Six Degrees of Steve

Interview with a recruiter - Mike Dwyer, Paladin Recruiting

This week, I catch up with my new friend Mike Dwyer with Paladin Recruiting.  Not only does he work in the recruiting industry, but also is a leader in the social media space.  He's got some great responses to my questions!  Have a happy holidays!

 

 

What areas of recruiting do you focus on?

·         I focus on marketing, social media and creative staffing for fortune 500 companies across the country but primarily in Chicago.

 

What is the one piece of advice you'd give to someone coming out of college in terms of looking for a job? 

·         Get an internship, get relevant work experience. Meet with professionals in your network or your parents network. Keep mindful of social media you use ie. Facebook as everything you do online is trackable and it’s a guarantee that recruiters are searching for you online after they receive your resume or name.

 

What has changed in terms of the job market from a year ago?

·         Social Media has become more important in networking for positions outside of sending your resume into a Monster or Careerbuilder website.

·         Not even close to as many jobs and so there are more people out of college who aren’t finding positions.

·         Due to overflow in candidate pool employers have the luxury of finding students who have at least been involved in a internship with a comparable company or industry. See above comment.

 

In this economy, what advice would you give people to find a new job or keep their current jobs?

Concerning “keeping your current job” update your resume on a monthly basis. The updating is not just for potential job opportunities but to remind you of your accomplishments and where you have come from. To know where you are going you need to know where you have been. This is very important as it will give you confidence in your current role.

·         Be confident in your work experience and the value you add to a organization. If you aren’t feeling like your doing a good job rewriting your resume will help you to do a self audit concerning where you are at professionally. Maybe it’s not the right job for you. A self audit can help in the personal discovery phase.

·         To keep your current job be proactive, engaged and participatory.

·         Be aware of your companies place within its industry.

 

“To find a new job” get focused on what companies or industries you are interested in, do research and reach out to hiring managers within your target department. The best tools for targeted networking are LinkedIn and maybe Jigsaw.com. LinkedIn is a fantastic tool that can make a cold networking call warm.

 

The days of sending your resume into a website or monster are over. Especially in a flooded talent pool where corporate recruiters are seeing thousands of resumes. 

 

What are the hottest new opportunities out there?

·         Social media is huge within the marketing disciplines.

·         Green businesses will continue to grow (no pun intended) as the new president will inevitably inject money and funding to new green startups and current companies changing the way the do business.

·         Healthcare is always a safe bet and will continue to need people across the board.

 

You really get excited when you see a candidate that has what?

·         I always thought it would be good to start up a band called “7to10”. Traditionally my clients ask for candidates with 7-10 years experience regardless of the search. I am looking for relevant experience within my clients industry and ideally an Masters degree level education.

 

What is the one thing someone should not do when interviewing for a job?

·         Don’t drone on with your conversation.

·         Don’t speak poorly about your current or past employer.

·         Don’t initiate non relevant conversation concerning someone’s personal life.

·         Don’t chew gum.

·         Don’t wear jeans.

·         Don’t curse.

·         Don’t close your eyes while speaking. (seen it)

·         Don’t answer your cell phone during the interview (seen it)

 

If you had $100 bucks, what would you spend it on?

·         A larger LinkedIn account.

 

Any other pieces of wisdom to give people?

·         Remember your value

·         Network Network Network

 

Can people contact you?  If so, what's the best way to do it?

Feel free to contact me at any time:

       Mike Dwyer | Business Development Manager
       Paladin RECRUITING AND STAFFING
       Marketing     Creative     Communications

       mike.dwyer@paladinstaff.com | www.paladinstaff.com <http://www.paladinstaff.com/>

       Office: 312.416-1869| Fax: 312.654.2608  200 West Madison, Suite 1805 | Chicago, IL 60606

       My LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mdwyerpaladinstaffing <http://www.linkedin.com/in/mdwyerpaladinstaffing>

Interview with a recruiter

Every week, I will attempt to showcase an interview with a recruiter in the industry for you to connect with and hopefully vice-versa.  This week is someone who has been an incredible recruiter in the PR arena.

Lynn Hazan - Owner, Lynn Hazan & Associates

What areas of recruiting do you focus on?
Lynn Hazan and Associates specializes in executive recruitment for communications and marketing professionals.

