ExecuTeam Staffing

Cut to the Front of the Interview Line

2011-08-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

The question is, “How can you make yourself stand out when there are so many other candidates looking at the same job?”

The answer is to “focus” – focus on what makes you unique.

Let’s assume that you have an outstanding resume and that you make it to the top of the stack of resumes of people to be called for an interview. You, and maybe nine or ten other equally qualified people for the position, that is.

Because companies have so many candidates to choose from, they are interviewing more people so that they can select the “best.” When you are lucky enough to be invited to an interview, it is essential that you be ready to sell yourself, to let the interviewers know what makes you unique, what added value you can bring to the position—in other words, why you are the best person for the job.

•Step 1
List the skills and experiences you have that would be required in the type of job you are seeking. For instance, a technical job would focus on programs, languages, and platforms, etc.

•Step 2
Give some thought to those skills in which you excel, those that are referred to as the “soft skills.” These skills can be viewed as transferable– you can take them with you to any job you hold.

•Step 3
Next, think of the personal traits that make you unique. Maybe you never miss deadlines, or perhaps you are willing to do above and beyond what is asked, or perhaps you have a great attitude. (Don’t dismiss these traits--many people have been fired for negative personal traits rather than for lack of knowledge).

•Step 4
Make a list of those strengths and some examples of when those strengths have helped you achieve results on the job. It will be essential that you can not only identify your strengths, but that you also have examples and stories of times when you demonstrated those strengths in the past.

•Step 5
The next step is to make a list of 5 points you want the interviewer to remember about you – the ones that combined – make you unique.

When you walk out of that interview room, your interviewers may not remember all five of your points; but if they remember even two of the points that make you unique, you will be ahead of the game!

-Carole Martin
From www.net-temps.com

The Bigger Picture of Body Language

2011-07-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

What your body language says is often more important than what you say verbally, especially when the two conflict. When they’re in sync, your movements are a reflection of what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling: your conscious and your unconscious. But when they aren’t, the unconscious prevails.

Why? Because while people will make themselves conscious of their words, few are conscious of their feelings and how that translates into body language, much less what that body language is saying. And in an interview, that can result in sending a message opposite what you intend.

A person who was recently fired or laid off is a good example of this dichotomy, especially when the termination takes place for reasons that have little to do with any situation the individual instigated. You did nothing to cause the severance, but you feel responsible anyway.

Since few job seekers know how to put a termination in perspective and handle it appropriately, it comes out how they move and how they conduct themselves. Almost every action is an apology. You knock gently on the door when the administrative assistant says, “Mr. Jackson can see you now.” You not only ask permission to sit, but you ask which chair. You either over explain or under answer.

Instead of speaking smoothly in a relaxed manner, your voice is too loud or can’t be heard. You say “um” or “ah” at the beginning and in the middle of your sentences. Everything about you screams insecure, even though you’re managing to articulate your accomplishments.

The result is that the hiring authority is puzzled as to how you managed to achieve so much, when your manner isn’t conducive to making things happen. It leaves him with a question about you. Hiring authorities don’t like to be left with questions; they want to be 100% confident of who they hire. So you’re out of the picture.

But this conflict doesn’t only occur with those have been dismissed by their employer. It can also happen when someone doesn’t have a degree, but has excelled in their career and frequently ends up competing with those who do. Or when you’ve been unemployed a long time, and you really need a job. Or if you’ve had your eye on being part of this company and finally you’ve snagged an interview. Or if you’re just plain insecure.

There’s a plethora of articles that list hundreds of body language cues you should pay attention to. But that’s like trying to learn the different interview styles and how to respond to each one. It’s a waste of time. You’ll spend so much time trying to remember what to do, how to do it, when to do it, if what you’re doing is correct or not, that it becomes difficult to focus on selling yourself and learning if the company is compatible with who you are and what you want.

It starts with your head. If you don’t feel confident, then stop thinking you aren’t. Find the reasons why you’re an asset to a company. List your skills and contributions. Put together a sales pitch on yourself, and then take it to heart. Actions mirror thoughts and thoughts mirror actions. When you’re thinking confidently, you behave confidently and vice versa.

At the same time, you can program one to follow the other. Pay attention to yourself, what you’re feeling and what’s going on around you. If you notice yourself shuffling in through the company door, pick your head up, put a smile on your face, and walk into the office as if you belong there, because you do. You have an interview, and they’re expecting you.

An interview is a sales presentation. You’re the product, and the hiring authority is the buyer. If you’re communicating that you’re not good enough to be hired, why would a company think differently?

- Judi Perkins

From www.net-temps.com

One Resume Technique Makes You Stand Out

2011-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

A Human Resources Manager, working at a Fortune 500 company, asked for my help in writing her resume. She told me: "Thousands of resumes have passed through my hands but when it comes to writing my own I have a difficult time doing it." She isn't alone in her concerns. Most people find resume writing challenging. A resume is nothing more than a slick piece of advertising, but an important piece, especially in today's job market.

Employers report that most resumes get only a 15-20 second glance. If you don't capture the reviewer's attention and interest quickly they will pass you by and call in someone else for the interview.

There is one effective technique that you can use that dramatically improves your resume. In our national survey of 600 hiring managers, the overwhelming majority said the most important part of your resume is the SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS section. Employers reported that this was one of the very first areas they read and when the summary demonstrates solid ability to perform the job it catches their attention and they slow down and give the applicant more careful consideration.

Hiring managers also reported only about 5% of resumes received contained this key section, and I never write a resume without it. It's just too powerful to leave out. This section usually consists of four to six sentences that present an overview of your experience, accomplishments, talents, work habits, and skills. Think of it as a mini-outline of you; a highly influential summation of the specifics you bring to the job.

Here is a good example from one of the resumes I wrote for a client:

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Proven track record serving as corporate counsel with eight years experience dealing with intellectual property and partnerships in a global environment. Responsible for a broad range of legal matters including: copyright and trademark protection, contract negotiations, compliance, and litigation. Led legal team in completing sophisticated joint venture negotiations that delivered millions to the company's bottomline. Recognized for superior problem-solving, project management, relationship building, and strategic planning skills.

It's easy to see by reading this brief summary how this candidate is qualified to perform as a corporate attorney. Indeed, she got several interviews and accepted a Fortune 100 company's offer, which included a very significant salary raise and signing bonus.

The SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS, which speaks volumes by consolidating the best you have to bring to the job, really makes you stand out and pulls the employer in for a closer look. Be sure that your resume has this essential section. It comes right after your name, address and career objective. One caution -- employers complain that many people lie on their resume. Exaggeration! Misrepresentation! LYING is a deadly error. Don't do it! Employers do more background checks now than ever before so when you get caught, and sooner or later you will get exposed, you'll likely be fired. Only solid facts and verifiable experience should highlight your experience and accomplishments.

- Robin Ryan

From www.net-temps.com

Oil & Gas Recruiter

2011-07-13T14:56:00.001-07:00

Must have worked in the oil/gas/oil service industry in a recruiting/recruiting coordinator/HR or similar role. Will recruit for mostly Inspectors, Fishing, Field Service, and Harbanders. Full cycle recruiting. Heavy, heavy interviewing. Will post jobs on career sites . Will screen resumes and candidates and call candidates and interview. Will send resumes and follow-up with hiring managers. **Need good communication skills, verbal and written, ability to interact with all internal and external customers. The ability to function in a high paced, multi-tasked environment. Must have high levels of detail and organization

8 Resume Editing Tips

2011-07-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what a well-written and nicely presented resume can do for your job search. Before you send yours out, follow this checklist to ensure you are sending out an excellent quality representation of yourself.

1.Grammar, spelling, punctuation - Use the grammar and spell check function, then print it out and read the document word for word. Spell checker doesn’t know that you meant "manager" when you actually typed "manger."

2.Capitalization - Use a manual such as the Gregg Reference Manual if you do not know capitalization rules.

3.Punctuation - Check for proper use of commas and semi-colons. Again, if you are unsure, refer to the Gregg Reference Manual.

4.Run-on sentences - Check to make sure you do not have run-ons that are hard to read.

5.Consistency - You must be consistent with your number usage (dates, money, numbers), plurals, and abbreviations. For example, don’t list one date as 8/2004 and then list another date as 3/15/2004. Also, be aware of listing software consistently (abbreviation use). MS Word and Microsoft Outlook are both correct, but not consistent.

6.Education section - When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates, (i.e.: 9/1998 to 1/2002) many resume-scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period of time.

7.Ampersands - Ampersands (&) do not belong on a resume. There are a few exceptions. One exception is a well-known company name (AT&T). Another exception is well-known industry terms (P&L).

8.Hyperlinks - All e-mail and web addresses that you list need to be deactivated in your resume. To do this in MS Word, highlight the link, go to the "Insert" drop down menu, scroll down to and click "Hyperlink", and on the lower left-hand side of this screen there should be a little button that says "Remove link", when you find it, give it a little click and voila! Alternatively, you can highlight the link, right click on it, and scroll down to "remove link" to deactivate the link.

- Jennifer Anthony

From www.net-temps.com

Electronic Component Data Base - Contract

2011-06-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Creation\Modification of Electronic Components Database records.Export\Generation\Review of Excel reports on Electronic Components. Support Engineering, Manufacturing, Sustaining, and Supply Chain request for database updates. Coordinate Houston Centers Database activities with other global centers.Conduct\Coordinate RoHS/WEEE reviews. Engineering Change Orders generation and review for Houston Centers. Working in a team environment to facilitate team database objectives. Requirements: Advanced skills with MS Office especially Excel (macros, Pivot tables, etc) preferred. Has worked with IT systems incorporating multi level BOMs (Bill of Material). Knowledge of Electronic Components. Minimum of associates degree required or 5 years relevant experience. Team oriented, strong attention to detail.

Skilled Receptionist - Please Apply

2011-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Fun, growing healthcare related company near Medical Center looking for Receptionist/Customer Service Clerk. Will answer incoming calls, greet visitors in the front office, and assist customers with questions regarding the product they are using. Will use data entry skills to put orders into the system and track them for delivery, order office supplies, and assist management with other clerical duties. This position is one of the most important in the company but it is also the door way to a growing career within this organization. Must have experience in servicing customers over the phone.

Oprah, Lady Gaga And Your Job Interview

2011-06-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Two very different women. Two very different styles and generations. So what do they have in common?

Oprah’s message has been clear almost since the beginning of her show – 25 years ago: “Accept yourself for who you are and believe that you can do what you want to do -- live your Best Life.”

Lady Gaga’s message may not have always been as clear, but in her latest albums and interviews she seems to be sending a similar message: “Be yourself and don’t let others put you down or discourage you - even if you’re different.”

They may use different words but the message is clear: “Believe in Yourself – and be yourself.” It seems like common sense: If you don’t believe in yourself – why would anyone else believe in you? But sometimes when it comes to “self” we forget about common sense and listen to our inner voice – the negative one. We doubt our ability, or are ashamed of something that we did or something that happened to us in our past.

Going into an interview with baggage from the past is like dragging a big black garbage bag along behind you and parking it next to your chair during the interview. And it is going to “stink” up the room after a while.

Nobody wants to hear about your problems and baggage. Some people’s lives begin to sound like a Soap Opera there have been so many extenuating circumstances. And, some people feel compelled to share every detail with the interviewer. Big Mistake!

The best advice is to let go of those negative feelings and move on. I know it’s easier said then done. But until you resolve the issues with yourself – through one form of exorcism or another – you will carry around your bag of garbage. A good interviewer can feel hostility the minute it walks in the door.

Here are five rules to encourage Optimism and discourage Negativity:

1.Accept that there will be ups and downs
It’s not unusual to have highs and lows during your job search. Some days you may even feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. Everything looks hopeful one moment with a job prospect ahead, and then it changes to dark and dismal in the next moment when you receive a rejection. Accepting the fact that this is a stressful time you are going through and that a great deal of it is out of your control will help you put things into perspective.

2.Give yourself permission to fail.
It is very disappointing when you feel like you “aced” the interview and then wait for the promised call that never comes. Be realistic - you aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview. And maybe that’s a good thing, at least some of the time. Remember, you are interviewing “them” as much as they are interviewing you.

3.Work on controlling stress
Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect your lifestyle and health. Are you waking up in the middle of the night or skipping meals because you are feeling really down or upset? You may need to talk to someone who is a professional to get some advice about relaxation techniques.

4.Continue to get “out there”
Study after study published continues to indicate that “networking” is still the number one way to land a job. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with groups of people. No one can predict when an opportunity might come your way.

5.Prepare yourself
Preparing ahead of the interview will give you a definite advantage. What this means is getting focused about what you want the interviewer to know about you. You are presenting a picture of you with words. It is important to identify what makes you unique and what added value you can bring to the position. You want to let the interviewer know that you are the “solution to their problem,” and the best person for the job.

Keeping upbeat is a part of your job right now. When you begin to give into the dark side you will project that to others. You want to stay as upbeat as possible, particularly while interviewing. Bringing confidence and energy to the interview are the two most important ingredients to connecting with the interviewer.

The message of the two famous women, as well as the messages of many other people who teach self-esteem or life lessons, tell us that it is up to us to take charge and heal those old wounds and start accepting and believing in ourselves. Only then can others believe in us. Believing in yourself will boost your self-esteem and in turn you will have higher confidence. And, the key ingredients for a successful job interview are --- you got it --- “self-esteem and confidence.”

What method do you use to stay upbeat in difficult times? What helps you get through life when life turns against you?

- Carole Martin

From www.net-temps.com

In search of Private Client Assistant/Associate.

2011-06-21T14:54:00.001-07:00

This associate will work directly with approximately 5 Financial Advisors. Obtaining or Interested in receiving Series 7 and 63 licenses will be required. Will involve reconciling accounts, create presentation and performing research and anaylsis.

3 Little Known Secrets To WOW Them On Your Next Job Interview

2011-06-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

Just the thought of a pending job interview can bring on a case of nerves! But if you follow these 3 little-known secrets, you can turn a worrisome experience into a super-successful one.

Secret #1: BE INTENTIONAL

Before the interview starts, ask yourself this important question. "Do I want this job? If so, what am I willing to do to get it?" It takes more than wishful thinking or hoping to land the position you want and feel qualified for. You must be able to convince the interviewer that you are the one for this job—not by being pushy or arrogant but by showing your intention through a warm, friendly, and professional manner. This includes paying attention to what is being said, referring to the company's mission statement and how it matches your own objectives, and by seeing the hiring manager as a person, not just a means to a job. In short, be confident, yet caring too.

Secret #2: BE INFORMATIVE

Enter the room prepared with engaging examples that illustrate your job skills and experience. Have several catalogued in your mind so that when the hiring manager asks you questions, you can refer immediately to a little story that shows rather than merely tells how you handled a situation. For example, mention the result you achieved when leading a sales meeting or establishing a budget for your department or handling a difficult client. A hiring manager will perk up when he or she hears that you are someone who makes things happen for a company in a positive way. And it always impresses when you can show how you made or saved money positively contributing to the company's bottom line…after all, it always comes down to the bottom line. ?

Secret #3: BE INSPIRING

It really is within your power to move to the top of the hiring manager's list of job candidates. When you are prepared with true-life experiences, show interest in what's going on around you, comment on something you notice in the office, or a detail shared in conversation, you will be inspiring. Few job seekers think about what it means to connect with the interviewer as a person because they are too focused on themselves—and the job they want.

Apply these 3 little-known job interview 'secrets' with passion and you will soon hear these 3 words. "WOW, you're hired!"

- Jimmy Sweeney
From www.net-temps.com

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Resume

2011-06-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Does your resume stand out? Will employers quickly see you are the one to do the job? Your resume has less than 15 seconds to capture an employer's attention according to our national survey of 600 hiring managers published in the book, Winning Resumes. You must also incorporate effective keywords or the electronic search tools will never put you on the hiring manager's screen. Resume writing is a critical skill to advancing your career so here are some of the top survey results to follow.

1.EMPHASIZE RESULTS! This was #1 with all surveyed employers. Accomplishments get attention, not just job descriptions. State the action you performed and then note the achieved results. Include details about what you increased or decreased. Use numbers to reflect, how much, how many, and percentage of gain or reduction. Stress money earned or time savings. For example: Managed the project implementing a new tracking system that resulted in a 17% decrease in cost overruns, saving $200,000.

2.SPECIFICS SELL. Vague, general resumes don't cut it, employers say. Target each resume to the job sought. Incorporate only the information pertinent to doing that specific job title in the resume. This will alleviate the tendency to crowd your resume with too much non-related information, or too much detail on jobs more than ten years in your past. Start each sentence with a descriptive action verb such as directed, organized, established, created, planned, etc. as they add powerful impact to your sentences.

3.DO NOT LIE! A USA TODAY survey of executives stated that over 50% tried to exaggerate their skills, which was almost always uncovered during interviews and reference checks. Lying resulted in candidates not getting the job, or worse, being fired once the fraud was revealed. Employers are on the lookout for this misrepresentation so be as positive as possible without exaggerating or misstating the truth.

4.BIG MISTAKES MUST BE AVOIDED. The TOP mistake annoying every manager and HR person in our survey was spelling mistakes and typos. Many said: "I stop reading when I find spelling mistakes." Typos scream: "Don't hire me." Proofread -- you cannot trust computer spell checkers. Cramming too much into a resume and using microscopic fonts can result in your resume never being read. Make your resume visually appealing on paper with fonts sizes in 11 or 12 points. Use concise sentences and adequate white space between points. Many online resume-posting programs incorrectly read boxes and graphic designs causing unintentional page breaks, so be sure to avoid using these. Also, many home computers use a mini-word processing program called WORKS, which is not compatible and can't be read by many employers' business computers that use MS WORD. Be certain you only use WORD in any communications you send on to employers.

5.THE FINAL TEST -- IS YOUR RESUME GETTING RESULTS? Are employers calling on appropriate jobs you are qualified for (not over or under) to perform? If not, rework your resume, or get professional help to improve it, since a great resume is the prelude to landing a terrific job.

