Speed Interview Day is Coming Soon!!

Beat the heat- Join us for our next speed interview event on Wednesday, June 4!

Speed Interview Day: March 5th!

Feeling Lucky? Come pick your new career path at Speed Interview Day on March 5th! Dress to impress and bring your resume to prove your "hire" abilities to our HR staff!

Top Interview FAILS of 2013!

Last year a survey of hiring managers was conducted to find out what the biggest and most common interview mistakes made were. The results, as you can imagine, are both hilarious and a little sad! The national survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive from November 6 to December 2, 2013, and included a representative sample of 2,201 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes. Here are there results, as put together by CareerBuilder:

When asked to share the most outrageous mistakes candidates made during a job interview, employers gave the following real-life examples:

• Applicant warned the interviewer that she “took too much valium” and didn’t think her interview was indicative of her personality
• Applicant acted out a Star Trek role
• Applicant answered a phone call for an interview with a competitor
• Applicant arrived in a jogging suit because he was going running after the interview
• Applicant asked for a hug
• Applicant attempted to secretly record the interview
• Applicant brought personal photo albums
• Applicant called himself his own personal hero
• Applicant checked Facebook during the interview
• Applicant crashed her car into the building
• Applicant popped out his teeth when discussing dental benefits
• Applicant kept her iPod headphones on during the interview
• Applicant set fire to the interviewer’s newspaper while reading it when the interviewer said “impress me”
• Applicant said that he questioned his daughter’s paternity
• Applicant wanted to know the name and phone number of the receptionist because he really liked her

Our own HR Specialists had a few to add from their own experiences:

• Applicant talked about her EEO law suite against her last employer
• Applicant talked about being arrested for solicitation / prostitution (had one of each)
• Applicant admitted he hadn't gone to bed the night before, because he was out clubbing.
• Applicant admitted he wasn't interested in the job he was recruited for and came in hoping I’d have something else to offer

Do you have any more interview blunders to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

How to Prove Your Best Skills During an Interview

Whether you are just starting out in the job search or you are a seasoned interview pro, being prepared is always key! Being prepared means making sure that you know how to market your best skills and talents to showcase why you are the best candidate for the position. Here are a few tips on how to do just that!

Use stories of your accomplishments to illustrate your skills. This is the best way to show off your skill sets.  Do you have great customer service skills? Tell a story about how you dealt with an unruly customer without losing your cool.

Include your best work in your portfolio. When building your portfolio, it’s important to include your very best work to help you market your strongest skills. It’s also a good idea to include examples that support some of the accomplishment stories you’ll share during the interview. This way, you’ll be able to provide the interviewer with tangible examples of your work.

Never underestimate your abilities. The best way to be confident during an interview is to make sure you include skills in your resume and cover letter that you can translate into accomplishments. Remember, if you are prepared with your examples you will be confident in explaining how they relate to your strongest skills – and confidence is always key during an interview!

Don’t forget to sell your soft skills, too! Soft skills are the qualities you possess that could set you apart from other candidates. Qualities like being a good listener, being very organized, or a strong leader are all soft skills that can transfer from job to job and can be just as important when employers are considering more than one candidate with similar job backgrounds.

The Best and Worst Colors to Wear to an Interview

CareerBuilder recently conducted a survey where they asked more than 2,000 hiring managers and HR professionals about what they associate with candidates when the candidate wears a certain color to a job interview. According to this survey, 23 percent of people surveyed agreed that blue was the best color to wear for an interview. The second best color is black, while the worst color is orange, according to this study.

The study also found that certain colors correlate to a person’s specific qualities. Those colors and their attributes are:

Black – Leadership

Blue – Team Player

Gray – Logical/Analytical

White – Organized

Brown – Dependable

Red – Power

Green, Yellow, Orange or Purple – Creative

So if you are interviewing with a company this is looking for a real “team player”, you could consider wearing blue; or white if they are looking for someone who is very organized. It can’t hurt to keep this information in mind when picking out your next interview outfit!

5 Social Skills Technology is Destroying

These are the top five social skills that are diminishing, especially in younger professionals, due to the almost constant use of technology.

Eye contact. One thing that staring at a screen for the majority of our days has taken from us is the ability to know what, or who, to focus on when holding an actual conversation. Being able to hold eye contact during an interview is so important, it can be one of the things that make or break your entire interview process. Being able to sustain eye contact well, and know when it’s appropriate, is a vital social tool.

