 Many people make the mistake of thinking they are about to be hired after a very positive interview and put job search on hold. Certainly, a very upbeat interview process, where your references start being checked and the potential employer asks you about a potential start date, gives you reason to feel confident, it is possible an offer may not develop. There is always a chance that someone higher up the chain at the company decides to not sign off as a cost cutting move or, unknown to the hiring manager, there is an internal candidate who is suddenly pushed forward by a manager with more influence leading to them getting job, or many other reasons why the offer is not made. Until you have a firm offer, accept it, and receive a start date, it is in your best interest to keep pursuing other opportunities. There is an old adage, which I firmly believe, that stirring up other offers can make the one you really want come to fruition.

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 I am curious as to how many people feel they need to hire a resume writer. My opinion is that money could be better used to hire a coach who might suggest tweaks to your resume while focusing more on your job search strategy overall. Please answer this poll and feel free to add a comment! Sybil Chahbandour Dawn Moynihan, PHR, SHRM-CP Paddy Viswanathan Erik Dluhy Grace Clevenger Richard Carapiet Jennifer Giudice Carmen Anello Carmen M. Sapara Robert McNamara Sheri D. Leach Ed Han Suzanne (Helmold) Iacono Brian Ricci Bruce Mustacchi Shel Grossman Shelly Williams Merle Moyer John R. Fugazzie MBA Gary Frischman Elise Prezant Patty Kremen, Dale Favia Keith M. Bloomfield Alana Suarez Janess Messner Janelle Kowalski Elliot Echlov Robert Kuller

Masks

 I have spent my career warning candidates to never discuss politics, religion, or their personal family dynamics during an interview as they do not belong in a discussion about your job skills, strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments, etc. Today, I am adding two brand new topics to my taboo list: the wearing of masks and whether or not to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. These have both become extremely touchy subjects. Our nation is so divided on these issues that I urge you not to participate in a discussion about them during your interview. #career #interview #covid #job

Thank You Notes!

 From the beginning of my career in the staffing field, I always maintained that a candidate should send a thank you note after an interview. Even in the time of virtual interviews, it is still critical to do so to keep your name fresh in the hiring manager's mind. My guidance on thank you notes has always been to keep them short and sweet.

That philosophy went through a modification within the past few weeks. A client told me they would like to receive a writing sample from candidates who performed well on the first interview. We discussed that a random sample is fine but that a thank you note explaining what the candidate learned during the interview and why they felt they were a fit for the job. This is a rather simple process which seems to be speeding up the hiring decision. Sometime, the simplest of tweaks can lead to a successful outcome!

Recent College Grads

Are you a recent college graduate, or about to graduate soon, and unsure of how to find your first job? Did you graduate in the past year or two and have yet to get things moving in the right direction. Do you have a child or grandchild who fits one of these categories? I am available to provide coaching services at affordable rates. We can meet virtually, via telephone, or perhaps in person. Please reach out if interested in learning more!

Who Controls the Interview?

 A candidate was referred to me and we set up a time to discuss an opportunity I hope to fill. The conversation got off to a rocky start as I began by asking this person to give me a quick overview of their most recent experience. The response was that they wanted me to tell them about my job first. I politely reminded this individual that I had set up the phone interview and had a path I would follow. While we did stick to my plan, I never quite got to the comfort zone I like to with my candidates and have serous doubts about sending such a candidate to interview with my valued client companies.

Time to Get Back to Work!

 Many people say they are uncomfortable leaving home to work. Others are content riding out unemployment benefits. Honestly, numerous employers still get hung up by gaps in resumes so please be careful with how long you remain out of the workplace. There are countless articles published weekly about the ultra-thin pool of candidates. Clients share their frustrations with me regularly. This is definitely the time to ramp up your job searching if you are ready, willing and able. PSGCNJ Charles Ahr Patty Kremen, Dawn Moynihan, PHR, SHRM-CP Dawn Kirspel Pinar Hanna Ed Han David Schuchman Pinar Hanna Jennifer Giudice Carmen Anello Sheri D. Leach Susan English Robert Kuller Sarah Johnston Paul Cecala, Certified Career Coach (he/him/his) Peter Walsh

https://brooklyn.news12.com/staffing-shortage-may-lead-to-longer-wait-times-at-the-jersey-shore