- Robin Ryan
From www.net-temps.com

2011-06-06T09:40:00.001-07:00

You've worked hard to get here. You've sent out 31 resumes, networked, attended job fairs, enrolled in school for more education – you've taken all the right steps.

Then, one afternoon the phone rings. “Yes, we'd like you to come in for an interview. Is next Tuesday at 10:00 alright with you?” Alright???!!! You can be there in 10 minutes! But you gather your composure, pretend to rifle through your “appointment book” and calmly reply, “Yes, Tuesday at 10:00 works for me. See you then.” Now what?

The sequence goes like this: the resume gets you an interview; the interview gets you the job. This is when you become more than a bunch of employment dates and workplace accomplishments. This is your opportunity to shine. It's show time!

Go in cold and you're working at a disadvantage. You prepped the perfect resume, now it's time to prep for that all-important interview. Here are ten steps you should take before you show up at the interviewer's door.

1.Review your resume.
Sure, you know it by heart. But what was it that caught the eye of this recruiter or the HR pro? Specialized experience? Unique training? A steady history of career advancement? Revisit your resume from the point of view of the interviewer. It may provide insight into the company's employee needs – something that would certainly be advantageous to know going in.

2.Get back on-line.
The Internet served you well in the preparation of personalized cover letters targeted at the recipients' needs. Okay, visit the company web site again and start taking notes. Corporate officers, the latest press releases, the company's annual report. Gather as much information as you can on your soon-to-be-employer.

3.Study, study, then cram.
The more you learn about your callback company, the better you're going to feel walking in that door. Knowledge is power. Knowledge will make you more confident in your attitude and your answers. You know this stuff. You've studied it! Knowledge of company products, services, protocols and procedures shows the interviewer that you're proactive, with an eye for detail and an appreciation for the power of preparation. In other words, you'll make a positive impression.

4.Rehearse your interview.
How can you rehearse for something that doesn't have a script? Write one. You know the typical questions you'll be asked so write down some of your most insightful, witty thoughts regarding the state of your industry and profession. Be prepared to describe past positions, responsibilities and accomplishments. This is not a time for false modesty, so don't be afraid to highlight your professional strengths and play down your terrible typing skills. Remember: it's no brag if it's the truth. Ask your spouse, your child or a friend to play the role of interviewer so you become more comfortable speaking about yourself in front of others. Again, this is a confidence builder. The more you practice, the more confident you'll be.

5.Develop your list of questions.
Your interview shouldn't be seen as some type of interrogation. It's a “getting to know you” meeting, so feel free to ask questions. However, your first question shouldn't be “How much do I get paid?” or “How's the 401k plan, here?” Instead, ask questions that show you understand the job and the company's needs. Be quick to pick up on the interviewer's comments and ask relevant questions.

Interviewer: We've had some issues with field reports coming in late recently. You: How are the reports transmitted? (Oh, you're good. Very good.)

6.Dress for success.
An interview is a performance with people playing different roles. Your role is successful job prospect. Play the part. Whether you're female or male, the conservative business suit is the recommended attire for any interview. If your business suit needs a pressing, send it to the dry cleaners. If you don't own a suit (you'd be surprised at the number of us who don't) go out and get one. It doesn't have to be an $800 designer suit, but it should be conservative black, blue or gray.

7.Get cut or coiffed.
You'll have 15 minutes to make a good impression. Treat yourself to a visit to the local hair stylist. You bet looks matter. There will be plenty of time to show your talent once you land the job. For now, look like a success, feel like a success – be a success.

8.Practice positive visualization.
Professional athletes do it. So do actors, yoga instructors and new age thinkers who sleep under makeshift pyramids to absorb that mystical energy. It's called positive visualization – and it works. It really does. In the days leading up to the interview, picture yourself sitting opposite the head of HR. Picture yourself relaxed, comfortable, at the top of your game. Play that clip over and over in your mind until it becomes so familiar, it actually becomes a part of your self-image. It simply can't be stated too often – your confidence during an interview should be obvious and genuine.

9.Gather your materials.
The day before the interview, gather your materials and place them in a briefcase or attaché. Don't have one? Buy one or borrow one. It's another opportunity to project that professional image you wear so well. Bring extra copies of your resume in a manila envelop. Bring a pad and pencil to take notes. Bring a calculator (you never know). Bring your address book and copies of your business card. If you've been asked to provide additional information (school transcripts, e.g.) make sure you've got clean copies ready to hand over.

10.Sleep tight.
You've done it all. You've prepared yourself; you've built your confidence so you can look the interviewer straight in the eye. You are ready to rock ‘n' roll! Okay, too psyched. You'll never get to sleep. The night before the interview, go to bed early. Have some warm milk, cocoa or herbal tea (stay away from the 3rd scotch). Relax. Set the alarm and sleep comfortably in the knowledge that you're as prepared as you'll ever be. No, not every interview will be a success. You won't get the job every time – but don't take it personally. It's not about you; it's about the needs of the company. However, you can increase the chances of success by presenting a professional, prepared, and confident you to the interviewer. That's how you turn an interview into a job offer.

You're hired!

-Teena Rose
From www.net-temps.com

Administrative Assistants & Property Managers

2011-05-27T14:51:00.001-07:00

Looking for a new career? Check out our latest openings today! Visit www.executeam.com to apply right away!!!

In Search of a Lean Six Sigma Expert-Contract/Contract to Hire

2011-05-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Assist the Product Group of this oil and gas company with Lean Six Sigma implementation and maintenance. Assist process improvement opportunities and priorities according to Six Sigma and CLS Methodology. Advise management in defining yearly LSS metric / objectives. Monitor and report to the management on progress against the target at regular intervals. Support the change management efforts of line managers by raising awareness and appreciation for projects. Maintain the recruiting plan as per business needs, ensuring staff levels. Develop training programs on various levels of Lean, Six Sigma and
CLMS Methodology. Develop employees ensuring that strong performers are rewarded with challenging job assignments. Collaborate with internal IT and external IT suppliers to provide requisite level of system support that are required.

How to Describe Yourself in an Interview

2011-04-28T14:39:00.001-07:00

There you are dressed your best and being interviewed for the job of your dreams and the dreaded question gets asked, ‘Describe yourself for me.’ This question is almost always asked by prospective employers and almost always answered with a resounding uuuuuh… Knowing how to describe yourself in an interview can mean the difference of landing your dream job or going back to the want ads.

It helps if you come to grips with the fact that this question will be asked and you prepare for it ahead of time, but be careful that you don’t some off sounding like you memorized a script the night before. When getting ready to describe yourself in an interview you should consider the following:

•Don’t tell them what they already know: Don’t start out with your name and age, they have that on the application and repeating it sort of makes you sound silly. Instead of saying where you went to school –also on the application- tell the interviewer what you got out of your schooling or who influenced you along the way. Get into any activities or hobbies you have that may not be listed on the application. This is your time to let the interviewer know everything about you that is not on the application already.

•Give your strengths AND your weaknesses: First off all when giving your strengths, never come off too cocky. Be proud, but be careful not to toot your own horn too loudly as this can be a major turn-off to the interviewer. Besides giving what your strengths are, also mention your weaknesses, but do it in a way that makes you look good. ‘I have no patience for those that do not want to go the extra mile to help a co-worker,’ or ‘A big fault of mine is that I tend to pay too much attention to detail when it may not be needed.’ Statements such as those show the interviewer that you don’t think you are perfect, but that your faults are good ones to have.

•Be honest: This is most important of all. If you are not being honest many prospective employers can see right through your bologna and besides, you are who you are. If the job isn’t meant to be, then that is life. Never pretend to be somebody you are not.

•Speak clearly and don’t stammer: This goes back to the whole practice thing. If you are constantly stammering or saying ‘uh’ then you give off the impression that you are searching for words to say. This gives a bad vibe off because if you don’t know who you are, then who really does?
While there are no magic words to speak that will guarantee you a job, you should be prepared to adequately describe yourself at an interview. Again, you know the question is coming, so you may as well prepare for it. A good trick is to stand in front of the mirror and interview yourself. Ask yourself the question and answer the question. Would you hire yourself? If the answer is no, then chances are neither will the prospective employer, so keep practicing until the answer is yes.

Learn more interview tips at JobGoRound, the career advice and resume service website.

- Jason Kay

From www.net-temps.com

Medical Administrative Assistant

2011-04-28T14:38:00.001-07:00

Need an administrative assistant who can start immediately. Hours are 8AM-5PM. Grants and SAP experience are preferred, (to do check requests and reimbursements.) Candidate must be highly detail-oriented and willing to perform some personal duties. Prefers a background in academia. Position will be possible temp to permanent.

Physical Therapist

2011-03-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

Occupational medicine facility in East Houston area seeking PT to provide evaluations and treatment plans for outpatient patients. Services to include physical therapy from ages 18-50. A break from the hustle & long hours or a traditional practice or hospital. 9am-6pm hours with no weekends or evenings! Fully automated facility. Outstanding benefits!!

Hooray, an Interview! Oh No, an Interview!

2011-03-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

After such a labor-intensive job search, you now have earned the ‘nerve-wracking’ interview. You have also begun to obsess about the plentiful competition. It seems as if everyone you know needs a job. So, how can you relax when you must master the interview? (Don’t worry. I’ll tell you how you can ‘untwist your knickers.’)
You must differentiate yourself by adopting an outwardly tracked mindset. Instead of obsessing about how well you will perform during the job interview, resolve to focus on servicing the interviewer! Ask yourself, “How can I service this person I am about to meet and the company they represent?” I know. I can hear you now, “it sounds simpler than it is”—and yet, it really is easy. If you are qualified, have researched the company, and if you know how to gather your thoughts and communicate them verbally—it’s in the bag!

The Best Interviewees

When I use to interview, the candidates that were most memorable (and also turned out to be the best employees) were neither the ones who had answers rolling off their tongues (I could see right through that) nor the ones that walked in on pins and needles. The qualified applicants who were curious, polite, professional, and who seemed to be reflecting on our discussion were the ones I hired. Why? Because in addition to being the best qualified, they cared enough to listen, evaluate, ask questions, and provide insightful and unscripted answers. The image these stellar candidates created during the interview was that of a professional who, yes, had prepared for the interview but used the information as a springboard to an engaging, spot-on conversation.

Calm Down and Redirect Your Focus onto the Interviewer

When you meet your interviewer, focus on them and on what they seek. Transform that entire interview into an order-taking session by making it about the person across from you. Assess your interviewer’s body language, listen attentively, and help them solve the problem of finding the ideal candidate. Be the solution to their problem.

Questions That Will Engage Your Interviewer

Another way to engage during an interview is by asking incisive questions. Convey your desire to connect, understand, and serve. Here are a few questions you can ask:

What is (name company) looking for in the ideal candidate?

How is it that (name company) is in need of hiring for this position?

How does (name company) see this position affecting the entire department?

What would employees say they most like about (name company)?

Notice the questions suggested above do not address the interviewer by using the pronoun, YOU. By avoiding the use of YOU, the interviewer will not feel interrogated.

Relax! You have worked diligently at attaining an interview. Besides, you wouldn’t apply for a job you are not qualified for anyway (right?). Have your piece of cake—you’ve earned it.

-Rosa Elizabeth Vargas
www.careerealism.com

How to Ace an Interview without Speaking

2011-02-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

Giving a limp handshake, letting your eyes wander and fidgeting are just a few of the subtle blunders that can botch your success in a job interview. Although you may have been unaware you were doing these things, interviewers who pick up on negative nonverbal communication are likely to doubt your fit for the job.

Nonverbal communication can be judged just as much as, and sometimes even more harshly than, the responses you give to questions you're asked during interviews. It can even be the single factor that helps hiring managers decide between you and another candidate when you're both equally qualified for the job. That's why it's so important to be mindful about your posture, facial expression and other behaviors.

"The most important idea is to project confidence and professionalism," says Heather Krasna, author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service."

"If you find yourself becoming very nervous about interviewing, realize that this is normal. Practice interviewing in front of a mirror, on video or with a friend or career coach until you feel a bit more comfortable," she suggests.
In her book, Krasna offers the following tips for ensuring positive, appropriate and polite nonverbal communication:

• Handshake: A firm handshake is considered a sign of confidence. Take the other person's hand in your right hand -- don't use both hands -- so that the space between your thumb and first finger touches theirs. Give a firm, but not crushing squeeze, and shake the person's hand up and down slightly, once. If you have sweaty hands, be sure to dry them before your interview.
• Posture and physical distance: When sitting in a chair, sit up straight or lean forward slightly; don't slouch. If you cross your legs, do it so that one knee is stacked on top of the other or cross your ankles. Do not cross your legs so that one foot is on top of your other knee. Alternatively, keep both feet on the floor. Do not stretch your legs out in front of you or sit with your legs spread far apart -- it looks too casual. When standing near someone, about 3 feet is standard in most parts of the United States. Standing closer than this can make others feel uncomfortable.
• Arms and hands: You can "talk with your hands" to some extent, but do not do so to the point of distracting your interviewer. Sitting with your arms crossed in front of you can look defensive. Instead, try to have a more open posture. Don't fidget, play with your hair or pen or bite your nails.
• Eye contact: Look in the eyes of the person interviewing you. Looking down or away frequently gives a message of not being confident or being confused. Rolling your eyes up is considered a sign of disrespect. Don't stare intensely at the interviewer; just look him or her in the eye as much as possible.
• Facial expression: Smiling is an important way of showing that you are friendly and enthusiastic about the position. Smile at the beginning and the end of the interview at a minimum. I can't emphasize this enough -- I know several people for whom lack of smiling was a major barrier to employment.
• Mirroring: You can also take note of the posture and expressions of your interviewer, and adopt some of his or her tone. Be careful, though -- even if an interviewer is friendly and casual, that does not mean you should be too casual. It is still a professional job interview.

-Selena Dehne

Medical Assistant

2011-02-18T13:08:00.001-08:00

Bilingual MA needed for a pulmonary clinic. Medical Center Area. Primary duties will be charting patient history, rooming patients, vitals and assisting doctor with various procedures as needed. Strong communication skills are needed for phone triaging too!
Parking is paid. 75% of Health insurance is covered, great family environment, a place you can call home.

Arriving at Job Interviews Cool, Calm, and Collected

2011-02-17T14:39:00.001-08:00

We all get a little stressed before interviews, so the idea is to make sure a little bit of stress doesn't turn into a lot. Maybe you just started your search, you're tired of searching, or you just need a boost of confidence. No matter where you are in the process, you can always improve your interviewing skills. The good news is, it is possible to stay poised and confident, even at your toughest interview.

Show them you're a good fit

When you get to the interview your main area of focus should be on communicating to the interviewer that you are a good fit. Focus on why the position makes sense for both of you. You should see it as a "win-win" situation. In other words, a great job for you and a great employee for them. After you've done your research on the job requirements, you should be well prepared to present yourself as the best candidate for the job. Assess which skills are needed for the job, then illustrate how your personal skills match up with the skills needed for the job. Be creative and speak clearly, but more importantly, believe what you're saying. Confidence comes from the inside out, so just relax and be yourself. Here are a couple of tips to ensure a stress free interview:

•Make sure you have a good attitude, but don’t over do it by smiling too much. It will look fake and you might come across as flaky or unprofessional

•Look them in the eyes when they’re speaking, and listen carefully

•Adjust to the interviewer’s personality. If they seem talkative, answer their questions in the most efficient way possible. If they seem more reserved, be prepared to ask them questions that will showcase how informed you are. This is your chance to show that you’ve done your homework and you are a valuable professional. You should always leave an interview feeling as if you are just as valuable to them as they are to you.
Don't cause yourself unnecessary stress

Only you can cause yourself stress. It's all about how you see things and let life affect you. If you're worrying too much about the interview, you’re concentrating on the wrong thing. Instead of thinking about what you may do wrong, focus on what you know you'll do right. If you have taken steps to prepare yourself, then you're already half way there. Time wasted on worrying is just that- time wasted. Better to spend that time and energy on positive things so you'll arrive at the interview in a good mood. Your confidence may be the first thing people notice about you, so make sure it's written all over your face.

Relax!

If you tend to get nervous at interviews or don't consider yourself a "people person," there are ways to help you feel more comfortable. Here are a few ways to minimize your job search jitters:

•Be ready for tough questions. Plan how you’re going to answer possible questions so there won’t be any surprises. If you can, set up a mock interview with a friend or someone you trust

•“Rehearse” how you will answer tough questions. Whenever you are caught off guard, rephrase what they asked and then say something like "that's a good question, let me think about it for a moment." This will buy you time to come up with a thoughtful answer, without sounding like you were thrown off by it.

•Practice in the mirror. This may sound silly, but if you want to know how you look to other people, that’s the best way to find out
Take care of yourself

Last but not least, save yourself some you time. Don’t let things get so hectic that you forget about the most important thing. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to organize your thoughts and communicate effectively. Moreover, take care of yourself on the inside or it will show up worse on the outside. To stay calm, cool, and collected, take care of yourself the night before. Hit the gym, take a bath, or veg out on the couch. Do whatever it is you do to unwind. Set your mind at ease so the only thing you have to worry about is making a good impression. Plan ahead for the week of the interview so you will have all other tasks out of the way. Less stress means more confidence for you.

A lot of times when we’re stressed out, it's because we’re nervous and if we’re nervous, we can’t sleep. Here are some exercises you can do at night so you can be sure of having a good day:

•To ensure a good night’s sleep, try some breathing exercises before bed
o Take a breath and inhale with your abdominal muscles

o Exhale slowly (using the same muscles) and draw your belly button in at the same time.

These exercises reduce both tension and everyday stress. The purpose is to do these before bed, so you feel relaxed and serene in the evening and refreshed and revived in the morning.

- Scott Brown
From www.net-temps.com

Time & Labor Administrator

2011-02-15T14:34:00.001-08:00

Responsible for managing the overall Time & Labor process and complex business process for functional developmental and implementation of PeopleSoft end user system. Work with the Payroll Director to manage the overall Time and Labor process. Responsible for the Time and Labor enrollment process including but not limited to assisting HR with the set-up. Serve as liaison between Payroll Team and field Managers/Timekeepers ensuring that the Time & Labor Exceptions and Approvals are managed in a timely manner meeting the Payroll schedules.
Manage the Time & Labor Workflow Worklist and prepare workflow diagrams to document the Time and Labor system. Manage the synchronization of Time and Labor and the Payroll. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science or a related field required. Eight (8) years directly related work experience may be substituted in lieu of degree.

