Tue, 01 May 2012 18:33:02 -0800WeeblySun, 29 Jan 2012 06:56:09 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2012/01/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit4.htmlGreat insight- even if we have heard it many times. Donna Shannon shares a few great tips on this broadcast: http://linkd.in/ztcodf
Find out HOW to research hiring managers the right way at www.thespeckledumbrella.com
]]>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:57:30 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/10/what-not-to-do-in-any-interview.htmlI've been talking to a lot of people lately as I am staffing heavily. I don't know if maybe I am just good at what I do but I am hearing maybe more than I need to know in a brief phone interview.

In talking with a young man yesterday, I heard a lot of malice and threats toward what he would consider my organizations "competition" (for which there is none ). I was disturbed to say the least. Do Not Threaten another organization with slander in an interview with a prospective employer. Bad news, don't do it.

Another conversation I had was less disasterous but just as offensive: Settling. I had the feeling time and again that this person would 'take' the job offered (for which it was not) to get by for now. Another big no no.

It's important to know if the job isn't a good fit, you may not be happy and your happiness is still important even if you are feeling that you would be happy only if you had a job.

Think about that and get back to me.

Cass Fisher
Oh and by the way, I am recently married so my name will be changing so stay tuned!
Happy (job) Hunting









]]>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:15:14 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/07/tell-me-how-you-really-feel.htmlMost candidates get so caught up in the interview by being friendly, conversational and open that they lose sight of the purpose of the interview: To find the right candidate for the open position OR (from the candidates standpoint) To get the JOB.

Going on and on (you know who you are) about details that aren't relevant to the position is distracting and uncomfortable to the interviewer. Now I have to figure out how to stop you from telling me about your aunt's dog and how you wanted to be a firefighter when you were growing up.

I can't stress this enough: Be Relevant to the position and how YOU fit the shoes of the role.

While we are on this subject, being honest is essential- always! Keep in mind that your honesty is what can be the end of a good relationship between you and the hiring manager.

How can you be honest in an interview without getting a regret letter?
Simple: Don't divulge so many past mistakes covering them up with the phrase: "I've learned my lesson on that one!"

Use a different example instead. When a hiring manager asks you a simple question, yes or no, that's pretty easy. It's when they want you to elaborate that it can get tricky. Stay positive! Show the hiring manager how GREAT you are by using examples of things that have gone RIGHT- not just mistakes that you have learned from.

Here's as simple as it gets: Never say anything negative about your past employer. If you left amicably (not a good fit) then you need to be honest with yourself and realize when a position just wasn't a good fit for you. Say that to the hiring manager and move on. Do not get started with why, who, how and a ton of excuses. If you do- know that the hiring manager is thinking "this isn't going to be a good fit".

Got another regret letter and you don't know why? Find out now by posting your concerns below. Trust me- it will help to let if off your chest. ]]>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:12:31 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/06/the-rude-candidate-doesnt-get-hired.htmlI had planned some elaborate post on 'The Rude Candidate' but decided that I was just venting. Not a good idea to do on a blog post right? (joke: Laugh because most blogs are managed by someone venting :)
 
I came across a resume and called a candidate for an open position. As per the norm, I will mention no names, but said 'candidate' had me wishing I had never called and left me stumped until my HR reflexes came to and combated this resume toting blow-wind.

I began in the usual fashion, claiming I had found their resume and wanted to schedule some time to speak about an open position I am recruiting for. Unfortunately, this candidate decided to take the bull by the horns and attempt to control the conversation by making life hard for me. She told me that due to her previous experience and education, that she would "need a considerable figure to consider even speaking about the position".

I let that go at first and continued by letting her know that the amount would be based on her specific experience and education combined, let me take a closer look to give her a better idea on what the compensation would be.

Not surprisingly, she continued to cut me off with additional comments about how her education super-ceeded others in her curent workplace.
I decided that this was not a candidate that I could engage conversation with and decided to instead thank her for her time and let her be about her obviously busy life. Ce La Vie!

With that said, keep in mind that if you are job hunting, this is not the time to start getting bossy and try to run the conversation. Remember that the recruiter you are working with can be your friend :) If not, don't expect to get an interview in the near future.

Questions? Comments? Leave them here. :)


]]>Mon, 09 May 2011 19:10:08 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/05/the-big-red-flag-or-ive-been-busy.htmlSo.. I know I haven't posted since I found out that I was hired- and that's ok. I brought you a great little nugget as a gift and if you have something that you aren't sure of on your resume, email me. As always I remain in your complete confidence.

Find out if you have a Big Red Flag on your resume. If you do- that's why you aren't hired yet... ]]>Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:59:30 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/03/life-after-2010-hired-finally.htmlHey all,

Wanted to share my mega exciting news: I'm hired!

Even more exciting is that the company that I am now employed by, (love the word: EMPLOYED) will be hiring 500+ jobs for the Denver area and that is exactly what I will be doing! Yay Colorado!

Also wanted to let you know that it wasn't easy.  Or was it?

