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A recruiter's take to job interviewing - Winning that next date!

As a recruiter conducting dozens of interviews every day, to having my own fair share of interview mishaps as a candidate, I've collected some tidbits of wisdom as it relates to job interviewing.

Haven't you ever noticed that interviewing for jobs is a lot like speed dating? You walk into a room full of strangers who are quick to scrutinize every word and action you make. You're nervous and excited, wanting to make a good first impression. Then, after a round of quick introductions, you're allowed only a limited amount of time to impress your date, find out as much information on your date as possible, only to hope that you've impressed them enough to be asked on another date.

So, too, going from one company to the next interviewing, hoping you've impressed the hiring manager enough to be invited back to a second interview; or better yet, receiving a job offer itself! But sometimes, admit it, you don't land that next date.

We've all been there. So after some practice, and some rejections, we become better and more poised with our dating skills. See if these common dating tips will help you win in your next job interview.

1) Prepare - It's normal to be nervous, but preparing yourself mentally ahead of time will help with some of the jitters. Make sure you have the right address, directions and names of all the people you will be meeting with. Take some time to research the company and jot down some questions to ask at your interview. Make special notes on any interesting topics in which you can relate back to the hiring manager. Perhaps map out mentally how your interview will be like. Then, be sure to get there in enough time to relax and get familiar with your bearings.

2) Dress to impress - You want to make a good first impression. There's no better place to start than with how you look. Make sure your appearance is neat and presentable, dressing appropriately. It's ok to ask about the company's dress code policy. Be mindful of good hygiene. Brush your hair and make sure that you don't have any left over spinach wedged between your teeth. Also, it's good to be weary of bad breath, but please, don't chew away on your gum during the entire interview. Discreetly dispose of the gum before you head into your interview.

3) Project positivity - Bring forth your happy face. Think positive thoughts and remember to smile. There isn't a more obvious form of positive body language than a smile. Humans are naturally drawn to people who smile. Smiling makes you appear more confident, makes you appear more youthful or vibrant and is so contagious. Wouldn't you want to be around a happy person; or would you rather be around some one who frowns, scowls or grimaces all day?

4) Build rapport - Having good listening skills and good eye contact is great, but really you're aiming to do more than just get to the next date. You'll need to put in a little bit of effort and engage yourself in the conversation. Try to connect with the person you're interviewing with by asking lots of open-ended questions relevant to them or things that interest them. Questions beginning with WHAT, WHY, WHO or TELL ME ABOUT...? Let the person know what you can do for them.

5) Show interest - Sometimes even with your best efforts put forth, your date still wants to hear that you are indeed interested in them. There is nothing wrong with showing interest. Of course hiring managers know you have some level of interest in the position or you wouldn't be there interviewing, however, they like to hear, and to know, from you that you are interested in the job. So don't be afraid to tell them you are. They like to see enthusiasm. This is not the time to be shy. Go ahead, ask for the next date!

Good Luck and good dating!

Social Media - How candidates can use this to enhance their job search.

As a recruiter, I thought I'd offer my two cents in the job searching arena. If submitting your resume to the various job boards is not producing the number of responses you'd like, there are ways you can directly market yourself to the recruiters and/or employers of choice. With the advances in technological gadgets and the ease in accessibility to the Internet, social media is taking a strong hold in today's society as a popular means for social interaction, networking and communication. As such, several social media websites have seemingly become household names over night; Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook - to list a few. By utilizing each of the website's strengths, you can create/promote your own branding, increase your visibility, search for jobs, source for professional contacts and directly market yourself into your next dream job.

Many recruiters use social media as an avenue to market themselves, or their respective companies, as well as source for candidates. They also use it to share ideas and network with their peers and colleagues. By making a social branding of yourself, you'll be able to network with, or possibly gain direct access to those who are managing the various job openings at your companies of interest.