Sure-Fire Resume Blunders

2011-02-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

A resume is not an easy document to produce. After all, you're writing about your career here. You're writing about the fruits of your labor, the culmination of your years as a professional. You don't want to over-do your qualifications, or worse, sell yourself short. But sometimes it's difficult to be objective about your own career. Sometimes you can be your own worst biographer.

Over the course of our time in the Professional Resume Writing business, we have found there are 6 key blunders that people make time and again when they write their own resumes. These are not 6 small issues, either; on the contrary, these are 6 poisonous gaffes that can ensure your resume goes to the bottom of the proverbial pile.

Take a look at our list of 6 Sure-Fire Resume Blunders, and ask if your resume has one or more of these deadly sins:

1.Messiness- Nothing turns off a reader or employer more than a messy resume. Misspellings, poor grammar, boring or lazy page designs… these are all things that say to the reader, 'This person did not care enough to take the time to do it right.' And you might ask who would be so silly as to send in a resume without spell checking, without fact checking, or with coffee stains on it. All we can say is: you'd be surprised how many messy resumes are floating around out there. A resume is a very important document- perhaps the most important of your career. Take the time to make sure it is absolutely flawless.

2.Bogus Facts- Never lie on your resume. Never embellish. Never creatively omit. It's one thing to promote yourself aggressively and try to highlight your accomplishments in the most impressive light possible. It's another thing entirely if you cross the line into dishonestly. It's that one small lie that ALWAYS gets uncovered. Don't make your resume into a ticking time bomb; don't spend the rest of your career fearing the fake degree you never really got or the embellished sale that you never really landed.

3.Too Much Ego- Yes, you're talking about yourself, but don't make it too much about yourself. All too often, people structure their resumes in such a way that the entire document comes off like, "Here's what I want… will you give it to me?" There's a subtle difference, we know, but the resume should read more like, "Here's what I'm capable of, and here's what I can do for your company. I can get you results." That slight shift in tone is the difference between a resume that seems narcissistic and a resume that sells your potential as an employee effectively.

4.Personal Information- Remember, this is a professional document, not a personal letter. Do you think the reader cares that you have 3 kids; or that you rock climb; or that you teach yoga? Is any of that information relevant to the job you're applying for? If not, then leave it out. It's one thing to tell an employer more about yourself in an interview. Personal information can add depth and personality to your cause when you're in a one-on-one situation. But there is no place for that in your resume.

5.Question Marks- A lack of proper education and training. A job you only held for 5 days. Maybe an unexplained gap or two in your career history. Anything in your resume that might make a reader pause and begin to wonder is a bad thing. If you can't explain away these question marks reasonably, or if you can't find a way to gloss over the questionable material, then you're just leaving a giant boatred flag smack in the middle of your resume.

6.Too Much Info- The reader doesn't want to know everything you've ever done since the day you were started work. A resume should be more than a list of your career. It should be a collection of highlights; it should be a well-constructed presentation of your most relevant and most impressive career information. A good rule of thumb should be: be detailed about the things you've done lately; just hit the highlights for positions 10 or more years in the past.

-Owen Michaels
From www.net-temps.com

In Search of a Payroll Manager

2011-02-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

Accountable for the accurate and timely processing of over $11 M in pay transactions. Responsible for accurate reporting and transmitting of deductions and other payments to state & federal agencies and third party vendors. Responsible for managing the payroll system that will ensure payroll to be accurate, on time, and documented. Responsible for ensuring that all payroll reporting complies with federal, state and company regulations/policies. Responsible for scheduling and managing the year-end tax process and the interface with Benefits, Compensation, HRIS and Finance. The issuance of W-2’s and filing the federal and state reports that are associated with employer’s payroll taxes are also the responsibility of the Payroll Manager. Responsible for coordinating with the Payroll Accountant on Payroll and Benefit account reconciliations.

Requirements: strong experience with PeopleSoft HRMS payroll system. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field. Certified Payroll Professional (CCP) preferred. Five (5) years professional work experience in the following areas: payroll accounting, automated ERP payroll processing, payroll and payroll deduction reporting and payroll account analysis, required. (PeopleSoft HRM-preferred)

Be Yourself On Interviews

2011-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

Interviews are stressful and scary. Will they like you? Will you wear the right thing, say the right thing, or just get the whole thing right?

When I speak to my clients about why they did not get a job they wanted, they tell me they were nervous. They could do the job and do it well, but the interviewer didn't see it. Or, them. If this is happening to you, and companies aren't seeing the real you, it's because you are not showing it to them.

It's important to be yourself on interviews. If you pretend to be someone else, or employers do not see the real you, you may (or may not) get the job, but it won't be too long before you are looking for another one.

So, How Can You Be Yourself? Follow These 4 Steps Below.

1.Let Go of Fear
If you are more concerned with getting it right, then you will end up getting it wrong. Interviews are a two way street. Employers see if they like you and you see if you like them. If you just want to be "selected" for the job, then you don't get to shine. Let go of what could happen wrong and focus on what on could go right. You are perfect for the job. You know it in your gut. So go in there and show them what you got. It's OK to be afraid; you just don't want that fear to get in the way.

2.Prepare, Over-Prepare, and Then Let It Go
It's important to prepare for an interview. You want to know about the company, what they do, and what you can do to help them reach their goals. But at some point, preparation stops and you take over. Think about a time you had a challenging situation at work. You thought about the solution and came up with a way to tackle the problem. But at some point, you had to let that all go, and "you" took over. That's when you were the most effective. You can't plan for everything, so don't. Trust that you will do great on your interview, and you will be able to handle whatever unexpected challenge comes your way. Your reward for trusting yourself, and being yourself, is a successful interviewing experience.

3.Be Helpful
Everyone wants to be seen as someone who can do a job well. But if the interview is only about you, and you are only concerned about you, the interviewer will be wondering about them. Take the focus off yourself and instead put your energies on the person you are talking to. Find out about them; what they want and what's important to them. Sometimes when I debrief a client after an interview, I ask what the interviewer struggled with the most. Most don't know. When you go into helpful mode, you forget about yourself, and your concentration shifts to the other person. This is when the real you comes out.

4.Ask Questions
Interviews are a give and take. You are asked questions and then you ask questions in return. Answers to your questions help you feel better. And, they take the edge off. Most people are afraid of the unknown. Although you may want the job on paper, the company, its policies, and the people who work there are unknown to you. Questions help you get answers that put you at ease. And when you are calmer, the real you can come out.

So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

- Deborah Brown-Volkman

From www.net-temps.com

Looking for a challenge?

2011-02-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

Have a heads down, get the work done attitude? This family oriented organization is seeking a qualified billing specialist to assist with their ever growing department. Must be very detailed oriented as position will require you to manipulate through a multi step process. Must be able to juggle multiple tasks, be extremely deadline driven, and have a keen sense for working with numbers. In this role, you will input work orders, calculate usage, process bills, print and mail statements.

#1 Problem with All Resumes, Job Searches, and Interviews

2011-02-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

Imagine sitting in a lobby waiting for an interview. You look around and all those waiting are as professional and qualified as you…

- Graduates from top schools.

- Possess years of experience in your field.

- Have achieved impressive triumphs in their careers.

In other words, they are ALL highly QUALIFIED. Again, highly QUALIFIED!! What will you say during this interview that is special and more compelling in order to outdistance others? What is your USP (unique selling point) and what does that translate to so it’s a benefit for your new employer?

Standout from the Crowd of Experts

The number 1 strategy job seekers neglect is the selling of their UVP (unique value proposition) over other qualified candidates. Your competition is not the under-performer with an unpolished resume and poor communication skills! (Wouldn’t that be easy?)

Your competitor is smart, hired a professional resume writer, is articulate, and accomplished. So, you, must introspect, dig deep, and develop a enthralling marketing plan that persuades from resume, to online brand, to interview, and through follow-up by seducing your employer with the promise of success through a differentiating value you, and only you, can offer.

You must examine your career performance, find those special ways in which you deliver results–own them and promote them! Because to win in this challenged job market, you must sell a unique value proposition/a brand/a differentiating value.

Deep-dive Analysis

So how do you go about this? Take out your pen and paper or better yet, open your MS Word program and answer the following questions:

1. Why would an employer hire me over others who are qualified?

You are not allowed to answer this question with education, years of experience, or industry knowledge. Sorry! Yes. These are important and you must leverage them but these are qualifiers. Remember, your competition is qualified—we are looking to nudge your employer over the fence by dangling a gem.

2. What is my unique value and how will this impact my future employer?

When others speak of you, what do they say? What have you been consistently recognized for? How have you delivered in areas that no one else could?

3. What guarantee can I make to my future employer?

It is not enough you have discovered your brand or USP/UVP—you must market it and convince the employer to switch/buy what you are selling.

4. What in my past can I use to substantiate my personal brand or unique value proposition?

Convincing is done with examples, stories, and references. You must prove it.

5. Is this message delivered consistently and persuasively across all my self-marketing efforts?

These materials include your resume, cover letter, interview performance, online social profiles, and self publishing content. The more consistent you are in the promotion of your image across all materials/communications—the more believable you will be—the more trust you will gain—the more you will convince.

The game has gotten tougher folks! The same way in which you make purchasing decisions (you want to get the best for the money)—employers want to hire the best for the salary and they desire to not make a mistake in hiring you.

Present and position yourself over the competition, dominate, close the deal by reassuring you are unique and not only are you qualified, but you will deliver above the rest!

-Rosa Elizabeth Vargas
From www.careerealism.com

Bilingual Inspections Coordinator-Temp to Hire

2011-02-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

Large International Oil and Gas Firm located on the West side of Houston is looking to add staff to their Technical Services Department.

Job Summary: Analysis and audit of placed purchase orders in terms of quality assurance. This includes the review of the purchase order requirements such as technical standards, quote requirements, manufacturer and company standards. Coordinate field technical inspection of purchased equipment. Approve invoices submitted for field inspection services. Coordinate and negotiate resolution of technical claims with client and vendors.

Candidate should have 3 plus years inspection or quality assurance experience. Engineering degree or experience preferred.

How to Avoid Laundry List Resumes

2011-02-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

The process of writing a resume can be very tedious. There are often so many jobs and responsibilities to include that many people find themselves wanting to create the simplest one possible just to avoid the grunt work.

But while creating a resume that resembles a laundry list of previous jobs and duties can be tempting, it is strongly discouraged. This is because it only offers prospective employers a vague sense of what you’ve accomplished and how you can benefit their company. So how can you avoid creating this type of resume? Here are a few ideas …

Refrain from Using Duty-Oriented Phrases

One practice that commonly leads people toward creating the laundry list resume is the use of duty-oriented phrases. Some of these phrases might include "responsible for" or "duties included." In your resume it is important that you give the prospective employer an understanding of what you’ve accomplished in the past, but by using duty-oriented phrases you only offer what you should/could have accomplished.

To avoid this issue, you can use more descriptive action words like assisted, collaborated, designed, launched, marketed, guided, edited, researched, and composed. Using these words helps to illustrate an accurate picture of your accomplishments; something the prospective employer needs to see in order to determine how qualified you are for the job.

Go Into More Depth – Focus on Your Achievements

Another great way to sidestep the laundry list resume is by taking time to focus more specifically on your achievements at previous jobs. This means not just mentioning that you were "responsible for organizing several marketing campaigns." This type of description doesn’t tell the employer anything specific about your accomplishments. So instead, try going into more depth about those campaigns.

For example, you can say that you "developed and executed three marketing campaigns that included branding pharmaceutical products, creating ads, and coordinating a 15-member staff to participate in corporate trade shows over a 12-month period." This description offers specific details about your achievement and helps the prospective employer understand exactly how you can be an asset to their company.

Remember That You’re Marketing Yourself

It’s always a good idea to remember that your resume has a purpose, which is to market your skills in an effort to acquire a specific job. So if you had to put yourself in the shoes of the prospective employer, what would you want them to know about you? What might appeal to their interests and make them want to learn more?

You want to let this employer know that you are not just eager to acquire the job, but that you would truly be an asset to the company. Set aside some time to think about how you are qualified for the job. Then carefully illustrate them with your words so that your passion for the position is clearly recognized.

By veering away from the laundry list resume and digging deeper to focus on specific accomplishments, you can better market your skills and abilities. So take your time, think about how you can benefit the company you want to work for, and write a resume that will help you land the job of your dreams.

- Heather Eagar

From www.net-temps.com

Logistics Freight Payment Coordinator-Contract

2011-02-01T14:21:00.001-08:00

Coordinator position: This position will manage our reconciliation process with logistics carriers, 3rd party freight pay provider, and field locations. Responsibilities include:
-Arranging and attending bi-weekly calls with top 25 carriers and freight pay provider,
-Obtaining carrier statements with comments and ensuring freight pay provider updates with the reject codes (managing spreadsheets)
-Coordinating with the field locations to obtain corrections causing non-payment
-Assigning and recording action items on calls, ensuring actions are taken
- Tracking progress and effectiveness of calls
- Notifying financial approvers of pending actions via weekly spreadsheets
- Prepare weekly updates to discuss progress with Logistics Freight Pay Manager

Specific Skills Requirements: Accounts payable supervisory skills required. Logistics background is a plus, but not required. Excel spreadsheet proficiency (v-look ups, etc). Strong organization and communication skills.

Ten Quick Keys to a Top Notch Résumé

2011-01-31T11:34:00.001-08:00

When was the last time you wrote a new résumé? Was it 1, 5, or 10 years ago? If necessary, are you prepared to apply for that next job? In the past, have you gotten the interviews you sought? Were the job offers worthy of your experience? If not, then why? Could it be that your résumé lacked the qualities, power and content needed to reach your employment goals? Perhaps you are a candidate ready for a résumé overhaul.

In the world of employment, companies have little interest in reading résumés. In fact, most résumés are downloaded into a database where they can be extracted by key words such as Excel, management, presentations, CPA...etc. They are also scrutinized in the areas of multiple job changes, education, and progression of responsibility. Of course these are the critical areas that are used to select candidates, but do not forget that a first impression may be your résumé’s cosmetic impression. How does your résumé stack up over all?

1.Résumé NO-NO’s. Don’t lie. Don’t include any personal info. Don’t include salary/supervisor’s info. Don’t use "I", instead use, "Duties included..."

2.Keep it to one page. Your résumé should be clear, concise, creative and one page.

3.Use bold, italics or underlining to emphasize a power point. Best to have only a few items highlighted to gain the most impact. Choose carefully.

4.Make a list of any special projects, new responsibilities, and all job duties.

5.Identify your style. This includes font (size and style), paper stock (type and color), and tone (language choices). If unsure, go conservative.

6.Choose your format. Most employers prefer a chronological résumé that begins with your current/most recent position and goes backward. A functional résumé is valuable for the employee with multiple jobs changes. This replaces the focus on the skills, achievements and experiences. Rather than set up by dates, there are categories of experience and employers are listed without descriptions.

7.Objective: Not Required. A power resume often excludes a general objective statement in place of a "Summary of Qualifications" section. This is accomplished by presenting bullets of key skills and qualifications. Use key words that would pertain to each particular position in which you are applying.

8.Employment History. If possible, combine all positions that you have held within the same company. Focus on the most significant role. You can omit a position that you held for less than three months if necessary. Use varied language in your job descriptions and do not be redundant. Abbreviations in moderation are acceptable.

9.Education. Everyone has some type of training or education that may be valuable to an employer. Document any education that would be related or helpful to the positions in which you seek.

10.Technology Experience. Are your computer skills up to par? This is a key area for employers today. Always document your computer knowledge, both hardware and software. Also, include industry-specific programs and Internet skills.
As you approach a résumé overhaul, keep in mind that this will be your professional paper commercial for the employment world. It should be a glowing recommendation of your history with significant highlights that would benefit your next employer. When you have completed the overhaul, ask a friend for constructive criticism. They may give you a different insight as to the message that you are sending out. Remember this one last key: The answer to a great résumé is to revise, revise and revise!

- Sheri A. Callahan
From www.net-temps.com

Bilingual Spanish Junior Buyer

2011-01-28T14:45:00.001-08:00

The position will report to the Procurement and Houston Office Manager. It will interact with other Buyers and support staff in Houston, corporate office personnel, overseas buyers and vendors. Will negotiate and create RFQs, Purchase Orders, and commercial terms for: parts, materials, equipment. Verify requisition, technical specifications, clarify discrepancies, identify vendors, prepare and circulate RFQs to selected vendors, evaluate vendor proposals, negotiate terms, approve and obtain final authority for execution of purchase and delivery terms. Oversee vendor performance, track status of order from inception to delivery. Capable of handling low-complex RFQ processes and interacting with overseas Buyers. Characteristics:Responsible / Takes ownership in responsibilities, results oriented, Hard working, Team oriented, Persuasive communicator, Ethical and honest, Medium skills orientation in negotiating.
Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:1-2 years experience in Procurement. Excellent communication skills in Spanish and English and through different cultures. Well-organized, detail person.

Attention Paralegals in the Houston Area!!! This is the job for you!!!

