5 Tactics to Toughen You Up

Posted on by March 26, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentWouldn’t you agree that where you end up professionally is largely based on what you feel you can control, accomplish, and contribute?  Said differently, doesn’t your personal belief system help to establish (or demolish) your career path?

A great article by Geoffrey James of inc.com perfectly illustrates 8 Beliefs That Make You More Resilient.  As we read that article, we started thinking that even though Geoffrey’s thoughts are spot on, they do not address an area we feel is critically important.

Let’s face it, the workplace can be brutal and if you have set any type of career objectives for yourself, wouldn’t it be helpful to know how to leverage your belief system in order to create tactics to toughen up so you can work towards achieving your targets?

First:  Create a daily success / failure list.  Not only should you celebrate your successes, but you should evaluate what you did to accomplish them.  Were your daily successes accidents or the results of method and discipline?  Additionally, truly analyze your failures so you can learn from them.  Ask what you could have done differently to affect a different outcome and put action plans into place to ensure you don’t repeat those same mistakes.

Second:  Set goals.  Real goals.  Goals which are measurable and have due dates. Goals that will stretch you and give you a feeling of accomplishment once you obtain them.  “Almost” achieving your goals is a failure so write these goals down in a way that indicates you absolutely will obtain them, using phrases like “I will…”  Then read those goals daily in order to stay focused.

Third:  Create a plan to obtain your goals.  I agree with Geoffrey in his statement that “…if I don’t take action, I will fail by default…” ¹.  So build an action plan which will identify steps to be taken for you to obtain your goals.  And then, simply execute!

Fourth:  Always focus on doing the right thing.  Napoleon Hill stated: “I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice, therefore I will engage in no transaction which does not benefit all whom it affects.” ²

Fifth:  Be afraid but do it anyway.

John Wayne said “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

Winston Churchill stated “Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Theodore Roosevelt declared “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

And craresources believes:  “Success is just a result.  Failure is just a result.  Fail as fast as possible so you can learn what not to do.”

Co-Written by: Jessica Nguyen and Angela Roberts

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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(1)  Geoffrey James “8 Beliefs That Make You More Resilient” http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/8-beliefs-that-make-you-more-resilient.html?nav=pop

(2)  Napoleon Hill “Laws of Success” Copyright 1928, published by The Ralston University Press, p245

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Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions

Posted on by March 26, 2013

Thanks to: Glassdoor.com

Clinical RecruitmentPart of our offering is to prep our candidates for their phone and face-to-face interviews.  We go through the entire gambit of helping the candidate research the company, coaching them to handle behavioral / situational questions, and being ready to “defend” their skills and qualities to their interviewer.

This seems like a pretty typical, tame and expected interview prep method…right?

But some companies throw a wrench into the works and ask crazy, oddball interview questions.  Recently Glassdoor highlighted some remarkable questions which led us to give some deep thoughts into why these interview questions may be so blooming popular in some organizations.

Why do you think companies want to shock you, challenge you, or otherwise catch you off guard during an interview? 

For example, one of Forrester’s questions is “How many cows are in Canada?” ¹ I would love to hear what your thoughts are on what Forrester is truly looking for from the candidate when posing this question.

Or better yet, Dell likes to know what song best describes your work ethic? ² I thought long and hard about this one and mine would be “Fight Another Day” by Addison Road

For more oddball questions and to go that “extra mile” when prepping for your next interview, check out Glassdoor’s 2013 list and get creative!

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

PS:  For other information on how to prep for interviews, check out our interview section and always shout with questions!

(1) (2) : Glassdoor:  http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/top-25-oddball-interview-questions/

Entry Level Candidates: What do you have that Seasoned Professionals don’t?

Posted on by March 21, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentBeing a job seeker in this economy is stressful; however being a newbie to the job force brings even more stress!

But rest assured, every professional has been in your shoes and anyone who has held a job has gone through a bad interview or two. It is important to know that it is not the hiring manager who determines if you get that awesome entry level job. It is you!

And while you consider how important it is to take control of your destiny and learn to believe in your future, want to know what you have that tenured professionals do not?

Competing with seasoned professionals can be a daunting task, but make sure you are selling that you are hungry, you’ve got passion, ambition, and in this day and age you are most likely tech savvy. Use all these attributes to your advantage by being ready to articulate why the hiring manager needs someone with those traits on their team.

Lastly, as an entry level candidate it can be assumed you have recently graduated from college; so relate every job you interview to a previous class project, internship, or part time job. You may not have the professional experience, but you DO have relevant experience. For example, describing a specific class project shows teamwork, how you manage others, your creativity, motivation, innovation, and your problem solving skills. Describing an internship will show how you have real hands-on experience and can also show incredible initiative as oftentimes internships are experiential only (i.e. – not paid). And lastly, describing how you balanced that part time job while going to school shows independence as well as incredible time management and organizational skills. Every hiring manager can relate to these types of experiences and will be impressed with your work ethic.

Be sure to check out our article on interviewing tips for entry level candidates!

Written by Jessica Nguyen

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

How to Decline a Job Offer

Posted on by May 16, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentI believe all of you would agree that the economy is tough…and many job seekers would probably feel lucky to receive any job offer.  But what if you receive a job offer that doesn’t align with your career goals?

Or what if you receive multiple job offers and therefore have to decline one (or more)?  Do you know what the etiquette is for declining a job offer?

First of all, do not procrastinate relaying your decision to the hiring manager.  I get it, having these discussions are tough, but you need to consider the hiring manager and company.  They have a need to fill and therefore will need to extend your declined offer to someone else.  So be timely and don’t hold up the process.

Secondly, be considerate in how you deliver your decision.  Regardless of your interview experience, be gracious and thank the hiring manager and his team for taking the time to interview you.  It is important to put your thoughts in writing, however I always recommend you make a phone call to the hiring manager prior to sending that decline email.

Thirdly, tell the hiring manager why you are declining the offer…but don’t provide inappropriate detail.  I recommend you avoid going into the specific reasons as to why you are accepting another offer.  In many cases, I think it is sufficient to just state that you are accepting an offer which better aligns with your current career goals and interests and leave it at that.  Why is this important?

  • You don’t want to burn any bridges with this hiring manager or company.  Perhaps this particular position doesn’t align with your career goals now, but another position may fit perfectly at a later time.
  • Additionally, it is a small world and the hiring manager at this company may be the hiring manager at a different company in the future.  Heck, he could be your manager someday (or you his!)  Build relationships and rapport instead of burning bridges.

Lastly, show you care.  Make sure you remember to wish the hiring manager and the company continued success.

Here is a quick sample email declining a job offer:

Dear Tom,

Thank you very much for offering me the position of Senior Clinical Research Associate at craresources.  I am honored you and your organization have found interest in me.  

While I firmly believe in the mission of craresources and appreciate the challenging opportunity you have offered, I have received another offer which I believe more closely aligns with my current career goals and interests.  This has been a difficult decision for me, but unfortunately I am going to respectfully decline your generous offer. 

I have appreciated the time you and the craresources’ team have spent with me.  I wish you and craresources much future success and do hope our paths will cross again. 

Sincerely,

Jane Goodman

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.