Renaissance Personnel Group – Personal Development – Interviewing Skills Workshop

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! RPG is offering a personal development workshop available to RPG members or ANYONE with an interest in learning more about strategies for marketing themselves in our current economy. Space is Limited, so RSVP early to Alison@jobsinarizona.com.

Our next workshop will be June 25th from 5:30-7:00pm. This workshop is an interactive, 1.5 hour session designed to get you thinking about interviews from the interviewer’s perspective.  You will have the opportunity to role play through some interview scenarios, including traditional employment history/background questions and more challenging behavioral/situational questions.

Land a Job with Your Dream Employer

Everyone has a dream job, right? Rock star, super hero, astronaut, but what about a dream employer? LinkedIn recently published a list of the Most InDemand Employers, which ranks the most searched companies on LinkedIn. These desirable Employers include the likes of Google, Apple, and Microsoft and many others. All who have created job demand and some extreme competition in an uneasy job market.

So what does it take to land a job with one of these dream employers? Here are 4 tips to get you closer to landing a job with your dream employer:

Land a Job with Your Dream Employer

 Confidence. Applying for a top organization can be intimidating, but don’t count yourself out before you take the first step. The first step in landing a job with your dream employer is believing it’s possible and applying. You’ll never get a job if you don’t at least apply.

 Research. Take some time to research potential employers and make sure there is a career and cultural fit. This isn’t one size fits all, not all dream employers will be perfect for everyone. Read up on current company news, career pages, and competitor sites to compare it to its rivals in terms of culture, services, and career opportunities.

 Experience. To further determine a good fit with a potential employer identify some of the company’s current employees who work in a similar job function as you on LinkedIn. What education, experience, skills, professional credentials and expertise do they have? Do any of these align with your personal qualifications? If so, you’re likely a good candidate for a job at this organization. This exercise will provide some insight into what the employer looks for in its employees.

 Connections. There is no better way to get a foot in the door at a top employer then knowing someone who works there. Again, LinkedIn is a great resource here. Use company pages as a go-to resource to see how you are connected to an organization. If you have any connections don’t be afraid to initiate conversations to learn more about the company and what it takes to land a job there.

Even in a competitive job market landing a job with your dream employer is possible. Use the above tools to get closer to making this a reality.

Renaissance Personnel Group – Personal Development Workshop

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! RPG is offering a personal development workshop available to RPG members or ANYONE with an interest in learning more about strategies for marketing themselves in our current economy. Space is Limited, so RSVP early to Alison@jobsinarizona.com.

Our next workshop will be June 11th from 4:00pm-5:30pm. This hands-on 1.5 hour session is designed to have you walk away with an updated resume that will quickly highlight your qualifications to a hiring manager. BRING YOUR LAPTOP. You will have the opportunity to look at your own resume, as well as sample resumes, with a critical eye and identify potential pitfalls in structure, format and content.

3 Benefits of Networking for College Seniors

 We often hear that it isn’t what you know, but who you know. Networking has become an increasingly important skill that is essential to personal and professional development.  If fact, networking has become the ultimate tool to finding employment opportunities especially for collage seniors just beginning their post graduation job search.

 What is an expert’s advice to these soon-to-be graduates? Give networking as much priority as any other task or activity in the process of seeking post graduation career opportunities. According to an article recently published on LinkedIn now is the time to begin laying the groundwork by interacting with people already in the workforce to ensure you will have a great job when you graduate.

 In an article by FOX Business they emphasizes that college students need to use every resource available to them to secure a post graduate career and a big part of that is using personal relationships to their advantage.

 Helpguide.com references the following 3 benefits of networking to score your first post graduate job:

 1.     People prefer to do business with people they know and respect. Resumes and cover letters alone are usually impersonal and unable to convince employers to hire you. Networking allows you to make personal connections and increase your career opportunities.

2.     Job listings tend to draw hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants, which creates extreme competition with many other qualified candidates. Networking can make you a recommended source of a much smaller group of candidates.

3.     Many times employers don’t advertise desirable jobs. Networking can lead to information and potential job leads, often before a formal job descriptions are created or announced.

 In an effort to secure your first job after college begin your search now and network, network, network!

The national debate over urgently needed immigration reform continues to work its way up the legislative latter. However, nowhere is that debate more controversial than in Arizona where last year the state sought to delete undocumented immigrants with the passage of S.B. 1070. This law prompted evacuation of undocumented immigrants from the state. But, what affect are immigrants having on jobs in Arizona and the economy today?

Today, immigrants account for a significant share of Arizona’s population. Given that immigrants are largely drawn to the United States in search of more or better employment opportunities, many are in the Arizona workforce.

As it turns out, immigrants, documented and undocumented, aren’t just simply filling jobs in Arizona; they are creating them as well. They do this through the work they do, the money they spend, and the taxes they pay.

This means they contribute significantly to Arizona’s economy. These immigrant workers are not only producing important goods and services, but they are also earning and spending money in the state which contributes to economic growth and job creation.

Immigrant workers also pay billions of dollars in taxes every year. They pay income taxes, business taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes significantly contributing to Arizona’s economy.

As it stands, the immigrant population creates employment opportunities in Arizona, contributing to our economic growth and paying state taxes. Check back for additional posts on immigration reform as it is remains a hot legislative topic.

It is widely believed that in 2013 many employers will begin to rely more heavily on LinkedIn profiles than conventional resumes to make their hiring decisions. Most likely employers will still request conventional resumes, but those will come second to your LinkedIn profile. Are you asking yourself “what, why?!”  There are many reasons why employers rely on this social medium, including:

More Information

LinkedIn profiles provide accessible and unlimited fields for information about your career path, skills and experience. A conventional resume limits you to one or two pages of information. Even if you shrink your margins, it still doesn’t compare! Your LinkedIn profile is also public which some employers regard as more honest and reliable.

Customizable

Your LinkedIn profile should mirror some aspects of your resume. For example your job titles, employment dates and education should be consistent across the board.  In addition your experience should be the same so you don’t seem to be two different job candidates.

Beyond these basic similarities, your LinkedIn profile is completely customizable. Make an effort to create a profile that will appeal to employers and staffing agencies. Start with a compelling headline such as “Innovative thinker with Proven Success in the IT industry”.

Visual

It is important to add a professional headshot to your profile. This adds dimension to your profile, adds a visual element, and brings it to life.  Be sure the photo shows the professional you.

Keep in mind your LinkedIn profile is a representation of you. Much like your resume it should be kept current with career changes and new accomplishments. Have fun with it and allow your audience to have a clear understanding of who you are and why they should hire you!

How Will the Healthcare Reform Effect Jobs in Arizona?

How Will the Healthcare Reform Affect Jobs in Arizona?

The good news is there will be more jobs! The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as ObamaCare or the healthcare reform law is likely to increase the demand for healthcare professionals more than any other labor-market. Arizona is already a hot bed for healthcare careers with major hospital organizations such as Banner hospitals and medical centers, Kindred Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, and numerous Cancer Centers.

The new law places an emphasis on primary care which as a result will increase job openings for diagnostic specialists, among other allied-health employment opportunities. The law’s prevention measures require that all health plans pay 100 percent for screenings, such as yearly physicals, blood tests, and other more specialized prevention programs.

Nearly all of the estimated 32 million people who will become covered under the law by 2014 are younger Americans. Younger patient treatments for acute illness and preventive health care are typically performed in one calendar day. This includes minor surgical and medical procedures, dental, dermatological, diagnostic, and emergency visits. As a result outpatient services will see the greatest increase in employment opportunities.

In addition, the Pharmacy industry is also likely to see an increase in job openings under the healthcare reform. When these 32 million people get insurance in 2014, there will be an increase in demand for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as well.

Job openings in Arizona in the healthcare field will offer new career opportunities as local hospitals, medical centers, insurance companies, and physician offices’ prepare for the increase in insured Americans.

As was previously highlighted in “Arizona Solar Careers in High Demand- Part 1” the solar industry has become one of the fastest growing industries regionally and is linked to an increased number of job opportunities in Arizona.

Two additional employment opportunities available in the solar industry today include:

Sales

Whether you are representing a manufacturer and selling to wholesalers, retailers and installers or are dealing directly with individuals who are interested in a solar installation there is always a demand for capable sales people. The number of sales positions available in the solar industry will only grow as the demand grows.

Architects

An increased number of developers are incorporating solar energy into their overall designs and with innovative new products being introduced into the market the demand for architects knowledgeable about solar is growing.  There is also a large market for adding solar technology on to existing homes and buildings providing additional jobs for these individuals.

Arizona is the perfect state for a career in solar. With more days of sun than any other state in the union an AZ solar installation is likely to return more electricity for every dollar spent than anywhere else. Employment opportunities in the solar industry are only going to increase as we look to find more ways to make solar energy a part of everyday life.

The solar industry is one of the fastest growing job markets in Arizona today. In coming years, careers in the solar industry will be prominent in the marketplace. Ask yourself, how can I tap into this growing industry?

The best thing about careers in the solar industry is that you can easily re-purpose your current knowledge base to fit into this rising industry. Two of four employment opportunities available to you in the solar industry in Arizona are highlighted below:

Research

The researching of new solar technologies is one of the fastest growing divisions of the solar industry today. Governments, universities and companies are investing tens of millions of dollars annually in solar research every year. Solar research isn’t just limited to research about technology there is also a growing demand for research about the market place and how to increase demand for solar products.

Corporate

There are hundreds of different manufacturing companies involved with the solar industry. These companies produce products such as solar panels, frames, lights, etc. and they are hiring people to meet the growing demand for solar products worldwide. Some local companies include ETA Engineering, American Solar Electric, and Deer Valley Wind & Sun to name a few.  This demand is also driving these same companies to hire experts in accounting, logistics, quality control, purchasing, customer service, investor relations, public relations and marketing, etc.

The employment opportunities in the solar industry are limitless. Begin re-purposing your current knowledge base to secure a job in this growing industry today. Check back soon for the second installment of Arizona Solar Careers in High Demand where we will highlight two additional job opportunities in Arizona.

Plans to expand one of the metro area’s most popular forms of public transportation, the light rail, were put into effect last October with a $75 million dollar grant. This grant will fund the 3.1-mile light rail expansion connecting Mesa with Phoenix and Tempe. The question many people are asking is “What does this expansion mean for employment opportunities in the Valley”?

Job Creation

The light rail expansion will create approximately 7,000 jobs immediately. This is made up of an increased need for transportation workers, in addition to retail shops, restaurants, and more that will pop up along the light rail expansion route.

Accessibility

The expansion will connect residents of Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, etc. to downtown career opportunities and vice versa. Careers in Phoenix that were once not an option to residents due to unrealistic commutes are now a possibility, significantly increasing the pool of job opportunities.

Development

New residential and commercial development will also increase along the expansion route. With this comes a need for architects, engineers and construction workers to help build sustainable neighborhoods and bridge together communities.

This expansion is increasing job openings in Arizona, connecting thousands of workers with jobs in other Valley cities, and driving economic growth. Jump on board and find your next great job in Arizona!

As was previously discussed in “5 Sustainable & Growing Industries in Arizona- Part 1” industries such as Solar and Green & Sustainable Building Construction prospered in recent years and continue to provide job opportunities in Arizona.  The following are also recognized as offering increasing employment opportunities in Arizona.

 Emerging Technologies

Emerging Technologies have proven to be one of the most predictable job industries, continuously and steadily growing in demand. From energy efficiency and cloud communications to electronic component manufacturing and software development they all provide a growing number of job opportunities that impact every facet of technology here in Arizona. Local companies such as Avnet, Infusionsoft and Signature Technology Group are emerging new tech leaders.

Healthcare

Another industry promising employment growth for Phoenix and the rest of Arizona is healthcare. This was one of the few resilient industries during the recession, and it will continue to grow with the passing of the healthcare reform act. Virtually every aspect of healthcare is adding jobs, with outpatient services seeing the most growth in employment opportunities. This is driving companies like Mayo Clinic into the valley and encouraging them to partner with local universities to advance medical education and research and hire locally.

Mining

Maybe most surprisingly, Mining has seen some of the highest rates of growth of any industrial sector. While some of these employment opportunities are in mining itself, the vast majority actually come from mining support activities. There are 30+ mining and mining support companies statewide including Arizona Pacific Materials LLC, Constitution Mining Corp, and Gentry Mineral Products Inc that support mining efforts locally and nationally.

What does this all of this mean for individuals currently looking for job openings in Arizona? The key industries to pursue jobs in are those related to Emerging Technologies, Healthcare, Mining, Solar and Green & Sustainable building construction. Not only are these sectors prevalent in Arizona, but they’re widely theorized to be the high-growth industries nationwide for years ahead.

Across the state, industries, businesses and consumers are slowly pulling out of record economic lows. Some industries are even prospering. Perhaps you are focusing on employment opportunities in environmentally friendly careers, looking to benefit from technological advances or you want to try your hand at healthcare.  We note that 5 industries are expected to continue their expansion in Arizona. These industries include:

Solar

Green industries have been continuously growing over the past decade as gas prices and other energy costs dramatically rise.  The Solar industry has been able to take advantage of this and has been forefront of the green industrial movement. Green energy firms are reaping the benefits of financial support from the federal government as they look for ways to reduce the United States’ dependency on fossil and other non-renewable fuels. Some local solar companies reaping the benefits of this are Salt River Solar & Wind, Sunpoint Solar, and EV Solar Products.

Green & Sustainable Building Construction

The construction industry was one of the hardest hit by the economic downfall. The Green and Sustainable Building Construction industry however was able to capitalize on the green movement and weather the downturn well. These green construction firms construct energy-efficient buildings that are often largely composed of sustainable materials. This industry was supported by building codes that promoted the use of energy-efficient building design and materials. This had a skyrocketing effect on the demand for green construction.

It is no secret that Solar and Green & Sustainable Building Construction continue to see an increase in demand and possibly employment opportunities as we look to find ways to be more self-sufficient and environmentally conscious.

In our next post we’ll discuss 3 more industries that will continue to offer increasing job opportunities in Arizona.

Here at our staffing agency Renaissance Personnel in Scottsdale, AZ,  we understand it’s one of the best times of year to find a seasonal job opportunity. With our economy slowly progressing into a gradual upswing, it is safe to say many businesses are looking for temporary help during the holiday rush and the employment opportunities are boundless. At Renaissance Personnel we believe one of the strongest advantages to working a  temporary job during the holidays is turning that opportunity into full time employment.

When you think of seasonal jobs, retail stores probably pop into your mind first. However, temporary holiday jobs aren’t exclusive just to retailers. There are seasonal jobs available in catering, waiting tables, floral design, mail rooms, transportation services. There are even openings in alternate industries that you wouldn’t consider as seasonal jobs, such as accountant opportunities for year end business or in healthcare as an on call nurse. The the list goes on and on. If you are one of those people who has found such a job this holiday season, we have good news. According to an article in the TLNT human resource blog, 28% of employers plan to transition at least half or more of their seasonal employees into permanent full time placements.

If you are someone this holiday who is holding down a seasonal job and crossing your fingers that  it may turn into a permanent position, there are three important things to remember: work hard, prove you’re valuable and get to know a few key players. In other words, go that extra mile. If you focus on taking these steps, there’s a good chance you could land a permanent position at a Scottsdale or Phoenix corporate office.

Renaissance Personnel would be happy to help you with your job search needs this holiday. Please contact us for temp, temp to hire, and full time opportunities. Happy Holidays from our Team here at Renaissance Personnel!

Similar to the people we recruit every day here at Renaissance Personnel, you’ve likely been networking long hours to find the job that’s right for you. Continue your job search during the holidays, as our client companies are still looking to hire. Historically, we find a shortage of candidates this time of year and the timing could be perfect for you.

On the same note, consider volunteering for your favorite charity based organization. Choose something that you feel passionately about. Charitable groups actively seek new volunteers during this time of year. The act of giving back during the holidays creates a win-win for all parties. Volunteering is a wonderful way to network with others in Arizona, especially so during the holiday season. Your goodwill will create exposure for you that may lead to job opportunities. Read more about giving back here.

Renaissance recruiters recommend networking at all times as the best path to job placement. Please network with us anytime. We have recruiting needs and our clients are hiring! Be sure to check out our job opportunities see our latest openings. We hope to hear from you!

Applying for Phoenix jobs in a tight market takes patience, persistence and a resume that makes you look like a star. You are undoubtedly already patient and persistent, but is your resume up to the level of competition you will experience in this job market? Perhaps it may need some fine tuning.

Your resume gives the first impression of you that a potential employer sees. If you have flaws in your resume, they will play a major role in determining whether you get the call for an interview.

Unacceptable mistakes such as outright lies, embarrassing typos and missing contact information can sabotage your chances of netting an interview or a job. But other resume errors are more subtle.

Four blunders to avoid

No keywords. Employers hiring for Phoenix jobs often use keyword-scanning software to screen the many resumes that arrive. If your resume is missing pertinent words and phrases relevant to your position, it could end up in the trash bin before any human ever lays eyes on it. Put the keywords at the top in your summary section to help the software identify your skills.

