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Making the Most out of Your New Position

Welcome to Day One of Your New Career!

Starting a new job is exciting as well a little scary. What will your manager be like? How about your co-workers? What will they expect of you?  The best thing you can do for yourself is to relax. You know you have the talent, skills and the intelligence to be great. Just the fact that you made it through the interview process already says a lot about your abilities and how much the company likes you.  Now is the time for you to demonstrate all you have to offer. Here are four tips to help you make the most of your new job: 1. Make a great first impression. First impressions are truly lasting. We form judgments as soon as we meet people. To create the right impression, really go above and beyond during your first few days on the job. Be outgoing with your co-workers. Ask lots of questions to understand your duties and your supervisor’s expectations. Take notes. During your first few days, demonstrate that you are really interested in being part of the team and doing a great job. 2. Be yourself. You were hired for the person you are. Don’t try to be anything else. Show your peers that you are genuine and sincere. Show your boss that you’re a professional, and someone who wants to be a team player. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your expertise. But at the same time, understand that you are the “new kid” and your first goal is to learn. 3. Always be learning. Whether you’re put into a formal training program or expected to learn on the job, your goal should be to get up to speed as quickly as possible. First, get to understand the details of your job duties. If you have questions about what to do, ask. Next, make sure you know your boss’ expectations and how your performance will be measured. And finally, make note of your co-workers and how they interact. One of the biggest challenges of any new job is learning all the corporate norms, so you can truly become part of the team. 4. Assess first, and then prescribe. Once you’ve had a chance to do your work and observe your organization for a while, you can really add some value.  As the new employee, you bring a fresh perspective to the company. But, don’t assume that what you did at a former employer will automatically work in the new culture. And avoid the temptation to say, “We did it this way at my last company.” However, when you spot opportunities for improvement, you may want to offer suggestions to your boss, or simply tell him/her, “I have an idea I’d like to share that might make our team’s work even better.”

And here are three things you should not do on a new job:   1.     Don’t try to do everything yourself just to prove you can. This will lead to stress and quickly burn you out.  Instead, learn to work with your teammates and make sure they can rely on you. 2.     Don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes time to get up to speed in a new job.  Set small goals each day of things to learn or people to meet.  New situations are innately stressful, so try hard to manage that up front and you can minimize the effect. 3.     Don’t make assumptions. Remember, you are the new person in this culture.  Don’t assume that your way is the right way, that you are being brought on board to solve a problem, or that you have all the answers. Ask questions, absorb the answers and then share your ideas. Preparation is key to a successful start in a new job. If you would like more tips on how to handle those important first weeks, contact the experts at Staff Depot today! We have more than 20 years of experience in coaching employees to long-term career success!

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Great quote from @tonyrobbins #workhard #mondays #goals #staffdepot #motivation https://www.instagram.com/p/Bum5NFCB-Vv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=190cj6eku160l

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Happy Saturday! Have a great weekend :-) #saturday #saturdayvibes #weekend #jobs #warehousejobs #staffdepot #mississauga #toronto https://www.instagram.com/p/Bugw7cIgg8t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1k4qpof4hf842

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Snowy February! #snow #Mississauga #snowday #jobs #staffdepot (at Mississauga, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt4ijgJhuaC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17l3siqshphtk

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Happy Snow Day! #forkliftdrivers #forklift #warehouse #warehousejobs #recruiting #Mississauga #toronto #snowday #staffdepot (at Mississauga, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPT0XihWc5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x8j093dqmk2k

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Has anyone on social media said it's cold today? LOL #Mississauga #weather #winter #staffdepot #toronto #jobs (at Mississauga, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs6Dm3mhxl7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1l73qc50a8tto

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Get motivated! #riseandgrind #wednesday #wednesdaymotivation #motivation #entrepreneurlife #recruiterlife #staffdepot https://www.instagram.com/p/BsshA6LA3zN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b0gvf6khu4xz

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How To Display Safety Awareness In An Industrial Interview

As a professional employed in the industrial field, you often spend the day working under potentially dangerous conditions. Unlike desk jobs where injuries are few and far between, safety has to be paramount, so you leave the work site at the end of the day in the same condition as you started. For example, in 2014, an average of 13 workers died each day and 3.2 per 100 were injured on the job — many due to preventable accidents.

