Beware the Counteroffer

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares why you should think twice before accepting a counteroffer...

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The rates at which current employers have made counteroffers has increased in the last decade. Human resource and recruiting professionals claim that accepting a counteroffer can be "career suicide."

Many candidates who are actively seeking a new position are often frustrated at their current job due to a variety of reasons. Most accept those reasons to be beyond repair without ever speaking with their supervisors. Some of these issues may easily be solved or mitigated and should be discussed before you accept a counteroffer. However, there are some issues that simply won't change.

Think twice about accepting a counteroffer. Will the working conditions remain the same? In the long run, would you be happy staying or leaving? 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Getting Back into the Workforce After Time Off

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares the steps of re-entering the workforce...

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You may have taken a few years off to raise the kids, perhaps you took care of a relative who was ill, or maybe you were just overworked and needed the time away from an office.

You're ready to get back to work. Some say it can't be done.Don't believe it. People do it every day. Getting back into the workforce can be a challenge, but it can be done.

The first step is to figure out what you want. You may have been giving this some thought for a while; now is the time to narrow your focus. In a way, starting over is much like beginning a new career. Write down what you enjoyed in previous positions, what were your strengths, what do you enjoy doing now, what are your strengths now, what positions you've dreamed of in the past, where you see yourself working, what you see yourself doing in 5 years.

Now make your calls. Contact a recruiter, touch base with friends, get in contact with old colleagues and people you met through networking.

Do your research:
Do you need to take a course or two?
Do you need more on-the-job experience?
Do you need to know more of the right people?
Do you need to wait until the position you want opens up?

Know that this process will take time. Use this time to brush up on your interview skills, get coffee with old business colleagues and reacquaint yourself with the business world.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

4 Reasons to Work with an Outside Recruiter

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 4 reasons to work with an outside recruiter...

Your firm may have an HR department and they may have brought some great talent to your team in the past... here are 5 reasons to work with an external recruiter to bring you new talent:

1. Speed and Focus
Search and placement is a recruiter's soul focus. Recruiting firms have dedicated years building an extensive network of contacts and when you bring in a recruiter, you are able to borrow this mass list of contacts.

2. Credibility
An outside recruiter is often viewed by candidates as an objective expert. Candidates may find it difficult to trust an internal recruiter as they have the firm's best interest in mind. The perspective of a trusted recruiter (who has both party's interests in mind), can influence a candidate's decision between competing offers.

3. High Demand, Low Supply
Good talent is hard to find (and retain). Finding new talent that fits well with the firm's culture requires a focused and ongoing effort. It is more cost effective for you and your team to dedicate your efforts on retention and delegate searches to an external source.

4. Market Intelligence
In working with an experienced recruiter, you are able to borrow their inside information. Recruiters keep informed on the latest market, industry, and salary trends. Recruiters who specialize in your industry know the backgrounds, motives, successes and failures of the talent pool, thus enabling them to present only the best candidates.

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

10 Signs You are Ready for a New Job

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 10 signs you are ready for a career move...

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1. You don't want to go to work. Not only because your bed is just far too comfortable, but because you genuinely don't like being at work.

2. You're bored. Once upon a time, you were passionate about even the little things. Now the thought of sitting at your desk makes you want to take a nap. You crave a challenge, but not one in your current position.

3. Nothing excites you... even a raise. If you were given a $10,000 raise and still wouldn't be happy driving to work in the morning, it's time to move on.

4. You search the internet all the time. And it's not for work-related purposes.

5. You procrastinate. You were once the first in and the last out, that spark has faded and somehow you are now the last in and first out. You sit at your desk and avoid your work at all costs. If you run out of menial ways to avoid your to do list, you watch time tick on the clock.

6. You take advantage of every sick day available.

7. You don't like the people in your office. You don't have to celebrate every colleague's birthday with them, but life at the office is improved if you like and respect your team.

8. You are not performing to the best of your abilities. Move on.

9. You no longer take pride in your professional appearance. You don't feel the need to brush your hair and your clothes aren't ironed (you haven't taken them to the cleaner's in some time).

