Ever since I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic, I have taken strides to improve my health overall. At the beginning, I was very careful with what I put in my body. As morbid as it sounds, I would equate having a bacon cheeseburger and French fries (one of my favorite meals) with having my right leg amputated. Now, I have learned to really take care of my body while splurging once in a while. Exercise of your will and of your body really helps you keep focused.
However, my blood sugar determines whether or not I can exercise and enjoy a good workout. My doctor mentioned to me if my blood sugar is over 140, I cannot work out as my body would not respond to the rigors of exercise and I would tire out easily. Medication and diet are key, but they do not ultimately control my blood sugar. I have learned to adjust over the past few years and have found that I have a much better workout in the morning as my resting blood sugar is in the low to mid 90s. I feel energized after a good morning workout and I am able to replenish my body with a nice balanced breakfast. Sometimes at night after I leave work, I will test my blood sugar to see where it stands as I like to go swimming at the gym. Usually I find my blood sugar to be in the range of 120 to 130, so I am able to get another aerobic workout in for the day.
If you are a newly-diagnosed diabetic, it is important to know what part of your day your blood sugars are normal. It will be the difference of feeling at your best versus being lethargic and will help determine if you are able to enjoy a good workout.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
When Should I Follow Up After the Interview?
So, you just hung up the phone with the recruiter or human resources professional confirming your interview for the big position you’ve had your eye on for a while. It’s on your calendar, you have your favorite suit pressed and ready to wear for the big day, and you have done all of your research to prepare for the interview.
There is a lot of excitement that goes into the pre-interview process. It’s the time after the interview that is crucial. You know you want the job, but you don’t want to come off too desperate for the position. What’s the appropriate wait time between the interview and following-up? When should I call? Should I wait for them to call or just do it myself? How should I sound or what should the tone of my note or e-mail be to the recruiter? Today’s posting will give you pointers on how to handle this situation.
1. Ask for the business card after every interviewer you meet.
As a candidate at the end of interviews, you should always ask for the interviewer’s business card. I know it may sound like common sense, but in the excitement of the interview sometimes as candidates we forget this crucial step. Granted you may have the contact information of the hiring managers you’re meeting with, it’s always good business etiquette to ask for the card so that you will always have it.
2. The Five-Day Rule
Company employees who interview generally will not make a decision on hiring someone on the spot. The larger the company, the more complex the hiring process is in selecting talent. The interviewing team needs to get together with the recruiter to discuss all of the candidates they have met for the open role. While it is important to an organization to have the position filled, the company does not stop its entire operation to dedicate their resources for hiring, everyone on the team needs a few days to make sure the company is running smoothly before sitting down to discuss who is the best candidate for the role. Usually, this takes about three to five business days, so my advice would be to wait five business days before following up with the recruiter.
3. Be confident.
It is extremely important to maintain the same level of temperament and enthusiasm you exhibited on the interview when following up with the recruiter. This is the stage of this process that most candidates, at all levels, end up hurting their chances to secure the open position. Sometimes as candidates we can become frustrated that things may not go according to plan, and while we may feel that way, our emotions may get to the best of us. That is why it is important to stay even-keeled while reaffirming your interest in the position. It shows the hiring managers and the company that you are able to stay focused and positive through any situation.
Hopefully this will give you some guidance the next time you are debating on how to go about following up with a recruiter after an interview.
There is a lot of excitement that goes into the pre-interview process. It’s the time after the interview that is crucial. You know you want the job, but you don’t want to come off too desperate for the position. What’s the appropriate wait time between the interview and following-up? When should I call? Should I wait for them to call or just do it myself? How should I sound or what should the tone of my note or e-mail be to the recruiter? Today’s posting will give you pointers on how to handle this situation.
1. Ask for the business card after every interviewer you meet.
As a candidate at the end of interviews, you should always ask for the interviewer’s business card. I know it may sound like common sense, but in the excitement of the interview sometimes as candidates we forget this crucial step. Granted you may have the contact information of the hiring managers you’re meeting with, it’s always good business etiquette to ask for the card so that you will always have it.
2. The Five-Day Rule
Company employees who interview generally will not make a decision on hiring someone on the spot. The larger the company, the more complex the hiring process is in selecting talent. The interviewing team needs to get together with the recruiter to discuss all of the candidates they have met for the open role. While it is important to an organization to have the position filled, the company does not stop its entire operation to dedicate their resources for hiring, everyone on the team needs a few days to make sure the company is running smoothly before sitting down to discuss who is the best candidate for the role. Usually, this takes about three to five business days, so my advice would be to wait five business days before following up with the recruiter.