When preparing for your upcoming job interview, emphasize your personal commitment to safety. Industrial employers want to hire workers who abide by safety rules and regulations, so you’re sure to make a positive impact if you focus on this topic. Discuss Your Remarkable Safety Record If you have a flawless — or nearly unblemished — safety record, this is an accomplishment you should be very proud of. In addition to the obvious benefits of keeping yourself out of harm’s way, you can also use this to your advantage in the interview. Highlight your outstanding track record and explain how you’ve managed to accomplish such an impressive feat. Share Times You’ve Improved a Safety Situation at Work Saying you’ve helped previous employers improve safety conditions for workers is great, but this assertion won’t hold much weight unless you can back it up. Provide at least one detailed example of a time you were exposed to unsafe working conditions and explain what you did to remedy the situation. Talk About Ways You’ve Encouraged Others to Work Safely Describe ways you’ve helped train new employees on safety procedures and detail past incidents were you’ve caught your peers breaking safety rules, but helped them realize the error in their ways. Ask Questions About the Company’s Safety Procedures Since safety is such a huge part of your job, it makes sense you would want to learn as much as possible about the company’s efforts to keep workers out of harm’s way. Ask the interviewer questions like how you’ll be trained to use equipment if hired and how the company scored on recent safety inspections. This line of inquiry will make you look good and it’s also necessary to ensure the company is the type of place you want to work. Searching for a light industrial position in Ontario? Whether you want to find work as a forklift operator, a CNC operator or any other warehouse job, Staff Depot has the right opportunity for you. Contact Staff Depot to learn more!

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5 Things To Do In Your First Days On The Job

You’ve just started your new job. You want to impress your new manager and get along well with your new coworkers. To help you do so, we present you with five things you should aim to do on your first few days and weeks at your new employer. Take a look below. 1. Get there early and stay late. First impressions matter and if you’re late for your first day – or first few days – you’re sending the message that the job is one you’ll get to when you get to. Instead, make sure you arrive on time. Arriving even a little early is better. As for clocking out, aim to stay at least until quitting time. Staying 10-20 minutes after also is a good thing to do. 2. Set up some one-on-one meetings with co-workers and others in your company. We’re not talking lunch here, at least not yet. What we mean is that we believe you should make a point of meeting with new colleagues and supervisors (even people in other departments with whom you will be in contact) so that you can get to know them better. This includes finding out about what they do at the company, how long they’ve worked there, why they chose the company, and to ask questions about the ins and outs of your new employer’s culture. You also will get to know your new colleagues on a more personal level, helping you create a strong relationship from the beginning. 3. Ask questions. A lot of questions. You’re the new guy or gal, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember: you may not know what you don’t know. So ask your supervisor to be very clear on his or her expectations. Ask specifically what your duties and goals are. Ask colleagues for help and advice. You’ll come across as a team player and approachable if you do. 4. Talk less and listen more. This applies even if you’re a new manager and, if you’re not, make sure you’re contributing knowledge and insights and volunteering for projects, but definitely don’t hog conversations. Instead sit back and observe. When you do speak, make most of the words coming out of your mouth questions, not statements. 5. Remember to always talk nicely about your former employer. Yes, perhaps your ex-manager truly was the boss from hell, or a co-worker really did try to sabotage your good work. But you’re unproven. You’re not truly accepted yet and trashing former bosses and colleagues just makes you look…immature and a gossip (which makes you untrustworthy). If you believe it’s time to move on from one employer to the next, take a look at our current – and ever changing – job opportunities in Ontario. If you see one or more that’s interesting, apply! And if you don’t, contact the​ Staff Depot office nearest you about registering with us so that we can contact you quickly when a position better suited to you appears.

