Open Mind new career

Keeping an Open Mind, and Open Inbox

Technology has made it easier than ever to contact someone. From online directories to LinkedIn messages, it’s never been easier to get a hold of someone. With that in mind, people aren’t always as receptive to being contacted and can be less than eager to start a conversation with an unknown recruiter. Even if you’ve got the perfect job, at the perfect company, with the perfect compensation, there’s nothing wrong with having a quick discussion to keep your options open.

Recruiters aren’t just for people looking to make a career shift, so being receptive to a conversation can be a big asset right now, or later down the road. Accepting that invitation to connect or hopping on a phone call can help you survey the land and see what’s out there. It allows you to find out more about hiring trends in your industry, and perhaps what is happening with your competitors. More importantly it can help you get a sense of what your worth, and what others in your line of work are getting paid. Finding out what someone with your experience and qualifications is getting for compensation is a great asset when it comes time to negotiate bonuses, pay increases or new job offers.

Similarly, career shifts aren’t always well planned and can be hard to predict. Making your next move can be a stressful process, which is why having someone in your corner can be such a great help. Taking that conversation, and building a relationship, with a recruiter now can go a long way down the road when you’re looking for your next job.

At the end of the day you never know where you’re going to be in a few years and who may be of help. Relationship building and creating connections is always an asset. The bigger your network, the more opportunities that are available to you. So next time you get approached by a recruiter, even if you’re not interested in making a career change, take the call and see where it goes.

On the other hand, if you ARE looking for your next career change, or just want to see what’s out there, take a look at our available jobs, or drop us a resume. 

Recruiter Business

Perspectives from a new recruiter in the industry

Earlier this month I began working with Rostie & Associates as a new recruiter on their team. As someone who has very recently been caught up in the rat race that is looking for a job, it’s been a nice change of pace being on the other side. Having experienced both sides of the job search market, I thought I would share some things I’ve learned along the way.

Whether you’re looking for a job or are looking for a candidate, communication is key. The way we prepare for, approach, and conduct conversations has a great impact on the type of relationships we build. I’ve found that authenticity and transparency go a long way and have helped me to really connect with the people I’ve contacted. I approach my calls in an open and honest way, looking to make a connection and build a relationship, rather than make a sale. Taking this approach, I’ve found people to be much more receptive and welcoming to my calls. Similarly, it’s important to be confident in who you are what you’re offering in a way that doesn’t come across as arrogant or irritating.

You want to feel comfortable with yourself and what you have to offer while also respecting the person on the other end of the phone, and their current situation.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that in an increasingly digital and connected world it’s never been more important to pick up the phone and actually build a relationship. With social media platforms, like LinkedIn, it’s easy to connect with someone and chat online without ever meeting face to face, or even speaking over the phone. I think we sometimes find ourselves perceiving these online relationships to be stronger than they truly are and have a false sense of security if you may. Taking the time or initiative to pick up the phone, even for just a brief conversation, really goes a long way in fostering your business relationships.

At the end of the day, when it comes to recruiting you’re not just selling a job, you’re selling the candidate on yourself and how you can provide for them. If you want a candidate to take a chance and take a job, then you have to make them comfortable and find a way for them to trust you. That is why I find being honest, transparent and open to be the best approach.

resume writing perfection

How to write the Perfect Resume

Well, the title is a bit cheeky as there really is no such thing!

You can ask ten different people and get ten completely unique opinions on what sets a resume apart from the rest. Every hiring manager, recruiter and HR consultant will also have their own opinion.

That being said, there are some basics that you really do need to follow:

Resume Tip 1: Name and contact information

Your name and contact information needs to be in the header – so it shows on every page. And, yes, some people still forget to do this, leaving a hapless recruiter with a page on their desk and no clue as to who it belongs to! In this day and age your details should include your first and last name, cell number, email address and, ideally, a (working) hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile.

Or, if you want to get fancy you can add a footer to page 2 with your name and contact details.

If you write a summary – which is a good idea – make it clear and succinct. And I do mean clear and succinct!

I don’t know how many times I’ve read a summary that seemed more like a novella with every keyword under the sun and no clear insight as to what the person actually does.

Resume Tip 2:  Format (Functional, Chronological or combination of the two)

They are all valid choices and it comes down to personal taste or style – or perhaps one style fits your experience better than the other. For instance if your work is more project based you may opt for a functional (or skills based) resume. If your positions have been more conventionally focused you may opt for a chronological resume.

Personally, I find that purely functional resumes can be a bit frustrating to read. You may understand this if you consider how many resumes a recruiter or hiring manager has to read when searching to fill a position – so have mercy!