Phone Skills. The ability to actually speak on the phone - clearly, confidently, and concisely – is becoming a thing of the past for a lot of younger people. The age of text messages, Twitter and Instagram has begun to really impair the younger generation’s ability to actually hold solid, professional conversations on the phone.

Conversation. Asking questions about others, actively listening, and being able to read other peoples physical social cues, are all part of being a skilled conversationalist. The constant compulsion to look at a screen does not give those that interact with you the impression that you are invested in the present conversation. It can also make you feel more awkward and anxious when you’re forced to actually interact face to face with people. If you’re social skills are lacking to the point that you aren’t capable of holding down a decent conversation, who’s going to want to work with you, let alone hire you?

Spatial Awareness. We have all seen that person, the one who stands in the middle of the aisle talking or texting on their cell phone, completely unaware of the people trying to make their way around them. This kind of behavior can be irritating at the office as well. When you’re ultra-focused on your own technological world, it can make you less aware of the present physical world around you. Don’t be this person!

Attention Span. It can be very obvious when someone is bored, either with their work, in a meeting, or in a dialogue. Not being able to muster up some sustained interest and enthusiasm isn’t going to land you that job, promotion, or the respect of your coworkers. Not everything worthwhile can be conveyed in 140 characters or less and part of having good social skills is knowing when to focus and pay attention.

Can you think of any other social skills that have suffered due to a constant use of technology? Let us know in the comments!

Job Fair Etiquette for Stressed Out Students!

It’s hard to make a good impression when you look stressed out.

This type of event can really stress some students out, but not worry; here is a list of tips and advice to really make the most of your school’s job fair!

Some things to do and remember before a job fair:

• Look over the list of participating companies and their open positions; make a list of the ones you are most interested in.
• Prepare your resume for the companies and jobs that interest you.
• Visit their websites and be able to say something positive about their latest press release or signature product.
• If you'll be interviewing at the fair, work on your interviewing skills by visiting with a Career Services professional and/or participating in mock interviews.
• Develop a list of questions for the employers that interest you.
• Wear proper job fair attire, usually a business suit.

Some things to do and remember while you are at a job fair:

• If there is a map of the event available, look over it to find out where the businesses that you are interested in are located and create a game plan.
• If you are pressed for time, approach your priority companies first to ensure that you will have a chance to speak to them. However, if an organization has a long line of candidates, visit other key organizations and return later. If this is your first fair and you are nervous, you might start with some of your lower priority companies to become comfortable with the process. Move onto your higher priority companies as you gain more confidence.
• Be assertive. Approach employers, extend your hand, and introduce yourself. Be prepared to carry the conversation and ask questions.
• Provide employers with a copy of your resume and describe how you would be a good fit for the position and the organization.
• Collect company information for further research.
• Ask the recruiter for their business card so you can follow-up later with a thank-you note.
• Thank recruiters for their time.

And finally, after the job fair:

• Write thank you notes to the recruiters that were of the most interest to you.
• Follow-up on leads by calling the recruiter if you haven't heard from them within two weeks.

Don’t Forget the Post-Interview Thank You Notes...

It only takes a few moments to write one! Sending a thank you note is so important. It shows that you are interested in the position AND it puts your name in front of your potential employer again. Thank you notes should be sent to each and every person that helped you along the way, not just the interviewer.

Here is a basic template to guide you in the process:

“Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you yesterday and learning more about the [Position] at [Employer].

Our conversation confirmed my interest in becoming part of [Employer's] staff. I was particularly pleased at [the prospect of being able to develop my own article ideas with the head of the bureau, and develop my multi-media skills]. I feel confident that my experiences both in the workplace and in the classroom would enable me to fill the job requirements effectively.

Please feel free to contact me if I can provide you with any further information. I look forward eagerly to hearing from you, and thank you again for the courtesy you extended to me.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Contact Information (phone number, email address)”

If this note is going to be mailed, be sure to leave enough room between your closing and your typed name for your actual signature. If it is being sent as an e-mail, that room is not necessary.

