Tag Archives: get hired

How Communicating Rejection Notices Can Help Your Businesses’ Brand

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Welcome back to another edition of the ComputerPeople Staffing blog! In the competitive job market, how companies handle candidate rejection notices can significantly impact how they are perceived by active candidates. Delivering bad news is never easy, but it’s a critical aspect of the hiring process that, when done with empathy and professionalism, can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one. Here’s how companies can improve their rejection communication to better their brand.

1. Timeliness is Key

  • Why It Matters: Prolonged silence can lead to frustration and anxiety for candidates. Timely communication shows respect for their time and effort.
  • How to Implement: Set clear timelines for each stage of the hiring process and communicate them to candidates. Send rejection notices as soon as the decision is made, ideally within a few days of the interview.

2. Personalize the Message

  • Why It Matters: Generic rejection letters often can feel impersonal and dismissive. If your company has the bandwidth to send personalized rejection messages, it can add a human layer to the situation. Personalized messages show that you value the candidate’s application and recognize their effort.
  • How to Implement: Address the candidate by name. Reference specific aspects of their application or interview. Use a warm and empathetic tone rather than a cold, formal one.

3. Express Gratitude

  • Why It Matters: Thanking candidates for their time and effort reinforces a positive impression of your company, even in the face of rejection.
  • How to Implement: Acknowledge the time and effort they put into their application and interview. Express appreciation for their interest in your company and the position.

4. Encourage Future Interaction

  • Why It Matters: Leaving the door open for future opportunities can maintain a positive relationship and potentially attract the candidate to apply for other roles.
  • How to Implement: Invite them to apply for future positions that match their skills and experience. Encourage them to follow your company on social media or join your talent community for updates on new openings.

5. Be Transparent About the Hiring Process

  • Why It Matters: Transparency builds trust and helps candidates understand your decision-making process, reducing feelings of frustration or unfairness.
  • How to Implement: Explain the hiring process and criteria used for selection. Offer insights into the qualities and experiences that were prioritized for the role. Make it human, not artificial!

6. Train Your Team

  • Why It Matters: Ensuring that everyone involved in the hiring process understands the importance of compassionate rejection communication can standardize and improve the candidate experience.
  • How to Implement: Provide training on best practices for delivering rejection notices. Share examples of well-crafted rejection letters. Encourage team members to put themselves in the candidate’s shoes, as they were once candidates!

Communicating rejection notices with care is an essential part of the hiring process that can significantly impact your company’s brand. By being timely, personal, and constructive, you can leave a positive impression on candidates, even in rejection. This approach not only enhances your employer brand but also fosters goodwill and encourages top talent to consider your company for future opportunities.

Implementing these strategies demonstrates that your company values all candidates, not just those who are hired. By treating every candidate with respect and empathy, you contribute to a positive reputation that can attract high-quality candidates and set your company apart in the competitive job market.

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Thanks for reading! If you are a business looking to fill your important IT roles, visit us at cpstaffing.com to learn more!

If you are a candidate and are looking for dream role, visit us at jobs.cpstaffing.com for our latest job postings!

And don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for new jobs, insights, blog posts and more! https://www.linkedin.com/company/computerpeoplestaffing

Written by Jeff Weiss

ComputerPeople Staffing Featured Candidates

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ComputerPeople invites you to take a look at our featured candidates. Please note that this list updates frequently and is active. We recommend you bookmark this tab so you can view our latest additions.

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CANDIDATE #48337

JOB CATEGORY: Network / System Admin / Engineer 

JOB TITLE:   Network Analyst, Network Engineer, Network Security

TOP SKILLS:   Cisco & Meraki products, Aruba, AWS, SDWAN platform, Fortinet, Checkpoint, Routing protocols (BGP/EIGRP)

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Hybrid, On-Site, Remote        

SALARY:       115k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years of Technical Experience

20+ Years of experience working in enterprise technical environments, with a progressive approach to technical platforms and hybrid cloud infrastructure deliveries. Strong background in network security, network administration, engineering and business solution outcomes.

