Getting You Noticed

Lying on LinkedIn can cost you your job and future – 3 top tips to confirm a potential candidates identity

Lynne Payne — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:24:09 +0000

Lying on LinkedIn or on any communication channel about your resume and background is not cool. Yahoo! CEO Scott Thompson (after a push) resigned this week over a cv ‘error’ after it was discovered he brandished an IT degree to get the top job.

It has been interesting watching the rise of LinkedIn where everyone posts their cv from work experience to academic achievements – I actually find it a time waster in my recruitment business as people do ‘embroider’ the truth online. I had alarm bells early on when a client of mine who just loves the LinkedIn concept was horrified to see a previous employee that they ‘let go’ state on their LinkedIn profile that they had worked longer than they had at their organisation and had given themselves a promotion via their title. Sitting there in the privacy of her home in her pyjamas she saw stuff that wasn’t true and then she couldn’t sleep!

As a recruiter I worry that people take these profiles at face value my advice is don’t. The top three tips to check if their profile is legitimate online is:

To check out their online connections (if you can) - are they closely aligned to their role and organisation.
Pick up the phone and talk to them – better still get them in for a face to face meeting and see if they squirm when questioned around how they portray themselves
Basic protocol – if they are of interest ask for an academic transcript and a reference of a direct report (and don’t give me a mobile number I want a real person working for a real company with a switchboard receptionist)

It is a real shame that consumers abuse how they profile themselves and it is a condition of using LinkedIn – users cant fabricate the truth…but they do….

P.S. As a Recruiter LinkedIn is time consuming and cumbersome – please don’t ask us to check out your LinkedIn profile we don’t have time to toggle from our own database, the internet, and Outlook and search for a profile that might not be 100% accurate - just email us and we would love to have a friendly, honest discussion in person or over the phone about your accurate cv.

Budget blues? There is work to do…..at any age

Lynne Payne — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:47:41 +0000

Amidst the uncertainty and promises from Canberra, Profiler Recruitment has had a busy week with clients – there are recruitment surges across the construction sector, and there are continued needs across hospitality and not for profit for HR and Marketing through to GM level. Just a tip for candidates looking for work (and have been for a while), don’t worry there is activity, just continue to network and put your name out there – call us and give us an update or sign up for our job alerts on our website if you haven’t already. Many candidates are getting worried that they are too senior to be considered and are being passed over - I say how ironic given that the government is planning incentives for organisations employing ‘older workers’.

We are passionate about presenting experience to our clients – my advice if you think age is a barrier, it will be. How you need to present if you think you are in that so called ‘older’ category of worker is as a contemporary, up to date professional! I will dedicate another blog just to this topic at some stage soon…. Enjoy the weekend and hope your team wins!

GM’s and Leaders get ready, Structures are Changing

Lynne Payne — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:52:05 +0000

There seems to be a lot of planning going on around town at the moment, with special considerations around budget. Many organisations are gearing up for change and will be looking for new leaders, bringing functions together and streamlining processes and effort. At Profiler Recruitment this week we have experienced increased needs across education, utilities and not for profit. Roles are ranging from HR generalists to experienced GM’s across Marketing. Just wait July 1, interest rates may have dropped 0.5% (thanks to the Reserve Bank), I don’t think job opportunities will – businesses need to work strategically and harder to capture market share and survive – and they need good people to make that happen (albeit for a little less money). Hang in there.

Are organisations slowing down for a build up – the EOFY is looming

Lynne Payne — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:16:33 +0000

A common thread of discussion is lurking amongst many candidates – why is it so quiet on the job front? Clients are holding off making a decision on permanent placements for a number of reasons and there has been reshuffling and restructures internally – budgets need to be approved as we are fast approaching the end of financial year and the bottom line needs a tidy up to present to Boards and shareholders. Projects and plans will be presented at AGM’s all around the country over the next few months seeking approval. Then we will know more what is ahead. But there is still work to be done. Profiler Recruitment this week saw increased activity across the education and hospitality sectors, contract opportunities being the focus.

Don’t forget to check out the Introduction to Profiler Recruitment podcast on the front page of our website www.profilerrecruitment.com

We will be releasing others over the year with information current to the job market. Not happy about this cold snap here in Melbourne – Enj.

Video Post: An introduction to Profiler Recruitment

Lynne Payne — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:51:51 +0000

The first in the new video blog series from Profiler Recruitment, a video introduction to Profiler Recruitment’s services.

Don’t put your eggs all in one basket – even though it is Easter!

