Tag Archives: interview

FOLLOW UP OR STAY DOWN

Posted on April 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

So you’re one of the lucky ones who has been able to get an interview these days. You went into the office, had a sit down with the hiring manager and you feel like you did a good job. Congratulations…but you’re not done yet. Now what, the waiting game?

Of course not!

When it comes to seeking employment, there is no waiting.

You’re next step in the process isn’t to wait for a phone call or an e-mail, but to follow up and be proactive. Sending a follow up e-mail after an interview is a great way to continue to show the employer your interest in the position and your desire to obtain the job.

What you’ll want to do in a follow up e-mail is as follow:

Thank the interviewer, by name, for their time. It’s important to let the interviewer know, in a personable way, how grateful you were that the time was taken out of their day to meet you about the open position.

Reaffirm why you’re a good candidate for the position.  Quickly mention again the skills you currently possess and how they’ll be a positive factor towards the open position. Make sure the interviewer knows why you’re the best person for the job.

If you forgot to mention something important during the interview, do it now. You don’t want to look back on an interview and think that because you forgot to say one important thing, all is lost. Here is your second chance; we all know those don’t come around very often.

Mention something unique about the interview. This lets the interviewer know that you were really paying attention to not only your thoughts on what to say during you’re time talking, but that you were keenly listening to the interviewer when they were talking as well.

Of course, the best part of the follow up e-mail is how unique you can mold it to fit your experience with the interviewer. You want to make this follow up e-mail as personable as you can, while also maintaining a level of respect, integrity, and professionalism.

If you’re looking for more interviewing or resume tips, check out our recommended service. Having trouble getting to the interview stages? We can help you there as well. With over 50 job postings from around the nation (and a few international ones mixed in as well) we’re here to help you get the job you’re looking for.

Remember at Crossroads Consulting, “We’re putting the ‘Human’ back into ‘Human Resources!’”

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Posted in Crossroads Consulting, LLC, Hiring Company News, Interviewing, Job Seeker News, Resume

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ANY QUESTIONS? ANYONE? BUELLER?

Posted on January 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

Human resource departments of organizations do not take the interview questionnaire process lightly. With questions ranging from analyzing how they feel you’ll perform on the job, to personality questions, to mind-teasers that would make anyone scratch their heads. These are the kinds of things an applicant needs to be prepared for when taking the dive into an interview.

I can specifically recall my 16 year –old self going from pharmacy to pharmacy back home applying for a job as a customer-service associate. A friend and I travelled to a mom and pop pharmacy, Eckerd (now Rite-Aid) and CVS. It was the CVS pharmacy that gave us fits in the application process. When asking the employees for an application, they pointed us to a corner of the store where a machine was set up. This machine would be our application. This machine would ask us 50 personality trait questions, though it seemed like hundreds.

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RESUMES…GETTING THEM RIGHT

Posted on November 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

BY: ADAM GAVRIEL

If you’re using your resume to get you a job, here’s a piece of advice – STOP!

The resume’s sole purpose in the job hunt is to allow you to be introduced to the employer and hope that one sheet of paper impresses that person enough to get you in the door for an interview.

Last week in class, my MGO 403 (Strategic Management) instructor informed the class that most HR professionals or head hunters spend on average six to eight seconds looking at a resume. If that is in fact the case, those six to eight seconds is the amount of time that you’ll have to impress the person looking at your resume. Although when I get a resume sent to my email, I like to spend more than seven seconds looking at it there a few things I’m looking for right away.

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SWEEPING UP THE MIDWEST

Posted on August 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

While trying to fill a very high-profile position in the Midwest, it would be best to know as much about your target area as possible.

(For more information on the CMO position – click here and browse all of our openings here)

A new report on BusinessWeek broke it down state by state noting that an index of over 50 justifies an expanding economy over the next three to six months.

Broken down state by state:

Arkansas: Arkansas’ overall index has dropped again, as it has for the past three consecutive months. Reporting a 51.8 in July after 60.2 in June. This dropping number has been caused by new entrants into the state workforce which have raised unemployment 0.4 percent.

Iowa: Iowa experienced a raise of 1.2 points in the index rising from 61.4 in June to 62.6 in July. Over the past three months Iowa has experienced declines in its workforce which has lowered its unemployment numbers.

Kansas: Kansas index numbers rose a full 2 points between June and July rising from 52.7 to 54.7. This was the 11thtime in the past year that Kansas has experienced growth in their index numbers. Kansas like Iowa has been experiencing decreasing numbers in it’s workforce, but unlike Iowa has seen increases in employment opportunities as well.

Minnesota: A personal favorite state of mine, Minnesota also experienced growth in its numbers rising from a 54.8 in June to a 57.5 in July. Unlike Kansas and Iowa however, Minnesota has experienced high growth in its workforce. This has been canceled out by the increasing employment which has kept the unemployment rate modest. Minnesota posted a very encouraging 6.7% unemployment rate in June.

