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Posted about 1 year ago
How to Create and Hold on to Top Talent.
How to create and hold on to top talent.Due to the rapid advancements in technologyand artificial intelligence, companies have been pressured to recreate theirtalent management and capital gain approaches. Companies have also felt more pressure to produce more personalized andinstinctual brand experiences for their consumers. Businesses are in need of workers who can keepup with the demands of society. Someattributes companies are looking for include: flexibility, technologically proficient, and people-management. Employers have used flattering perks and highpay for top talent employees. Yet, theseemployers still struggle with a high turnover rate. One work study forecasted that one out offour workers would leave their place of employment in 2018. When asked why, approximately one-third hadsaid that upper-management was not supportive and that there was no room forgrowth. A clear solution would be for companies tooffer better and more effective training and development programs.Unfortunately, it is not as easy as this. There are many business owners that already have extravagant programs inplace and still struggle in attaining their goals. The main problem is thatthese programs must be more catered towards the employee; and yet they are not. In order for any program to work effectively,it must be focused on the user and the user’s needs. By keeping the employee’s needs in mind andat priority, a business and ensure success, commitment, and understanding. It is necessary to keep training programs intact so that people can learn new skills. However, a business must keep in mind that this is only the first stepin creating a successful environment. The most effective growth occurs only after the formal developmentprograms are completed. The most growthoccurs within the everyday workplace in which the workers face real challenges. Here are some tips to for business leaders touse to check in and help employees: 1) Askemployees questions to gain awareness. Employees needto know that you understand and are aware of their work-issues. The easiest andfastest way management can be there for employees is by asking questions andfinding out the needs of the workers. Indoing so, leaders can offer suitable and ideal learning opportunities forworkers. Schedule personal meetings with each teammember to check in with their current tasks. Encourage the employee to explainwhich skills they feel are easy for them and which they feel they need moreguidance with. Investigate which areasthey feel are challenging and why they feel that way. Some questions you can ask your employees are:● What do you find most intriguingand rewarding in your job?● Are there any tasks that you arefinding a challenge?● What steps are you making toattain your short-term and long-term work goals?● Are there any other projects orresponsibilities that you would like to be involved with? It is important to listen intently to youremployees and create a judgment-free atmosphere. It may help to repeat (in your own words)what your employees bring up at the meeting to ensure you fully understand whatthey need. It may also help to limit distractions,such as a computer, and take notes with a pen and paper. 2)Create more opportunities. Take action and create opportunities forpeople to help develop your employees in the skills that they identified. Learning moments can be small yet very importantin involving and encouraging employees to practice skills and gain confidence. Every challenge your employees bring to yourattention is an opportunity for you to help them grow. Regardless if the struggle is personal (e.g.communication skills) or practical (e.g. technology software), it is importantto address the issue. In doing so, youare showing your employees that they are valued and appreciated. It also allows managers to upskill andretrain individuals as new obstacles occur in the everyday work environment. 3) Varylearning opportunities. Always keep in mind whichexperiences are best suitable for the personal needs of your employees. Take into consideration the employee’stenure, level of experience, and adaptability when choosing learningexperiences. Smaller experiences, suchas a new or necessary skill, may be suitable when employee’s can depend on amore experienced team member for support. Bigger learning experiences are more appropriate for those employees whocan take risks and step out of their comfort zones. These employees may have prior experienceattempting certain tasks and can use their skills to work more independently. For example, you have a few employees thatneed to strengthen their public speaking and presentation skills. The employees who are more shy and lessexperienced with public speaking may benefit more in a smaller groupsetting. You may consider placing themin a small lunch meeting to learn about public speaking and presentationskills. For the employee who is moreexperienced and more forward, they may feel comfortable presenting and learningin a larger setting; such as a large company meeting. You may also consider allowing your moreexperienced employees to discover and seek out their own growth opportunities,but still keep structured learning experiences for the less experiencedemployees. 4)Provide consistent feedback. Set clear expectations for your employees andremember to always provide feedback. This can be one of the most valuable sets of information someonereceives. As your employees carry outtheir day-to-day tasks, work alongside them to create shot- and long-term goalsto strive for. Point out what yourworkers are doing well and which things you feel they can still improve on. It is important to be patient through thisprocess. Contemplate upon the work youremployees have done and tell them what you feel they are excelling at. It is also important to discuss theirfailures without any judgement. Regardless of their failures, always point out their efforts in tryingsomething new. In doing so, you canensure employees are actively applying things they have learned and arereadjusting themselves for improvement. 5) Timemanagement. Before creating new opportunities, determinehow much time you have available to allot to such a task. What level of support are you able to provideas a manager? It is important to setrealistic goals and expectations for yourself. It is important to remember that you do nothave to give all of the support on your own. In some situations, you can pair up certain employees with informalmentors or other leaders for support. When business leaders apply such principles tothe workplace, it will be hard to miss the growth around you. Such principlescan help retain those top talent employees as well. Open communication from leaders is necessaryfor employees to feel appreciated, understood, and content within their workenvironment.
