"Why do recruiters ask me what my last salary was? Will answering this question honestly hurt my chances of receiving a higher pay?" -- Ronda D.
Here is the whole process in a nutshell in regards to salaries:
1. We need to know what a candidate is making at their current position or was making at their last position. Why? Every candidate is different, for example - I've had candidates with Cpas and 10-15 years experience that were each making two totally different salaries. One was making 50k and the other was making around double. I've had office managers/bookkeepers who have had the same experience, making 30k/60k. So we need to know where they are at the current moment because we can't assume anything just based on experience.
2. We like to know a minimum salary a candidate would take. Why? A minimum salary is always a plus to know, even if it isn't what a candidate desires, it still puts them in the run for a position if they are interested, as opposed to not considering them if it's only, say, $2,000 away.
3. We like to know what desired salary the would want to pursue. Why? Obviously, what you want to make is either at least what your making now or higher. Most candidates may be comfortable with a lateral move, but their preferences are usually higher. This is also a really huge plus to know, for this instance. Example - You desire $65k and a client has a position open that is for your ideal role, but only paying up to $60k. In this case, we would submit your resume to the client and let them know up front that you want $65k. Even though we know the salary is up to $60k maximim, there is a great chance that if the client likes your resume and experience, they would bump up the salary to $65k just to see you take the position (I've done this before and placed candidates).
So, our attempts to get the candidate more money are not based on our "commissions", they are based on getting you what you are happy with and desire. We negotiate for you, but we negotiate in your favor. We are the middle man, so we communicate with you every single step of the way.
Anthony Prano, Direct-Hire Accounting Recruiter
aprano@thedubingroup.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Young Professional Question
“I have been contacted by several recruiting firms regarding temporary work. I don’t really don’t understand how temporary placement works. Can you explain it to me?” -- Megan C.
Great question, Megan. Temporary, Temp-to-Hire, and Permanent are three ways in which companies hire.
Temporary, or "Temp", can either be short term or long term. With that method of employment, you are given a specific start date and specific end date of an assignment. During that time, your checks will come through the agency that you are registered through, not the direct company for whom you are actually working.
Temp-to-Hire is another way that companies hire. It is so both the employer and the candidate can try each other out and make sure it is a perfect fit. You will start out as a temporary employee, then, eventually become a permanent employee if both sides are in agreement. The span of time between temp and perm is never exact, and can last as long as the employer wants.
Permanent is a direct hire position. You are set up with the interview through the agency you are registered with. If you are hired, you are a regular employee of the company and contact with the agency is no longer needed. It is a permanent position.
Nicole Skay, Temporary Recruiter
nskay@thedubingroup.com
Great question, Megan. Temporary, Temp-to-Hire, and Permanent are three ways in which companies hire.
Temporary, or "Temp", can either be short term or long term. With that method of employment, you are given a specific start date and specific end date of an assignment. During that time, your checks will come through the agency that you are registered through, not the direct company for whom you are actually working.
Temp-to-Hire is another way that companies hire. It is so both the employer and the candidate can try each other out and make sure it is a perfect fit. You will start out as a temporary employee, then, eventually become a permanent employee if both sides are in agreement. The span of time between temp and perm is never exact, and can last as long as the employer wants.
Permanent is a direct hire position. You are set up with the interview through the agency you are registered with. If you are hired, you are a regular employee of the company and contact with the agency is no longer needed. It is a permanent position.
Nicole Skay, Temporary Recruiter
nskay@thedubingroup.com
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Do's & Don'ts When Interviewing
As we discussed in July’s article, Interviewing Essentials, being prepared and ready for an interview is crucial. In the interview, you have the opportunity to present yourself to the interviewer; come dressed to impress and be prepared with questions you may need to answer.
It’s helpful to check the company website for information and research for a company profile and gather the latest information about that company. Your preparation will reflect favorably if the interviewer questions you about their company and sees that you are prepared.
Sometimes reviewing a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” can be extremely helpful when going into the first, second or even a third interview. You do not want to get too far ahead of yourself and make your first question about what salary you will be making. Some job interview tips are listed below; please take the time to go through them and utilize them when going on interviews.
Preparation and Confidence
Great preparation always creates confidence. Prepare yourself practically for the interview as well as gathering useful information for the interview.
Make a Checklist
Create a helpful checklist to follow when preparing for an interview:
1) Confirm the time, date and location of the interview and name of the interviewers where appropriate.
2) Plan to get there no earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time.
3) Notify the appropriate person that you are present for the interview.
4) Dress professionally and wear a business suit.
5) Do not forget for firm handshake.
6) Maintain eye contact without glaring.
