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What Every Employer Wants: Achievement Or Experience?

At a time when the job market is experiencing its most toughest period for a generation, speaking from a jobhunter's perspective, it is in these times that you need to ask yourself or you should be asking yourself 'what is most important to an employer?'. Well to kick off, worth considering that every employer or business has two main functions, and I was recently reminded of this fact by a successful internet entrepreneur friend of mine. A business in its simplistic state is primarily there to make money while reducing as much cost. And so what side of the coin are you on? Worth thinking about before your next interview perhaps.

However, the main point behind this article is that in a week when one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world, Facebook, current value of $100 billion dollars, achieved in less than 10 years! Has now just made a purchase of $1 billion dollars for a relatively unknown silicon valley startup, called Instagram, founded in October 2010, less than two years ago, by two Stanford University graduates, it does beg the question what is mostly wanted by employers: achievement or experience?. In short, I would say both, but that is a kind of sitting on the fence stance, and so if I had to make a choice between the two, I would say 'achievement' gets the nodge slightly ahead of experience.

Indeed, if I was recruiting a candidate for a job, which I have had to do in the past, I would want someone who has good experience but coupled with achievements, as opposed to someone who just simply had lots of years of experience. The 16th century french essayist, Michel de Montaigne said 'The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use you make of them'. Similarly, if I had the choice of two surgeons, one with 20 years experience and the other with 5 years experience coupled with the successful carrying out of 10 heart surgeries, I know which one I would go for.

Reading the story behind the dramatic rise of Instagram, the photo sharing app which allows users to upload and share their personal pictures online, and the instant fortune it has given to the founders as well as investors who got in early on, shows the significance and impact highlighting your achievements on your CV or in conversation with a prospective employer could have on your chances of finding work. Now, you may not be in line for a windfall of £250 million pounds as the founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom, 27, is about to earn from his idea, but nonetheless, this mindset of focusing on achievements can certainly go a long way to helping you land your dream job.

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When Should I Work With a Recruiter and Other FAQ's

When Should I Work With a Recruiter?

The best time to work with a headhunter is when the he or she needs you more than you need them. Remember that those same recruiters are probably going to be at the staffing agency in a year from now, therefore if you push too hard for a job that you are not qualified for, you may miss an opportunity down the road. Though it may sound dark in nature, networkers never get rich because they are ones in need rather than the ones in demand. The latter don't have to network because people seek out their expertise not the other way around.

I Am Not a Fit for the Position, Should I Still Interview?

If someone sends you in for a job that you are not qualified for or that you don't like, unfortunately you have to decline or else you'll spend the rest of your life going on "favor" interviewers when you should be focusing on your career. I would like to say that you should always listen to the recruiter that you're working with, but rather you should always hear them out and, if not for you always be polite and decline. If you stay professional throughout the process and a headhunter gives you a hard time, they're just being unreasonable.

What Type of Recruiting Firm Is Right For Me?

There is no type of firm that is going to be "right" for you. Remember, you are not marrying the headhunter that you're working with, he or she is simply helping their client find a solid employee. Instead, the agency that is right for you is the agency that happens to have the right job at the right time. Never rely on a headhunter to get you a job, rather use them as one of many job search tools.

When it comes to working with headhunters, my philosophy is that your career is a big part of your life and only you can make it happen. Then good things will happen rather than the other way around.

Ken Sundheim runs KAS Placement, an executive staffing firm that Ken started in 2005.

Marketing Headhunters DC

Recruiters NYC

Ken's articles have appeared in, among many others Forbes, NYTimes, USA Today and more.

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Why Delivery Counts in an Interview

I love working with college students and young adults as they launch their careers. It's rewarding to help them navigate the transition from academics to real life. So I was happy to step in recently as a mock interviewer at a local university event.

The students arrived well prepared with good experience to share, and fairly good responses to my practice questions.

What I noticed, however, was that many interviewees didn't spend as much time preparing for the delivery of those answers, as they did on the development of them. By "delivery" I mean the way you communicate using elements other than your words. For example:

body languagefacial expressionsgestureseye contactthe volume, tone and inflection of your voice

Why does this matter to you? Some researchers assert that 55% - 80% of communication is non-verbal. Let's assume this applies to interviews as well. That means I'm evaluating you not just on what you say, but how you say it.

Think of the interview as a way to leave a "whole person" impression of who you are, what you know and what it will be like to work with you. An excellent delivery will help you accomplish that.

