The hidden job market

The market is crowded with candidates. If you are going to be successful you need to stand out. Take a road less traveled. I thought this article had some interesting tips.

If you are interested talking with one of our recruiters about your search, please contact us at 804-377-8600 / info@career-quest.com.

Central Virginia Free Job Seminar TOPIC How to Get Hired Now

Central Virginia Free Job Seminar - How to Get Hired Now

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: First Baptist Church Ashland 800 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005
To RSVP please email dawn.walker@interviewangel.com.

The purpose of this seminar is to help members of the community apply techniques for getting hired. This is not a job fair, but a valuable informational session for any professional or student seeking new employment.

A panel of speakers will discuss the following:Beginning a Job SearchIdentifying Potential EmployersKnowing What Employers are Looking ForWriting a Great ResumePreparing for an Interview

Planned Speakers:
Jeff Jefferson, Career Transition Consultant, Actum Inc.
Mark Morton, President, Morton Consulting
Brent Peterson, Founder, Interview Angel

Beware of your social networking footprint

Networking is key to getting ahead. Social networking can make the process easier. But, everyone should understand the impact of their social networking footprint. Click here to see what can go wrong when social networking gets away from you.

Accounting and Finance Leadership Forum

Accounting & Finance Leadership Forum

When: Thursday, April 9 7:30 am - 9:00 am

Topic: The State of Banking: 2008 - 2009
Our Speaker: Kate Wagner, Chief Operating Officer, First Capital Bank

RSVP / Information email: info@career-quest.com

Wondering why you read about banks who took TARP money but don't make loans? Or why banks are reducing commitments on lines of credit? Get the inside scoop from a banker whose career has included lending with the largest nation-wide banks and Richmond-based community banks. Ms. Wagner will give us her insights and forecast of what you and your company can expect in the coming months. This is one meeting that you must "make" time to attend.

Kate is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Economics, and she received her MBA degree from The College of William and Mary. At First Capital Bank, Ms. Wagner has moved from the role of chief lending officer to COO, where her leadership responsibilities include management of operations, information technology and human resources departments, and coordinating Bank’s marketing efforts, strategic planning, audit manager and compliance officer.

Networking Opportunity for CFO's and Controllers

If you are a CFO, Controller or top level accounting and finance leader...Be sure to join the Virginia Chapter of FEI as we meet on Tuesday, April 21st 2009 at Willow Oaks Country Club and welcome our special guest speaker Bryan Bostic of Richmond Baseball Club LC as he discusses Baseball in Richmond: What Does the Future Hold?

Virginia Chapter Meeting - April 21st
Willow Oaks Country Club
5:30 p.m. Registration/Networking Reception
6:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:15 p.m. Presentation

To register for the meeting click here for a copy of the registration form. Registrations should be returned no later than Thursday, April 16th.

A unanimous vote was held by the City Council of Norwich, Connecticut, on March 16th authorizing the city manager to transfer a lease of Dodd Stadium from the Connecticut Defenders' current owners to Richmond Baseball Club LC. The group's plan calls for buying a team before the 2009 season starts next month, and then seeking permission from Minor League Baseball to relocate the franchise to Richmond for the 2010 season. The team would play at The Diamond until Shockoe Center's anticipated opening in 2012.

Bryan Bostic, a Newport News native, created the top museum ticketing company in the world, 2b Technology, Inc. in 1985, and in 2000 he sold the company to Ticketmaster. He later founded Spanish Moss Holdings, LLC, an investment company that invests in privately held companies and real estate, including Smartbox Portable Storage, a franchise company providing mobile storage solutions. Bostic serves as a director on several academic and community boards and is involved in numerous charitable organizations. He is a graduate of James Madison University and lives in Richmond with his wife Marguerite and their two children, Taylor and Zachary.

What am I worth...and the cost to employers.

What am I worth? This is a great question...and one that goes well beyond the base salary. To truly understand that value of your job and the cost a company incurs to keep you employed, CLICK HERE.

Be prepared to stand out with a solid elevator pitch

Selling yourself effectively in a short period of time is tough. In today's crowded employment market, you need to be prepared to stand out. This is why you should develop an elevator speech, or a sound bite that details your professional story, before you need it. Follow these pointers to craft one.