7) Ask Questions.
8) Be Honest.
9) Send a Thank You Salutation.
It’s helpful to check the company website for information and research for a company profile and gather the latest information about that company. Your preparation will reflect favorably if the interviewer questions you about their company and sees that you are prepared.
Sometimes reviewing a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” can be extremely helpful when going into the first, second or even a third interview. You do not want to get too far ahead of yourself and make your first question about what salary you will be making. Some job interview tips are listed below; please take the time to go through them and utilize them when going on interviews.
Preparation and Confidence
Great preparation always creates confidence. Prepare yourself practically for the interview as well as gathering useful information for the interview.
Make a Checklist
Create a helpful checklist to follow when preparing for an interview:
1) Confirm the time, date and location of the interview and name of the interviewers where appropriate.
2) Plan to get there no earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time.
3) Notify the appropriate person that you are present for the interview.
4) Dress professionally and wear a business suit.
5) Do not forget for firm handshake.
6) Maintain eye contact without glaring.
7) Ask Questions.
8) Be Honest.
9) Send a Thank You Salutation.
Be on time!
Always plan ahead. If you plan to use public transportation, make sure you plan your route during heavy traffic patterns so you can still arrive on-time. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Also, if you arrive earlier than 10 minutes before the interview, wait in your vehicle or a nearby cafe or shop. It’s important that you do not get to the interview too early because the employer usually has a busy schedule and is not expecting you. It can often frustrate the employer and make them feel rushed. If you are going to be late, the best option is to call and inform them.
The Handshake
The handshake is extremely important when introducing yourself. The handshake is the start of an interview and allows you to create a great impression. If you have delivered a poor handshake, it is impossible for you to recover it. Here are some examples:
1) The limp hand gives the impression of disinterest or weakness.
2) Only tips of the fingers shows lack of ability to engage.
3) The arm pump shows overly aggressive salesman.
Write down and practice possible questions asked in an interview
Collect a list of common job interview sample questions and practice your answer before the interview. This prepares you ahead of time and the questions do not come as a surprise to you.
Eye Contact and Communication Styles
It is extremely important that you make eye contact during the interview. It shows confidence and interest in the position. When you avoid eye contact it may appear that you are untruthful or disinterested. To make a good first impression, you have to be able to communicate effectively with the interviewer. Some pointers to consider during your interview:
1) If the interviewer seems all business, then you want to match this style and behave professionally and follow the answer/question guidelines.
2) If the interviewer is personable, you may have the opportunity to discuss his/her interests.
3) If the interviewer asked a direct question, answer directly.
4) If you allow the interviewer to set the tone of the conversation, you can vastly improve your chances of making a positive impression.
Avoid over talking!
Communication involves two important factors: Speaking and Listening. Allow the interviewer to lead and ask the questions. A common mistake often occurs when a candidate continues to talk and not allow the interviewer to ask their questions. It is very important to listen to the question and ask and answer that question. Keep your answers to two to three minutes. When you limit your time, you tend to stay more focused. It is very easy to go off topic and start to ramble about a subject irrelevant to the job or questioned asked. Some questions may take time to answer. After two minutes you can ask the interviewer, “I have described my most recent project. Would you like to hear more about my role in detail?”
Listen
Listening happens to be one of the most underused interview skills. Often, candidates tend to be nervous about answering interview questions correctly and forget to listen. Follow these tips:
1) Listen through eye contact.
2) Listen with nonverbal expressions.
3) Listen until the speaker is finished.
4) Do not interrupt.
Be enthusiastic and positive!
It’s extremely important to be enthusiastic and stay positive during an interview. Avoid any negative points about previous employers or experiences. Focus on positive achievements and views.
Asking about Salary, Benefits and Vacation
Timing is everything in the interview. Have an idea of what the salary range is for the position. Do not ask about salary, benefits and vacation on the first interview. Allow the interviewer to bring up salary and the benefits package. It is very important that you demonstrate a strong interest in the position before asking what your salary expectations are too early in the process.
Postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position.
Ask Questions
There is always the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions at the end of the interview. You always want to go to the interview prepared with questions. Have at least three questions that can offer you a better understanding of the position and the company. Write your questions down prior to the interview and take them with you.
Danielle Castillo, Administrative Recruiter
Friday, July 25, 2008
Interviewing Essentials: How to Strengthen Your Interviewing Technique
Feeling confident and expressing oneself clearly plays a significant role in gaining employment.
If you don’t have a lot of experience interviewing or have a limited work history, it can be difficult to know how to make your background relevant. The most important factor in preparing for an interview is to practice. You’ll find that if you run through basic interview questions and practice how you want to answer these questions, you’ll feel much more prepared to tackle both the standard or more difficult questions that may be asked during the interview.