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CANDIDATE #5322  

JOB CATEGORY: Database Reporting and Administration 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. Database and Reporting Analyst 

TOP SKILLS:   SQL, SSRS, ETL, Power BI, SharePoint 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Onsite, Remote, Hybrid         

SALARY:       90k – 100k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     30+ Years

Seasoned Database Administrator and Reporting Analyst with expert level SQL and SSRS Reporting skills. Candidate has Managerial experience but is also open to a high-level contributor role. Outstanding communications skills and exceptional collaborator. Strongly prefers Remote but is open to Hybrid or Onsite for the right fit.

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CANDIDATE #64414  

JOB CATEGORY: Network / System Admin / Engineer 

JOB TITLE:   Assistant System Administrator 

TOP SKILLS:   Active Directory, Azure/Entra , Server Management, Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint), Microsoft Intune 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Onsite, Remote, Hybrid       

SALARY:       75k  

EDUCATION:     High School Diploma 

EXPERIENCE:     4 Years

Mid-level System Administrator with strong skills related to Microsoft technologies.  Seeking a team-oriented, collaborative environment where he can gain experience and sharpen skills.  Proficient with On-prem Active Directory, Azure Entra for hybrid deployment (MFA, SSO), and Office 365.   

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CANDIDATE #8588

JOB CATEGORY: Project/Program Manager 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. IT Project Manager    

TOP SKILLS:   ERP Implementations ( esp. SAP), Azure Dev/Ops, Agile / Waterfall

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire or Contract, Remote, Hybrid     

SALARY:       170k+   

EDUCATION:     BS

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years

Outstanding communicator and presentation skills!  3+ years of consulting experience working for SAP implementation partner.  Will easily build relationships necessary to remove obstacles and get things done.  

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CANDIDATE #8162

JOB CATEGORY: Product Manager 

JOB TITLE:   IT Product Manager        

TOP SKILLS:   Product & Project Management, Agile Methodology & Tools, Scrum

 JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Hybrid, Remote  

SALARY:       150k   

EDUCATION:     BS

EXPERIENCE:     20 Years

Solid career in Project Management that transitioned to Scrum Master and Product Manager.  Strong foundation in Agile with expertise in Atlassian suite of tools (Jira, Trello, Confluence, etc.) as user & administrator.  Team manager, leads ceremonies, PI Planning, strategy and roadmap development.  Fast learner, excellent communicator- smart & gets things done! 

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CANDIDATE #4537

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk/ IT Support

JOB TITLE:   IT Hardware & Software Support Specialist        

TOP SKILLS:   Help Desk , Computer Set Up, Imaging  

JOB TYPE:     Contract Only (full or part time), on site, hybrid, remote 

SALARY:       35-40 / hr    

EDUCATION:     College Coursework     

EXPERIENCE:     30 Years

Candidate has been a repeat contractor for us for many years with glowing reviews!   Semi-Retired Systems Engineer with extensive MSP experience – you get experience, reliability and maturity for a great value!   Good experience in Microsoft Windows OS, AD, laptop/PC/printer Hardware setup & support, ticketing systems (esp. ConnectWise), server/desktop upgrades, imaging, project planning & management.

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CANDIDATE #64427

JOB CATEGORY: Program/Project Management

JOB TITLE:   Program Manager      

TOP SKILLS:   IIoT, Operations, Program/Project Management, B2B technology-based products, software & Services, New Product delivery, Business Process Change

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Part Time, Full Time

SALARY:       200K (Hourly rate is $100 per hour)   

EDUCATION:     MBA  

EXPERIENCE:     25 years

Our candidate would be open to a part-time or full-time, contract related role, dealing with process changes, business operations initiatives, project/program management. She has successfully led cross-organizational initiatives for new product delivery, opportunity assessment and deployment of business/process change. She is looking for a project that she can stand behind.

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CANDIDATE #47749

JOB CATEGORY: Management

JOB TITLE:   IT Manager /Security Compliance      

TOP SKILLS:   NIST, HIPAA, SOC, Endpoint management, Azure, MS365, Disaster Response, Healthcare Industry knowledge, AI

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire

SALARY:       140K      

EDUCATION:     Bachelor’s Degree  

EXPERIENCE:     5 Years 

Our candidate has a lot of experience in the Healthcare space, dealing with long and short term IT strategy planning. They have experience improving and creating systems, leading company-wide disaster response planning events, assessing risk, including compliance with HIPAA, NIST and SOC 2 Type audits.