TMI. (Too much information) The prevailing advice for creating a resume is to keep it to a single page. However, a two page resume is appropriate if the information is relevant enough.

Stick to the experience, skill set and training specific to the job. In some cases, this may mean creating a “functional” as opposed to a “chronological” resume. In addition, there is no need to list jobs from 30 years ago. Positions held in your distant past may not relate to today’s marketplace and may “date” you.

Listing responsibilities, not results. If you are applying for a clerical support job, saying you “worked in Word, PowerPoint and Excel” is pretty much a given. What the employer is really looking for is results. Did you use your MS Office skills to increase productivity, train other employees or successfully support new business campaigns? In short, avoid listing your skills in the “Experience” part of your resume.

There is a place for software on a resume. Create a “Skills” section and list your competencies there.

Getting personal. Unless the position is directly tied to politics or religion, there is no need to mention items of such a personal nature on your resume. The same goes for marital status, health or hobbies (unless the job is in the hobby field).

If you don’t have a professional suit or dress hanging around, consider a trip to the mall right away. When an opportunity to interview comes your way, you will have enough to think about without the added stress of having nothing to wear.

That said, employment experts have thought a lot about power colors that make a difference when worn to an interview.

• Monster.com, for example, confirms that traditional navy, brown and gray shades project professionalism.
• Conversely, says Glassdoor, there’s nothing wrong with a splash of bright color to make you stand out, as long as you do so wisely. You do not want to be remembered later as the “chartreuse-and-turquoise lady.”

A closet full of choices

Certain colors convey qualities that matter in business.

• Red is a famous “power” color, but needs to be used wisely. A red necktie is powerful and distinguished, but a bright red suit jacket would be distracting.
•  Blue suggests calmness and honesty. A small yellow accent on blue brings extra cheer to the look.
•  White is symbolic of pure intentions, but stark white can make you look washed out. Cream or ivory shades work better when paired with a dark jacket.
• Pink is a “communicator” color that flatters a darker suit jacket, for both women and men.
• Subtle patterns and prints look great on ties and scarves, but leave the plaid jacket and polka-dotted shirts at home.

Consider the company when deciding what to wear. Scottsdale jobs range from conservative banking and insurance, to places decidedly more creative in tone. Ideally, you have done your homework, asked around about the company, checked their website and social media and gotten an idea of the environment there. Your recruiter should be able to give you great insight into the office vibe. A good rule of thumb is to take your interview look one step up in formality from the everyday dress code.

Complement your coloring. No matter how trendy a color may be this season, if it clashes with your complexion or hair color, your image will suffer for it. If knowing the right colors to wear is not your strong suit, rely on a professional stylist or friend with a good eye to help you identify the most complimentary colors for you.

Keep the focus on you
First impressions do matter in an interview. Choice of clothes and color is important, but equally as important is the level of confidence and enthusiasm you exude when seeking out Scottsdale jobs. The right colors simply enhance your best qualities and enhance your appearance.

Recruiters at a Phoenix temporary staffing agency meet hundreds of candidates each year. Here, recruiters offer some good advice about what not to say during your important job interviews.

Three deadly questions

What does this company do? Walking into an interview without any insight or background about the business will brand you as unprepared and uninterested. Your work prior to interview day should include researching the company through its website, social media, annual report and mentions in trade media. Do the same for the industry at large and you will appear more professional when you are prepared in speaking to overall related trends.

What is the salary being offered? Never bring up salary in the first interview. Instead, use your time wisely and show the hiring manager you are the best person for the position. Discuss salary only when you are offered the job, or if the employer brings it up first.

What benefits and perks do you offer? Questions about vacation, holidays, sick days or other benefits have no place in the first interview, or any interview for that matter. Unless the employer brings it to your attention (which may be likely), these items will be addressed by the employer during the offer phase of recruitment. Vacation and benefit policies are set by the company as a whole and apply to everyone.

Four NO-WAY topics

Your weaknesses. There’s a right way and a wrong way to answer questions about your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid statements about being “overwhelmed easily” and instead re-word that as “I have a hard time saying no to people” or “I find myself multi-tasking a lot of the time.” Focus on a self-improvement effort you made recently, such as getting your home or office organized, and how it freed up time in your schedule.

Personal information about yourself. By law, the interviewer may not inquire about your marital status, religion, health, or other personal topics. Do not bring them up yourself.

Personal statements about the interviewer. Even if you do love the interviewer’s earrings, or admire the photo of her kids on the desk, being overly complimentary is too personal in an interview and can make you seem insincere. Keep the conversation professional.

Bad reviews of former bosses. No matter what your history, badmouthing an employer will eventually work against you. If you were fired due to conflict or performance issues, use terminology like “my former boss and I differed in our approach.”

And one big no-no

“I don’t have any questions.”  Your interviewer may ask if you have questions. You will definitely want to have a list compiled to discuss. Follow up on a point of interest from your conversation, or ask a relevant question about the company. The employer is looking for curiosity and initiative on your part.

From breakfast cereals to workout clothes, over the years you have probably built a long list of products you are brand loyal to. Now make room on that list for one more name – yours.

Personal branding in the social media world is a creative way to enhance your job-seeking campaign. Whether you are applying to a Phoenix employment agency or directly to a Scottsdale private employer, your personal brand allows you to create and maintain an identity specific to your career skill set and goals.

Three ways to build your brand

Major corporations spend millions on marketing agencies and brand consultants. The good news is you can build your own social media brand with just an investment of time and commitment.

1) Create career-specific pages. You are correct thinking a prospective employer may form a questionable opinion of you if your Facebook page has pictures of you in countless party shots. A Facebook page geared to “Joe Smith, Landscaper” or “Jane Doe, Web Developer” serves a more optimal purpose.

The career page limits your “friends” to those in your field. On this page, link to your resume, post status updates on your most recent training, and share articles or videos of interest pertaining to your industry. Twitter tweets work the same way with brief updates and links to professional content. If you are in a visual field, use Pinterest to build collections of relevant images and anything that will help an employer understand that you keep ahead of the industry trends.

2) Ask for recommendations. There is nothing like a third-party endorsement to build credibility. Reach out to peers, co-workers, teachers and former bosses for their recommendations and post them on Facebook, Twitter, and especially LinkedIn.

At the same time, pay it forward. The meaningful endorsements you write for others will not only help build your network, they may be noticed by someone who wants to know more about you.

3) Become a blogger. Your particular skill set or talent can turn you from just another jobseeker into a credible consultant. You need writing chops to pull this off, but if you have a talent for words, start your own industry blog and share it on your social pages to help build your own personal brand.

There tends to be a lot of fuss over June graduates. Greeting cards popping up in all the stores, “gifts for grads” advertised everywhere….the list goes on and on. Where is all the love for December graduates?

Well, take heart. December commencement may lack the publicity of June, but in terms of getting a head start on employment, you have a bit of an advantage.

• First, you have a six-month head start on next year’s June grads.
• Second, you have a freshly minted college diploma to show prospective employers hiring in December. This positions you as fresh from school, as opposed to the previous June grads, now six months into their job search.
• Lastly, there are fewer candidates actively looking in December because most people are focused on the holidays and planning their vacations.

Diverse opportunities during a busy season

When you are working with employment agencies in Phoenix, ask your recruiters to consider you for companies that have already forecast their hiring for the following year. If you are willing to work right through the end of the year, ask about seasonal temporary assignments.

• At year end companies utilize temporary employees while waiting for the budget allocation to hire in the new year.
• During December, full-time employees tend to take vacation time, so their companies may need fill-in help.
• Retailers hire like crazy during the holidays, in every capacity. Sales, office and technical, stockroom, gift wrapping, etc.
• Airlines, hotels and travel / hospitality fields also ramp up during December.
• Hospitals and other healthcare providers typically seek out employees in January to coincide with December graduations.
• Don’t forget tax season, which gains traction when the W2s start appearing in January. December can be a big draw for accounting firms and tax preparation companies to train new people on their systems.

Employment agencies in Phoenix often have connections to businesses that don’t otherwise post job openings elsewhere. The right staffing agency can be a great resource in December, January and right through the rest of the year.

So before you turn your tassel or throw your mortarboard into the air, check out opportunities that can await you through a professional recruiter.

Facebook has its friends. Twitter has its followers. However, when you’re talking about social networks that support job searches? LinkedIn and its vast network of contacts is where you need to be.

The world’s biggest professional network, LinkedIn had 175 million members as of August 2012, and the site’s corporate hiring solutions are used by 85 of the Fortune 100 companies.

Chances are, you’re already a LinkedIn member, but are you doing everything you can to take advantage of this remarkable resource?

The key is to optimize your profile page on LinkedIn, and you will attract more attention and expand your professional network exponentially!

Five tips for getting more out of LinkedIn

Stay up to date. Review your LinkedIn profile page monthly. Have you completed any courses or gained new certification in that time? Use the “add skills” prompt to make sure potential employers are aware of your capabilities, and import the current version of your resume.

Follow your favorites. Use “Search Companies” to make contacts with employers in Phoenix and beyond. Click on the blue box at the upper right-hand corner of the screen to receive notifications from the company every time an employee leaves voluntarily, in turn giving you a heads-up on a potential job opening.

Join groups. For any conceivable professional discipline or industry, there is at least one LinkedIn group. Joining them will put you in contact with others in your field and net local job openings too.

Solicit recommendations (and give them too). Reach out to people you have worked with, such as former employers, colleagues, teachers and peers. You will gain valuable endorsements that a Phoenix placement firm or private employer may notice. At the same time, offer to endorse your peers as well. You never know who may be looking at their page and may spot your profile.

Offer your services as a consultant. If you have particular expertise in your field, add “consultant” to your profile. The next member who asks for your advice may be a potential hiring source.

After your page is optimized …

Follow up on your great profile page by using LinkedIn’s mobile app to stay on top of the latest news. Hungry for even more contacts? The LunchMeet app uses LinkedIn accounts to set up lunch meetings for you and selected members in Phoenix.

As our economy pushes forward to recover, people of all ages are struggling to find jobs. From newly college graduates, to Baby Boomers and beyond, changing job markets affect all of us.

Baby Boomers, however, may find themselves in a state of disbelief or panic-mode. You are not twenty-something with your whole career ahead of you, and you are not yet ready to retire. This being said, baby boomers have a lifetime of experience to offer potential employers. This is an exciting future that holds new opportunities. If anyone is prepared to take on the challenges of a midlife career change, it’s you.

After all, Boomers were the vanguard of the countercultural generation. You know a thing or two about going with the flow, charting your own course and considering new ideas and perspectives.

All those qualities can work to your advantage if you are thinking of switching jobs in your industry or adjusting an entirely new approach to your career.

Why change?

For a lot of Boomers (and other demographics too), career change is simply a response to marketplace demand. The slowly recovering economy has changed the way everyone approaches the working world. You may have already felt the sting of a layoff, or you may be anticipating some other kind of reorganization.

For other Boomers, being in midlife means reassessing what is important to you personally.  After several decades on the job, you may seek new ventures in your career life.

If you fit either of those descriptions, a call to a staffing firm in Phoenix could be your answer.

The evolving marketplace rewards people who show flexibility and initiative. As a contract or temporary employee at a Phoenix staffing firm, you can join an ever-growing flexible workforce that offers some distinct advantages to Boomers:

• ·Sample different workplaces before making a full-time commitment
• ·Accept assignments according to your own preferences
• ·Learn new skills that will make you more marketable
• ·Try out “semi-retirement” with a work/life balance that fits your needs

Embrace change!

Talk to your Phoenix employment agency recruiter about rebooting your career as a contract employee. It’s never too late to learn something new, meet new employers and make a fresh start.

Hashtags, those little bits of metadata that mark the keywords in your post, are so ingrained in the Twitterverse that we hardly notice them anymore.

However, jobseekers, employers and recruiters tend to pay attention. Your choice of hashtag will influence Twitter’s search engine and net you the click-through response you seek.

Hashtags for jobseekers

These range from the direct plea (#hireme), to the degree-specific (#MBA), to the more colorful (#gettingthegig is listed as one of Twitter’s Top 100 employment tags).

Tags that refer to skills and disciplines, like #webdev or #accounting, can help private companies and employment agencies in Phoenix locate your contact details when specific job openings appear.

If you are linking to your resume, #resume is a safe bet. You may also link to your entire #profile to give employers even more details about yourself.

Hashtags for employers

These relate to the description of the job opening in hopes that qualified candidates will click through and apply.

Direct phrases such as  #jobopening or #recruiting are highly popular and net millions of responses. More specific hashtags like #telecomjobs can narrow the field to those with telecom experience.

Hashtags for recruiters

These include relevant keywords like #phoenixjobs, #recruitphoenix or #contractwork. Employment agencies in Phoenix may search Twitter for candidates while simultaneously posting job openings.

A good bet? “Follow” an employment firm and you will receive the latest and greatest postings on your page when they are posted, without having to do an additional search.

Are you starting the interview process for Scottsdale jobs? Your family and friends will tell you a lot of things intended to help you achieve the perfect job interview. In reality, there is no such thing as a perfect interview. Having pre-interview anxiety is quite common.

Nervous is normal

Even the HR manager conducting your interview was once on the other side of the desk.  Chances are, he’s seen candidates at all levels of anxiety.

People in an interview tend to look hyper-alert. They sit straight up, smile and nod, laugh at the jokes, and tend to agree with everything the hiring manager says. That is appropriate behavior, as you want to be seen as agreeable and a team player.

However, taking even these good behaviors to excess can give the impression that you are too nervous or ingenuine. The trick is to find that happy medium, the one that balances enthusiasm for the job with a sense of your true self.

Taking charge

To get into a more relaxed frame of mind, prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for your interview.

• Ditch “perfect.” Again, there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate or a perfect interview. Your goal is to make your case in the best possible way while giving the hiring manager an accurate impression the type of employee you would make.
•  Play “let’s pretend.” Pretend you are a business consultant called into a meeting with your new client. Listen to her questions and answer them with confidence. She already has faith in your resume and job experience, otherwise she wouldn’t have called you.
• Rehearse. Are you nervous about finding the office? Be prepared. Take a practice trip there, preferably during the same time of day as the actual event. This will ease the pressure from the start.
•  Get some some rest. No job interview is worth compromising your well-being. You can burn anxiety-produced adrenaline with a walk, jog, yoga or bike ride. Then eat well and get a good night’s rest.

Picking the right AZ executive staffing agency involves considering a number of employment agencies – large and small, new and established. As an employee or a client company representative, you want to ensure you will receive professional treatment and get positive results.

What are the qualities of the ideal staffing agency?

From an employee’s perspective …

The right employment agency sees you as a person, not as a “product.” They will be hiring you on as an employee, and they should afford you the considerations any prospective employer would. These items include an in-depth interview, testing as applicable, discussions of your goals, opportunities for training, and information about available benefits.

You can count on the right agency to place you in an assignment appropriate to your skill set and experience. They will follow up with you, ensuring that you understand your duties and that you are comfortable in the work environment. If you are not having success on your assignment, the agency should have a process in place to reassign you.

From a client company’s perspective …

The right employment agency is both knowledgeable about your industry and immersed in the Phoenix and Scottsdale hiring picture. The executive staffing agency you choose should conduct a thorough review with you, establishing your specific needs for skill set, corporate culture, assignment duration and other vital criteria. Your agency should give you the option of temporary, temp-to-hire or permanent placements.

The agency’s staff should have years of proven experience in both recruiting and placement and you should be able to draw upon a single point of contact to answer your questions and address your needs. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, your agency will address your concerns in a fair and timely manner.

For everyone …

A start-up staffing company may lack the experience, insight and resources to create the ideal fit between employee and job. For employees and client companies alike, the right agency is a well-established company with a proven record of successful placements.

Executive jobs in Phoenix are found through corporate advertising, staffing agencies, and networking opportunities. The heart of the hiring process however is the interview. It gives you the opportunity to say something about yourself that isn’t found on any resume.

Interviews aren’t exactly stress free experiences, but you can cut the anxiety level and prepare yourself for success by going through your interview checklist.

Background checklist

•  I have thoroughly researched the company, beginning with its website. I have reviewed its blogs, checked its postings on social media, and looked for mentions in trade publications.
•  I’m reasonably well aware of the company’s standing. If it’s a public company, I’ve looked at the latest annual report.
•  I have researched the state of the company’s industry. For example, the trends, the challenges and buzz around the products or services that drive the business.

Appearance checklist

•  I’ve got my interview suit pressed and ready. It’s conservative in nature (even if the company is business casual) and fits well.
•  Nothing about my look (hair, accessories, shoes) will distract attention away from what I have to say.
• I know how to make a confident first impression. Firm handshake, eye contact and calm voice. My cell phone is turned off.

Response checklist

• I have prepared my “elevator pitch”, a brief summary of the qualities that make me a good employee.
• I can tie my skills and goals to the company and the job at hand, not a future position.
•  I know not to discuss salary or benefits during the first interview. My focus is on demonstrating the value I would bring to the employer.

