How to Prepare for a Successful Background Check

Posted on by February 25, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentI recommend my clients do both a background check and reference check of their new team member candidates. Why?

As it relates to reference checks, you would be amazed at the number of candidates who select inappropriate references such as their Aunt, girlfriend, or college roommate. Additionally, about 25% of the time my candidates give me references who provide a poor endorsement, or who never respond to the reference inquiry (a delay in response indicates the reference has nothing good to say!).

By providing references fitting into one of the above categories you are showing you are unable to evaluate yourself appropriately and are therefore unable to select references who will shed you in a positive light.

So how do you select references you are sure will give you glowing recommendations?

1. Select supervisors, managers, or mentors who have given you work direction or provided you career coaching and guidance.

2. Ensure your references are recent. If you fail to provide references for your last couple of positions this will raise a huge flag.

3. Speak to your references before providing their contact information to a potential employer. Ask them if they will give a good recommendation, tell them about the job, and let them know what specific skills or qualities they should relay to the hiring manager.

4. Provide both an email and phone number for each reference to your potential employer so she can both call and email the references. This will double the chances of connecting to the references and ensure a quicker response.

5. Go above and beyond! If your potential employer asks for three references, provide six. This is powerful. Not only will over-providing quicken the process but will show what a strong professional you are.

Background checks are a different beast and many people believe they cannot have a positive impact to the results of a background check…especially if they have a criminal record. I would disagree! Here are some tips on how to ensure a positive outcome to any background check:

1. Employment History: This is the number one area I see people making mistakes. If you ignore every other tip in this article, please pay attention to this one:

Never stretch your employment dates to make it look like you don’t have gaps in employment. A background check will verify your dates of employment and if you stated you were working “until Present” but you were really let go 6 months ago, this will cost you the job opportunity. If you have employment gaps, explain them, but don’t hide them (for more information on how to handle employment gaps, go here)!

Never fib about your job title. If you were a Research Assistant, don’t state you were a Project Manager. If you performed some Project Management tasks, list those responsibilities, but don’t stretch your actual title.

Never pad your last compensation. This will not ensure a higher salary for your next position! The background check will uncover your last several salaries and you do not want to put yourself in the position of having misled anyone; this will cost you the job offer!

2. Education: Never fib about your education on your resume. If you didn’t get that degree, don’t make it look like you did! I would also recommend you not be vague on your resume about your education, certifications, or training. Be open and honest about your qualifications.

3. Credit history, driving records and your criminal and court records: A negative response to any of these areas during a background check can be devastating. My recommendation is to be upfront about any issues before the background check is performed…actually the earlier in the hiring process you tell the recruiter and hiring manager, the better!

I hope you found this article useful.

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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How to Write an Effective Resume

Posted on by February 25, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentA resume is your opportunity to be on the center stage, under the spotlight, in front of a captivated audience. Turn that spotlight into a highlight by shining yourself in the BEST light!  Writing a resume can be a daunting task, but it is one of the best investments you can make in finding your next job opportunity. It’s your calling card – make sure you are heard!  Here are some recruiting tips that are easy and simple enough to get you on your way to writing an effective resume.

Address – If you are wary about having your physical address on your resume, at least include your city, state and zip code.  Recruiting Tip:  Recruiting companies search for candidates in their databases by their zip codes.  Give yourself the opportunity to pop up in searches so you are contacted for open positions.  Get yourself seen!

Accomplishments – One of the best ways to make your resume shine is to change the commonly used term “responsibilities included” to “accomplishments included”.  It is important to highlight what you accomplished, not just list your responsibilities.  Position your resume to be a predictor to hiring managers of your work ethic and capabilities, thus showing value. Recruiting Tip:  Recruiters and Hiring Manager have far more resumes to look at than open positions so make it easy for them to find the accomplishments they are looking for.

Summary – Make your summary short and sweet by clearly stating your goals with a sense of direction. A summary is an additive, not the meat of the resume, so keep it short.  Recruiting Tip:  Make sure your resume summary is in alignment to your career objectives and the position for which you are applying.

Look – The last thing you want is a negative distraction to this beautifully crafted and polished masterpiece you’ve taken so much time putting together.  Formatting is one of the quickest killers of simplicity and ease.   All the fancy tables, grids, and graphics are a quick way to get your resume passed up!  Additionally, always put your document in Word and not in PDF form.  Recruiting Tip:  Good recruiting firms will reformat your resume before submitting it to a client.  Tables, grids and PDF’s are a nightmare to work with.  Be a Teacher’s Pet, and make it a joy to represent you!

Paper – Save yourself the money of using fancy paper.  Hiring managers agree that parchment paper and the like come across as pretentious and novice.  Brightly colored paper will make you stand out…in a bad way, as colored paper is as equally frowned upon as fancy paper stock, and if a copy needs be made, colored paper can come out poorly.  Present yourself as a serious, solid candidate, sans the bells and whistles.  Your resume content should be the only bells and whistles needed!