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CANDIDATE #64421

JOB CATEGORY: Software Development

JOB TITLE:   Junior Software Developer         

TOP SKILLS:   HTML, CSS, MySQL, JavaScript, Java, Python, Agile Methodology 

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire, Remote, Hybrid, Onsite- Open to all     

SALARY:        50K         

EDUCATION:     Pursing bachelor’s degree in computer science Online    

EXPERIENCE:     Less than 1 

Up and coming Junior Developer with some great internship and project experience.  Currently working on an AI app utilizing Python.  Strong front end development skills as well as SQL database. Would love to join a development team in WNY that will mentor him and allow him more exposure to other languages and frameworks.  

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CANDIDATE #64420

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:   Infrastructure/Network/Systems Engineer         

TOP SKILLS:   Azure Tenant, Azure Cloud, Cisco Meraki, Endpoint management, SharePoint migrations, Intune, SD-WAN, Manufacturing environment, Linux Operating System, MS

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire   

SALARY:        120K         

EDUCATION:     Bachelor of Science: Information Systems & CCNP   

EXPERIENCE:     15 Years   

This candidate has manufacturing and enterprise IT experience, with a strong desire to continue working in a Networking or Engineering position. Has experience working with unique infrastructure and IT Projects.  

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CANDIDATE #7694

JOB CATEGORY: Business Analyst 

JOB TITLE:   Sr. Business Analyst        

TOP SKILLS:   Billing, Payroll, Cognos reporting, SQL, Audits, IAM   

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite   

SALARY:        105K-110K          

EDUCATION:     BS – Computer Information Systems        

EXPERIENCE:     18 Years 

Enterprise level BA with strong accounting/payroll/billing/claims background.  Adept at requirements gathering, data analysis, SQL for mapping/reporting, UAT, strong troubleshooting skills.  Agile experience and prior roles in Applications Security Administration / IAM.    

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CANDIDATE #64396   

JOB CATEGORY: Management

JOB TITLE:   BI / SQL Developer         

TOP SKILLS:   SQL, Power BI, Python, Excel     

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire      

SALARY:        100k          

EDUCATION:     Bachelor’s Degree        

EXPERIENCE:     2+ years   

Candidate is currently the IT Director for a small company and has a strong interest in Data Analytics / Business Intelligence. Implemented Power BI in current role and handles all of the Data Analytics, BI, Reporting, and SQL Programming. Candidate and is open to onsite/hybrid/remote Direct Hire opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #64407  

JOB CATEGORY:  Business Intelligence / Data Analytics

JOB TITLE:   Power BI Developer          

TOP SKILLS:   Power BI, SQL, Snowflake, KPI’s, ETL, Data Analysis    

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire Only     

SALARY:        95k          

EDUCATION:     Some College         

EXPERIENCE:     4 Years    

Committed and driven analyst with 4 years of experience in Power BI development, SQL, DAX, table management, sales optimization and varied business intelligence. Built and maintained numerous datasets and reporting suites with target audiences varying from entry level associates to senior management. Strong presentation skills, critical thinking ability, and the drive to grow and thrive when presented with new challenges.

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CANDIDATE #64401

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk / IT Support

JOB TITLE:   IT Specialist           

TOP SKILLS:   Support Issues, Virtualization, Microsoft Azure, Legacy Systems    

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire Only     

SALARY:        65k          

EDUCATION:   Studying for CCNA now        

EXPERIENCE:     1 Year of IT experience (Career change from Electrician)     

Candidate is leaning towards a career in networking, viewing it as fundamental to IT. They are completing their CCNA certification for more hands-on experience. They are open to exploring different opportunities but want to ensure a smooth transition from their current employer. 

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CANDIDATE #9137  

JOB CATEGORY:    Management     

JOB TITLE:     Director / VP / CIO / Portfolio Manager           

TOP SKILLS:    Business Process Re-engineering, ERP Implementations, BI/Analytics, Portfolio/Project Mgmt, Manufacturing         

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite         

SALARY:          170k+        

EDUCATION:       BS     

EXPERIENCE:       20+ 

Impressive career in large, international manufacturing company with oversight for technology transformation and strategy around ERP systems, BI & Analytics and Business Process Re-engineering. 