Career Quest, LLC - Linking Talent wth Opportunity

If you want to discuss your job search with someone on our team, please call or email us.

804-377-8600 / info@career-quest.com

RHRMA April Chapter Meeting: Stop Treading Water and Swim

“Stop Treading Water & Swim - 10 Essential HR Strategies Every Company Must Implement to Survive the Tidal Wave of 2009” Every organization is treading in unprecedented water. To remain invaluable partners to their organizations, HR must stay abreast of cutting edge issues that impact the bottom line. Several seminars and workshops have focused on the legal developments. Karen will weed through this “information overload” to focus on 10 cutting edge strategies that your company must implement in 2009. These practical suggestions will include new strategies for hiring, firing, litigation avoidance and preparation, pay, employee management and more. Don’t let your company waste precious time and resources on legal developments and other issues that won’t matter. This must-see session will give focus, clarity and sanity to the madness of 2009. To REGISTER click here.

Contact Megan McEwen at 804-377-8600 Megan@career-quest.com to learn more

Take advantage of great talent - Fresh Ideas, Lower Cost!

All eyes are focused on the bottom line...now more then ever. How can your organization take advantage of today's increased contingent talent pool to gain a fresh perspective and save money at the same time? Click Here to learn more.

100 interview questions - be prepared to nail the interview!

One key to landing your next job is being prepared for the interview. Being ready for everything is impossible...but Click here for a list of 100 potential questions to help you get started.

All Recruiters are NOT created Equal

All Recruiters are NOT created Equal Joe LaBella, Executive Recruiting Manager - Career Quest LLC Jan 2009

As a former (recovering) accountant with a Big 4 firm, I received numerous calls from recruiters telling me about the next "great job".  Now being on the other side of the desk as a recruiter for the past four years I can tell you, unequivocally, that all recruiters are not created equally.  So how did I choose which recruiters to work with when I was in public accounting?  The same way I think you should choose most of your business relationships.  Referrals and word of mouth. 

Things to consider when selecting a professional recruiter

Trust is key when selecting a recruiter.  Use your network to find referrals to the best recruiters in your market  or profession. Develop your relationship with a recruiter NOW!  Don't wait until your career is interrupted.  By keeping your recruiter ("career advisor") up to speed on your career accomplishments, you will be at the top of the list when it comes to the most critical and lucrative positions on the market. Select a recruiter that has exerience in your niche.  They should be able to highlight relevent successes and present solid references.

I worked with two recruiters when I was in public accounting.  The first I met when he came to speak to one of my accounting classes in college.  The second was a referral from a colleague in the firm I worked for at the time.  In both instances they wanted to meet with me face to face to discuss my background, interest and career goals  Be wary of recruiters that call to tell you about the perfect job for you.  How could they know it is a great role for you?  It's impossible for me (or anyone) to know what is a perfect fit until having a chance to discuss career accomplishments, likes and dislikes and objectives.  

Approach your relationship with a  recruiter as you would any important professional relationship.  Trust is exetremely important when it comes to your relationship with a recruiter.  Make sure you are comfortable that the recruiter is looking out for your best interests based on the discussions you have had regarding your past experiences and potential career path.  Make sure you are both on the same page when it comes to your career objectives like...what challenges you are looking for in your next position, the culture and environment that will be the best fit and where you want your career to take you. 

A good recruiter values the relationship (both from a candidate and company perspective), will act as an agent and feel a fiduciary duty to doing the right thing regardless of the outcome and related fee.  When executed correctly, career matches are based not only on the candidates experience, but also on the "intangibles" the candidate brings to your company.  Often times it is these intangibles that outweigh the keywords on a resume.

So...when do you need to develop a relationship with a recruiter?  NOW!  Don't wait until a major event interrupts your career.  When desperation sets in, you won't be making decisions based on the best move for your career, you will be making decisions based on who will pay you the most money the fastest.  That is not a good way to conduct a job search and make solid career decisions.  If we know who you are, what you have accomplished in your career and can speak to a client about our long standing relationship, we have a much better chance at success.  