Tailor -Always tailor your resume to the position for which you are applying…point for point.  Additionally, never underestimate the value of a well written cover letter describing how you have hand selected this job opportunity and why you believe you are a perfect match for the position and for the company.

Written by Martina Martin

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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How to Find the Right Job for You

Posted on by February 25, 2013

Clinical RecruitmentBeing able to find a job that will make you feel satisfied and content starts with knowing exactly what you are looking for.  The first step you must take when you find yourself in the Job Seeker realm should be to make a detailed list of the job attributes you are seeking and break that list into “have to have” and “like to have” characteristics.  You should have this list in mind as you search, apply, interview, and consider your offer packages for job opportunities.

Here are some quick and easy recruiting tips that will not only help guide you throughout the stressful Job Search process but will also help you find the perfect job for you.

Choose a job that will ultimately make you the happiest – Look at the entire job package and choose the job that fits best into the “have to have” and “like to have” list you have made.  This is one of the most important recruiting tips I can give you on this topic:  Choosing the position that will make you happy, satisfied and content not only has psychological benefits but also has health benefits due to lower levels of stress.

Find a Job with Good Benefits – Benefits are something that most entry-level or less experienced job seekers often don’t seriously consider.  Don’t underestimate how choosing a job with benefits you find important will go a long way in enabling you to be…and to stay… satisfied.

Choose a Job with Opportunities for Advancement – You will likely want to find a job that provides an opportunity for promotion.  Look for companies able to equip you for the future via mentoring programs and training workshops targeted to hone your skills.  You also want to make sure you choose a company that will complement your strengths.

Do Your Research – It is critical you as the job seeker research your potential future employers.  If you fail to follow any other recruiting tips in this article, please pay attention to this one!  What is the company culture?  Is the company well respected within the industry and financially stable?  Are the corporate values and code of ethics in line with yours?  Have there been any lawsuits, complaints, or accusations against the company, especially from former employees? Does the company offer a career path in alignment with your goals?

Lastly, but very importantly, another thing you should consider is the commute to and from work.  I consistently have people tell me that a 40 mile commute in traffic is not an issue…and maybe it won’t be at first if you are gaining some of the other job attributes you think are important.  However, the reality is that even if the commute a non-issue at first, a combination of high gas prices and rush-hour traffic will not only cut into your financial budget, but will impact your work-life balance.  Commuting can potentially cause stress and irritate you before your day at the office even starts.

Written by Eric Lee

Investing in a Lifetime of Success,

Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Are you considering a career change? We specialize in clinical recruiting! You can sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.

9 Fatal Mistakes Job Searchers Make

Posted on by June 12, 2015

I have over 19 years’ experience as a hiring manager and recruiter and am continually amazed at how many times a fully qualified candidate has missed out on a job opportunity for other reasons besides their skills and qualifications. While our email course has further recruiting tips in many of these areas, I wanted to quickly take you through nine fatal mistakes job searchers make in the application process…and why they matter.

1.  Follow the directions on how to apply.

I posted a position last fall which clearly stated that the application process was to send a resume and cover letter to my email address. For the 10% who called me instead of following the application instructions of sending your information through email…I apologize for not getting back to you on your candidacy. Application processes exist to make it easy for the hiring managers to filter through the submittals and effectively route the candidates through the hiring system. When you follow the directions on how to apply for a job, you show your potential employer you are someone who is not only cooperative but can and will follow directions. Most importantly, however, following the application directions shows that you don’t need to play games or by-pass the application system because you can stand on your own merit and qualifications. There are those who would tell you to skip the application process and apply directly to the hiring manager or CEO of the company. Do not do this! Not only will this direct approach show a lack of respect for the process but will also leave the hiring manager wondering if you will follow policies and instructions in your day to day activities. Please note there are effective ways to use your network in order to obtain a position and we will discuss those recruiting tips later in the email course.

2. Be sure to run grammar and spell checks on your resume.

Typos show carelessness, lack of attention to details, and that you are “okay” with submitting poor quality products to your employer. Poor grammar indicates your education is in question, makes you appear sloppy, and will leave the hiring manager wondering if you are able to effectively interact with the client. To further elaborate on this recruiting tip, grammar and spell checks shouldn’t stop with your resume, but should carry through on all your email correspondence, cover letters, and any other writing samples your potential employer requests. This includes slang! Submitting a resume or application is not the time to be informal. In many cases I will ask questions through email in order to obtain a writing sample and I can’t tell you how many times I rejected an otherwise qualified candidate because he or she used some type of slang, smiley face, or other informality in their email response (y’all is a big one I see in the South).

3. If it is requested to include your salary requirements, please do.

Don’t be one of those candidates who believe that your credentials are so great that the hiring manager will offer you whatever you are asking after they have gotten to know you throughout the interview process. Perhaps you do have amazing qualifications, but the reality is that the company has a budget and you don’t want to waste their time (or yours) if your salary requirements are too expensive for their financial plan. If you truly are flexible on your salary requirements because other things are more important to you (experience, career growth opportunity, better work environment, better location, travel, etc.), then be sure to state that in your submission. However, even if you are flexible in your salary, if providing your salary requirements is part of the application process, you should still follow the application directions and provide what your expectations are. We will cover more in-depth recruiting tips on how to benchmark and negotiate your expected compensation range later in this email series.

