5 Very Important Job Hunt Questions

photo credit: Sara Forrest 

Emily Levine is VP of Career Group Companies, a staffing firm specializing in full-time and temporary placement of administrative staff for today's leading companies. Her sister, Natalie Boren, is Managing Director. Both have an inside track on the wild world of hiring. 

Here they break down five common misconceptions about the job hunt, all designed to help you land the position you're eyeing. 

IS SUMMER THE SEASON FOR HIRING?

When people come in to see us, they typically have no idea of whether it’s a good time to look for a job, or a bad time. We constantly hear, “What’s the market like out there?”

Often times people think that summer is a good time to go and interview because their boss’ are on vacation and their work load has slowed down. Summer is actually a very slow hiring season for our clients. That mens it’s a good time to meet with agencies/recruiters, but keep in mind that companies who are hiring aren’t usually as fast in the process over the summer.  Lots of companies utilize summer interns, so after intern season is over, hiring tends to pick up! Think: a week or two after Labor Day. December can also be a slow time because of the holidays, but it’s an excellent time to find temp work.

IS IT GOOD TO TALK ABOUT GROWTH DURING AN INTERVIEW?

There is a fine line that a candidate interviewing for a role needs to straddle.

Being eager, motivated and focused on growth definitely shows that you have goals and want to succeed. However, if too much emphasis is placed on growth, a hiring manager usually feels like the person won’t be happy for long in the role that they are interviewing for. So it’s important to really emphasize that you are motivated, but also know that in joining a new company you have to earn your stripes and build trust, showcase what you can do, and then grow.

SHOULD WE GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY? 

I’ve heard it’s okay to talk about salary, hours, and benefits on the first interview. Is this true?

We usually say to let the salary, hours and benefits topic arise naturally, and we think it’s best for the HR manager or hiring manager to bring this topic up on the first round. You don't want them to think you are too pushy, forward or only focused on the money/benefits/hours.

THE HOT BUTTON QUESTION OF THE YEAR 

Is it ok to talk about a work/life balance?

Be very careful how you phrase this. There is a difference between being a clock-watcher and wanting a work/life balance. It’s key to emphasize that you are NOT a clock-watcher. Hours in the office range depending on both position and industry. If you are someone who either prefers not to or simply cannot work overtime due to personal obligations (i.e.: picking your child from daycare), it’s always a good idea to highlight your commitment to your work even though you cannot work much overtime in the office itself. Today exempt employees are fortunate to have the ability to work from their mobile phones or log on their personal computers to work in the evening, as more and more companies are granted exempt employees after hours access. Just remember -  always highlight your work ethic as being strong and always be a team player. Prospective employers want to know you are committed to getting the job done before you go home.

HOW DO YOU BEST UTILIZE A RECRUITER? 

Is it best practice to reach out to a hiring manager directly when you are represented by an agency?

It’s extremely important to always go directly to your recruiter with any questions or concerns regarding your job search. Your recruiter has a relationship with the client and is more aware of anything going on in the background regarding your status with that particular client. Furthermore, in order for your recruiter to represent you with the most positive outcome in landing you your dream job, they need to be aware of everything going on.

To be considered by Career Group send your resume to their website directly! You can apply to jobs on: www.careergroupinc.comwww.fourthfloorfashion.com, orwww.syndicatebleu.com, and your resume will be routed directly to a recruiter. 

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