The Perfect Fit

How to Apply For a Job? Introduce Yourself with Impact

I'm amazed at how candidates will often introduce themselves in a timid or uncertain way.  This frequently happens when a candiate is applying for an opporunity they saw on my blog, or through Twitter (please follow me @HeadhunterBob). It's an approach that is not impressive and rarely results in moving forward in the recruiting process.  It's also why I'm not posting as many positions to online job sites any more.

I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's imperative that a candidate consistently and confidently introduce themselves, then conduct themselves with confidence.   Candidates will respond with an email asking "Do you think this position is right for me?"  Or, they'll say, "Look at my LinkedIn Profile and let me know if you think I"m a good fit".  If you don't know, you probably shouldn't introduce yourself or apply.

The first thing to do is decide if you're interested in the position, and if so, are you qualified for it.  If those answers are both yes, introduce yourself like you're qualified and want the position.  Think about it and decide how to best present yourself with impact.

It's important that you tell me why you're excited about the opportunity and why you believe you're qualified and ready to excel in the position.  Get my attention with a powerful cover letter tht makes me want to know more about you.  See "Cover Letters II".  Write a resume to get the job.  (See a previous post "Your Resume is Boring! How to Write a Resume to Get a Job").  Your whole goal at this point is simply to get the hiring manager's (or the recruiter's) attention, so that you move to the next step, a conversation with the hiring manager.

As I re-read this, it all seems so obvious.  I guess that's what's so surprising to me.  It's just hard to imagine the approaches that some take to introducing themselves.  I hope I'm making the point that it's not extremely difficult, it simply takes some forethought.  There's a best way to introduce yourself for each opportunity.  It's not going to be using the same cover letter and resume that you used for the last position you applied for!

Is Your Colleague A Superstar, or A Slacker?

I received this article from another blogger Online College Courses.  I received this the same day I received the last article on my blog, which talks about your colleagues taking more responsibility.  I thought this is a very interesting juxtaposition of employee behavior. 

Do either of these look familiar to you, as an employee?  If you watched yourself perform at your employer, which would you be, Superstar or Slacker?

For all my employer/client readers, did you have any idea of how many ways employees can waste time?  Did you have any idea how much time they really waste?  I didn't!

Thanks to Rosa at OCC for sharing this infographic!  I think it's fascinating!

Click on the image to enlarge it!  I just love infographics!

Then, get back to work!

When Your Colleague (or Cubemate) Sets Your Bonus

I had a colleague refer this article to me last week.  It's a very interesting approach to giving additional "ownership", responsibility and accountability to your employees.  Do you trust them?  If not, why are they your employees?

Who's really effective at the office?

"To get a handle on that question, a handful of bosses are taking decision-making power out of the executive suite and asking employees to help identify—and reward—talent by experimenting with internal markets in which workers "invest" in co-workers' performance and ideas.

Coffee & Power, a San Francisco odd-jobs start-up, granted each of its 15 full- and part-time employees 1,200 stock options this past January, to distribute among co-workers in whatever way they chose. A worker can plunk all his options onto one colleague or split them among the group, so individual bonuses are tied to how co-workers perceive each other's work.

"It lets me reward people that management may not always recognize," says Becky Neil, who works in marketing and product management. "This person who has a big title—maybe he didn't actually contribute that much."

Exchanges like those at Coffee & Power make the labor market of an individual office fluid, crowd-sourced and open to constant feedback. Allowing employees to vote on one another's performances also holds workers accountable and raises the stakes for those who don't contribute, managers say. On the flip side, there is a chance these markets could devolve into popularity contests, or lead to hard feelings among those who aren't recognized by the group.

New Retained Search: Sr. Account Executive and New Business Developer

We're pleased to be starting a new search for our St. Louis Client.

General Description:
We’re looking for a new business developer who is a strategically founded marketing expert.  We want someone enthusiastic and experienced with successfully developing and maintaining high level client relationships.  Our client enterprise consists of three companies, each a specialist in an area of marketing communications.  As a whole, the enterprise  delivers consulting and marketing communications through events, the internet and alternative video, among other channels. Our client is also expert at delivering communications to large numbers of internal employees or groups. You will meet with senior clients, develop an understanding of their business needs along with developing a genuine relationship, resulting in sales based on smart strategic thinking and flawless production.  Our client can produce the solutions they recommend in-house.  This is a consultative sales position. 

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Understand our client’s unique approach and be able to persuasively deliver dynamic presentations, resulting in loyal relationships and ongoing sales.
•    Research, identify, qualify and present to potential clients. 
•    Develop the relationship to the point of the prospect hiring your company.  Maintain responsibility for overall client satisfaction.
•    Act as primary client liaison through the development of client strategy and resulting appropriate project executions, including budget and timeline oversight.
•    Travel (~20%) as necessary to develop and support new business and account activities.

Experience:
We’re looking for candidates with a related degree and about 7-10 years of marketing leadership and aggressive creative new business sales success at clients’ “C” level.  We want strategic marketing consultants who know what questions to ask to identify opportunity. We’re looking for candidates with national B2B marketing, advertising or event related experience from either the agency or client side.  Experience in video production and sales is a significant plus.  Premier candidates have succeeded in this role before  and understand sound marketing communications strategy. We expect a proven ability to identify and contact prospects,  develop relationships and close sales!  You should have a desire to work very hard to represent a nationally recognized firm (with a superb reputation) and move them to the boardrooms of the country’s most desirable clients. 

Compensation:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and your ability to deliver results.  The compensation is based on a salary and commission, coupled with an outstanding benefits package including medical, life and disability insurance and a 401K.   Our client is willing to pay top dollar for premier candidates and there is no glass ceiling to earnings.   This is an outstanding opportunity for significant financial success, career longevity, and ongoing growth both professionally and personally.

About Our Client:
Our client is over 20 years old and a consistent leader in their marketing thinking, working with loyal clients who are leaders in their category like: BMW, Panera, H&R Block, Curves and United Van Lines, to name a few. Their business has consistently grown year over year.  There is a veteran staff of professionals to support your sales and resulting tactical efforts and assure your clients’ ongoing satisfaction.  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 modern, creative and professional and your colleagues are passionate about high level thinking, in support of strategic marketing communications, They also enjoy having a great time together and supporting each other, both professionally and personally. EOE

Please apply through our website, www.Bishop-Partners.com by uploading your resume.  Please send a separate cover letter to Bob detailing your interest and specific applicable experience.  Thank you.