Post-Interview Etiquette

We have already covered common interview questions, proper attire and general interview etiquette – but what happens after you shake hands and leave the interview? Is it over? Is there anything you can do to stay on the employer’s radar after the interview process is completed? Of course there is! Here are some tips on post-interview etiquette:

• Thank you notes. A lot of job seekers don’t always realize how far a simple thank you note can go. Don’t forget to include everyone that helped you along the way to your interview, not just the person that interviewed you. Thank you notes can be either hand written or short emails.
• Follow through on paperwork. It is completely normal to leave an interview with more paperwork, whether it be taking a drug test or getting your references in line. Being sure to follow through and complete the paperwork or tasks asked of you is another way to show you are really interested in the position.
• Reach out to your references. If you were referred to a particular company by someone you know, it’s polite to keep them updated on the progress of your interview process. Keeping them updated may also give them a chance to put in another good word for you before the hiring manager makes a final decision – and if this one doesn't work out, they will likely keep you in mind for other jobs too!
• Ask questions. After an interview is over, the employer will typically let you know to follow up with them if you have any questions once you leave their office and really, there is no reason not to follow through with this. Asking questions once the interview is over shows that you are still passionate about and very interested in the job and allows you to insert yourself back onto the employer’s radar.
• Be available. Being available and easy to get a hold of after the interview process can make a hiring manager feel more confident about selecting you for the position over someone who is harder to get in touch with.

Top 10 Job Search Rules to BREAK!

From Liz Ryan, CEO and Founder of Human Workplace

1. Follow the defined process – in other words, don’t simply email your resume to 100 job postings. Actually reach out to hiring managers personally – it could make all the difference!
2.  If you know someone in the company, give that person your resume and tell them to give it to the hiring manager. Don’t be afraid to use your friends or other contacts to help get ahead – just make sure that they are your best option for applying.
3. Use a traditional zombie-style resume and cover letter. You are unique and creative – let your resume show it! Hiring managers see the same cut-and-paste style resume 100 times a day; it’s time to make yours stand out!
4. In your overture to employers, emphasize the way your background matches the job specifications. I am sure we have all been in jobs where our actual daily routine is nothing like the bulleted job description we applied for. Instead, try to pay more attention to what the company is really looking for, and tell them how you can fill that need!
5. Spend most of your energy applying for posted jobs, and do so online. Liz Ryan suggests splitting your efforts into thirds: spend one-third of your time applying to jobs posted online, one-third targeting your ideal companies – even if there are no positions posted online, and the final third should be spent networking with real, live people!
6. Use your networking time and energy letting people know about your job search, your specific skills and how each friend can help you. Basically, you shouldn’t have to convince your friends to help you out, or befriend people just because they have an “in” somewhere that you think you would like to work. Be yourself, and let them realize on their own that you are perfect for the job!
7. If you're asked to report your salary history, share every detail going back as far as the employer asks you to. There is no need to verify every salary you have ever had, some things are okay to keep to yourself! If the employer trusts you – they won’t need you to verify this kind of information.
8. When an employer asks you to jump, do it. Basically, there is no need to be a doormat for a new employer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarify what is asked of you.
9. Don’t bring up the topic of salary – let the employer do it first. This is a common rule that many job seekers believe to be true. The truth is, you have to let the employer know what it is going to take to get you on board! There is nothing worse than getting your hopes up about a great job, only to be completely disappointed by the final offer.
10. Do whatever you need to do and say whatever you need to say to get the job. When you swap your integrity for money, you are done. 

4 Quick Tips for Job Seekers from the Intern Queen!

These are the top four tips to landing a great job, from the Intern Queen herself, Lauren Berger!

1. Have a plan!
2. Think about balance! This means balancing your personal and professional life – it takes work, but it’s a must!
3. Don't look at the people you meet at your first job as "temporary friends/contacts" -- you will be connected to these people for life!
4. Just because school is over, it doesn't mean the contacts disappear. You never know when the connections you have created in school - a former teacher, classmate, or college buddy will come in handy down the road!

For more advice, visit the Intern Queen’s website!

Internships: More than Just a Resume Builder!

These days, getting a job right out of college is harder than ever. Students spend their time studying, writing papers, acing tests, and when it comes time to apply for those “real world” jobs, they hope that their grades, meticulously put together resume, professionally written cover letter and personal drive will land them a good job. Unfortunately, a high grade point average and great looking resume are not enough anymore. Today, employers have said the number one thing they look at above all else, is a potential candidate’s internship experience.

Check out the simulator at the end of this article to see how prepared you are for the post-college job hunt!