Do a test run to the office the day before your interview
Nothing will take you off your game more than being late for the interview. It is best to do a trial run before the actual interview so you can make sure you know exactly where the office is located. On the day of the interview you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Bring several clean copies of your resume to the interview
Oftentimes, you will meet with more than just the person you’re scheduled to interview with, especially if the interview goes well. They may decide to fast track you in the interview process and have you meet with multiple people that day. Show that you are well prepared and think ahead by providing extra copies of your resume to whomever you meet with.
A Smile and a Firm Handshake goes a long way
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but it is absolutely essential to make a strong first impression. When your interviewer greets you, don’t forget to stand up, smile and extend your hand. Make sure you give a firm handshake, interviewers form an impression based on their overall impression of you, not only on how well you answer their questions.
Prepare Ahead: Practice Makes Perfect
If possible practice some basic interview questions with a friend or family member. If you don’t have anyone to practice with ask yourself questions and answer them out loud. Make sure you feel comfortable discussing your resume, education and background in a lot of detail. Once you feel comfortable with that part, if you have a formalized job description, spend some time reviewing the job responsibilities and qualifications the company is looking for in a candidate. Make the connection between your background and how it relates to the position itself.
So… “Tell me a little about yourself…”
This is a common question that is asked during an interview, since it is an open-ended question it can be difficult to know how you should answer. Stick to professional information only and give an overview of your background, your education and how your background pertains to the position. Since this question is commonly asked, you should memorize your answer before the interview.
What do you know about our company?
Spend some time reviewing the company website and learning as much as you can about the organization. When you feel you can knowledgeably speak about the company and summarize what they do, you should feel prepared to field questions relating to the organization.
Salary
It is best to try and find out the salary range of the position and base your answer on your level of experience and how close you are to meeting the qualifications for the position. Give a range for the employer to work with.
Relax and Be Yourself
Once you’ve prepared for the interview, feel confident and try to relax. You’ll want to give the interviewer a sense of your personality and try to make a connection with the interviewer. The idea behind preparing ahead for the interview is to be relaxed enough that you feel like you can be yourself and make a strong overall impression.
Elizabeth Dratch, Senior Recruiter
edratch@thedubingroup.com
If you don’t have a lot of experience interviewing or have a limited work history, it can be difficult to know how to make your background relevant. The most important factor in preparing for an interview is to practice. You’ll find that if you run through basic interview questions and practice how you want to answer these questions, you’ll feel much more prepared to tackle both the standard or more difficult questions that may be asked during the interview.
Do a test run to the office the day before your interview
Nothing will take you off your game more than being late for the interview. It is best to do a trial run before the actual interview so you can make sure you know exactly where the office is located. On the day of the interview you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Bring several clean copies of your resume to the interview
Oftentimes, you will meet with more than just the person you’re scheduled to interview with, especially if the interview goes well. They may decide to fast track you in the interview process and have you meet with multiple people that day. Show that you are well prepared and think ahead by providing extra copies of your resume to whomever you meet with.
A Smile and a Firm Handshake goes a long way
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but it is absolutely essential to make a strong first impression. When your interviewer greets you, don’t forget to stand up, smile and extend your hand. Make sure you give a firm handshake, interviewers form an impression based on their overall impression of you, not only on how well you answer their questions.
Prepare Ahead: Practice Makes Perfect
If possible practice some basic interview questions with a friend or family member. If you don’t have anyone to practice with ask yourself questions and answer them out loud. Make sure you feel comfortable discussing your resume, education and background in a lot of detail. Once you feel comfortable with that part, if you have a formalized job description, spend some time reviewing the job responsibilities and qualifications the company is looking for in a candidate. Make the connection between your background and how it relates to the position itself.
So… “Tell me a little about yourself…”
This is a common question that is asked during an interview, since it is an open-ended question it can be difficult to know how you should answer. Stick to professional information only and give an overview of your background, your education and how your background pertains to the position. Since this question is commonly asked, you should memorize your answer before the interview.
What do you know about our company?
Spend some time reviewing the company website and learning as much as you can about the organization. When you feel you can knowledgeably speak about the company and summarize what they do, you should feel prepared to field questions relating to the organization.
Salary
It is best to try and find out the salary range of the position and base your answer on your level of experience and how close you are to meeting the qualifications for the position. Give a range for the employer to work with.