When you think about it, if delivery didn't matter in an interview, I would ask you to e-mail written answers to my list of questions, and we would go from there. But that's not how it works. Interviewers want to know much more than your answers, they want to know who you are as a person. They want to get a sense for how you'll show up in the workplace.

So as you prepare for an interview focus on both your verbal and non-verbal behaviors to tell your story, and respond to questions, in a way that:

is authentically youflows comfortably and easilyincludes non-verbal cues that support your engagement in the conversationexudes confidence in your answersis professional and respectfulshowcases you as the potential employee this team will want to work with

Investing in the extra time to prepare will really take the anxiety out of the interview experience, improve your outcome and boost your confidence.

You can improve your delivery by spending time preparing, rehearsing and recording your interview responses. That's right, if you want to know how you appear to others, take a video of you responding to some role play questions. You'll see pretty quickly what you need to do to improve your delivery.

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Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

A mnemonic tool is a simple technique for remembering almost anything. The best about mnemonics is that they are easy-to-remember and may be flashing quickly in the brain once the information is needed.

Use the "HONEST" mnemonic to remember how to answer the most common interview question. In any common interview, certainly, you will be asked this question "Why did you leave your last job?" Whether you were fired from your last job or you left it on your own accord, use this simple mnemonic to answer this popular interview question professionally.

HONEST mnemonic stands for:

HonestyNo for Blaming OthersEconomical in answeringStraight forward

Answer This Interview Question with Honesty

When addressing any interview question, be honest. Nevertheless, you should also try to outline the honest answer with a positive frame.

For example, if you left your last job because you were underpaid or under-appreciated. Do not mention that your boss was overbearing and under appreciative corporation. It is a good idea to tell that your last work didn't give you the chance to grow professionally and there is no chance for advancement opportunity.

No For Blaming Others

Do not blame your previous organization or boss. Do not show your anger due to the resignation.

For example:

Question: "Why did you leave your last position / job?"

Answer: "I want to apply for a more challenging position." Or "I want to have a chance to work in a larger and more robust organization."

Economical Answers are Safe

Answer any common interview question economically.

Bad example:

Question: "Why did you leave your last position / job?"

Answer: "They didn't meet their promises and my salary was insufficient. My manager was not up to it and every time failed to deliver."

It may be acceptable to say that he/she wanted a chance to improve his/her salary. Unfortunately, he/she decided to tell additional information concerning the relationship with the previous boss which is irrelevant to the question asked and only guarantees to lessen the chances of passing the interview.

Good example:

Question: "Why did you leave your last position / job?"

Answer: "I had an opportunity to apply for more advanced role in a company with a larger portfolio."

This behavior is honest, positive and economical. The interviewee addressed in a brief that he is confident and valued; someone who enjoys with a challenging spirit.

Be Straightforward in Answering any Professional Interview Question

If you left your last job under bad circumstances, be direct and focus your interview answer on the future.

Naturally, no one likes the interview process but let's face it, as you only get one chance to get the job, right? Firstly, you have to be on your best mood. Secondly, be prepared well to answer the most common interview questions, especially "Why did you leave your last job"? Simply, remember the mnemonic "HONEST" to remember how to answer this question professionally and to avoid the dead end of the interview. Answering interview questions is a skill. Acquire it, and memorize it.

Here is a blog that is exclusively dedicated for mnemonics and acronyms to give valuable tips on soft skills, behavioral skills and interpersonal skills.

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Why You Should - Not To Take A Job Offer!

Welcome to the 21st century, where the job interview process has stretched from an average of a couple weeks to a month, in the 20th century, to a few weeks to months, for some jobs now. A process that often includes several visits to facilities, meeting multiple managers, decision-makers and associates, and, nowadays, engaging in choices of vocational, behavioral, and other types, of pre-employment testing and measurements; not to mention credit and insurance and deep background investigations. Whewww... after such an effort, it seems only a fool would not accept a job offer.

But, between the meetings, interviews, testing and conversations and credential checking, lurks some primary business issues, which, if revealed, could be good reason to turn down a job offer from a firm who matches the criteria reported below; even if you tend towards accepting the job, at first glance.