1) Linkedin.com is a business-oriented social networking website. Through Linkedin you can search and find inside connections to different companies of interest. If you haven't already done so, register for an account and begin to professionally brand yourself by creating your profile. Account registration is free. You can create a profile which lists your job history, accomplishments and/or highlight your unique skill sets. Provide key words that can be searchable to recruiters or hiring managers. Also, having colleagues recommend you will provide recruiters and hiring managers a quick reference on you. (Note: Unless you upgrade, you may not be able to directly contact a person unless he/she is within your connection.) You can also further your networking connections by joining professional groups and participating in discussions within Linkedin relating to similar interest, occupation, or industry. Conduct an advance search on title, company and/or location to help you identify a name or contact. Then message, or ask connections for an introduction, to help get your foot in the door. Being courteous and following up with a thank you email will help improve your number of correspondence, or referral, from the recruiter/hiring manager.

2) Facebook.com is a social networking website that allows users to connect to others as friends, send messages, and update their personal profiles which then notifies their friends (network) of the information. Users can create or join networks relating to their school, college, or work place. Several companies/businesses create a Facebook Fan Page. Users can can "like" a page and become part of that page's updates and advertisements. By writing on an organization's wall, you can increase your visibility to that organization. You can also view organization's friends list for networking opportunities.

3) Twitter.com is a social networking and microblogging site that allows users to send and read each others messages called tweets. The tweets are text based messages with up to 140 characters in length. Users are able to subscribe, or follow, other user's tweets. By searching Twitter for names, key words, or lists, and then selecting to follow users or tweets with similar interest, or those who are related to companies/industry of interests, you begin to create a valuable network. By tweeting on related issues, retweeting information, or replying to a tweet, you become more visible; other users will begin following you. This will help you in creating your own professional branding.

(Here's a helpful tip. Search "#socialrecruiting" and/or "#jobhuntchat" within Twitter. You can identify, network, and follow recruiters who may be able to aid you in your job search.)

Being highly visible on the Internet could be risky, but, by taking control in creating a good professional digital profile, which both reflects your personality and skill set, social media can be used to enhance your reach and visibility to your employer of choice. You'll find immense value in being able to connect to important contacts who would have been unapproachable before hand.

Good hunting and good day!

Another day, another adventure!

In the last 2 weeks I've tried to shift my job search approach to be more direct and more specific to the ideal position I'd like to invest myself in next. Along with completing the basic profile registration and posting of my updated resume on careerbuilder.com and monster.com, I am also broadening my exposure, availability, and visibility to other recruiting entities. In addition to sending my introduction letter and resume directly to the companies and firms of interest, I began to express my new job search directive via my social networking on twitter, facebook, and linkedin. I've reached out to my colleagues to inform them of my job search and asked them for their assistance and/or advice. In addition to that, I've also been selective in contacting a few interesting HR job posts on craigslist as well. With the recent flood of phone interviews and email requests for interviews, the effort is paying off. I'm thrilled that it's been crazy with all the recent phone interviews! Now I need to land the next step in the process and then win that job offer! In the enthusiasm of Buzz Lightyear, "To Infinity and Beyond!" :)

Chapter 3: Creating a Life Plan

It's been almost a month since I was laid off. So with 4 weeks worth of researching different companies, filling out applications, revising and sending out resumes and cover letters and making follow up calls, I've received 1 phone interview and 13 "thanks but no thanks" emails or phone calls. I've applied to more than 40 companies, and counting, so hopefully I'll attract better interest at one of the other companies. Needless to say, being rejected is no fun. SOOO, for the weary and light of heart, if you can't work, then VOLUNTEER!! :)

So this past week, I've been catching up on some of my volunteering projects. One great benefit of volunteering is that it's great for the soul! Being able to help some one, some how, makes you feel awesome. So, my fellow unemployed friends, lift up another's spirit while lifting your own, go volunteer! And, in volunteering, you can also pick up some valuable experience or good references to add onto your resume as well. It's a win-win!

And so, I am working on creating a life plan... Onto the questions!

1. I believe it is realistic to expect a job to provide more than a paycheck. If work takes up the majority of your time, why not have it be able to pay your bills and be fun at the same time?