2011-01-25T12:54:00.000-08:00

Draft correspondence and pleadings. Attend and summarize depositions. Manage trial dockets and court correspondence. Write and file petitions. Attend client meetings and participate in court appearances
Only those who want to be the center of expertise should apply! Perform legal research. Assist with typing documents. Assist with light AP functions: depositing and writing checks. Light phone calls. General clerical duties (ex. help with company mail outs, put postage on mail, etc.)
WHAT THE COMPANY OFFERS YOU:
Well-established and successful firm
Small office environment with large corporate ideals
Recognition, cultivation and rewards for your talent
Opportunities for challenges, learning and advancement with a company aligned with a long term aggressive growth strategy
100% paid Medical benefits
Flexible Schedule Hours: 8-5 or 8:30-5:30

LOCATION:
Downtown location
Metro and Metro Rail accessible
Shopping & Restaurants near by

BACKGROUND PROFILE:
2 yrs Paralegal experience
Paralegal certification is a plus
Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook
Summation
Ability to be entrusted with confidential information and strong work ethic
Requires strong attention to detail and organizational skills

3 Steps to Answer the Dreaded Question: “Tell Me About Yourself”

2011-01-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

Recently, an Excelle community member asked me how to successfully answer the dreaded “Tell Me About Yourself” interview question. (See full question here.)
My Response:

The dreaded, “Tell me about yourself,” question stumps a lot of folks. People of all ages and experience levels blow this one. So, I’m thrilled you are concerned about the best way to answer it.

First off, please know they are not asking you for a boring chronological re-cap of your professional history. That is the quickest way to lose their interest! What an employer is really asking is, “Why should I hire you?” That being said, here’s my 3-step process for giving them an answer that gets their attention.

STEP 1: Explain what business problems you LOVE to solve.

Enthusiasm for solving a business problem they need help with is the quickest way to get a hiring manager’s attention. Let’s face it, they aren’t hiring you for the heck of it. You need to explain how you can make things better for an employer.

STEP 2: Provide examples of your experience to show them how you know this is a good problem to solve.

Companies hire people who can either save and/or make them money. So, when you provide examples from your personal or professional past that demonstrate the value your problem-solving skills provide, you are proving your worth. It also shows you are thinking like an employee who understand that their job is to make things better for the company.

STEP 3: Explain why you want to leverage your problem-solving expertise for the employer.

Let them know how you hope to grow your skills and abilities by taking your problem-solving skills to the next level. This lets the employer know you plan to focus on being successful and expanding your value to the organization if you get hired. Employers love candidates who clearly plan to hold themselves to a higher standard.

If you follow this 3-step guideline, I guarantee you’ll create a compelling story that will have the employer sitting up and taking notice. This is your chance to sell you value – don’t pass it up!

Part Time Administrative Receptionist

2011-01-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Successful software/technical services company is searching for a Front Desk Administrator to answer phones, greet visitors, handle incoming/outgoing mail. Also, assist with projects in Word and Excel. Part time schedule offering 3 days a week. Ideally looking for someone to work Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8-5. Must be professional in appearance and demeanor with proficiency with Word and Excel.

Quick Tips to Improve Your Resume

2011-01-20T14:10:00.001-08:00

Here are five quick tips to help you write a resume that gets noticed.

1.Remove sentences that begin “Responsibilities included…” That works for a job description, but not a resume. Instead, list accomplishments. People who read resumes want to know what you’ve done.

2.When writing accomplishments, quantify them whenever possible. For example, “Increased sales 15%.” “…resulting in savings of $40,000.” “…doubling the number of customers.”

3.If you’ve had at least one job in your chosen field after graduation, list your education after your work experience.

4.Tailor your resume to fit the job you want. If you are responding to an ad, and you have six of the eight key requirements, be sure your resume says so. Don’t make the reader infer how competent you are. Companies generally spend less than one minute reading your resume during the first screening.

5.Make sure there are no typos or improper uses of words. One of the top traits that hiring managers want is excellent communication skills. Since spell checkers don’t catch everything, be sure to have someone else proofread your resume.
If you want to improve the odds that you’ll land a job you’ll really love, make sure your resume reflects your strongest motivations and talents. A career assessment can be an enormous help. Not only does an assessment identify what truly motivates you, it gives you words to help you explain it. Weave those words into your resume so that it accurately represents your potential.

For example, your assessment may show that you are “Methodical and thorough in routine procedures.” Use those words, link them to a specific accomplishment and you’ve just strengthened your resume. Try it with all of the traits where you score your highest levels of motivation. These phrases will stand out to hiring managers who value these traits.

- Henry Neils

From www.net-temps.com

Calling All Teachers!

2011-01-18T14:48:00.001-08:00

Bilingual Data Collectors needed for upcoming research project. Utilize your educational training and expertise to assist in upcoming research project to occur in various HISD schools during the upcoming school year. Will maintain and collect data for educational research by conducting classroom observations and teacher interviews. Interact directly with educators, teachers and school staff. Prepare materials after observation for data entry including required documentation and ensure compliant with project standards. Participate in weekly conference calls with local and national project managers. Participate in initial and follow up training sessions. Provide statements for reimbursements in a timely manner. Long term temporary position. Must have Spanish speaking/understanding abilities.

3 Reasons to Avoid Making Phone Interview Mistakes

2011-01-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

The reality is, a Phone Interview is one of the most important steps in the recruitment process for almost every position available in today’s crowded job market.
More and more people are looking for work which means the volume of applicants for most positions has simply become too large for one person to handle. So, Hiring Managers are relying on HR Professionals and Recruiters to cut this volume down to size through Phone Interviewing–so only those A-level candidates get the Hiring Managers attention.

In other words, Hiring Managers are too busy to deviate from their core responsibilities to screen every candidate who might apply to every position they may have open under them. So, they put their trust in HR Professionals and Recruiters to find the best candidates from the high volume applications received.

It’s like auditioning for a play — everyone who is interested can try out, but on opening night, the audience will only see those who preformed the best at the auditions. Like the audience, the Hiring Manager wants to be impressed when the “actors take the stage.” So, if you make mistakes or fail to perform well at the Phone Interview Stage of the process your big break could be in jeopardy.

You have to treat the Phone Interview seriously and ensure you are prepared. Here is why:

1. Although, the Phone Interviewer cannot give you the job, they can take it away from you.

Don’t get me wrong, the Phone Interviewer is not out to get you and they will not be overly critical. (In fact, it would make their job easier if you do a great job on the Phone Interview.) But, they will be watching for red flags and mistakes. If you make a serious mistake, they have no choice but to fail your Phone Interview.

2. Recruiters are your allies on the inside.

Impress a Phone Interviewer and they will quickly become the strongest ally in your network. Think of it like this: The Recruiter and the Hiring Manager have a rapport, they work closely together, talk to each other everyday, and the Recruiter has gained the trust of the Hiring Manager. As a job seeker–that is someone I want on my side!

It’s one thing for the Hiring Manager to see on your resume you have sales skills, but its quite another for a Recruiter, someone the Hiring Manager trusts, to tell the Hiring Manger you have a high selling potential.

The Recruiters job is to “sell” qualified candidates to the Hiring Manager. You want to be in that crowd and an error free Phone Interviewer will get you there!

3. Your resume doesn’t tell the whole story.

You have so much you would like to share on your resume. I understand–it’s not easy to display a ten year career on a couple of 8 ½ x 11 pages.

By properly preparing for your Phone Interview, you can really help yourself here. A Phone Interview is going to (likely) consist of questions related to your past experiences and job qualifications. It’s really your chance to get the proudest and most successful moments of your career on record. But, you can only accomplish this if you have taken the time to properly understand the wealth of your skills and experiences and how they relate to the job your interviewing for. (For tips on this, check out my last article, 5 Steps to an Excellent Interview).

The Phone Interviewer is going to make note of almost everything you say during the Phone Interview. I say almost everything, because they aren’t going to be interested in things which do not relate to your ability to preform well in the position for which you are interviewing. So, you have to spend time ensuring you align your self with the position before you pick up the phone for your Phone Interview.

So, what happens with those notes? They are available to the Hiring Manager to review along with your resume. A well executed Phone Interviewing adds more value to your candidacy and makes available vital information you would not put on a resume.

-Lee Gibson
From www.careerealism.com

Attention RNs!!!

2011-01-14T14:25:00.001-08:00

Professional nursing care and related assistance to patients on the OR unit. Provides direction to LVN and non-professional nursing personnel in providing direct patient care. Must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing. Current RN Texas license, CPR/BLS and 2-3 years of experience.

How to Make Your Resume Sell

2011-01-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

The most problematic part of a resume for people seems to be crafting their accomplishments. The confusion between an accomplishment and a responsibility is the difference between generating excitement by selling what you can do, and making a bland statement that elicits the question “So what?” It’s the difference between being invited in for an interview….and getting no response at all.

A responsibility reads as if it was taken from your job description. It fails to distinguish you from any other person that held that title before you, or holds that title at any other company. It says your function, but it doesn’t speak to your ability to perform that function.

By contrast, an accomplishment is what differentiates you from any other person that does, or has done, that job. It not only indicates how well you perform your job, but what type of person you are.

How does a factual accomplishment reveal something as subtle and subjective as a personality trait? Measured with the length of time you were at a company, your number of accomplishments indicates the degree to which you are a go-getter. It says if you’re motivated to go beyond the average job, and how much pride you take in your work.

It tells the hiring authority if you look for problems and find ways to solve them, or if you are content with saying, “That’s good enough.” And it also tells him how well you know your job by how well you solved those problems. Let’s look at an example. If you’re a teacher, a responsibility might read:

•Developed innovative, education-based curriculum
Which leaves the following questions:

•For what classes did you develop a curriculum?
•Why did it need to be developed?
•What was going on before it was developed?
•What was the result of the development?
Interviewers want answers, not questions. Since the responsibility statement doesn’t indicate how well you performed your job, it’s easier not to invite you in for an interview. Interviewers don’t know if you have accomplishments hiding behind your responsibilities. They assume you don’t have anything to say, because you didn’t say it. They don’t care that perhaps you didn’t know how to say it. If your resume doesn’t sell you, it’s not their problem. It’s yours.

By contrast, the accomplishment version of the same statement might read:

•Created and implemented innovative, education-based curriculum that engaged students more actively, resulting in 75% of student body raising grades by average of a full point
This says you’re worth talking to. Then at the interview, it opens the field for the interviewer to ask you for more information about what types of programs you implemented and how you implemented them.

An accomplishment is a results-oriented statement. It shows the benefit of hiring you by telling what you can do. What you’re saying is, “I know what you want done, and I’ve done that. I’ve done it successfully for my previous company; therefore, I can do it successfully for you. When you hire me, you aren’t risking an unknown. You’re hiring someone who has a proven ability to do the job successfully.”

That’s what interviewers want to know. That’s what they want to hear. They don’t want to wonder, and they don’t want to figure it out. If your resume doesn’t indicate what you’re capable of, the chance of an interview in which to sell yourself is slim.

If you’ve been sending out resumes and getting nothing in response, take a look at your bullets under each company name. Do they just say what you did, or do they say how well you did it?

You’re selling a product, and the product is you. The interviewer is the buyer, and your resume is, in effect, your marketing brochure. But if the buyer isn’t interested, you can’t close the sale. And that’s your problem, not theirs.

- Judi Perkins

From www.net-temps.com

Cath Lab Clinical Manager Needed!

2011-01-12T14:51:00.001-08:00

Cardiovascular Services. Supports the goals and objectives of the organization. Adheres to safety policies and procedures. Communicates effectively with patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers. Applies accepted Cath Lab principles and practices to patient care activities. Coordinates activities for effective and efficient management of daily operations. BSN highly preferred. Current RN license issued by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners. CPR & ACLS Certification preferred, 3yrs related work experience & current management experience.

Writing the Interviewable Resume

2011-01-10T14:33:00.001-08:00

It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote on his resume was “Available.” We’ll probably never know if that is true. But it raises an interesting question. How much information is too much and how much is too little when dealing with resume copy?

The resume is a vital piece to any job search. As companies scramble to find the ideal candidate, they use the resume to screen candidates. Done right, a resume builds an instant connection with the reader and helps steer the course of the interview in your favor. If you submit a resume that piques the curiosity of the reader, he or she most likely will ask questions based on the information you provided on the resume as opposed to relying on a pre-packaged questionnaire. That’s how you know you have an “interviewable” resume, when it assists in shaping the course of the interview.

The challenge is, how does one create an “interviewable” resume, one that isn’t boring or sterile? How does one write a resume that motivates the reader to give you a call?

Write with the employer in mind

Cast aside the belief that the resume is about you – because it isn’t. Though the resume is your “story”, the heart of it should focus on the needs of the employer. When developing your resume give thought to the person who will be reading it. What are his or her immediate concerns? How will you be able to solve that person’s problems?

Though it may be difficult to pin down a company’s immediate concerns before an interview, the reality is that organizations recruit candidates for one of the following reasons: they need to replace an unproductive employee, a peak performer was promoted or left, or a new position has been created. A recruiter usually searches for a candidate who will produce certain results, one that is a skilled communicator and has a strong work ethic. If you are able to target your resume toward these key areas, you will, without a doubt, tap into the organization’s concerns.

Choose your phrases carefully

Sentence starters and appropriate use of action words all determine whether the resume is “interviewable.” Instead of using predictable phrases, think of ways to add punch to your resume. For example, instead of using increased sales by 250%…write delivered a 250% increase in sales…; instead of using ability to effectively…write demonstrated ability to effectively…; and instead of using reduced costs…write slashed costs.

When your resume doesn’t “sound” like all the others on the recruiter’s desk, he or she will take notice. You will be remembered when your resume breaks the monotony of the recruiter’s day. Guaranteed.

Have a consistent message

Don’t try to become all things to all people. If you are a CEO, don’t add a statement that indicates that you are willing to be a Business Manager. If you are a Sales Manager, don’t indicate that you are willing to take on a position as a Customer Service Representative. Get the picture? Determine what you are selling (and looking for) before you put one word to paper.

Determine your major selling points

Though you may share the same job title with many other people, your accomplishments and how you carry out your responsibilities are what distinguishes you from all the other qualified candidates. Focus your resume on not only what you did but also how well you did it. By design, what makes you “interviewable” is how you market your strengths on paper.

- Linda Matias
From www.net-temps.com

CVOR Scrub Tech Needed!!!

2011-01-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Under direct supervision of an RN, is responsible for the care and safety of the patients who come under his or her care. Included in this position, is the responsibility for scrubbing for cases in OR, OB, Endoscopy and special procedures after proper orientation. High School diploma or GED, graduation from an approved school or surgical technology or LVN school with additional training and at least 2 years experience in all areas of the operating room. BLS and specialty certification. National certification pref.

12 Resume Blunders

2011-01-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

1.A BLAND OR GENERIC OBJECTIVE: If your objective could be applied to a marketing resume as easily as a resume for an accounting position, then your objective says nothing and will get you nowhere. An objective is NOT some required paragraph at the top of the page that is an exercise in 5 lines of job speak. It’s an actual and real description of your skills as they’re related to who you are and what you want. It should vary with the type of job for which you are applying.

2.BLAND JOB DETAILS: “Responsibilities included overseeing construction of 4 Hilton Hotels in Tri-City Metro Area, each 50 floors in height.” Yeah? So what? That doesn’t say if they went up on schedule or if you brought the projects in under budget. It doesn’t say if you took all four from site work up or if the guy handling two of the four hotels was fired and you were promoted to overseeing all four. Differentiate yourself from the others coming in to interview. If you don’t tell the hiring company how you will be an asset to them, how will they know?

3.ANOTHER JOB, ANOTHER PARAGRAPH: Don’t keep adding on to your resume job after job, year after year. By the time you’re in your 40s, you need to have weeded out some of the earlier stuff. You don’t need all the college activities, just your degree. You don’t need ALL 5 bullets for each of your first two jobs.

4.REFERENCES: Shouldn’t be listed on your resume. “References available on request” is the proper phrase. You present them separately when they’re requested. This isn’t about protocol. This is about protecting your references so they aren’t called until you and the company are serious about each other.

5.IT’S NOT A STORY!: Don’t - whatever you do, DON’T - write your resume in the third person.

6.SKIP THE PERSONAL INFO: You might think your weekend baseball coaching or your church choir participation shows you’re an interesting and well-rounded person, but they’re irrelevent. If the interviewer wants to know who you are as a person, aside from the job interview and your qualifications, he’ll ask.

7.DEGREE DATE: No matter how old you are, don’t leave the date of when you were graduated off your resume. It looks like you’re hiding something (well, you are, aren’t you?), and then everyone counts the years backwards and tries to figure out how old you are. Sometimes you can be ruled out - just for leaving the date off. If you’re trying to hide your age by not stating the date, what else might you not be forthcoming about?

8.SPELL CHECK, SPELL CHECK, SPELL CHECK: Spell checking visually by you AND someone else, any fewer than three times, isn’t enough. And don’t forget to check your punctuation.

9.GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part one: Don’t use one of those resume blaster things. Half those sites aren’t even valid. You don’t know how it will come out on the other end. You don’t even know where it’s going or if the landing targets are employment related. I experimented with one for the heck of it. It’s bad form and just….NOT the way to find your perfect job. Finding your perfect job takes focus, attention, detail, individuality, tailoring, specifics. Resume blasting is about as far from that as you can get.

10.GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part two:If it’s an ad, you probably have instructions as to how to send it. If email, is your only option, cut and paste your resume into the form, AND attach it. You never know what it can look like on the other end because of the variety of settings available to each user. Quite frankly, I don’t recommend emailing it at all, because it usually just goes into cyber space, and then it’s all about the hiring company - but sometimes that IS the only choice you’re given. Emailing your resume takes any option for further participation right out of your hands, because often there’s not even a name given for a follow up contact. You’ve no other option than to wait and wonder (and your resume is just going to HR anyway).

11.GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part three: If the company name is provided, call and ask if they prefer email, fax, or snail mail. I know a recruiter who never even opened his email. Because he was listed in The Kennedy Guide to Executive Recruiters, he received so many resumes emailed to him cold (so NOT pro-active) that he just did a mass delete every morning. Candidates contacted for a specific search were requested to snail mail their resume to him. How about that? I’ll bet less than 10% of those who emailed their resumes even bothered to follow up to see if it was received (this isn’t a numbers game).

12.RESUME VISUALS: Ivory paper. Black ink. Individual pages. No plastic, 7th grade, science report cover with the plastic slider or metal push down tabs. Your name centered at the top, not on a cover page that says “Introducing Clifton Lewis Montgomery III”. No exceptions. Your resume is a professional document, not a school book report or an art project. Until every resume is done this way, yours will still stand out in the crowd.
You are the product, and your resume is the marketing piece. To find your perfect job you must differentiate yourself from the other people who will be interviewed.