For instance, employee turn-over. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an average 20%+ annual employee turn-over rate is common for businesses here in this country. What if you discover in your job-interview process that the firm with which you are currently interviewing has a typical 50%-60%-70% rotation-out-the-door of new employees? Inquire in the interview as to why such a result is occurring. Unless the explanation makes sense, you may find yourself seeking another new job before the year is out.

Another common difficulty, when gauging the value of a job offer you have worked hard to receive, is the word-on-the-street, scuttlebutt, rumors, gossip about the company. Maybe their stock is about to take a dive. Maybe upper management is ready to be replaced. Maybe the company has rendered its finances to a shadow of its once healthy shine. Many issues may arise when you perform your due diligence to investigate any potential employer. Do not assume the company is viable simply because they have long held a respected public profile. This is true for large corporations as it is for local and regional employers. Do your research.

Often times, during the investigations mentioned just above, one may discover that the company making a job offer has a bad or questionable reputation regarding some (or many) aspects of their business. Could be they treat their employees well - on the surface - but you discover their healthcare coverage elicits unusually high premiums to be paid by employees, thusly reducing actual spendable income, as compared to the employment dollar offer tendered. Maybe the quality of their product or service is in question. Or they are known for heavy-handed marketing techniques. Ask around. Seek conversations with current employees beyond those with which you interview. Talk to recruiters about it; maybe even competing firms. Seek out inside comments on the behaviors of the business.

This next job offer issue is a more private issue, one each job candidate must face when an elevated income arrives along with their fresh, new job offer. Facts and long history confirm that too many job-seekers accept job offers primarily for the money. "Show me the money," is a popular phrase. But when that higher salary brings with it a job that doesn't move an employee ahead in their career, or when that job is essentially a case of under-employment, one without challenge, even boring, then the likelihood of the new employee finding themselves disenchanted, dissatisfied, just months later - the money takes on a tone of unimportance. Recruiter statistics confirm that nearly 50% of under-employed workers leave their jobs.

And when such a job, as described immediately above, includes long, arduous, unending hours of labor, weekends away from home, greatly limited vacation-time (even when those days are supposedly available for use, but never accessed due to unending labor requirement) or near-constant work-related reports, follow-up, phone calls, text-messages, emails, etc... That's when one's quality-of-life is in the trash-bin. Trading one's sense of accomplishment and job-satisfaction for constant employment related labor is usually a recipe for physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Typically, after only months, or a year or two of such activity, the resume is dusted off and updated and the whole job search process begins again.

Take heed to the scenarios above, that they do not throw up road blocks to your long-term career goals and employment needs. A job offer should bring both the employer and the employee the things they each require to thrive. When it does not, or when other issues, such as those mentioned above, cloud the decision-making process of an informed job seeker - think twice before accepting a job offer.

Mark Baber, Job Placement expert and Radio Host of "The Job Search Show," is a 20 year Executive Search specialist and Recruit Consultant, and advisor to http://www.jobnewsradio.com/ & "JOB SEARCH MAGAZINE"; which includes a Job Search Directory Job Seekers use to access 1000's of hiring contacts in every region of the USA and in every industry, including telephone numbers, faxes, email addresses, web links and more, to help introduce you to hiring specialists willing to help you find gainful, career level employment.

Sign Up Today for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION (25$ VALUE)
http://www.JobNewsRadio.com/hdywaj

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Will It Happen This Year?

Several years ago I was facilitating a career development class where I was discussing goal setting. I said to the class, "Setting goals is like making New Year's resolutions. You decide that this year you will lose weight. You start off going to the gym and eating better, but around February or March, what happens?" One of the participants answered enthusiastically, "Next year!"

Isn't that how it usually goes? We start off with good intentions, but in a short period of time our good intentions fade, and we decide that it is easier to put things off until later. In other words, "Next year!"

So what are your career goals for 2012? Do you want to land a new position? Are you looking for a raise? Do you want to be groomed for a higher level position? Do you want to use this year to acquire additional credentials to make a move next year?

Whatever your goal is, it will take more than wishful thinking to achieve it. If you do not have a well thought through plan and the will to execute it, your new year's resolution will no doubt be a dusty memory by mid-year.

Here are some practical tips for making sure that you reach your goals this year:

1) Accountability. If you go it alone with trying to achieve your career goal, which might be starting a job search, it is easy to let yourself off the hook, especially when engaging in other activities seems more appealing. After all, a job search is hard work, and you will usually experience rejection before you land that next position. I have heard many stories of people who get involved in home projects such as redoing the basement and don't spend much time on their job searches. By hiring a career coach you build accountability into the process. That person will keep your feet to the fire. Knowing that you have a once a week appointment with your coach will keep you on task even when you don't feel like job searching anymore.

