THE TALENT MAGNET - CAREER MOVES

We are living in an amazing period - where we literally can reach thousands of people with a message or thought at the click of a button. Social Media, email, and texting have extended our communication reach exponentially - but at what cost? Due to our DESIRE TO ACQUIRE... we are programmed to believe that by accumulating "FRIENDS", "CONNECTIONS", "LIKES", etc -- we are truly growing our network and somehow this will translate into positive results both personally and professionally. This illusion is flawed for one major reason. The quality of the network you build hinges on MEANINGFUL/PERSONAL relationships you develop over time that require LIVE HUMAN CONTACT. This is not to say that social media "pen pals" cannot prove to be a valuable asset -- but they are not as powerful as relationships built in the REAL WORLD that are carried into the social media space. Conversely, there is opportunity to develop a social media connection into a me...

Sometimes I feel like I exist in this parallel universe where I am this ultra-modern executive... current with trends in fashion, pop-culture and growing digital footprint --- yet battling these EXPECTATIONS I have that somehow appear "old-school" -- especially when it comes to THE INTERVIEW PROCESS. When I began recruiting -- almost 20 years ago --- the process was simple! I would FAX (yes I said fax) a resume to an Office Manager or Hiring Manager --- schedule an interview, maybe a follow up with HR... and get an offer. Today, the interview process is an elaborate process consisting of multiple steps. It has become an intricate courtship that often involves multiple "decision makers", multiple visits and a stringent screening process. The ultimate goal being to see beyond the resume --- and somehow ensure a "cultural match". In every personal and professional situation we enter; it is important to manage our expectations. Having a clear understandi...

Given that this is being written during the Republican National Convention... and the news media is filled with the rhetoric of our political "leaders" -- all of whom have their own brand; I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a look at PERSONAL BRANDING. Dan Schwabel is considered an expert on the the subject of Personal Branding and defined it as follows: "Personal branding describes the process by which individuals and entrepreneurs differentiate themselves and stand out from a crowd by identifying and articulating their unique value proposition, whether professional or personal, and then leveraging it across platforms with a consistent message and image to achieve a specific goal. In this way, individuals can enhance their recognition as experts in their field, establish reputation and credibility, advance their careers, and build self-confidence." He goes on to state that your Personal Brand consists of 3 elements: - Val...

My response to "If you can't take the heat" --- would be to find some place with really good AC...because it feels more like Arizona --- than NYC... here in The Big Apple! The heat is on in a number of ways though --- for many of us. There are those of you who have been dedicated to your job search -- since some type of downsizing or restructuring --- left you without a job between 2008 - now. Then, there are those of you who stuck it out --- on understaffed teams --- in companies with bad morale --- without a salary increase... who are READY to move on! There are yet others --- who "anticipate" changes that may occur -- that will not be in their favor... and want to be proactive in their search. Here are some FACTS about the job market in NYC: - There have been more SEARCHES conducted and OPENINGS posted in 2012 than there were in 2011...however; I have placed FEWER people Counter-Offers, Turn-Downs and "Unrealistic Expectations" are the prim...

So...it has been a little while since I have put pen to paper --- or in my case -- put furiously fast index finger to dusty keyboard. And my --- how things have changed.... NEW JOB MARKET We went right from a mild winter -- into what feels like summer -- and from months of rhetoric about a dismal economy/job market --- to a NYC market rich with job openings. I am puzzled by the "experts" I continue to hear on the local news who speak about how bad the economy is. Here I am --- one Recruiter --- in a big city --- working across several industry verticals --- and I currently am working on 37 active searches. The greatest indicator of job market STRENGTH is that the demand for TALENT is not restricted to one industry or skill set. My clients in Advertising, Beauty, Entertainment, Public Relations + Fashion are all hiring --- at different levels --- in different areas of their organization. Currently; my searches are extremely diverse and range from Entry Level Media Planners to...

So... it's 2012.... the NY GIANTS are trying to make their way back to "THE SHOW"....some folks believe the world will end this year.... a man named MITT is a Republican Presidential frontrunner ... it's gotten colder ---- but WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED? In my observation, somehow "The City That Never Sleeps" seems to have adopted this west coast kinda feel. More specifically, there seems to be a LACK OF URGENCY...or NEW YORK pace to HIRING. I say this --- understanding that we are all of 14 days into this New Year. Furthermore, I need to also acknowledge that I am a CRAZY PERSON who moves at the speed of light...and often expects that everyone else SHOULD as well. Regardless; there are still many employers SITTING with FANTASTIC resumes on their desk...and NOT SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS. Or...many instances of candidates having had one or two interviews....and employers just not appearing to be in a hurry to get that FINAL one on the calendar. This is all happen...