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Posted over 1 year ago
Leadership Blog: Skills for being a Good Leader
How do you become a good leader?To be successful as a leader it is important to use your skillset to ensure effectiveness to exceed expectations while helping others do the same. A good lead effortlessly implements four core skills to achieve success. I know this, because I have done it successfully in my role. I went from being an Account Executive (recruiter) to a Training Manager and Senior Recruiter in just 18 months for a top executive level recruiting firm. Hard work and continually self-development are crucial when you are in a leadership position. I approach my leadership with four specific skills. As a leader I strive to LIVE with everyone. LIVE stands for listen, inspire, validate, and evaluate. If we invest in people by utilizing the right skills we will produce long lasting results.As an effective leader, it is important to LISTEN to what individual are trying to communicate to you and strive to understand it. Then you can INSPIRE every person to exceed their professional goals. During their journey it is important to VALIDATE individuals as well as continuously EVALUATE the situation and needs of others. There is a misconception that speaking is the most important part of being an effective leader. However having the ability to LISTEN is just as important and perfecting this skill sets apart successful leaders from unsuccessful ones. Listening doesn’t just mean hearing what a person is saying, but it’s the ability to interpret the information without having a reaction. If you listen to everything honestly it will help you think about how to meet other’s needs. It is best to seek to understand the information given to you instead of being verbally reactive. After listening you can determine the best way to react and decide how to explain the appropriate information. After determining individual needs effective leaders put a plan in place to INSPIRE others to exceed goals. To inspire people you want to motivate them to do their job or meet a task in the most efficient way possible. Inspiring someone comes from providing encouragement and clear direction. You cannot be an inspiring leader if you don’t communicate efficiently. In order to truly inspire others your verbal and written communication has to be direct. I read the book Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott which helped me to understand how to have direct conversations in all aspects of life. I highly recommend it. Employees and individuals have to know what’s expected of them. They need to be encourage to achieve their goals and be praised appropriately when they succeed. Lay out expectations by having a fierce, direct conversation with individuals. During this process you get to implement your listening skills as well as your ability to respond in a way that will inspire them through positive feedback and encouragement. As a Training Manager I often have to redirect individuals to do things differently. My rule of thumb is to always VALIDATE what they have done well. Too often we tell people what needs to improve instead we of recognizing the things they are doing well. If we build people up as a leader we will be more effective in getting our message received and our goals met. My general rule of thumb is for every negative thing, I point out three positive things. By doing so it forces me to evaluate what an employee is actually doing. EVALUATE every situation to see if your approach is working. If you do not feel your message is being received, then evaluate how to better get your message across. If you are listening to your team, but unable to inspire them to still meet their goals then you should evaluate why that is. Perhaps it is your delivery or the actual task. We have to make peoplefeel good about what’s being asked of them. Always put a positive spin on it and make them feel appreciated. Also, helping people understand the why behind a task will have a positive impact, because it encourages them to contribute. When individuals feel appreciated and like they are contributing they are more likely to work hard. A leader’s message is received based on the way it is presented. Less is always more when writing and speaking. If we can be clear and concise in what message or call to action we give the better results we will produce. Help your team to understand why a task is being asked of them. Guide them through your through process as to what impact it will have if they are successful.If you apply the core leadership skills of LIVE (LISTEN, INSPIRE, VALIDATE, AND EVALUATE) you will be successful. Successful leadership has a great impact on individuals and benefits everyone as the company grows. To learn more about how Ajulia can help benefit your company, contact us at https://www.ajuliaexecutivesearch.com/employer
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Posted over 1 year ago
Employee Spotlight
I signed on with the promise of learning the industry, establishing a career, and workingmay way up the ranks. I brushed it off as a sales tactic – something you’retold – until my second week and a colleague had just returned from a trip toAsia and another two were about to set off to Europe. I couldn’t help but beimpressed and intrigued at the notion of not only having the financial abilitybut work flexibility to leave mid-September for weeks at a time. I was instantly sold.I joined as an administrative assistant and as such am fortunate enough to have experiencedAjulia Executive Search from every angle. I wrote to various companies securingand negotiating contracts. I scoured over job descriptions and learned whichqualities were important to various industries and which career paths offeredthe biggest incomes. I felt more than ready to transition into the role ofAccount Executive – Recruiter I quickly found that I was thrust into the big leagues. This industry is not for thefaint of heart. You will be yelled at. You will be blamed. You will betold “No” more times than not, hung up on, lied to and led on. If you don’t have a thick skin this is notfor you. But if you’re lucky, like I was – you have an amazing team of management,training and peers that are not only supportive but willing to guide and mentoryou every step of the way.Nine months later and that promise of success and career growth has been met. I have been honored with employee of theMonth (March 2018), Social Media Engagement Winner (Most Positive Reviews), andhave even been invited to assist my amazing training manager with thedevelopment of incoming Account Executives.I have helped place over 30 candidates into their new careers and I am so excited tosee what it is that I will accomplish in the coming years with Ajulia ExecutiveSearch.