Whether you decide to pay for professional help or not, it will increase the likelihood of your reaching your goals if you have someone to hold you accountable.

2) Guidance. Having someone who has trodden the path before you can help you reach your goals. There may be aspects of the job search process that you have not yet mastered, perhaps because the job search landscape has changed since you last looked for a new position. A savvy career coach can help you get up to speed with relatively new job search tools such as social media and online networking. The world of social media can be bewildering to the newcomer.

3) A strategic plan. Whether your career goal is getting a raise or landing a new job, a strategic plan that is well executed will get you there. It may sound trite, but it's true. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Don't just write down your goals or resolutions, write down a plan for achieving them.

A career coach can help you craft a strategic plan that maps out what you need to do on a daily or weekly basis so that your efforts are targeted and effective. Instead of floundering with trying to accomplish your goals, treat your career goals as if you were managing a project for which you are expected to deliver results.

Cheryl Palmer is a certified executive career coach and a certified professional resume writer and is President of Call to Career, a career coaching and resume writing firm. She has been featured on the Wall Street Journal, CNN, MarketWatch, The Ladders, ExecuNet, and Yahoo HotJobs. Cheryl was also a guest on a radio show entitled How to Find a Job Fast hosted by Chris Russell of Secrets of the Job Hunt where she discussed tips for finding employment more quickly in this economic downturn. In addition, she was a guest on WMOV where she discussed networking for your career with host Greg Gack on the radio.

Cheryl has a social media program for executives to aid them with reducing the amount of time it takes to land a new position. She also conducts webinars on social networking. You can visit her website at http://www.calltocareer.com/.

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Working For The People

Are you looking for a job that has meaning? Do you want to make a contribution? Do you love your country? If the answer is yes to these questions, it is time to look for work at the nations' number one employer and leading non-profit, the Federal Government of the United States.

The government payroll consists of over 1.8 million employees, who work in almost every conceivable career field, in a wide variety of occupations, from Accounting to Zoology, and opportunities abound. (For example, the US Census will be looking for people, for long term, temporary employment, to make sure that all the people are counted.) Most are steady jobs, with excellent benefits, including health insurance, child care and a pension after 25 years. The salaries are based upon the "General Schedule" pay scale, ranging from $20,000 up to $55,000. There are exceptions based upon location and if the position is one that is hard to fill.

When beginning to look for government employment, research is a key piece of the puzzle. There are a variety of ways to locate the information you need such as; finding the current available positions (USAJobs, StudentJobs.gov, PSE-NET.com, are a few of the web resources available, the Federal Job Digest, or call 1-478-757-3000 to find available openings by phone), carefully reviewing what skills the position requires, and the proper way to apply. The government wants the information it wants in a certain way. If you want your application to get into the right hands, pay attention to the details. Some of the web sites listed earlier have a resume builder to help you give the government the data they are looking for, the way they want to see it.

Since a resume is necessary for applying for any opportunity, tailor it with additional information, like country of citizenship, Veteran's preference, and specific job details including hours worked weekly, salary, and the names, full addresses, and phone numbers of employers and supervisors. The government will check this information, so be as honest and especially accurate as possible. Remember, the key to being called for an interview, is to include the specific information requested in the job vacancy announcement.

"A government of the people, by the people" only works for the people, when the people get involved. You can make a difference; you can effect change, in a positive way, by working for the government to fulfill its mission of service.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to learn how to present your skills more effectively? If so, I recommend my book "Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide for the 21st Century." which is currently available at https://www.createspace.com/3710544

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Writing A Successful CV

Applying for new jobs can be a stressful and difficult process, particularly for those who have little or no experience in writing good applications. Your curriculum vitae should set you apart from other candidates and really catch the attention of your potential future employer. Here are a few tips on how to write a successful CV.

The first thing to realise is that there are no perfect solutions or set templates for CV writing and, although looking at CV samples could be useful to get you started, it is important to create something truly unique.

Your CV should be concise and interesting. For inexperienced workers it should really exceed no more than one page of A4. Older and more experienced applicants may wish to extend this to two sides of A4 but this is the absolute limit. Employers and recruitment officers will be reading hundreds of applications and will simply overlook a lengthy, drawn out CV.