3. Be confident.
It is extremely important to maintain the same level of temperament and enthusiasm you exhibited on the interview when following up with the recruiter. This is the stage of this process that most candidates, at all levels, end up hurting their chances to secure the open position. Sometimes as candidates we can become frustrated that things may not go according to plan, and while we may feel that way, our emotions may get to the best of us. That is why it is important to stay even-keeled while reaffirming your interest in the position. It shows the hiring managers and the company that you are able to stay focused and positive through any situation.
Hopefully this will give you some guidance the next time you are debating on how to go about following up with a recruiter after an interview.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Confidence versus Obnoxiousness
As I talk with other recruiting and human resources professionals, there is always a story that comes up as “one for the books”. Most of the time, the “ones for the book” usually have a negative connotation to it, but there are some positive aspects if one has a good sense of humor.
Since we deal with different types of people and personalities, our cynicism may come out a little bit and distort our perception of candidates. Every recruiter is guilty of this and has done this in the past. Recently, I was at a recruiting event at a large, local university as juniors were looking for summer internships. These days it seems everyone is competing for internships, or a chance to work for a good, stable company. With that being said, I meet more graduating seniors and graduate students looking for internship opportunities to gain experience in lieu of the juniors.
One such person sticks out in my mind. To give you a visual, think the voice of a Phillip Seymour Hoffman with the looks of an Andy Richter/Chris Farley, but not nearly as funny or charming. The person walks up to my table with an insincere smile on his face and proceeds to introduce himself and tell me all about himself and his work experience (as he was a graduate student) without telling me how he got to graduate school or what made him successful. After politely telling this person that we are considering full-time students for internships but would be interested in holding onto his resume should a more, appropriate position come up, he gave me his insincere smile again and said to me “Well, this conversation’s over,” and walked away. Never had I experienced a reaction like that as for the most part people extend the courtesy of a thank you. This indeed was going to be “one for the books” in my mind so I spoke with other recruiters with whom this person visited at the on-campus recruiting event. I found that these other recruiters got a similar reaction.
Was this person confident or obnoxious? The consensus was that the candidate needed to improve on both his social and selling abilities. There was no lack of confidence in this candidate, but the level of obnoxiousness was turned up. What prompted the candidate to say that the conversation was over, was the question I asked, which was simply “If you are a successful manager, what techniques could you potentially bring to my company?” My hope is that the candidate will learn how to put more relevance in his confidence approach to counterbalance the level of obnoxiousness. So, to answer the question (like most graduate school answers ) is that it depends on what the recruiter perceives in expressions of confidence.
Confident people tend to answer questions and give examples in a calm yet enthusiastic manner. Obnoxious people tend to show their insecurities through being brash and abrasive in terms of telling their stories on experience and why they should be hired. Confident people take rejection with poise while obnoxious people tend to be a little more emotional and compensate for overselling in other areas. As a recruiter, I will usually tend to go to bat for candidates who exude confidence but may lack the skills that we are looking for in our current needs. It’s a great way to build relationship and a testament to hire strategically versus a plug and play approach. Obnoxious candidates usually do not get that chance as recruiters can see that big chip on your shoulder.
In reading this blog post, how should one identify in their own mind if they fall in the confident or obnoxious category? Think of it in this light – how often do you get together with your friends and do your friends go out of their way to contact you for special events? Do you find yourself always planning events for your group of friends? If you are the one “feeling left out” because you’re never invited to go out socially, then it may be due to having the proverbial “chip on your shoulder” and proving your worth at all times. People are not drawn to that. One hiring manager I work with asked that I seek out candidates with “humility” for his sales position because having someone who is humble will be able to relate better to the customer in an emotional sale. Someone who is humble is confident in their abilities and not always asking someone to tell them how good they are. Humility will move you more toward the confident category and away from obnoxiousness. So, in your next interview as a candidate be confident by showing your humility by not overacting on describing your accomplishments. Recruiters can also refrain from being obnoxious by staying even-keeled throughout the interview process while maintaining a high-level of enthusiasm.
