6 Things Recruiters Should Never Say on Cold Client Calls

6 Things Recruiters Should Never Say on Cold Client Calls Brilliant recruiters are brilliant sales people; you  have to be. Winning new business is a huge part of being a good recruiter; always following your nose and picking up the phone to build new bridges and widen your network. As chilling as cold calls can be, sometimes they are the only way to get in the ear of business people who youd love to turn into clients.  There are a lot of factors effecting the outcome of a cold call, many of which are completely out of your hands. From the recipients mood, to the time of day,  often  prospecting is a numbers game. However, there are several ways recruiters  can kill their own chances at a successful call, by saying  damaging phrases to fill awkward silences. Here are 6 phrases to avoid if you want to be taken seriously on a cold client call: 1. How are you? Asking someone you dont know how they are is a really ineffective way of building rapport and sounding friendly.   Its a worn out line that really doesnt mean anything to anyone  involved, instead just feels like a time-waster. The lack of specificity highlights you really dont know the person youre speaking with, because if you did, youd start off with  something more personal. How are you? is a  forced formality which is extremely obvious, and often perceived to be the  warning sign of a sales call. Choose an alternative that is unique and addresses something specific, more directly, prompting more of a response than just good thanks. 2. Sorry When making a cold call, its easy to  feel guilty for taking  someones time when they arent expecting it. You need to nip this attitude in the bud early on, and remember you are calling a prospective client with the hopes of selling them something that will ultimately add huge value to their business or day-to-day. Nervousness and self-doubt will definitely creep into your tone of voice if they are dictating your emotions. If you feel apologetic, you will likely apologise throughout the call to take the edge off the abruptness. What youre really doing by apologising, is  forcing the recipient to feel you have wronged them or are wasting their time. Otherwise, why would you need to say sorry? Youre just doing your job. 3. I know you get these calls all the time This immediately pushes you into the annoying calls pile. Sure, they may receive similar calls from recruiters trying to vie for their business, however they dont receive your call all the time, so dont pigeon-hole yourself with every other cold caller. Saying this also  implies that what you are doing is routine, and not bespoke to their needs. Its important to treat each call like a unique relationship-building exercise, not just a chance to cross a name off a list so your cold call stats look good for your boss. 4. Im just calling to  catch up This immediately screams sales, sales, sales.  Not only does it create an unwanted air of mystery surrounding the purpose of your call, but it  also makes you sound like you have nothing better to do than call people simply to  chat about not much at all. If you cant state the real reason for your call, you will leave a lot of room for guesswork and your recipient will assume the worst they dont know you from a bar of soap. The lack of transparency will create a sense of unease; instead, be up front about why you are calling and deal with the response accordingly. 5. I know youre busy Most people are busy  at work, including you; its a given. Telling your recipient that you understand they are busy makes you sound like you are grovelling for their approval to be having the call. At the end of the day, you are fulfilling your workplace duties by making that call, and they are filling theirs by answering it. Furthermore, stating that you know they are busy  highlights that you have ignored this fact and demanded their attention anyway. Saying this will make them think, if you know Im busy, why are you calling me? Also remember that if they answer their phone, they arent busy and they can talk or else you would have been bumped in the first instance. 6. Who is the decision maker? There are many things wrong with this. Firstly, decision maker is a term used in recruitment agencies, and is extremely salesy in nature. Use of this word makes you sound like youre chasing sales. Secondly, it highlights you havent done your research; good recruiters will attempt to map out an organisations management structure beforehand so they have some idea of who they need to speak to for what.  Instead of asking this question outright, why not try dropping in names of people youve spoken to in the past, or referencing the recipients colleagues names to create a sense of familiarity. Image: Shutterstock

resume dilemma. What should my CV look like University of Manchester Careers Blog