Follow-up checklist

•  I have the hiring manager’s email or mailing address to send a brief thank-you note.
• I am comfortable offering a trial service to the company so we can assess my fit into the job.
• If I am searching through a Phoenix or Scottsdale employment agency, I keep them apprised of my status for new interviewing opportunities.

When you are looking to hire employees, chances are you have an immediate need to address, whether it be in administrative, technical or professional disciplines.

The realities of hiring, from posting an advertisement – to sifting through the flood of resumes -  to scheduling interviews, can be a drain of your time and resources. There is no guarantee this approach will pay off.

Fortunately, there’s another option

Employment agencies in Phoenix/Scottsdale specialize in identifying, recruiting, assessing and placing employees.

Top recruiting firms partner with your company and learn about your business needs, corporate culture and expectations. They bring extensive experience in interview and recruitment techniques and an established network of candidates to draw from.

The steps to hiring through employment agencies are not difficult ones.

Contact an agency

Whether by phone or email, your initial contact should include information about your company, a description of the position to be filled, approximate duration of the assignment, and any specific talent or skill required of the candidate.

From there, your recruiter will consult with you to determine further requirements. You may be asked if this is a new or existing position, and whether you are considering a temp-to-hire option. You’ll also learn more about the employment agency: its credentials, rates, history, hiring process and satisfaction guarantee.

Meet the candidates

You may opt for direct placement of a temporary employee, or you may choose to have the employment agency send a few candidates for further interview by your company. Temporary employees are at-will hires. You are not obligated to keep them assigned if the fit is not right.

The issue of fit is rare if you do business with a trusted, proven agency. Successful firms have a depth of talent to draw upon and they are staffed by recruiters who are specifically trained to look “beyond the resume” to match a candidate.

Assess the employees

Your agency recruiter will stay in touch with you during the assignment period, ensuring that you are satisfied with the employee’s performance and taking steps to mitigate any problems otherwise.

The goal of the agency/client/employee relationship is a “win” for all involved. And when you work with a proven employment agency, that win is the rule, not the exception.

Resume writers may advise you to leave personal information – age, marital status, religious or political affiliation and, yes, sports and hobbies – off your resume. In general, such information is deemed irrelevant to your experience and skill set and inappropriate dialog during an interview.

In some cases though, personal information can help you stand out, if that information is directly tied to your job goals. Renaissance Personnel Group, a Scottsdale, AZ employment agency and executive search firm advises you to consider including your involvement in competitive and recreational sports on your resume. If you want to include references to sports on your resume and during your interview, consider the circumstances where it will benefit you most.

You’re applying at a sports related business

It’s the dream of many enthusiasts to get a job tied to your favorite sport, game or pastime.

These types of dream jobs are hard to come by in the general employment picture. However, if you’ve done your homework, such as following social media, using LinkedIn or just networking in general, you may find that rare opportunity. Let your resume illustrate your interest in sports.

If you’re aiming for a career in sales, recruiters often seek out people who show competiveness and experience working in teams. They seek out candidates who learned these skills through sports.

Showcase the level of your experience and insight:

• Are you a professional or tournament level player, or have you achieved some similar status in your sport?
• Are you familiar with the top names in your industry? Not just the star players, but the behind-the-scenes figures in manufacturing and production?
• Can you forecast fact based trends in your sport?

You can demonstrate crossover skills

Sports are known to build (and reveal) character, and some aspects can demonstrate skill crossover into the general job market.

• Have you taught or coached kids? This suggests you are a good communicator and/or mentor, which in turn makes you stand out in business as a trainer or instructor.
• Have you successfully balanced work or school with an active schedule of play? This demonstrates your time-management skills, a trait all employers look for.
• Have you increased your own skills by using conditioning, coaches and competition? You are demonstrating commitment and a process oriented approach to improvement.
• Have you helped take your team to the top? Then you have demonstrated your background in team building and team dynamics, both of value in today’s diverse, high energy workplace.

Yes, it is possible to incorporate sports into your resume. And the result can be a home run in bringing your resume to the top of the stack.

Phoenix employment recruiters see the gamut of people looking for temporary assignments and full time jobs. While some need more training to make the cut with Arizona employers, others have specialized skills making them highly sought after. But star employees, however, have special qualities.

In fact, you may recognize star employees in the list below:

• The self-starter. You don’t have to micromanage a star employee. He or she innately knows how to manage time and workload to maximize each day. In addition, the best performers recognize that balance prevents burnout. They know when to take a breather, clear their heads and get some fresh energy.
• The risk taker. There are those who take the easy street and then there are those who choose to forge a new path. The star employee is willing to take measured risk in the pursuit of rewards. Will that risk pay off every time? No (see the next bullet point).
• The mistake “owner.” Is the star employee a person who contributes a perfect result every time? Actually, no. But star employees own their mistakes and learn from them. They refrain from assigning blame, and put into action the steps to mitigate future missteps. As an employer, you can help by understanding the difference between poor performance and failure in the pursuit of excellence.
• The go-to guy or gal. In every company, you will always find a few “go to” people. No matter what discipline or department they work in, they are trusted by managers and peers. You will find them to be knowledgeable, reliable and always willing to step up with answers and advice. The “go to” employee is just another way of saying “star.”
• The community builder. Some employees, by nature of their discipline, must work in teams. Others prefer to work alone. Your star employees will know how to build community no matter what their daily task. They motivate, recognize and appreciate others. They want to be on a team, even for the less attractive assignments.

Information Technology offers a wide range of opportunities. How do you start? Job placement firms in Arizona place thousands of IT people with all types of skills and levels of experience.

The price of entry depends on your “hard skills” in specific programming languages, coding, developing, and data manipulation, among many other disciplines. The more skills, degrees and certifications you can present an employer, the better your chances are for finding an ideal job.

In the event your professional experience is limited and/or you are a new graduate, find an opportunity to complement your education and get a head start on your career. Entry level IT jobs are ideal for you right now.

How to get started

• Go the contract route. Recruiting firms in Arizona have inroads to IT jobs you may not find posted elsewhere. As a temporary or contract employee, you can gain experience and broaden your career path.
• Search online. Some are general job sites that include IT, others are targeted to computer jobs across the board, and there are even more specific sites like this particular one, just for programmers. If you are interested in a certain company, follow their websites and social media pages for IT openings.
• Use social media. LinkedIn, the world’s largest career network, connects you to colleagues, peers and potential employers. LinkedIn has groups for every conceivable type of IT professional, from project managers to telecom professionals.
• Volunteer your services. Perhaps a local charity needs a fresh looking website, or a nonprofit needs an eCommerce page to set up donations. Volunteering your IT skills for a worthy cause not only looks great on a resume, it connects you with people in your community who may become excellent contacts later on.
• Tell everyone. Make no secret of your goals to land an IT job. Attending job fairs and career seminars will gain you contacts, but also expand your network to teachers, relatives and friends. You never know who they might know.

In this competitive job market, Arizona employers and employment agencies are giving extra attention to the quality of your communication. You can boost your chances for an interview by putting a fine polish on your cover letter.

Be brief. Keep the length of your cover letter to two or three short paragraphs and you will reduce the risk of losing your reader’s interest.

Complement your resume. Don’t copy it. You don’t have much space in a one page cover letter, so use it wisely. Avoid cutting and pasting resume highlights. Instead, expand on one or two highlights that will get you noticed in terms of the company’s needs. For instance, include an example of how your decision making or critical thinking skills made a difference in your last position.

Research. What prompted you to apply at this company? Every employer knows that the job market is tight. It’s critical to make a strong case on where your interests lie and why you want this particular position. Bring your research skills into play here.

In the event a company’s identity is known to you, be sure to take the time and do your research. Get a thorough overview of the organization before submitting your cover letter and resume. Visit their website, look for mentions in online trade publications, pull up their social media pages, and check their annual report if it’s a publicly traded company. At this point, you will have the knowledge on hand to write a customized cover letter suitable to that company. This demonstrates, and they will recognize, the fact that you have done your homework and also have an eye for analysis. A cover letter of this caliber will set you apart from the applicants who are writing generic letters.

Be more specific. Though your cover letter is an important marketing tool in your job search, the text will shine more if you balance the references to yourself with those of the company. For instance, “I have extensive background in marketing” is too general and something many of your competing candidates may also claim. Imagine the extra value in stating, “My background in successfully launching new products aligns with your company’s aggressive approach to product rollout.”

Use real English. The rise of online cover letters makes it tempting to employ text-speak. Remember, you are creating a professional communication. Refrain from LOL, smiley-face icons and any other non-standard usage.

Include a call to action.  Thank the employer for the opportunity to apply, and directly ask for the interview. Include your contact information within your cover letter, in the event your cover letter gets separated from your resume.

In today’s volatile job market, the very best talent isn’t always easy to come by. Such star employees often find themselves in high demand, especially in hot Arizona industries like IT and healthcare.

On the other hand, many gifted and proven employees have felt the sting of the recent recession and therefore are more open to changing jobs or companies.

Attracting top talent involves a combination of legwork and luck. Posting your open positions on well known sites like Monster or Indeed will more than likely lead to a flood of response. Unfortunately, in return, that could lead to an even slower hiring process. However, you can go beyond the job boards to locate that next great employee.

How to get started

Use social media.Ideally, your company has active pages on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Use them to your advantage to announce openings and detail the skill sets you expect from potential candidates. The power of social networking is strong. One well placed and well written tweet could go viral.

Go where the talent is. If you have a job that requires a highly specific skill set or background, chances are you can identify a site dedicated to that kind of candidate. For instance, in Arizona, network systems analyst jobs are forecast to rise by 55 percent through 2014. Therefore, now would be a good time to contact the Arizona Technology Council or attend the Arizona Technology Summit.

Let an executive staffing agency do the screening. Phoenix and Scottsdale recruiting companies specialize in identifying, recruiting and training top talent. You can have the agency assign temporary or contract employees directly, or have them send the best few candidates for your follow-up interview.

Opting to hire a temporary employee at your company provides you the benefits of as-needed talent without the considerable overhead associated with going through the hiring process alone. You have the flexibility to extend the employee’s assignment at any time.

Start a referral network. You may meet a prospect who isn’t the best fit for your company. However he/she may be great for another company. With a referral network in place, you can help a deserving person land a job and in return, perhaps get that ideal candidate referred to your company as a result.

Take a chance on a new face. All top talent has to start somewhere. Recruiting a promising newcomer, and guiding him or her through the specifics of your company and industry can foster an outstanding employee.

Employment in Scottsdale, AZ promises slow but steady growth for 2012. Positioning yourself for a job in any economy begins with a strong, solid resume. Here are some tips on traps to avoid when creating your resume.

The “objective” statement

The mission or objective statement, once considered a resume requirement, has become obsolete due to its overall generic tone. In today’s job market, writing a summary statement instead is highly useful in getting your resume noticed. A summary statement is a short paragraph centered on the value you would bring to a company. It is important to use heavy job specific keywords that today’s resume scanning software will recognize.

Grammatically incorrect verbage

 “There are many benefit’s I can offer you’re company.” If you didn’t note the two misspellings in that last sentence, then you may be prone to grammar gaffes. If your resume contains typos, misspellings, messy punctuation or wrongly chosen words, it will more than likely not be reviewed at all. There really are no excuses for having a sloppy resume in today’s world.

Be sure to proofread/spell check your resume. Get a second opinion and ask someone skilled in writing and editing to review your resume to ensure spelling, punctuation and sentence flow are all in line.

Personal information

Generally, your marital status, religion and political affiliation have no place on a resume. However, there are exceptions to this rule in cases where such information is highly relevant to the position. The focus should be on hard and soft skills that show you as the prime candidate for the job.

“Experience” from 25 years ago

It is a highly competitive hiring environment and some employers are looking for an excuse to reject your resume. Unfortunately, age is one of those excuses. While you should never attempt to mislead anyone about your age, you needn’t draw excess attention to it either. Instead of dating your resume back 20 years with irrelevant information, write to keep your resume up to date in terms of achievements, skill set and capabilities. If you are an applicant over the age of 50, AARP recommends creating a hybrid functional/chronological resume. The same advice applies to applicants with employment gaps.

If you’ve been interacting with executive recruiters in Phoenix or Scottsdale, you have a good idea of the employment outlook in Arizona. While the economy recovers, Arizona is expected to ramp up its hiring throughout 2012.

Competition for good jobs remains strong, and you may find yourself changing industries based on the realities of the marketplace. For example, the real estate industry may not be the optimal choice in a still struggling housing market. Ever changing Healthcare, on the other hand, may have an opportunity where your skill set fits well.

Strategize for success

You have the opportunity to get a head start on your job search in a new industry with help from low and no-cost resources.

• Determine your transferable skills. Public library resources like Career Transitions and books like “What Color Is Your Parachute?” can illustrate how your core skills and training translate from one industry to another.
• Know the marketplace. Some industries such as healthcare, education and transportation are strong. Others are not as strong. To determine the strength of a specific industry, you can find detailed employment forecasts by industry type and geographical region at sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Identify freelance and contract jobs in the new field to get a handle on the responsibilities and needed skills. Use sites like Craigslist, social networks such as LinkedIn, and resources like the Phoenix Workforce Connection.
• Reach out to family, friends and associates. The “six degrees of separation” theory can apply to business as well as to life and that “friend of a friend” could be the instrumental acquaintance in starting your new career.
• Register with an employment agency in Scottsdale/Phoenix. These companies specialize in matching people to work opportunities. As a result, you may find yourself working under contract in more than one industry. In turn, this will give you a broader picture of the types of jobs open to you and ultimately lead you to that perfect job.

Make a change for the better

As you investigate an industry change, think about the reason behind your decision. Is it based solely on your need to work? Or are you dissatisfied in your current job and wish for a new start? How will a new field change affect your family and personal life? Changing industries can be a risky venture and you want to consider it for the right reasons and under the right circumstances. Have you explored new roles and new challenges with your current industry? These are important questions to think about re-evaluating you career path.

Searching the web for Scottsdale/Phoenix job openings can be tedious and all consuming. You may find yourself glued to your laptop as opportunities are springing up around you. In the event you have a Smartphone or Tablet, you have the means to effortlessly continue your job search, regardless of where your daily schedule takes you.

The online community has risen to the occasion of expediting your job search. Popular social networks such as LinkedIn, the world’s largest business network, can connect you with countless contacts in your industry and beyond. For those of you interested in a more traditional approach, Monster, Indeed and Craigslist are highly useful tools as well.

Apps that tap into your job hunt

Perhaps you have the desire to take your job hunt mobile? There are multiple apps available immediately to help you.

• Indeed.com’s Job Search app is designed for Apple mobile devices. The app takes the familiar Indeed interface into a mobile environment. You have the tool to filter for keywords and locations and net up-to-date job listings, including new jobs added since your last search.
• Craigslist Pro+, tagged by Apple as a Top Lifestyle App, includes a search agent option that notifies you of job listings that match your keywords. From there you search and sort job listings, email results to yourself or reply directly from the app, and even access Google maps to direct you to the company’s location.
• Pocket Resume is an ingenious app that makes your resume completely mobile. Available on Apple, Android and BlackBerry platforms, this resource provides a resume layout template that lets you create, edit and send a professional looking document matching the Scottsdale/Phoenix job openings of your choice.
• Are you the social type? LunchMeet is the networking app for you. It leverages professional contacts from LinkedIn and sets up Scottsdale area group lunch invitations and locations. All you have to do is show up for lunch and be ready to impress.

The ultimate job-hunting resource

However, the ultimate “app” is the one you see in the mirror every morning. You have the capability at your fingertips to reach out to a broad network of family, friends, colleagues and counselors. Keep in touch with as many people as possible during your job search. Don’t pass up any introductions. The more people you know the closer you will be to landing a job that interests you and ultimately makes you happy.

The Scottsdale/Phoenix job market is more challenging these days. Opportunities are harder to come by and you may be investigating career paths you haven’t considered before. You may be exploring changing careers, entering a new industry, or working at a smaller company. With all this change, it may lead you to jobs that pay less than you’ve earned in the past. Inevitably, during the interview process, the question of compensation will be on the table.

Here are some helpful hints to consider and increase your chances for hiring success:

The risks

Beyond the change in your lifestyle that may come with a lower salary, you may find resistance from employers to offer you a lower paying job than the one you just left. It’s the same reason you may be rejected as “overqualified”; employers assume that you will leave the company should you find a better paying job elsewhere. Under those circumstances, an employer may hesitate to invest time and money in your training.

In addition, an employer may also be concerned that a lower salary may not motivate you to work as hard. Your task is to convince a hiring manager that you are the right fit for the job and the right person for the company.

The pitch

As a sensible rule, salary should not be discussed in the first interview. Instead, your skills and experience should be the focus. Arrive for the interview with an understanding of both the industry and the company. This will demonstrate to the employer that you are serious about the opportunity.