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Posted over 1 year ago
GOOD VS BAD WORKING HABITS
Everyone has at least some bad workplace habits. We may not even be aware of how we are portraying ourselves to others. Trying to catch yourself before engaging in the bad habits is difficult, but worth the effort. After all, everyone shares the same (sometimes cramped) office space and stressful workload. The actions of one person can affect the entire company culture. Here are a few bad habits you can acquire over the years. In some cases, these behaviors can even cost you your job. The first step to change bad habits is realizing that you have them! COMPLAINING & CONTRIBUTINGEveryone complains about something. It’s human nature. But being a source of negativity affects those around you, and focuses a negative light directly on you. Instead, try being solution-oriented, rolling up your sleeves, and contribute positive energy and efforts in the workplace.COMMUNICATIONCommunication between you and your colleagues is key to a successful workplace. If you promise to meet a deadline, keep it. If for some reason you need an extension, let people know in advance rather than after the fact. Proper communication can save someone else from doing double work, which can lead to conflict. Similarly, hoarding work or refusing to let go of something sends the message that you’re not a team player. What’s important is that the work gets done. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness. Teamwork makes the dream work!LACK OF PUNCTUALITY, FOCUS, & ENTHUSIASMIf you know you are going to be late, make sure to let your supervisor know. Being perpetually late for work or for scheduled events is not acceptable. Punctuality, or lack thereof, sends a clear and precise message about your character and desire to function as a valued employee.Everyone has days where they feel less than motivated, but if this is a habitual condition, it will show in the work you produce and impact how others perceive you. As hard as it might be sometimes, try proactively looking for something you can get excited about. Your fellow employees will notice and mirror your excitement. Remember, a smile or a laugh inspires others. Be the inspiration!!PROBLEM SOLVINGEveryone makes mistakes. It’s how you overcome those mistakes that will define you. Once you acknowledge the mistake, you can set about the task of correcting it. Don’t look for other to blame. Leaders take ownership.Also, if you’re unsure what’s being asked of you on a specific project, or don’t know how to use a certain piece of equipment, speak up. There is an old saying, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question”. This is very true. Seek clarification to avoid wasted time and disappointing results. If you make a mistake don’t try to hide it thinking your boss won’t find out. The best way to handle this situation is to be direct, apologetic, and bring a solution that will help prevent the mistake from happening again. LANGUAGEIn most businesses cursing is frowned upon. It sends the message that you are not only an unprofessional communicator, but that you aren’t self-aware enough to know that kind of language may be offensive to your colleagues. For the sake of the friendly work environment, find new and better ways to express yourself. This applies to bad-mouthing the company, manager, or boss. It’s better to keep your complaints about the workplace to yourself or in a suggestion box. Gossip is not a positive habit, and not everyone you work with may agree with how you’re feeling. It will always come back around to bite you. That doesn’t mean you have to like everyone, but you do need to get along with them professionally. A healthy environment creates more productivity in the workplace! Plus, you don’t want to be labeled as the employee that talks badly about all the other employees. You subconsciously work more productively when you can trust and count on your colleagues, they can trust and count on you. Looking For A New Job?Send Us Your Resume
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Posted over 1 year ago
WHY RETAINED SEARCH FIRMS HIRE VETERANS
After serving your country with honor, you are seeking a new opportunity and fresh start back in civilian life. Retained Search Firms offer assistance to help you find a viable new career. Companies love hiring Veterans, and Retained Search Firms often seek out military veterans because they provide the following benefits:TEAM PLAYERS Veterans have the proven ability to learn new skills. They can enter workforces with identifiable and transferable skills, proven in real-world situations. Veterans know how to perform under pressure, and understand the struggle of tight schedules and limited resources. Knowing how to prioritize tasks, in despite tremendous stress, are a skillset that most vets possess in abundance. Being a Veteran conveys certain character traits: integrity, honor, and a willingness to put the needs of the many ahead of your own needs. Employers are impressed when they see a candidate with security clearances and a proven track record in the armed forces. It shows employers that you are trustworthy and sincere.LEADERSHIP Retained Search Firms look to Military Veterans to fill leadership positions. The military trains people to be leaders. Veterans understand the practical ways to manage behaviors for results, even in the most trying circumstances. They also know the dynamics of leadership as part of both hierarchical and peer structures.TECHNICAL SKILLS Retained Search firms contract with companies who are up on the latest technology trends. industry. The military employs the most up to date technological innovations available, and it’s members are specifically trained to operate them.Whether it’s Engineering, Mechanical, IT, or Logistics, they can bring the kind of technological experience that all enterprises need to succeed. Looking For A New Career?Send Us Your Resume
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Posted over 1 year ago
UPDATING YOUR RESUME BEFORE THE NEW YEAR
RESUME REVAMPING The longer you wait to update your resume, the harder it will be to recall specific information and achievements about your current or past job(s). A good rule of thumb is to add a new job to your resume right as you start. Chances are you will have a job description given to you by HR, which you can easily incorporate into your resume. Same thing with new responsibilities and skills; adding them into your resume as they come along ensures that you won’t forget about them later. The sooner you start working on your resume, the easier it will be.IMPORTANCE OF EDITING As you add new information to your resume, also consider the usefulness of older or less relevant experience. Unless you want to return to a former career, decrease the amount of detail you provide for older experience. For job seekers with 10 years of experience or more, this may mean setting up an Early Career section, where you briefly summarize employers, job titles and employment dates. Other expendable items include obsolete technology and your high school diploma once you’ve earned a college degree. Proofread your resume carefully to ensure it is error-free. Watch for information that needs to be updated from previous versions. For example, if your old resume included a summary that stated your years of experience, increase this number if necessary. PEAK BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS It’s a myth that job seekers do not get hired during the holidays. Just like you have a wave of resolutions for the New Year, companies also have a wave of initiatives for the New Year and often increase hiring to meet those goals. In addition, companies that have remaining budget and headcount at year-end will want to fill those spots and not lose them next year. So there will be end-of-year hiring, for sure. Getting a job by the New Year doesn’t mean you have all the way till December to get started. You want to be tying up loose ends by December, not kicking off. Don’t forget that the holidays and end-of-year push also affect you apart from your job search.
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Posted over 1 year ago
NEW YEAR, NEW STRATEGY, NEW JOB
Whether you are thinking about finding a new job or career, the start of a new year is a good time to begin your search. Making a career change ranks high on many people’s lists of New Year’s resolutions. Over the last few years, statistics show a large spike in candidates searching on online job boards, contacting executive search agencies, and applying for new positions during this time period. The good news for job seekers is that many people are planning to leave their current positions, which in turn creates a good number of openings. Many companies will be searching for new talent to fill these vacant slots and that creates a booming job mark, especially in Manufacturing facilities, such as the Pharmaceutical industry. Millennials are now the largest generation in the workplace, and evidence suggests that they get “job restless” if they are feeling under-valued, or under-challenged. Whether you are part of this demographic or not, that rings true whether you are a Manufacturing Plant Manager, or a Forklift Operator. Below are some tips that should help you land a great new job in the New Year: PREPARATIONDon’t make the mistake of under preparing or under estimating the amount of time and energy a true job search takes. Do your research when applying for jobs and demonstrate a real interest of the employer. Executive recruiters will trust working with you even more if you take the initiative to learn what the company does without being told to do so. PROFESSIONALISMEstablish an email account that is professional and can handle large files. If you have been using your nickname @ AOL, it’s time to set up a Gmail or similar large email account with your real name. Make sure you name your resume with your actual name, not “my resume.” You would be shocked how many job seekers don’t do this and then wonder why they never hear back on a job they seem qualified for.Always be ready. Do not pick up the phone if you are half asleep or at a loud social gathering. Instead, let the call go to your professional voice mailbox and then call the executive recruiter back when you properly prepared and in a quiet area with strong cell phone reception. POSITIVITYKeep up your positive attitude, energy, and determination. Job searching can be a very humbling experience, and a positive attitude always plays well with executive recruiters and the companies they represent. There is a great deal of movement and opportunity on the horizon, and if you follow these tips, you can land that great new job in 2019!