The 1 page vs 2 page CV / resume dilemma. What should my CV look like University of Manchester Careers Blog In the UK the normal format for a CV is 2 pages.   There are some good reasons to use this format but we know there are also some exceptions. Why use a 2 page CV? Most employers will expect it. It gives you enough space to effectively talk about your skills. If you have a lot of experience you have space to convey this. Mainly the reverse  chronological CV is used because it is easy to read,  create and update. Sometimes a skills based CV may be appropriate, especially if you are changing career track and need to show transferable skills.   This is usually more appropriate for those further on in their career. BUT dont  pad out your CV with irrelevant detail and waffle to try to get up to 2 pages. What are the exceptions? If you are applying to another country you will need to use the format commonly used there. Unless its a UK company  based overseas when they may prefer a UK style CV. Ask them. If you are applying to an overseas company based in the UK its possible they would like the CV   format they are familiar with.   For example some American companies may like a 1 page CV. Investment banks generally prefer a 1 page CV especially those that are American companies. See articles at the end. We asked The Gateway magazine what they thought and they recommended 1 page too. If in doubt check. CVs used to apply for academic jobs e.g. lecturing. These will be much longer due to referencing papers, research and conferences. CVs later in your career. By then you will know the industry norm and also what will show off your skills best. Applying for casual part time jobs. If you are handing out CVs for bar work and have little work experience then it may be that a 1 page CV highlighting all the good stuff with only basic information about your education will be all thats needed. BUT how do I really know? There is no accounting for personal taste. Employers are people and they may have their own preferences, if in doubt check. Use employers websites, social media, talk to them at events and pick up the phone and ring them! In the absence of any information, its unlikely your CV will be rejected if you use one format or the other, the 2 page just gives you a better opportunity to sell your skills. Resources As you can see there is some contradictory advice out there! 2 page investment banking CV from Target Jobs  Example 1 page style CV for  finance  Example The absolutely perfect investment banking CV  Article Absolutely perfect resume for private equity    Article Goldman Sachs  1 page, 2015 article and  2 pages, in the 2014 article   BOA Merrill Lynch: 1 page 2014     article   JP Morgan: 1 page 2015 article   Morgan Staley: 1 page, according to a recruiter at their Manchester recruitment presentation Oct 2016 UBS: 1-2 pages for graduates 2016  article   Citigroup: 1 page for internships, 2 pages for graduate  articleMore example CVs  Examples for different industries and roles. If you need some 1-1 advice on your CV use our Applications Advice Service. Before you come do your research on the format required and tell the adviser why you have chosen the style you are presenting. All Applications and interviews Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted applications Applications and interviews CV finance investment banking

Play on Team You

Play on Team You By the time we reach our twenties we’re functioning all by ourselves. We’re now ‘proper grown ups’, we’re officially adults. Our choice in shoes is our own and we are the only ones to blame for each fashion faux pas. We’ve made mistakes, we’ve learnt. We know that there’s still a long way to go but we can look at our successes, so far, with a cheeky smile. So why is it that then, when it comes to our Career, so many women lack the confidence they need to make the Next Big Decision? Why can’t we trust our own self-knowledge and experience, shake off our nerves, and step forward? Recently I was amidst a Career crisis. I had, to all intents and purposes, ‘made it’. Aged 24. Working as a Director overseeing a large Marketing Department I had a raft of responsibility and flexibility. My schedule was my own and the perks were to die for. When I was head hunted for a new role in the banking sector, at a lesser salary, I was more surprised than anyone that I wanted to say “YES!” Secretly I knew that by working 24/7, my skills were stagnating and I was becoming institutionalized. My CV screamed for new opportunities. It was simple â€" I would ride into the financial sunset without a care in the world. But then I started to doubt my decision. And that’s when life became complicated. I started by asking advice from several, trusted, female colleagues who had mentored me over the years. Of course, I threw a man in there for good measure. I listened intently â€" I even took notes. Days were spent drawing diagrams, scribbling pros and cons lists and cross referencing my sources. If complex, my new approach was nothing short of thorough. A week later, I was in turmoil. I returned for more advice, asked more questions. My office had become a rainbow of sticky notes stuck to every surface in some attempt to order my thoughts. The consensus was that I should stay. I was perceived as ‘living the dream’ and was told to ‘count my blessings’ and enjoy my ‘time at the top’. My head was a spin with clichés. No opinion was the same. Emotionally exhausted I simply felt guilty that, not only did I not agree with their advice, but that I wasn’t confident enough to make my own decision. I was on information overload. My situation came to a head, one week later, when our connection networks went down. There was no email â€" no phone. Professionally, I was alone â€" but I finally had time to think. I realised, I was already successful. I had forged my own career. Why? Because, up until now, I had made my own choices. I knew myself. I knew where I wanted to go and I had a damn good idea about how to get there. My only downfall was that, when asking for the opinion of others, I had forgotten to listen to my own. I forgot that I had a brain â€" and that others, although full of care and concern, would always be guided by their own experiences, not mine. By the time I was reconnected with the outside world my decision was made. The next day, I called my new Director and told him I was delighted to accept the role. Looking back, it was my lack of self-confidence, and belief in myself, that almost cost me a role that I now adore. The reasons for my move were plentiful, and my logic, albeit flawed, was my own. Ive made a decision that I’m proud of and confident in. If I fail, I only have myself to blame. And if I succeed then that will be the icing on the cake. So, if you have a difficult Career decision to make â€" ask your own advice first.   Be strong and believe in your goals. Take yourself for coffee and find out what Team You thinks. Choose the direction that’s right for you. Listen to others, but make your own decision. Remember, when it comes to your Career, you are your very own best friend. You’re already on the Winning Team.