However, at some point in the hiring process, salary requirements will come up and a sensible, sharp reply might include the words “flexible” and/or “negotiable”.

If the recruiter presses you for details, be open in your response. Examples could include:

•  You’re looking for a growth opportunity in a new industry and salary is not your motivating factor.
•  You have a strong interest in both the opportunity and the company and you are open to what they would consider to be a fair compensation package based on your skill, experience and market rates.
•  Acknowledge that today’s economy has changed, and therefore your salary expectations are negotiable.
• You have a history of job loyalty and commitment and you continue to uphold these values.

Stay motivated

Stay upbeat in regards to compensation. If you have a strong interest in the opportunity, your expectations may very well be met. That kind of positive attitude will lead you to a bright future within your chosen industry in Scottsdale/Phoenix.

Job interviews are enjoyable experiences. Exciting and nerve-wracking, too, no doubt. We venture to say they are enjoyable when you are comfortable, succeeding, and things are going well.  How much of that is up to you?  More than you think.

Improve your odds by preparing yourself for the dance steps of an interview. Recruiting firms in Phoenix and Scottsdale provide excellent training ground.  Experienced recruiters will guide you through the interview process their clients offer.  Take advantage of their guidance.

Make your next interview a success. It’s a matter of knowing what to expect and preparing yourself accordingly.

Expect an initial phone interview – some employers use this as part of the screening process. What are they looking for? Your verbal ease.  Be easy in your answers and dialogue.  Be careful not to wax too long or be in-expressive.  Of great importance: have a clear telephone voice and a clear and unobstructed telephone connection.  Ask a friend to critique your phone manner before this critical moment.

Prepare for success by assembling your notes about the company and finding a quiet place to hold the interview. Do not sit in a crowded coffee house or use your speaker function – these contribute to background noise.

Expect an in-person interview as the next step.

Prepare for success by having an appropriate “interview suit” –ready to go! Choose something conservative (even if the company is casual) and well-fitting, with well-maintained shoes. Accessories should complement your look, not draw attention away from your conversation.

Expect to get questions about your work history.

Prepare for success by preparing an overview that address gaps in employment (whether from layoff, return to school or new-job retraining), and provide highlights of the results of your work. For instance, if you closed a significant sale or improved productivity in your former job, use these as examples of bringing value to an employer.

Expect to discuss salary and benefits in your final interview or when receiving an offer and don’t bring it up the first time you are interviewed. This time is reserved for determining your fit and contribution to the job at hand.

Prepare for success by not bringing up the subject in the initial interview, which should focus on the benefits you will bring to the company.

Success is possible!

Employment agencies in Phoenix are a good source of job leads and interviews – and their professional recruiting staffs can help you develop the interview style that can get you the job.

“I am your grandmother. Describe what MATLAB is to me.”

“Design a cell phone for a blind person.”

“Which of the fifty states would you remove?”

You may never hear questions like this from Phoenix job recruiters – but, then again, some people have.

That’s because they’ve endured an interview like no other – the Microsoft interview. As a platform to assess both hard skills and the thought process of candidates, the Microsoft interview has gained fame for its sheer depth of challenges.

The puzzle-loving Bill Gates was the catalyst for the original Microsoft interview, and the model has since been adapted by other companies and even inspired books on the subject.

Not for the faint-hearted

An interview  - by phone or in person at Microsoft – which may last an entire grueling day – can include categories of brain-busting questions and tasks:

• Coding and programming exercises test real-world abilities
• Technology-based questions like “Determine if a Binary Search Tree is well formed” provides insight on your expertise in Microsoft’s demanding high-tech environment
• Problem-solving questions like “Design an ATM for children” plays on your creative thinking skills
• For questions with no right or wrong answer – such as the one about removing one of the fifty states – Microsoft seeks to understand your ability to articulate a difficult decision

Could you survive a Microsoft interview?

As Microsoft suggests, having hard skills in technology is just one aspect of working at that company. Success also depends on less tangible qualities: creative and critical thinking, decision-making and industry insight.

Keep these qualities in mind as you accept interviews from companies and recruiters in Phoenix. Though you may never be asked to design a TV remote with just two buttons, your ability to think through the challenge – and to explain your reasoning – is what really counts.

If you’re getting ready to make the rounds among companies and employment agencies in Phoenix and Scottsdale, a strong, attractive resume stands as an important weapon in your arsenal.

The resume is often the first impression a prospective employer has of you – and it has to engage, inform and persuade all in a matter of minutes.

Depending on your skills, experience and goals, you have a choice of resume formats to consider.

• Chronological. The most widely used resume format, the chronological resume highlights your work experience starting with your most recent employment and working backward from there. Choose this format if you have worked steadily for at least five to 15 years. The ideal chronological resume details results in each position, not responsibilities. For example, noting that you were “responsible for placing orders for merchandise” has less impact than noting you “negotiated with vendors to lower merchandising costs by 15% year over year.”
• Functional. As opposed to the chronological, the functional resume spotlights skills instead of previous jobs. It’s a good choice if you have gaps in your employment history, if you’re new to the workforce or returning after a long period, or if you want to change your career direction. Your skills as a sales rep, a web developer or an accountant can transfer from one industry to another. Highlighting your most recent education and training in your field will enhance the functional resume.
• Targeted. Sadly, in a tight job market some people send hundreds of resumes haphazardly to any job posting on the off-chance one will be noticed. If the resume isn’t targeted with keywords and tangible proof of your skills, it will be noticed – in the worst way possible. If you have your sights set on a highly specific discipline or industry, tailor your resume to those standards. You may end up creating a variety of resumes to meet different criteria; and the resulting document could look like hybrid of chronological and functional.
• Nontraditional. Images, infographics, YouTube feeds, LinkedIn pages … the digital revolution has changed the way some people create and distribute their resume. Not every employer will appreciate the nontraditional approach; but if you’re applying in an industry that values visuals – such as creative services, social media or technology – you can use the nontraditional approach to demonstrate your skills even before the interview.

Beyond the “hard skills” outlined on your resume, staffing companies in Phoenix and Scottsdale put emphasis on determining “soft skills” like teamwork, time management and critical thinking.  All may well be factors weighed in their screening of candidates for employment.

For many, critical thinking may be an acquired skill. It goes beyond the typical learning skills of memorizing and repeating items of information. And it goes beyond accepting a set of views as fact without question.

Critical thinking is a self-directed process that involves analyzing and assessing all sides of a question or an issue in order to make a more informed decision. Behavioral interviews are designed to find out if you utilize critical thinking and exactly how you have demonstrated that in past behavior.

It’s not just what you know … but how you think

In a job interview, your critical thinking skills may come into play when a recruiter or hiring manager asks you to respond to decision-making questions and scenarios:

•   “Have you ever had to make a decision when you didn’t have all the facts? How did you come to that decision?”
• “If your associates agree on an approach that you believe will cause damage to the company, how would you frame your argument for a different solution?”
•   “When trying to make a decision, at what point do you seek other people’s input and feedback?”
•   “Describe an instance when you made the wrong choice. How did you arrive at another?”

Decision are made in different ways

Obviously, there are not right or wrong answers to the questions above. However, when asked about similar behaviors in an interview, you can emphasize the qualities that enter into your decision-making.

• Critical thinkers do not base decisions on emotion or bias
• They take the time to digest each piece of information
• They give differing viewpoints equal weight and consideration
•  They compare the decision to related ones in the past
• They reject phrases like “that’s the way it’s always been” or “I heard somewhere that …”

Come to your interview prepared with examples of instances from work (and life) in which you

• Chose a different path
• Came to a difficult decision
• Found and used facts through reliable sources
• Used facts and learnings – not assertion or opinion – to come to a conclusion

When you show your recruiter that you think independently and critically, you stand apart from other job candidates, and may be recommended to the hiring party the recruiter represents.

The temporary staffing industry in America began in 1946, when businessman William Russell Kelly sent his secretary to assist in the office of one of his busy clients. The arrangement worked so well, Kelly began recruiting exclusively for the purpose of staffing businesses in need. The company became known as Kelly Services and the first employees were secretaries referred to as “Kelly Girls.”

Today the staffing industry employs nearly 3 million people each business day. Temporary employment agencies in Phoenix and Scottsdale can help you gain an employment foothold in the local job market, especially in a tight job market.

Are there advantages to temporary and contract jobs?

Staffing firms have “ins” at companies. Many businesses use agencies to save time and maximize resources for recruiting, screening and training job candidates. So the Phoenix temporary employment agency you work with may have exclusive access to jobs you won’t find anywhere else.

It’s not just secretarial jobs. Though the “Kelly Girls” knew their way around a typewriter and steno pad in the 1950s, today’s temps run the gamut of career positions. Clerical support and administrative roles are still a mainstay, but they’re complimented by professional positions in technology, marketing, healthcare, law, science, engineering and even teaching.

Temporary work sets the employment trends in two meaningful ways. When companies begin to recover from the effects of recession, their first step is often ramping up through addition of temporary staff before committing to hiring more full-time employees. Emerging companies and those in accelerating markets often turn to contract employees as they respond to favorable market demands. This means that as a temporary employee you may find your way into an expanding company before industry experienced employees do.

Choice and flexibility. Many people enter the workforce fixated on a “dream job” or industry. But the reality of today’s employment picture is that flexibility can help you pay the bills until that dream job materializes. As a temporary or contract employee, you may use your skills in industries you hadn’t considered before – and who knows? One of them may turn out to be just what you hoped for.

A good resume. The more you work, the more attractive you become to a potential employer. Temporary and contract positions help fill employment gaps in your resume and show off your range of skills and experience.

Steadier work assignments in Temporary Employment. According to the American Staffing Association, temporary assignments in 2010 averaged 13.8 weeks (more than three months), up from 9.6 weeks in 2000.  With job duration longer, you have a better chance to gain relationships and skills that will help in your future endeavors.

Google is known for so many innovations – from technological to cultural.  You may not know that the search-engine giant also has a reputation for unusual interview techniques. Whether that reputation is legitimate or not remains a question.

The company, so went the legend, was interested not just in what you know, but also in how you think. So Google supposedly asked its applicants about coding or programming or management as a typical software company would – but also administered IQ tests and posed questions like, “How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?” and “Explain the significance of ‘dead beef.’” Stories about “nightmare interviews” circulated online.

Though a Google insider has since debunked the folklore around Google’s wacky line of questioning, the company has become associated with “inappropriate” and even “banned” interview questions.

Show your work …

But that’s not to say Google’s questioning is easy. The company screens, tests, interviews and assesses their candidates with an eye toward hiring the best of the best. “We’re likely to ask you some role-related questions that provide insight into how you solve problems,” Google says in its website. “Show us how you would tackle the problem presented – don’t get hung up on nailing the ‘right’ answer.”

Though you may not associate Scottsdale jobs with California-based Google, you may one day face a recruiter or hiring manager who has adopted the Google-credited interview style.

If you are fortunate, you may never be faced with a question like the one credited to Google: “How many golf balls can fit in a school bus?” But you may be asked interview questions that require you to explain how you would come to a conclusion.

In those cases, take your time and feel free to ask the interviewer for details about the question. If you cannot come up with the “right” answer on the spot, explain how you would interpret the question and conduct your research on the question left to your own resources.

Give your interviewer a reason to feel confident in your skills and your thought process. And if you somehow come up with the exact number of golf balls that fit into a school bus, then perhaps you should investigate if NASA is hiring.

Example “Google” questions

• You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and your mass is proportionally reduced so as to maintain your original density. You are then thrown into an empty glass blender. The blades will start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do?
• How much should you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle?
• How many times a day does a clock’s hands overlap?
• Imagine you have a closet full of shirts. It’s very hard to find a shirt. So what can you do to organize your shirts for easy retrieval?
• In a country in which people only want boys, every family continues to have children until they have a boy. If they have a girl, they have another child. If they have a boy, they stop. What is the proportion of boys to girls in the country?
• If you look at a clock and the time is 3:15, what is the angle between the hour and the minute hands? (The answer to this is not zero!)
• How many piano tuners are there in the entire world?
• You have eight balls all of the same size. 7 of them weigh the same, and one of them weighs slightly more. How can you find the ball that is heavier by using a balance and only two weighings?
• Design an evacuation plan for San Francisco.
• If there is only one elevator in the building, how would you change the design? How about if there are only two elevators in the building?
• How many vacuums are made per year in USA?
• Why are manhole covers round?
• A man pushed his car to a hotel and lost his fortune. What happened?
• Explain the significance of “dead beef”.
• What method would you use to look up a word in a dictionary?

Job candidates are at risk. Employers are at risk. That’s a lot of risky business in interviewing and hiring. But as a job hunter or employer working with an Phoenix or Scottsdale executive staffing firm, you can help mitigate the risk of  the hiring process.

Employment agencies and Executive Search firms work with Corporate Hiring managers to address issues of:

• Productivity.  Employers deal with peak times and slow times. Hiring full-time employees only to lay them off in a matter of months is an expensive proposition. Staffing companies fill the gaps of productivity by supplying as-needed talent from entry-level to executive.
• Opportunity cost. Every vacant position means possible loss of revenue. When jobs are unfilled, managers often assign the extra work to other employees – which reduces individual productivity and has a definite effect on morale. How do Phoenix staffing companies mitigate the cost of vacancy? The pre-screened, thoroughly checked people hired by a staffing agency are carefully matched to each job’s skill set, with the goal of delivering an employee who can “hit the ground running” in IT, sales, marketing, administration and many other disciplines.
• Direct expense. Between advertising open positions, screening the numerous resumes, committing HR time and resources to setting up interviews and conducting testing, and committing to salary and benefits, an employer has considerable fixed costs when conducting direct hiring.   Candidates who accept assignments through a qualified executive staffing agency can be placed in temporary, contract or temp-to-hire positions that can save the employer the direct expense, while giving candidate and company time to determine if the fit is a good one.
• The cost of turnover.  Some industries are prone to high turnover, which makes hiring even more costly and time-consuming. In high caliber search and placement firms, recruiters work closely with their client companies to determine the best staffing level to meet productivity needs while mitigating the risk of turnover.

A winning combination

From a career candidate’s perspective, joining forces with a Phoenix staffing company can be the answer to an otherwise lengthy and risk job search. For an employer using a staffing company, the benefits include saving on fixed costs and having the opportunity to find out how candidates will perform before committing to a full-time offer.

When handled with mutual respect and shared goals, the agency route can be a winning combination for all involved.

Talk about a leap of faith – when it comes to executive jobs in Phoenix or Scottsdale, the hiring manager has plenty at stake.

He or she is making a decision that will have an impact on an employer’s revenue and resources.

•  It’s up to the human resources department to perform due diligence, from fact-checking the resume to following up on references.
•  The manager must also select the most qualified candidates and arrange interviews.
• And it often doesn’t end there. Second interviews, testing and other procedures may enter into the hiring picture.

Finally, the hiring manager has to make a decision that will change the life of one candidate – and trigger likely disappointment for many others.

Choosing carefully

When you consider all the responsibilities inherent in  screening for Phoenix executive jobs, ask yourself: could you assume the risks of:

• Results. Is the winning candidate truly the best one for the job? Will that person contribute to productivity, improved processes, increased sales, more customers or whatever the parameters of the job? All these questions are in the back of any hiring manager’s mind.
• Reputation. It’s not just the reputation of the company at risk when a candidate is selected – the reputation of the hiring manager is on the line, too. An employer may have a gut feeling about one candidate or another – but no one is immune to making mistakes.
• Safety and security. Unfortunately, the risk of putting employees in danger or exposing the company to fraud such as embezzlement or material theft is a reality that hiring managers must consider. Careful background checks are part of the hiring process.

All in a day’s work

Well-trained, educated and experienced executive recruiters in Phoenix have the insight and instinct to deal with risk. They take the time to gain knowledge about the company they work for, and use that knowledge to identify, recruit and place the best candidates.

There’s nothing like a job interview to spark a range of emotions – excitement, anxiety, hope, reluctance.

Sound familiar? Some people compare job interviews to first dates (or, more commonly, first dates to job interviews) in that this first impression is, for better or for worse, going to stick with someone you’re trying to impress.

But there’s little discussion of the risk involved in a job interview. Of course, the biggest risk is making a poor impression and ending your chances of Scottsdale, AZ employment.

Risky business

But if you also look at an interview the way an executive would – in terms of ROI (return on investment), you begin to see that you are investing a lot in this seemingly brief encounter with a Scottsdale or Phoenix hiring manager.

• Time. Preparing for an interview involves reviewing your knowledge of the hiring company, practicing your “elevator pitch,” and going over challenging questions. If you’re unemployed, this workload is one you may shoulder easily, but if you’re currently working, you will need to commit your personal time to preparation.
• Expenses. Perhaps the perfect interview ensemble is already hanging in your closet. Invest in the right attire to achieve that polished look that contributes to your image as a professional.
• Self esteem. Ask any performer who’s ever stepped out on an audition stage, only to hear the director yell, “Thank you, that’s enough” before they even started – you need a thick skin to face rejection. The hard truth is that you may need to endure several interviews – with Scottsdale AZ employment firms, corporate managers and recruiters – before you find work.