Do you agree that more emphasis should be placed on experience vs. grades? What other things do you do to prepare yourself for your future career? Leave a comment and let us know!

New Insurance Class Starting January 15, 2014!

Are you a recent college graduate having trouble landing a decent job? Do you know someone who is looking to start a new career?

We are excited to announce our newest insurance class will be starting on January 15, 2014! Start the year off right with a free introduction class to the world of Property and Casualty Insurance. This class runs in accordance with the Insurance Institute of America (IIA) and will run for 6 to 10 weeks. At the end of the course, participants will sit for the IIA Certificate exam, a really important thing to have when breaking into the insurance industry!

 

Interested candidates MUST have a 4 year degree and be a recent college graduate within the last year or so. Call our office at 410-296-0655 to schedule your meeting with Gail now!

SAVE THE DATE: July Speed Interview Day!

Mary Kraft Staffing and HR Solutions WANTS YOU!

Take advantage of your next career opportunity by joining us at our next Speed Interview Day on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013!

Celebrate your independence by meeting with professional recruiters from the Health Care, Insurance, Commercial, and Convention desks! 

Come to Mary Kraft Staffing & HR Solutions, dressed to impress with your resume in hand, for the chance to prove your “hire” abilities!

Join us at 1447 York Road, Suite 601, Lutherville, MD 21093 between the hours of 9:00am – 11:00am.

For additional information regarding Speed Interview Day, contact Karrianne at Karrianne@marykraft.com or Daniel at Daniel@marykraft.com. You may also contact our office at 410-296-0655.

Keep in mind our referral bonuses of $100! So the more you refer, the more you get! 

What We Wish We Had Known BEFORE the Interview!

Here are a few tips* we all wish we had known before our last interview!

v  The average interview time is 40 minutes

v  Of 2,000 bosses surveyed, 33% said that they knew within the first 90 seconds whether they would hire someone or not

v  Common nonverbal mistakes:

§  Having little to no knowledge of the company

§  Playing with hair or touching your face

§  Failure to make eye contact

§  Poor posture

§  Not smiling

§  Crossing your arms

§  Talking with your hands too much

§  Weak handshake

§  Fidgeting

v  Statistics show that when meeting new people, the impact is made mostly by what we wear, how we act, and how we walk through the door and less by our voice and grammar or what we actually say

v  Five questions most likely to be asked:

   Ø  Tell me about yourself

   Ø  Why did you leave your last job?

   Ø  What do you know about our company?

   Ø  Why do you want to work for us?

   Ø  Tell me about your experience at ________.

*Full infographic can be seen here.

Finding the Perfect Interview Outfit....

Figuring out what to wear to an interview can be as difficult as actually getting the interview! Here are a few tips on how to look great while keeping it professional:

Work Style: Women’s Edition

The basics: Always have basic pieces – solid color blouse; grey, black, or navy pants or skirt; basic flats or heels – on hand for any interview. These pieces can be mixed and matched to make different outfits for any kind of interview! Make sure your pants and skirts are tailored, not too snug, and not too short!
Hair: It is usually best to keep your hair out of your face for an interview – it looks cleaner and will keep you from playing with your hair if you get nervous!
Nails: Neutral color nail polish or just a simple clear coat, bright colors are best kept for after you land the job and get a feel for the office culture.
Jewelry: Again, basic, smaller pieces are best until you start the job and get a feel for what is acceptable to wear in that specific office.

Work Style: Men’s Edition

The basics: Always have a suit on hand! Acceptable colors are navy, grey, or black for pants and a jacket; white or light blue shirts are best for interviews. It is typically best to steer clear of any shirts or ties with a crazy print on it. Make sure your pants are tailored short enough to not drag on the ground or get caught under your shoes.
Hair: Clean and kept out of your face.
Nails: Trimmed and clean!
Jewelry: Less is more – a simple watch works.
Shoes: It is always a good idea to invest in a good pair of dress shoes; can be with laces or slip on as long as they are dress shoes! Dark colors are best as well – black, navy, or brown.
Belt: Always match your belt to your shoes!

It is also really important to know what kind of position you are interviewing for. For higher level positions at a corporate company, stick to a more business formal outfit. If you are interviewing for a creative position or a position at a smaller, more boutique company, you tend to have a little more leeway to be a bit more creative with your outfits. For those interviews where you aren't sure what the company expects for their dress code, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and dress for business formal.

So you're getting ready to graduate, now what?