3 Must Have Career Books For Female Leaders - Classy Career Girl

3 Must Have Career Books For Female Leaders Are you ready for my all-time favorite career books! These books played a pivotal role in my career when I just started out. I wanted to pass along these books to other professional women so I am hosting a giveaway on Instagram at @classycareergirl this week. Make sure you check it out (details on the bottom of this post). Make sure you also listen to my interviews with the authors as well on the podcast links included below too! Its great to read the books but when you can actually listen to the advice as well, it will really sink in. Book #1: The  Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It by Dr. Valerie Young Read this book if…. you have fear or insecurities and feel undeserving of your hard-won success. (You are not alone!) The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women was actually studied by psychologists who found that women have a pattern of dismissing accomplishments and believing that their success would disappear once others discovered the awful secret that they were, in fact, “imposters.” Catch my podcast interview with Dr. Valerie Young on podcast #48. Book #2: A Womans Guide to Successful Negotiating by Jessica Miller and Lee E. Miller Read this book if.you need some  negotiating techniques, more confidence and strategies to  ask for the things  you want. Read this book if you never want to be taken advantage of again. Catch my podcast interview with Jessica Miller on podcast #14. Note: Make sure you download our career satisfaction quiz too. Book #3: Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Dr. Lois Frankel Read this book ifyou want to become more aware of distinctive behaviors that women learn in girlhood that ultimately sabotage them as adults. Youll want to learn how to not make nice girl errors that can become career pitfalls such as avoiding office politics and asking permission. Catch my interview Dr. Lois Frankel on podcast 38. BOOK GIVEAWAY DETAILS!!! GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Im thrilled to host a giveaway of all three of these books on Instagram! Here’s how to enter: How to enter: 1) Like this photo on Instagram. 2) Follow @classycareergirl on Instagram. 3) Tag a friend on Instagram who might enjoy this giveaway as well. Thats it! You can enter multiple times by tagging multiple friends in the comments on Instagram. Giveaway ends on July 25th at 11:59pm EST. US residents only (sorry we are working on more international giveaways!) The winner will be announced on July 26th. We will notify you through Instagram and you will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to pick another winner. Good luck! If you love books, make sure you check back here frequently.  We’ll be announcing more amazing books that we are giving away  over the next two  weeks too! RELATED: 21 Business Books You Should Read