What is the one piece of advice you'd give to someone coming out of college in terms of looking for a job?
Compete to win. Develop a winning strategy to help position yourself over other candidates. For example, conduct extensive research of the hiring company and representatives you will be meeting. Show that you can add value to the company once hired.

What has changed in terms of the job market from a year ago?
When there is a sense of urgency, clients will hire. Positions that are critical to a company's success tend to be filled quickly. When there is no budget for full-time hires, or if a particular skill-set is needed, clients hire on a freelance, temp-to-perm, or project basis. Our clients' sweet spots tend to skew for candidates with 3 to 5, 5 to 7, and 7 to 10+ years of experience. For recent grads and candidates with 0 to 3 years of experience, competition for jobs is stiff. According to Collegegrad.com 52% of employers plan to adjust their college hiring downward. No matter what the state of the economy, however, there will always be a need for entry-level candidates.

In this economy, what advice would you give people to find a new job or keep their current jobs?
If you are currently employed, maintain your relevancy. For example, think of ways to contribute your skills in social networking for the benefit of the company. Position yourself as the go-to person, keep looking for opportunities to add value, and maintain a high profile.

If you are currently looking for a new job, keep your spirits up. Stay visible, maintain online and offline relationships, and be impeccable in your presentation. Consider taking on freelance assignments. You may need to scale down your expectations on a temporary basis.

What are the hottest new opportunities out there?
Most recently, Lynn Hazan and Associates has recruited for a communication position in the tech division of a corporation, account management and new business development positions at a PR agency, and freelance work in PR. Public relations offers added value to many clients because it is less expensive than other marketing services and yields quicker results.

You really get excited when you see a candidate that has what?
I get most excited when I see a candidate whose background matches the client needs to a T. For example, a recent job request called for a candidate with extensive experience in internal communications and staff supervision. Experience in the technology sector would be a plus. We presented a candidate who had the desired background and was a perfect cultural fit. She got the job!

What is the one thing someone should not do when interviewing for a job?
Don't oversell or undersell yourself. Maintain a good balance. A candidate can come off as overconfident and put off the client. Likewise, preserve a sense of humility without becoming muted.

If you had $100 bucks, what would you spend it on?
1. Attend industry events to meet other professionals who might be able to open doors.
2. Join a professional association.
3. Keep all personal technology up-to-date.
4. Put together a good interviewing wardrobe.
5. Seek professional coaching to review resume, cover letter, and interviewing tips.

Any other pieces of wisdom to give people?
Keep your mind alert and your attitude positive. Eat healthy foods and exercise. Your endorphins will thank you.

Can people contact you?  If so, what's the best way to do it?
Yes! Email and/or phone is the best way to contact me. I can be reached at lynn@lhazan.com and (312)-863-5401. If you are a candidate, please email your resume and cover letter as a .doc. Office address is 55 E Washington, Suite 715, Chicago, IL 60602.

Make sure to visit her website here!

If you are a recruiter and want to be featured, please contact me at sraquel@masterplangroup.com.  Thanks!

Interview with a recruiter - Brian Anderson

Every week, I will attempt to showcase an interview with a recruiter in the industry for you to connect with and hopefully vice-versa.  I am starting this new series with a good friend of mine that I hope you reach out to if you are looking!

Brian Anderson - Owner, BA Search Group

What areas of recruiting do you focus on?
Retail, High Tech and Early Start-ups

What is the one piece of advice you'd give to someone coming out of college in terms of looking for a job?
Know your strengths; find a job that fits your passion.

What has changed in terms of the job market from a year ago?
More candidates in the market

In this economy, what advice would you give people to find a new job or keep their current jobs?
Case by case, master your current job first.

What are the hottest new opportunities out there?
Leadership is always in demand

You really get excited when you see a candidate that has what?
Experience, Talent, and effective communication skills

What is the one thing someone should not do when interviewing for a job?
Oversell themselves and mislead

If you had $100 bucks, what would you spend it on?
Feed My Starving Children  

Any other pieces of wisdom to give people?
Become a master of networking

Can people contact you?  If so, what's the best way to do it?
Brian@basearchgroup.com