So is the interview really worth it?

Some interviews will take their toll on your patience; others will seem delightful as you “click” with the hiring manager. But oddly, the nerve-wracking interview may land you the job, and the one you thought was easy may not – that’s just the nature of the hiring environment.

No matter what kind of interview you face, time invested in your professional and personal preparation will go a long way in reducing the risk factors.

Executive jobs in Phoenix attract scores of applicants, and in many cases it’s the resume that stands between a call for an interview and the “also-ran” pile. Designing a successful resume can take a real commitment of time – and more than a few revisions – but the result will be a document that can make a difference in your career.

The must-haves

Contact information: Provide your name, local address, and the phone number at which you are most easily reached, email address and, if applicable, your personal URL. This information is typically at the top of the resume, stacked neatly and either centered or heading the left or right margin.

Summary or profile. A single paragraph gives a high-level overview of your skills and background. Here is where you begin using industry keywords to attract today’s resume-scanning software.

Work experience. Most job hunters use a chronological (most recent job first) listing to illustrate their  history. If you’ve been in the workforce for many decades, limit your listings to the last 10 to 15 years and most relevant experience. If you’re new to the job market, are switching industries or have gaps in your history, consider a functional resume that spotlights your abilities. Even a functional resume should include a chronology of job history though it may be placed with less emphasis and space on the page. Use bullet points to state the facts quickly.

Keep your description of each position focused on results, not job duties. It’s one thing to say you were responsible for developing new business; it’s another to say that your campaigns grew revenue 31 percent over four years. The first phrasing is a job description; the second is a performance statement.

The leave-offs

Objective: For years, people submitted “objectives” that were rarely more than trite phrases about wanting “a position that allows me to fully utilize my talents and skills.” Instead of an objective, use the summary to outline exactly what those talents and skills bring to the employer. (Clients often tell us they rule out candidates for employment  based on the phrasing of job objectives.  They take them literally.)

Personal information:  Your age, marital status, religion and political affiliation have no functional use on a resume.

The best looks

Simple layouts are often the best.

•  Choose an easy-to-read font (like Times New Roman or Arial), at least 10-point size.
• Lay out the resume with about an inch of white space along each margin.
•  Print your resume on high-quality paper of white, cream or light gray.
• Create a text-only version if your employer requests it pasted into an online format

“I wonder what it would be like if we all became what we wanted to be when we grew up?” comedian Lily Tomlin once quipped. “I mean, imagine a world filled with nothing but firemen, cowboys, nurses and ballerinas.”

For some people, that dream job may simply no longer exist in an evolving job market. For others, layoffs and oversaturation of applicants have torpedoed their career.

So even if you always imagined yourself in one industry, the reality of your job hunt may involve investigating completely different fields.

There’s no stigma attached to changing industries. In fact, it’s widely accepted.

• You can find online resources at your library that help you pinpoint your skills and match them to various industries.
• You can create contacts through sites like LinkedIn, the world’s biggest professional network.
• You can consult with Phoenix job agency contacts and recruitment firms, which specialize in matching skilled people with open positions.

One key to changing industries is translating the skill you have into new environments.

•  If you had success as a sales rep in publishing, you can adapt your powers    of persuasion to a car dealership or a mortgage refinancing company.
•   If you were an accountant on Wall Street, you can translate those money-manager skills into growing industries like healthcare.
• Even if you have just graduated from college with little corporate experience, you can demonstrate how your leadership in school and your community created positive change – something every employer is interested in.

Sell the results
Take a look at the “work experience” portion of your resume. Does it read like a rundown of your daily job duties?

If so, then your resume needs an overhaul. Give employers a reason to be confident you can make an industry switch by filling your resume with examples of results, not just responsibilities. 

Show your work
If you have targeted a new industry to explore, do some reading, take some classes or access some online training in that field. Having these concrete examples on your resume speaks to your commitment to your new career.

Be flexible
Ask any Phoenix job agency rep – in a slowly recovering economy, job applicants must be prepared to consider jobs outside their “comfort zone.” You can get yourself ready to take on the new employment landscape. You may even find your new dream job in an industry you never considered before.

Would you be as attracted to even the coolest techie toy in the world if it came in a cheap, ugly box, made a strange noise when you plugged it in, and lacked contact information from the manufacturer? Or would those shortcomings make you think, “no thanks”?

That’s the way you may be perceived by potential employers – both companies and job placement agencies – if you don’t take the time to package yourself for hire. 

Beyond raw skills

Like it or not, your raw skills usually aren’t enough to get you hired in a highly competitive Phoenix AZ job market. Employers also want to know how you’ll fit into their corporate culture. Employers seek team members and value communication and social skills in their places of work.

You can take steps to improve your personal “package” during and after the interview.

•  Appearance. Nobody expects you to march into an interview high-end designer duds, but you are expected to appear professional, polished and ready to work. That means a well-fitting ensemble (preferably a jacket for both men and women), accessories at the minimum, and shoes looking new. You can seldom dress too conservatively for an interview, even if the workplace is day-to-day casual.

• Demeanor. Some jobs demand “people skills” and others don’t. However, demonstrating a certain amount of interpersonal savvy is vital to any job search. No matter how many Facebook friends you have, you need to present yourself well in face-to-face encounters. In a meeting with a potential employer or Phoenix recruitment agency shake hands confidently, make eye contact, speak in a relaxed way (neither whispering nor blurting), and avoid giving signals of impatience or nervousness (like looking at your watch or playing with a pen).

• Follow-up. Your job search doesn’t end at the end of the interview. Thank the hiring manager, of course – and when you get home, follow it up with an email or even a mailed notecard. At all times, emphasize your interest in the job. Keep your phone number and email address in your communications. Ask if there’s any way you can help the company right  now – offering to provide some sample work is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

The whole package

A polished presentation indicates the promise of high-quality employee. Isn’t that the way you’d want to be perceived?

You researched the company, created a winning resume, asked meaningful questions in your interview, and waited nervously by the phone. Then it happens – a call with a job offer. Phoenix job recruiters and companies are more selective during times of low employment, so handling the job offer becomes an art in itself.

First and foremost …

Say “thank you” – and mean it! Getting a job offer is a large accomplishment in any economy, and it’s especially welcome to hear when times are tight.

Want to negotiate?

• Ask if the salary is negotiable. Ideally, you’ve held off discussing salary and benefits during the interview process. But now that the job offer is here, you can inquire about salary ranges. But be flexible – if you want the job, the salary cannot be your deal-breaker.
• Discuss telecommuting or flextime – but only if these perks were previously discussed during your interviews. The job offer is not the time spring the news that you intend to work at home twice a week.

Ready to say “yes” right now?

• Don’t panic. Especially in a tight job market, it’s all too tempting to yell “I’ll take it!” at the first sign of an offer. If the salary, benefits and job description all meet your criteria, that’s great – but consider also the working hours, the commute, the possibility of getting another offer and the likelihood of building a career at this company.
• Ask to see the job offer and compensation in writing. The employer may send you a PDF or a fax, or you may get it by regular mail. However you receive it, these documents can work to your advantage should any question about the job or its salary come up in the future.
• Ask when your answer is due. It’s customary for employers to allow about 24 hours for an applicant to accept or reject an offer.

Not the job for you?

Rejecting a job offer takes as much tact as accepting one. You never want to burn bridges, because you may encounter people from that company later in your career.

• Explain that you have reconsidered. Never imply that the salary, the boss or some other tangible reason went into your decision.
• Back it up in writing. A brief, gracious letter or email to the hiring manager should thank him or her for the opportunity.

Phoenix jobs aren’t easy to come by, but you can increase your chance for employment when you recognize three kinds of “characters” who are toxic to any hiring manager.

The Blank Slate. A keyword-loaded resume has caught the attention of an executive recruiter or staffing agency in Phoenix, Az. The Blank Slate gets the call, but arrives with little knowledge of what his future employer does for a living. The interview veers into disaster, as TBS either inattentively promotes himself for a job that doesn’t exist, or forces the hiring manager to waste time explaining the company’s product or service.

You don’t have to fall into The Blank Slate trap when you come prepared to impress an employer. Start with a grounding in the company’s website. If it’s a public company, go over the annual report. Search for mentions in trade media. Check for them on social networks. Then, when you come in for the interview, show off your knowledge of their company, and emphasize how you can bring value.

Mr./Ms. “What’s in it for me?” This character demonstrates shallowness. He or she may feign interest in the job, but then steers the conversation to questions more suited to an established employee than to an interviewee, like when they will get their first raise, when they can take vacation – or worse, when and how they’ll advance out of the job that they are (supposedly) trying so hard to land.

To avoid being a Mr./Ms. WIIFM, keep your focus, especially during the first interview, on the qualities and talents that make you the ideal person to fill this job right now. Raises, vacations and other perks of the trade will be spelled out in detail once you get the offer.

The Moneygrubber. Salary negotiations are a delicate matter in any hiring environment, and for many companies in Phoenix and Scottsdale, budgets are tight. But the Moneygrubber cares only for the bottom line – her own. Citing her previous salaries, she may insist on making the same or more at her new job, and nothing less will do.

While there’s nothing wrong with recognizing the value of your talent, being seen as a Moneygrubber is an instant employer turn-off. You can avoid this trait by researching the salary ranges typical of the industry, the company’s size and its location; then working with your recruiter to come to a reasonable figure.

When it comes to Phoenix or Scottsdale jobs, executive recruiters, staffing agencies or employment firms may call you for interviews or send you on them for their client companies. While “be yourself” is always the best interview approach, you can follow 5 proven tips to a better experience.

1. Do your homework. With the Internet at your fingertips, there’s no excuse to walk into a company wondering what product or service they produce. Start your research with their website, then expand to mentions in industry organizations, social media pages, annual reports, press releases and reviews. You’ll sound proactive in your interview if you ask about the company’s goals, but you’ll sound really informed if you preface it by summarizing the company’s performance over the past year.
2. Practice. Think of your interview as a performance – and approach it as a professional. Ask your friends to play the part of interviewer and rehearse your responses to such questions as “Tell me something about yourself” and “What attracted you to this company?” Prepare for the lurking bombshells, like “What’s the worst mistake you ever made?” or “Why should we consider you?” But avoid memorization – you want to be seen as candid, not “reciting” answers.
3. Dress the part – and then some. A recruiter at a Phoenix employment agency may advise you to dress one step up from the job you want. Your attire and grooming make an immediate impression, so play it safe with tailored, conservative dress; accessories at a minimum, hair and nails under control, and shoes looking new.
4. Use nonverbal cues. Body language makes a strong impact. Tiny gaffes like looking at your watch or glancing around the room can give the impression of impatience. Crossed arms and legs signify resistance or defensiveness. Picking at your sleeve or playing with a pen shows nervous energy. But you can tip the scales in your favor with proper body language: a firm handshake, a relaxed but upright posture when seated or standing, eye contact (without “staring”), enthusiasm in your voice and a slight lean toward your interviewer to show that you are truly interested in the conversation.
5. Mind your manners. Interview etiquette begins with arriving a few minutes ahead of time, and ends with a thank you, both spoken and, later, written as a printed note or an email.

Getting Phoenix jobs may be a challenge, but it’s a challenge you can handle when you’re prepared.

Whether you’re using a Phoenix employment agencies, executive recruiters, or other venues to find Phoenix and Scottsdale jobs, the interview is a make-or-break experience. You naturally want to be candid, but going too far can make you literally talk your way out of a job.

Avoid bringing up …

Your “weaknesses”

Some hiring managers will try to trip you up by asking about your strengths … and your weaknesses. Obviously, telling a potential employer that you lack self-discipline, are chronically late for work or don’t get along well with others is going to set you apart in the worst way possible. Conversely, nobody will believe you if you declare you have no weaknesses. And the old clichés “I care too much” and “I try too hard” will likely be met with an eye-roll.

So how do you describe a weakness? Position it as an opportunity for improvement. If you are not a “people person,” for instance, describe it as impatience to get to the right solution, and then tell the interviewer how you’re addressing the problem – perhaps through a helpful book or a course in personal communication.

Horrible bosses

No matter how insufferable, your former supervisors should never be used as fodder in your interview. Badmouthing an employer brands you as unreliable – after all, if you say bad things about past employers, what’s to prevent you from saying them about future ones?

If an interviewer notes a gap in your work history that resulted from termination, explain briefly and truthfully that your approach and your boss’ did not sync. Soften the impression by asking your former employer for a letter of recommendation – you’d be surprised how many are willing to accommodate you.

Pay and vacation

 Grilling the interviewer about salary and time off? You may as well say, “I’m only in this for myself.” Especially at the first interview, you focus should be on the qualities that make you the best for the job, and the value you’ll bring to the company. If the hiring manager brings up the subject (unlikely), state simply that you’ve researched the salary range for the job. Leave the negotiations for the second interview or the job offer.

Remember to stay upbeat and honest about your experience, education and goals – and the next Phoenix or Scottsdale job may be yours.

Finding your career path is seldom easy, and a tight job market presents further challenge. But you can take steps now to ease the job search by following five proven tips.

1. Investigate employment agencies. From entry level to executive positions, staffing agencies in AZ have connections to companies that might not otherwise advertise an opening. When you join a Phoenix or Scottsdale employment agency, you’ll be considered for temporary and temp-to-hire positions based on your skills. You could be sent on assignments for industries that interest you – and ones you’d never considered before. Either option is a great way to build up experience and broaden your perspectives.
2. Create a website. Take your online presence to the next level by offering a simple, attractive and easy-to-navigate website. Here’s where you can include details that won’t fit on a resume: copies of recommendation letters, testimonials and referrals, pictures of awards or honors, and other credentials.
3. Make the most of social media. Facebook and Twitter are good starting points, but your personal pages tend to attract more friends than employers – and in any case, you’d not want a potential boss to see anything that possibly casts you in a bad light, whether it’s a questionable image or some salty language posted by your friends. But you can create a special professional page and invite only business contacts as friends or followers. Better yet, join LinkedIn, the world’s biggest professional network.  From there you can follow specific businesses, join subgroups dedicated to your profession and see job postings geared to your keywords.
4. Get out there. Networking isn’t all done online. You can set yourself apart from the crowd by making personal acquaintance with some of the people associated with Phoenix jobs. Leave the laptop behind and put in some face time at industry expos, chamber of commerce events, company-sponsored fundraisers and job fairs. Where appropriate, bring some printed resumes to hand out on the spot. Tell your friends and relatives about your job goals – you never know who they may be connected to.
5. Practice your pitch. Executive recruiters, headhunters and employment agencies will be marketing you as a professional – so live up to the image. Be prepared for interviews with proper business attire, ready answers to common questions, and an “elevator pitch” – a summary of your skills that takes about the same time as an elevator ride: about 10 to 15 seconds.

Before you submit your resume to executive recruiters or job placement agencies in Phoenix, AZ, turn a critical eye toward the content. Over-writing, over-selling and over-detailing make your resume a turn-off for the hiring manager who may eventually read it.

What makes “too much” resume?

A handful of common resume mistakes can sabotage your chances for an interview:

Too much job description. A typical mistake for resume writers is to create a list of job responsibilities as their work experience.

For instance, saying “responsible for hiring third-party contractors” is not the same as saying you were successful at it. Instead of listing responsibilities, use the resume to highlight successes; for instance, “Updated third-party vendor contracts, saving XYZ Company $200,000 over five years.”

Too many personal details. Information of a personal nature – your age, marital status, religious or political affiliation and hobbies – are not appropriate for a resume.

The exception: if the job you’re applying for is directly tied to such information. For instance, if you wanted to work as a sales rep for a sporting goods company, outlining your golf or tennis tournament wins would give you credibility.

Too much history. Include only the work experience that relates to the job you want. Going back more than 20 years on a resume, including things like part-time high-school jobs not relevant to your current life, only clutters the information.

The exception: if you’re newly graduated or have little work experience. In these cases, list your complete work history, highlighting the positive differences you made.

Too many traps . Stating your salary requirements, or the salary of your current job, can cause employers to keep you out of the interview loop. Especially in an uncertain economy and a tight job market, you want to appear flexible in your salary expectations, so save any mention of pay and benefits for the job offer (never bring it up in your first interview).

As well, you want to leave out confidential information about your former or current employer, and do not indicate if you were fired. If the topic comes up in your interview, answer it in a brief and truthful fashion.

Revise, review … and revise again

A good resume is the first impression future employers have of you. Polishing yours puts your best face forward right away.

Only in the movies does someone yell “I quit!” and storm away. In the real world, leaving is a more formal process. You never want to burn bridges – because you never know who among your former co-workers you’ll be encountering in the future. You want to be remembered as a team player, no matter what the reason is that you’re resigning.

Leaving with style means taking simple steps to make your departure less stressful for everyone involved.

