Candidate Tool Kit, Relocation Services

Having to relocate can be a big deal, especially when it is for employment.  We have complied a list of tools and services to assist you in your relocation endeavors in hopes of making the transition as smooth as possible.

Community Search
Use this search tool to create a list of up to 25 best cities for you to live by selecting certain demographic and economic conditions.

Cost of Living Analysis
The Cost of Living Analysis gives you the cities’ cost of living, climate, demographics, and other vital information.

Salary Comparison
Compare the cost of living in hundreds of U.S. cities.

Crime Comparison
The Crime Comparison has crime indexes for thousands of U.S. cities as well as some Canadian cities.

Moving Cost Estimate
Use this tool to estimate interstate moving costs in the United States.

Mortgage Calculator
This calculator will compute the monthly principal and interest payment on a mortgage.

Home Value Analysis
Access to more than 100 million property, ownership, sales, and mortgage records, covering more than 85% of the U.S. population.

Reference this handy relocation checklist to help jumpstart & streamline the moving process! Download our moving checklist!

Candidate Tool Kit, Part 5: The Interviews (Preparation)

Do Research:

Before the actual interview takes place, it is important to complete as much research as you can about the company, the people, the culture and the actual position. Be ready to answer the question, “Why do you want to work for this company?”

Equally important is to have several well written and well thought out questions to ask at the conclusion of the interview.

Practice Interviewing:

It is helpful to role play with a friend or colleague. Many companies use a style called Behavioral Interviewing. When answering questions of this type, you may wish to refer to the STAR Worksheet.

Questions related to your weaknesses can be the most difficult to answer. Review our strategies for the most Difficult Interview Questions so that you can practice how to address them effectively.

You may also find our list of Sample Questions helpful as you create a list of your own in preparation for your interview. To learn more about how questions are formulated and what the company is trying to discover with certain types of questions, please refer to The Psychology Behind Interview Questions.

Use the Resume Supplement and STAR Worksheet as a place to capture some of your best answers & examples for easy reference during the interview. Ask your friends or colleagues for honest feedback. The more familiar you are with your own background and accomplishments and your ability to articulate them, the better your interview.

Prepare a List of Questions for the Hiring Manager:

Hiring Managers generally place importance on the type and relevance of candidates’ questions. The best questions are those that are not only thoughtful but speak more to goals, objectives and general information about the company. Questions wrapped around salary, benefits, vacation, or sick time has more of the message of “what the company can do for you” rather than your own contributions.

A good way to begin building rapport is to find out about the Hiring Manager’s background and reasons he or she enjoys working for the company.

Practice Answering the Salary Question:

If asked what you are looking for in terms of a package, carefully go over your current package. If there is some flexibility in those numbers, you should let the employer know that. If you are not currently working, then describe your most recent compensation.

If you are seeking an increase from your current compensation, let the employer know that you would entertain their best offer. Follow up with a statement of value you could bring to the new company.

Prepare for Employment Applications:

Your Resume Supplement should include an accurate list of employment dates, beginning and ending salary, supervisors, and their contact information so that it will be readily available when you are asked to complete the employment application.

Ask for the Job:

If you don’t ask for the job, someone else will. There’s a difference between healthy enthusiasm and aggressively jumping over the desk and asking for the job. If you have demonstrated interest and energy throughout the process, it will be natural at the end of the interview to indicate that you would be very interested in an offer, should you be the candidate of choice. If there is a close decision between you and another candidate, it is possible that the candidate that shows more enthusiasm in the position will be the winner.

Suggestion for Closing the Interview:

“After learning more about this position, your goals and direction for your company, I am extremely interested. What else would you like me to elaborate on in terms of my background and fit because I would very much like this position and I can see myself working here? How do I compare to others you may be considering?”

Thank You Notes:

It is important to follow up interviews with Thank You notes to everyone you met with. Email is a very good option because of speed, but don’t rule out the uniqueness of a hand written personal note, delivered, rather than mailed. Differentiating yourself from everyone else will give you the edge.