Relax and Be Yourself
Once you’ve prepared for the interview, feel confident and try to relax. You’ll want to give the interviewer a sense of your personality and try to make a connection with the interviewer. The idea behind preparing ahead for the interview is to be relaxed enough that you feel like you can be yourself and make a strong overall impression.
Elizabeth Dratch, Senior Recruiter
edratch@thedubingroup.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Expanding Your Horizons
Why you should consider Temp/Temp-to-Hire in your Job Search
So congratulations - you made it! Four-plus years of hard work have paid off, and you finally have that precious degree to show for it. You are smart, well-educated, dedicated and ready to take on the world. Graduation was great, and so was the party… until everyone you know started asking you that dreaded question, “So, what are you going to do NOW?”
No matter what degree you came out of school carrying, you probably didn’t have an answer other than “Umm… go out and find a job?" Unless you are set to start grad school, have a spot reserved at your favorite Uncle’s office, or are independently wealthy, you’ve been asking yourself that same question. Unfortunately, that puts you in the same situation as everyone else that’s graduated in the past few years. You keep running into the old Catch 22 - you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. To make things worse, you’ve been hearing horror stories about the economy and the lack of openings out there, and you’ve applied to everything you’ve seen online and in the paper with no results. So what are your options?
The best answer may be using a placement agency to help you with your job search. Many companies are going the “Temp” or “Temp-to-Hire” route when it comes to finding great new grads to fill their positions during these unstable times.
From a hiring manager’s perspective, using an agency assures that they are getting the cream of the crop: pre-screened, pre-tested and pre-interviewed applicants that they KNOW are qualified and interested in their position, no matter what the person’s resume states. It saves them significant amounts of time, money and effort to get their “short list” of ideal candidates, and they don’t have to go through the pile of 700 resumes from Monster that are sitting on their desk – if they even bothered to make the opening public or post an ad.
Why will an agency help YOU? Maybe you still don’t know exactly how you want to use that degree, just like 99% of the people that I grew up with. Despite what your parents may say, there is certainly nothing wrong with that! Temping will give you a chance to try out/experience different fields, industries and office environments.
You may think you want to work for a small suburban office, but what if you took a job like that, got bored in a few weeks, and were trapped as you dreamt of the hustle and bustle of a big company in Center City? If you moved to Philly from out-of-state and aren’t familiar with the top-notch companies in the area, a recruiter can give you the low-down on who you might want to work for, and how to get noticed by their decision makers. Say you were pre-law, and got a temp job with a big-name firm as an office assistant – then decided after a few weeks you COULDN’T STAND working with attorneys? On the reverse side, I had a candidate that tried an unfamiliar industry out as a temp to make some cash while she looked for her “dream job”… she fell in love with the place and has been promoted twice in 18 months – instant career gold!
Whether you have specific plans for your future, want to beef up your resume, dip your toe into the corporate waters, or just want to make some money before you backpack through Europe or go to grad school, registering with a good agency will help you get a head start on your path to success. Broaden your search and your horizons…after all, isn’t that what going to college was really about?
So congratulations - you made it! Four-plus years of hard work have paid off, and you finally have that precious degree to show for it. You are smart, well-educated, dedicated and ready to take on the world. Graduation was great, and so was the party… until everyone you know started asking you that dreaded question, “So, what are you going to do NOW?”
No matter what degree you came out of school carrying, you probably didn’t have an answer other than “Umm… go out and find a job?" Unless you are set to start grad school, have a spot reserved at your favorite Uncle’s office, or are independently wealthy, you’ve been asking yourself that same question. Unfortunately, that puts you in the same situation as everyone else that’s graduated in the past few years. You keep running into the old Catch 22 - you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. To make things worse, you’ve been hearing horror stories about the economy and the lack of openings out there, and you’ve applied to everything you’ve seen online and in the paper with no results. So what are your options?
The best answer may be using a placement agency to help you with your job search. Many companies are going the “Temp” or “Temp-to-Hire” route when it comes to finding great new grads to fill their positions during these unstable times.
From a hiring manager’s perspective, using an agency assures that they are getting the cream of the crop: pre-screened, pre-tested and pre-interviewed applicants that they KNOW are qualified and interested in their position, no matter what the person’s resume states. It saves them significant amounts of time, money and effort to get their “short list” of ideal candidates, and they don’t have to go through the pile of 700 resumes from Monster that are sitting on their desk – if they even bothered to make the opening public or post an ad.
Why will an agency help YOU? Maybe you still don’t know exactly how you want to use that degree, just like 99% of the people that I grew up with. Despite what your parents may say, there is certainly nothing wrong with that! Temping will give you a chance to try out/experience different fields, industries and office environments.