Missouri: Like Arkansas, Missouri’s index dropped from June to July. Losing 2.6 points dropping from 54.5 in June to 51.9 in July. This drop was caused by the fact that Missouri is adding jobs at a very slow rate compared to other Midwest states. Unfortunately the dropping index points to continued slow growth of jobs in Missouri.

Nebraska: Nebraska, like Minnesota, has a very nice number to boast reporting a 57.1 in July up from 56 in June. Like many of it’s Midwestern brothers, Nebraska has experienced growth in employment lowering the unemployment rate. Nebraska’s unemployment rate in June was a very impressive 4.3%

North Dakota: If you know some trivia about North Dakota (hint: what its unemployment number is) you may not be surprised at this result. North Dakota’s index rose 10.7 points from June to July. Reporting a 44.4 in June North Dakota’s index rose to a 55.1 in July. In June, North Dakota’s unemployment was a nation leading 3.3% If I were a betting man, judging by the rise in North Dakota’s index (which has plenty to do with that unemployment number in June) I’d expect ND’s unemployment rate to remain very close to it’s beautiful 3.3%

South Dakota: South Dakota could not mirror its sister to the north having the index drop from June to July. Reporting a very healthy 60.7 in June, South Dakota’s index has dropped to 57 leaving Iowa as the only state in the Midwest reporting an index of over 60 points. Like the rest of its Midwest brothers and sisters, SD’s employment has grown proving that more and more workers are heading toward the Midwest looking for jobs.

All of the states in the Midwest reported a lower unemployment rate than the US average in June.

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Posted in Crossroads Consulting, LLC, Hiring Company News, Job Seeker News, Resume, Social Media

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FAST FIVE TIPS ON INTERVIEWING

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

After a long holiday weekend one might find it very hard to remain prudent on their job search. However it is of most importance that you stay keen on your skills and continue to hone your craft. What better way to do that than to sit down to start the week and read these 5 easy tips on interviews. Welcome back to the work week, he’s how we hope to help get you through it…

1. In June we posted here on out of our mind the key phrase: “Know before you go” and it still rings true. Proving to a potential employer your interest in their company through prior knowledge you bring into the interview could make or break your chances at getting a job. Think of it this way, if you were interviewing for a job at Google, how impressed do you think they would be if you could tell them all about their newest social media venture Google+?

2. Another simple one. If you’re on time you’re late, if you’re early you’re on time. It would be in your best interest to get to a job interview at least 15 minutes before it is scheduled. Sitting in the lobby waiting for the interviewer will only give you extra time to prepare for potential questions. It will also show the company that you can be a loyal employee.

3. Dress the part, feel the part. Confidence can show in any manner be it the way you dress or the way you conduct yourself in the interview. Make sure you’re looking sharp.

4. Be prepared. Going back to the “know before you go” saying you should also come to an interview prepared. Just because you have already sent your resume and or cover letter to the company doesn’t mean they always have one handy. Make sure to bring enough copies so you’ll have plenty for anyone who may ask to see a copy at the interview. Also make sure that the resume you bring is as up to date as possible.

5. Know yourself. In short, know who you are, what your skills are, and be sure to be confident and explain yourself thoroughly. How can the interviewer get a grasp of how you can be as an employee if you don’t even know yourself? Make sure you can come up with real-life examples to answer your questions. Talk about a time where you displayed excellent team building skills or took on a role as a leader in a group work environment. Make sure when you leave the room you can walk out with your head held high and that you said everything you wanted to say.

These 5 tips are just a few of what we at Crossroads Consulting can offer you. Along with our resume optimization service and interview preparationwe are updating our current openings every day. Feel free to drop by the website and browse all of our services.

Also make sure to like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter!

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, and good luck getting back to work!

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INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Posted on June 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

In this blog today, we’ll give you just a preview of what Crossroads Consulting can do you for as part of an interview preparation guideline.

To steal a saying from the local weather and traffic channel: “know before you go” is a key phrase to remember when you have an interview scheduled. You’ve finally been set up with the employer of the job you have been eyeing on Crossroads Consulting’s job openings listand you are ready to go. Your resume and cover letters are set, your suit is ironed, you look good and feel good. But a sinking feeling comes over you, what exactly are you going to be asked in this interview? Who is going to be interviewing you? Do you know anything about the company you’re interviewing for? Again, “know before you go.”

My brother always tells me that one of the most underrated computer skills out there is the ability to use Google. Let’s say for arguments sake that you were in fact interviewing for a position at Google. What can you learn from a simple Google query about your potential interview? In short, it’s everything.

All readily available to you on the internet are the names of the founders of Google, the head of HR, and even the Google ethics code. All major things you can learn about the organization that can be used in an interview. So when the interviewer sits you down and asks why you chose to apply to Google you can reply with facts like…

· CNN money rated Google the #4 best company to work for in 2011

· I agree with many of the ethics codes and conducts outlined in the ethics policy

· I’ve been following Google’s growth for many years and am intrigued at their entrance to social media with Google buzz, Google wave, and the new Google +1 button.