2. My sense of calling is to serve. Whatever capacity that is in, I was put on this earth to be of some type of service to help people, whether it be family, friends, colleagues or even strangers. It gives me a sense of purpose and that makes me happy.

3. God calls every one, whether they hear it or not, it's up to them to listen and act upon it.

4. It is reasonable to expect your work to be a part of the fulfillment of your calling. Knowing that will allow you to excel in the position your in. You're not just performing that function but you're glorifying your maker in that function. Attitude determines altitude.

5. Although I am currently non-employed, I was in Human Resources with specialty in Recruitment. Not to be boastful, but because I enjoy the work, I am quite good at it.

6. This year, success would mean a full-time HR Generalist position within a dynamic and growing company, relatively close to my home.

7. I was where I had imagined myself up until the point I got laid off. But, onward and upward.

8. A job is not the only defining purpose in my life. Being a good mother and wife also gives me a great sense of meaning, purpose and accomplishment every day.

9. Finding another job will allow our household a chance of accomplishing our financial goal - living debt free.

Chapter 2 : The Challenge of Change -- React, Respond, or Get Trampled

Affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. - Romans 5:3-4


This is one of the two verses introducing Dan Miller's 2nd chapter. This chapter was difficult for me to complete, not because of the distractions that I have going around the household, but more because of some of the content, one of which is "Dealing with Obstacles in Our Path". On one end, I am very certain I'd like to continue to pursue a career in HR, yet on the other, I've just launched a side business to foster my creative side, designing and making whimsical toddler totes. Although it does not make enough to gain me financial security, it is very fun to do. However, it does take time and focus away from doing Dan's 48 days and finding that ideal job that would provide financial security. Dilemmas, dilemmas. Another issue, as Dan addresses handling change, is knowing what is changeless in ourselves, "knowing what God has uniquely gifted you and what you value...Finding a job is a meaningless process until you develop a clear focus that is suited to you."

Dear Lord, please give me the wisdom of discernment. Amen.

"What is work?"

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Confucius

So I am just finishing up the first chapter in Dan Miller's book, 48 Days to the Work You Love. This is actually my second time reading through this book. The first time, I actually skimmed through the majority of the book and only delved into the parts that I thought pertained most intimately to me. This time, in hopes of finding that perfect job, I'm going to be better committed to his entire process and start by completing each of the questions at the end of the chapter, "Countdown to Work I Love".

The following are my answers to the questions asked:

1. Yang's Chinese Restaurant was my first place of employment. As a sophomore in high school, I was working each weekend as their take-out bagger and being paid $4.25/hr.

2. Although my positions have been from different industries; from food service, to optical/medical, to IT, to pharmaceutical, to finance, to sales, then automotive, they were all linked by the following traits, very people-oriented, with focus on customer/client service. Of the different positions, my last position, corporate/field recruiter, held the most value or worth to me. I was given the ownership of all recruiting responsibilities for my division, covering training to relationship building with each of the business units and hiring managers.

3. If my job changes, my sense of purpose does not change. I know in all that I do, I do for a greater purpose. There is a purpose in everything. And I have a strong sense of pride in doing a good job, no matter what it is.

4. My current job had been terminated by the company. Company has been known to bring similar positions back, whether it will be there five years from now, time can only tell.

5.Key characteristics of an ideal job/career for me would have to be people-oriented, dynamic, strategic focused, visible, with some level of management/mentoring responsibilities. I enjoy mentoring/training people and seeing levels of growth, whether it be professional or personal, is a great reward. I am seeking a job within a company that fosters my continued growth, professionally and personally, which is really important to me as well. To be in a company that recognizes/rewards it's people for "going the extra mile". Forward thinkers.

6. When I day dream, I see myself taking over the world. On a smaller scale, making a valuable and positive impact on my surroundings, whether it be family or work related. Most importantly, being a positive role model for my children; I must lead by example.

7. The most happiest, most fulfilling moment in my life was when I welcomed my first born into the world and become a mom.

8. If nothing changed in my life within the next 5 years, it would not be ok. I need to find financial security for my family.