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Posted over 1 year ago
SEASONAL JOBS
FALL IS HERE!!! The changing seasons bring millions of temporary jobs. Temp jobs are increasing in popularity year after year and so is the competition for these jobs. Workers must be selected and trained in advance as the holiday season approaches. Job seekers looking for work through the year-end holidays need to start their search as early as September or October.One of the ideal ways for a job seeker to find a seasonal job is through a staffing service. Employers who need extra help engage staffing services to supplement their hiring needs. While the need is urgent, the protocol of testing, interviewing and placing eligible job candidates with an employer is still mandatory. This process is meant to move swiftly since the goal is to successfully fill all positions of need.1. THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORMDon’t delay in applying for seasonal work. Many companies begin their holiday hiring cycle in early October, because they need to allow time for hiring and training process to be completed before seasonal workers are allowed “on the floor”. Have your skills, resume, references and employment documentation in order and ready to go. You don’t want to stall the process in any way or be counted out because there are proficiency or administrative items pending. 2. FLEXIBILITYIf your goal is to secure seasonal work, being flexible is a huge advantage. Doing something outside your comfort zone may turn into a learning and rewarding experience. Let the staffing service know what days and times you’re available. If you can work weekends, evenings, or overtime, be sure to make that readily known. These times tend to be less desirable for most people, so this type of flexibility can give you a competitive advantage. 3. ATTITUDETreat any seasonal work with the same attitude you would a full-time job and you’ll be sure to impress any potential employer. If you go into a temporary job with a negative mindset, you’re only sabotaging your own ability to get the job done right. They can and will take you off an assignment and you will be replaced if they do not like what they see. Remember, this extends to any customers you assist while on the job. You never know who they are, and how they could turn around and help you. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, and a positive attitude goes a long way in impressing both customers and supervisors. Chances are that the company you are with will be seeking more temporary help in the future, and those who exceed expectations will always be first to be called back. They might even want to bring you on full time. Think of your temporary service as a gateway to future employment opportunities.
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Posted over 1 year ago
EXAMPLES OF A GOOD/BAD JOB ZOMBIE
BAD JOB ZOMBIESWhen searching for a new role, or new opportunity, it’s important to remain focused on what will suit you and your experience. You should make a list from the outset of roles that you are interested in, or areas you would like to move into. Also ensure that you pick a long-term goal, a role you see yourself in five years down the road. Set out a road map on how to get to that destination. Over time, some people lose this focus. These people can become mindless job zombies, applying for roles that don’t suit them or roles that are not at their level of experience, with the result being disappointment after not being brought forward for an interview. Over time, this zombie-like behavior can hinder your motivation and drive and lead to a wrong career choice or a negative feeling about the market. GOOD JOB ZOMBIESIt can be discouraging to find a new role or opportunity. The key is to be positive and to keep believing that your work history will catch someone’s eye. Eventually, someone will come across your resume and they will like what they see. It takes a lot to get a zombie down; they just keep getting up and trying again! So even if you’ve applied to dozens of jobs, keep trying. Do not stop until you get what you want. You never know, the next resume you send out could be the one that gets picked! Similarly, the zombies that stand out are the ones that get what they want. Having a friendly, bubbly personality may help a company distinguish you from the other candidates seeking the same job opportunities. So spruce up that resume and connect with our recruiters! We will help you stand out and boost the motivation you need to keep trekking on!
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Posted over 1 year ago
5 IMPORTANT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO PREPARE FOR
A recruiter will choose the best way to ask these questions to help delve into your mindset, energy level, achievements history, and more. It is their job to connect the dots as to how you will help solve the company’s problems, which will hopefully result in a positive outcome for the company and yourself.WHAT BRINGS YOU TO THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY?This question would be asked after the recruiter enables you to warm up. The recruiter will let you talk openly first and then the question will be introduced. When the interviewer shares the position overview, it breaks the early interview tension and promotes an open-sharing interview style from the beginning. Try not to go on bad-mouthing the company you are trying to get away from to form this new opportunity. The best answers are the ones that focus on your career growth and passion, and not ones that mention you just need work.TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RELEVANT PRIOR EXPERIENCE. Sometimes the interviewer uses tactics to thoroughly cover and probe further into each position you held. Walking chronologically through the experience history out of order can best draw out any exaggerations; lying is often planned, rehearsed and remembered in sequential order. The truth can be more easily explained since it is remembered just as it happened. The point of this exploration of relevant prior experiences helps the recruiter assess a pattern that would indicate a continuation of your growth. Past performance is a good indicator of future performance. It is also important to ask for explanations for any gaps in work history, or work changes which do not demonstrate a steady progression of growth.CHOOSE THREE ADJECTIVES THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOUR WORK ETHIC. This straightforward question gives insight into a candidate’s self-perception. In order to best answer questions about your work ethic, you must first have a thorough understanding of how you, personally, relate to your job. You should think of specific instances of how your work ethic has benefitted you in your career, such as working as a team or working with a difficult client. Choose characteristics of your attitude, feelings and beliefs about work to give an answer that is true to you, and that presents your work philosophy in the best light.WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS? No one wants to openly discuss their deficits, especially with someone they are hoping to get hired by. The interviewer is trying to indirectly ask if you are constantly working to improve yourself. Use this prompt as an opportunity to show you’re aware of your behaviors. No one expects perfection, and we all have weaknesses. If you frame yours as an experience you are learning from, you’ll stand out as a thoughtful candidate.WHY SHOULD WE HIRE YOU? This interview question is forward (not to mention intimidating!), but you’re in luck if the question is asked to you. There’s no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers three things: that you can not only do the work, but you can deliver great results; that you’ll really fit in with the team and culture; and that you’d be a better hire than any of the other candidates applying. You want to get across that he or she will get an enthusiastic employee who has the right skill set for the position. You should add to the excitement of getting to do something meaningful while also building your skills and working toward the next step of your career. The key here is to not forget talking about yourself. Too many people make the mistake of only listing the benefits for the employer. Going into what’s in it for you will give insight into why you’ll stay driven (a trait that all interviewers are looking for!Looking For a New Job?Send Us Your Resume