Your resume must be specific, individualized, easy to skim so it invites a closer reading, and focused on the differences you’ve made with your previous companies, as well as the accomplishments you’ve achieved with - and for - them. This tells the hiring company what you can do for them - and it IS about the hiring company, not you.

Of course this assumes you meet the requirements for the job - otherwise it doesn’t matter how good your resume is! The resume is what gets you in the door. If your resume is poorly written, looks sloppy, is difficult to read, is cryptic in any way, or necessitates being slogged through to learn your information (they won’t bother), you won’t even get in the door. And how can you decide if you want the company if they’ve already decided they don’t want you?

- Judi Perkins

From www.net-temps.com

Ariba Billing Specialist-Baytown Facility

2011-01-05T14:19:00.001-08:00

Oil & Gas company that is growing leaps and bounds is seeking an experienced billing specialist to handle the frontline of cash flow with all aspects of the invoicing process, as well as being the in house expert for utilizing Ariba Software for one of their top clients. Weekly invoices will be processed both manually and electronically and will require very strong data entry skills. Will also handle the weekly reporting for work in progress, follow-up on missing information, research, and soft collections.

Individual must be a professional team player who is dedicated, down to earth, up for a challenge, and eager to join a fun, but desires to be part of a hardworking team.

5 Steps to an Excellent Interview

2011-01-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

As an Interview Preparation Expert and Career Coach I leverage my skills and experience as a Recruiter, Human Resource Professional, and Student of Life to guide clients in their interview preparation. I have a day job as a Corporate Recruiter and I conducted around 3,000 Phone Interviews for a number of different and diverse companies in 2010. Each day, I witness job seekers make serious errors in how they market their skills and present themselves as individuals during phone interviews–errors which knock them out of the recruitment process! Sadly for them, with proper preparation these errors could have been easily avoided. This is good news for you!

I attribute the short comings I see in job seekers as a Corporate Recruiter to a fundamental misunderstanding of: the value of a phone interview; hiring manager expectations in increasingly crowded talent pools; and the skills needed to identify and market individual, unique skills and experience.

That’s where I can help. I help my clients understand what a Phone Interview truly is and how valuable it could be if approached correctly. After spending well over 700 hours (and counting) conducting phone interviews, it is clear: A huge gap exist between the effort candidates put into preparing for their Phone Interview in relation to the career goal being sought–a job! Interview preparation isn’t difficult and, with the right tools, doesn’t have to take too much time.

My unique position as a Recruiter, interacting with both candidates and hiring managers, has positioned me as a leader in the area of interview preparation. From my experience and observation, I have developed the REACH method of preparation for phone and face-to-face interviews. REACH is the key to closing the gap between you and the job you want!

REACH is so simple and easy to follow and it takes very little time to work through the five steps:

1.Research the Position
2.Evaluate Your Skills
3.Align with the Position
4.Channel the Positive
5.Hone Your Pitch
That’s it! No need to worry about where to start or what you’ll be asked during your interview. Just start using REACH to prepare for your interview and you’ll be covered.

Use the links below to hop over to the Intravance Blog and read on to better understand how simple it is for you to REACH for a better interview.

-Lee Gibson
From www.careerealism.com

Internet Marketing Manager

2011-01-04T14:37:00.001-08:00

Work for one of Houston's Fastest Growing companies conveniently located near the Medical Center area
THE ROLE YOU WILL PLAY:
Manage and oversee the launching of a new website
Create web based marketing solutions for accounts
Monitor and analyze website to improve performance including increased traffic
Stay abreast on latest internet marketing and make reccommemdations to enhance efficiency and performance of website

COMPANY PROFILE:
Customer centric attitude. Fast-growing organization.

WHAT THE COMPANY OFFERS YOU:
Modern and home like environment
Recognition, cultivation and rewards for your talent
Opportunities for challenges, learning and advancement with a company aligned with a long term aggressive growth strategy
Excellent benefits package
Growth oriented company
Promotes individual professional growth and development
Team-driven, collaborative environment
DIRECT HIRE POSITION

LOCATION:
Near the Medical Center
Free parking
Metro or Trek Express accessible
Shopping & Restaurants near by
Easy access on and off freeways

Thank You!

2010-12-30T11:32:00.001-08:00

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our candidates and clients! Thank you for an amazing 2010 and we look forward to a wonderful 2011!

How To Mess Up A Phone Interview

2010-12-30T11:31:00.000-08:00

Typically the topic of verbal crutches is something that people are coached on when they are improving their group presentation skills. Verbal crutches are those little “connector” words that all of us use from time to time. These are the ums, ahs, and even in the case of one candidate I interviewed-fabulous, that we unconsciously toss in while we’re thinking about the next sentence.

Let me tell you-this will KILL and I mean-RUIN your chances for a follow up interview, especially if your first interview is a phone interview.

As the interviewer on a phone interview, I have nothing else to focus on other than the sound of your voice. If that sound is constantly interrupted by an umm, or a ya know, I’m really going to notice it. If the job I’m considering hiring you for has a lot of phone work involved, I’m not going to subject the person on the other end of the phone to your poor verbal abilities. At this point, I don’t care if you are the most qualified person on paper-you’re out of the running because your message is being lost in a sea of these verbal crutches. It’s a very silly way to get eliminated.

Here’s how you clean up your act. First, you need to either ask your friends very seriously and honestly if you are a verbal crutch offender. Explain to them how important this is in your job search, and unless they want to hear you whine for an additional six months about not finding a new job-they should help you. Verbal crutches are bad habits that can become more apparent when you’re in stressful situations like job interviews, but are probably apparent when your guard is down like when you’re hanging out with friends. They don’t just appear when you pick up the phone for an interview.

Your other option is to record yourself while you practice for the interview. This can be trickier because you will of course know that you’re taping and will make more of an effort to clean up your act, but it could work.

Another option is to just make a conscious effort throughout the day to listen to what you are really saying. Too many times I find that if I’m not completely engaged in what I’m saying and am not truly “in the moment” that I will start umming and ahhing as my brain searches for the next coherent thought. When I focus on the message I’m trying to convey, my speech patterns clean up immediately and I’m back on track. I sound more professional and people have a tendency to not tune me out because they’re tired of trying to sort out the wheat from the umm and ahh chaff.

So bottom line, if this could be a problem for you-fix it NOW! Make an effort everytime you say something during the day to really listen to what you are saying-don’t tune out! If you want the interviewer to pay attention to you-you need to pay attention to you. For some people, this will be a hard habit to break, but it is well worth the effort, I guarantee it.

- Melanie Szlucha

From www.net-temps.com

Administrative Assistant Needed in the Woodlands

2010-12-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

Candidate will be required to make course manuals which involves printing course material and binding the material together to make the manuals. Will answer phones and assist in normal office admin duties. Set up courses which can be done through the phone and/or by email. Must know how to operate a copy machine proficiently and be computer literate. Must be able to lift boxes in the office (10-25lbs). Will help out with the front desk at times. The office can be very fast paced so the candidate will be required to work when priorities might change at a short notice. Ideal candidate needs to know Microsoft Office including Excel worksheets. Strong written and communication skills; sharp and focused; self driven; great people skills.

What's an Employer Really Looking For in Your Resume?

2010-12-23T07:40:00.001-08:00

Most job-seekers write their resumes with one thing in mind—themselves! They toot their own horn so loud the interviewer is blown away by the sound. The "I did this" and "I achieved that" approach is important, of course. The hiring manager wants to know what you've accomplished in your previous line of work and how you can benefit his or her company in the new position.

Reading Between the Lines

BUT—he or she is also looking for some intuitive abilities that a potential employee can express on the job without every detail being spelled out. This means the new hire should be able to anticipate and sense problems and challenges and be able to meet them instinctively.

For example, suppose you hope to be hired as an administrative assistant to the president of a financial corporation. You have computer skills, an ability to organize corporate data, you're capable of keeping the filing system up-to-date, and you're ready to field phone calls and e-mails for the executive without being told.

Beyond the Job Description

These skills look good on paper, but for your resume to move to the top of the pile, include a few sentences that state what else you can do that may not appear in the job description. Example: Able to chair a meeting of corporate executives when the president is unexpectedly detained or called away on emergency business; able to trouble-shoot with customers on the phone, keeping the president free of time-consuming entanglements; able to stimulate essential communication between employees in other departments and then report back the findings to the president.

An employee of real value is one who not only meets the requirements for the job, as described, but goes beyond them, delivering both practical help and heart-felt support that call for intuition and attentiveness.

- Jimmy Sweeney
From www.net-temps.com

Tax Preparers Needed!

2010-12-22T14:50:00.001-08:00

Tax Prepration Company in Southwest Houston seeking 2 experienced individuals to help customers in processing personal income taxes. 1-2 years experience required. Will train on basic knowledge of their TaxWise software system. Will also train on recent tax compliance. Must be available to work 7 days a week but will have scheduled prepared well in advance. Pay + Bonus structure based on referrals and number of returns processed

General Accountant

2010-12-21T14:09:00.000-08:00

This position will be working onsite with a client company assisting with General Ledger, AP, AR. Must have 3-4 years experience with processing invoices and be able to assist with payroll processing. Currently using QuickBooks, but changing to JDEdwards in the near future. Must be proficient with MS Office and flexible to work in a very busy office environment.

Rusty Interview Help

2010-12-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t looked for a job in a while, skydiving might be preferable to interviewing. But there are a few simple steps that will remove the fear and give you the confidence you’d otherwise wish you had.

Common sense says you need to research the company via their website, brochures or the library, although you’d be surprised at how many skip the obvious. Basics also include bringing a few extra copies of your resume to hand out if necessary, arriving early, dressing professionally, and knowing what you have to offer the company.

But those are no-brainers, or they should be. What even experienced interviewers often fail to do is ask, in detail, about the position. So get away from the job description and dig into the actuality of that job in that company, as it stands right now. Find out why the position is open and how long it’s been vacant. Ask also how long the previous person was there. If that person was there less than two years, find out how long the previous person was there. If both are short, chances are you won’t be there long either.

You want to know what the first priority to be addressed is, if there’s a time frame for accomplishing it, and if so, what it is. Is it a realistic one? And overall, in what condition is the job you’ll be picking up? Is it maintenance? Troubleshooting and clean up? Smooth, accelerated growth? And how do the answers sit with you?

The toughest thing about interviewing is that you need to find out about the position and sell yourself as the one for the job – concurrently. That means you’re going after it before you even know if you want it. Process it later. It’s easier to close the door than open it when it’s too late. In the meantime, to stay in control of your career, if what you’re hearing is agreeable to you, then show enthusiasm and throw the stiff formality out the window.

Interviews should be dialogues, not question and answer sessions. You can’t change the subject, but you can ask a question about the topic that’s on the table. This gives you additional insight into the position and what they’re looking for. It also helps what part of your background you want to talk about, leaving you less likely to ramble on, hoping something will be impressive.

You can also ask for clarification if something sounds a little…….off. But pay attention to your tone of voice and your body language. A furrowed brow, a puzzled tone, and a curled lip are much more off putting than an interested tone, a smile, and a relaxed open manner. The latter shows genuine interest in the details. The former can sometimes be construed as the mark of a difficult person.

Pretend you’re interviewing with a friend’s company, and it’s just a formality. How would you be sitting? Sounding? What would your word choices be? Because self confidence has a completely different look and feel to it, and companies don’t want to hire desperate people. They want to be specifically chosen for who they are and what they offer. Just like you do.

- Judi Perkins

From www.net-temps.com

AP Coordinator Needed!

2010-12-15T10:11:00.001-08:00

AP person with 3-5 years of experienced is needed to enter invoices into accounting system for payments. Will assign GL coding, process check payments, perform matching, maintain vendor accounts, interact with AR, reconcile intercompany receivables, and data input. Ideal candidate must have prior AP experience, knowledgeable with ERP and MS Office, strong communication skills and detailed oriented

4 Resume Tips From Career Pros

2010-12-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

What if you could talk to four hiring professionals and ask them what they REALLY wanted to see in your resume?

Do you think that might give you an advantage in your job search?

I spoke to recruiters and career experts from across America and convinced them to share their best advice with you.

So, without further ado, here are four tips from career experts to help you write a better resume – and get hired!

1.Research the company and customize your resume
In this job market, too many candidates are chasing too few openings. That means you must differentiate yourself. And a great way to do that is to customize every resume, to clearly target the positions you apply for.

"I advise all candidates to send out no generic resumes. Make sure you include keywords from the job postings online or from the newspaper – this can grab employers' attention and keep them reading," says Felix Lin, a recruiting professional at Los Angeles-based Marclin Group (www.marclingroup.com).

So carefully match your resume to job postings, to make sure your resume hits all the hot buttons in every ad you respond to.

In addition, research target companies using www.google.com, www.hoovers.com and your network of contacts. The more you know, the better you can tailor your resume to appeal to hiring managers.

"You want to know what kind of management style will be a good fit at your target employer. If you have contacts there, find out what happened to the person you'll be hired to replace. Were they fired, promoted, what? Use any advantage you can get – you have to research companies like there’s no tomorrow," says Lin.

2.Showcase your achievements
When writing your resume, shoot off your big guns early. Because if you start off slow, employers may never finish reading.

"Top career accomplishments and awards should be at the top of page one for impact, not buried on page two," says Ron McManmon, a former recruiter and currently Executive VP of Bend, Oregon-based Careeradex, Inc. (www.careeradex.com).

For best results, mention at least 2-3 of your top achievements within the top third of page one -- this is the most valuable real estate in your resume.

You can include your achievements in a Profile or Qualifications Summary section, with 4 or 5 bulleted paragraphs, each one or two lines long. Bullets make for easy reading and allow you to make your best points quickly.

3.Break up long text
"Avoid paragraph forms that are text heavy and hard on the eyes. Bullet points definitely make for easier reading," says Rick Fox, Branch Manager at Edina, Minn.-based Princeton Search (www.mrimpls.com).

My own rule of thumb is to break all paragraphs longer than three lines into two or more shorter, bulleted sections.

Here's just one "before" and "after" example from a recent resume that crossed my desk, with grammar and punctuation improved as well.

BEFORE

Administrator of a 40-node local area network utilizing Windows NT primary domain model, integrated with a Novell Netware server for GroupWise E-mail access. Windows NT Server 4.0 provided DHCP-TCP/IP services for the intranet, as well as account validation, and management of shared resources. Windows NT Workstation 4.0 provided access to the domain.

AFTER

* Administered 40-node LAN running Windows NT primary domain, integrated with a Novell Netware server for GroupWise E-mail access.

* Managed Windows NT Server 4.0 (DHCP-TCP/IP for intranet, account validation, and shared resource management) and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (domain access).

4.Stay within two pages
"The initial review of a resume is very brief -- as little as 13 seconds. We look for several items, including companies worked for, job titles and timeline. These should all be prominently displayed," says Doug Binning, President of Minneapolis-based Upstart Solutions (www.upstartsolutions.com).

A good rule of thumb is to limit your resume to two pages at most. "The attention span of resume reviewers is notoriously short," adds Binning.

Anything that doesn't make the cut can be used to create supplemental documents, listing your projects and prior experience in detail.

Bring these supplements to the job interview, where you can use them to expand on your resume.

Best of luck to you!

-Kevin Donlin

From www.net-temps.com

Why Wasn’t I Hired?

2010-12-13T10:56:00.001-08:00

Interviewing can be both frustrating and arduous because throughout the process, you receive little or no feedback except for the obvious: if they want you back, they contact you. If they don’t, frequently you never hear from them again. But after a first interview the reasons for not being asked back are numerous, and quite frankly, usually they’re about you: lack of experience, poor interviewing skills, inadequate preparation and research, or similar shortcomings. As a result, another candidate generates more excitement.

But sometimes you are the candidate who’s invited back for a second or even a third interview. After that, though you’ve reached the final stages of interviewing and feel sure an offer is imminent, suddenly……nothing.

Sometimes the process has stalled. Occasionally - and stupidly - a company finds the perfect person, but feels they have to interview a specific number of people first, and while they do, they’re under the impression you’re waiting happily in the background with your life and emotions on hold until they contact you again.

Other times only a letter in the mail tells you it’s done. Rarely are candidates told why they didn't get the job. Unless you get this far in the process, usually you aren’t even told that much. Was it something you did? Maybe. But maybe not!

Relax. While you’re busy wondering what went wrong or trying to convince yourself it had nothing to do with you...sometimes that’s the truth! You and that company just weren't meant to be, and nothing you might have done - or not done - would have made any difference.

Consider these factors, all of which take place without your knowing:

•A last-minute candidate appeared on the scene who was exactly what they were looking for. Maybe you were almost perfect, but for some reason, the last-minute candidate was just a bit more whatever they were looking for. If you experienced a delay in your interviewing late in the process, odds are very good your position as the top candidate was usurped at the last minute.

•An internal candidate entered the picture. Though many companies post positions internally first and go outside only after exhausting internal options, that doesn’t account for someone changing his mind - especially if it was the person they were initially targeting.

•The company decided to eliminate the position or put the hiring process on hold. Sometimes when a company doesn’t know in which direction they want to go, they run an ad to “see what’s out there” and then eliminate the position when their water walker fails to submit a resume. On other occasions, the process might be halted as a result of some event that changed the circumstances - and thus changed their decision about interviewing.

•One of the interviewers that came into the picture later in the process didn't like you. Perhaps you reminded them of a former employee that didn't work out. Maybe they were threatened by your expertise and skill. In any case, they carried enough weight or had enough of a valid point to get you jettisoned from the process.
Interviewing is the process by which you find a company you like, and by which a company hires you because they feel you’re the best person for the job. Everything happens for a reason, and if you missed getting an offer with one company, something better may be just around the corner.

So concentrate on what you can control and forget about what you can’t. If you mope around worrying about what you did or didn't do and wonder why they didn't like you or where you messed up - your attitude will bring about another negative outcome.

Look objectively at whether or not you can pinpoint something you might have done differently, and then learn from it. Otherwise, put it behind you and move forward with a confident and positive outlook!

