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INHERITING A DIFFICULT EMPLOYEE
Mentor
If you inherit a difficult employee, deal with the situation as quickly as possible. Behind a difficult employee is a history and possibly a complex personality that you don’t yet know. In order to get as much background as you can, consider meeting outside the office (coffee/breakfast/lunch) to get to know the employee. This can help you understand them better and determine how best to manage them. If appropriate, be up front and tell the employee you feel you got off to an awkward start and you want to discuss how the two of you will be able to work well together.
If the employee is good at what they do, it is probably best to keep them rather than replace them. That said, it is imperative that you invest what is needed to make it work. If after a reasonable amount of time it is clear the situation is not going to get better despite best efforts, it may be necessary to replace the employee.
No manager wants to inherit a difficult employee. However, it happens.
Deal with it right away. The problem will not resolve itself and will get in the way of your success, and ultimately the success of the company.
PERSONAL INTERESTS ON A RESUME? ABSOLUTELY - YOU MAY CONNECT TO YOUR READER
Job Search Advising
As soon as I receive a resume, I go to the last page and look for personal interests. I guess it’s because I am trying to get a glimpse in to this person’s life outside the office. Given I like to be very transparent, I will tell you that if I see someone has the same hobbies/interests as I do, I am going to have a greater interest in potentially speaking to that person.
I know there are various opinions at to whether or not your personal interests should be listed on your resume. In my opinion, it’s simple; if there is a chance to connect to your reader then go for it! Any opportunity to connect with your reader is good – very good! I read an article which advised against listing personal interests. In the article, it said that prospective employers may think the candidate has too much going on outside the office and may not be able to give 120% on the job. I call bluff. I would like to speak with the HR leader or hiring manager that is afraid their employees have a life outside the office and hear what they think is reasonable…I suspect it would be a short discussion.
I suggest you list your personal interests on your resume. It helps define who you are and there is a chance you will have something in common with the person who is deciding whether or not to give you a chance for a potential great opportunity. I can’t think of any downside…..can you?
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WHO IS LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT SUPERSTAR AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?
Executive Search
Employers work with recruiters essentially by handing-off a specific assignment to find new talent. What the employer may not realize is the recruiter may be sub-contracting the search to yet another recruiter. Does this matter? It may well matter! For starters, it is key for the recruiter to have a thorough understanding of the position. Not a high level understanding -a thorough understanding. Each time a recruiter sub-contracts there is a risk that the level of understanding of the position is going to be diluted. In fact, it is almost a guarantee that this will happen. What is the effect? The recruiters are searching for candidates who may or may not be the right fit. And for every candidate that is not the right fit, the employer is losing valuable time in getting the right candidate on board.
When selecting a search firm, employers should ask specifically whether or not the recruiter sub-contracts searches and if they do, what role the lead recruiter has in the process. Searches can go on unnecessarily long simply because the recruiters do not have the right understanding of the role and they are entertaining the candidacy of the wrong candidates, which is a waste of time for everyone. Working with a recruiter who doses the recruiting themselves or within their office may ultimately be a much cheaper and more effective choice.
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THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A MENTOR
Mentor
I have had several mentors over the course of my professional career. Some formal, some informal, but in all cases, their input was valuable and appreciated. Having a good mentor is like a gift; you have someone who cares about you and your success. Someone who will listen to all sides of the story and help you determine the best course of action. And best of all, a mentor will not benefit from your actions/decisions. Their win is watching you succeed. So whether you take the promotion, sign the contract, hire the terrific new graduate or not, they are the partial party to help you see all the angles.
Some people have a mentor at the office and some have a mentor outside the office. Both are valuable. A mentor within the office knows the detail of the office dynamics…the players, the politics. They can be helpful when looking for guidance within the company. A mentor outside the office is beneficial when you want someone, who, regardless of company or position you have, is there for you to discuss your career, progress, options, etc.
Whether inside or outside the office, if you are looking for ongoing career development, help and feedback from a neutral party, find a mentor. Find someone who has been where you are trying to go and who has a great track record. It will be well worth your while.
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WORKING WITH A SEARCH FIRM
Executive Search
When I tell people I work in Executive Search, I hear a fair bit of criticism about people in the profession. Essentially, I hear that service to clients (the employers) is average at best, and the interaction with the candidates, even those who are short listed for an opportunity, is below average. I am always quite surprised seeing that this is a ‘people’ business; I assume anyone in this profession is above average in the ‘interacting with people’ department, which should coincide with above average customer service. Apparently this is not always the case.