The CV should also really accentuate your own personal strengths and achievements; something else CV samples cannot offer. When you proof read the document, a few cringes are actually a good thing. It is one thing the British aren't particularly good at but blowing your own trumpet is the only way to go. Obviously, honesty is the only policy as an employer will quickly find out if you have lied on an application!

You should send a specifically tailored CV to every job you apply for. Instead of listing everything you've ever done, pick and choose your achievements and qualifications to match the job you are applying for. One CV will not be sufficient for multiple job applications, instead it should be a working document that you are continually updating and moulding to fit each individual job application.

In terms of content, be sure to include your personal details such as your name, email address, phone number home address. Include a concise history of your career path, starting with the most recent job first. Include any charity work or volunteering if applicable. Be sure to include any relevant achievements, particularly if they are in a career path or job role that links to the one you are applying for. Your qualifications should be included in a similar way, starting with the most recent first. If you have any gaps in your employment history, include any relevant explanations. Do note that you are not obliged to include references on your CV as your employer will usually request these in a separate job application form.

Finally, proof read your finished article at least two or three times and then give it to a friend or parent to proof read again. Spelling mistakes and poor grammar are the quickest way to turn off your employer as they show that you haven't bothered to take care in preparing the document.

Follow these simple tips and you will have a sturdy, informative document that you should be proud of giving to potential employers. Good luck with your applications!

Chris Jenkinson is an internet marketing consultant working and writing for Professional Career Consulting an Irish Career Consultant and Outplacement Consultancy.

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Your Exciting Sales Career Is Just Around The Corner

Thousands of people across the UK are unhappy in their job. Due to limited job vacancies, very few people actually manage to change their job to something more enjoyable and fulfilling. With high prospects and large pay packets, a career in sales is certainly worth considering. If you enjoy communicating with people, have a drive for success and great presentation skills a role in sales could be your ideal career. Perhaps you are unsure whether or not you have the right personal skills for a job in sales. There are many training courses available to help you get onto the sales career ladder.

Almost anyone can sell a product or service if they have the right attitude and truly believe in what they're trying to sell. If you have skills and experience within a certain industry its often a good idea to start with a sales role within your particular industry. For example, if you have experience in construction, a career in construction sales would be ideal place to start. The required background for a role in construction sales is fairly specialised, meaning competition is not as high and expert knowledge is generally rewarded with generous pay packets.

Perhaps you have experience in marketing or advertising? This will enable you to begin a career in media sales. You could work for a newspaper, magazine, radio or television station and gain generous financial rewards. As a media sales advisor, you will be able to recommend the best advertising spots and advise your clients on how they can get the highest return for their advertising investment. Alternatively, if you are new to the job market or wish to start a career in a completely different industry, you may wish to consider a career in inbound or outbound telesales.

As an inbound sales representative, you will be answering calls, trying to sell a particular product to the person on the other line. A career in inbound sales could lead to you working in a variety of different environments, including sales or customer service departments, large call centres, or from the comfort of your own home. Training is generally not necessary for a career in inbound telesales. However, you will need good telephone skills, be able to multi task and perform comfortably under pressure.

Outbound telesales, sometimes known as telemarketing, involves telephoning potential customers to try and sell a particular product or service. Similarly to inbound telesales, no specific qualification is needed. However, you will need to be a persistent and confident person with good telephone skills and the ability to work in high pressure environments. If you feel you can communicate effectively with many different types of people and want to work in an exciting environment with flexible schedules and high profits, then a role in sales is the ideal career for you.

Sales Recruitment Agency.com is an online job platform specifically targeted at the sales recruitment industry. Whether you want to move further up the sales career ladder with a higher paid position or you're looking for an exciting career change, Sales Recruitment Agency have the role for you.

For more information about Sales Job, visit: http://www.salesrecruitmentagency.com/

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You're Overqualified - A Simple Solution to Improve Your Job Search Results

Every time you get this reply, first realize it is really an opportunity to prove yourself in disguise. I advise my clients to handle it exactly like this: "I am going to let you down gently Mr. Brown. You are overqualified." Mr. Brown's clever response, "Overqualified, shucks. I get that all the time. Well, now that we settled that. Would you be kind enough to inform me for my own education, which category of overqualified do I fit into, the salary too high category, the too old category or the he is so overqualified that he will be bored, dissatisfied and leave category?"

