Walrath Recruiting: Coffee Break

Lessons from a Summer Job

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:00:33 +0000

A new high school grad, I began working as a teller at a small bank in my hometown. I was excited for my very first real job, a full-time summer position that would help me to afford some of the costs of moving away to college at the end of the season. I was expected to report to work from 8am to 4:30pm daily, and would be making $7.25 per hour.

I was thrilled to begin building my resume. In the beginning, I viewed the opportunity as nothing more than a day-to-day job. I clocked in, cashed checks, clocked out for lunch, clocked back in, cashed more checks, sometimes working the main lobby, sometimes the drive-thru lanes, balanced my drawer, clocked out, went home. On Fridays, I got paid. On weekends, I purchased basic needs for living in a college dorm or books. It wasn’t until the position ended and I began college that I realized how much I’d learned in those seemingly repetitive three months. I enjoyed the position and appreciated all that I was learning so much that I requested it for the next three summers.

I took away several valuable lessons from that seasonal position; I credit the following as being pivotal in molding my work ethic early on, providing me with the experience I needed to succeed throughout college and future positions:

Punctuality = respect. The simple responsibility of using the time clock taught me a lot about how valuable it is to a company to be reliable, timely, and accurate. Supervisors rarely question work ethic when an employee is always on time, completes duties in an efficient and thorough manner, and dedicates him or herself to the company up until shift’s end. When you’re on time, you’re respected. When you do as you’re asked, there isn’t a whole lot to question. There wasn’t a day that I didn’t feel respected; my co-workers knew they could depend on me, which gave me confidence and the desire to continue good work habits. I loved that feeling of respect so much; I try to be punctual in every way possible today.

Patience is a must – everywhere, all the time. Ensuring customers that their money is being well taken care of is not always easy. I was taught very early on that no matter what the situation, the customer is always right. This was hard to process as an 18 year old, but I quickly learned that it truly is the only way to deal with the day to day happenings at the teller window and everywhere else, for that matter. Serving the public is never the same on any given day, so learning to be patient is a necessity in not only surviving but actually enjoying the job. I have found that being patient with customers back then continues to follow me today; when faced with a tense situation, whether it’s while I’m in line at the deli or explaining our recruiting services to an applicant, I reason whether or not it’s best to be patient or take action, or a combination of both. Is it worth tapping your foot or rushing? Or are you better off breathing and reasoning?

Always breathe and reason first. I can remember several specific bank customers who taught me the value in breathing and reasoning very early on.

Professionalism is productivity is power. Following a dress code, demonstrating class and professionalism toward customers and co-workers, and maintaining a mature demeanor throughout my shift helped me keep a job but also helped me be a more productive employee. When you dress well, you feel well, and you work well. When you carry on a professional manner, it’s reflected in the high quality of work you produce. At the end of the day, being professional leads to higher productivity, and higher productivity leads to being respected, feeling confident, and eventually, growth.

A simple summer job truly helped craft my current work ethic, and I still find myself reflecting back to those years at times when I’m unsure of how to handle a situation. Summer jobs are more than just paying gigs – they can be earning experiences that will influence one’s entire career.

Women in IT Jobs on the Rise

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:52:50 +0000

A recent article from Mashable highlights growing numbers employed female IT professionals.

The highlights:

46% of new tech positions have been awarded to women since the start of 2013.
58 percent of women said they were satisfied with their salaries
women still only make up 31% of the IT workforce

Read the article here, and be sure to click on the links embedded within the post for additional info.

Productivity at the Office vs. at Home

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:18:09 +0000

I’ve never held a position in which I completed all job responsibilities from home. Sure, I’ve spent a day off working from home here and there, as I was waiting for the cable company or some other outside factor that prevented me from physically being at the office. On those days, I focused rather well and completed all tasks that I needed. The setback for me was simply missing out on general office/business conversations, new ideas, and other discussions that took place among co-workers. I felt out of the loop while being at home, even though I was connected via phone and email. Then again, I quickly finished every task as I sat in my empty, quiet house.