16 Signs You Might Be Fired - CareerMetis.com

16 Signs You Might Be Fired Being fired is a challenging process, even for the strong-hearted. The change that’s about to come may be frightening and confusing, especially because it’s not really your choice to go.Nevertheless, one of the toughest aspects that some employees struggle with is the uncertainty and the lack of understanding.evalWhen you don’t know why you’re being cut off, your mind starts to seek the answer on its own. Many times, obsessing over the reasons why you were fired Let’s say you had an argument with your employer or manager concerning your latest work performance. It was intense, and both of you kept your sides until the end.Later that day, you receive a written outline that details the conversation between you two. When a higher rank crafts and sends you a written meeting review, that’s not a good sign!evalManly Watson, HR Manager at Essay Writing Land from UK, made a good point:“Most of the times, when you’re about to get fired, your boss or employee will gather as muc h written evidence and justification for his decision. There will be less and less direct contact, and when the time is right, he’ll simply use what he’s got to justify the firing.”2. You’re being involved in fewer and fewer projectsFree time during the work hours is not necessarily a blessing. If got used to working consistently on projects and now your schedule is empty for days now, there’s a chance that your boss has decided to cut you off from any important projects.When you observe the change and ask your bossor higher ranks about it, finding a straightforward answer might be difficult.evalNo more projects assigned is a big deal, followed by the lack of communication, even bigger. If this happens to you, you should think about your other options and prepare yourself for the worst.3. Your boss diminishes your responsibilitiesIf your boss suddenly decides to take important job responsibilities away from you without properly motivating his decision, that’s a bad sign. For example, your subordinates might be transferred to another manager. Or, your recent projects have been reassigned to other people in the team. There are many responsibilities that can be taken away for various reasons, so be careful not to become paranoid without reason.However, in case your most important duties are being cut off and replaced by others, that’s a big sign you might lose your job soon.4. You’re no longer invited to regular meetingsLots of meetings represent important events that allow employees to get involved in the leadership of the company.If you used to be called to these types of meetings to participate and contribute with your solutions and, without notice, you stop getting summoned, chances are that you’re in trouble.Try to find out whether your colleagues are still getting called and perhaps ask your boss about the change. If there were no heads up before the access to meetings has been restrained, it’s quite clear that someone up There are three good reasons why your salary has been delayed or reduced. The first one is that your company has financial issues The third one, as you can probably guess, is a bad sign that your company is preparing to let you go. No matter the reason for this happening, you’re still in trouble. You should immediately ask why this happened and hope to receive a transparent answer.6. The company has been sold off or has merged with another companyIn case your company merges or has been sold off and you receive all the necessary details for the transition, then you shouldn’t worry.However, when such a major event happens, and nobody tells you anything, you’d better recheck your resume and start looking for options.Most likely, you’re one of the employees who isn’t going to be put up to speed because there’s no reason to!7. Your Boss has left the companyIf your boss leaves your company, getting replaced by another individual, some new changes might occur. One of them would be the replacem ent of employees with other employees that the new employer trusts. Even if you have a big history with the company, your job position might be in danger.evalIf the new boss presents no interest to talk to you, assign responsibilities, or call you to meetings, stay sharp and prepare your potential exit.If everything seems alright and you’re being treated well, leave the assumptions behind until further problems show up.8. Your assignments become absurd, off-topic, or extremely toughWhen your assignments become absurd, extremely hard, or off-topic, something is clearly suspicious. Many bosses that can’t find the necessary justification to fire or replace employees will do their best to set the ones who must leave up for failure rather than success.Also, if you receive important assignments without any useful indications, resources, and support is just like you’re being sent to battle without weapons.When and if you fail, you’ll be presented as “incapable” or “not worth keeping” because you can’t bring results. This is a sick move, but it happens.9. You have received a strong warning after previous milder warningsNobody said that your boss might be the one who initiated the firing process. It might have been you, without you even realizing it. When you’re doing a poor job, making mistakes, missing deadlines, and so on, you will be probably warned.After a few warnings, most employers or managers lose the patience and might start