The Psychology Behind Interview Questions, Sample Interview Questions, Difficult Interview Questions

The Psychology Behind Interview Questions:

Why do you want to work?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you have a good attitude toward work
• If you have recognized responsibilities to your family and other people
• If you want work to be an important and permanent part of your life

Why do you think you would like to work here?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you are really interested in this particular company and if you have done your research
• If you have a general understanding of what the company does
• If you have a positive attitude towards the company

Why did you decide to go into this field of work?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you have a real interest in this particular kind of work
• If you have made a decision based on a good deal of thought

Why do you think you are qualified for this job?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you have confidence
• If you have a realistic attitude about your abilities
• To give you an opportunity to explain special qualities you have that might qualify you for this job

What are your professional goals over the next 3-5 years?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you have energy and ambition that will benefit the company
• If you will most likely stay with the company for a significant period of time
• If you are serious about personal growth, education and development

How have previous employers treated you?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you have positive attitudes and loyalty toward your employers
• If you have had positive previous experiences
• If you can be trusted with confidential matters

How do you get along with your co-workers?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you can compromise
• If you are cooperative
• If you are able to relate to others

How do you feel about working overtime or on holidays?

The employer asks this to find out:

• If you are willing to make sacrifices for the company if necessary
• If you are really dedicated to the job
• Your general overall attitude

Sample Interview Questions:

1. Please think about your most significant accomplishment. Now, could you tell me about it?
2. Describe a personality conflict you’ve had with a co-worker. How did you deal with it? How was it resolved?
3. What were the circumstances concerning leaving your last job?
4. Of all your jobs, which did you like best and why? Least and why? Give examples.
5. Describe the kind of co-worker that annoys you the most. What kinds of people do you like working with?
6. Why do you think this company should hire you? What strengths, specifically, do you bring to this job?
7. What do you expect from the company that hires you? How can we meet your needs?
8. What two things do you wish to avoid in your next job? Why?
9. If you had a choice, what hours of work would you prefer? Why?
10. What will your last supervisor tell me are your three greatest assets? How has at least one of those made a difference?
11. What do you feel are two important traits a supervisor should have? Why?
12. How would you describe your previous supervisor? How did you know if you were doing well or made a mistake? What comments did you receive on reviews?
13. If you could have made two improvements in your last job, what would they have been? Did you suggest these? What happened?
14. What did you do when your supervisor made a decision that you strongly disagreed with?
15. What are your plans for self-improvement or personal development? What specific improvements have you made this year?
16. What makes you tick? What really gets you excited?
17. Are there any reasons why you cannot arrive on time and stay at work all day on a regular basis?
18. Describe an experience when you did more than was ordinarily expected.
19. If you had the opportunity, how would you feel about spending time training others? Why do you feel you would be a good choice to do that?
20. What is most important to you about your job? Why?
21. What kind of working environment do you prefer? Why?
22. Describe for me the leadership positions that you have held in school, work, and the community.
23. Are there any reasons why you would be unable to fill this job on a daily basis for the next 12 months?
24. How do you keep abreast of current changes in your field?
25. Tell me about someone who has influenced your life. What happened, and how did it make a difference?
26. What was the largest hurdle you have had to overcome? (Either business or personal.)
27. How do you define success?
28. What do you know about us, and why do you want to work here?
29. What have you learned from your mistakes? Give an example.
30. Describe an area that needs improvement or work. How have you tackled it?
31. How have your previous employers treated you? Give an example of a problem you encountered and how you handled it.
32. What would you look for in a working relationship with me?
33. What are your thoughts on working additional hours, or at the last minute, or on a weekend, or even on a holiday if necessary?
34. Would you rather work in a fast pace, hectic environment or more even keeled, less hectic? Why?
35. What system do you have for checking your work before it is turned in?
36. What adjectives would you use to describe your personality?
37. Do you use goal-setting in either your business or personal life; and if so, how?

Difficult Interview Questions:

When asked for weaknesses, it is not unusual to hesitate or freeze. By planning and preparing your answers, you can respond with confidence.

There are three strategies to consider;

Strategy #1 – The Positive Weakness

With this strategy, you are stating a weakness that can actually be viewed as a strength. For example:

• Positive Weakness: I always give 110% to whatever project I’m working on, so I tend to get frustrated when other members of the team don’t pull their weight. I’m working hard to lead by example rather than express my frustration openly.

Strategy #2 – Former Weakness

With this strategy, you are stating a weakness, but then explaining that you have corrected the behavior and you have learned from the experience. Also explain how this has impacted your current work style. For example:

• Former Weakness: When I started in sales, I tended to overbook appointments. Then I realized I was not devoting enough time to each person. Since then, I’ve learned not to schedule more than I can handle effectively.

Strategy #3 – Sandwich Method

Sandwich the negative between two positive statements. For example, if an employer points out that you have not used a specific software program, you may respond using the sandwich method. For example:

Positive: I’m proficient with several software programs and
Negative: … even though I haven’t used “X”,
Positive: I am confident that I can pick it up quickly and would be more than willing to do what it takes to get up to speed.