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CANDIDATE #64355

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:             Systems Administrator     

TOP SKILLS:        Linux, AWS Cloud, Oracle Cloud 

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire, Remote, Hybrid, Onsite      

SALARY:           75k      

EDUCATION:        Associates Degree in Information Technology  

EXPERIENCE:       10 + Years    

Great candidate that has only had two jobs in the last 15 years. Capable of growing and advancing in your IT Department. This candidate is willing to take a step backwards, to learn other technology. Candidate has done Technical Support, NOC, Systems Administration. Our candidate has configured, deployed, and supported high-availability enterprise environments. 

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CANDIDATE #48250

JOB CATEGORY: IT Security

JOB TITLE:                     Cybersecurity Risk Analyst

TOP SKILLS:                  Governance, Risk, Compliance, Identity and Access Management

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire  

SALARY:                         85K+ 

EDUCATION:                BS Computer Information Systems 

EXPERIENCE:               5+ years        

Candidate possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has 5+ years of professional Cybersecurity experience.  Seeking a Threat Analyst, Security Analyst, or Identity and Access Management (IAM) role. Our candidate is only open to Direct Hire opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #11519

JOB CATEGORY: Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:                     Network Security Engineer

TOP SKILLS:                 Cisco Networking, Cisco ISE, VLANS, Firewalls, Fortinet 

JOB TYPE:                     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite

SALARY:                        85k- 120k

EDUCATION:               Bachelor’s Degree 

EXPERIENCE:               20 Years         

Proficient in Cisco networking, LAN/WAN, VoIP solutions, technical communication, and leadership. Maintaining Cisco ISE, implementing network segmentation, using Nexpose vulnerability scanner, and managing Fortinet systems.  Extensive experience in maintaining Cisco environments, upgrading systems, implementing network security measures, and project management for infrastructure upgrades.

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CANDIDATE #53237

JOB CATEGORY: Help Desk / IT Support

JOB TITLE:                      Lead Information Technology Analyst  

TOP SKILLS:                  Active Directory, VMware, Microsoft Azure, Intune, ServiceNow  

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire 

SALARY:                         70k 

EDUCATION:                Master’s Degree -Information Security and Digital Forensics

EXPERIENCE:               2 Years        

Candidate is a recent college grad but has been working in IT while obtaining his Master’s Degree. Would like to work more towards a role in Cyber Security or a Systems Administrator role.  

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CANDIDATE #63758 

JOB CATEGORY: IT Security

JOB TITLE:                      Information Security Analyst 

TOP SKILLS:                  IAM, MFA, Active Directory 

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire 

SALARY:                         65K+ 

EDUCATION:                BS Computer Science 

CERTIFICATIONS:      CompTIA Security+ 

EXPERIENCE:               4+ years         

Candidate has excellent interpersonal skills and a strong Identity Access Management (IAM) background.  Familiar with authentication methods such as Single sign-on (SSO) and Multi-factor authentication (MFA).  Seeking a Direct Hire position related to IT Security/IAM.   

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CANDIDATE #64237

JOB CATEGORY: Project / Program Management

JOB TITLE:                     Director, Information Technology 

TOP SKILLS:                  Leadership, IT Strategic Planning, Project/Program Management 

JOB TYPE:                      Direct Hire OR Contract 

SALARY:                         175K+ OR 75+/hour 

EDUCATION:                BS Business Administration / MBA (In Progress) 

CERTIFICATIONS:      ITIL, SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT, CSPO, CSM 

EXPERIENCE:               20+ years 

Candidate possesses strong leadership skills and has 20+ years’ professional experience.  Has successfully led and managed countless Enterprise IT Infrastructure initiatives.  Seeking an IT Director/Manager role or something in the Project/Program Management space.  Open to both Direct Hire and Contract opportunities. 

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CANDIDATE #22898 

JOB CATEGORY:    Network/Sys Admin/Engineer

JOB TITLE:           Systems /Network Engineer      

TOP SKILLS:        Server Administration, Network and Server Infrastructure, Cisco Routers, Virtualization    

JOB TYPE:     Contract, Direct Hire , Remote, Hybrid, Onsite       

SALARY:                 80k 

EDUCATION:          Associates of Computer Networking Systems  

EXPERIENCE:        13+ Years     

Specializes in managing network and server infrastructure, providing help desk support, researching and implementing new products for productivity and security. Experienced in Cisco routers, HP managed switches, server administration, VOIP systems, software and hardware troubleshooting, PC setup, Citrix Hosted Desktop, email systems, and wireless access points. 