- Judi Perkins

From www.net-temps.com

Entry Level Accounting Clerk Needed

2010-12-10T09:56:00.001-08:00

Will assist with year end cleanup. Copy, file, fax, data entry, match PO's, code and input payables. May eventually verify vendor payments. Great if they have worked with Oracle.

Dental Scheduling Clerk

2010-12-07T07:23:00.001-08:00

Growing pediatric dental practice looking for experienced front desk/scheduler to manage front desk for one dentist, schedule, greet patients, perform collections, run monthly reports, send out statements, verify insurance and other administrative duties. One year of experience working in dental office with use of Dentrix software preferred. Must be good with children, customer service, computer literate, reliable and a team player. Free parking, lunch room, nice environment, discount for children's dentistry after 90 days, paid vacation, holidays. No weekend or long evening hours. Friday work only half a day!

4 Tips to Answering Tough Interview Questions Correctly

2010-12-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

From blatant – “Greatest weakness, weakest attribute, most significant failure.” To soft – “What might your previous employer say?” Even softer – “You certainly seem to have a lot of strengths, but we understand no one is perfect.” The question will come one way or another, everyone knows it, yet still befuddled by it.

There have been many Rules of Thumb (R.O.T.) developed over the years, from making light of the question with an answer like “Pizza!” to true confessions, putting a cloud over everyone, to developing a response that actually demonstrates a strength, “I tend to be a workaholic” or “perfectionist.” (Yuk!)

In principle, Rules of Thumb are meant to have very broad application such as, “when in doubt, get out.” Great advice if you are in the middle of an intersection and the light changes. Would it apply in the final seconds of a game, you’re down 3 points and have the ball? What, you’re going to walk off the floor? I don’t think so. I find many R.O.T. (pun intended) to be off the mark and misleading. What may be good for one may not be for another. That is not to say there are no rules that can be applied; there are. Just choose your medicine carefully.

When answering interview questions, here’s the first rule…

RULE #1 – Stay Positive…ALWAYS!
The “what’s your greatest weakness” question is your opportunity to shine. One way is to demonstrate you are a positive person by nature. Everyone likes a person with a positive nature, right? Remember you are in the interview to make yourself desirable for hiring, so you might say, “I rarely sit there and think of myself in those terms, nevertheless, I do want to respond to your question” or something on those lines. Notice by the way I did not say “I rarely sit there and think of my weaknesses.” Okay, I take it back. Here’s a rule of thumb that always applies: Do not use or repeat negative terms, even if the interviewer throws it out there.

Here are three other rules I suggest you follow:

RULE#2 – No Superlatives!
Keep it singular. Superlatives such as “weakest” or “worst” or “biggest” indicate the greatest degree of whatever is it describing. “Worst weakness” is the weakness of the highest degree implying there are other weaknesses of varying degrees but weaknesses nonetheless. That begs the question “what are some others?” Likewise, “need most to improve” implies there are others areas for improvement. In any case, try this as an alternative: “If I had to come up with one…” (No negatives; no multiples).

RULE#3 – No Absolutes!
The absolute, as in “my weakness is…” states the weakness exists unconditionally: Utterly fixed and not likely to change. WOW! Wouldn’t it be better to be a little less restrictive, something more conditional like “it could be I am…” Conditional responses suggest you yourself are not completely convinced of it. This type of response also accomplishes what the bungling technique of using a “strength” to describe a weakness consistently fails to achieve – that your “weakness” may not be a weakness after all.

RULE#4 – Keep it Real!
Your “weakness” should be one (singular) that is subjective – of your person. Humanize it!

“If I had to come up with one (singular) it might be (non-absolute) somewhat (qualifier) of a lack of internal patience (human). I seem (unconvinced) to have strong tendencies to expect the same from others I do from myself (human). Not just in terms of results – I’m smart enough to realize not everyone has the same level of skill, abilities and education (real)…I do however, expect others to give their best effort, and if that’s not there, then yes, that might (conditional) bother me to some degree.”

Ah! “bother me to some degree” is human, non-absolute, qualifier, and conditional. Don’t you love it?! Another tact, similarly keeping it real, could be an incident resultant of some area where improvement was needed (potential weakness) that turned out to be a learning experience and later grew into a personal asset, thus giving you, once more, an opportunity to showcase strength.

In summary…

Do your homework. Think critically and be honest with yourself. Ask friends or colleagues the same: Critically and honestly, what they think may be your one weakness. When you have the answer, internalize it. In other words, take it to heart. If you don’t, your response may come across like a sound bite, no matter how long and hard you practice sounding unpracticed. When you speak from the heart, you won’t sound “rehearsed,” you will sound “aware” – conscious of yourself, a characteristic we all value.

From www.careerealism.com

Resume Keywords Are Necessary

2010-12-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hiring managers, recruiters, and business owners conduct numerous searches on career sites each day. The words they use to search for possible candidates are known as keywords. If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, it can’t be found very easily.

The bad news is that there are as many, if not more keywords as there are job openings. You can find many different keyword lists online with possible words that are highly searched for, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those particular keywords will match the position for which you are seeking. Just like performing a search on an internet search engine, no one person, or hiring manager, searches for the exact same phase each time.

So, what can you do to increase the chances of getting your resume found? Here are a few suggestions to help you find the right keywords to include in your resume.

Put Yourself in the Hiring Manager’s Shoes

When trying to decide what keywords will provoke the best response, think as if you are the one doing the hiring. What would you search for if you wanted to hire someone for the opening you are applying for?

Here’s another idea. If you know anyone who works in a hiring or human resources department or someone who owns their own business, ask them what they look for when searching for potential employees. Professional resume writers can also offer a good deal of insight into how employers think.

Pay Attention to the Ad

This is probably the best way to determine what keywords will get you noticed.

Look at the advertisement for the position you are applying for. Chances are the person doing the hiring is the one who wrote the ad and you will find the most important keywords right in the ad. Does the ad list specific qualifications, software knowledge, or experience that is required? If so, add those words to your resume where appropriate. Don’t forget about ads for similar positions, even if you are not applying for them. Those ads may highlight other important keywords that might be missing from other ads.

Resume Banks
If you add your resume to resume banks or employer databases with hopes of landing the perfect job, you must include certain keywords to get your resume in front of hiring managers.

No matter how qualified you are, if your resume doesn’t pop up in their search list, the hiring company may not even know you exist, let alone that you are interested in a position with their company. Do your research and make sure you have as many of the appropriate keywords included in your resume as possible for each job you apply for.

- Jennifer Anthony

From www.net-temps.com

Cardiology LVN- Temp to Hire

2010-11-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

LVN with cardiology experience - would love to have some with Coumadin INR levels experience. Phone triage position, must have strong intercommunication skills and able to handle a high call volume office. Will be working with 7 drs and have the ability to be cross trained to cover other areas as needed.

Thank You!

2010-11-24T08:45:00.001-08:00

We are thankful for all of our clients! Thank you for a wonderful 2010! Wishing you are your families a happy and safe holiday!

What NOT to Do in an Interview

2010-11-24T08:41:00.000-08:00

Last week I had lunch with a colleague who had recently hired someone for a part-time position for her office. My colleague was interested to observe the wide variety of people who applied for a low-paying, part-time position. She was even more intrigued by one candidate’s behavior during the interview.

Apparently this candidate had called on her way to the interview to say she was en route. Based on her supposed whereabouts, the candidate should have arrived 10-15 minutes early. Somehow, she actually arrived 40 minutes late—without offering any explanation as to why. As if her tardiness weren’t bad enough, this candidate then proceeded to scroll through and reply to e-mails on her Blackberry during the interview!

I know what you’re thinking: Yeah, that’s what happens when you interview college students. Not so! This badly behaved candidate was an administrator in her 50s, looking for an additional job to earn a little extra money. My colleague was stunned someone of this age—and at this stage in her professional life—would act so poorly in an interview setting. So, in case it needs to be said:

1. Show up for every interview slightly early.

Between 5-10 minutes is perfect. If you get there anymore than 10 minutes early, hang out in your car until it’s closer to your appointment time. Interviewers don’t like to feel rushed into talking with you. On the other hand, leaving yourself extra minutes will still allow you to arrive on time if you happen to miss a turn, get caught behind a school bus, or find yourself waiting at a railroad crossing as a 3-mile-long freight train moseys its way toward Montana.

2. Set your cell phone to silent or turn it off.

If your vibration mode is as loud as mine, it’s too loud for a quiet interview setting. If you’re like the woman above and can’t keep your hands off your “crackberry,” leave it in the car. Many people consider it bad form to even be looking at your cell phone while you’re waiting to be called in.

3. If something truly crazy occurs that causes you to be late, apologize profusely.

There is no easier way to get off on the wrong foot with a potential employer than to give them the impression you don’t value their time—or you’re not worth hiring in the first place because you’re not dependable and inconsiderate.

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez
From www.careerealism.com

Attention Dental Assistants!!!!

2010-11-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

We have 2 new openings at top notch dental offices in the Houston area! Please email resumes to dena@executeam.com right away!

Recruiting for a Lab Supervisor

2010-11-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Responsible for management of laboratory staff including, but not limited to, hiring, training, coaching,evaluating and disciplining to ensure a well-qualified team and to enhance operational success.
Assure compliance with safety policies and procedures in the work area and use applicable protective equipment at all time to prevent exposure to potentially infectious blood.
Comply with the Clinical Laboratory Information Act (CLIA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), HIPPA and other applicable, federal, state and local regulations.
Coordinate the installation of new or revised tests and procedures, ensuring quality control in accordance with SOPs and OSHA.
Ability to identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and correct the problem or notify Director of Laboratory Services.
Initiates quality-control measures and monitors quality of work for adherence to laboratory standards.
Performs duties of technologist as necessitated by absence or peak workload.
Completes special projects as requested, e.g., statistical reports, studies, research, etc.

Part-Time Accounting Clerk

2010-11-19T10:27:00.001-08:00

Part-time Accounting Clerk is needed to assist the Accountant with AP and AR functions. Job duties include: mailing checks, posting procedures/credit card batches, billing AR customers, generating customer letters, and filing invoices. Must be able to work Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30 am-5:30 pm and Fridays 8:30 am-12:30 pm.

Payroll for the week of Thanksgiving

2010-11-19T10:26:00.001-08:00

DATE: November 18, 2010
TO: All ExecuTeam Employees
FROM: Kernishia Gibson, Payroll Administrator

The deadline to submit your timesheet during the week of Thanksgiving is Tuesday, November 23rd by 10AM.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct deposit will be guaranteed into your bank account by Wednesday.

PAY CARDS: Pay cards will be loaded on Wednesday morning.

• Exceptions will not be made on late timesheets. All late timesheets will be paid the week following Thanksgiving.
• Be sure to have your timesheets signed no later than Friday in order to make the deadline on Tuesday, November 23rd. No faxed timesheets unless you worked over the weekend. Be sure to mail or drop off the original timesheet by Wednesday.
• ExecuTeam Staffing will be closed on Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th.
• Our offices will reopen on Monday, November 29th.
If you have any questions regarding this memo, please call 713.952.6761.
Have a great and safe Thanksgiving!

How To Sell Yourself Like a Product at a Job Interview

2010-11-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

Interviewing for a job is in many ways comparable to a sales person making a sale. If you were a sales person and were about to sell a product to a customer you would do some homework or research so that you could convince your customers that your product was the best product on the market to fill their needs.

If you think of this scenario and apply it to the job interview process you will find that it is a powerful tool to use for your interview preparation. What do you have to offer (as a product), to the customer (the employer)? What do you have that will fill their needs (the requirements of the job)? What can you bring that is unique or added value to the position/company? (that sets you apart from the pack)?

Let's begin with "what you have to offer." Think of ways to present your key qualities throughout the interview. An example of this technique is when interviewing for a position that requires "strong organizational skills." You will want to let the interviewer know you are not only organized, but that your organizational skills have made a significant difference in your performance. If you can give an example of a particular event that you organized and how your organizational skills made a difference in a past job you will make an even stronger sell. Anyone can say that they have "strong organizational skills," but not everyone can give specific examples of a time when they had a success using those skills. Don't tell them – sell them - with proof of a past experience or success.

Next, begin to think about what the employer's needs are and how your product can fill those needs. You can accomplish this by studying the job description or posting. Read through the posting or job description once for content. Then, read it a second time for specific words that are emphasized. There will be specific words used according to the job or industry that you are applying for. Make a list of these words to use as "key factors" needed. Now, return to the job posting and read it once more. This time read "between the lines." What would it take to do this job? If for instance, there is a statement such as, "Position will require frequent collaboration and interaction on all levels of staff and management," you can gather that "strong interpersonal" and "communication" skills will be needed to do this job. By making a list of "key requirements" you can match them against what you have to offer.

The last factor to prepare for your sale is to let the employer know that you have the ability to "fit in." and be a "team player." The interviewer will not only be looking to see if you can do the job, but they will also be checking to see if you will be a good addition to the team. Don't dismiss your personal traits in your sales "pitch" preparation. Identify skills that make you unique such as "interpersonal skills," "attitude," and "willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done." These skills could make the difference between yourself and an equally qualified candidate getting the job offer.

When you take the time to prepare for the sale of the product – YOU – you will have a better chance of convincing the customer or buyer that you are just what they are looking for. By the time you leave the interview the interviewer should have a strong sense of what you have to offer and why they should hire you – why you are the best person for the job to fill their needs.

- Carole Martin

From www.net-temps.com

PA for Urology Group- Direct Hire

2010-11-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

Under the direction of a physician, provides health care services to patients.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
Obtains detailed history and performs physical examinations.
Performs or orders x-rays, electrocardiograms, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic procedures, and interprets results.
Administers such therapeutic procedures as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care.
Instructs patients on prescribed therapeutic regimens, home care and health maintenance.
Maintains required records and writes progress notes on patient charts as to status, treatments and procedures.
Provides follow-up and health maintenance care to patients in accordance with protocols established by physicians.
May provide guidance and work direction to less experienced Physician's Assistants.
Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Are Your Writing Skills Up To Snuff?

2010-11-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Basic English Language and Grammar Rules

HYPHENATION

Rule: When you are using two words to describe a noun, those two words act as an adjective and must be hyphenated.

Examples: high-performance career … low-cost manufacturing … market-driven sales programs … problem-solving skills

Exception: DO NOT hyphenate when the first of those two words ends in the letters “ly.”

Examples: highly successful executive … consistently superior performance … remotely controlled device

PARALLELISM

Rule: When you are writing serial items, they must all be written in a parallel voice.

Correct: Directed all manufacturing operations including training and supervising staff, scheduling production, purchasing materials, managing inventory, troubleshooting operations, installing new technology, and coordinating all budgeting. (Note that all of the phrases start with an “ing” verb.)

Incorrect: Directed all manufacturing operations including training and supervising staff, scheduling production, materials management, inventory control, troubleshooting operations, installing new technology, and budget management. (Note the inconsistency in the list of serial items - some starting with the “ing” verb and others using noun phrases.)

COMMA CONSISTENCY

Rule: Pick a method and stick with it where you either consistently use or not use a comma before the word “and” in a list of serial items.

Correct: Trained all newly hired personnel in the sales, customer-service and customer-support departments of Macy’s Stores, Macy’s Outlet Malls and Macy’s Online Shops.

Correct: Trained all newly hired personnel in the sales, customer-service, and customer-support departments of Macy’s Stores, Macy’s Outlet Malls, and Macy’s Online Shops.

(Note that either of the two examples above is correct and consistent. In the first example, a comma is not use before the word “and” in each of the two serial item lists in the sentence. In the second example, the comma is used.)

Incorrect: Trained all newly hired personnel in the sales, customer-service and customer support-departments of Macy’s Stores, Macy’s Outlet Malls, and Macy’s Online Shops.

(Note the inconsistency of the sentence above where the first list of serial items does not use a comma before the word “and” while the second list of items does. This is incorrect because it is inconsistent.)

Exception: It is recommended that you use a comma before the word “and” when the final item in a serial list has the word “and” in the clause.

Example: Coordinating materials movement, inventory planning, and shipping and receiving operations.

BULLET CONSISTENCY

Rule: Bullet-point items must be consistent and use the same verb or noun tense.

Correct: * Budget Management * Staff Training & Leadership * Customer Service * New Product Introduction * Sales Territory Management * New Market Development

Incorrect: * Budget Management * Trainer & Leader * Customer Service Representative * New Product Introduction * Managing Sales Territories * New Market Development

(Note the tremendous inconsistency in the use of nouns and verbs in the incorrect example.)

CONSISTENCY WITH TITLES & DEGREES

Rule: Pick a format and be consistent in how you present job titles and college degrees.

Correct: Retail Sales Associate (1999 to Present) Sales Associate (1996 to 1999) Inventory Clerk (1995 to 1996)

Incorrect: Retail Sales (1999 to Present) - This is NOT a title! Sales Associate (1996 to 1999) Inventory Clerk (1995 to 1996)

Correct: Master of Arts Degree in Education, 2003 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, 2001

Incorrect: Master’s, Education, 2003 Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2001

I hope you’ve picked up some good English language and grammar rules and solid writing tips from this article that you’ll immediately start integrating into all of your writing projects!

- Wendy Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW with Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

From www.net-temps.com

Annual Toy/Holiday Drive!!!

2010-11-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

The holiday season represents a time of celebration and a time for good cheer. It also represents a time to recognize the charities that ExecuTeam continues to support throughout the entire year. During the month of November, ExecuTeam will be accepting donations at our office location to provide a convenient way for you to contribute to our efforts.

Examples of Donations:
• Unwrapped toys for any ages
• Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash
• Shampoo, Conditioner
• Soaps, Lotions, Deodorant
• T-Shirts, Socks, Underwear
• Gift Cards
• Puzzles, Games, Search Books
• Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc
• DVDs and Movies

And of course, cash or checks made to the charity or charities of your choice are always welcome!

Tuesday, November 30th (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) will be the last day donations will be accepted. Monetary donations can be mailed to our office address until December 15.