If they answer, "You are too old" you have a couple of choices. First, age discrimination is a crime against humanity. You can ask them to repeat that answer because you did not hear it well enough (meanwhile discretely position the digital recorder as close as possible because this will make great evidence for the age discrimination lawsuit/settlement). Alternatively, you can get out the hair dye to remove the gray hair, start an exercise program and dress more in tune with current styles. You will also want to ramp up the enthusiasm, age proof your résumé (and interview) and move with pep in your step. Honestly, low energy levels are very easy to spot and employers are turned off by candidates who need naps during the daytime hours.

When they respond, "Our budgeted salary for this position is so low it would not even interest you" answer you also have a couple of choices. You can say, "You sure are right $39,000 annually definitely does not even interest me." On the other hand, because we have coached them into revealing the final obstacle to you joining their team, you can say, "Ordinarily that would be true, however I know that because I have switched careers/just returned to health from a car wreck/experienced a significant period of unemployment, I honestly understand I need to start at the bottom and prove myself all over again. Fortunately for both of us, I have a knack for training other team members, earning bonuses and promotions. I agree to your offer of $39,000 annually and I am ready, willing and able to start right away."

If the only thing preventing them from hiring you is the belief that you will soon be bored, dissatisfied and leave, then you only have to convince them that you have more than enough passion for your work to stay on. Better yet, boldly predict you will follow your pattern of earning a promotion/advancing at least once every one to two years. Show them how your enthusiasm and strong work ethic is clearly demonstrated by these examples of above and beyond performance (on your resume or in your evidence file you brought with you to the interview just for situations like this).

Remember, interviews are supposed to be challenging because they are designed to separate the exceptional from the ordinary. You should not expect any employer to hire anyone but the person they judge the best fit for the position and the most likely to succeed. You should also know that many of the assumptions employers make and interview questions you will be asked will come directly from your own résumé. Because it is normally much easier to sell yourself into a job as an overqualified candidate, you normally never want to dumb down your resume (think promotion or advancement via the internal job postings once you are hired).

I write High Performance Resumes, Interview Bonanza Cover Letters and Professional/Executive Profiles 95% of my clients are hired in 90 days.

Copyright 2012 by Darrell Z. DiZoglio of http://righteousresumes.com/ Would you like to finish your job hunt in 1/3 the normal time? Did you know professionally written resumes always earn twice as many interviews? Click here => http://RighteousResumes.com/services.html.

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Your Guide to Staffing Agencies

Register with at least one agency. Choose one of the most popular staffing agencies that cater to your occupation. If you're up for it, register with many. Some companies use one staffing agency exclusively as a sort of "outsourcing" of HR functions; then there are other companies that "shop around" with several agencies to see the candidate pool. Tip: if there's a particular company you want to work for, find out if they use any staffing agencies and register with that agency.

Regardless of how many agencies you're registered with, make sure to regularly check-in with them. The agency will probably recommend checking-in once a week; my suggestion is to check-in twice a week via phone and email. You don't want to be aggressive or pushy; you're simply doing your due diligence. When you do check-in, make sure you are connecting directly with a staffing manager and not a receptionist. If your staffing manager isn't available when you call, leave a message and follow-up with an email. This may sound basic, however I know some temps don't follow-up with their staffing manager after leaving a message with a receptionist and wonder why they aren't contacted when a position becomes available.

Have a meeting with your staffing manager and ask them to review your resume and skill set. Ask them for their opinion on what you can do to greatly increase your chances of their clients choosing you out of all the other choices available. Some staffing managers will automatically initiate this conversation, and others won't. Take the initiative and discover what the agency's clients are looking for. The benefits of having this conversation are simple: the better candidate you are, the more money the staffing agency makes off you. Remember, the staffing agency's #1 priority is to make the client company happy. Quality, marketable candidates = more money in their pocket.

If you are registered with a staffing agency that posts all their open assignments on their website, be sure to daily check that site. I can't stress this enough! If you see a job posting that you know you can perform, yet your staffing manager hasn't called you yet, don't be shy about picking up that phone and asking them why not? Some websites also allow you to submit your resume directly after viewing a particular job posting: don't skip this step simply because "you've already registered with the agency".

The staffing agency isn't a charity organization revolving around making the temps happy... Their mission is to make their client companies happy. Make this work for you, and not against you, by developing a solid working relationship w/ your agency.

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