So...somehow the guy who is far from " metrosexual "...became THE BEAUTY RECRUITER ! Since 2004; I have established relationships with some of the most prestigious brands/companies in the industry. As a result; I have placed hundreds of exceptional professionals in roles relating to BRAND MANAGEMENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, GLOBAL MARKETING, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC RELATIONS, E-COMMERCE, DIGITAL MARKETING, TRADE MARKETING, CUSTOMER MARKETING, MARKETING ACTIVATION...and more! As a result of the types of roles I recruit for; I have had the opportunity to learn about the STRATEGY, CREATIVITY and ANALYTICS that contribute to the BRAND MESSAGE, BRAND IDENTITY + BRAND POSITIONING we come to see as consumers - FROM THE TALENTED PEOPLE WHO CREATE IT! You hear people say - everything runs in cycles. I do believe this to be true - and it is often reflected in the hiring practices of my clients. For example, when I began recruiting in the beauty arena - there was a strong desire for me...

The kind folks at Business News Daily asked me for my take on "The New Job Market"... So...this is what I told them http://http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/new-job-market-requirments-1879/ Stay tuned...for more TRUTH :)

We all understand that many people have remained in jobs they were unhappy in --- due to the economy. Now, that there are --- some "OPTIONS"...what things should you be considering when contemplating your next career move? When we are in "INTERVIEW MODE" - we are keenly focused on SELLING ourselves - selling all the incredible SKILLS - TRAITS - QUALITIES + ACCOMPLISHMENTS that will make hiring us --- irresistible ! However, it is important to make sure you are doing some interviewing too! If you truly intend to spend 9, 10, 11 hours/day - with these people --- you better make damn sure of a few things about those who you will work with/for: 1- These are people you see yourself enjoying being around...they are people that you genuinely LIKE 2- They seem HAPPY - in general...and more specifically with "the group" or "the company" 3- You have things in common (that's a lot of time to spend - just exchanging pleasantries) ...

There are many folks out there - with fancy titles or impressive letters after their names - who will hand out all sorts of "INTERVIEW ADVICE". Since I am responsible for choreographing this "employment dance" - in a way that insures the candidates I represent are successful in the interview process --- I figured I may have something to add to this discussion as well. Here are some things you can do to be INTERVIEW READY: 1- Have a clear understanding of the job you are interviewing for (review the formal job description several times) 2- Research the company - find out about any recent events that may impact the way they are doing business 3- Based on the Job Description...have an idea of what you will be SELLING about yourself that relates most closely to the skills, qualities and experience sought 4- Try to get some insight into the "corporate culture" of the employer...and if possible; the culture of the specific group or division you a...

It appears that very often --- basic expectations --- are not being met --- by employers and candidates alike! My Mom would tell me...and still does... "treat people the way you would like to be treated". This is my business/personal mantra --- and the thought I keep in the back of my mind when I am communicating. I am human...so I certainly fall short from time to time --- but I consistently make the effort. I understand that not everyone subscribes to the same philosophy - so I try to adjust my expectations accordingly. However; I have to say that am noticing an increasing lack of COURTESY....lack of ENERGY...and apparent lack of COMMON SENSE that is somewhat disturbing. Many companies have been - what I call "CANDIDATE WINDOW SHOPPING". They see a lot candidates --- schedule multiple interviews --- only to NOT MAKE ANY DECISION! Employers seem to be showing a lack of courtesy in the greatest measure recently - specifically related to interviewing. I hear everyday...

To think that when I started recruiting 17 years ago: -I did not have a computer on my desk - I did not have a smartphone - I FAXED resumes - I still used "white-out" - There were no JOB BOARDS (Monster, HotJobs , Careerbuilder ) - I placed ads in HELP WANTED section of the NYT - Social Media DID NOT EXIST -no FACEBOOK , MYSPACE , LINKEDIN , TWITTER HOW THE HELL DID I FUNCTION :) ? When I begin to reflect on the tremendous changes that have occurred - just since my graduation from college in 1990- I feel like my grandfather - telling stories of the first TV he got...or the guy that delivered ICE for their ICE BOX (Refrigerator for those who did not know). The need to acquire a "DIGITAL SKILL SET" has become MANDATORY across almost every industry & necessary to establishing a career path. I am focusing on the DIGITAL world to underscore it's dominance in the way we interact - work - gather information - communicate - look for jobs - socialize - make purchases...