Temp to Hire Opportunity for an Cardiology LVN

2010-11-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Avoiding Resume Quick Sand

2010-11-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

There’s probably nothing more frustrating than getting your resume all “prettied up” to send to a company via an online source, only to realize that when you hit the send button, you don’t know where in the world it’s going. This can be compared to sending your resume in quick sand. It’s being sucked into an unseen, unknown world and you don’t know if it will ever return some type of response for you.

So how can you avoid resume quick sand? It’s easier than you think. Here is a bit of advice to take advantage of so you won’t become the quick sand’s next victim.

Tailor Your Resume for Each Employer
Employers recognize generic resumes a mile away. The generic resume is the one that you pull off of a template website then change only a little bit to match your specifics. If you want to let an employer know that you’re serious about the job you’re applying for, you have to do better than that. It’s your job to conduct research on the company and position to learn exactly how you feel you qualify. If you can’t do that then you have no business applying. At least that’s how the employer will feel as they dump your resume into the pool of quick sand.

Make Your Resume Keyword Heavy
Often times, resumes get lost in the quick sand because they have been run through scanning software meant to catch certain industry-specific keywords. If your resume doesn’t include some of these keywords then it may be filtered to the “quick sand” section of the program and be readied for deletion. To avoid this from happening to you, it’s a good idea to conduct a good amount of research on the company, as well as the industry as a whole, to learn what words should be included in your resume.

Let Your Cover Letter Say What the Resume Doesn’t
Another way to help avoid resume quick sand is to have your cover letter tell the story your resume can’t. For instance, if you have a major gap in your employment because you chose to take time to raise the family, you can explain this in your cover letter. Also, you can utilize this tool to highlight any experiences you acquired during your time off that might be relevant to the position you’re applying for.

If You’re Not Qualified … Don’t Apply
Sometimes we set ourselves up to have our resumes tossed into the quick sand. That’s right, if you didn’t apply for the job you were grossly under-qualified for, you may not have found yourself in this position. So if you know that you can provide absolutely no proof that you qualify for a position, it’s best not to apply. And while you’re at it, stop sending resumes to the same recruiters. If they’re interested, they’ll likely contact you. Repeatedly sending your resume to a recruiter is neither necessary nor appropriate.

The job search world is a tough one, but not an impossible one. If you play your cards right, you can not only avoid the resume quick sand, but actually secure a great position.

- Heather Eagar
From www.net-temps.com

Administrative/Office Assistant Needed!!!

2010-11-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Be in the middle of everything with this dynamic group. Company is located in the downtown area and provides financial advisory to various oil and gas clients. This position will allow you a diverse variety of duties and responsibilities while putting your computer skills to the test! You would be involved in the daily office routines, assisting with accounts payable, working closely with vendors and clients, maintaining and preparing for client meetings, data processing and much more! Ideal candidate must possess excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, able to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines, flexible to OT, proficient MS Office skills, and polished written and verbal communication skills.

Internal Auditor

2010-11-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Prepare, Conduct, Discuss and Document Internal Audits in group companies of the North and Latin America regions.

Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and make value recommendations to improve the overall control environment.

Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost-effective control, cost savings, and revenue enhancement.

Perform special projects.

How To Ace An Interview - The Checklist

2010-11-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

A job interview is a screening tool. For you, it's an opportunity to assess whether or not you want to work for a company. For the employer, it's an opportunity to decide whether or not they want to hire you. Both sides are looking for a match.

You can ace an interview and win the job you want even in this economy; even with the competition that wants the same job as you. You will have to work hard, but it can be done. Know that the work you do upfront and afterwards will make the "during" (while you are interviewing) much easier for you.

Here's a checklist to help you:

I. PREPARE BEFOREHAND

•Do your homework and find out who you will be interviewing with. You are looking for job title, responsibilities, accomplishments, as well as anything else that impresses you about this person.
•Know as much about the company as possible. Get on their web site and memorize their products and services. Look at their press release section for news. Talk to a few people about what they know. Look online for comments, discussions, blogs, forums, and additional insights. - Don't just look for good news. Look for challenges that the company is facing, and think about how you might contribute to their success.
•Write out the top 3 points you want to make sure you get across.
•Write down what makes you different or unique.
•Have a story/example for each bullet on the job description and each bullet in you resume. Include the challenges you were up against, the action you took to solve these challenges, and the results you achieved.
•Write down answers to questions such as your strengths, weaknesses, where you want to be in the future, etc. The questions that employers don't always feel comfortable asking. The same questions you don't always feel comfortable answering. Nevertheless, expect to be asked these questions anyway.
•Write down the answers to the questions you don't want to be asked. If you have a gap in your resume, have a good response for when you are asked about it. If you were fired, be prepared to tell the employer why with a positive spin. Don't shy away from these questions and hope they won't be asked. Expect them to be posed to you and have your answers mapped out and ready to go.
•Write down questions to ask the interviewer; three to five should do. Questions like, "What are you looking for in a candidate?" "What keeps you up at night?" "What's the biggest challenge you are facing right now?" These questions may be answered during the interview, and other questions may come up as the discussion progresses, but these questions will give you a place to start.
•Write down an introduction; an opener that says who you are and what you do. Include your past title, the type of work you have been doing, why you are excited to be interviewing with this company.

II. DURING THE INTERVIEW

•Be upbeat, passionate, and excited to be there.
•Use your prepared introduction and introduce yourself.
•Right after your introduction; say something flattering to the interviewer. Reveal what you like about the person or the company. Include what impresses you the most. Sincere flattery starts the interview off in a positive way.
•Answer questions and ask them. Remember, it's a two way conversation, and an opportunity for both parties to see if there is a match. Don't forget to listen and let the interviewer talk.
•Make sure you cover anything that was not discussed in the interview before you leave. For example, did you cover your 3 points? Did you tell the interviewer what makes you different? Did you handle all objections properly? Did you ask the questions you wanted to ask? Cover this now; afterwards may be too late.
•Tell the interviewer again why you want the job.
•Ask what the hiring process is, and when you can follow up with them again.

III. AFTER THE INTERVIEW

•Send a thank-you note. Email one version and also send a handwritten version. Thank you cards work well here.
•Include in your email anything you left out during the interview. Add credibility to your email by mentioning something specific the interviewer said that impressed you.
•If you promised to follow up on a specific day and time, keep that promise.
•Continue interviewing. No matter how great an interview went, no matter how many people told you that you are "the one," you do not have the job until you have formally been given a job offer in writing. Don't let everything ride on one job. Keep going until you are officially employed.
So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love!

- Deborah Brown-Volkman
From www.net-temps.com

In Search of an Administrative/Office Assistant

2010-11-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

How to Critique Your Own Resume

2010-11-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

As a job seeker, and as your own resume writer, you have probably created what you feel is a masterpiece resume that can be sent anywhere and get you a job. But if you really think about it, if your resume was that fabulous, you would probably have a job by now, right?

Try not to feel bad about your resume; sometimes it’s hard to see what needs to be changed when you don’t have the advantage of being your own third-party eyes. However, if you follow a resume-critique checklist, you have a better chance of wrapping your mind around some obvious changes that may need to be made to turn your resume into the true masterpiece it can be.

Think about First Impressions

The first item on your checklist which you should consider when looking over your resume is whether it will make a great first impression. Does it look like it is based on a template that other job seekers are using, or is the resume writer, that would be you, original? Is it cluttered with words or does it offer clear sections with ample white space? Does the design have a professional appearance, or does it look like you asked your 10-year-old sibling to type it for you? It’s good to consider all of these questions when exploring what type of first impression you’re making with your resume.

Are Your Resume Sections Appropriate?

As you continue to critique your resume, it’s important to look through your resume sections to ensure they’re appropriate. In other words, you want to make sure that they are all clearly labeled. You also want to make sure they are listed in the best order possible to highlight your strongest credentials. When you list work history, you want to ensure it is listed in reverse chronological order so that your most recent job is listed first.

Are Your Career Goals Clearly Defined?

As you review your resume, check your career goals to make sure they are clearly defined. This means you want to make sure your career objective is toward the top of the resume. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your objective, as well as the remaining resume content, is targeted to a specific career goal rather than being so general that it would fit a job as a plumber just as easily as that of an insurance underwriter.

Are You Using Action Words and Keyword Phrases?

In order to highlight your accomplishments, it’s important that you, as the resume writer, create a resume that is action-driven rather than duty-driven. This means using action words rather than words that focus on the responsibilities you had. So instead of writing that you were responsible for organizing the office, write that you developed an organizational system for the office. Also, you want your resume to be rich with keyword phrases that define your industry, like “trade shows” if you’re in marketing.

As you see, it takes a lot of work to create a “masterpiece” resume. But you can do it with ease if you go over it line by line, word by word, and make sure that it includes every element it should contain and, of course, is error-free. If you do, you will find your title changing from “job seeker” to “employee” before you know it.

- Heather Eagar
www.net-temps.com

Seeking a Pharmacy Technician

2010-11-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Responsibilities include pharmaceutical inventory process development and implementation, develop, compile, and maintain reports, sort pre-packaged drugs and pharmaceutical supplies for distribution. Transcription of medical information into medical labels, maintaining proper supply levels using inventory systems and maintain record of drugs, drug usage, and medication information.

Requirements:
Two years of experience in pharmacy, drug wholesale warehouse, or hospital pharmacy are required. Good computer and written communication skills (Microsoft Office, SAP a plus). Experience in sorting pre-packaged drugs and pharmaceutical supplies for distribution. Working knowledge of inventory systems.

In Search of a Senior Accountant

2010-10-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Experience in payroll general ledger reconcilation is a plus! Requires a bachelor's in Accounting, Business Administration, or closely related field with at least 18 hours of accounting. CPA A Plus, Masters Degree in Accounting is preferred

Preparation is as Important as the Job Interview Itself

2010-10-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Following are some steps to take to insure that everything you want and need will occur when you walk into the room and face the hiring manager.

•Turn your thoughts to the questions and answers you've prepared. Go over them in your mind, fine-tuning your responses.

•Give yourself plenty of time to dress appropriately. Choose clothing that is simple, yet professional.

•Eat a light but nourishing meal. You'll want to keep your energy high while being interviewed.

•Review your notes regarding your current or previous employment. Be ready to talk about specific examples related to your talents and skills.

•Gather your resume, letters of reference, and other pertinent documents. When asked for evidence or credentials you'll have then on hand.

•Check your car for fuel or the bus schedule if you're taking public transportation. Always allow more time than you need so you arrive without stress.
These basic steps are sometimes overlooked because job candidates often wait until they are sitting across from the hiring manager before they think about the real purpose of the meeting and their reason for being there—to win a return interview and ultimately the job they want.

Start your job interview before you leave home so that when you arrive you'll be fully engaged and at your best.

- Jimmy Sweeney

From www.net-temps.com

How Numbers Can Enhance Your Resume

2010-10-27T10:02:00.002-07:00

Did you know that numbers can make a huge difference in your ability to create a quality resume? It’s true. The more numbers you add to your resume, the more you are enhancing it and increasing your chances of getting called in for an interview.

Of course, adding numbers doesn’t simply meaning writing “1, 2, 3” in random places around the resume. They have to be used strategically to make a difference. But if you adopt the right strategies, you can bet that you will have enhanced your resume tenfold.

Start with Amounts

When jotting down accomplishments, not merely responsibilities, to your resume, you want to get as in-depth as possible. This means listing the amounts associated with everything you have accomplished. For instance, if you were a sales representative at your previous employer, you can mention that you not just sold products for the company, but that you sold X amount of products for the company.

Also, it’s a good idea to talk about how many clients you were able to sell to. The more detailed you’re able to be when describing your accomplishments, the more vividly you can paint a picture of what you’ll be able to accomplish if the company hires you.

Move On to Money

So now that you’ve been able to successfully describe how many products you’ve sold, and how many clients you sold to, during your time at your previous company, let’s think in terms of the dollar bill. If you were a sales representative, your ultimate job was to sell products or services to as many clients as possible so that you could make money for the company. So how much money would you say you made?

Obviously, the more money you were able to make, the more successful you probably were at your job, so you want to break down as many numbers as you can. Don’t just total out all that you made in your career there. If you sold more than one product or service, don’t be shy about listing total amounts for those that you sold the most of. These dollar amounts will tie into your explanations for how many products and clients you sold, so that your story can become that much more vivid.

Don’t Forget Time

But you can’t thoroughly list an accomplishment without mentioning time. In other words, over how many years did you sell products? How fast a timeframe were you able to sell X amount of products to X amount of clients that made X amount of dollars? Or how many times a month were you asked to come up with another important sales strategy? You’re catching on now, right? It’s all about making sure you don’t leave any important details out. If you don’t mention it all, you’re simply selling yourself short.

So now it’s time to pass you the baton. It shouldn’t be hard to come up with the numbers you need to fill in the blanks on your resume. Just take time to think about all the great things you’ve accomplished at your previous jobs so that you can show your future employer what a great employee they’re getting.

Heather Eagar is a former professional resume writer and is passionate about providing working professionals with current, reliable and effective job search tools and information.
From www.net-temps.com

Accountant I Needed!!!!

2010-10-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Large Healthcare facility is seeking a person to assist with the accounting activities that includes monthly general ledger closeout, account analysis and reconciliations. Must have 1-2 years accounting experience, degree preferred and strong analytical skills. Will prepare journal entries for the general ledger, reconcile monthly statements, prepare and analyze reports and help out wherever needed.

Receptionist Needed!

2010-10-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

Receptionist for Corporate office of a professional real estate property. Multiple phone lines with 4 incoming phone lines and 15 extensions. Basic Computer skills required. Handle all front desk traffic including phones and greeting all incoming visitors. Must be professional!

What NOT to Do in an Interview

2010-10-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Last week I had lunch with a colleague who had recently hired someone for a part-time position for her office. My colleague was interested to observe the wide variety of people who applied for a low-paying, part-time position. She was even more intrigued by one candidate’s behavior during the interview.
Apparently this candidate had called on her way to the interview to say she was en route. Based on her supposed whereabouts, the candidate should have arrived 10-15 minutes early. Somehow, she actually arrived 40 minutes late—without offering any explanation as to why. As if her tardiness weren’t bad enough, this candidate then proceeded to scroll through and reply to e-mails on her Blackberry during the interview!

I know what you’re thinking: Yeah, that’s what happens when you interview college students. Not so! This badly behaved candidate was an administrator in her 50s, looking for an additional job to earn a little extra money. My colleague was stunned someone of this age—and at this stage in her professional life—would act so poorly in an interview setting. So, in case it needs to be said:

1. Show up for every interview slightly early.

Between 5-10 minutes is perfect. If you get there anymore than 10 minutes early, hang out in your car until it’s closer to your appointment time. Interviewers don’t like to feel rushed into talking with you. On the other hand, leaving yourself extra minutes will still allow you to arrive on time if you happen to miss a turn, get caught behind a school bus, or find yourself waiting at a railroad crossing as a 3-mile-long freight train moseys its way toward Montana.

2. Set your cell phone to silent or turn it off.

If your vibration mode is as loud as mine, it’s too loud for a quiet interview setting. If you’re like the woman above and can’t keep your hands off your “crackberry,” leave it in the car. Many people consider it bad form to even be looking at your cell phone while you’re waiting to be called in.

3. If something truly crazy occurs that causes you to be late, apologize profusely.

There is no easier way to get off on the wrong foot with a potential employer than to give them the impression you don’t value their time—or you’re not worth hiring in the first place because you’re not dependable and inconsiderate.

In this tough job market, any face time you get with a hiring manager is absolutely invaluable. Make sure you’re on your best behavior!

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez
From www.careerealism.com

Administrative Assistant-Temporary

2010-10-22T13:43:00.001-07:00

Work for global oil and gas company. Administrative Assistant is needed to answer phones/transfer calls for department and fill in for the front desk receptionist. Job duties also include scheduling courses/training for employees and creating course manuals. Assist with supply orders. Requirements: Proficiency in MS Office especially Excel; this position will require creating/working with Excel worksheets. Ability to work in a fast paced environment and shift priorities. Also, must be able to lift boxes in the office (10-25lbs). Position is located in the Woodlands area.

One Resume Technique Makes You Stand Out

2010-10-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Bilingual Spanish Junior Buyer Needed

2010-10-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

The position will report to the Procurement and Houston Office Manager. It will interact with other Buyers and support staff in Houston, corporate office personnel, overseas buyers and vendors. Will negotiate and create RFQs, Purchase Orders, and commercial terms for: parts, materials, equipment. Verify requisition, technical specifications, clarify discrepancies, identify vendors, prepare and circulate RFQs to selected vendors, evaluate vendor proposals, negotiate terms, approve and obtain final authority for execution of purchase and delivery terms. Oversee vendor performance, track status of order from inception to delivery. Capable of handling low-complex RFQ processes. Capable of interacting with overseas Buyers.

Characteristics:
Responsible / Takes ownership in responsibilities, results oriented, Hard working, Team oriented, Persuasive communicator, Ethical and honest, Medium skills orientation in negotiating.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies:
1-2 years experience in Procurement. Excellent communication skills in Spanish and English and through different cultures. Well-organized, detail person.

Is Your Resume Ready for a Recruiter?

2010-10-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Great news! You received a call out of the blue from a recruiter who wants to see your resume quickly. But what if you haven’t kept it current?
First of all, consider asking for more time to pull things together. After all, the recruiter’s job is easier if your resume clearly tells the employer why you’re a strong candidate.

Now, on to getting that resume in shape! Here are 3 tips to help you craft a compelling document—even if you’re short on time:

1 – Focus squarely on the goal.
Nothing kicks an applicant out of the running faster than an unfocused resume. Therefore, you’ll need to build your value proposition around this particular job, laying the foundation for the strategy behind your resume. (You can always create a different resume for another job type later).

Add a resume title, using as many specifics as possible that reflect your goal, such as Sales Manager, IT Director, CFO, VP Operations, etc.

Next, you’ll need to write down ideas for a summary of your background and why you’re qualified for this particular position. The key to writing an effective summary is to tweak it and keep it flexible during your resume writing process, allowing different ideas to surface so that you can weave them into this section.

