An e-mail is NOT a text

An e-mail is NOT a text

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Just not that into you.......

So, it's a book, it's a movie and it's a phrase. Now there is a website (of course there is). This one is not about dating but about good interview stories. Both on the candidate side and the company side. Some pretty funny stories. I've been recruiting for a long time and well, we deal with people. Never a dull moment when dealing with people.....

Current customers or new customers?

Why do we treat new customers differently than current customers? I understand there is an entire "trust" issue with new clients and letting them "win" respect for you. HOWEVER, what do companies do to keep their current customers happy?

If you are AT&T , they seem to not care if you are a current customer. You can't leave, you are under contract and the best deals go to the new clients. Anyone try to buy the $99 iPhone ? It's only $99 if you aren't a current customer. If you are a current customer, well your phone is still $299. How's that for loyalty?

When is that last time you told your current clients/customers THANK YOU? We forget, we take them for granted. It takes 3 times the amount of money to gain a new client than keep an old. Are we doing something wrong? Maybe I should go to Gift Services and send thank you chocolates to all my clients.

Is finding a job like dating?

Well, I'm not looking for a job, but I do look for jobs for people and find people for jobs - so is it really matchmaking? Just not on the personal level? Although a job is very personal. In fact, you spend more time usually with co-workers than you do with family.

And from my perspective, when I speak to a GREAT candidate that would be a fit for a new position - well, it's like someone paying you a compliment. Makes the butterflies come alive in the stomach. Then actually think "oh, please let them like me!"

Then when the client wants the "perfect candidate" (we call them purple squirrels - not sure if they exist) and finding that candidate - well, once again, butterflies in the stomach.

Someone loving their job, that I helped them find - true love.......

How do we find the candidates? Much like dating - instead of going to http://www.match.com we might start out at www.linkedin.com or there are millions of job boards. We view profiles, send e-mails, "chat", and then decide if we want to "date". Last but not least, we still PICK UP THE TELEPHONE and TALK. Of course, I don't know anyone that makes a ptoential date take a drug test, but my clients will.

Is a bad reference a bad thing?

Just because something is negative, doesn't mean it is bad. I often call former co-workers or supervisors to get feedback on a potential candidate - sometimes these names are not given by the candidate, but found through other sources. We all know we give the people that will give us the best references. HOWEVER, what really helps new companies are the exact things we don't want them to know. Maybe I like to work early, but like to leave at 4 - and the new company doesn't start rolling until 9 and works late hours. Finding this out about me, might be perceived as negative, but also keeps both parties from a bad "fit". OR what if the environment is not structured at all and you may come and go as you please? Although, your last co-worker mentions you didn't do well in that environment.

Finding the right position is not only about skills. Yes, you need the skills to do the job, but if you don't get along with anyone in the office - no one is going to be happy about you working there.

Please, when giving a reference, telling me that this guy was in marketing and thought all software developers were losers, well a computer software company is not the place for him. Don't let us all fail. I'm sure there is another position that is perfect.

"I want a new career"

Not me, I feel very fortunate to love what I do. But, that is a statement I hear quite often. How do I take the skills from the industry I am in and try them in a new industry? It's not as hard as you think. We all have great skills that will transfer to new industries. The BIG adjustment will be the pay cut you must first take.

I know, I know, you have these great skills and don't think you SHOULD take a pay cut. Ask yourself this: Would you hire someone that has NO experience in your industry, but great sales skills (or insert other skill set) and pay them the same base as you currently earn? Of course not. Don't expect the same earnings - you are learning something new.

Another important thing is to not just "jump ship". I know several people who up and quit (or got laid off) from a position to start in a new career, then ended up hating it. First, find an "expert" in a field of interest and call/e-mail and ask them for a conversation. Ask the good, the bad and the ugly. After hearing more, you might decide you don't want to do that.

Take a class. There are tons of "free universities" out there that offer short classes on a myriad choice of topics.

I once took a "wedding photography" (don't ask me why) class - it was a great class and after 3 classes I knew that I would shoot myself if that was even a hobby.

Volunteer - organizations love volunteers. Use your sales skills to help fund raise. You never know whom you might meet.

Ever any balance?

I've been in this business long enough to know better. When you have a stellar candidate, literally, you can not find an ideal position. When you have the stellar job, candidates are as sparse as rain in the winter in Colorado.

I think what keeps us going in this crazy recruiting world is that thrill. It's like a puzzle. Easy and every piece falls into a particular place to make an entire picture. Everyone is at the mercy of everyone else - salary, timing, location, requirements, schedules and true human nature (wanting something, then no longer wanting it).

Today, I will achieve balance.