Behavioral Interviewing & STAR Interview Method

In today’s marketplace, interviewing requires thorough thought and preparation.

Employers are utilizing the behavioral interview to get to the heart of the matter and perhaps uncover problem areas.

Behavioral-based interview questions are designed to give the interviewer insight as to how you would react in certain situations. Often times these questions will begin with a phrase such as, “Tell me about a time when…” or “What would you do if…”

Be prepared to handle thought provoking questions such as these:

1. Describe to me the last time you knew you were not going to be able to meet a promised deadline? What caused the delay and what did you do about it? (Think about company names, how long ago, situation, and all other details.)
2. Tell me about a previous position where maintaining detailed records was part of your job. What was the purpose? What type of detail was required? What follow-up system did you use to ensure that all jobs you started were completed? What did you like least about keeping these detailed logs?
3. Tell me about a time in your last position when you were dealing with many personality types, all wanting something different and all at the same time.
4. When was the last time you were praised for a difficult job well done?
5. At one time or another, we all have to deal with difficult people. What has been your experience in this area?
6. Sometimes we feel we are never going to be able to complete an assignment because of repeated interruptions. When this was the case in your previous positions, what types of interruptions did you deal with and what were you able to do to lessen them?
7. Tell me about the last time you were late for work.
8. Describe what you feel is your greatest strength and tell me about a time in your career that you received a compliment because of it. Feel free to brag.
9. What do you feel is your greatest weakness, and what problems had this caused in your last position?
10. Tell me how your ability to communicate well with others has helped you with a difficult situation in a previous position.
11. Sometimes we have to work with co-workers who we just don’t like. When has this been the case for you? How did you handle the situation?
12. Occasionally we are given a directive by management that we don’t feel is necessary or we don’t agree with for whatever reason. When was the last time this has happened to you and how did you follow through with it?

 

STAR Interview Method
Know your strengths and weaknesses but avoid canned answers such as, “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too hard”. It is better to paint a picture of what the circumstances surrounding the particular situation were and how you handled it. If there were lessons learned, cite those lessons. It is just as important to discuss a failure and how you rebounded as it is to discuss a success.

For example, “When I was working on the XYZ project at ABC Company…”

Situation: 
What was the situation?

Task:
What needed to be done?
(What was your thought process?)

Action:
What did you do about it?

Result:
What was the result?

Candidate Tool Kit, Part 4: Start Your Job Search

Continuing with the series we started last week featuring our Candidate Took Kit, here is some information on starting your job search.

Find a Recruiter:
Seek out recruiters who have both industry expertise and connections in your specialty. Ask your associates which recruiters they are using and what results they have experienced. Search on line postings to notice the firms that align with your career interests. Recruiters are not typically geographically based, but rather industry based. Sometimes a recruiter may be hundreds of miles away and be a good resource for your search because of their network.

Purchase the Business Journal:
Business Journals have valuable insight into emerging local companies, and as a new subscriber, they will send you the “Book of Lists’, which allows you to review a broad range of local companies.

Web Resources:
Study the different job boards for the most relevant resources for your niche.

Here are some general job boards to get you started:

• www.careerbuilder.com
• www.monster.com
• www.salary.com
• www.indeed.com
• www.linkedin.com
• www.craigslist.com
• www.jobing.com
• www.jobster.com
• www.theladders.com

Be sure to also check out Govig Senior Care’s job board by clicking here or by browsing through our job feed located in the right side column on this page.

David Thralls | Executive Assistant to Alison Drumm
P 480-718-6179 | F 480-663-6179

david.thralls@govig.com | www.govigseniorcare.com

2011: Placed 385 Health Care Executives

Candidate Tool Kit, Part 3: Preparing For Your Job Search

Searching for a new job can be anything but fun and exciting, so here are a few tips to try and help you stream line your job search and make it as painless as possible, enjoy!

Prepare Important Documents
Prepare your resume.  Keeping it concise, using bullet points while drawing attention to specific areas of accomplishment. Dates should be accurate and match any application you may be asked to complete.

Contact your references to obtain permission to use their name. Update any phone numbers or email addresses to include on your separate Reference Sheet. Ask your references for preferred communication and best times to reach them and indicate that on your Reference Sheet.

Develop a Resume Supplement for your personal use, outlining your professional history. This is a document you can use to write the answers to those questions or situations you may either want to highlight for accomplishments or clarify because they represent concerns.