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Posted over 1 year ago
5 REASONS TO USE A RECRUITER
It’s not easy looking for a job. It can be time consuming, difficult, and you won’t always know every job that is out there. That is why you should consider contacting a recruiter to assist you in your job search. There are many benefits that come from contacting a recruiter. Here are five:TIMELooking for a job is time consuming. Multiple job board searches, application after application, resume after resume…. it can become cumbersome. Recruiters spend a minimum of eight hours a day looking for candidates. They will help narrow the parameters of your job search and seek out good opportunities that fit your skillset. In doing so, they can cut days and weeks off your search.THE HIDDEN NETWORKMany companies prefer going directly through recruiting firms as opposed to posting open positions on national job boards. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, filling these positions has become very time sensitive. Many companies will partner with a staffing firm to save time and will only post they’re jobs through them. By using a recruiter in your job search, you will see open positions that you may have never seen elsewhere. RESUME BUILDINGAn opinion from someone who looks at resumes on a daily basis can be invaluable. Recruiters know what companies are looking for in a resume, what skills should be highlighted, and correct common errors that are found on many resumes, such as typos. INTERVIEW PREPARATIONIn a highly competitive marketplace, interview preparation can give you an advantage over candidates who do not use an executive search firm. The skilled recruiter will conduct mock interviews to help prepare you for your big chance. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Successful recruiters know their clients well, understand what they are looking and how they interview candidates. They will also confirm precise details on where you have to be, what time you have to be there, and who to ask for. FREEThere is a saying….”If it’s free, it’s for me”. Working with a recruiting firm costs you nothing. Recruiting firms are paid solely by their clients, whether on a retainer or on a contingency basis. You do not have to spend a penny to get the help you need in finding your next job.
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Posted over 1 year ago
REASONS TO WORK IN PHARMACEUTICALS
The Pharmaceutical industry is thriving right now! With a great variety of career paths, flexibility, and security, it is no wonder why so many people want to break into this industry. Here are four reasons why you should consider doing the same!SATISFACTIONJob satisfaction is high on the priority list of potential employees. Working in an industry that develops products that save lives and improves the quality of life of millions of people around the world contributes to the sense of satisfaction employees feel. Working in the pharmaceutical industry is rewarding and employees in an industry that produces products that benefit so many people find a great deal of satisfaction in their career choice. RESEARCHThe pharmaceutical industry spends more on research and development than almost any other industry. Over the past 25 years, spending on drug R & D has quadrupled, offering employees the opportunity to be part of a team conducting research into drugs that can change the lives of millions of people for the better. VARIETYWhen one thinks of the careers within the pharmaceutical industry, research and development is in the forefront. The reality, however, is that there are a variety of opportunities within pharmaceutical companies, including, but not limited to human resources, plant management, finance and sales. These and more make the pharmaceutical industry perfect for long term career opportunities and development. RECESSION PROOFDuring recent recessions or economic downturns, the pharmaceutical industry has proven itself resistant to these slow periods. Simply put, people will get sick and need medicine. The need for new drugs to combat disease never waivers. Your job security is guaranteed no matter what shape the economy is in.
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Posted over 1 year ago
BENEFITS OF RETAINED SEARCH
Using a Retained Search Firm when trying to fill a position can be very effective and save your company a lot of time and money. PRIORITYBy using retained search firms, you eliminate a lot of the risk involved during the hiring process. Retained search firms offer comprehensive research, large talent banks, and thorough investigations of candidates. Instead of working on many projects at a time, recruiters work on only a handful of projects, giving your needs priority.TIMETime is money. Retained searches removes the often overwhelming process of candidate acquisition away from current employees or HR departments, and allows them to fulfill other priorities of their positions. Search firms focus their resources and already possess a large database of potential employees. Filling whatever position your company needs will be their sole priority, ensuring that all of their energy can be directed towards your needs. By allowing them to take care of the hiring process, it saves companies time and energy best served elsewhere. COMMUNICATIONSIn any business relationship, a clear line of communication is essential. This is especially true when speaking with candidates about a potential career change, and speaking to companies about the qualifications needed for specific positions. Executive Search Firms act as a model buffer between candidates and company, obtaining all the information necessary to bring the ideal candidate to the attention of our clients. KNOWLEDGEFor Senior Level Positions, Companies are often looking for specific talent in narrow fields. Searching for an employee at this level takes a lot of time and energy. It often can’t be done without the expert help and industry knowledge that retained search firms provide. The people who work for executive search firms do this for a living, and their experience exceeds what others can do. Recruiters have excellent research and interpersonal skills, making it easier for them to determine whether a person is qualified and if they fit into a company’s culture.