High productivity in telecommuting stems from the actual job responsibilities and the environment that employees have within their homes to do the work. Many positions require independent work, which can easily be achieved from home given the right atmosphere required equipment. Most who hold these types of positions have everything they need within their homes to succeed.

Can productivity levels achieved from home truly compare to those achieved in an office setting outside the home?

As someone who’s never held a position with the telecommuting perk, I can’t provide a personal opinion. What I can attest to is that sometimes, the office isn’t the best place to work in terms of getting things done. There are distractions (chatty co-workers, long and unproductive meetings, etc.) that can get in the way of accomplishing tasks. Similarly, the home has its own slew of distractions and downsides as well. There are clear pros and cons to each situation, and Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer’s decision to eliminate employee telecommuting starting this June has many discussing the topic.

Occasionally, we interview candidates who prefer the flexibility telecommuting has to offer, as they have held/are holding a position which allows them the ability to work from home. While it’s at times difficult to locate these positions, they do exist. Will other companies begin to follow Mayer’s new policy at Yahoo now that the story has caught international attention? Will Yahoo greatly improve its products and services following the June 2013 change? We’ll have to wait and see – whether from our homes or our desks at the office.

New York Celebration of Women in Computing is this Month!

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:20:53 +0000

New York Celebration of Women in Computing

Great things for women in the technology industry are happening right here in the Capital Region. Conferences, educational focus groups for aspiring and current it/tech students, and professional organizations are available for women to take part in; networking opportunities are increasing, and now’s the time to get involved!

In late 2012, Walrath Recruiting staff members had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Jennifer Goodall, Professor of Informatics and Director of the UAlbany College of Computing and Information Women in Technology group. Learning about all that Dr. Goodall, UAlbany and the CCIWIT were doing to grow interest in the technology field among women was both inspiring and motivating. CCIWIT encourages students of all ages to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in computer science and related fields through several activities and events held year-round. Included in these events is the upcoming New York Celebration of Women in Computing Conference (NYCWIC), which will be held April 19th thru 20th at The Desmond in Albany. Walrath Recruiting is excited to sponsor the event alongside IBM, Microsoft and several additional technology-focused companies and educational institutions; we will be taking part in the student-focused career fair and panel discussions throughout the conference.

Organized by representatives from UAlbany, Siena College, RIT, and Union College, this year’s NYCWIC will feature guest speakers Dr. Wendi Heinzelman, Ph.D. (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester) and Lorraine Herger, Director of Integrated Solutions and CIO of IBM Research. Complete conference details can be found by visiting the official NYCWIC website.

To learn more about Dr. Jennifer Goodall and the UAlbany CCI Women in Technology group, visit the CCIWIT website. Information regarding the Undergraduate Shadowing Program, as well as a list of scholarship opportunities for female students and CCIWIT contact information, are included on the site.

Join the UAlbany CCIWIT conversation on LinkedIn and Facebook.

A Quick Lesson in Email Etiquette

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:03:52 +0000

The majority of job search-related early communication occurs via email rather than in person and over phone. From resume submissions and applications to setting up appointments and phone screens while on the go, email is likely to be the job seeker’s primary method of communicating with recruiters and hiring companies. Email seems to be a fool-proof concept, but when handling something as sensitive and important as your career, it’s crucial to take extra steps to ensure you’re presenting yourself professionally. Several slip-ups can easily occur in the process of sending a quick email that can take quite the toll on a person’s overall impression, level of professionalism and common sense.

No matter how short and sweet or long and detailed an email, make sure to avoid these mistakes before you click “send”:

Be careful when selecting “reply” or “reply all” - this can suddenly make a private messages a very public one!
Longer email messages can sometimes seem intimidating - try to keep communication regarding employment situations easy, short, and to the point.
Shorter email messages can be difficult to understand if written in fragments and choppy, short sentences – ensure that your point is concise and clear.
Subject lines should be easy to understand and accurately represent what the email is regarding.
Use Acronyms sparingly. When describing skills and certifications, keep acronyms and abbreviations to a minimum to avoid any potential misunderstanding.
Remember that emails can be tracked, saved, forwarded, and printed. Don’t send anything you’ll possibly regret later (overly aggressive messages, anything with curse words or negativity toward a person or company, etc.
Attach the right files. When trying to attach a file to an email quickly, especially from a mobile device, you just might select that embarrassing vacation photo as opposed to your resume. (It’s a great idea to name your files, too!)