4. Customize your resume and cover letter for the position you are applying for.

A written objective in a resume can be the death of a candidate. One of my applicant’s resume objective stated “To obtain an entry level position as a financial analyst in a company where I will be able to grow and meet new challenges”. Not a bad objective, right? The problem is he was applying for a position with me as a recruiter. Hmmmm….. I cannot even begin to tell you how often I receive a resume and application for one job type when the resume’s objective indicates the candidate is clearly looking for a different job type! This is an immediate turn off and will get your application rejected every time. The true recruiting tip I am trying to relay: You never want the hiring manager to think you are submitting to hundreds of positions…even if you are. Always tailor your resume to draw the hiring manager’s attention to how you meet their job requirements – point by point. Additionally, don’t underestimate the value of a well written and tailored cover letter. Your cover letter is your calling card and should give the hiring manager the impression you have hand-picked this position. In addition, it is incredibly important to articulate how you believe working for this particular company in this particular position will enable you to obtain certain skills and experiences which will assist you in meeting your overall career objectives.

5. Never leave unexplained gaps in your employment in your resume.

Every hiring manager will want to know why gaps in employment history exist. Every time. No exception. Don’t leave the reasons for the employment gaps up for the hiring manager’s imagination! We will be covering more recruiting tips on how to write an effective resume later in this email course so be sure to stay tuned!

6. Don’t apply for positions where you are seriously under-qualified.

I rejected a candidate once who clearly met none (zero…zilch) of the minimum requirements and her response to me was “well, it didn’t hurt to try!” Yes it does. Applying for positions where there is a huge gap between your qualifications and the job requirements shows poor judgment and will not only get you rejected from that position but will keep you from being considered for other, future opportunities within the same company…even those future opportunities you may be qualified for. And let’s face it – do you really want to be given a job you are unable to do? I would like to note, however, it is okay to dream some and many hiring managers are willing to consider candidates who are only slightly under-qualified. If you are missing one key requirement or somewhat come short on the years of experience then by all means, apply for the position. However (and this part of the recruiting tip is very important), you need to own the limitation by clearly calling that weakness out in your cover letter. In addition, make sure you describe how other skills will compensate for that weakness and how you will still be effective and successful in the position.

7. Don’t apply for positions where you are way over-qualified.

The question I always have for candidates who fall in this category is why you are applying for a position you are clearly well over-qualified to do. Please note that I am not talking about slightly over-qualified…but well over-qualified. The message typically reeks of desperation and the hiring manager will be concerned about many things including:

  • You will become bored in the position and become frustrated or start feeling “stuck”
  • You will abandon the position as soon as something at your level becomes available
  • You are going to be dissatisfied with the compensation
  • You will be embarrassed to “take a step back”

And the hiring manager will wonder if you will be able to take work direction from younger, lesser qualified people. If you have decided to apply for a position you are over-qualified to do, you should openly state why you want the job (needing to cut back on hours for family reasons, have decided on a career path change, or even because you have been out of work for a while and need some income, etc.), then be sure to address those reasons in your well-tailored cover letter. Additionally, it is critically important for you to call out that you know you are over-qualified and be sure to address the potential objections a hiring manager will have up front in your cover letter. By dealing with potential objections and concerns up front you are more likely to obtain that coveted interview.

8. Don’t use gimmicks to draw attention to your resume.

No one wants to see your picture on your resume unless you are applying to be a super model. Don’t add zippy graphics or get creative with the font or format unless, of course, you are applying to be a graphic designer. In addition, no one cares that your hobby is rock climbing, water skiing, or taking long walks on the beach. Make sure your resume looks clean and professional and all the content is relevant to the position you are seeking. One last note: don’t include “extras” when they aren’t requested such as copies of your training certificates and bios of your life story if those “extras” do not have any relevance to the position you are applying for.

9. In all cases, think about how you come across!

Please realize that you are selling yourself in every interaction. For example, think about the email address you are using. I once immediately rejected a candidate because her email address was “divaprincess”. Did I really want to take a chance on assimilating someone who believes she is a diva (or a princess) into my well-oiled machine? Absolutely not! Additionally, make sure your voicemail message is professional and if music is played while the caller is waiting please select an appropriate song. If you need to leave a voicemail for a hiring manager, think it out, write it down, and rehearse it. If the hiring manager has scheduled a call with you, (more interviewing recruiting tips later), please be sure you are in a quiet location where you can focus 100% of your attention to the phone call.

Finally, do not include silly things like confetti in your submission packet or put your resume on brightly colored paper. You should appear professional in every interaction.

Be sure to opt into our email courses for advice and guidance.  You can also follow us on Pinterest, and “Like” us on Facebook!

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. Check out our Blog for additional interview tips.