10. You are reading this blog.

It's time for a career change. It's time to meet with a recruiter.

Everything in life will seem a little brighter when you find a job that you are truly happy with. When you feel enabled to achieve your professional and personal goals, your life can only change for the better. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Make Networking a Way of Life

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares why networking should be a way of life...

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When was the last networking event you attended? Most people network on occasion and usually for a specific purpose. Those who excel at networking make it a part of their lifestyle. The idea is "give a little, get a little." 

Network IS:

A verb. Active, ongoing pursuit that requires commitment.

A process. Results take time and consistency.

A two-way street. The best networkers understand that it is a give-and-take relationship and often help people more than they are helped. What goes around, comes around.

An opportunity. The business contacts you make can change your career and can change your life.

An investment. It takes time and energy but the return on investment consists of much more than the fun you will have.

Network is NOT:

A noun. Yes, you will have a valuable database of contacts. What you DO with those contacts is what matters.

An occasional activity. It becomes truly effective when it is a part of your lifestyle.

Sales. Your goal is not to sell everyone you meet, but instead to build real relationships.

Rocket Science. It is not hard to do. Anyone at any stage in their profession can build strong relationships through networking. 

Take the time to build relationships, build a solid reputation, and help others to achieve success. Your return on investment will be much greater than you thought.  

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

Stand Out of the Applicant Database

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares how to maximize your chances of getting the interview...

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Your resume has approximately 60 seconds to make an impact. Here's how to make yours stand apart from all the others: 

Optimize Your Resume

As in, Search Engine Optimize. Just the same as how a Google search uses Search Engine Optimization to give you the most relevant results, recruiters, and HR departments sometimes use electronic applicant tracking systems to sort through resumes and cover letters to provide them with the most relevant candidates in the applicant database.

Maximize your exposure by adding in relevant keywords used in the job description. Build these keywords into your work experience, education and qualifications sections. 

 Attention Grabbing Sections

Key honors/awards: List these under Education.

Key Skills: Use bullet points under Work Experience to convey your key skills that are most relevant to the position.

Frame Your Resume

Make your resume easy for the reader to speed read without missing pertinent information. Divide your resume into clearly headed sections: Education, Experience, and Activities. Don't get too fancy with the fonts, the basics are easiest to read. 

Levitt & Associates, Inc.

7 Things You Should NEVER Do in an Interview

Levitt & Associates, Inc. shares 7 things NOT to do during an interview...

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7. Don't be late. Keep Murphy's Law in mind, "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." Your car may break down or your alarm clock may be set for 6 pm instead of 6 am, derailing your scheduled day. Give yourself plenty of time to be in the vicinity early, stop for a coffee and review your notes, then head into the building about 15 minutes early.

6. Don't show up unprepared. Know about the firm you are meeting with. Research how long they've been in business, where their offices are, their mission statement, etc.

5. Don't ask about the salary, benefits or perks. The initial interview is not about what the firm can do for you, instead share what you can do for the firm. Ask about the job and what your responsibilities would be. Make them feel that you are the best fit for that job and share your previous successes relating to the expected responsibilities.

4. Don't focus on the future, focus on the job at hand. The initial interview is not the time to ask about advancement opportunities. Show your interest for the job you are there to interview for.

3. Don't turn the weakness question into a positive. At least, not in the usual way. For example, don't say you work too hard and care too much about what you do. Instead, be honest about a real weakness of yours but add a spin, "Math is not my strong suit, however knowing that, I take my time and always double check my work with numbers." This shows that you are honest, thorough and responsible.

2. Don't lie. If you get through the interview with exaggerated half-truths, your performance on the job will show that you are not equipped to handle the job you were hired to do. Save yourself the embarrassment.

1. Don't ask if there is any reason you shouldn't be hired. The misguided advice that some career experts provide can lead the interviewer to focus on what's wrong with you; that's not the lasting impression you want to leave them thinking about.    

Levitt & Associates, Inc.