Sometimes the ideal opportunity presents itself quickly but more often than not it could take months and years.  By having the initial conversation, and maintaining regular contact with updates on your career, a good recruiter will be on the lookout for that perfect role and let you know when it presents itself.  The same goes for the hiring manager.  By having solid relationship with a trusted recruiter, they know what traits make successful employees in your company.  By being able to match the skill set with the particular company's "intangible" checklist is the best way to make a long term hire.

 There are many choices out there these days and lots of competition in the recruiting industry.  There is no reason any candidate should feel like they have to settle for a mediocre recruiter.  Choose the person you feel comfortable with, that you trust, that is sincere in their approach to "helping" you and not just "selling" you.  That is the person you should choose to have a relationship with.  Whether it is your banker, your doctor, having home improvements done, or looking for your next career opportunity, making a decision based on these attributes will ensure the best chance for a successful outcome.

We welcome the chance to talk with you, learn about you and determine if we are the right firm to represent you or your organization.  We are certain that given the chance we will earn your trust. 

Laid off?...Now What?

February 2009

By: Rich Reinecke, Career Quest, Linking Talent With Opportunity

Finding yourself unemployed is frightening.  Finding yourself unemployed in a market with a rising unemployment rate in one of the toughest economies we have experienced in decades, and that fear is heightened to a new level.  However, if you can follow a few key points, your job search can be a less daunting task.

Stay calm, focused and get yourself organized.  The calm piece is probably the toughest but most important.  This is not the time to panic and take a fast shotgun approach. Follow a few of these suggestions:

·    Write a description of the perfect position you see yourself in. Next, evaluate the points that are must haves and points that you are flexible on.   You need to know your bottom line on where you can be flexible so you don't fall victim to taking a job that does not meet your criteria. ·    Freshen up your resume.  You need to have an accurate, results driven resume that is consistent with your peers.  ·    Develop a system to keep track of your job search Ø  who you have contacted to network with Ø  where your resume has been sent Ø  when you need to take the next step with a particular contact or employer

 

Companies rely on your past experience as the best indicator of your future success.  You need to make it easy for potential employers to understand the difference between you and the rest of the candidate pool.  Focus on how you can add value to an employer and quantify whenever possible with facts.  Do you make money for a company or do you save money for a company?  If you have been successful in growing sales, retaining customers or you are an accountant that has reduced the time it takes to close the books, be sure you can quickly and concisely articulate that to potential employers in your resume as well as the elevator pitch you deliver at networking events.

 

You need to take a very targeted and strategic approach to each job opportunity, making sure the right person is exposed to what you bring to the table.  This requires networking to the right contacts.  Now is not the time for a shotgun approach - blasting resumes to as many companies as possible is an old school tactic that does not work well any more, particularly in a tough job market. 

 

Most people are unaware of the importance of developing and keeping a personal and professional network alive and active.   The larger the net you have, the more opportunity you will become aware of.  Also, expand your horizons and think creatively when considering networking events. 

TIP ·    Look for opportunities to network in both professional and personal settings like trade associations, church and volunteer opportunities.  You never know who you will meet or where you will meet them ·    Technology is an incredible tool today.  There are plenty of social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook.  So, make sure you can be found on the internet.  But, beware of your social networking footprint.  We all know we need to dress to impress at interviews...make sure your web presence is tidy as well.

 

Be flexible but also be realistic.  Refer back to the "perfect job" description you developed at the beginning of this article.  There are some things in that description that you must have to make your next career move a success while other points are on the wish list.  You might need to consider opportunities outside of your industry or ones that are a different size than where you worked before. Do not underestimate the time it will take to find the next position. By some estimates it could take one month of job searching for every $10,000 in salary.  As in most things, you can influence these estimates with an active approach to your search. 

·   Consider temporary or contract consulting positions.  Ø  Many times they lead to full time work! ·   Realize that depending on circumstances, you may have to lower your expectations on the level of position and compensation.  But, don't give up so much of what was on your "must have" list that you regret taking the job.

If you have found yourself in a tough spot in this job market, find resources that can help you.  A great recruiter that you can rely on (one with a solid reputation for helping similarly skilled professionals) is a powerful resource.  If you want to discuss this article or your job search with someone on our team, we welcome the opportunity to help you.

Rich Reinecke, President Career Quest LLC 804-377-8600 rich@career-quest.com