Thank You!

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

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

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?

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!

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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!!!

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

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.

Avoiding Resume Quick Sand

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!!!

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

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

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

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.

How to Critique Your Own Resume

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

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

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

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

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!!!!

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!

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

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

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

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

Career Counselor and Best-Selling Author

From www.net-temps.com

Bilingual Spanish Junior Buyer Needed

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?

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