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Shout “I Got the Job!”: Acing The Interview

A resume gets you an interview. Your references and skills back up what a great fit you are for the position. The interview is what gets you the job. On the top of it, that sounds like a lot of pressure: it’s do-or-die time at the job interview! But let us reassure you: it’s not that hard to ace a job interview. It’s truly not, especially if you look at in two ways: 1. It’s the place where you can show a hiring manager what you’ve got.

2. Remember that it’s also your time to check the company out to decide if it would be a good match for you. Strategies that Can Help a Hiring Manager Say “When Can You Start?” While we really do believe that job interviews can be enjoyable, the best interviews take a lot of preparation up front (they take some effort, in other words). Remind yourself: no winging it at a job interview. Never. Instead, a key factor in getting a job offer is to make sure you take the time needed to do the following: 1. Research the company. A ton. As in considerable research. We told you good job interviews come about because of effort on your part. And most of that effort occurs long before you shake hands with the hiring manager. As soon as you set a date for an in-person meeting – or even “just” a phone interview – it’s time to crack open the Internet and get studying! Visit the company’s website and read all of it, if possible. Every last page. Read its blog. Read the bios of its executives. If it’s a publically traded company, check out its Investor Relations tab and read all of the company’s latest financial statements, especially its SEC filings. (These are goldmines, especially the quarterly reports – often called 10Qs – because they report in great detail what the company did that quarter, and what its plans are for the future. SEC filings are better than reading the company’s annual report because they are detailed and gloss over – spin – nothing.) Studying these reports gives you great insights into a company’s goals, successes and challenges. What’s more, just watch – really, watch! – the hiring manager’s eyes get big with excitement when you say “I read your latest quarterly report about your acquisition of XYZ company. I have two years’ experience with acquisition accounting procedures. Let me tell you about improvements I made for my current employer’s latest acquisition.” The idea behind this research is not to do the minimal and call it a day. Really dig into the meat of a company’s website, reports, etc. Look for news releases. Google it and see what gossip comes up. If you know the hiring manager’s name, check her out on LinkedIn (after all, she undoubtedly took a look at your profile). Find out what you have in common and learn about her work experience, education and skill sets. The more you know about a company the better. It truly will impress your interviewer and will allow you to talk intelligently and strategically about how your background and skills will help the company reach its goals. 2. Practice the interview with a trusted friend, family member or mentor. Practice can be especially helpful if this is your first job interview, if you’ve been on just a few or if this is an interview for your first “real” job after high school or college. Google “typical interview questions in XX ” (human resources, manufacturing, marketing, banking, etc.), print them out and prepare for them. Ask your friend to play the interviewer and ask the questions. Practice asking some questions yourself. Practice answering the questions as asked and then moving them slightly so that you can talk about how your skills and background specifically apply: “I want to work in your medical office because I understand you are expanding and I’d love to help you create efficient patient in-take systems, thus helping you see patients more quickly and cutting down on their wait time. At my last employer I was able to revise the in-patient process such that ….” You may think that having the interviewer do most of the talking is a good thing (less pressure!), but you want to be sure you are able to tell the employer why hiring you benefits her. 3. Make a strong, positive first impression. For good or for ill, the first seconds of a job interview can make or break the interview. Even the very first second. You need to make sure yours is the best it can be. Look the hiring manager straight in the eye as you approach with your arm outstretched to shake hands. Shake firmly, but don’t crush her hand. Wait to sit down until invited to. Call the interviewer Ms. or Mr.  unless told otherwise. Wear business-type attire, even if you’re looking for work in a warehouse setting. If this is so, khaki slacks and a collared, long-sleeved shirt should suffice (no sneakers, and if you really want to impress, you might wear a tie and a jacket, although they are not necessary). Any office job requires a tie and jacket for men. At least a dress and jacket/dress pants and a blouse for women. If going for any type of professional position, suits for both men and women are appropriate. Dull and boring? Perhaps. But you’re not there to show off your creative side (unless you work in marketing, and you can save the creative outfits for once you get the job). Yes, most offices are business casual today. But you want to come across as a serious candidate, and one to be taken seriously. It’s always best to overdress than under dress for a job interview. If you’ve never been to the company before, if possible, make a trip before the interview to see how long it will take you to drive or take the bus: you don’t want to be a minute late, and if you find you will be, call and let the interviewer know. Here at Staff Depot, we want you to get the job and we’ll do all we can to help you land a great one. Contact the Staff Depot office nearest you today.