considering a replacement.If you’ve received a very harsh warning after more previous milder warnings, your days might be numbered, so you should pay very close attention to what’s going on with your responsibilities, assignments, resources, and paycheck in the nearest future.If there are “bad signs”, prepare to leave!10. You’re losing necessary resourcesAs an employee, you’re given resources that are necessary for managing the tasks and responsibilities you’re assigned.Well, when the tasks or responsibil ities remain the same but the resources you’re granted with are being cut off, that’s a clear sign that your boss or manager means to put you in trouble, especially if there’s no palpable reason for this happening.Remember: the easiest way for someone to get you fired is to show that you are incapable of getting the job done. By withdrawing your tools, your boss is making your job almost impossible.11. You’re being ignoredBeing ignored by your higher ranks is probably the biggest sign that you’re about to be fired. Written communications, the withdrawal of resources, or the lack of project assignments are much subtler signs, and they may be misinterpreted.However, when the person who you must report to is nowhere to be found, he’s not answering your messages or your calls, then your hopes of getting out of this situation are pretty slim.What you can do is wait for him to get back to you while you prepare yourself mentally for your next job seeking process.12. Your work i s no longer appreciatedYou’ve used to be a valuable employee whose work got consistently praised. But for a while now, the positive remarks and feedback are gone, while the critiques and harsh feedback becomes more frequent.That’s a general case in which bosses attempt to discourage an employee due to various reasons. These could be personal reasons or professional reasons.If you have made someone angry, that could be a cause. If your work results are less promising, that could be another.However, there may be a “hidden agenda” that wants you gone. In this case, you even if your work is brilliant and you’re doing everything possible to impress, your higher leads won’t reward you properly because they would act contrary to what has already been decided.13. You have been asked to take some time offWhen you’re suddenly asked to take some time off, you should start raising questions. One of the reasons for this happening is that your office might be needed by another fresh recruit or potential employee.You’re being called off because someone else is going to replace you, and they need the time to get accustomed to the office.Another reason could be the fact that the company’s budget might be in trouble. In this case, some employees have to “sit out” for a while without getting paid.No matter the reason, being asked to take some time off is a terrible sign that you might be fired any time soon.14. Your co-workers act weird and you suspect gossipThe strange behavior of your colleagues might be a subtle sign that you’re being left out of the loop. If your team colleagues or higher leads shy away from you consistently, they might know something you don’t.It may seem odd that some of the people that you’ve built close relationships at workare now avoiding you. Well, if they know you’re about to get fired, they might stay away just to avoid the feelings of “guilt by association”, or simply because they want to stay out of trouble.This s ign is easily interpreted, so make sure you’re not becoming paranoid. Take your time to assess the situation, and, if you truly suspect something, try to get more confirmation by seeking more answers from your colleagues directly.15. You have to report to less experienced coleaguesWhen the chain of command is broken and your used-to-be subordinates report to someone else while you must also provide reports to colleagues that are lower in “importance’, something must be going on.This isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re getting fired. It could be that you might be demoted.Or, it could mean that your manager has his trust in you and he’s now trying to find an objective solution for the company’s sake. Either way, this sign should put you in an “alert” mode because your future with the company might not be truly safe.16. You’ve damaged the company’s image or resultsIf you did something wrong that directly or indirectly affected the company’s reputation and resul ts, you’ll soon be treated differently. Every boss chooses his own ways. However, more often than not, when an employee “screws up” big time, something’s going to be taken away from him.It could be the responsibilities, the team who’s under, or, in the worst-case scenario, it could be his job.ConclusionThis must sound like a cliché, but it’s definitely true â€" Being fired does not represent the end of the world, nor the end of your professional life.If you’re not too skeptical about this, I would suggest that if you really get fired, you should embrace this change as a necessary shift that’s part of your faith.If you have responsibilities like a family, a college to pay, or a house to sustain, that should give you the proper motivation to move on and find something else that will sustain you.Many times, you’re left with no choices anyway, so better keep your mindset strong and your head high. Sooner or later, you’ll understand the lesson(s) that your firing eve nt prompted, and you’ll be thankful for them!