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CANDIDATE #64200

JOB CATEGORY: Business Intelligence / Data Analytics

JOB TITLE:   Data Engineer / Sr. Programmer Analyst              

TOP SKILLS:    Azure Data Factory / Databricks,  API, SQL, VB, PIM, SAP, TIBCO 

JOB TYPE:     Direct Hire, Contract, Onsite, Hybrid  

SALARY:    100K – 120K               

EDUCATION:   BS – Computer Information Systems         

EXPERIENCE:    20 years 

Extensive experience in ERP Systems Integration & Administration (SAP, PIM, Tibco). Recent experience as Data Engineer for Azure Platform (ETL, Datawarehouse, Python) – Agile environment. Strong programming in SQL (Oracle/MS SQL), VB 6.0.

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CANDIDATE #49289

JOB CATEGORY: Software Development

JOB TITLE:               Software Developer

TOP SKILLS:            Restful API, SQL, Agile Methodologies

JOB TYPE:                Direct Hire

SALARY:                  100k – 110k

EDUCATION:          BS Computer Science

EXPERIENCE:         6+ years     

Developer with a background mainly in C# / .NET, that has experience in console applications and simple web user interfaces in both a team and individual setting. Looking for new challenges that will allow them to gain new knowledge or deepen the knowledge that they have previously gained.

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If you are interested in one of our hot candidates, please email us directly at dmichaud@cpstaffing.com.

Don’t see the right fit? Let us know and we can find you another candidate with different qualifications and skills!

And don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for new jobs, insights, blog posts and more! https://www.linkedin.com/company/computerpeoplestaffing

Creating A Resume From a Template? Read this First.

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Resume templates are amazing tools. They allow candidates to create stunning resumes in a short amount of time. They are usually easy to read, cover all the details, and look very professional. However, if you use a template resume, there are a couple of mistakes that are easy to make. Read on to find out some of the most commonly made mistakes when using a template resume and how to avoid them.

Not filling in all of the sections. This seems so simple, but you would be surprised how often we see things like [company name here], [more detail about your role here], and [add your reference here]. Recruiters and hiring managers usually take about 30 seconds or less to review a resume, but that is an extremely noticeable mistake that will ALWAYS be caught. Employers want to know that you have attention to detail, and this is a quick way to get yourself dismissed from the candidate search. You can avoid this my reading over every word of your resume out loud before you submit. When you read out loud, your brain cannot skip over things and you will catch the mistake. We also recommend having one of our recruiters or a trusted friend read over your resume before you submit it.

Not listing all of your experience. Just because your resume template only has three sections of prior experience does not mean you should only list three sections of prior experience. It is definitely okay to break the mold of the resume template if you have extra sections to add. Also, don’t forget to add things like relevant skills or experience if that information would be applicable to the job. You can avoid this by brainstorming all of your experience and skills into an unformatted “master resume.” When you apply to a new job, make sure to highlight the most relevant things from your “master resume,” and do not include the things that are not relevant. You never want to lie or exaggerate on your resume, but it is definitely a great idea to tailor your resume to the job.

Not fixing your spacing. You should do everything you can to try and keep your resume down to one page, especially if you do not have a lot of experience. If you absolutely have to go on to two or three pages then that is okay, but do everything you can with spacing and margins to reduce the amount of pages in your resume before you submit. Your first priority should be that your resume is easily readable, but you also want to keep it as short as possible while still including details about your skillset and experiences.

Is your resume based on a template? Comment back with the mistakes that you caught or lessons that you learned!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen 

How To Be A Cover Letter Rockstar

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Cover letters can be scary to both experienced and inexperienced job seekers. What should you include in your cover letter? Should you even include a cover letter if it isn’t required? How do you know if your cover letter is acceptable? The reality is that you should not fear the cover letter. Here are a few tips to help you write your next cover letter like a pro.

Write one. ALWAYS write a cover letter. Yes, ALWAYS. The only exception to this rule is if the application specifically says not to write one, which is rare. Since most other people do not go the extra mile to write a cover letter, choosing to do so will set you apart and show the hiring manager that you are actually interested and prepared.