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4 Reasons You’re Not Getting The Job

You’ve applied for many positions. You’ve networked your way into other job opportunities. You’ve even landed some interviews. But as for second interviews? Let alone job offers? Nothing. Zilch. The sound of crickets fills your e-mail inbox (if sounds could fill your inbox). What’s Going On? You’re getting interviews and that’s a good sign because hiring managers and recruiters don’t contact you for a meeting (even if it’s “just” a phone interview) unless they feel you have most of the skills, background and education they seek. (In fact, the average job opening receives 118 applicants, with only about 20 percent of them receiving interviews.) So that’s good. But no call-backs? That’s bad and chances are it is you (and not them). And while you don’t want to hear it’s your fault you’re not getting second interviews and/or job offers, it’s actually good news: it means it’s something you’re doing – or not doing – and you can fix that. 4 Things You’re Doing (or Not) That Are Costing You The mistakes you’re making generally boil down to four things. Take a look below. 1. You don’t understand the real reason companies hire people. Businesses hire employees because they need problems solved. They need someone to fix the problem of answering the phone. They need someone to take care of the marketing issue. They need someone to fix the no sales conundrum. They need someone to run the computer, balance the checkbook, make the widget, and so on. But most of us tend to think “Hey, I’m a nice person and I can do the things you need. So hire me!” And then we wonder why we didn’t get the job. And the reason we didn’t get the job is because another candidate understood why companies hire employees and made sure the hiring manager knew that she could fix that hiring manager’s problems. Employees cost money – up to 80 percent of a company’s gross revenues. That’s a big chunk of change. So to be hired, you need to bring more to the company than what it costs to keep you there. You may say, “Well, I’m not in sales, so I don’t bring in anything.” But you do: if you save a company money, that’s making money (shorten a process; retain more customers, keep the computers running so the company doesn’t have to get new ones, etc.). So you need to know and articulate what value you bring to a company: how what you know and what you do and how you do it will save/make the company money. 2. You didn’t understand what the company does and how your skills could help it. This is a very easy fix: before ever applying to a company, do some research. Check the company’s website, Google it and read articles about it. Find out is mission, if it has one; its goals.  The absolute worst thing you can do is arrive at an interview and say something along the lines of: “What is it you guys do?” 3. Not saying – and showing – that you want the job. Before you say “Well, I’m there to interview; of course I want the job!” understand that actually asking for the job as you shake the interviewer’s hand is extremely powerful: “Tenisha, my five years in accounts payable will help you ramp up your A/P needs the day I arrive. I would love to work with you and I hope to hear from you soon.” What’s more, if you sit in the interview slumped in your seat, grunting your answers, looking at your watch, not asking questions, and so on, you’ve just shown the hiring manager that you could care less about the job. Instead, be interested in learning about the company; ask questions as to its future; do that research we mentioned and talk about something you read about the company’s goals, and so on. In other words, show enthusiasm. Remember, the person who wants the job the most– and shows it – tends to get the job. 4. Not following up properly. Sure, you no doubt know that you need to send a thank you note to your interviewer. But most people don’t, to their detriment. And of those who do, the thank you is….a “thank you for meeting with me.” And while that’s nice, remember what your job is as a candidate: show your value. Your thank you, (handwritten or sent in an e-mail) after an interview, is another chance for you to showcase how hiring you benefits the company. It also can help you clarify a point, or make a suggestion. It also allows you to, once again, ask for the job! Need some help in getting second interviews? How nice it will be to tweet #IGotTheJob! Let the talented recruiters here at Staff Depot help you get the interview…and the job offer! Call or visit a​ Staff Depot Site branch near you today.