These three random facts, all from the internet out of 100s available to you will help you set yourself aside from the competition on game day. When the interviewer looks back on the candidates he or she met that day they’ll remember the name (insert your name here) and how they knew so much about the company. The fact that you took the time to research the company can go a long way in showing you’re interest in working there in the future.

If you liked what you read here, please make sure to come on over to our website and see all the services we offer including interview preparation.

Also make sure to follow us on twitter, like us on facebook, and connect on LinkedIn.

But especially don’t forget to “Know before you go.”

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UNEMPLOYMENT TIME IS NOT VACATION TIME

Posted on June 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

BY: Adam Gavriel

While managing the Crossroads Consulting twitter @EmploymentDepotI came across a tweet that really engaged my interest as it read along the lines of: “Use your time unemployed to better yourself and discover new interests. Knowledge is power” forgive me as I seem to have trouble finding it now and don’t remember it word for word.

It got me thinking. Knowing now that roughly 70% of Americans know someone who is currently out of work and looking for it, while many of that same 70% know someone who has given up on the hopes of finding a new job. This is the kind of tweet that should reach millions and hopefully change the perspective they may have on their current life predicament.

Unfortunately (for the sake of this blog) I cannot relate to the many Americans out there today out of work, at the young age of 21 I’ve been lucky enough to come across steady part-time jobs as I need them while never having the burden of looking for full time work. I can however understand that time unemployed can be a very frustrating time. Bills piling up with no income to pay them off with, feeling like there is no end in sight. Feeling stuck in employment purgatory as a cartoon I saw today explains…

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As part of putting the “human” back in human resources as our mission, Crossroads Consulting has tweeted and blogged many things to help you get out of the rut you may find yourself in.

Blogs on resume, cover letter, and interview tips are out there everywhere (including here on out of our mind) to help set you aside from the competition. If it helps your field, maybe try learning a new skill to put on your resume. Work with computers? Try learning Flash, HTML, C++ or other types of programming tools that you can put on a resume in a field highlighted with the title “Computer Skills” to gain an employer’s attention.

It may not be the free time you WANT but it’s the free time you HAVE to do what YOU want to do with it. Why not spend it making yourself appear better? Crossroads Consulting can help you on this path. With upwards of 50 job openings on the website, resume optimization services and interview preparation Crossroads Consulting is here to get you back into that 9-5 grind you hate while you’re in but crave when it’s gone.

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PHONE INTERVIEWS ARE NOT PHONY

Posted on May 18, 2011 | 1 Comment

By: Amy Schlubach

Sorry that I haven’t been able to post all that much lately. You know how it is wen you’ve got final exams…I’m fortunate that Mitch Beck at Crossroads Consulting has been so incredibly understanding. If he does that for me, imagine what he could do for you.

Around campus, I’m hearing more and more people talking about their phone interviews, rather than in-person interviews. Crossroads Consulting are not only growing in popularity, but they are becoming much like in-person interviews: lengthier and more detailed.

Phone interviews are great because they reduce time and costs for the interviewee and potential employee. Employers can easily screen candidates to find out which employees they like the most, and if they are impressed, they will hopefully call back for an in-person interview.

Although phone interviews have been used as a quick screening in the past, now it isn’t uncommon to have long-lasting in depth phone interviews, so it is important to be very prepared.

Phone interviews are just like regular interviews. The employer wants to hear professionalism, and it is proper to follow-up with a thank-you note. Don’t forget that Crossroads Consulting offers services to prepare you for any type of interview.

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THE HIRING PROCESS

Posted on April 27, 2011 | Leave a comment

By: Adam Gavriel

I know we all believe that the hiring process starts and ends with the interview, but the harsh reality becomes that that’s actually much closer to the end of the hiring process than the beginning. Many times it comes down to how you can present yourself before an interview to ensure that you get a shot at the job you’re dying to have. But the fact of the matter is that it all begins with your resume.

A quick Google search of the word “resume” brings up a definition along the lines of, a document to present a person’s skill sets and background to potential employers. A resume, however, is so much more than that. It’s a gateway to who you are for employers before they meet you, and maybe even your only shot at getting into that interview with the firm of your dreams. Continue reading →

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WHY A RECRUITING FIRM

Posted on March 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

By Amy Schlubach

Before I joined the Crossroads Consulting team, I didn’t know much about employment agencies.  I knew they existed, but didn’t see the benefits.  Now I see they have tremendous benefits, and would probably consider using an agency (Crossroads) in the future.

I love the idea that recruiters do all the work for you.  All you have to do is get acquainted with them, give your resume, and they will work hard to find you the perfect fit at no charge.  There is no need to go out and apply for every job listing.  You can concentrate on other important things in your life, while someone does the leg work for you.

Good agencies, like Crossroads Consulting, have connections.  They know about tons of job openings and know hiring managers from many different fields.  They also have access to “hidden” jobs that no one else knows about.  It is certainly very difficult to find out about the great under-the-radar jobs without some type of connection.

If anyone is looking for a job, I would recommend using Crossroads Consulting.  The company has access to tons of job openings and “inside information.”  So why not have the annoying job searching process done for you by an excellent, trusted company?

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