Keep it the right length. Your cover letter should be short. It should never go over one page. You can play with your font and margin if you need a couple extra lines, but try not to let that be too obvious. Also, never use comic sands. For anything. EVER.

Address it correctly. “To Whom It May Concern” is not going to help you stand out. You should address your cover letter to the manager of the department where you are applying to work. If you do not know the name of that person, just address your letter to the Hiring Manager.

Include the right things. First of all, you should grab the reader’s attention. There are several ways you can do this such as creatively introducing yourself, asking the hiring manager a question about his/her needs to fill the position you are applying for, or explain your interest in the position. Next, you should capture the reader’s interest by explaining why you are qualified for the position based on your experience, education, ideas, etc. Explain what sets you apart from the multiple other people that have applied for the position. In the following paragraph, share a few notable accomplishments with the hiring manager. The idea is to write something that will cause the hiring manager to want to meet you. If you are applying for a job in another area, it is important to tell the hiring manager why you are applying for a job in that area. For example, if you live in Tampa and you are applying for a job in Buffalo, you should tell the hiring manager why you want to live in Buffalo. If you do not do this, some managers will immediately discount your job application. Finally, directly ask the hiring manager for an interview.

Feel it out. Not all companies are created equal, so you are going to have to use your judgement if you want to strike the right cord. You never want to try to be something you are not, especially in an interview situation, but if you know a company is super relaxed, you might want to play around with your wording so that you give off the right impression. However, never try to be funny or not serious in a cover letter. You want to be yourself, but your cover letter will likely be a first impression, so make it a good one!

NOTE: Always follow the instructions of the employer when applying for a job!

Good luck!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

How Do I Standout From All The Other Candidates During My Job Search? Wise Words from Our Rockstar Recruiter Brooke DeLucia.

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Brooke DeLucia has been a recruiter at ComputerPeople for over 20 years. She has seen it all and has worked with candidates from all over the world. We asked Brooke one simple question. What is the most important quality that a candidate can have to make them standout from the rest?

Brooke’s Response is gold.

“Drive & Professionalism.   Having the ability to sell yourself as a driven individual with the aptitude and hunger to learn can make all the difference.   Your body language can make or break an opportunity, no matter how qualified you are for the job. It’s still important to be respectful, attentive and professional when you are interviewing.  Don’t slouch in your chair, don’t pick lint off your suit, don’t chew gum or swear. It may seem basic but sometimes the people you least expect are the ones making these mistakes!”

Thanks for the words of wisdom, Brooke! Connect with Brooke Here.

 

 

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Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

 

Applying for a new job? Don’t be surprised if you have to take a test.

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Your test-taking days are not over!

Personality tests are becoming more and more popular for candidates and new hires. Sometimes it is part of the hiring process, and sometimes it is post-hire for training and learning purposes. Either way, personality tests can be stressful because testers can begin to feel concerned that they have to answer the way management would want them to answer. However, this thought process does not work. Here are a few tips if you have to take a personality test.

  1. Be yourself. You cannot outsmart the test, so don’t try to. You want to answer truthfully so that you don’t end up looking indecisive or dishonest.
  2. Don’t rush. Personality tests can be boring and draining but you should try to take your time and do your best.
  3. Enjoy the opportunity for honesty. It is a lot easier to admit your faults to a screen than it is to a person, and no one will hold it against you for doing just that. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and letting your employers know what they are ahead of time will help them to set you up for success in the workplace.

You should not be afraid of a personality test. Be yourself, don’t rush, and enjoy the opportunity for open communication.

Have you ever had to take a personality test? What was it like?

 

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Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

4 Staffing Agency Myths You Probably Believed

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Since I’ve started working for CP Staffing Solutions (we’re awesome, by the way), I’ve come into several conversations about staffing agencies with some of my friends that have left me a little surprised – well, maybe not so much “surprised” as much as “curious.” I came to find that some of the things that people think and believe about staffing agencies are incredibly misconstrued. Furthermore, it made me wonder, how is it that these misconceptions have gone on for so long? Working for one directly, I can be the first to tell you that many of these are just simply not true; you’ve been bamboozled! Let’s tackle some of these myths and uncover some great truths.