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5 Tips to Boost Your Interview Confidence

Few of us enjoy going on job interview, which is a shame in a way because interviews are a great way to learn more about ourselves, various companies, different ways of doing things, making new acquaintances – possibly new colleagues – and so on. In fact, learning more about different companies and people (potential managers and even colleagues) perhaps is the best thing about going to a job interview: we’re rather like a sleuth, digging down and trying to find out how we might fit into a company’s business paradigm. What’s more, looking at yourself as something of an undercover agent also is a great way to help you boost your own confidence at the interview. After all, never forget that you are interviewing the hiring manager and company, too: just as your possible future manager is trying to see if you’ll be a good fit on her team, you need to find out if the company and opportunity is a good fit for you. Four Additional Job Interview Confidence Boosters 1. Research the company as much as possible before your interview: information is power. The more you know about a company before you meet a recruiter or hiring manager, the more confident you’ll be. You’ll know how your particular skills and background will help the firm move forward and you’ll be able to speak to the hiring manager’s needs right away: “I saw on your website that you are opening a new location soon. Will you be performing billing services at the new office? If so, I believe my experience with a former employer when I was the only medical biller in the department, helping to train new people in my office as they came on, would be a great help.” 2. Remember the VALUE you bring. Noting the fictional medical biller’s statement above, do you see what she just did there? She took note of the company’s plans and she talked about how her experience and expertise will help the hiring manager: she can help train new people in a new office and get the office up to speed quickly. Who wouldn’t want to hire her!? She’s a problem-solver! Knowing how you can help a business overcome challenges and/or reach its goals not only helps you feel confident when you interview (you’re certain of your skills and talents), it also makes you the type of candidate hiring managers hire. 3. As hard as it may be, don’t wonder to yourself about how you’re doing. Instead, simply aim to connect with the interviewer. This point echoes the first one: you’re on a mission to learn as much as you can about the needs of the interviewer (you’re an investigator), so don’t focus so much on yourself and instead try to listen to, engage with – on an equal level – and connect with the hiring manager. In other words, don’t think about your performance aim to put the other person at ease. Taking the focus off yourself can do wonders for alleviating your anxiety. 4. Picture the moment you hear “I’d like to bring you on board.” You know your strengths. You know how your skills benefit the employer. You know you’re a great fit. Remember that. Ruminate on it before the interview and then relax. You’ve got this! Need some help landing job interviews in Ontario?​ Staff Depot Site is here for you. Take a look at our current job opportunities and if you feel one or more is right for you, either apply online or visit the branch that posted the job. We look forward hearing from you!

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Are These Momentum Killers Affecting Your Job Search?