• Give notice. Two weeks’ notice is the industry standard. Any less and you will be seen as leaving people in a lurch. Conversely, your employer may urge you to extend your notice for additional weeks. If you are starting a new job, of course, your new employer expects you to begin promptly. Your answer could be a polite no.
• Submit it in writing. Even if you break the news face-to-face with your boss, follow it up with a brief letter. This becomes part of the company’s HR records. Stick just to the statement of resignation – do not use the letter to denigrate your boss, criticize the company or give any other opinion.
• Tell your co-workers. The grapevine is a powerful networking tool, but it’s also a breeding ground for rumors. Reduce the chances of being gossiped about by telling your co-workers personally of your plans.
• Accept their gesture. Your boss and your co-workers may want to host a goodbye lunch or some after-work event. Even if you’re not a party person – even if you think you’ll get emotional –take the gesture in stride, and join in the festivities. It helps your colleagues accept your leaving and provides closure for everyone.
• Help with transitions. Having told your co-workers about your decision, use the remaining two weeks to work on a transition plan. If a colleague will be taking some of your roles, arrange time to go over the responsibilities and answer questions; consider having him or her shadow you for a few days to get a feel for the job.
• Prep for the exit interview. This optional step can help your employer identify issues that may have led to your resignation and create opportunities to improve the workplace. Be honest in your statements, but refrain from personal attacks and accusations you cannot prove.

Finally, clean your desk or work station before you leave – it’s the final good impression you can make.

You worked hard for this moment – crafting a winning resume, going on interviews and sweating out the wait – but finally, an employer or job recruitment agency in AZ is offering you a job.

You have not yet brought up the subject of salary; after all, your focus was to demonstrate the value you’ll bring to the company, not to ask what the company can offer you financially.

But now, the hiring manager is bringing up this sensitive topic. He or she may even be telling you what they plan to pay.

If you like what you hear, accept with no further discussion. But if you think you deserve more, you’ll want to initiate a new conversation.

Start by being prepared, then approach the task with professionalism and flexibility.

Before the conversation …

Be proactive. Government sites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and commercial sites like PayScale will give you a good idea of the typical pay by industry, position, and location, including Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Be realistic. If the job is at a small nonprofit, don’t expect the same offer as you would at a multinational corporation. Each sector has its own pay scales and standards, and entry-level jobs in any industry are rarely highly paid positions.

During the conversation …

Be polite. Even if the salary is what you’d consider “lowballing,” don’t take it personally, and don’t criticize the company. Instead, using the salary information you researched previously, ask about the possibility of starting at a higher grade, or of having your performance review (usually a harbinger of salary increases) after six months instead of one year.

Be flexible. Not all benefits come in the form of your paycheck. For instance, if you are moving from a job with health benefits to one without, ask if your new employer would cover your COBRA benefits in lieu of a higher salary. If you must relocate, inquire how much the company will contribute to the cost. If time off is important, ask about increased PTO (personal time off) instead of a higher salary.

And afterward …

Be grateful. Even if the employer won’t budge, a job offer in an uncertain economy and a highly competitive market is an accomplishment. Use your skills and dedication to develop into the kind of employee who can demonstrate valuable skills that will help you in future negotiations.

Job placement agencies in Phoenix, AZ specialize in identifying and recruiting skilled people for open positions with their client companies. At some point in time, a potential employer—whether from the recruiting firm, the hiring company, or both – will give your resume some serious attention.  How will you handle their questions?

If your work history includes gaps due to termination or layoff, you may be faced with questions relating to the downtime. And while typical job interviews can be stressful enough, having to own up to unfortunate past experiences only adds to the angst.

But you can approach such subjects with honesty and tact – two qualities you must demonstrate at all times. The third necessary quality is brevity; keep your answers short and to the point.

If you were terminated because of job performance or other issues, listen carefully to how your interviewer asks about the gap. If she asks why some months or years are missing in your work history, state the cause concisely but never badmouth your previous employers in the process:

•   “My skills and talents were not the right match for the company at that time.”
• “The job wasn’t a good fit for me, but I have a much better handle now on the core competencies.”
• “Though I made decisions I believed were in the best interest of the company, my manager did not agree.”

If you were laid off along with others in your company, you can take comfort in knowing that such terminations are rarely connected with performance. Job placement agencies in Phoenix and beyond are well aware of the struggling economy and flooded job market:

• “I was grateful to survive several downsizing events in my company, but eventually even my job was eliminated.”
• “Our new manager brought in his old staff, which caused overlap in our department. Can’t say I was pleased with the outcome, but it did give me the opportunity to investigate different fields and enhance my skills.”

If you left the company of your own accord, be careful not to appear as an arbitrary job-hopper:

•    “I took my department as far as I could. With my work there done, I decided to pursue new challenges.”
•   “I found a new and exciting direction to take, which has led me here.”

By remaining up-front with job placement agencies and their clients in Phoenix, AZ, you can make a good, professional impression even in the face of past job losses.

In Scottsdale, AZ (as everywhere) offers of employment can be challenging to come by these days. If you’re fortunate enough to land an interview with a recruitment firm or its client company, congratulations – you made a significant step forward in growing your career.

Now, when you think “job interview,” the first thing that comes to mind usually involves (sweating through) questions from the hiring manager.

But remember that a successful interview is a two-way conversation. Just as important as the answers you give are the questions you can – and should – ask. Not to mention a couple of questions to just keep to yourself.

What to ask

“What has been this company’s biggest challenge in the past few years?” This question positions you as a strategic thinker who looks for long-term solutions. The interviewer’s answer can set you up to respond with examples of past performance in meeting challenges.

“How has the launch of [product or service] had an impact?” When you show you’re familiar with specific details about the company or its industry, you demonstrate a proactive approach that employers admire.

“How would you define a successful employee at this company?” You’ll appear motivated and results-oriented with open-ended questions that suggest that you have as much invested in the company’s success as they do.

What not to ask

“What does this company do?” You may as well say, “I haven’t done my homework.” You should arrive at the interview with at least a fundamental knowledge of the company’s business– facts you can easily find through the company’s website, annual report and press releases.

“What does this job pay?”  Never discuss salary or benefits in the first interview. It tags you as shallow, when you want to be perceived as someone truly interested in helping the company meet its goals. Ditto for questions like “When would I get my first raise,” or “How much vacation time do I get?” If you pass the first interview, your second one may include some discussion of salary, but wait for the hiring manager to bring up the subject.

They go by names like consultants, headhunters and career agents, but they have one thing in common: They’re always on the lookout for promising talent.

Phoenix job recruiters  are the liaisons between companies seeking skilled employees and candidates seeking entry into both emerging and established Phoenix businesses. It’s the recruiter’s job to carefully assess each candidate’s skills, and determine whether he or she would be a good fit for  his client company.

A chance to stand out
The jobs offered may be contract, temp-to-hire or full-time placement, but each one represents an opportunity for a jobseeker to demonstrate his education, skills and business acumen  to one or more local companies.

It’s a win-win: The employer saves the time and resources associated with advertising, screening and interviewing prospects, while job seekers can bypass an often frustrating job hunt and transition more easily to employment.

If you’re interested in landing your next job through Phoenix job recruiters, you can increase your chances for success by following a few basic steps.

• Polish your resume. Be sure your credentials up-to-date in a carefully crafted and well formatted resume to  make the best impression on both the recruiter and the client. This means using active verbs, including key terms and phrases a search engine will recognize, and formatting the resume according to the online or print specifications.
• Create a LinkedIn profile. Phoenix job recruiters work extensively online. Your online profile serves as a mini-resume. Typical profiles include lists of technical skills, degrees earned, and work samples as appropriate. Your profile is a snapshot of you that the recruiter and hiring company can follow up on.

And speaking of following up …

• Stay in touch.  Stay in communication with the recruitment firms you’ve heard from and let them know if you are available for  work assignments., You may be fortunate enough to land a contract or full-time position. When on assignment at the client’s location, remember that until you’re hired full-time, you’re still employed by the recruiting firm. You can expect some follow-up to ensure that the client is satisfied with your performance; at the same time, don’t hesitate to contact your liaison if you have any concerns about the assignment or the company.

By working together, you and your Phoenix job recruiter can enjoy mutual success.

Finding work through companies or job placement agencies in Phoenix, AZ, starts with creating a powerful resume that compels a hiring manager to contact you. It takes a little strategy and a lot of self-awareness, but you can craft a dynamite resume following these 10 proven tactics.

Five things to include
1. Headings and keywords. Resume-screening software searches for relevant words and phrases. Make your heading job-specific (“junior financial analyst” as opposed to “accounting position”). Then pepper your resume with the most meaningful words associated with the position you seek.

2. Achievements. Don’t fall into the trap of creating a list of job descriptions. Instead, highlight the impact or benefit your contribution brought to each employer or your community. Position your experience in terms of streamlining workflows, enhancing productivity, improving morale and retention – whatever is most appropriate.

3. Action verbs. “Worked on” is a bland way to state your experience. Instead, you “coordinated,” “managed,” “influenced,” and so on. Action verbs impart an impression of power, so use them liberally. Leave the personal pronoun “I” out of the wording – just start with the verb.

4. Complete contact information. Make sure the job placement agencies in Phoenix can reach you. Put your full name, mailing address, email, website (as applicable), and the best phone number for day and evening.

5. Bullet points. Make your resume easier to scan by breaking paragraphs into bullets. Start each bullet with an active verb.

Four things to leave out

6. Non-essentials. Keep hobbies, marital status, and religious or political affiliations out of your resume. The exception: if the job is tied to one of these elements. For instance, if you apply as a sales rep for a golf equipment company, your golfing expertise will lend you more credibility.

7. References to age. Leave graduation years out of the education section. Include only the  most relevant employment history going back a decade or two.

8. Images and fancy fonts. Unless you’re applying as a graphic designer, keep artwork out. No photos of you, either. “Artsy” fonts may not be recognized by resume-scanning programs and can annoy a hiring manager, too.

9. “References available upon request.”  This is a given.

And one big to-do
10. Proofread. Check, double-check and have someone else triple-check your work. Typos, misspellings and bad punctuation can brand you as careless and torpedo your chance for an interview. Don’t count on Spellcheck on your computer.  It won’t identify misplaced and mistakenly used words.

For executive jobs in Phoenix, the phone interview has become a common first step in the interview process. This encounter can lead the way to an important second face to face interview at the workplace.

Making your best impression is challenging, but not impossible when you know the basics of the good phone interview:

Practice. Your brother, your roommate, your racquetball partner – chances are you know people who would be glad to play the part
of hiring manager so you can practice. Give them questions you’d expect to answer with the real interviewer, such as “What value can you bring to this company?” Give them your answer over the phone (no face-to-face allowed). Then ask them to be brutally honest in their appraisal. The content of your dialogue is important, of course. But what you really need to assess in these practice calls is the clarity of your telephone diction. Calls taken outside and in the car are often of distorted sound quality as wind or automotive air conditioning compete with your voice. Strive for vocal clarity. Avoid ‘ums’ and ‘ahs.’ Don’t interrupt your interviewer. Keep answers on point and brief.

Slow down. Job interviews can be stressful, and even if you’re not sweating it out in person, your rushed speech on the phone could reflect nervousness or a fear of leaving out important information. The hiring manager is likely taking notes during the call, so give her a break: Slow your speech a little, take a breath between sentences, and avoid the trailing-off ending of “so….”.

Remove distractions. You may be tied to your tablet, or enjoy streaming movies on your laptop while you do your homework, but such distractions will only hinder your chances to land executive jobs in Phoenix. When the time comes, find a quiet place (no, not the corner table at a busy coffee shop, but a truly quiet place), spread out your notes, and let yourself relax and get focused on the job at hand.

Take the phone off “speaker.” Speakers are great if an entire room needs to hear the conversation, but that’s not the case in a phone interview. Speakers can pick up room noise and create a “hiss” that muffles the sound of your voice. Use your handset, so you come out loud and clear.

Say thanks. Your mother was right: The magic words “please” and “thank you” really do make a difference. Thank your interviewer for the opportunity to speak to her. Ask if you can please follow up with another interview or more information. Let her know that you are seriously interested in pursuing the job.

It’s for you…

Interviews can be challenging, but with the right manners and a positive attitude, executive jobs in Phoenix can be just a phone call away.

“Salary negotiable” – if this phrase is missing from your resume or cover letter, you may be missing out on career opportunities. In a tight economy and a highly competitive job market, you cannot afford to be inflexible on salary issues.

Of course, everyone wants to be paid what he is worth (and, presumably, more).  The trick is to have realistic expectations and match your skills and goals to the current employment market. In some employment sectors economic pressures have created situations in which hiring salaries are restricted and may be lower than those of several years previously.

Keep your cool


Discussing salary can be an uncomfortable part of the interview experience for you. If you are fortunate enough to work with executive recruiters in Phoenix they can best discuss this subject with the hiring entity on your behalf. Take time and prepare yourself to cover both your salary history and expectations in a professional manner should the need arise.

Here are a few key guidelines:

• •             Be honest. Falsifying any information in your credentials or during an interview is not only unethical, it is also grounds for termination. Companies fact-check your application information rigorously, so when you discuss your salary history and current level, be honest. If you worked for a very small company that couldn’t afford to pay the typical wage, you can point out the valuable skills you gained and the value you brought to your previous employer – and can bring to your new one.
• •             Stay realistic.  Executive recruiters in Phoenix can advise you on salary levels offered in the current economy. They may not always match what you hope to find. Even successful global industry leaders offer salary ranges that start low. If you’re just out of school, changing careers or otherwise lack the background and track record of other job candidates, do not expect top dollar. If you do request a salary in the above-average range, be prepared with justifications, such as proven performance, exemplary sales records, and other accomplishments. Sometimes the most experienced candidates with proven accomplishments expect salary ranges industry no longer wants to offer.
• •             Ask questions. Show your interest in the position and the company by asking informed questions, but save your salary queries for the second interview or until you have some indication that a job offer is pending. When the time is right – or when the hiring manager brings up the subject – ask questions like, “How do you set salary ranges for your new employees?” or “How do employees grow in your corporate culture and in their jobs?” Avoid questions like, “When would I get my first raise?”

Prepare for hiring success


When working with executive recruiters in Phoenix, use your salary history and expectations to spotlight your worth to a hiring manager. Stay flexible, and remember that compensation runs deeper than just the pay scale. Benefits, bonuses and other perks may make even a modestly paying job well worth your effort.

So you’re moving on from your job. Whether you transition to your next position with the help of a staffing agency in Phoenix or negotiate your next career opportunity yourself – take good advice and don’t burn any bridges.

Here are a few tips to help make sure you resign with style:

1) Leave the negativity out – You may have been frustrated or unhappy with working conditions. Unfortunately, that happens. Warmly thank your employer for the opportunities afforded and leave on a positive note. Do not gossip with coworkers about negative feelings and don’t share a disrespectful view of management with your prospective employers.

2) Try to offer the proper transition time – In many cases, two weeks is the standard time that employees should offer to their employers when they resign their job. However, if you have been given significant responsibility, you may want to offer more time, since managers and other experienced staff can be difficult to replace. Employers often let departing employees use built-up vacation time prior to a resignation date.

3) Do include a brief thank you – Even if you managed to hate your job with all your heart, you likely still learned something. Even the most brief resignation letters should include a thank you for something, even if it’s just the “opportunity” that you were given, something any staffing agency in Phoenix would recommend. There is little to be gained from negativity. Remember that your current employer will be your future work reference.

Courtesy, politeness and professionalism should be the tenor of your resignation letter. Make sure it clearly includes your name, the name of the company and the effective date of your resignation.

So you’ve answered an ad in the paper or used a Phoenix job placement agency to get an interview. It went well, and the phone call just came–you’re hired! Now what?

Times today are tough, and you might be so happy to get a job that you just accept and make your move, especially if you have no competing offers. Before you say “yes” to any job offer, though, take at least a few hours to think it over. Nearly any employer will give you time to consider an offer of employment, and if you’ve received a job offer through a Phoenix job placement agency, you’ll be told up front exactly how much time you have to make your decision. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate salary range with the employer or begin talking about fringe benefits and flexible work schedules –options which may have more wiggle room and personal customization. If you have other, competing offers, now is the time to leverage them– a competing offer can be a stimulus to the salary component in your next offer

.

Remember to be both courteous and confident in negotiations, and avoid being seen as too aggressive. It is still an employer’s market, and employers reserve the right to revoke job offers if they perceive a prospective employee as arrogant or inflexible during the negotiation process. Employers want to hire people who are motivated by the work and the mission of the company and not just the compensation associated with the job. Be sure to show your enthusiasm for the job offered and the company you are invited to join.
If you already have a job, you’ll also need to remember to have an exit strategy. Decide when you’ll be ready to give your notice and what the last day of your employment will be. If you have a temporary job through a Phoenix employment agency, notify the agency right away when you decide to accept a job offer. They can relay the news to your temporary supervisor.

