The Perfect Fit

New Search: Web Designer/Developer #10033

We're just starting a new search for this online designer.  Our client is interested in hiring this person as soon as possible, so if you know of a friend or colleague who's looking for a new opportunity and step forward in their career, please feel free (and encouraged) to forward this description to them.

Web Designer #10033
Location:  St. Louis

General Description:
Because of growth resulting from new business, award-winning St. Louis branding/marketing/communications agency client is looking for a full-time web designer to add to our online team.  We create interactive, print and video communications for category leading clients around the world.  This is a fast-paced agency environment that requires an ability to quickly change gears and produce great work in a variety of styles for a variety of audiences. 

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Work collaboratively with creative and project mangers during projects.
•    Be self directed in your ability to complete projects on time and within the timeframe allocated.
•    Contribute to each project by proactively making suggestions about how to make it better.
•    Work cooperatively with your peers and colleagues to help solve problems and upgrade your base of       knowledge.
•    Be self-directed, organized with exacting attention to detail, and passionate about doing the best           job you possibly can on every project.
•    Stay abreast of (in front of) industry trends, processes and methodology to contribute at as high a           level as possible

Experience:
We’re looking for a web designer with 2-3 years advertising agency or design firm experience—but even more important is a portfolio that shows us cutting edge work in a variety of media and styles.  Additional skills desired include:  Enhanced web programming skills (ASP, PHP, jQuery, ActionScript, etc.), an understanding of relational databases and SQL, CMS (Drupal, Wordpress, ModX, etc.), HTML email, print design, and the flexibility to work within several software and server platforms. A proficiency in streaming media and motion graphic applications, such as After Effects, would be even better!

About Our Client:
Our client is over 20 years old and a consistent leader in their marketing thinking, working with loyal national clients who are leaders in their category.  Their business has consistently grown year over year.  Our client’s leadership team is smart, forward thinking, nimble, entrepreneurial and innovative, always thinking about developing new ways to help their clients communicate their message.  The environment is creative and professional and your colleagues are passionate about high end creative, in support of strategic marketing communications,  EOE.

Please apply through our website www.Bishop-Partners.com.  Please send a separate email to [email protected] detailing your interest in and qualifications for this position including a link to your online portfolio.

Interviewing Should Be A Two Way Street

When an employer is trying to recruit/hire a candidate, there are obviously interviews scheduled so the employer can learn more about the candidate.  Those interviews are generally with the people most closely related to the position that's open.  The position's supervisor, someone from HR, someone from the executive suite (or owner) and perhaps a peer or two are the typical picks.

The candidate, especially a top performer or one who wants to control their career growth and direction, often wants to meet others in the organization (by title).  I encourage this.  It's one thing to "get the pitch" from those closest to the position, and maybe feeling the most pain with the position being open.  The story might be completely different when talking to someone from another department, or others related to the department in question, but not "hand picked" by management.

Employers invariably have their most articulate and enthusiastic employees participate in the interviewing process.  Employers want people who seem happy and can tell the story (and maybe who walk the line) to meet potential new hires.  These same folks could also be the "favorites" of the boss, or maybe haven't been at the company long enough to have a real sense of the environment, culture, management style, etc..

I think it's a good idea to give candidates the option to meet a couple of people of their choice, especially for higher level and executive positions.  Letting the candidate choose who to meet in the company more fully involves them in the process, makes the process more effective and transparent and makes the candidate feel more personally involved.  All of those results are good.  I don't know why candidates don't ask to interview others in the organization, and I don't know why employers don't offer the option more frequently.

What's the worst that could happen?  The candidate might find out some information that wasn't intended for them to find out.  Perhaps they can "feel" more realistically what the employer culture is really like, as opposed to what's being presented.  The result might be that the candidate decides not to pursue the job for personal reasons.

Isn't it better to find out in advance that the position wasn't really right . . . for whatever reason?  Hiring always involves risk.  It would seem that the more information gathered by both the employer and the candidate, the better.  The candidate deserves the chance for ample due diligence, just as the employer does. 

How To Get Your Resume Read!

I heard it again today, “I’ve applied to 300 jobs in the last month.”

WHAT????

Why would anyone waste their time like that? Sounds to me like this person was simply doing the “Click and Go” dance with his computer. I certainly understand the desperation that comes with the economic climate we all live in today, but I’m concerned.

If a job seeker would just sit back for a few minutes and consider a plan of action, concerning the goals for the day and write it down, then the day’s efforts might be a little more fruitful! More focus would be given to the list below and less work would be done with better results.

Not all recruiters search the same way for potential candidates. They don’t post job descriptions the same way. They don’t read resumes the same way. They certainly don’t communicate the same way, which is often to the disadvantage of an excellent candidate. They all have differing levels of concern for things like ethical values, integrity and credibility. Some recruiters are educated and some are not. Some have common sense and some don’t have any sense at all.

I can’t begin to tell you how any other recruiter will process your resumé, even if I think I know them. What I will tell you is how I process resumes, and what I expect before I receive it from you. These tips should help you, by giving you the best possible chance at getting an interview…if you are honest with yourself as you prepare your resumé!

Reason #1.
You’ve given me what I want by reading the job description COMPLETELY! If you haven’t, why would you apply? Would you only read what stands out on a medicine bottle, only to find out later that there are side effects (in the small print) that may adversely affect your health? The health of your personal economic stability depends on reading completely.

If you are just posting resumes everywhere, hoping one will stick; you’re wasting YOUR time. Give me what I want by writing a short and concise cover letter. It should include a short summary of your experiences that “MATCH” the job description. If they don’t match, DON’T APPLY! If a job description is short and vague, contact me and ask for any clarification I can offer.

Make SURE you are qualified before you apply. You’ll save yourself a lot of precious time by focusing on the importance of being qualified. I don’t currently work with clients or other recruiters that will accept a candidate that has skills that are “transferable.” You are either qualified to the specifics of the job description, or you are not.

Can You Afford To Turn Down A Job Offer?

It depends . . .

There are lots of reasons to jump on a particular opportunity, and probably an equal number which would suggest, you should keep looking. 

You have to be happy doing whatever it is you're doing professionally, or your work, your employer (and their clients/customers) and yourself will inevitably suffer.  Possibly all three.  It seems obvious that if you're employed, you should always be looking for that next opportunity for career advancement.  It doesn't necessarily come around very often, but when it does, you should be open to hearing about it and ready to pursue it (see "Are You Ready For Your Next Career Opportunity?".  If you're unemployed, the thinking will necessarily and understandably be different.

If you are unemployed and have the emotional and financial wherewithal to keep looking, I would suggest that if there's any doubt about whether you're going to like the job, keep looking.  Marketing and advertising opportunities are slowly increasing.  If you're unemployed, you should be working every day to identify those opportunities that will excite you and reward you professionally (it's a full time job to find a full time job).  You accomplish that by networking with friends and colleagues and online research (not "just" job boards!).  If you're unemployed, have you given enough thought to what you actually want to be doing and who you want to be working with/for?

It's amazing to me how many people actually take the time to research whether or not they want to work for a particular employer (not as many as you'd think).  Rather, (especially if unemployed) they will fire their resumes off based on a job description, without knowing anything about the employer.  I realize this changes if someone is unemployed, but if the position ends up not working out, permanent damage could be done to your career path. Why would you take a job you don't like or really want?  The point is you should be job searching proactively, not reactively.

You should be able to describe (at least to yourself) the sorts of positions you're looking for, and understand why they appeal to you.  Similarly, you should know why something isn't right for you.  The better you're able to describe that to yourself, and those who are trying to help you network and identify opportunities, the better off you're going to be.