Draft a basic Cover Letter. Be sure to update it for each position you apply for. Focus on what skills you bring to the company as opposed to what the company can do for you. Keep it simple and do not exceed one page. Be sure to include your contact information.

Need a little help to get started? Download a few of our examples to get the process underway…

Cover Letter Examples

• Cover Letter Example
• Email Cover Letter Example

Sample Resumes

• General Formatting Sample Resume
• GSC Sample Resume
• HIM Sample Resume
• Managed Care Sample Resume
• Accounting Sample Resume

Improve Your Skills:
If you are currently not working, this is a great opportunity to enroll in courses to upgrade your software knowledge, attend an industry conference or workshop or catch up on reading relevant books and publications.

Professional Voice Mail:
Keep your voice mail fresh and professional on both your home number and cell number.

Review Your Online Image:
In today’s world, a company will often look to the internet to gather information about potential hires. Here are some tips to make sure your online image is positive and professional.

Email Address:
Your email address should be simple and professional. (lovestodrink@yahoo.com for example would not be a good choice)

Google:
You might be surprised to see how much is out there on the internet. It is important to “Google yourself” to see what may have been written about you. While you may not be able to change what appears, you should be aware that potential employers will likely see this information so that you can be prepared to address those concerns in an interview.

Social Networking
Update your LinkedIn profile to include all relevant information. Whenever possible, ask for professional recommendations that can attest to your accomplishments at several points in your career. Join relevant groups in your niche. Not only is it good networking, but joining groups provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge of what is taking place out there and provides for better discussions on your interviews.

It is a good idea to have a separate Facebook profile to use professionally. If you choose to have one profile, then it is a good idea to review your friends and block any that might have comments that do not represent you in a positive light.

David Thralls | Executive Assistant to Alison Drumm
P 480-718-6179 | F 480-663-6179

david.thralls@govig.com | www.govigseniorcare.com

2011: Placed 385 Health Care Executives

Candidate Tool Kit, Part 2: Resume Tips

Continuing with our multi-part Candidate Tool Kit feature here is our section on resume tips and what you can do to improve the quality and performance of your resume.

Resume Tips:

Your resume is your most important calling card in your job search. It should include the following information:

Contact Information
Include phone, mail and email contact information. In addition, make sure your voicemail message is professional. A message that is too casual can create a negative impression.

Career Objective
You may choose to list or not list your career objective. If your objective doesn’t match the recruiter’s needs, you may miss out on a golden opportunity. However, a clearly stated career objective can help your recruiter find your ideal career match.

Summary Statement
Your summary should be brief.

• Include your title and years of experience.
• List pertinent skills.
• Discuss your character traits or work style.

Example: “Financial Accountant with over 10 years’ experience with two Fortune 500 companies. Technical skills include P&L, budgeting, forecasting and variance reporting. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Self-starter who approaches every project in a detailed, analytical manner.”

Professional Experience
List each position held in reverse chronological order, dating back at least ten years. If you held multiple positions within the same company, list them all to show advancement and growth. The body of each position description should describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.

Other Components
Include education, professional training, affiliations / appointments, licenses, technical skills and languages.

Personal Information
Do not include personal information such as marital status.

12 Accomplishments Employers Want To See

1. Increased revenues
2. Saved money
3. Increased efficiencies
4. Cut overhead
5. Increased sales
6. Improved workplace safety
7. Purchasing accomplishments
8. New products / new lines
9. Improved record keeping process
10. Increased productivity
11. Successful advertising campaign
12. Effective budgeting

David Thralls | Executive Assistant to Alison Drumm
P 480-718-6179 | F 480-663-6179

david.thralls@govig.com | www.govigseniorcare.com

2011: Placed 385 Health Care Executives

Candidate Tool Kit, Part 1: Interview Do’s and Don’ts

At some point in our lives everyone of us has to take on the daunting task of finding employment, no one ever said it would be easy and usually the best jobs aren’t all that easy to get.  There is a lot of time and effort to be spent and there is a lot of heartache and stress to be expected and what is it all for?  Sleepless nights worrying about how you’re going to find your next job, countless hours of sitting by the phone in anticipation of a call back from your last job interview, let alone that initial call to schedule your first interview.  Don’t you wish there was a better way?