Follow my blog, get subscribed to get those super great emails in your email IN box, watch The Speckled Umbrella videos on You Tube, and most importantly, it's all free. Not a cent of a cost to you.

Find me on FaceBook, Linked In and Twitter too!

Good luck to you and get hired already! It's such a great feeling!

Cass Fisher


]]>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:25:33 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/03/tell-me-about-a-time-when.htmlReally, how much more of an invitation do you need to tell your Professional Story?

In an interview, you will often get this kind of question. The interviewer is trying to find out more detail about how you cope with certain situations and often times, will be able to question you further on details that you provide.

Having your Professional Story in your back pocket helps when you are asked this question.

Tell me about a time when:
You had to complete a project in a predetermined amount of time.
You didn't agree with your previous supervisor.
You were asked to complete a task outside of your responsibility.

Be prepared for these questions. You have time on your side. Compile a list of your previous supervisors, co- workers, challenges. Add detail to your Professional Story. Just be sure to get your facts straight!

Help is always available. Contact me if you have questions. Remember the only stupid question is the one NOT asked!
Cheers, Cass ]]>Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:01:02 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/03/why-less-is-more-on-your-resume.htmlI can't express how important it is for your resume to do your talking for you when it comes to getting an interview.

Just whipping up something quick with your experience listed and calling it a resume won't get your foot in the door. You need something that will pique the readers interest. Something that will make them want to know more.

Like the inside cover of a book, your resume should give just enough detail about you to make the hiring manager or recruiter want to meet you and ask you about your professional story.

We will go further into your professional story as we get closer to getting the interview. For now, let's get some interviews scheduled!

Here are some more details on Why Less Is More On Your Resume. ]]>Tue, 08 Mar 2011 08:14:03 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/03/common-interview-questions-what-are-your-weaknesses.htmlAs a recruiter, I have interviewed thousands of applicants. Some choose to answer the most common interview question: 'What are your weaknesses?' without much thought. As we all know, interviewers only want positive responses from you in an interview.

Any little thing can turn an interview against you so you really need to be prepared to be the 'perfect candidate' for the job. Common interview questions such as 'What are your weaknesses?' can turn the entire interview into a nightmare if you don't have a back up plan.

Turning a negative into a positive is not easy but remember you only need one good answer for this common interview question. The more you rehearse your answers, the better off you will be in the interview.

Here is a great example:
Weakness turned to strength: Perfectionist

Digging deeper into this specific characteristic, being a perfectionist, is a great opportunity to use the 'Interview Story Method'. Tell the hiring manager about a time that you persevered during many challenges sounds much better in the interview than just telling the interviewer that you are a perfectionist.

Choosing to use the word 'perfectionist' in your interview puts you at risk of being labeled by the interviewer as being stubborn or slow. Being a perfectionist can imply that you need more time to complete simple objectives and often draw out unimportant tasks.

To use the strengths of perfectionism to your advantage in an interview, you can explain how you strive for excellence and can identify which tasks or objectives require more attention than others. Remembering to use a good example such as a story to clarify specifics with the hiring manager can help you to avoid being labeled as a perfectionist.

Explaining in the interview that at one time you were referred to as a perfectionist by a supervisor or co worker until they got to know you better by working with you. They reallized that they could count on you for vital details such as last minute information required in a meeting for example.

Remember that you have good experience, let the hiring manager know that in the interview. Promote yourself in the best light possible- everytime- for maximum results when dealing with common interview questions.

]]>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 05:21:45 -0800http://www.thespeckledumbrella.com/1/post/2011/03/the-interview-question-story-method.htmlUsually we think of a story as being fictitious. In an interview, we want to tell the truth so we will use true stories. Having a story prepared, with good detail, will help you to answer tough interview questions.

Some questions are pretty straightforward such as "What was the title of  your last position?".
Others require more detail. A question like: "What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?" can require you to do a little soul searching on the spot.

Here we will avoid that type of surprise attack by preparing a story for each question.

Having your stories prepared ahead of time, and being able to see which stories go with which questions can help you to answer even the toughest interview questions.

Just as you would tell a friend about what happened that day, recite your story to the hiring manager. Be brief, to the point, and recognize 'story questions' when they arise.

  What were your beginning and ending levels of compensation? (specific)

You should have an accurate timeline of your previous pay. Be sure that you have the exact numbers. If you are offered a position, the hiring manager will check to see if your amounts are correct.

  What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? (story question)

Here most interviewers want to hear your side of how your previous position suited you. Now is not the time to vent your frustrations about your last job. Be positive and tell the interviewer about the position itself and your responsibilities. 

  What were your responsibilities? (specific)

Describe your responsibilities in detail and relate them to the job you are interviewing for. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new job's requirements. You should be showing the employer that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job you are interviewing for.

  What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? (story question)

When asked this question, be sure to include specific examples of how you handled a particular difficult situation. Talk about how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution.

  What have you learned from your mistakes? (story question)

Usually the interviewer will ask for an example so be prepared with a problem that differs from your major challenge question.
 
You have previous experience. It relates to the job you want. Being positive and telling your story to the hiring manager Proves Your Worth and can make for a pleasant interview experience.

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