How can recent college grads stand out to employers in today’s market? CareerBuilder interviewed several business professionals to give a few tips on how recent college graduates can feel confident and stand out during the application and interview process. Watch the video here!

What are some things that you do to make your resume stand out? How do you make sure your interviewer remembers you? Let us know!

Five Best Questions that Candidates Ask During Interviews!

I know a lot of job seekers think that it’s just a formality when your interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview, but a common mistake is not using this opportunity to learn more about the organization and exactly what they expect from their new hire.

Here are the top 5 questions that great candidates ask:

1. What do you expect of me within the first 60 to 90 days? This shows that you plan on hitting the ground running and want to start making a difference right away if you are offered the position.

2. What are the common attributes of your top performers? This question shows that you are not just looking for a job – but you want a career and you could possibly see yourself at this company long-term. Employers love this idea!

3. What really drive the company’s results? Each employee is an investment made by the company, so obviously every employee should be creating a return on that investment. This questions shows that you want to, and plan on being a top performer at this company.

4. What do your employees do in their spare time? Every person wants to fit in, and that sentiment is no different when it comes to the work place. This question shows the employer that you care about your work environment and you want to make sure it is going to be a good fit for both yourself and for the company’s current employees.

5. How do you plan to deal with...? All companies face obstacles at one point or another, this question shows employers that you care about the job, about the company, and about how you will fit into their plans.
Making sure to ask a few of these questions at the end of your interviews will help the employer leave with a positive impression of you, knowing that you will have all of the information you will need to help make the right decision for yourself and for their company.

This list was adapted from Jeff Haden for Inc.com. Published 2012.

*RESCHEDULED* Mary Kraft's March Speed Interview Day!

Due to the inclement weather that we are supposed to see tonight and tomorrow, we have RESCHEDULED this month's Speed Interview Day for next week. The new date is

Wednesday, March 13, 2013!

Candidates will come to our office, located at 1447 York Road, Suite 601, Lutherville, MD 21093. In order to be considered, candidates must arrive between the hours of 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM with their resume in hand and dressed for success!

The best of the best will be asked to fill out new employee paperwork and will be entered into our system allowing us to submit them to positions on our Medical Desk, Commercial Desk and Insurance Desk.

Make sure to pass the word on to your peers and keep in mind; if we place someone that you refer to us, you will be eligible for a referral bonus up to $100!

Top 6 Interviewing Mistakes to AVOID!

OK….so you’re prepared for all the goofy questions a prospective employer can throw at you, now let’s talk about what NOT to do during the interview process.

Avoid these Top 6 Interview Mistakes* at all cost:

1. Forgetting the Interviewers name. This is a big one! When you set up a time to interview, ask for the names of any potential interviewers and be sure to write them down! This way you can avoid any embarrassing time looking up a name you have clearly forgotten.
2. Running late. There is NO acceptable excuse for arriving late to a job interview. Remember to look up, and print if necessary, directions to the interview location the day before to guarantee quick, safe, accurate passage! That said, arriving too early can also be disruptive and show poor planning skills on your part. Arriving fifteen minutes early is a safe bet.
3. Not answering a difficult question. There are typical interview questions used by employers in many interviews, particularly for entry level opportunities. A Question like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be difficult to answer, but practice can lead to perfect! Blanking and not coming up with an answer shows that you are not quick on your feet and that you are not a gifted problem solver. When you are asked a question that really makes you think, take a deep breath, organize your thoughts for a few seconds and give your best answer with confidence!
4. Not offering references.  ALWAYS bring a list of at least three current, reachable, verifiable references to an interview. Include phone numbers and email addresses for each reference to facilitate a quick an easy contact process for your potential employer. Causing your potential employer to waste precious time tracking down your references could be just enough of an excuse to ice your candidacy for good!
5. Not asking questions. Interviews usually end with the interviewer asking the interviewee what questions they have about the job or the company. Asking questions is a sure-fire way to show your potential employer that you are interested in the job and knowledgeable about the company. Not asking any questions at the end of the interview is the equivalent of telling your interviewer you just don’t care how you are perceived or whether or not you get the job.
6. Using your cell phone. Vibrating phones are every bit as rude and disruptive as ringing phones! LEAVE THE PHONE IN THE CAR.

*Tips adapted from Mashable.com (2012) and “ADVANCE for Healthcare Careers” magazine (2009).