Lynne Payne — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:05:10 +0000

If you are in the job market you may be finding it relatively slow in particularly in the permanent market. We have found that clients are taking their time in making their decision for a number of reasons -waiting for guidance from a US parent, economic uncertainty, or even being just very considered in their decision given that shortlists are getting longer. There are many ‘dream’ jobs around at the moment however it is best to be realistic and recognise that it is best to consider all options while waiting for “the one”. A trap that newbies to the job market can fall into is to focus on just the one opportunity. They have got through first interview, their hopes are up – the job is yours! Don’t get too excited – there is at the last minute a new manager that is flying in from Singapore in the next two weeks (and he will be an important part of the panel process). Oh and weren’t you told there was a four hour psychometric test if you get past the panel (you can do it at home at your leisure!), and then the MD wants the final say – just a coffee chat, nothing too strenuous (don’t forget to bring along your strategic plan for his organisation to discuss over a latte) and he is overseas until next month. Meanwhile you have missed two six month contract opportunities starting Monday with an enviable hourly rate and have missed the cut off for being considered for three permanent roles all in different sectors. Be strategic with yourself – cover your bases and consider what comes along first….consider all your eggs. A good one will come through for you.

The week’s wrap – promising signs in the US, is it an indication of future success?

Lynne Payne — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:30:12 +0000

Heading towards Easter we have seen many clients take the confident step in making offers which is an encouraging sign. Salary offers have been meeting expectations which is great (for both parties – the employer and potential new employee). Employment opportunities rose by 227,000 in February 2012 in the United States after such a woeful time for employees. Jobs were created across leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and mining (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is encouraging (I hope) for us here in the Asia Pacific region that we will follow this trend of job creation and recovery (and hopefully its not too slow). So as I have always encouraged everyone during these times, keep networking, keep your skills up (in particular your online/e commerce which is increasingly becoming a hot spot) and keep positive as by the looks of it opportunity is coming our way.

Holding the Fort and Defending for Attack – Business is in Protection Mode

Lynne Payne — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:32:46 +0000

We have seen a sharp increase in roles just in the last week across clients looking for skills across CRM, Sales, Brand Management. These roles are focused on protecting the brand, building a profile, retaining those very important current clients and their market data. HR roles just over the last week have been more care taking roles at a mid level range as management decides the future of their employee structure. HR professionals at the moment are tending not to move from permanent roles at the moment creating a slowdown (just at the moment) in particular in the Senior HR space. Don’t forget to keep your skills up during this time. It was great to speak with a candidate today who is just completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (she was on the tram when I called) and just finished her contract a couple of weeks back – she is keeping busy and is definitely making herself more marketable in the interim!

Manners and a smile will get you everywhere – and during these times help you to stand out

Lynne Payne — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:17:19 +0000

I just had to write this in my blog, with the permission of a candidate I recently interviewed…I will call him Stuart in this instance. With all the changes that are going on in the employment landscape we are speaking to many people about their current work circumstances and plans for the future. With the downturn in career opportunities (just at the moment I say….) and not a lot of movement at the senior end there hasnt been a lot of joy. It was a breath of fresh air to meet Stuart at the end of last week. He literally bounded out of his seat and stepped confidently towards me to shake my hand. He gave off so much positive energy by simply putting a spring in his step and a smile on his face. We would be thrilled to find him his next role – needless to say when we rang him to discuss something he already has something looking very good for him. His politeness and manners made him stand out – I raised it with him during our meeting and we ended up discussing the values our mothers had instilled in us! I came away from the meeting with another Profiler Recruitment Consultant feeling energised – good things ahead.

OK on the job landscape – short term HR contracting work while permanent solutions are found, clients are still feeling their way as to which way to go. Large scale projects are slowing down as organisations review budget restrictions and this has unforunately led to a drop in opportunities. There has been a sharp increase in marketing roles with a relationship management and loyalty bent. Membership organisations and associations are looking at new and creative ways to maximise their membership uptake/donations. Talk soon Lynne

Unemployment rate climbing – there is work with our clients

Lynne Payne — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:08:41 +0000

There is doom and gloom at the moment every day we pick up the paper this week – “edge of recession”, “27,000 jobs down the drain”. We are being asked very politely how is our business, well it is great and we are really busy as there is always great jobs for great people – it all depends how flexible and adaptable you are…..We have seen a sharp increase in sales and fund raising roles this week across not for profit and financial services this week, social media and digital skills are increasingly in demand as clients continue to focus on attracting and retaining business marketing using all channels. We certainly saw the power of online this week with Kony 2012. HR roles vary this week from HR generalists at the mid level through to payroll specialist roles. If you live in Victoria enjoy the long weekend!