You may think you want to work for a small suburban office, but what if you took a job like that, got bored in a few weeks, and were trapped as you dreamt of the hustle and bustle of a big company in Center City? If you moved to Philly from out-of-state and aren’t familiar with the top-notch companies in the area, a recruiter can give you the low-down on who you might want to work for, and how to get noticed by their decision makers. Say you were pre-law, and got a temp job with a big-name firm as an office assistant – then decided after a few weeks you COULDN’T STAND working with attorneys? On the reverse side, I had a candidate that tried an unfamiliar industry out as a temp to make some cash while she looked for her “dream job”… she fell in love with the place and has been promoted twice in 18 months – instant career gold!
Whether you have specific plans for your future, want to beef up your resume, dip your toe into the corporate waters, or just want to make some money before you backpack through Europe or go to grad school, registering with a good agency will help you get a head start on your path to success. Broaden your search and your horizons…after all, isn’t that what going to college was really about?
Melissa Wilson, Recruiter
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Good Fast or Cheap, Pick Two
Good, fast, or cheap-pick two… this was a rule of thumb my father always taught me. As I have grown up, I have realized how very true it is. For example, have you ever wanted something shipped to you overnight without being broken? That service would be both fast and good, but certainly not cheap. Maybe recently you have been in a drive through at Taco Bell, now this is both fast and cheap, but not the finest Mexican you could buy. Or maybe ordered something from a website nice and cheap but it has taken a month to get to you. Good and cheap, but not so fast. Get it?
Being a recent grad and looking for that first job you will find yourself with a similar dilemma. You want that ideal job, right? What makes an “ideal job”? Most people will tell you- the commute, the salary, and obviously the job itself. Just as you can only “pick two” with good, fast, or cheap, when you are a recent grad, it is wise of you to only pick one. Don’t worry though; you will get to the point where you can pick two, and eventually all three!
Some folks graduate and expect that they will land the $50K job, working for a fortune 500, and only have a half hour commute-which could be possible, but highly unlikely. If you approach your search in this manner you will end up spinning your wheels and eventually just getting frustrated and disheartened with your search. However, if you approach your search with one of those aspects in mind you will land a position that you are both happy with and proud of.
If your ultimate goal is to work in Human Resources, don’t give up on that. It is a very reachable goal, however, you may only make $27K and have to commute over an hour. Don’t laugh; I did it just 4 years ago! Once you land that dream position, you get one to three years experience in that role, then your next move you can expect two of the aspects to come your way. This time you want to stay in HR but want a much closer commute. Again, very doable, but this time you may still be making less than that goal salary you have for yourself. Once you establish yourself in that geographical area with about five years of Human Resources experience, then when you make a move, it would be realistic to make the money you want, in the role you have always dreamed of, and maybe live so close you can go home for lunch!
Your goals are obtainable, there are jobs to be had, just remember to keep it realistic. When you are going to retire at 65 and start working at 23, it is a marathon not a sprint. Just remember-pick two, good, fast, or cheap.
Barbara Tumelty, Senior Recruiter
btumelty@thedubingroup.com
Being a recent grad and looking for that first job you will find yourself with a similar dilemma. You want that ideal job, right? What makes an “ideal job”? Most people will tell you- the commute, the salary, and obviously the job itself. Just as you can only “pick two” with good, fast, or cheap, when you are a recent grad, it is wise of you to only pick one. Don’t worry though; you will get to the point where you can pick two, and eventually all three!
Some folks graduate and expect that they will land the $50K job, working for a fortune 500, and only have a half hour commute-which could be possible, but highly unlikely. If you approach your search in this manner you will end up spinning your wheels and eventually just getting frustrated and disheartened with your search. However, if you approach your search with one of those aspects in mind you will land a position that you are both happy with and proud of.
If your ultimate goal is to work in Human Resources, don’t give up on that. It is a very reachable goal, however, you may only make $27K and have to commute over an hour. Don’t laugh; I did it just 4 years ago! Once you land that dream position, you get one to three years experience in that role, then your next move you can expect two of the aspects to come your way. This time you want to stay in HR but want a much closer commute. Again, very doable, but this time you may still be making less than that goal salary you have for yourself. Once you establish yourself in that geographical area with about five years of Human Resources experience, then when you make a move, it would be realistic to make the money you want, in the role you have always dreamed of, and maybe live so close you can go home for lunch!
Your goals are obtainable, there are jobs to be had, just remember to keep it realistic. When you are going to retire at 65 and start working at 23, it is a marathon not a sprint. Just remember-pick two, good, fast, or cheap.
Barbara Tumelty, Senior Recruiter
btumelty@thedubingroup.com
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