One idea that may make this task easier is to use short, brand-focused headlines in lieu of writing a full profile paragraph.

Remember to review your summary after finishing your resume as well. You might find that you’ve uncovered more information to add—forming the basis for a well-rounded, powerful introduction to the rest of your credentials.

2 – Jot down your major success stories.
Here is where you’ll need to spend the bulk of your time. Analyzing how your contributions have impacted your employers is a critical step in the resume writing process.

Start by making a quick list of key points that you’d make if you already had the interview. Take special note of the metrics behind each story and the impact of your work on the company.

Flesh each out to a small paragraph, cutting out extraneous details for brevity. It’s best to aim for a sentence of 3 lines or less that describes your role, the context behind each accomplishment, and the results.

Repeat this process a minimum of 3-5 times for each job that you’ve held in the past 10 to 15 years to fill in your resume. This task may take a few extra hours, but it will be time well spent on a resume that gives a compelling picture of your abilities.

Finally, add these stories in bullet-point form to your resume, with a basic job description in paragraph form to introduce each of your jobs. Here, you can describe the teams you’ve supervised, budgets managed, and other contextual details.

3 – Get feedback on your resume update.
This is an important step, but it’s one that many professionals miss. Colleagues, spouses, bosses, and friends can help you to recall any important projects you might have omitted, or leadership qualities that you should demonstrate in order to be considered for the job.

Be sure to ask others to help proofread your resume as well, since typos and other errors can escape even the best writer who is pressed for time.

That’s it! Now, take the time to compose a short note to the recruiter that points out your main qualifications and the reasons you’re interested in the job. Your new, superbly crafted resume can then do the rest of the talking.

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Laura Smith-Proulx

From www.careerealism.com

Which Cola Does Your Resume Brand You As?

2010-10-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

As top Cola brands fought to capture and sustain market share in an oversaturated soft drinks market, some very valuable marketing and branding lessons surfaced. What we learnt from the “Cola Wars” was that the fittest brand did not always thrive. On the contrary, ultimate success was the result of a shrewd branding strategy, one that truly differentiated the product from the crowd of “me too” competitors.

To combat 9.5% unemployment and competition from 14.6 million unemployed individuals, professionals and executives, too, are applying cutting-edge branding strategies to position themselves as a notch above the competition. When it comes to branding individuals, a resume is much like marketing collateral; it must be written in a compelling manner to position the candidate as the perfect solution for the employer’s needs.

Consider the following tips to create a brand-driven resume:

Identify your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Almost every candidate’s resume would convey attributes, such as hardworking, dedicated, team player, and other “everyone-has-them” skills. If all job seekers are hardworking and dedicated, whom should the employer call for an interview? This is where USP comes into play.

Ask yourself and your peers, superiors, team members, colleagues, and family members questions, such as “How am I different from the rest of the employees?,” “What is my value proposition?,” “In what ways do I contribute to the organization?”

Once you have identified your USP, showcase it on your resume. The following two resume examples demonstrate how a strong USP can capture the employer’s attention.

Weak strategy:

“Drive consistent sales growth for XYZ Company.”

Better:

“Top-producing sales professional who leverages relationship management skills to penetrate hard-to-influence Fortune 500 accounts and generate 120% revenue growth every year.”

The second candidate positions himself as a “top-producing professional” who leverages “relationship management skills” to achieve sales growth.

Create branding statements as headlines

Resume objectives, as they are generally written by many job seekers, don’t offer much benefit, especially if the objective statement is a cookie-cutter version, such as “Motivated professional seeking a promising position that offers opportunity for advancement and growth.”

What exactly did this objective convey? Nothing!

Branding statements and headlines are the modern-day equivalents of resume objectives. They pitch your most promising differentiation strategy in a few brief sentences. The following branding statement clarifies this concept:

Technically-proficient project manager who specializes in managing multi-million dollar, cutting-edge green solutions projects!

Over 18 years’ experience in deploying green solutions projects for Fortune 100 companies. Outstanding reputation as a project leader who turns-around failing projects into highly successful initiatives.

Translate benefits for the hiring manager

Take action statements a step further and emphasize the benefits of hiring you. How have you benefited your past employers and in what ways can you benefit your future employers?

As opposed to saying “Offer ten years’ experience in plant management,” translate benefits of hiring you.

“With over a decade of plant management experience, I am able to develop growth-focused solutions for challenging problems. At ABX Company, I was able to develop a powerful assembly line strategy that enabled workers to increase productivity by over 10% while simultaneously cutting production time by over 18 hours and labor costs by 6%.”

The candidate translated the benefits of hiring him -- improved productivity, cost savings, and optimal efficiency.

Modern resumes have advanced significantly from the previous century, when the status of a resume was downplayed to a typed employment chronology. Contemporary resume styles leverage branding and marketing concepts to differentiate and aptly position candidates as unique solutions for twenty-first century corporate challenges.

- Nimish Thakkar, Resume Writer and Career Coach
From www.net-temps.com

How to Mention Unrelated Work Experience on Your Resume

2010-10-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Many candidates who come to us for resume help have the same question. They have years of professional work experience, but a lot of it isn’t relevant to the position they’re currently seeking. On the one hand, they don’t want to waste resume space detailing work that doesn’t relate to their application. On the other hand, they don’t want to omit years of work that developed them as a professional.
THE RIGHT PHRASE
I use a magic phrase to address this issue: “additional experience includes.” It’s perfectly all right to sum up large portions of your career in one sentence that lists previous employers or positions. If you spent the first 10 years of your marketing career performing lower-level tasks, you could say: “Additional experience includes marketing positions with ABC, DEF, and XYZ (1990-2000).” If your previous work was in an unrelated field, you can simply list the companies: “Additional experience includes positions with ABC, DEF, and XYZ.”

THE AGE GAME
This technique can also be very helpful to those who are concerned about age discrimination. I summarized the first 15 years of one candidate’s career into one sentence to downplay the fact that she was 55. Because her experience was relevant to her field, removing it from her resume entirely would have been a disservice, but we did not include the years that experience encompassed.

THE EXPERIENCE ISSUE
I recently worked with another candidate who used this technique to show she was a more experienced professional than her education suggested. This woman had worked for 10 years before going back to complete her bachelor’s degree. From looking at her graduation dates, you would assume she was in her 20s. In fact, she was an experienced manager in her 30s—a fact that was important to show for the level of job she was seeking.

Many of us have work experience that doesn’t fit neatly with our current goals and objectives. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving it off your resume altogether, using the phrase “additional experience includes” can help you mention the experience quickly without wasting precious resume space.

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez
From www.careerealism.com

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Resume

2010-10-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

POS Analyst

2010-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

Famous restaurant is in need of an POS Analyst who can work out in the field to help maintain the locations POS system. This position will involve the handling of the administration of each store system, managing and supporting the company's display system rollout, providing level 2 support for store applications and escalated calls from help desk, assisting with developing and implementing support for new initiatives and working on special projects. Qualified candidate must have POS experience within the retail/restaurant industry.

Job-Clinching Interview Secrets and Tips

2010-10-07T14:47:00.001-07:00

The entire interview process is designed to sift the average from the extraordinary and to select the candidate who will be the "right fit". To facilitate decision-making, hiring managers often leverage behavioral interviewing (an interview technique relying on past performance as an indicator of future success). Interview success is largely dependent on how the candidate delivers responses.

Consider the following tips:

Communicate effectively, focus on the beef

During many interview coaching sessions, I have observed that candidates often deliver closed-ended responses to interview questions. Brevity is certainly appreciable, but if the response fails to communicate the message effectively, it won’t do much good either.

When asked about clinical research skills, for example, many professionals would frame their responses along the following lines:

Weak Strategy:

"I have excellent clinical research skills."

Better:

"My superiors, including XYZ Pharma’s CEO, have often called me the ‘Prize of the Clinical Department.’ During my 12+ years’ in clinical research, I have provided my expertise to the world’s top three pharmaceutical companies. As clinical research director at XYZ, I not only directed the testing of eight multi-billion dollar, blockbuster molecules, but also spearheaded their approval process from Phase I of clinical studies all the way through market launch. My Ph.D. in pharmacology serves only to enhance my clinical knowledge."

Showcase past results, demonstrate potential value

Wherever possible, highlight results, not just duties. It is very important to demonstrate how you were driving results at past positions and how you can continue bringing value in your future role as well.

Weak Example:

"I consistently generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenues for XYZ Pharmaceutical Company."

Better:

"From a sales force of 900+ at XYZ Pharmaceutical Company, I was ranked in the Top Five. My performance was consistently at 140% to quota and I was instrumental in winning many sought-after deals. It was primarily my leadership that helped the inclusion of three of our company’s products into the formularies of major managed care organizations in our state. I have won 14 ‘top salesperson’ awards in the past seven years."

Translate benefits for the decision maker

Instead of allowing the hiring manager to draw conclusions about your candidacy, provide material that will do the job for them. In other words, it is not enough to say what you have to offer; the response must go a step further and explain how your qualifications will benefit the organization.

Weak Example:

"I am an experienced pharmacist."

Better:

"My eight years’ experience in working for nationally-recognized pharmacies, such as XYZ and ABC, have honed and developed my ability to fill prescriptions efficiently and accurately. My ability to fill over 300 prescriptions per day with 100% accuracy would save thousands of dollars for your organization as it will eliminate the need for having two pharmacists during an eight-hour shift. My patient orientation and communication skills helped build a loyal patient base for my past employers, and I am confident I can do the same for your company as well."

Understand your employer

Conduct thorough research about the employer, including its past, present, and future. This will not only help you prepare for the interview, but will also help you identify and address issues that would be unique to the specific employer. Employees, vendors, customers, Internet research, SEC filings -- there are a number of information sources you can leverage to facilitate your research.

Convey how you are the candidate for the job

Once you have understood the company’s needs, prepare a convincing strategy to position you for those needs. Consider the following example:

Lu was interviewing for a regulatory affairs manager position with a large pharmaceutical company. His research made him aware of some problems the company’s compliance division was facing in Asia. He leveraged this information to his advantage and at every meeting during the interview process, he used past examples and results to showcase his ability to resolve FDA issues in Asian markets. The strategy was a hit.

Anticipate and prepare responses to common interview questions

Prepare responses for common interview questions. I also ask my clients to prepare short, almost commercial-like messages and scripts positioning them for the role.

- Nimish Thakkar, Career Coach
From www.net-temps.com

Single Most Important Career Question to Ask Yourself

2010-10-06T13:20:00.002-07:00

Most people are absolutely unaware of some of seemingly subtle points in their résumé that positively screams out certain things to employers. What may seem vague and somewhat insignificant to you usually is one of the first things that an employer looks for when evaluating candidates.

Employers are evaluating résumés and looking to see what you’ve done to keep yourself up-to-date, and many are on a talent shopping spree. This means they are hiring top industry subject matter experts who have demonstrated their understanding of applying new skill sets and ideas in the workplace.

To wit, I jokingly (but not really) say your résumé is not an obituary, but instead, a dynamic, driving career road map.

And there’s one thing that can help ‘wake’ job seekers up more than anything by asking the single most important question that will impact their competitiveness in today’s job market:

“Are my skills obsolete?”
If you ask this question, and realize the skills you offer are just run-of-the-mill abilities or are outdated, this is your red flag cue you need to get moving…FAST.

If you hope to survive what is now being termed the “Great Recession,” which is continuing with no foreseeable end in sight, your ability to navigate the requirements of companies hiring will rest solely on how you have kept up your skill sets.

Being aggressive in stockpiling skills and knowledge will be critical to making your candidacy the best value in the marketplace…and you’ll need to be strategic about how you map out acquiring those skills.

Apply the following questions to your résumé to better see what employers are thinking when they read this document:

■Have I attained any industry-specific certifications?
■Have I taken any classes, workshops, trainings, conferences, conventions, webinars, continuing education units, or gone to any corporate learning university sessions?
■How have I demonstrated the practical application of what I have learned into my work?
■Has there been any peer recognition for my subject matter expertise (as in any awards, speaking engagements, publications, etc.)?
These factors alone are worth their weight in gold to employers. They simply don’t want someone who will do the minimum possible and push papers around their desk from 8am-5pm. Companies today are struggling to optimize every company system while squeezing every ounce of profit out as possible in order to stay afloat in this volatile economy.

Similarly, you need to take the same approach.

Don’t wait for a company to offer to send you to a conference. You NEED to be your own advocate. Identify the key opportunities where you can enhance your skill sets, and present these to your boss as ways you can improve your on-the-job productivity.

Be prepared to provide justification in terms of return on investment.

And if your manager doesn’t approve the expense and your time out of the office, you’ll need to make a life-changing decision and empowering one:

Invest in yourself.

Be willing to pay for additional professional development yourself. If you are currently employed, think of it as a way to become more indispensable. The job may be eliminated, but if you have demonstrated ROI every step of the way, chances are, the company will find a way to retain you.

If you are looking for work, the good news is everyone who is currently employed is so busy doing the work of 2-3 other people due to staff cutbacks, they don’t have the time to go out and take class. You have the time to identify those core skill sets and take classes that add to your value proposition.

Passivity and blatant ignorance aren’t going to cut it today. You need to cast a critical eye to your résumé and look at it from an employer’s view…what have you done to keep your job skills up to date? Is your professional development section blindingly empty? Or was the last class you took over 5 years ago?

If so, you’ve got your work cut out for you…and by updating your skill sets, you’ll improve your viability as a candidate for open positions.

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Dawn Rasmussen
From www.careerealism.com

Surgery Scheduler- Temp to Hire

2010-10-06T13:20:00.001-07:00

If you have scheduled spine surgeries you will love working with this successful, compassionate & growing practice. This practice focuses on working as a team to best serve the patients. Use your experience to schedule spine surgeries for this busy practice and you will be appreciated by your team. Some of your duties will be to manage the surgery schedule by phone & in person, obtain medical records, provide appropriate forms to patients, coordinate office & surgery schedules on physicians' calendar, schedule pre & post-op appointments, work with medical records, plus other duties as needed. This practice is ready to hire.

Avoiding Jargon and Acronyms on Your Resume

2010-10-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

I recently met a woman who had started a new job with a Fortune 50 company several months ago. While she enjoyed some aspects of her new position, she was having a very difficult time adjusting to the culture of her new company due to the other employees constantly using acronyms she didn’t understand. The situation is so bad, every day she writes down a list of terms she doesn’t grasp and asks her assistant to explain them.
This is a fairly extreme example of corporate culture gone awry, but it reminded me of something I see often in reviewing resumes. Candidates who have worked for one company or in one industry for a long time often fill their resumes with acronyms and jargon that would only make sense to another employee at their current company. People often don’t even notice they‘re doing this, as they have been using these terms for years and forget not everyone knows them.

A related issue is candidates capitalizing terms on their resume because they’re used to seeing them written that way by their current employer. For instance, while your current company may have you complete a Baseline Analysis of Risk report every time a critical incident occurs, your resume will read much more clearly if you simply write, “completed risk analysis of serious incidents.”

This issue also occurs in relation to job titles. Let’s say you’re a family therapist, but for some reason your business card reads, “Family Centered Practitioner.” It is in your best interests to either write “Family Therapist” as your job title, or to write a clear summary of your role so that your duties are obvious.

As you write your resume, remember that jargon and acronyms not only vary by company and by industry, but sometimes by geography as well. Also, you cannot assume someone in your own industry will be the first person screening your resume. As you describe your former accomplishments, strive to do so in a way that reads clearly to an outsider. Someone who doesn’t understand the content of your resume will never fully grasp what a qualified candidate you are.

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez
From www.careerealism.com

Administrative Assistant to assist 8 Project Managers and Marketing Manager

2010-10-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Organizational skills a must and previous experience in engineering or as project secretary is highly desirable. Will be compiling data and reports, producing multi-volume proposals, manage calendars, handle travel arrangements, process expense reports, and act as backup to the front desk Receptionist. Must be able to think on feet and work with little to no direction. Intermediate to advanced Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and DeskTop Publishing skills but also open to performing a bunch of grunt work.

Winning the Job Interview

2010-09-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Learn how to stand out from the competition

It has often been said that “your resume can get you an interview,” but in reality it’s your interview that can get you the job. In today’s challenging and competitive job market, employer’s have many candidates to choose from and therefore have become more discerning then ever before, which is why developing your interviewing skills is so important.

The person interviewing you is not only looking at your qualifications, but they are looking at what differentiates you from every other candidate. Answering the question, “what is it that you bring to this company and to this position that no one else can?” is what helps you stand out in a crowd.

As a professional interviewing coach with We Place People, this is one of the most important topics we discuss when preparing our candidates for interviews. With almost every question you answer, there must be something that you share that will make you stand out differently from everyone else and will ultimately make the company want to hire you! Remember, an interview is not just about what you have done, it’s about what you can do for that company. It’s what you can offer that your competition can not that will help make you the “candidate of choice.”

Determining who to move forward in the interviewing process is not always as cut and dry as one would think. The front line interviewers themselves are evaluated by the company on the caliber of the candidates they move forward in the process and if that person ultimately gets hired. They must ensure the candidates are qualified and they will be a “fit” for the organization, the position and the hiring decision maker. This is where you must “help” by sharing those skills, experiences, training, or qualifications that you bring to the organization that other candidates may not. It’s also the time to demonstrate your critical thinking process and how you approach and complete tasks, responsibilities, or projects. These are the same elements that you should prepare for when interviewing with the decision maker.

Here are some tips on how you can differentiate yourself:

1.Create a list of 5 interview questions that you are certain you will be asked in your interview

2.Carefully review the job description and learn about the company and position

3.When answering the interview questions and reviewing the elements of the job description you need to be able to describe:
a. What roles or responsibilities you had in your previous positions as they relate specifically to the position you are applying for and will resonate with the interviewer

b.How you specifically completed each function or responsibility

c.What the results were

d.What you have to offer that makes you stand out amongst others with similar backgrounds

In this job market, differentiating and separating yourself from others can help you standout in your next interview and get the job you want.

- Steve Goldberg
From www.net-temps.com