Always take one final look at the entire email before sending. This includes the “to” and “cc”/”bcc” fields, subject line, and entire body of email. Be weary of forwarding messages rather than replying, and vice versa. Check spelling, grammar, and any numerical characters (phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, salary information, etc.) to ensure information is correct.

Join us for Cocktails and Connections

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:22:21 +0000

The Business Review will be holding “Cocktails & Connections” in Saratoga Springs on April 11th. Attendees can enjoy an evening of networking with delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres from 5-7pm at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga; we are sponsoring the event and will be featuring a couple of special surprises for the guests!

Registration is $20, and can be completed by visiting the Albany Business Review website or by clicking the graphic below:

Stand Out Without Making a Bad Impression

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:13:59 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of job applicants are being confronted with the same issue as they continue their job search(es). They meet minimum qualifications for nearly every job applied, but the phone still doesn’t ring. Phone calls placed to recruiters and HR Managers result in little to no information regarding the status of submitted resumes. Frustration continues to build, and soon, applicants may begin to feel desperate. This is not the time for desperate measures, however – avoiding over-the-top attention grabbing techniques is your best bet.

There are hundreds out there, vying for the same position and some may be more qualified than you. Of course, maybe they are not. Maybe you have more to offer – and feel you would be able to better demonstrate that in an in-person interview as opposed to documenting it in resume format. The key to landing the interview is standing out among a sea of applicants, and best way to stand out is to put forth examples of your hard work. Be on your way to standing out among a sea of applicants by trying some of the following:

Treat your job search like a full time job. Get an early start to your day, and spend it researching the market, tailoring your resume and cover letter to specific openings, gathering references and filling out online applications. If you give each application the attention it deserves and spend your time wisely, you will feel much more productive.

Volunteer your time doing something worthwhile. So many applicants have gaps in their resumes that they’re unable to explain. Avoid this by filling your time off with volunteer activities that showcase your skills and work ethic. If the organization or activity you’re volunteering for relates to your career field, even better!

Create an error-free representation of yourself. A resume that’s typo-free and has no grammatical errors is a great way to catch the undivided attention of recruiters and hiring managers who are skimming several applications per day. If your resume has errors, you will display yourself as an employee who makes errors. Spelling and grammar mistakes are easy to correct; if necessary, share with a friend who can edit your work before you submit it. A resume without an obvious error is a rare find in the recruiting industry!

Stay professional and avoid gimmicky techniques when attempting to attract recruiters’ attention. Some brave job seekers have gone out of their way to create methods of attracting attention to themselves that is less than flattering. While some schemes may actually attract some employers’ attention, it may not be the type of attention – or employer – you’re aiming for. In Toledo, Ohio, a man purchased adspace on a digital roadside billboard to display his wife’s photo, contact information, and the phrase, “Please hire my wife”. It’s not clear whether she has found a job yet, but this is undeniably a desperate measure that potentially does more harm than good.

Draft a well written cover letter geared specifically toward the company and position you’re applying to, and include what you can offer given your past work experience and skill set. Give specific examples. Be respectful. And, once again, make sure it is well written, free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Start with a rough draft, revise it, let a friend edit it, then polish a final draft before submitting.

Celebrate Women in Computing on April 19th and 20th

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:18:58 +0000

This spring, local tech industry leaders have a opportunity to take part in The New York Celebration of Women in Computing (NYCWiC) Conference. Held annually, the NYCWiC conference will take place at The Desmond in Albany on Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th. The conference is chaired by local college and university representatives, and is part of an international effort to reach out to females who are pursuing careers in the it/tech field. NYCWiC aims to increase interest and recruitment in the computing industries by providing the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to attend an academic conference at an extremely low rate.