Since we deal with different types of people and personalities, our cynicism may come out a little bit and distort our perception of candidates. Every recruiter is guilty of this and has done this in the past. Recently, I was at a recruiting event at a large, local university as juniors were looking for summer internships. These days it seems everyone is competing for internships, or a chance to work for a good, stable company. With that being said, I meet more graduating seniors and graduate students looking for internship opportunities to gain experience in lieu of the juniors.
One such person sticks out in my mind. To give you a visual, think the voice of a Phillip Seymour Hoffman with the looks of an Andy Richter/Chris Farley, but not nearly as funny or charming. The person walks up to my table with an insincere smile on his face and proceeds to introduce himself and tell me all about himself and his work experience (as he was a graduate student) without telling me how he got to graduate school or what made him successful. After politely telling this person that we are considering full-time students for internships but would be interested in holding onto his resume should a more, appropriate position come up, he gave me his insincere smile again and said to me “Well, this conversation’s over,” and walked away. Never had I experienced a reaction like that as for the most part people extend the courtesy of a thank you. This indeed was going to be “one for the books” in my mind so I spoke with other recruiters with whom this person visited at the on-campus recruiting event. I found that these other recruiters got a similar reaction.
Was this person confident or obnoxious? The consensus was that the candidate needed to improve on both his social and selling abilities. There was no lack of confidence in this candidate, but the level of obnoxiousness was turned up. What prompted the candidate to say that the conversation was over, was the question I asked, which was simply “If you are a successful manager, what techniques could you potentially bring to my company?” My hope is that the candidate will learn how to put more relevance in his confidence approach to counterbalance the level of obnoxiousness. So, to answer the question (like most graduate school answers ) is that it depends on what the recruiter perceives in expressions of confidence.
Confident people tend to answer questions and give examples in a calm yet enthusiastic manner. Obnoxious people tend to show their insecurities through being brash and abrasive in terms of telling their stories on experience and why they should be hired. Confident people take rejection with poise while obnoxious people tend to be a little more emotional and compensate for overselling in other areas. As a recruiter, I will usually tend to go to bat for candidates who exude confidence but may lack the skills that we are looking for in our current needs. It’s a great way to build relationship and a testament to hire strategically versus a plug and play approach. Obnoxious candidates usually do not get that chance as recruiters can see that big chip on your shoulder.
In reading this blog post, how should one identify in their own mind if they fall in the confident or obnoxious category? Think of it in this light – how often do you get together with your friends and do your friends go out of their way to contact you for special events? Do you find yourself always planning events for your group of friends? If you are the one “feeling left out” because you’re never invited to go out socially, then it may be due to having the proverbial “chip on your shoulder” and proving your worth at all times. People are not drawn to that. One hiring manager I work with asked that I seek out candidates with “humility” for his sales position because having someone who is humble will be able to relate better to the customer in an emotional sale. Someone who is humble is confident in their abilities and not always asking someone to tell them how good they are. Humility will move you more toward the confident category and away from obnoxiousness. So, in your next interview as a candidate be confident by showing your humility by not overacting on describing your accomplishments. Recruiters can also refrain from being obnoxious by staying even-keeled throughout the interview process while maintaining a high-level of enthusiasm.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
How to Handle the Salary Question
Probably one of the most important questions asked by recruiters to candidates is the topic of salary requirements. Staffing agents use this question to qualify a client’s range when contracted with an outside firm. With internal corporate recruiters, it’s the same thing – only they are dealing directly with the company’s P&L in mind.
With the war for top talent full-blown, recruiters are asking the salary question up front rather than later in the process as to further develop their pool of candidates who best fit the position. Companies in today’s economy have the best opportunity to hold out for top talent due to continuous trimming of payroll.
Often times I hear candidates tell me that they do not want to talk salary because of the following reasons:
• It’s too early in the process
• I’m afraid I will price myself out of the position or set myself too low
• I am looking for a fair wage for the position
Not to fault the candidates’ approach, but recruiters are looking for a quantifiable answer to something that a candidate weights a qualitative factor towards in their thought process. Sure, we all work hard, but in the end the market truly dictates the person’s worth. The recruiter hopes to get out of the candidate their reasonable expectations.
So, how do you handle the salary question the next time a recruiter asks? Think about the following as you prepare yourself to handle it during your next interview:
• Know what your financial means are and see how you can live in them realistically
• Formulate a salary range in your mind that corresponds to your expenses
• Factor in a percentage of savings from your salary range so that you can put it away in your 401(k) without having to touch that money
• Quote a range after using a phrase such as “I am looking for salary range that is close to market rate, but to quantify, I would be looking for $x and $y.