Enter The Recruiter

The recruiter is your friend and when it comes to finding a job they could be your best friend.  The recruiter wants nothing more then to ensure your success, they want to get you that initial job interview, they want you to go in to that interview completely prepared and to knock the socks of the hiring authority, they want you to come back for a second interview, maybe even a third or a fourth interview if need be.  They want you to get the job.  That is the recruiters sole purpose on  this earth, to match talent with opportunity.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone in your corner, backing you up, helping to plan your next move, working hard for you to assist you in being successful?  The answer is yes, most definitely YES!

With that being said, Govig Senior Care would like to extend to you the courtesy of some “inside” knowledge, the wealth of information that is our Candidate Took Kit, which can be found on our website or by clicking here.  Our Candidate Tool Kit is your job seeking “play book”, it is filled with everything you need to know to be successful in the interview process, professional dress attire not included.

Over the next few days we will be posting portions of our Candidate Tool Kit on our blog, so be sure to check back often, if you want to be successful.

Part 1:  Interview Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Arrive 15 minutes early. Tardiness is never excusable.
• Clarify questions. Answer the interviewer’s questions as specifically as possible. Relate your skills and background to the position requirements throughout the interview.
• Give your qualifications. Focus on accomplishments that are most pertinent to the job.
• Be professional. Smile, make eye contact, and maintain good posture.
• Anticipate tough questions. Prepare to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths.
• Dress appropriately. Make your first impression a professional one.
• Ask questions. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
• Listen. Concentrate not only on the interviewer’s words, but also on the tone of voice and body language. Once you understand how the interviewer thinks, pattern your answers accordingly and you will be able to establish a better rapport.

Don’ts

• Don’t answer vague questions. Ask the interviewer to clarify fuzzy questions.
• Don’t interrupt the interviewer. If you don’t listen, the interviewer won’t either.
• Don’t be disrespectful. Don’t smoke, chew gum or place anything on the interviewer’s desk.
• Don’t be overly familiar, even if the interviewer is.
• Don’t wear heavy perfume or cologne. The interviewer may not share your tastes.
• Don’t ramble. Overlong answers may make you sound apologetic or indecisive.
• Don’t lie. Answer questions truthfully.
• Don’t express bitterness. Avoid derogatory remarks about present or former employers.

Closing the Interview

Job candidates often second-guess themselves after interviews. By asking good questions and closing strongly, you can reduce post-interview doubts. If you feel that the interview went well and you want to take the next step, express your interest to the interviewer.

Try an approach like the following: “After learning more about your company, the position and responsibilities, I believe that I have the qualities you are looking for. Are there any issues or concerns that would lead you to believe otherwise?”

This is an effective closing question because it opens the door for the hiring authority to be honest with you about his or her feelings. If concerns do exist, you may be able to create an opportunity to overcome them, and have one final chance to dispel the concerns, sell your strengths and end the interview on a positive note.

A Few Things to Remember During the Closing Process

• Don’t be discouraged if an offer is not made or a specific salary is not discussed. The interviewer may want to communicate with colleagues or conduct other scheduled interviews before making a decision.
• Make sure that you have thoroughly answered these questions during the interview: “Why are you interested in our company?” and “What can you offer?” Express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration.
• Ask for the interviewer’s business card so you can write a thank you letter as soon as possible.

Follow-up

After your interview, follow-up is critical. When you get in your car, immediately write down key issues uncovered in the interview. Think of the qualifications the employer is looking for and match your strengths to them. A “thank you” letter should be written no later than 24 hours after the interview. Be sure to call your recruiter to discuss your interview and your next steps, as well.

References

Prepare a complete reference sheet with updated contact information. Be sure to obtain permission from your references to use his / her name.

David Thralls | Executive Assistant to Alison Drumm
P 480-718-6179 | F 480-663-6179

david.thralls@govig.com | www.govigseniorcare.com

2011: Placed 385 Health Care Executives

Leading when the competition is Yourself.

Leading a group of people from one place to another is ALWAYS difficult, especially if they think they are already winning.  Think about the movie “Seabiscuit”.  When the trainer is preparing the jockey for the last race, he told him.  On the last stretch, pull up, let Seabiscuit look into the eyes of the competition and then at the right moment let him run – he wants it, his fire comes alive when he’s running to beat rather than running to win. Notice, he had to see the eyes of his competition.  So what happens when those eyes are your own?  That’s when the fire has to change.  The fire for being the best you can be and not just good enough to win the field.  You lead that and you have mastered Leadership!!

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 Sherri Huston | Senior Vice President 

 P 480-718-6105 |  F 480-663-6105

 sherri.huston@govig.com |www.govigseniorcare.com

2011: Placed 385 Executives