As an employer, when selecting a search firm, find one that has the experience and ability to successfully complete your mandate, but also one that reflects your company culture. If it is important to you that each applicant, regardless how far they get in the process, is treated the same, for example a proper acknowledgement after submitting a resume, then make sure this is something your chosen search firm does. Your reputation in the market place will be impacted by the search process. Several capable candidates will be introduced to your company via the search firm, who is essentially the front line for you throughout the process. They need to represent you appropriately.
As a candidate, you don’t have as much luxury in deciding which firms to work with if you are searching for an opportunity. Essentially, you will deal with whichever firm has the mandate. This can be difficult as you may not have a pre-existing relationship with the firm and as such cannot get great response from them, including something simple like whether or not you are being considered for the position. However it is not necessary to wait to build a relationship with a search firm – you can do so when you are gainfully employed and happy with your work. This way, there is no pressure; you are just introducing yourself, letting them know what you do and getting your resume on file. Two good things can come of this. First, they may have an incredible opportunity with which they can approach you and second, once they know you, and what you do, they can offer you some of the superstars that come their way who may be an excellent fit for your company.
Whether you are the employer or the candidate, it is ideal to get comfortable with the right search firm(s). If the fit doesn’t feel right, it’s because it isn’t. There are plenty out there. Find the one(s) that work for you.
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UPDATING YOUR RESUME? THERE IS PRELIMINARY WORK TO BE DONE
Job Search Advisor
A resume is the review of your professional experience and accomplishments. Whether you write/update it yourself or engage one of the many talented resume writers out there, you will have work to do up front.
Included in your resume should be all of your major accomplishments. Everything mentioned should have an appropriate a 'so what' attached to it; if the reader is going to read it, it should be worth their while;
- Did you increase revenues? If so, how?
- Cut costs? How?
- Deliver training using a new technique which allowed the sales team could get out on the road with better knowledge, faster? There is a difference between that and stating that you delivered training to the sales team, which doesn't really leave the reader with a 'so what'.
And while you don't need a track record which includes finding the cure to a disease or winning multiple awards in your field, you do have to look hard at what you have done and determine what, amongst your many accomplishments are noteworthy based on defining who you are and what you can offer. Start by listing out what you have done. Include everything, regardless of how trivial some of it may seem. Next to each item, write a 'so what' next to it. Can't find one or it is not noteworthy enough? It is possible that item does not belong on the resume. In the end, you want a resume which includes relevant information regarding the contribution you made in the positions you held.
Once you have identified all of your nuggets, you are ready to get to work on your resume. If you don't feel you can write it on your own, seek the services of a resume writer - speak to a few and work with the one with whom you feel the most comfortable and is within your budget. Whoever writes the resume needs something to start with - some direction. Having completed the background work you will be well positioned to convey who you are and what you would like to get across on your resume.
The goal is for your resume to be the best it can possibly be. Avoid listing what you have done throughout your career. Avoid the task list. Instead, highlight your accomplishments and leave your reader with a 'wow' - with a clear understanding that you stand out in your field.
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HIRING SALES PEOPLE: LAUNCH A PROPER SEARCH VERSUS TAKING A SHORT CUT
Executive Search
While it is true that taking a short cut when hiring any position is a mistake, taking a short cut when hiring a sales person is a big mistake. Given sales keeps a business alive, having the right people on your sales team is critical and can make a world of difference in your success.
I know of a company that recently hired a seasoned sales person. They found this sales person through their business network, had some interviews/discussions with the candidate and on the surface it seemed like it would be a good fit for both. However, it turned out it was not the right fit and the sales executive stayed only a few short months before moving on.
What went wrong? The company took a short cut and they did not launch a formal search for the best candidate. They did not define for the candidate, and probably for themselves, the specific characteristics they were looking for. Had they done this, the two parties would have known they were not meant for each other from the get-go. Was the candidate qualified? Absolutely - the candidate had years of relevant industry success and experience in the specific field. Yes, each did what they felt was the appropriate due diligence, but clearly neither party went hard on what I believe is the most important point: cultural fit.
When hiring for any position, employers need to spend the time to really identify the characteristics of the ideal candidate. Aside from the obvious (relevant experience), there should be a clear definition of what characteristics the winning candidate needs in order to fit with the business culture. If this is not done and the hired candidate does not fit the culture, it is sure to be a lose/lose.
Short cuts often lead to disappointment including lost time and lost opportunity. It is not worth the risk. When hiring for a senior position, one that you are relying on to help secure and grow your business, launch a formal search. Whether you use a search firm or not is not important. What is important is that you follow all of the required steps to ensure success.
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