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Posted over 1 year ago
3 WAYS TO RECRUIT SUCCESSFULLY DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holiday season is upon us once again! For recruiters, this time of the year usually equates to a slower time for hiring. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to relax until the new year—it’s actually quite the opposite. You can spend this holiday season focusing on recruiting efforts that don’t make up your daily list of tasks. The holidays are busy as is, so the retained search will save you that much more time, money, and resources. Listed below are five ways you can continue recruiting successfully throughout the holiday season!1. PATTERNS IN TALENT NEEDSRecruiters and hiring managers have gotten very good at collecting data. Now is the perfect time to use it! Look back at the statistics you’ve collected over the year and identify patterns. Look at what quarter the executive search agency hired most for sales. Take note about how often an IT or marketing position shows up. There may be a consistency in the time of year when that role opens. Use this time to evaluate this past year’s efforts. Identify what has worked for you over the course of the year and what hasn’t. Understanding the patterns in your open requisitions will help you better prepare to fill those roles next year. 2. UPDATE YOUR JOB DESCRIPTIONSDuring the hustle and bustle that occurs during most of the year, it’s easy to pass over the most important piece of candidate communication: the job description. Use the extra time you have in the day to improve this critical foundation. Look over all the job descriptions you currently use. Retained search firms must communicate an honest representation of the job whilst understanding the requirements demanded by manufacturing organizations. This exercise should be done often because it will improve the quality of applicants and improve employee retention over the long run. 3. MAKE GOALS FOR THE NEW YEARThe fact is if you want to achieve better results, you need to create a plan to get there. Whether you want to update your career site or write better job descriptions, make the goals tangible. Doing so will help make reaching those objectives even more feasible. We know the holiday season can be a painfully slow time for executive recruiters and employers alike. Use this time to assess your previous efforts, predict your future talent needs, update job descriptions, and make goals for the new year. We know you’ll find that your recruiting and your future candidates will improve because of it. Looking For Recruiting Services?Contact UsAdam@AjuliaExecutiveSearch.com
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Posted over 1 year ago
WHY HIRE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Every holiday season, companies increase their staff in order to accommodate the increase in traffic. Companies are looking for new people around the new year. Manufacturing jobs seek temporary work and give extra hours around the holidays. This is a busy travel time of the year and companies need the extra help while current employees are going away for the holidays. The best time to apply yourself is now!JOB DESCRIPTIONSThe job description is what candidates are attracted to when applying for jobs posted by executive search agencies. Providing an honest and accurate job description will ensure your company finds, attracts and hires the right candidate for the position. The job seekers want your job descriptions to include all the responsibilities and expectations the position will entail, the salary, as well as the benefits and values of the company. These are important to include in your job descriptions in order to avoid wasting your time recruiting and hiring the wrong candidates, along with the candidates’ time when applying for the position.MOBILE ACCESSIBILITYMore temp agencies and companies are transitioning to mobile and social media channels to appeal to the needs of candidates. Social media and mobile capabilities provide job seekers an option to discover more about the company and a simple way to apply for jobs. Providing your candidates with the ability to apply for jobs online won’t benefit your company unless you ensure the application process is simple and short. If a job application is too long or complicated, you run the chances of creating a poor candidate experience and losing top talent because they quit filling out the application. It is important to keep the online applications short and executive recruiters should only be asking questions that are needed this early on in the recruiting process.FEEDBACKThe number one frustration candidates have when applying for jobs is the lack of feedback they receive from the employers. You could lose a really good candidate entirely, such as a Pharmaceutical CFO, if you are not following up with them in a timely manner. Around this time of year, there is no time to waste! No one likes to be ignored and not responding to candidates will only hurt you in the long run by creating a negative candidate experience. Providing feedback to candidates will not only improve the overall candidate experience, but it will also improve the quality of hires. Communicating with your candidates on a regular basis can be done by generating reminders for yourself and sending out email campaigns based on where they are in the recruiting or hiring process.KEEPING IN TOUCHJust because a candidate that applied for a position wasn’t the best fit, doesn’t mean they won’t be a good fit for another position in the future. The candidate’s experience doesn’t end when you decide not to hire them. Maintaining a relationship with candidates can reduce stress and time, but overall it will help you exercise your communication skills and keep you in touch with great candidates that you may be able to help fit elsewhere. Building your talent pool will provide easy access whenever you need to hire new candidates for a position. You can create yourself weekly reminders for times to speak with candidates and then follow up with any changes in an opportunity that your candidate is looking for. Looking For Recruiting Services?Contact us!Adam@AjuliaExecutiveSearch.com
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Posted over 1 year ago
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
THE VALUE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALSBefore there was an Administrative Professionals Day, there was National Secretaries Day, created in 1952. We’ve come a long way since then, and so has the role and the celebration.This day of recognition has gone through several evolutionary changes to reflect changing administrative job titles and responsibilities in the modern economy. While its name has changed, the purpose of Administrative Professionals Day has remained the same: to celebrate and shed light on administrative professionals devoted and valued work.In some offices, like Ajulia Executive Search, Administrative Professionals Week — the last week of April — is devoted to celebrating the office’s treasured administrative staff. Considering the amount of work that they do, it’s no wonder.According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals, one of the original sponsors of Administrative Professionals Day, there are more than 22 million admin professionals in the United States. Their roles are incredibly diverse — and often, these professionals go above and beyond their regular duties.HIRE THE BEST ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS Administrative professionals provide real benefits to the people they support and the organization at large, and their work doesn’t go unnoticed.SHARING APPRECIATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY AND BEYONDOur management team put together a list of various ways they show appreciation to administrative staff on Administrative Professionals Day, such as organizing a celebration or lunch at work or providing a handwritten thank-you note.If you’re looking for ways to honor your support staff, going the traditional route — lunch or even flowers — is a solid choice. But if you’re searching for a more unique way of showing your appreciation, try one of these ideas:PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT— Offer reimbursement for professional conferences, organization memberships or courses. Administrative professionals are eager to learn and expand their skills, and they need to stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices. When you encourage employees to grow in their careers, the result benefits the entire team.SOME EXTRA CASH — Money is always a welcome surprise. Consider providing a spot bonus or a salary increase. Monetary rewards are the form of recognition employees value the most.A KIND WORD— A simple thank-you can go a long way. But don’t only say it and leave it at that. Let your admins know how their work has helped you or the department. Share praise from happy clients, celebrate achievements and recognize your staff publicly — in front of peers. An even nicer touch is a verbal commendation followed by a handwritten note. Administrative professionals can display such a card or note on their desk, reminding them of how much they are appreciated.REST AND RELAXATION— Administrative professionals work hard, and it can be difficult to find personal time to unwind. Give them some extra vacation days to recharge or spend time doing things they enjoy. If extra vacation time isn’t feasible, consider a gift card to a local spa or their favorite restaurant or tickets to a cultural or sporting event.NEW OPPORTUNITIES— Show your admins that you’re invested in their future by periodically offering professional challenges and opportunities. If they are interested, ask them to oversee a project or encourage them to consider joining a mentorship program. A gesture like this will show that you value an employees work and contributions and have confidence in their skills and abilities.Hard-working administrative professionals will likely appreciate any act of gratitude, no matter how big or small. Even if you’re working with a limited budget, you can make an admin’s day.