To look at the last suggestion, by quoting a range after using a message regarding market rate shows the recruiter that you take the time to make calculated decisions rather than just go from top of mind. It also shows a recruiter that you are invested in the process and lessens the recruiter’s chances to analyze you as a “job-hopper”.
The next time you are going into an interview, whether it’s over the phone or in-person, remember these techniques as this will help you win the salary battle early on in the war for the position.
With the war for top talent full-blown, recruiters are asking the salary question up front rather than later in the process as to further develop their pool of candidates who best fit the position. Companies in today’s economy have the best opportunity to hold out for top talent due to continuous trimming of payroll.
Often times I hear candidates tell me that they do not want to talk salary because of the following reasons:
• It’s too early in the process
• I’m afraid I will price myself out of the position or set myself too low
• I am looking for a fair wage for the position
Not to fault the candidates’ approach, but recruiters are looking for a quantifiable answer to something that a candidate weights a qualitative factor towards in their thought process. Sure, we all work hard, but in the end the market truly dictates the person’s worth. The recruiter hopes to get out of the candidate their reasonable expectations.
So, how do you handle the salary question the next time a recruiter asks? Think about the following as you prepare yourself to handle it during your next interview:
• Know what your financial means are and see how you can live in them realistically
• Formulate a salary range in your mind that corresponds to your expenses
• Factor in a percentage of savings from your salary range so that you can put it away in your 401(k) without having to touch that money
• Quote a range after using a phrase such as “I am looking for salary range that is close to market rate, but to quantify, I would be looking for $x and $y.
To look at the last suggestion, by quoting a range after using a message regarding market rate shows the recruiter that you take the time to make calculated decisions rather than just go from top of mind. It also shows a recruiter that you are invested in the process and lessens the recruiter’s chances to analyze you as a “job-hopper”.
The next time you are going into an interview, whether it’s over the phone or in-person, remember these techniques as this will help you win the salary battle early on in the war for the position.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Hey Recruiters – It Works Both Ways Too, You Know!
Earlier today I attended JobCircle’s Diversity Recruiting Fair at the Kimmel Center in Center City Philadelphia. As expected, the turnout was great, made new friends, and received some great advice about resume writing. While there was a great output of positive energy, there was something amiss with the actual recruiters and/or people representing their respective companies.
In Job Hunting 101, we job seekers are always told to put our best foot forward. Smile, firm handshake, and professional business attire are programmed into our psyches so that we can be respectful of the professional speaking to us. After all, we are the ones who are looking for a position within your company. Today at the job fair, I noticed that sometimes these professionals (mostly in human resources) do not often practice what they preached. I found the demeanor of some of the company’s representatives to be mildly disturbing.
For instance, I walked up to a human resources representative of a well-known, Fortune 500 company who happened to be recruiting for a certain position. I wanted to know what this company was looking for in its employees and what skills would be the right fit. The response I received was a very short “I don’t know” and “for more information log on to our website.” I responded no problem and asked if I could submit my resume. The response was “I don’t want it, just send it online.” I felt like I was inconveniencing her as she was obviously perturbed about something.
Another recruiter/company representative from another well-known Fortune 500 company did not even respond when I said hello and presented my resume. She seemed to be “put off” by the mere sight of another candidate who in her mind may deem to be unqualified. When asked about the positions for which she was recruiting, she told me what skills she was looking for and I did not quite necessarily match up to those skills. I thanked her for her time and she ignored me like I was a beggar on the street asking for spare change.
As organizations you give us pointers that would aid us in speaking with you about open positions. Given today’s economy, I understand that there are going to be a large pool of applicants for positions. The point I am trying to make is that while we are bending over backwards to show you our potential and what we are going to do for you in the open role, at least treat us with the same professionalism you ask of us. As a recruiter, you have to look at the big picture – negative impressions and attitudes are going to destroy your company’s goodwill and credibility in the marketplace. Sometimes we have to put on our public relations hats and sell the candidate on the company we represent. Recruiting and staffing agencies do such a great job of that, but internal recruiters need to exhibit the same kind of energy. Remember, my fellow recruiters and human resource professionals, we got into this line of work because we love talking to people and if you cannot project that passion into your work, then you may have to attend a job fair as a seeker and not a hunter because you are clearly in the wrong profession.