While all the projects and skill-sets are listed in great detail and frequently followed by a chronological list of employers, there is often no indication of what the candidate did while working for each employer – just a list of dates and company names.

I find it incredibly helpful when a candidate that’s used a functional format provides at least a couple of lines highlighting their role beneath each position. Otherwise it can be very difficult to know which skills are most current.

Resume Tip 3: Grammar and spelling

I cannot stress this enough – edit, edit, edit!

Remember, “spell check” cannot tell you if you have written the wrong word if it’s spelled correctly.

I think it helps tremendously to read your resume aloud, word for word, and then have someone else read it to you. (You may have to provide enticements for this – doughnuts, beer, whatever works!)

Resume Tip 4: How many pages should my resume be?

Again, there are a lot of opinions about this. Convention says that your resume should be no more than two pages. I’m actually a bit flexible but would raise an eyebrow if a resume is more than three pages.

If you’re extremely technical and have a sleeve-length list of certifications you may want to add an addendum to your resume. An additional page that only highlights your education and certifications – no sneaking work experience on to this page! If you’re work has been project based, you may want to also have an addendum providing more in-depth detail.

Resume Tip 5: Clarity, clarity, clarity!

Take your time and remember that your resume will serve as a first impression – of you. A winning resume includes all the elements listed above, but most of all, it’s a resume that hiring managers and recruiters will enjoy reading!

Now that you have your resume in better shape, why don’t you test it by checking our available jobs and applying for a few? 

Rostie Toxic Relationship

Leaving a “Toxic Relationship”

The interview is going so well and then, the dreaded question……
”why are you looking at other opportunities”.?

Do you lie, come up with an excuse or tell the truth that you cannot stand to look at your manager for another second!

While I believe honesty is always the best policy, admitting you wish he’d “take a long walk off a short pier” is probably not the way to go!

Unfortunately, it happens. You end up working for someone you don’t like and they may not like you. You simply don’t click and that’s okay, and probably the reason you’re looking for a new job.

However, as they say, words matter.

Hopefully you can honestly say that you have been very fortunate to have worked for, and mentored by a number of amazing managers and that you are able to take something positive away from this experience – you learned something, worked with an amazing team, or sold great product with a leading organization.

Whatever it is, keep it positive and professional and you’ll sail through that interview with flying colours!

If you’re looking to move on from one of these relationships, check out our available positions. 

Polishing your Professional Image

It’s a new year and a time when many of us take stock of our professional lives – home, career, finances and health.

If you’re considering taking the next step in your career whether by making a move to another company or looking for a promotion with your existing employer, it can’t hurt to freshen up your online presence and resume.

Let’s face it, like or not, the first place a potential hiring manager looks to “check you out”, is LinkedIn and you want to make sure your profile will pass muster.

Is your profile complete and does it look professional? Have you listed all of your certifications and accomplishments? Does your photo reflect the “professional you” or did you go the “selfie” route? You don’t have to pay for a professional photographer – just put on your best suit, pamper yourself with a little extra grooming time and have a friend take a nice head and shoulders shot.

We may not all be model material but we can all look professional!

Next is your resume. Whether you’re looking for a new role or not, it’s not a bad idea to update your resume every year – highlighting the previous year’s accomplishments. This is also a good morale booster – be proud of what you’ve achieved! You may also want to winnow your resume down a bit – you really don’t need a lengthy paragraph for previous roles that have no bearing on your current role and goals. And edit, edit and edit again. This is absolutely essential. You cannot rely on spell check as grammatical errors may slip through – you have to read your resume through, read it again and then have someone else read it through for you! Hiring managers can (and have) taken poor grammar as an indication of lack of attention to detail, or worse, poor communication skills.

You may decide to stay in your current role a while longer but you’ll be ready if the right opportunity – or your favourite recruiter – comes knocking!

And if you DO feel ready to take the next step in your career, why don’t you browse the available jobs here on Rostie.com? You may just find exactly what you’re looking for.

 

by: Pamela Inglis
Manager Recruiting/Senior Consultant
pinglis@rostie.com
416-777-0780

 

Holiday Breakfast 65

Annual Holiday Breakfast 2018

We had a great time at our Annual Holiday Breakfast 2018! Chef Jordan Diniz cooked up some amazing omelettes and delicious crunchy waffles with fresh fruit.

See for yourself below by looking at our photo and video gallery!

 

 

Holiday Trivia @ The Rostie Group

Thank you to everyone who joined on Friday, December 14th for our Holiday Trivia event! A great time and a lot of laughs were had.

Take a look at the gallery of photos below for the event.

Our next Holiday event is our Annual Holiday Breakfast on Tuesday, December 18th starting at 8 am. Don’t miss it!