Rounding out the planning committee of NYCWiC 2013 are Dr. Jennifer Goodall (University at Albany), Dr. MaryAnn Egan (Siena), Dr. Valerie Barr (Union), Dr. Sharon Mason (RIT), and Dr. Nick Webb (Union). Walrath Recruiting has been working with Dr. Goodall in recent months on potential projects geared toward increasing female interest in STEM courses; taking part in the NYCWiC Conference is one of them. We’re excited to sponsor the conference and look forward to being a valuable source for female college students who attend.

For more information regarding the NYCWiC conference, please visit http://nyc.acm.org, and like the official conference Facebook page.

Declining a Job Offer

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:36:36 +0000

After months of scouring job listings, heading to interviews, meeting with career counselors and recruiters, polishing and re-polishing your resume, you finally receive an offer!

If only you didn’t feel so apprehensive about accepting that long-awaited job offer.

Perhaps you weren’t completely sold on the position when learning about the details, or maybe you didn’t feel entirely comfortable in the company atmosphere during your personal interview. You continued to go through with the entire interview process simply because you’ve been looking for a new opportunity for some time and feel obligated to continue on. You blame the insecurities on nervousness and the anxiety that a possible life change brings. Before you know it, the phone rings.They‘re making you an offer.

You’re in denial, thinking you’ll give this opportunity careful consideration as you listen to the hiring manager speak. Deep down inside, you wish you would’ve never applied to the position being offered to you in the first place. You request a couple days to think about the offer and discuss with your family, knowing it will be the quickest two days of your life because as soon as you hang up, you accept how you really feel.

You do not want the position. But in today’s job market, how can you turn it down?

You, honesty, and time.
When considering a job offer, knowing what is most important to you is key in making the right decision. If you’ve known all along that the position probably isn’t the right fit for you, you made a mistake in giving interviewees the impression that you actually were interested in order to maintain a considerate, professional image. This creates an awkward situation for both you and the employer as you’ve lead them on for some time. The best way to avoid this is to be up front about what your needs are in terms of role, atmosphere, schedule, commute, etc. You can easily make this information clear without seeming demanding by approaching it with a kind demeanor – but if this discussion was neglected throughout the interview process, your best bet is to simply be honest. You do not wish to accept the position, you know the reasons why, and the clock is ticking. Let them know as soon as possible, so that they may resume their search for additional job candidates (and call them; declining through email is unprofessional at this stage in the process.)

What about negotiating?
Unless there’s a serious possibility that you may change your mind, negotiations are unnecessary.

Obviously, the company who’s dedicated time to recruiting and interviewing you and has made you an offer will not be happy when you decline to accept. This is to be expected; the improper way to respond is by expressing your dislikes and other negative aspects of the offer. Be appreciative and kind – feel free to mention some aspects of the position or company that you had reservations about, but do so in a non-aggressive way. End the conversation on a high note by mentioning the positives of working with the company and thanking them for their consideration. Finally, learn from the experience and maintain an interest in positions that truly match your lifestyle, personal and professional needs.

Expanding

Walrath Recruiting, Inc. — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:48:53 +0000

Whether you’re running a business, tackling new projects at home, building work experience or playing a sport, you shouldn’t settle. Growth is an exciting experience, and though it may require some adjusting, is a reliable sign that you’re doing the right things.

With the amount of business we’ve been seeing in the past calendar year, it was inevitable that we would eventually have to add staff and potentially outgrow our office space. To make a long story short, welcome 2013, and welcome office expansion!

Early this Spring, we will be moving to a more spacious suite at our 3 Winners Circle address. We’ve recently added a new intern to the mix, and look forward to our new full-time Recruiter Assistant joining the team this week! Once our office move is complete, we will continue to add staff. Needless to say, we’re excited for the possibilities a larger space offers and look forward to welcoming guests in our doors for a visit.