Nancy's Recruiting Blog

Timing and the Muffin Top

2011-01-19T11:53:00.000+13:00

Have you ever noticed how so many things in life are attributed to timing? You're at a cocktail party and someone says something, you think of the perfect retort but deliver it about a minute too late. Said retort falls flat. Bad timing. You're rushing into the store and there's a family crossing the road like a duck and incumbent ducklings, trailing slowly and meanderingly along. You

Voiceless

2010-10-30T09:50:00.000+13:00

After battling (and losing) a bout with a late-winter 24 hour flu bug, I woke up to find that I had completely lost my voice. Although I physically felt a little better, my voice was absolutely gone. Since the previous night had been spent in rather uncomfortable positions near my commode, I’d gotten no sleep, had some hydrating to catch up on, and wasn’t 100% sure that my contagious stage had

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might, Have This Wish I Wish Tonight

2010-08-08T21:41:00.000+12:00

Over the years I’ve heard arguments and rebuttals for the two most prevalent forms of recruiting contracts – retained or contingent. Some candidates have told me they will only work with a retained firm since they feel they get better results with them. Others have told me that contingent recruiters are more motivated to make a placement so they prefer to work with them. Companies

What Not To Post - The Frightening Truths Your Friends Are Too Afraid To Tell You

2010-04-09T09:11:00.001+12:00

Once upon a time there was a runaway hit television show on BBC named "What Not To Wear". For those of you who are not familiar with the premise of this show, it involves a very no-nonsense and somewhat confrontational approach to unsuspecting individuals whose family members and friends have nominated them to be subjects of the show. Trinny and Susannah take a hard look at the clothes that

The Jumper - Success Through Repetition

2010-03-04T12:35:00.000+13:00

At the gym I go to there's a particularly dedicated young man who is a competitive basketball player. How do I know this? I know this because I observed this guy strapping on some extremely ungainly shoes and jumping up and down off of a static wooden box for 30 minute stretches. These shoes are extraordinary - they give you a 6" lift on the ball of your foot but no heel equivalent, so you

Laying Off Is Hard To Do - The Importance of Preserving Dignity

2010-01-21T16:19:00.000+13:00

Remember that old Neil Sedaka song, "Breaking up is hard to do?" Well here in New Zealand, "Laying Off Is Hard To Do". The laws surrounding hiring/firing/laying off workers are such that in order to comply, companies must go through a number of steps that are similar to union requirements in the United States. I won't get into boring specifics, but in my own particular situation - the entire

A New Chapter

2009-05-16T09:00:00.000+12:00

After twelve years working at the boutique firm The Creative Network, the downturn in the economy forced them to let me go. Studying abroad currently, I am quite vulnerable to any changes in my financial situation and this development hit me hard. I have found new employment at a global investment firm that suits my hours and my studies - the environment is great and the people are very nice.

Out Of Your Paradigm And Into The Fire (not recruiting related)

2009-04-06T07:33:00.000+12:00

Have you ever stopped in the middle of something and asked yourself, "What the heck am I doing? Why am I doing it this way? Whose crazy idea was this anyway?" I have. I am. Jumping outside of my usual day-to-day paradigm I'm challenging myself in a myriad of ways. I have achieved some successes and have suffered some failures. And my time outside of my comfort zone is only just beginning!

Walking the Line Between "Contact" and "CyberStalking" in This New Age of Social Networking

2009-03-12T12:55:00.001+13:00

In today's ever-evolving world of email, blackberries, iphones, twitter, ning, facebook, myspace, linkedin and a plethora of other social networking mediums, it's important to understand that although there is a lot of information readily available about people, there are still lines over which we must not cross when expanding our social networks. I attended an all-day session of the Recruiting

OLD DOG - New Tricks

2009-03-05T09:37:00.000+13:00

As the marketplace and economy continue at their snail's pace, it's a challenge to engage in "income-producing activities" (my favorite work term). Playing "catcher" to candidates and selectively choosing job orders is not the way the game's going to be played out right now. And therefore, it's time for this old dog to learn some new tricks.Searching... I will continue to hone my internet

Persevere - Providing Good Customer Service Even When It's Outside Your Purview

2009-02-27T08:46:00.000+13:00

Establishing a new telephone account the other day, I noted that there was going to be monetary credit if I simply logged on to the cell phone company's home page and filled out a simple survey. Obviously I am going to take full advantage of such an offer, so I dutifully went online, filled out the survey, clicked their "submit" button and then checked my account balance. No credit. "Okay," I

Self-Talk, Skills That Can Get Us Through Tough Times

2009-02-04T05:01:00.000+13:00