January 15, 2013 Tim Tolan
I have seen lots of really bad outreach messages over the years, but the ones that really stick with me are when a candidates are attempting to build a relationship with our firm and decide to take, well... let’s just say 'a different approach'. Using any of the following strategies will guarantee your chance of making that all-so-important good first impression is usually dead on arrival. In no particular order, these are some of my favorites.
October 24, 2012 Tim Tolan
It strikes a nerve with me when I hear this now famous song by Queen (also performed by Queen + Paul Rodgers – which I like as well!), and I begin to think about the times during my career when I decided to call it quits and move on to greener pastures. You know the feeling, right? The mind begins to wander, and you begin to question your decisions - how will this organization function without my leadership, and what about the major projects underway? Surely they will fall apart if I leave now? And what about the great team I have in place, including those who joined the organization because of me? What will happen to them and their careers after I’m long gone?
October 18, 2012 Tim Tolan
I get it. More and more Americans are removing traditional land-line telephone service from their homes. I did it more than four years ago and have never looked back. What I don’t get is why a candidate would to use their cell phone to interview for their next position, knowing any number of issues could (and probably will) turn up. It’s a horrible idea.
October 12, 2012 Tim Tolan
Not to send a message of sour grapes with a recent candidate experience I had, but... why not? When I bring a candidate to the table, prep him for an interview, negotiate an offer, and then he decides to no-show for a position he'd accepted, it sends me a loud message to me and the countless others who've put their time into the search - we've been left "high and dry'". It's surreal to step back and think that all the effort that went into this search was wasted.
August 28, 2012 Tim Tolan
OK, before you draw any conclusions, I’m taking the high road as far as the use of the term "pimp" goes. Although most of us prepare by reading material on the person we will be interviewing with, we're probably not fully (mentally) prepared before we “go live” as an active participant in an interview.
August 17, 2012 Tim Tolan
People are simply amazing, wonderful creatures to watch, especially in an interview setting. Some candidates prepare for days while others rely on their people skills to get them through without any preparation whatsoever. Bad move. To totally rely on your gift of the gab is risky, especially when the interviewer begins to ask questions – or peels back the layers of the onion. Without some advance prep, most candidates just can’t keep it up - a few softballs - and then, game over.
August 15, 2012 Tim Tolan
Sooner or later that dreadful day will come when it’s time to call it quits. My best advice is to follow these five easy steps when you're finally ready to cut bait.
July 23, 2012 Tim Tolan
Earlier this year we were engaged to find a senior executive for a leading healthcare organization which would likely involve relocation. Relos have somewhat declined in our practice post-economic meltdown, largely due to the upside-down equity that many Americans have in their home values. That, in turn, forces a very geocentric talent search - starting out in the area the client is based and usually expanding state-wide, then regionally and eventually nationally.
June 28, 2012 Tim Tolan
I hear it from clients all the time - candidates who apparently do no wrong, can part the Red Sea and can literally (if needed) 'walk on water'. Why? I’ll never know. When dealing with candidates' large egos, I lose interest quickly. Life’s too short.
June 19, 2012 Tim Tolan
So you find out one of your lieutenants has a part-time gig and is moonlighting after-hours. Hmmm. What is a hiring manager to do? In today’s economic climate it’s certainly NOT unusual for employees to do whatever it takes to weather the storm.