  1. The fee
    Myth: A staffing agency will take a cut from your salary.
    Fact: The hiring company pays a staffing fee to the agency, not you.

    I can see how people can come to this conclusion; I thought the same thing when I started searching for a job through a staffing agency. However, the reality is that the hiring company pays a staffing fee to the agency based on, but separate from, your salary. A few years ago I took some time away from the workforce to travel, and when I came back I needed a job (like ASAP), so I went through a staffing agency. Not only did I not have to pay a fee, but they also did all the job searching for me and I got a job in less than a week after meeting with them. Working with an agency actually has some pretty good perks, and it will not cost you a dime. Here is what some of our recruiters had to say on the subject:”It’s amazing how many people still think that’s true.  It WAS true many, many years ago when I went through an agency.  They wanted a percentage of your first year’s salary but that is not the case now.”  – Beth Courtney, Sr. Sourcing Specialist at ComputerPeople Staffing.

    “A company that decides not to make an investment in an employee because of an agency fee likely isn’t a company you would want to work for anyway.” – Faith Drew, Recruiter at FinancialPeople Staffing.

  2. The pay negotiation
    Myth: An agency job will probably be low-pay, and you won’t be able to negotiate.
    Fact: Agencies provide a wide range of salaries, from entry level to experienced positions, and will facilitate negotiation.

    So this one is kind of a two-fer; not only do people believe that agencies will offer them a poor salary, but they also believe that the option of negotiation is off the table. What actually happens is that a recruiter will look at your resume and your experience, talk to you about what you’re looking for, and give you a realistic and honest perspective on what you should expect. The great thing is, you don’t have to be afraid of telling your recruiter what you want or what your absolute minimum is. In fact, some of the best chances of negotiation will happen with your recruiter because they are the ones that deal with the company directly; they can negotiate the best pay according to your salary preference and experience. Oftentimes negotiating on your own can be awkward and/or stressful (at least for me it would be O_O), while recruiters are usually trained in this area. Instead of running the chance of starting your new job on a wrong note, having your recruiter negotiate your salary will ensure that everything goes smoothly, and you would still look like a superstar 😉 . See? This actually works out in your favor. 🙂

  3. The temporary job
    Myth: Agencies only offer temp jobs.
    Fact: Agencies offer all kinds of jobs.

    Simple and to the point: we have a wide variety of jobs, not just temporary jobs. The misconception may come from the fact that a lot of these jobs may start out as a temporary role, but often times these temporary jobs will turn into full-time, permanent ones. Good companies like to keep good talent; if you do end up starting out with a temporary gig, make sure you showcase your best! 🙂 Here is what one of our recruiters had to say on the matter:

    “We work with all position types—permanent, contract/temp, temp to perm, and per diem.” – Liz Ragan, Recruiter at MedicalPeople Staffing.

  4. The low quality factor
    Myth: Agencies don’t have good “big girl/big boy” jobs; you’d be lowering your standards.
    Fact: A lot of great, high paying jobs can only be found through a good agency.
    Really take the time to think about it: why would a company go through the trouble of paying professional recruiters to find them employees? Well, simply put, because they want the best talent for the best jobs. Otherwise the company would be, basically,  wasting their money. An agency can find you jobs that you could otherwise miss, so it’s certainly worth your time. Here is our last thought:

    “Most of the clients we work with only work through recruiters. This is especially true at large companies when it comes to contract roles, and small companies when it comes to permanent roles. So working with an agency is often the only way to find jobs like that. Companies invest in agencies to find them the best talent that will stay long term and be a good fit long term.” – Faith Drew, Recruiter at FinancialPeople Staffing.

Now that we’ve uncovered some truths, if you’re looking for a change of pace, a new job, or a new career path, give the staffing agency a shot! You never know – you could very well find your dream job when you least expect it. And just to let you in on one last, little secret: no one will go out of their way to prep you for an interview the way your recruiter will (at least all of our recruiters do!), optimizing your chances of getting the job. What more is there to say? Give it a try, and see how it goes. From my personal experience, staffing agencies have always been a great help in my career search, and they could very well do the same for you!

*This blog was expanded from the original blog “Five Misleading Myths About Getting A Job Through a Staffing Company“*

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By Nayadee Wilson