On an unrelated note, I’d like to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on a great season. They may have not come away with what they wanted, but it was one hell of a ride this year and look forward to getting back there in 2010.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Plan B for Finding your Next Role in a Troubled Economy
It happened. You just received your pink slip or your 30-day notice or simply you were told to pack your things while someone who has only been at the company for two months thanks you for your 15 years of service. The harsh reality is you just lost your job.
Now, I am sure being an intelligent, well-read human being you have been paying close attention to the news or Googling phrases like “how to find your next job.” The answers you come up with may not always be the best for you, but here are some options that may work in the short-term, and could potentially lead to long-term success!
#1 Take the civil service exam – Uncle Sam wants you! Even though this may be the farthest thought from your job-searching mind, America still needs its mail delivered, planes landed, questions answered on social security, and other types of services we rely on our government to provide us. To learn more about the Civil Service exam visit http://federaljobs.net/exams.htm.
#2 Learn how to prepare Federal income taxes – During the late winter/early spring of any given year, the largest contingency workforce is comprised of tax preparers. From your local CPA office to the corner H&R Block, these are jobs that are in demand. You don’t even have to have an accounting degree to prepare taxes! Retail locations like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt provide training prior to when the season gears up. If you have that accounting degree, call CPA firms in the area; you may end up being a lifesaver!
The long-term advantage: preparing taxes will put you in front of people, and if you are able to provide these folks with excellent service, you may end up hearing about a long-term job. Tax preparation is a great source of networking!
If you search your local Craigslist for “tax preparer”, you will be amazed to find the number of positions available for you!
#3 – Hey there fella, can I get you another cold one? – Whenever I found myself the victim of a downsizing or a bad economy, there is one skill I am able to dust off, and that is I know how to pour a nice, tall, frosty cold one! Even though the economy is down, it has been proven that people often times want to drown their sorrows in alcohol. Homer Simpson once said “to alcohol – the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems.” This bodes true, especially when you need to pay your bills.
I understand not everyone can be a bartender, but there are classes you can take. If you Google “bartending schools,” you will find many sites in your area and virtually that will teach you the fine art of suds management.
Hopefully these are just a few of the possibilities that can help you get back on track not only in the short-term, but potentially for the long-run as well.
Also, if you have other ideas that are helpful, please feel free to leave those in the comment area.
Now, I am sure being an intelligent, well-read human being you have been paying close attention to the news or Googling phrases like “how to find your next job.” The answers you come up with may not always be the best for you, but here are some options that may work in the short-term, and could potentially lead to long-term success!
#1 Take the civil service exam – Uncle Sam wants you! Even though this may be the farthest thought from your job-searching mind, America still needs its mail delivered, planes landed, questions answered on social security, and other types of services we rely on our government to provide us. To learn more about the Civil Service exam visit http://federaljobs.net/exams.htm.
#2 Learn how to prepare Federal income taxes – During the late winter/early spring of any given year, the largest contingency workforce is comprised of tax preparers. From your local CPA office to the corner H&R Block, these are jobs that are in demand. You don’t even have to have an accounting degree to prepare taxes! Retail locations like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt provide training prior to when the season gears up. If you have that accounting degree, call CPA firms in the area; you may end up being a lifesaver!
The long-term advantage: preparing taxes will put you in front of people, and if you are able to provide these folks with excellent service, you may end up hearing about a long-term job. Tax preparation is a great source of networking!
If you search your local Craigslist for “tax preparer”, you will be amazed to find the number of positions available for you!
#3 – Hey there fella, can I get you another cold one? – Whenever I found myself the victim of a downsizing or a bad economy, there is one skill I am able to dust off, and that is I know how to pour a nice, tall, frosty cold one! Even though the economy is down, it has been proven that people often times want to drown their sorrows in alcohol. Homer Simpson once said “to alcohol – the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems.” This bodes true, especially when you need to pay your bills.
I understand not everyone can be a bartender, but there are classes you can take. If you Google “bartending schools,” you will find many sites in your area and virtually that will teach you the fine art of suds management.
Hopefully these are just a few of the possibilities that can help you get back on track not only in the short-term, but potentially for the long-run as well.
Also, if you have other ideas that are helpful, please feel free to leave those in the comment area.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Great tips for PowerPoint presentations
Found this article today - great read and yet so true!
http://tickledbylife.com/index.php/powerpoint-is-my-slave/?goback=%2Ehom
http://tickledbylife.com/index.php/powerpoint-is-my-slave/?goback=%2Ehom
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