You’ve put hours into crafting the perfect resume, and have tailored it to each application and position. Your cover letter shows personality, enthusiasm and helps highlight the key reasons an employer should choose you over the competition. You’ve even aced your job interviews. Now it’s time to sit back and wait for the offers to roll in, right? Not quite. You could have the perfect resume, the most eloquent cover letter and you could have finished the world’s best job interview, but still end up without a job offer. When you’ve put in the time and effort to build real momentum in your job search, waiting for the phone to ring — and not getting the call — can be frustrating. But there’s good news – you can prevent a loss of momentum during your job search by avoiding these common four (4) mistakes: Mistake #1 Following up incessantly. If an employer says you can expect to hear about their decision within seven days and 10 days later your phone (or email) is still silent, it can be frustrating. Your frustration is understandable! But outside of a quick follow up email or voicemail checking in, you should avoid any type of recruiter “pestering” with follow ups. While many employers hope to have decisions in a timely manner, sometimes every day business (or other matters) simply get in the way. Maybe the right team members were unable to connect and discuss the candidates, maybe an urgent business matter required “all hands on deck” and pulled decision makers away from discussing your position. Regardless of the “why,” your actions are what matter here. One follow up within a few days of when you were told to expect follow up is acceptable. Anything beyond that (including calls, emails or social media messages) will have a negative effect on your chances (and could eradicate any goodwill or momentum you had going for you after your interview). Mistake #2 Going on a few interviews, then doing nothing. Without a doubt, you should be proud of a strong job interview. Review what went well, what could have gone better and identify what you can bring to the table for the next interview. Yes, the next one. A strong interview isn’t a sign that you should stop your job search efforts. There are many factors that can influence whether or not you land the job. Many of them are out of your control. So while you can and should reflect on successful interviews and interactions with employers, don’t take your foot off the gas pedal! You should spend time each day (or however much time you can) to search for jobs, prepare resumes and continue applying to jobs that are a match for your skills and career goals. (HINT: The Talent Relationship Managers at Staff Depot can help you with this part of the process – we’ll search for opportunities that match your skills and goals and will help you prepare for those interviews!). Mistake #3 Getting a little too presumptuous. Interviews go well. Job offers may be expected. But you should never assume anything. As mentioned previously, there are many factors that can influence whether or not you get the job. You may have made a strong impression, but a great interview doesn’t guarantee you the job. So while you may be excited about the prospect of joining your new potential employer, now isn’t the time to “act the part.” Acting as if you’ve already got the job can be a major turn off to employers. Talking about the job as if you’ve already landed it on social media is one way to kill your momentum. Adding recruiters or other employees on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter can also be a major turn off (even if you especially hit it off during the interview process, hold off on adding employees on personal social media sites — LinkedIn is okay — until after you’ve been offered and have accepted the position). Mistake #4 You change your salary expectations. Confidence can help you impress during job interviews and leave a lasting, positive impression. Overconfidence, on the other hand, can immediately land your resume on the “discard” pile. For some job openings, recruiters choose to interview or follow up with candidates based on a range of criteria. Sometimes that criteria includes salary expectations. In a state of excitement and overconfidence following a strong job interview, it can be tempting to assume you’re at the top of the employer’s list and as a result, should demand a higher salary. If you’ve already discussed salary expectations (either the employer has stated the possible salary range and you have agreed, or you have shared your own salary expectations), do not accept a job offer under the condition of a salary that falls outside of that range. Not only could this lose you the job, it could tarnish your reputation. After all, the employer has invested a great deal of time into sourcing, vetting and interviewing you, only to be thrown for a loop at the final hour. Be respectful of expectations and what has transpired during the interview process. If you’re really hoping for a higher salary, start your job off strong, ask questions, set goals for yourself and discuss them with your manager. Then, track your successes and quantify your performance. At your first employee performance review, you’ll be prepared to justify and negotiate a raise. Avoiding key mistakes is essential to a successful job search. The Staff Depot team can help you stay on track and land great jobs that align with your goals. We work with top companies in Ontario. Search our available jobs or contact your nearest​Staff Depot office to learn more about our Staff Depot Site office to learn more.