It's been a little while - since I put pen to paper...or in my case - typed frantically with one finger! Over the past month or so - the subject of HONESTY has come up frequently in my dealings with clients and candidates. We are all taught from a very young age that lying is wrong and that it is ALWAYS best to tell the truth. However; as we mature and experience life; it becomes apparent that the truth often has consequences. We also learn that many people would just prefer to not know the truth. This is especially true when it comes to employment, job search & interviewing. One of the most popular reasons candidates give (initially) for wanting to leave a job...is what they describe as "not being a good cultural fit". This is really a catch phrase - that encompasses a wide array of subjects...that reveal themselves with further investigation. TRUTH TRANSLATION: - I loved the person who hired me. Unfortunately; after 3 months - they left and I hate the person that ha...

Well...it only took 2+ years - but I am happy to report that it appears a STEADY appetite for new TALENT is the trend (at least with my clients in NYC!). There is also a new trend (returning from the past) of.... COUNTER-OFFERS, MULTIPLE OFFERS, ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION, SIGN-ON BONUSES ...and other positive job change news!! Slowly; the companies that were passively meeting candidates for "exploratory" interviews have now stepped up their efforts to ATTRACT TALENT, EXPEDITE THE INTERVIEW PROCESS & "GO THAT EXTRA MILE" TO CLOSE THE DEAL! There exists a perfect storm of resources being allocated for new "head count", economic recovery/consumer spending + ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO STAYED IN JOBS THEY WERE UNDERPAID OR JUST UNHAPPY IN....ARE LEAVING...IN BIG NUMBERS!!! You don't need to be an employment analyst to just talk to your friends & see how many are actively searching for a new job...or have already made the move. On LinkedIn ; you can view the n...

With the increasing peek into your entire life afforded by technology - to anyone who cares to look - much more information than you may be aware of is shaping your "brand". How in control are you of your brand? Did you even think you had a brand? Most people believe that branding is for companies like Nike, Coca Cola & McDonald's. However; people are "brands" unto themselves. Thinking of people as brands came to light when the most gifted basketball player in history - Michael Jordan - became the most recognizable name, likeness, jersey, silhouette, BRAND --- "AIR JORDAN" in the world. By definition - a brand conjures up an IMAGE...an EXPECTATION...an EMOTION...an ASSOCIATION with qualities that far exceed what is accepted as "standard". Average folks rely on their resume - or some cheesy corporate bio to "paint their brand picture". However; a great many professionals (in a wide array of industries/skill sets) recognize the p...

Technology is advancing in every aspect of our society. New planets are being discovered, we are making progress fighting diseases, we have the ability to split atoms... THEN WHY THE HELL CAN'T SOMEONE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY RESUME HAS BEEN RECEIVED...OR AFTER MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS WHY DO I SUDDENLY HEAR NOTHING??? How many times have you heard about this "RESUME BLACK HOLE"? I speak to candidates everyday who tell me "I sent my resume to the "Career" or "Current Openings" page on a corporate website and never heard back." There are several reasons for this LACK OF CONTACT - it still takes a human being to sift through the hundreds, sometimes thousands of resumes being received....and choose yours to respond to - many job postings are "stale" or "bait" postings - simply meant to keep candidate traffic flowing into their resume database - you may simply be UNQUALIFIED for the position you are applying to....and therefore - this ...

It always amazes me when we get this close to a New Year - just how fast it went. Then, I recall periods of the year that seemed to last forever. Still...it will be strange for quite a while to write & see 2011 as the year we are in. This was a year that tested many people in many extraordinary ways. We saw tragedy, triumph, despair and hope all battling for top honors. Here's a snapshot of some of the top attention grabbing events of 2010: - An estimated 230,000 people die in Haiti following one of the more powerful earthquakes in recent history rocks this poor country (we also the entire world step up to offer support) - Apple continues to amaze us by unveiling the i-Pad in April - selling more than 3 million in the first 3 months it was available - Tiger Woods proved that heroes are just people like you and me - with flaws and ugly things they would not want others to know about them - Air travelers are now offered an option - be viewed through a "see-through" scan...