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Posted over 1 year ago
5 ELEMENTS THAT MAKE GREAT COMPANY CULTURE
“Maintaining an effective culture is so important that it, in fact, trumps even strategy.”– Howard StevensonCulture. It’s a word you hear often if you follow blogs on entrepreneurship or read articles on business and management. But what is it exactly?According to Frances Frei and Anne Morriss at Harvard Business Review:“Culture guides discretionary behavior and it picks up where the employee handbook leaves off. Culture tells us how to respond to an unprecedented service request. It tells us whether to risk telling our bosses about our new ideas, and whether to surface or hide problems. Employees make hundreds of decisions on their own every day, and culture is our guide. Culture tells us what to do when the CEO isn’t in the room, which is of course most of the time.”61 Million Gen Zers are entering the workforce this year. While success and growth remain the number one driving factor for choosing a job, 71% of those surveyed also believe that a company’s culture can make or break a new opportunity.Changing your organizational environment is daunting, but our executive search experts have analyzed the 5 best elements that make great company culture.FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES INCREASES OVERALL PRODUCTIVITYHaving a flexible company allows employees to feel more relaxed, welcomed and appreciated. Employees who have the support of their employer when “Life Happens” are 61% more likely to be flexible for the business’s needs in the long run.HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT A FLEXIBILITY POLICY?At Ajulia Executive Search, having a flexible work schedule is an earned reward for dedicated and hard working employees. Top performing recruiters have the flexibility of choosing their work hours because as a business we know they will honor that commitment. Ajulia respects the fact that a healthy work life balance is necessary for growth and success. As an organization, those same recruiters make up 70% of our annual revenue.Changing your company’s’ culture is as easy as talking to your employees. Ask them what policies or allowances they would like that would allow them more flexibility.TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION BUILDS TRUST AND CONFIDENCEAs a business executive, you are one of your companies’ leaders. This means you have insight into inner workings of your business, your industry and your company’s future. 82% of Gen Zers said they value having insight to the bigger picture of the company they are working for.Did your Sales Director attend The World Business Forum? A brief review is useful and helpful knowledge to share with the respective teams. Is there an organizational change coming because it better helps achieve your companies’ goals? Empower your employees with not only the knowledge of what is happening, but why it is happening.Studies show that the more an employee feels like a partner of a business, the better they take care of it.REWARDING SUCCESS LEADS TO INCREASED COLLABORATIONRecognizing an employee when they achieve something, overcome challenges, help improve the business, or simply help a fellow employee can be one of the most powerful factors in defining your company’s’ culture.Companies that have a recognition-rich culture tend to have lower turnover rates and higher morale.Ajulia Executive Search embraces a unique employee of the month program that recognizes an individual based on their overall overall contributions to the company. We found this approach welcoming to every department and team within our business and opened the doors for more cross collaboration with people and teams that knew their work and communication would be recognized.Studies show that when recognition comes at every level of an organization, employees feel valued, impactful, and important. Build stronger relationships between yourself and teams by implementing simple employee recognition programs.DIVERSIFYING YOUR WORKFORCE LEADS TO GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND TEAMWORKDiversity brings different talents together, all of them working towards a common goal using different sets of skills.At Ajulia Executive Search, we pride ourselves on our cultural diversity. We hire the most highly skilled associates to ensure that we are maximizing our potential reach. How do we diversify? We offer programs, benefits, and educational opportunities that attract and retains associates. A great example of this is our flexible holiday schedule. Of the total days earned by employees, 10% are allocated for the employee to self choose their holidays.Diversifying the employees plus the work and systems in place allows an organization to grow, learn and build a better team.EMPOWER EMPLOYEES WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALSAt the beginning of this article how we said ‘Success and personal growth remains the number one driving factor for choosing a job?’ A majority of Gen Zers are not focusing on higher education because they fear incurring more debt with little reward. Companies like Microsoft, Paypal, Macys, and Google offer education programs where employees can earn certifications, tuition reimbursement and real work experience while learning on the job. Programs like this provides instant gratification and motivation for employees to continue to achieve higher results.Employees that recognizes positive growth opportunities financially and skillfully are 80% more likely to be loyal to an organization than those that do not.Offering Certification courses or individual training is something Ajulia Executive Search takes very seriously. Our training department is constantly revamping and introducing new opportunities for skills growth, industry knowledge, and workflow efficiency training.Behind every successful organization is a training team working hard to stay on provide the greatest opportunities for each employee.THE CULTURE OF AN ORGANIZATION IS NOW SEEN AS THE FOUNDATION OF BUSINESS. A SOLID FOUNDATION GUARANTEES CONSISTENT AND HIGH GROWTH OF A BUSINESS. Flexible Work Schedules Increase Overall ProductivityTransparent Communication builds Trust and ConfidenceRewarding Success leads to Increased CollaborationDiversifying your Workforce Leads to Greater Productivity and TeamworkEmpower Employees with Learning Opportunities to Achieve their GoalsThese proven elements will quickly increase overall productivity, retention and internal teamwork. If you like our guide, please share on social media or with an executive, leader or coworker who is looking to improve their companies’ culture today!