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5 Outdated Recruiter Habits (and What to Focus on Instead)

The employer/job seeker relationship today is vastly different than 15, 10 or even five years ago. Today’s candidates expect more from employers after they hit “send” on their resumes. Those organizations whose recruiters understand and embrace the new recruiting reality are winning the battles for top talent. Those who are standing by their outdated recruiter habits are struggling. Are you winning great talent or struggling to find them due to outdated recruiter habits? It’s time to look honestly at your recruiter habits to determine whether they are helping or hindering your recruiting efforts. Here are five outdated recruiter habits that make the biggest negative impact: 1. Form, template or mass messages. Today’s job seekers are more savvy and discerning than ever. They want to be “wooed” by employers. At a minimum, they want to be treated like an individual instead of a number. With the number of tools and technologies available to reach candidates quickly and easily, it can be tempting to continue “following a script” in your communications.  This is one of the fastest ways to burn bridges and turn candidates OFF of your organization. It’s fine to start off with a general message you use for a certain role or specialty, but take the time to customize it for specific candidates (just as you expect them to customize their resumes for your job openings!). Review their LinkedIn profiles and look for commonalities or information you can include that shows you are truly sending a one-on-one message. You’ll stand out to candidates for the right reason. 2. Sticking to an interview script. Ten or twenty years ago, many recruiters and interviewers would print out a sheet of questions and diligently work their way down the list during each interview. Providing a neat and tidy recap of the conversation, it was often the “go to” resource during job interviews. Both employers and candidates today are much more savvy than 20 or even 10 years ago. Candidates expect to have conversations instead of rigid interviews – and the strongest candidates are ones who navigate those conversations with ease. Successful employers understand that top talent can address expectations and requirements during an interview without having to fit into a “mold.” If you’re still sticking to a script, you’re not only behind the times, you’re potentially hurting your organization. Asking every candidate the same questions almost completely ensures you’re hiring “the same person” for every role. For innovative, growing companies, this mistake could literally kill their businesses. Using an interview script also sends a message to candidates that your organization is outdated. Today’s top talent is looking for the cream of the crop among employers. They want employers who are innovative, looking ahead and who are invested in the right technology and tools to help them do their jobs effectively. If your recruiters aren’t using the best tools to do their jobs, why would candidates expect the best tools to do theirs? 3. Taking their time to make a hiring decision. Strong hiring decisions are critical to the short- and long-term success of your organization. But, if your hiring process takes a long time, requires multiple visits and interviews and generally is, well, bloated, your organization needs to catch up. Top talent today is often contacted by recruiters within days of posting their resumes. Many don’t post their resumes at all! Finding and reaching passive candidates is essential to landing top talent for your organization. When talent is already employed and not actively seeking a job, do you really think they are going to welcome a weeks-long hiring process? Or multiple visits and interviews? We recently shared tips for speeding up your hiring process. Implement this advice to speed up your hiring process and move past one of the most outdated recruiter habits.

4. Posting the same generic job descriptions. We’ve been discussing job descriptions here on the Staff Depot Site quite a bit lately, and with good reason. Strong job descriptions can help you land better talent that is enthusiastic for your jobs. They can also save you time and money.

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How To Master Tough Interview Questions Like A Pro

Congratulations! You’ve been asked to interview for the job of your dreams.  Are you excited…or nervous? More importantly, are you prepared?  Interviewing can be really stressful, or quite enjoyable, depending on the preparation you do. Over my many years of hiring, the best interviews I’ve had are always the ones that turn into more of a conversation than a question and answer session. And that happens when the candidate is ready for the interview. So what do you need to know? First, you absolutely must do a little homework (and the more senior the position, the more preparation is required). Visit the company website. Get to know their products and services. Understand the company mission. Learn a little about their industry. And most importantly, think about the value you can bring to the organization. Next, do a little planning to prepare for the following common interview questions you’re likely to be asked. Common Question 1: Tell me about yourself. You don’t need to tell your life story. The interviewer wants to hear a few highlights about your background, and the reasons you’d be a good match for the job opening. Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Share specific examples of your successes from prior jobs, talk about relevant classes you’ve taken, and convey your passion for the job. Common Question 2: Tell me about your greatest success. With a question like this, be genuine. The interviewer is looking for real examples of your skills, experience and personality traits. Never make up a story. If you don’t have a lot of work experience, talk about school. Was there a group project where you really shined? Tell a story that illustrates your accomplishments and work ethic. Common Question 3: What is your greatest weakness? This is the one that seems to get everyone stumped. A lot of people will tell you to take a strength you have and make it into a weakness. An example of this could be, “I just care too much sometimes and I always take my work home with me,” but a good interviewer can spot false modesty. Instead, talk about a weakness you actually have, but when you respond, show you are working to overcome the weakness. For example, maybe you’re a little disorganized, but you started using a planner, and file folders to separate your work, so now you have a better handle on it. Common Question 4: Give me an example of when you really went above and beyond for a client.

