Recruiter Chicks

Have you ever noticed that most places, when you get into an elevator, there is NO eye contact, no hello, just an unwavering focus on the NUMBER.  Which is so interesting when you think about the concept of the Elevator Speech.  And, of course, the endless questions and guidance…

Do you have one?  How long is it – 30 seconds? a minute?  two minutes (GASP)!?!?!  Do you have a business card that reinforces or supports it so they won’t forget you?  Does it cover every single scenario that could potentially need to be addressed?  Try and Google ‘Elevator Speech’ or ‘Elevator Pitch’ some time.  There are pages of tips, outlines, templates, secrets, and must-haves to sham-wow just about anyone.  Yet what happens when you get in an elevator?Exactly.  When is MY number going to be next?  Is some idiot going to stop this elevator and impede my progress further?  How much longer can this possibly take?  I HAVE NO CELL SERVICE – ARGH!!!

But one of the things I love about the South is just how darn friendly we can be…I can tell you that the Recruiter Chicks have never met a stranger.  We get in an elevator, on a plane, waiting for a table, or at whatever game or event is happening — it is an opportunity to smile, say hello, and figure out if the story we have instantaneously crafted in our head about you is anywhere remotely close to reality.

I was riding down the elevator today at my client’s office and sure enough, the elevator stops at the very next floor.  Within 10 seconds I know that my new elevator mate is actually an employee of my client.  Been there 10 years — working in an area of the business I have yet to touch. Next stop, two more join us.  The door shuts just as I start to tell my new friend what kind of work I have been doing with her company.  At which point, our newest elevator mate shares that the other person who has also just joined us, sings — and is amazing.  Random?  Yes…but…guess what?  My new client friend just so happens to really need a singer for an upcoming event.  Numbers are swapped, as is a promise to call this evening at 7pm.

And I have a blog post written in my head by the time I get to my car.  That was a very productive few minutes.

So…my point?  How many of us really ever take any one of the many chances we have to connect with others to do anything like this?  I have a hundred stories like this — and I know my blog partner, Teela Jackson, probably has twice that.   My question to you is — When are you planning on using that Elevator Speech?  Just sayin…

I am often asked why I’m involved in SHRM-Atlanta and how I find the time to balance family, work and community involvement.  My answer: It’s easy when you have a strong commitment to the community and your own professional growth.  I grew up watching my Mom advise a business fraternity and earn the title of Person of the Year from the Nashville Chamber of Commerce for her countless contributions to the community.  She always talked about how those contributions and the community involvement benefited the community but also helped her grow professionally.

I am writing this post in hopes that more people will take charge of their career and professional growth through involvement in the community.

I work for an amazing executive search firm and I love my job!  After being with the firm for a little over three years, I needed to grow professionally so I started taking on more at work but I still had a desire to give back to the community in a more substantial way.  About five years ago, I initiated meetings with two prominent HR leaders in Atlanta to let them know of my desire to step it up and take on a more significant volunteer leadership role within SHRM-Atlanta for professional growth.  I was looking to supplement the professional development at work and step outside of my comfort zone by stepping up the level at which I was contributing to the HR community.  Our firm’s founder, Tom Darrow frequently speaks to job seekers and one key takeaway is around owning your own career growth and development by investing in yourself.  The world of work has changed and YOU are in charge of YOUR career growth.

Through involvement and countless hours of personal time, I have had the opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives and projects, the most significant of which was co-leading 800 volunteers at the 2012 SHRM Annual Conference.  It was one of the most gratifying, fulfilling, demanding, exhausting, exhilarating, fun and exciting initiatives that I had the privilege of being a part of.  It was a two year volunteer commitment and a way to give back in a grand way with the support of my company.  Most professionals working in small to mid-size organizations would never have this opportunity to stretch themselves in such a significant and visible way.  And that folks is what it’s all about!

The one two punch of a busy and awesome job coupled with volunteer leadership in SHRM-Atlanta have been professionally electrifying.  Thus helping me be a more balanced person to my family, co-workers, colleagues and friends.  I challenge you to take charge of YOUR career growth.  The moment you start taking charge of your own professional growth and development will be the start of some abundantly fulfilling moments in your life.

When our firm’s clients ask us to take on a search, they usually lay out the key qualifications as well as some traits and qualities that fit well within their company culture or the job.  Some of those things are easy to assess and others more difficult.  I have filled several executive searches recently where clients have asked for someone with a mix of strategic and tactical experience and the ability to manage up and down well.

The one quality that many of our firm’s clients are seeking and targeting is someone with “executive presence.”  Executive presence is a vital component to being an effective leader.