Sometimes, an employer will want you to start work immediately–without giving you enough time for adequate notice. If this happens, you may want to try to negotiate an arrangement with your current employer to work part-time during the transition. Taking time to fully inform your current employer about the situation can help you secure an excellent reference the next time you’re applying for a new job.

There is no single formula for a cover letter as different employers require different approaches, especially in booming employment centers like the Airpark in North Scottsdale and business districts in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is always safe to use the standard format of introduction, main body and closing paragraph for readability. Impeccable grammar is a must if you are to impress the Phoenix job agency personnel who will receive your application. You know where junk mail lands.

At a recent Career Summit Renaissance co-hosted with the Arizona Technology Council, participating corporations advised job seekers to be sure to research both the company and position sought and reference those accurately in the cover letters that accompany their resumes and applications.  Numerous employers stated that they automatically discarded resumes received without cover letters or with those that misstated information about the company or position applied for.

When preparing the greeting of your cover letter, try something different that veers away from the generic. You can be personal but professional. For instance, using the specific name of the human resources manager is always better than a “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Recruiter” greeting. If you don’t know the manager’s name, do some inquiry or research. Someone at the company or the Phoenix job agency may be able to help you if you inform them of your purpose.

The introduction will contain reasons why you are interested in the job and the company. It needs to be unique to impress your future employer. Do a Google search to get to know the company. Try mentioning some distinctive characteristics of the company you admire, for example, instead   how you came to know about the job. The main body of your cover letter summarizes the skills, experience and educational background that you offer to qualify for the job. It is a good idea to review the ad carefully so that you will be able to assert why the company should be interested in you. Remember to highlight your qualifications and abilities that will match the requirements of the job.

In your closing paragraph, end with a strong and positive note, manifesting your persistence and genuine interest. Show a proactive attitude by indicating a definite schedule for a follow up and possible interview. Make sure to be there when this happens. Before you finally send your cover letter, be sure to review and proofread it together with your resume, ensuring that both documents are neat, tidy and well-organized.

Your cover letter is the first contact  to create a first impression on your prospective employer. A remarkable cover letter will spur your Phoenix employment agency to give priority to your application. This could be your ticket to a much anticipated interview and, hopefully, the job you desire.

When you’re on the hunt for a job, it’s important to take control of your online presence and use social media to put your best foot forward. The social web gives you the tools to create and maintain your personal brand. Along with registering with your local metro Phoenix-area executive staffing agency, a well-managed social media presence acts as a 360 degree virtual CV or resume, which can draw career opportunities to you in droves. Just remember that your profiles and your SERPs (search engine results pages) are “you” to a prospective employer.

Look good - All your social media profiles must be presentable. This means different things depending upon your industry. If you’re seeking a position at an ad agency you can likely be more creative and non-traditional. No matter the career you have or aspire to, no risque or unprofessional-partying photos must appear on your Facebook or other networks. If you’re in finance or medicine or many other sectors, you’ll want to err on the side of conservative, especially if you’re not yet established in your industry.

Reach out - The Internet is making the world smaller and more transparent every day. This is excellent news for career development. Today you have more research tools and information than ever before to help you tailor your online image to fit employers you’re targeting. You’ll also find people in-the-know who might help you learn more or get job leads. Try new tools as they come out, like Pinterest for example. Evaluate how they might help build a bridge or show your stuff online. Getting into these communities (or using tools) early helps you stand out in smaller crowds/online communities.

Get active - Join professional, college alumni and LinkedIn groups. “Like” businesses you’re interested in on Facebook. On Twitter, follow industry experts, corporate officers, companies, recruiters. You’ll keep up with industry news – and might get into an exchange with a top executive or influencer in your field.

Establish yourself - Answer questions on Quora or business-related forums in your field. Blog, guest blog, or at least comment. Start discussions in your LinkedIn groups, create relevant, interesting status updates on Twitter. Purchase a URL with your full professional name for your website so that when future employers Google you, what comes up first really IS you.

Once you’ve completed basic social media set-up, make sure to use the services of a quality Scottsdale / Phoenix executive staffing agency to assist with your job search.

What is the Impact of Your Attire on Your Success in an Interview

You may have collected a closet full of clothes and still say, “I have nothing to wear” for a specific occasion.

When that occasion is your job interview, it’s only natural to have questions:

• It’s a hot Phoenix AZ day – can I bare my arms?
• People in this company wear sandals – should I?
• Who cares what I wear? Isn’t this interview supposed to be about my skills?

Job placement agencies in Phoenix, AZ agree that having the right skills is the priority. Being an active listener and asking informed questions reflect well on you. And the subtle touches –a firm handshake, eye contact and a confident tone of voice – will get you farther in your interview. They are very important.

But the hiring manager is also assessing your choice of attire and gets her first impression of you visually – before you can express yourself in any other manner.. Dressing appropriately for the interview indicates your respect for the company, the interviewer and the interview process itself.

Different corporate cultures, of course, require different dress codes. You are expected to dress for the interview as you might for the job.

If it’s a traditionally conservative industry, like banking or insurance or law, your attire should reflect the work environment.

• For women, it means a skirted suit,  and pumps. One expert thinks even pantsuits are too risky for an interview at a conservative company.
• For men, it means a pressed suit with a necktie and polished shoes.

If your desired position is in a less conservative business  environment, like an ad agency, insurance company, financial company or a technology firm, job placement agencies in Phoenix AZ would tell you that the same guidelines apply, though women can likely get by with a fitted pantsuit and bare legs may be appropriate in Phoenix summers.

• As for baring your arms – don’t. Always opt for the polished look of a jacket or a sweater set. It lends professionalism to your look.
• And leave the sandals home. While going bare-legged and open-toed has become the norm for women in many industries, choose clean, low-heeled pumps for your interview,

Your interview image extends to jewelry. Avoid large, dangling pieces that distract from your conversation. Small earrings, a subtle bracelet or watch, and a tiny pendant represent the limits of good interview attire for women, while men should limit their choices to a wristwatch.

For men and women alike, good grooming makes a very big impression on a hiring manager, whether in job placement agencies or other firms in Phoenix, AZ. Hair and nails should be in top form, beards or mustaches neatly trimmed, and fragrances kept to a minimum.

Staffing agencies in AZ, like those nationwide, are currently in the enviable position of having access to a hidden pool of talent – passive job seekers who are currently professionally employed – and skilled contract and temporary employees who have rounded out the workforce in recent years.  This presents the opportunity to select job seekers who are highly qualified, readily available and motivated to perform.  While hiring managers and HR personnel presume that current rates of unemployment offer a large pool from which to choose, finding just the right employee for each specific position can prove challenging.  Hiring the wrong employee is costly in both time and money.

If you are involved in the process of hiring for your company, it probably comes as no surprise to you that locating, hiring and training new people for your organization represents considerable expense.  Employee turnover is especially expensive, as it is estimated that filling a vacant position can cost as much as an amount equal to eighteen months salary for that particular position.  Some of these associated costs include:

• Recruiting costs
• Applicant screening
• Wages for personnel involved in the interviewing process
• Training costs
• Wages for temporary replacement personnel while the position is being filled
• Lower productivity while the new employee is being hired, trained and brought up to speed in the position

Because of the expense involved,in terms of both time and resources, it’s important to get it right the first time.  Hiring someone who is wrong for your company or for a particular position within your organization is bad for everyone and can seriously affect company morale.

The top staffing agencies in AZ can make your job as a hiring manager much simpler by handling the process quickly and professionally.  With a detailed job description and a list of required qualifications they can supply a slate of recommended candidates, after verifying the specific details supplied by the prospective hire.  It would also be helpful to have a list of desirable attributes a potential candidate should display.  This will ensure that he or she will be a good fit for your particular company’s culture.

Finding the right employee will pay you many times over in increased productivity, enhanced company morale and a positive work environment.  The wrong employee will have the exact opposite impact and, in the end, cause you to have to go through the entire hiring and training process again.

A new survey from executive recruiters found that 31 percent of employers are expecting to hire for executive-level positions over the next six months, an increase over 23 percent seen in an October version of the study.

The research, which included responses from more than 2,000 hiring managers and human resources professionals, was conducted between February 9 and March 2, according to a release.

Of the companies planning to add executives, 24 percent will look to hire for business development, 23 percent for information technology, 22 percent for sales and 19 percent for both marketing and accounting/finance.

“Hiring trends for executive-level management mirror what we’re seeing in the labor market for all workers,” Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America, said in the release. “As companies look to expand their sales force, develop new products and improve their tech infrastructure, the need for diverse, experienced leadership grows along with these initiatives.”

Companies looking for a business restructuring often hire outside executives, but recent research from a University of Pennsylvania professor suggests internal promotions can be more beneficial in the long run.

Though recent month-to-month employment trends signal a sustained recovery for the Arizona labor force, a new study found the state’s job growth has been one of the best in the country over the past decade.

In an analysis of data from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Business Journal’s On Numbers section found that Arizona is one of only seven states to have added at least 100,000 private sector jobs in the last 10 years.

Overall, the state was home to more than 2 million private sector jobs last March, which represents an increase of 161,900 since the same month in 2002. The only states to have created more positions since March 2002 were New York, Texas and Washington, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

For percentage of job increases, Arizona ranked 11th in the country as its private sector payroll rose 8.7 percent between March 2002 and March 2012.

The analysis follows a recent survey from The Associated Press, which found hiring through the rest of 2012 is expected to bring the national unemployment rate below 8 percent.

The benefits of LinkedIn for job seekers have been well documented with hiring trends showing more employers seeking candidates using this site. When it comes to the specific steps to take using LinkedIn, some can be easily missed.

1. Make a unique URL. When creating a profile, you can customize your URL for your specific site. Using your first and last name can elevate your profile to the top of Google search lists.

2. Include keywords in career summary. This summary should be between 100 and 300 words long, and users should be sure to include keywords that will attract recruiters.

3. Scout the competition. Use the advanced search tool in the top right corner of the screen and enter your job title and location. This can help you size up potential competition when it comes to open positions in your field.

Ensuring that you are properly taking advantage of the various options LinkedIn provides is crucial, as a recent CareerBuilder survey found 37 percent of companies are now using social media to research and screen potential applicants.

Employment trends indicate the manner in which companies recruit new workers is changing rapidly, but the major questions hiring managers seek to answer remain relatively unchanged. A recent Forbes article highlighted three integral factors to determine how successful a candidate will be.

1. Are you equipped to do the job? The most basic inquiry, this is generally determined during a first interview. The hiring manager wants to see that your skill set matches the job description to ensure you are fully capable of completing the day-to-day tasks.

2. Can you do the job here? Fitting into the office environment and company culture are becoming increasingly critical to a candidate’s ability to succeed. Many executives prioritize a sense of humor among employees and startups in particular look for a certain kind of self-motivated individual.

3. Will you be able to do the job now? Timing is everything when it comes to hiring a new employee, so companies want to make sure your career path is well-aligned with the position you are being offered.

These three inquiries demonstrate the true importance of an interview. Being fully prepared and having a working knowledge of the company can give you a leg up on other applicants from the get-go.

Though small business hiring fell one-tenth of a percentage point across the country last month, such firms had a significant impact on Phoenix employment, according to the latest figures from SurePayroll.

Small employers in the Phoenix metro area experienced a 0.3 percent hiring increase between March and April, with year-over-year hiring rising 0.9 percent, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. Paychecks for individuals employed by small businesses in Phoenix remained flat in March, the Journal noted.

Small businesses are an integral component of the Phoenix economy, and the significant number of jobs added by these firms contributed to the lowering of the metro area’s unemployment rate to 8.6 percent in March.

Industries such as healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and technology have led the way for the state’s economic recovery, as a total of 18,900 new positions were added in March, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

SurePayroll’s data includes information from more than 35,000 small business clients throughout the country. A total of 40 percent said they are having a tough time finding qualified workers for sales, technology, marketing, customer service and administrative roles.

A recent CareerBuilder survey of staffing trends found more than half of employers plan to hire new college graduates this year, the latest sign that the job market for young professionals has improved significantly.

The survey, which was conducted between February 9 and March 2 and included responses from more than 2,000 hiring managers from companies in various industries, found 54 percent said they expected to bring on new graduates. That reflects a sharp improvement over the 43 percent reported in just three years ago.

“This is the first time since the recession that we’re seeing a majority of employers planning to add recent college graduates to their employee roster,” Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America, said in a release. “Companies across industries are placing a strong emphasis on recruiting fresh talent for technology-related roles and positions designed to drive revenue – and they’re willing to pay more for high-skill, educated labor.”

College majors that employers said were in highest demand included business, computer and information sciences, and engineering.

The CareerBuilder study follows recent research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which found companies plan to add 10.2 percent more new graduates this year than they did last year.

Though it can be difficult, thinking positively and being persistent can be extremely beneficial during an extended employment search, according to a new study of hiring trends from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The study, which followed recently unemployed professionals for five months, or at least until they landed a job, also found that the individuals who developed routines tended to put the most effort into their search, which ultimately paid off, HealthDay reports.

“It’s very, very tough,” study co-author Ruth Kanfer, a professor of psychology at Georgia Tech, said of the employment search. “It’s not like learning a skill, where maintaining a positive attitude can be easier as you see improvement with your effort. You submit resumes, but get almost no feedback on how you’re doing or what you could do to improve your chances of finding a job.”

The research, published in the April issue of the Academy of Management Journal, differentiated between the “approach” attitude and that of “avoiders,” noting that after receiving bad news, it is critical to move forward and possibly even start a support group.

In addition to staying positive, it is crucial to tailor your resume and application to the specific position, rather than simply sending the same document to a large group of prospective employers.

The number of Phoenix jobs in the technology sector is ready to spike following the commitment of one Silicon Valley company to come to the city as well as the announcement of expansion plans by a local firm.

Barry Broome, the president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, told the Arizona Republic that an anonymous Silicon Valley-based information technology company plans to build a 60,000-square-foot facility in the East Valley. The other corporation, which Broome also did not name, expects to invest in a "major expansion" of its Phoenix operations.

Broome, who referred to the two as "digital platform companies," said the number of new positions expected to be created are "pretty strong jobs" with annual salaries of between $60,000 and $70,000.

John Chan, community and economic development director for the city of Phoenix, told the news source a recent trip to northern California by city officials was crucial to get the ball rolling.

"This trip really stresses how important it is to reach out to existing businesses and develop those relationships," Chan explained.

Arizona Department of Administration figures indicate the professional, scientific and technical services industries added hundreds of jobs last year, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

LinkedIn, which recently surpassed more than 150 million members, unveiled its new Talent Pipeline designed to help recruiters keep up with the latest staffing trends and consolidate prospective candidates into one place.

Talent Pipeline, which will be included for free under LinkedIn's Recruiter product, helps hiring managers keep up with the immediacy of hiring needs, according to a release from the social media site. The program allows these individuals to expand their search to passive candidates, who may not be actively seeking employment.

"With the rise in sources of passive talent, recruiters need a simple and intelligent way to grow, track, and stay in touch with their talent pipeline," Parker Barrile, head of products for LinkedIn Hiring Solutions, said in the release. "We're dedicated to building best-in-class products to help recruiters connect talent with opportunity worldwide, and Talent Pipeline is the next step."

The new tool will prove useful to hiring managers at companies of all industries and sizes, as a recent CareerBuilder survey found 37 percent of human resources professionals utilize social networks to research prospective employees.

A significant portion of the Phoenix jobs and positions created throughout Arizona in 2011 came from the state's biggest employers, according to a new analysis conducted by the Arizona Republic.

Nearly 60 percent of the state's largest employers brought on new workers in 2011, representing a significant shift from 2009, when 60 percent reported job losses, the news source said.

Companies that reported the strongest job growth in Arizona last year included Intel, which added 1,300 employees, JPMorgan Chase, which created 1,100 positions and Phoenix Children's Hospital, which added 584 jobs.

This trend is likely to continue this year, as Goodwill Industries, Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, O'Reilly Automotive and a number of other large companies have announced plans to hire hundreds of workers across the country, including many in Arizona.

Over the past year, the five sectors that have experienced the best employment growth in the state are healthcare, restaurants and bars, construction specialty trades, retail and public schools, according to the news source.

Such growth fueled Arizona's March employment numbers in years, as the state added 18,900 positions and saw its unemployment rate fall to 8.6 percent, according to the Department of Administration.

An increase of 18,900 jobs in Phoenix and across Arizona dropped the state's unemployment rate from 8.7 percent to 8.6 percent in March, the latest indication that the local economy is recovering.

The Arizona Department of Administration reported many of the new positions were created as a result of Major League Baseball's spring training, as well as the construction of new malls and Intel's facility in Chandler.

Lee McPheters, an economist with the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, told the Arizona Republic that March saw the largest monthly job growth so far this year.

"If the state economy continues to perform this way going forward, we could be on track to add twice as many jobs this year as last year, when employment was up by 23,500 for the year as a whole," McPheters said.

Arizona is outpacing the rest of the country in a number of sectors, including healthcare, tourism, and leisure and hospitality, according to the Department of Administration.