Or the corollary, give me an example of a time you had a big conflict with a client and how you dealt with it. This is a tricky question because the interviewer is looking for you to demonstrate behavioral traits from your past. They want to see how you really handle yourself when clients are demanding or conflicts arise. Like the previous questions, the best approach is to be sincere. Have at least a couple of real stories ready to tell. Explain the situation that occurred, how you dealt with the problem, and the results of your efforts. Also, be sure to explain how you followed-up after the event took place to ensure the client was happy. Common Question 5: What qualities should a successful manager have? I love this question. It really forces candidates to express how they like to be managed, and it helps me evaluate whether or not the candidate is a good fit for the culture of our organization. To prepare for this question, think of an example of a favorite former boss or professor. What qualities made that person a great leader? When responding, don’t just state what you think works, but tell the interviewer about your examples and why their leadership style worked. For example, you might discuss a supervisor who was great at setting clear expectations, someone who set a great example for the rest of the team, or a person who was very approachable and acted as an effective mentor. Would you like more help getting ready for your interviews?

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Top 10 Tips For Telephone Interviews

Good news! You’ve received a call back after filling out the online application. You could be well on your way to your next job opportunity! Here are 10 important tips to keep in mind when having a telephone interview with a Staffing Specialist. Top 10 Tips for Telephone Interviews Use a land-line phone, if you have one- to ensure you have a good connection and can clearly hear the caller.

Make sure you are somewhere quiet- Choose a quiet location where you will not have interruptions or commotion, so you can concentrate on the interview and give your best answers.

Do not drive while on a telephone interview- your safety is important to us.  Schedule a time where you can take the call in a safe place where you are not distracted.

If on a cell phone, make sure it is charged- don’t miss out on a potential job opportunity because your phone died and you cannot be contacted. Charge up your cell phone so you can put your energy into the interview

Be prepared and write down any questions- do your homework before the interview. Have a few questions in mind to ask during the interview.

Call on time/answer when they call- make a good first impression by being timely and courteous.

Speak professionally and clearly– answer the call with a warm greeting and clearly state your name.

How to answer a call for a phone interview: “Good Afternoon, this is Jane speaking. How may I help you?”  This greeting makes a positive and polite impression. This will set the tone for your phone interview and your potential face-to-face interview. How to NOT answer a call for a phone interview: “Who is this?” – Identify yourself first and make the caller feel welcome to speak with you.  If the caller has not identified themselves, simply say, “May I ask who is calling?” -or- “Hey, what’s up?” – Although we tend to be more casual when speaking with friends or family on the phone, keep in mind that this is a professional interview and an initial introduction to a potential employer, so you want to showcase how you will act professionally while on the job. Have a smile- when having a smile on your face while speaking during a telephone interview, your enthusiasm and upbeat sound will come through on the call and show your interest in the job opportunity. Not sure? Practice it with a friend and notice the difference.

Ask about next steps- in addition to the questions you have prepared, be sure to ask the interviewer what to expect for next steps. Will they be following up with you? Will you be doing a face-to-face interview? Take note of next steps to follow through and follow up with the interview process.

End on a high note- Conclude your telephone interview by thanking the person for their time and that you are looking forward to speaking soon.

With these top 10 interview tips, you will make a positive impact on all your telephone interviews! And you could be hearing, “you’re hired!” soon enough. How does that sound for your career? Contact Staff Depot today!