The Working World How to get a Foot in the Door - CareerAlley

The Working World How to get a Foot in the Door - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Whether you are a student looking for your first job opportunity, or an experienced professional searching for a new career path it can be tough standing out from the crowd and getting noticed for the right reasons. Many of you will be competing against hundreds of others candidates all aiming to secure the same position. You may be a bright and capable individual, however something is preventing you from obtaining the job you want so how exactly do you get your foot in the door? Landing an Internship For those looking for their first taste of an opportunity, an internship allows you to become exposed to the working environment which will help you to enhance your skills as well as gain vital experience. Occasionally work placements can even be paid jobs for a firm on a temporary basis. Internships allow you to gain invaluable transferable skills includingtime management, communicationsand teamwork within a real working environment, where you may be required to take on responsibility. However Im sure those who have already tried this path know, internships arent typically handed out to just anyone. You must research the company that is hiring and discover what they are looking for, and remember you will be competing against a number of other candidates. Make your CV stand out Submitting your CV will usually be the first time you have any direct contact with a company. However with so many other applicants all gunning for the same position, you need to take this opportunity to differentiate yourself from the other applicants to ensure that your CV is not overlooked. Of course your CV must always follow the fundamental rules it should be clear, concise and illustrate the relevant skills you possess to become a strong member of the team youre applying for. As well as ensuring that it is easy to read and tailored to the position that you are applying for. Many people are also trying unique and creative ways to get noticed ahead of all the others, often using different forms of communication when attempting to sell their skills and achievements. Consider all of your options, and look at the different avenues that you have available to you with constant advancements in technology they are changing all of the time . Stories which Ive come across include attaching a QR code to business cards which load up your CV, sending a personal message via video and using social media to build up your own network of contacts. One thing I would advise that you review is the privacy policies on your social media accounts prospective employers really dont need to see photos of you with your mates in the pub on a Saturday night! Be smart in your approach and work hard to differentiate yourself it will pay off. Take the additional step Often getting that initial foot in the door is down to you taking the additional steps to minimise the chances of your job application disappearing into a black hole. Invest time in finding an internal referral thatll get your CV into the right hands Use the sources available to you including alumni contacts, previous employers and recruitment agencies Maximise the potential of social networks and get connected with similar groups associated with similar careers About the author: Anna Gibbons is Corporate Communications Manager at Sellick Partnership, specialist legal, financial and procurement recruitment experts with 6 offices throughout the UK. Along with helping you to find roles, they also provide CV and interview advice to maximise your chances of getting your foot in the door. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Should I Include My Address On My Resume?

Should I Include My Address On My Resume?It is important to make sure that you include your address on your resume, as this will show employers where you live. When you list your address on your resume you will have a nice fresh start when it comes to your job search. This is one of the best ways to eliminate the chances of getting a rejection when applying for jobs. Below are some tips on how to include your address on your resume.The first thing you should do is make sure that your personal information is correct. Many people forget to put their address in when they fill out their resumes. Also, try to get your previous employers to add your current or old address into their records as well. Remember to check with them to make sure that you did include your address.Another great tip on how to include your address on your resume is to use city and state and you should be all set. You should then have an option that says 'Full Address'. This will allow you to type in your full addres s to your employer and they can see what it is.You should be able to write your full address on your resume and you should be able to see it if you click on the address link at the bottom of your resume. This way, your employers will see your full address which will help to speed up the process of getting a call back when applying for a job.You should also make sure that your cover letter includes your address because you will be able to use the address that your employer has on file to send a letter to a company that may be in need of an employee. You can find out more information on how to write a great cover letter by visiting our website.In order to make sure that you are able to include your address on your resume you should also be able to find your name on your state ID or driver's license. You should also be able to put your full name on your birth certificate or Social Security card. You should always make sure that your personal information is correct before using any comp any's information.You should also make sure that you include your address on your resume because many employers are looking for references that have also been looking for a job. Make sure that you include all of the information that they may need on your resume so that they will know that you have written a reference letter.You should be able to write a letter that includes your address. You should include your address on your letter as well as your contact information. If you include this information you will be able to start building a relationship with your future employer.