Construction employment also proved strong in March, adding 3,800 positions – or more than twice March's 10-year average – the Phoenix Business Journal reported. 

With hiring trends showing more employees are receiving interviews, it is important to pinpoint a few questions you can ask the hiring manager that will prove your merit. The following are some key inquiries you can make to gain valuable information, according to U.S. News & World Report.

1. What are the major challenges the person will face in this position?

2. How will the person's success in the role be evaluated?

3. What would a typical day be like for the individual holding this job?

4. What made a previous employee succeed in the position?

5. Are there any reservations you have about how I fit in the role?

This final question is particularly important because it gives you one final opportunity to ease any concerns the hiring manager may have. The interviewer's response can also show you what to improve upon and which skills should be further developed.

During the interview, you can also ask why the specific position is open, according to MoneyWatch. If the job already existed, determining why the previous worker left may offer insight into some of the potential challenges of the role.

A new compilation of staffing trends from CareerBuilder suggests 37 percent of companies are now using social media to research and screen potential candidates.

The nationwide survey, conducted between February 9 and March 2, included the responses of more than 2,000 human resources professionals and hiring managers at companies of various sizes and industries.

Of the employers who said they did not research prospective employees via social media, 15 percent said it was against their firm’s policies, CareerBuilder noted. Another 11 percent said that while they are not currently engaged in social media screening, they plan to do so.

“Because social media is a dominant form of communication today, you can certainly learn a lot about a person by viewing their public, online personas,” Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, said in a release. “However, hiring managers and human resources departments have to make a careful, determined decision as to whether information found online is relevant to the candidates’ qualifications for the job.”

With so many companies utilizing social media to scan through the profiles of prospective workers, professionals should be sure to update their information as often as possible and actively participate in industry-related discussions.

With employment trends continuing to suggest an uncertain economic climate, 55 percent of the global professional workforce is considering changing careers, according to a new poll conducted by Monster.

The survey, which included more than 4,600 responses from professionals around the world, found that another 30 percent would consider such a move if they could find a better career. One of the most interesting findings was that responses were consistent among workers in Europe, North America and Asia.

From country to country, however, differences were seen. Only 9 percent of employees in the U.K. said their career was not impacted by the uncertain economy, compared to 15 percent of French workers.

"There are many types of career changes, with some people making a career ‘side-step,’ moving into a new kind of role within their current industry, while others may be making a more radical change," Charles Purdy, Monster.com’s career expert, said in a release. "Before considering a change, workers need to do thorough research, making sure they have realistic expectations and a concrete plan for filling their skills gaps."

One of the major things to consider when making a career change is that accepting a lower salary at first can be necessary, though opportunities to advance will exist.

Hiring trends indicate startup businesses are tasked with finding a small handful of employees who have the skills to do the job and can fit into the corporate culture. In a recent Forbes article, the CEO of mobile application GateGuru, Dan Gellert, shares some tips for recruiting success at a small company.

1. Take advantage of your personal network. Though job boards can attract a significant number of candidates, Gellert says a well-developed personal network often has higher rewards. Even if recommended individuals are not available, they will likely know others who would be.

2. Recruit, recruit, recruit. Recruiting should not be looked at as a one-time thing, but rather a process to be developed over a long period of time. Having a network of people who could fill positions when they open up is key.

3. Jump at the chance when you find the perfect candidate. "When you find someone you love, act quickly," Gellert tells Forbes. "One of the sells of a startup is quick decision making – show that to the recruit."

When hiring workers for startups, gauging candidates' self-motivation and ability to perform tasks with little supervision is also key, as they are likely to be thrown immediately into the fire. 

Revenue for temp agencies and other staffing firms rose 14 percent to $117.2 billion last year, according to the latest estimate from Staffing Industry Analysts.

Revenue for only temporary staffing also climbed 14 percent as demand for these workers increases and more companies begin to rely on staffing organizations.

Timothy Landhuis, a research associate at Staffing Industry Analysts and the author of the latest forecast, noted that the uptick in staffing demand is likely to continue moving forward.

"We project that U.S. staffing industry revenue will expand by 10 percent in 2012," Landhuis explained, "with the following industry segments reaching all-time high levels: industrial staffing, information technology staffing, locum tenens staffing, engineering staffing and PEO."

Though the U.S. temporary workforce lost 7,500 positions in March, February's hiring increase was revised upward by approximately 10,000 jobs to 55,000, Reuters reports. Joanie Ruge, an analyst with one staffing firm, told the media outlet that many of the temporary positions are being created in the professional sectors and are leading to permanent opportunities.

A recent survey of employment trends from research firm Forrester found that more than 34 million Americans work from home, at least on an occasional basis. Though telecommuting may be seen by many as a major perk, the following questions can help you decide if it is right for you, according to Mashable.

1. Am I disciplined enough? The ability to put aside potential distractions and focus completely on your work the most critical factor in determining whether you can effectively work out of the home.

2. Do I have sufficient space? Designating one room for only work-related activities is crucial. This offers a place to “go,” and allows you to mentally separate work from your personal life.

3. Am I motivated? Self-motivated individuals tend to be more successful at working remotely. A lack of supervision can make it easier to get off track during the day.

Though it may seem that some industries lend themselves more naturally to telecommuting, a recent survey from the Telework Exchange found approximately one-fifth of federal employees work remotely, while another fifth are “part-time mobile workers.”

The introduction of Facebook's BranchOut application has helped ease the job search burden for many individuals, particularly with current hiring trends showing more employers turning to social media to recruit.

A recent article in The Daily Campus, Southern Methodist University's campus newspaper, notes that soon-to-be college graduates have begun to lean heavily on the latest networking tool from Facebook.

BranchOut, which claims a person with 300 Facebook friends can potentially be exposed to 30,000 professional connections, has also been released as a mobile application.

"I can view the past and present jobs of my 'connections' as well as look up job postings by many companies/organizations," Duncan Spielberger, a sophomore at the university, told the news source. "I would recommend it for any college student who is in the early stages of creating an online career account and wants to utilize the Internet to share their resume."

BranchOut was recently listed as one of the fastest growing Facebook applications by daily active users, according to a post on Inside Facebook. 

The Scottsdale employment picture appears to be brightening as a result of the recently renewed strength of the restaurant industry, MyFox Phoenix reports.

Though the effects of the economic downturn are still lingering in the city and across Arizona, the restaurant business is poised to grow this year, with an estimated 12 percent of people expected to spend more to go out to eat.

Evidence of this trend can be seen in the fact that three restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale told the news source that they were too busy to even give an interview.

"This March was the busiest we have seen in four years," Brian Raab, owner of The Mission in Scottsdale, told the media outlet. "We have watched our numbers quadruple since first year we were open. Before 2008, 2009, no one knew if they would have a job, we weren't sure if we would be open. We were all scared people."

The success of the restaurant industry comes as Scottsdale's unemployment rate sits at 6.2 percent, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Current employment trends suggest young professionals are more likely to seek new opportunities after only a few years in a specific position. A recent Business Insider column shed light on some common mistakes that should be considered before making a career move.

1. Don't just chase the money. Though compensation is obviously a major factor in changing jobs, opportunities for advancement and successful business models should also be considered.

2. Do the research before jumping to conclusions about a company's brand. Well-known brands are often the most sought-after employers, but they may not always be the best fit for your career aspirations.

3. Avoid burning bridges. It can be easy to let frustration boil over to the point where you want to tell off your boss and colleagues after landing a new job. However, it is important to realize that you very well could end up working with – or for – one of these individuals down the line.

The importance of keeping these tips in mind is highlighted by the fact that the government's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey found recently that the number of people who quit their jobs increased by 4.4 percent in February, many of whom were young professionals. 

A new survey of hiring trends from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found the job market is picking up for college graduates.

The Job Outlook 2012 Spring Update Survey was conducted between February 8 and March 19 and included the responses of 160 organizations around the country that hire new college graduates on a regular basis.

Overall, the data suggests companies are planning to hire 10.2 percent more new graduates from the Class of 2012 than they did from last year's group. Employers expressed more optimism about their hiring prospects in the spring than they did the previous fall, the study found.

"Although employers haven’t revised their earlier projections significantly, this upward movement along with other positive economic indicators show that the job market for new college graduates is improving steadily," Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, said in a statement.

Separate research conducted by NACE showed the overall median salary for Class of 2012 graduates is 4.5 percent higher than it was last year. The 2012 Salary Survey report suggested the overall median salary for graduates with a bachelor's degree has climbed to $42,569. 

Before Josh Porter ever enrolled in the W.P Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, he discovered the power of networking to find jobs in Arizona through the social media website LinkedIn, according to U.S. News & World Report.

In the fall of 2010, Porter used LinkedIn to contact an Arizona State alum, which later led to an introduction to another former Sun Devil  who hired Porter for an internship role. By the end of the summer, the graduate student had landed a full-time job.

"Being able to connect with alumni through LinkedIn really helped start the process to get this job offer," said Porter.

Around the country, business schools are pushing students to become familiar with social networking, and a number of them have even integrated LinkedIn into workshops and courses that teach leadership and organizational behavior, the media outlet stated.

In the world of social media, differentiating from other online job seekers will become paramount, Fox News reports.

While managing different forms of social media like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter can be overwhelming, the benefits of online social networking could result in new introductions, and possibly even job opportunities. 

Hiring trends indicate that while employers still seek the most qualified workers, the manner in which they do so has changed significantly. A recent Fox News column offers suggestions for job seekers to separate themselves from the rest of the crowd in the digital sphere.

1. Connect in person too. Don't be known just by your name and LinkedIn picture, make an in-person impression so that the recruiter remembers who you are.

2. Take advantage of career fairs. These are easy opportunities to meet with prospective employers that you may have already connected with through social media. Be sure to include links to your social media pages on the resume you hand out.

3. Use handwritten thank-you notes. Even if you attended a job chat with a recruiter on Twitter or another social media platform, be sure to send a handwritten note to mention something helpful that was shared during the conversation.

Distinguishing yourself from the thousands of active job seekers on the internet is critical as employers rely more heavily on LinkedIn, Facebook and other sites to predict the success of potential employees. 

McKinney, Texas-based Liberty National Life Insurance Company will expand into the Arizona market and create more than 100 Phoenix jobs for sales agents and managers, the Phoenix Business Journal reports.

Steve Hartman, office manager for the new Phoenix branch, told the news source that he hopes to open a new facility in the metropolitan Phoenix area every few months until the area has at least six locations.

"Once we’re established here, in 12 months my goal is to have the same business model in every state on the West Coast," said Hartman, who added that he made his first hire this week for an assistant unit manager position.

The average commission income for a representative with Liberty National Life Insurance within the first year of employment is more than $56,000, the office manager told the Business Journal.

The creation of new jobs in Phoenix comes as the city's unemployment rate continues to decline, dropping to 7.8 percent in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure ranks favorably when compared to the state and country, which sit at 8.7 and 8.2 percent respectively. 

The latest hiring trends indicate that employers are placing more of an emphasis on hiring candidates with mobile marketing skills, according to new research from WANTED Analytics.

Data suggests recruiters posted more than 6,000 job advertisements for marketing manager positions requiring mobile marketing abilities over the past 90 days. This represents a 26 percent increase from the same period last year, WANTED noted in a release. Since 2009, the demand for mobile marketing talent has risen more than 400 percent.

The most valuable mobile marketing skills and knowledge included Microsoft PowerPoint, search engine optimization (SEO), customer relationship management (CRM) and Microsoft Office, the study found.

New York led the way with more than 1,000 mobile marketing-related job advertisements over the past 90 days, while San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose and Los Angeles were also high on the list.

The shift toward higher demand for mobile marketing abilities highlights how important it is for job seekers to develop new skills during periods of unemployment. Such efforts can boost a resume and demonstrate the individual's commitment to finding a position.

With hiring trends suggesting companies are once again adding to their workforces, competing for the most talented employees becomes more difficult. Seeking out unconventional applicants who may have transferable skills can be one way to effectively identify quality workers, according to a recent Fox Business article.

Dan Veltri, co-founder and COO of Weebly.com, tells the publication that his company employs 17 stay-at-home parents in customer support roles. Veltri argues that the fact that these individuals work from home out of convenience doesn't imply they have a shortage of skills.

Suki Shah, co-founder and CEO of social recruiting site GetHired.com, adds that employers should not simply disregard a candidate's past experience that may not seem completely relevant.

"We always emphasize being able to assess candidates’ willingness to adapt," Shah tells Fox Business. "Even if they don’t have experience in a particular industry, are they able to apply their industry experience in a way that will solve the problem."

Employers should also avoid completely dismissing candidates with long-term employment gaps, as these individuals are often highly motivated to break back into the workforce.

The number of Phoenix jobs continues to increase as the metropolitan area's unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.8 percent in February, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Though the decline from January to February was relatively small, it mirrored that of the the national rate in March, which fell to 8.2 percent. Overall, the 7.8 percent jobless level in Phoenix is significantly lower than the 9 percent mark from last February, the Phoenix Business Journal reports.

Phoenix was not alone with a dropping unemployment rate in February, as 344 of the 372 metro areas across the nation experienced similar dips, noted the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The largest year-over-year jobless declines were seen in three Michigan cities.

As the Phoenix employment situation appears to be improving, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is reportedly planning to discuss the next steps toward economic recovery in his inaugural address this week. Stanton will reportedly discuss better funding for early childhood education and diversifying the local economy, according to The Associated Press.

Finding the best workers is critical for employers, particularly with the economy still in recovery mode and budgets remaining tight. ERE Media recently published a list of the most successful recruitment sources, based on the latest hiring trends.

1. Former employees. These individuals have experience with the company and understand what their responsibilities entail. No surprise here.

2. Passive Candidates. This group includes professionals who are not actively seeking jobs, but are potentially considering a career change.

3. Employee Referrals. Finding like-minded workers can be beneficial, particularly when considering the corporate culture dynamic.

4. Staffing agencies. Applicants who utilize staffing firms have been pre-screened and have the necessary skills to quickly fit into their new role.

5. Contract-to-hire conversions. Individuals who obtain employment through temp agencies welcome the opportunity to impress their new employers. They can learn the ropes and quickly adapt to the company culture, giving them a leg up on other candidates.

6. Job boards. Though these advertisements still play an important role, they can lack the personal touch of active recruitment.

Though not explicitly included in the list compiled by ERE, social networking sites and mobile applications are rapidly becoming major recruiting sources. LinkedIn, for example, is an effective way to get in touch with "passive" candidates who may not necessarily be looking for a job. 

While jobs secured through temp agencies offer a tryout for a permanent position, volunteer work can be an effective way to supplement the job search. Apart from filling long-term gaps in your resume, volunteering offers a chance to learn about a new industry and make important contacts who could be helpful down the line.

Career expert Alison Green, writing for U.S. News & World Report, explains that professionals considering changing careers can volunteer to learn if a new field is right for them. Green adds that while potential reward of volunteering could be a permanent position, any downside is limited. At the very least, you'll meet new people, assist in the community and boost your level of experience.

Volunteering can also do great things for a job seeker's self confidence, particularly for those who have been involved in a lengthy employment search.

"It's easy to start questioning your value when you're out of work, especially if you're not getting many interviews," Green says. "Volunteering can give you a sense of accomplishment that can turn your attitude around—and that often comes through to employers."

Local publications can be good resources to find volunteer opportunities, especially when it comes to holiday celebrations and annual events.

The latest employment trends from the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate the national unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent in March, its lowest level since January 2009.

Nonfarm payroll employment climbed by 120,000 positions last month, with manufacturing, food services, healthcare and financial activities leading the charge. Still, that figure was lower than most economists had predicted, and fell below 200,000 for the first month since November.

"We are disappointed," Anthony Chan, the chief economist at JPMorgan Wealth Management, told The Associated Press. "But when you go inside and lift the hood, the numbers look a little better."

Many economists noted that the surprisingly warm winter weather across the country contributed to many companies adding workers earlier. Some pointed to the encouraging signs that factories, hotels and restaurants exhibited strong job growth.

The Arizona economy has mirrored the success of the country in recent months, as the state added 27,900 new jobs in February, the month's largest gain since 2007, according to the Department of Administration. Arizona's unemployment rate held steady at 8.7 percent.

Current employment trends signal a shift to more professionals changing careers. With this in mind, here are a few strategies that can ease the transition, according to MoneyWatch.

1. Find a connection to the new industry. Focus on one aspect of the field that you are familiar with from previous experience and emphasize this connection when speaking with prospective employers. 

2. You may take an initial pay cut. If you are truly committed to switching careers, realize that your experience level is not where it was in the previous industry. A career change is an investment, and it will likely take time to reach prior pay levels.

3. Don't be afraid to be wrong. Taking the leap into a new field inherently means there are many things you will learn. Go into the new role with an open mind, as you may gain information that changes your previous perceptions.

Taking these strategies into consideration has become even more important with a recent Mercer poll finding 40 percent of employees between the ages of 25 and 34 are contemplating leaving their jobs.