How do we create or transform to possess “Executive Presence?”

Let me just start by saying that when I think of executive presence it has nothing to do with a suit and tie or skirt and stockings.  Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s really think about the essential qualities that make up executive presence.

Since this became a recurring theme with our clients, it prompted me to purchase a few e-books that focus on Executive Presence.  Of the books I read, I really liked how one in particular laid out the theory of executive presence, entitled Executive Presence: The Art of Commanding Respect Like a CEO.

In this book, they highlighted many traits and skills that come along with “commanding respect like a CEO.”  Of those, there were five that stood out and were reoccurring themes.

5 Traits of Executive Presence:

1. Listening Skills

2. Relational

3. Introspective

4. Commands Attention

5. Ability to Leverage Resources

Executive Presence is not something that shows up overnight, it is something that has to be molded, shaped and practiced.  We all need coaching in some area or another and working on executive presence is sure to pay hefty returns whether you’re an entrepreneur or work for a company.  Executive Presence is not just based on looks and appearance, it is based on the way your interact and how well you manage up, down and laterally.  Most of all, it’s about impeccable listening skills and treating people like people!

Many Talent Acquisition professionals get questions quite frequently from job seekers asking for tip and tricks for job interviews.  Most specifically focus on how to answer certain questions and ask the right questions.  This probably sounds a bit familiar to many.  I am often asked questions like: (1) Can you provide some sample interview questions? (2) How do I answer the salary question? (3) What questions should I ask at the end of an interview? (4) Should I tell a potential employer that I’m pregnant? (5) How do I answer the question, tell me about yourself?

Well folks, there is a wealth of information and answers to these types of questions all over the web and you will see if you’ve done any interviewing research that many have different views on how you should answer those questions.  All of this is lost if you don’t have the total package.

So many job seekers focus on the mechanical details of an interview and forget altogether that many of the aspects of interviewing are not mechanical.  Sure, you could answer all of these questions well and have succinct, articulate answers for all of them, but they are all lost if you don’t have the total package!

Have you ever watched The Voice on NBC?  If not, you should.  It is a show where amazing, unique and powerful singers come to achieve their dream of becoming a star in the music industry.  They sing to artists who have already proven themselves on the big stage.  One important element to recognize is…it’s not all about “The Voice.”  It is about the complete package and 70% of the complete package is presentation, confidence, chemistry, connection with the audience, style, range, fit, pitch and showmanship.  The same competencies are critical in interviewing.

The point – Think of the interviewers as the proven artists on “The Voice.”  Work on the total package and not just the mechanics of interviewing.  That’s not to say you don’t have to know the mechanics, you have to nail the mechanics or the basics to make it to the big stage.  Just make sure that when you hit the big stage you have worked on presenting yourself as “The Total Package” and BRING IT!

It’s that time of year again, some will start reviewing the year that was 2011 and decide to start looking at new job opportunities in January.  Hopefully this post will encourage you to consider all options before making that leap.

It is an exciting time of the year for more than one reason.  Many are excited about consideration a job change/upgrade in the upcoming year.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  A job change can be the best thing that’s ever happened to you professionally.  Do you have a game plan?

10 Steps for Those Seriously Considering a New Job Opportunity

1.  Call or email your most trusted friends and colleagues to let them know about your desire to make a professional move to rev up your networking!

2.  Share your ideal position and “must have” components of the job with your family, friends and others you trust to keep your search confidential.

3.  Find a friends who works at the companies you’re considering or someone who knows someone who works for the company you’re considering.  The goal is to find someone who you feel comfortable asking your “off the record” questions.

4.  Scan LinkedIn for people who hold the same or similar role and those that previously worked for XYZ company.  This will help you get an idea of potential career progression or red flags that you might not see otherwise.

5.  When you narrow down your list to a few key positions, ask yourself, “Does this position keep me on my desired career path or does it help me get one step closer to the right path?”

6.  Does the company have a good reputation?

7.  Does the new organization have a sustainable strategy?

8.  Seriously consider a new position because you’re excited about it, not because you’re running away from your current situation (unless it’s unethical, illegal or you’re in danger, of course).

9.  If you are close to an offer, get answers to any lingering questions in your mind, ask those questions before you accept the new role.

10.  Think about work/life balance and whether the new role is in alignment with your needs.

The bottom line:  Considering a new position can be fun and enlightening.  Don’t lose sight of your career goals and personal growth strategy.  Some positions will clearly be an upgrade and ideal for you, your family and your career path – those are the no brainers!  Others will take some thought and serious consideration, just make sure you take the time to think before you leap.