A word about email addresses...

Please remember that your email address can be the first impression you make on a potential new employer. No matter how cool, funny or adorable you think your address is; an employer isn't going to always see it the same way. "Fuzzybuny@" or "Weedman@" is guaranteed to get attention; the wrong kind of attention.

Please open a job search email that is your name or initials or a combination and never use your company email to look for a new job. There are a lot of free email portals, find one and set up a new account. If you want to be perceived as a professional, make sure you look and act like one on all levels. 

On a similar note; when sending a resume via email please title and save your resume as your first name, middle initial and last name; Pat J Doe.doc. It will make it easier for everyone.

Things you need to know to get ahead......

The following information is included for those early in their careers and those looking to make first job changes. It's basic information and is worth while reading for those who are old hands at career management as well. We can't help everyone who contacts us, so we've developed this information to help guide you through the career change process.

It's a competitive world and you have to prepare yourself for all possible situations when you decide to look for a new position. We will help you prepare for your interview arranged through us, but you need to make sure you are actually ready to start your job search.

There are numerous reasons for changing jobs; job satisfaction is the one reason we hear most often. People want to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts. Sometimes your job doesn't turn out the way you thought it would when you first accepted the position. You owe it to yourself and your current employer to ask for improvement in your current job. It doesn't mean demanding change; but rather a meaningful conversation discussing your concerns and goals. Once you clear the air and learn if your goals match your company's, you need to decide what you wish to do in your next opportunity if it appears that it is time to move on.

Be realistic. You have experience and potential; every human does. What you do with your experience and potential is totally dependent on the decisions you make. No one but you will make you succeed or fail. We suggest that you take stock of your successes, your failures and your desires. If you can honestly look at your career to the present moment  and evaluate why you have achieved or failed, you will be able to direct your future efforts into a stronger position and more satisfying life.

We all need goals. Effective, successful people plan to achieve, it doesn't just happen because you want it to. When you set goals, whether it's a title or an income, you make a personal commitment to do what it takes to achieve and succeed.

If you want to be in outside sales and are currently in customer service or inside sales, make a strong effort to sell yourself to the Sales Manager of your current company to be promoted within your  company. The transition from within your company is easier and better than trying to find an outside sales position with a new company. If that option is not available, you will need to market yourself to companies with strong training programs, many office products companies, like copier and computer dealers, offer paid training and commission on sales. It's a great starting point.

The same basic information holds true as you move up the corporate ladder, ask for promotions and increases in responsibility in your current company. It is easier to make a move up into management than it is to be hired as a sales or marketing manager without having had the management experience in a previous position. It doesn't matter if you don't get the title, it's the hands on experience that counts.

The people we place with our client companies are the ones who know themselves, who know how to position themselves for success and know how to sell their abilities and talents. They are lucky because they make themselves lucky with planning, research and self promotion. If you don't know why you're great no one else will either. If you can't identify a number of positive personal traits that make you stand out in your company you need to develop your personal skills and abilities better. Read books on improving your skills, take courses, attend seminars and find a mentor. It is your responsibility to become the best you can be.

If you haven't already done so, create a "brag book"; a portfolio of letters of congratulation, noted accomplishments, certificates of award, photos of awards and plaques, copies of your performance reviews, letters of thanks from customers and your company, anything that shows you as a top performer and shows proof of your progress and accomplishment. Take your brag book on interviews and use it as a tool to showcase your abilities. Never embellish or create your own documents, these papers have to be real and able to be referenced.

The same goes for a college degree, no matter how tempting it may seem, never claim to have a degree or GPA that isn't true. Many companies do discriminate on degrees, it appears to be legal,  although unfair if you believe you have equivalent experience and intelligence. The issue is one of truthfulness, not degree. If you claim a fake degree, it makes you a liar, not just a person without a degree. Sell yourself on your personal integrity and accomplishments, never falsify any information. If you've established yourself as a liar you can never reclaim your integrity. If we discover false information in your resume, we will remove your resume and all contact information from our database and will not work with you.  

We only place people who are superior; people who have taken the time to improve their odds of winning by utilizing all help available to them. People who take pride in their work and accomplishments and who have the personal substance necessary to continue to achieve. We cannot help people who are not willing to work hard and who make repeated bad career decisions. You have a fresh start every morning; make the decisions that will give you a solid foundation for growth and success.

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