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Posted over 1 year ago
CFO IN MANUFACTURING – USING RETAINED SEARCHES
Companies will request a high-end executive search firm to perform a retained search when they are looking to fill a senior position. Retained searches are especially beneficial in finding qualified candidates for CFO (Chief Financial Officer) positions. A search firm acts as an extension of its client and is an impartial agent between client and candidate. Retained search exists to focus on the singular task of supplying candidates for specific positions, such as CFO’s. The retained search firm seeks out the highest quality candidates to best match the needs of our clients.TIMEImplementing a retained search approach will increase the company’s chance of finding the right CFO and save time and the incremental cost associated with the loss of time. Distinguishing the client’s exact need will eliminate any confusion by also helping save the most time while finding the best CFO to fit into the company. The bottom line is that retained searches save time, money, and resources.RESEARCHMeticulously researching the CFO position is essential for seeking considerable CFO candidates. Most clients place a strong understanding of their operations at the top of their list, along with qualifying skills. Larger industrial companies are currently creating new positions for finance professionals. Retained search firms understand the requirements demanded by manufacturing organizations. With scrutiny and sharpness, retained searches focus on the best CFO candidates.EXCLUSIVITYFostering and maintaining relationships with senior-level candidates, like CFOs, throughout the recruitment process is crucial for success. Companies rely on Search Firms to separate the exceptional from the average performer. It is the recruiter’s job to provide regular feedback to management on any issue about a potential CFO’s candidacy. Retained search firms exclusively recruit senior-level employees and each candidate is only presented to one client at a time to make it easier to secure the best candidate.
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Posted over 1 year ago
BECOMING THE CANDIDATE RECRUITERS ARE LOOKING FOR
Executive recruiters search for candidates to fill open manufacturing jobs, such as VP of Engineering or Manufacturing Plant Manager. This requires executive search agencies to spend valuable time and resources. Why not make it easier for executive recruiters to find and hire you? Skills and experience matter, especially for positions like Manufacturing Plant Manager, but a candidate who is knowledgeable about the company and is highly engaged is a must-hire. Your number one goal as a job seeker should be standing out from the crowd. 1. LEARN THE COMPANYIt is foolish to send your resume to a company you don’t know much about. That is not the way to begin an executive job search. Do your homework! Read news articles and view companies websites and social media platforms to get a sense of what they stand for. Click around on Google to read about executives who work there; Look for comments from employees, whether they are Forklift Operators or Manufacturing CFO. Be sure to look for red flags like recent lay-offs, public scandals, or public uncertainty. Read employees’ feedback on perks and benefits like PTO, health insurance, and professional development. Do this to get a holistic view of the companies you’re interested in. Do not cross a company off your list because of one red flag or corporate mistake. This does not necessarily point to poor company culture.2. A RESUME THAT STANDS OUTAfter performing corporate search and narrowing down the list of companies that interest you, diving into the company mission/culture. From here, you’ll be able to dig into what you should highlight from your work history in order to present yourself as a perfect fit for this company. Show the value you’re bringing to the table by front-loading accomplishments and then describing how each was achieved with numbers/facts. Showcase transferable and strong skills, such as leadership if you were a Manufacturing Plant Manager. Your soft skills should be listed afterward, such as problem-solving skills, but they are equally important. Pharmaceutical executive recruiters will find your specified talents in a retained search. Customizing your resume to the job and the company is key.3. INTERVIEW PREPARATIONSearch interview questions and get insights into the exact questions executive recruiters and hiring managers at your ideal company will ask. Oftentimes you can browse interview questions that are asked of candidates applying to the role that you are. Preparing in advance will prevent last-minute cramming and get the wheels turning in your mind about the specific examples of excellence you want to share. Executive search firms provide crucial information to learn more about the interview experiences of others and offer insights into what the company is really like.Now is the time to start living the life you’ve always wanted with a job you love. Learning the company, making your resume stand out, and preparing for the interview before you even get one are the best first few steps in job searching. If you have these steps down, you’re already ahead of most job seekers in the right direction. Our executive search firm agency is here to help every step of the way!
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Posted over 1 year ago
INTERNET TECHNOLOGY: BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Productivity is very important. Professionals agree time is money. Businesses always look for creative ways to save money. A business is as successful as its employee’s productivity. Cutting edge internet technology gives executive search firms the tools to source the most qualified candidates in the most efficient way possible. REACHING PRODUCTIVITYInternet service providers have a major impact on business productivity. A slow internet speed can cost your business a considerable amount of money. Some service providers implement high speed internet services with additional features to serve you. Their goal continues to be making sure you get the most out of each day. As a marketing contractor, you won’t have to worry about losing out on a candidate such as a Vice President of Engineering due to the frustrations of poor internet connection. A good internet speed helps businesses reach their highest productivity and potential. ENSURING SPEEDThe first thing to be looked for with an internet provider is their speed. Having a slow internet speed can put unnecessary stressors on a business. IT downtime is easily impacted by a slow internet speed. A slow internet speed disrupts marketing goals. Each hour of the day is important and dependent on the internet’s speed. Time is the most important factor when using the internet for productivity! VISIBILITYMarketing strategy depends on a strong internet appearance. Goal is to be visible to customers, new visitors, partners, and other brands. If the target audience is not being reached, it could be the internet speed. A high functioning internet speed ensures reaching and sharing information with the targeted audience. A warning sign of a slow internet speed would be files that take a long time to upload or download. Large presentations and documents are also very important to a marketing strategy. High-speed internet will help executive search agencies get the qualified candidates needed quicker so everything else around the office gets done easier! Don’t risk negative reviews because of a poor internet connection!Need Recruiting Services?Contact Us!