When a Negative Background Check Requires an Individualized Assessment

The candidate for hire made the short list. He/she is on the top, but the criminal background check came back with a negative report. This isn’t that surprising; according to the US Department of Justice, 30% of American adults have… Read more »

Hiring Leaders Watch for Five Traits

Every company wants to hire candidates who will be leaders in their field – candidates who understand the big picture while they actively pursue the details, helping take the company to new levels. Although anyone can list leadership qualities on… Read more »

Don’t Fake It to Make It: How to Enhance Your Resume and Look Great to Potential Employers Without Lying

Looking for a job in this economy can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you are sending out application after application without ever receiving a single request for an interview. It may be tempting to think about lying on your resume… Read more »

“What’s Your Favorite Breakfast Cereal?” How Non-Traditional Interview Questions Can Help You Learn About Candidates’ Personalities

You have to be careful of what you ask in a job interview, of course. To avoid asking anything illegal, most interviewers avoid asking anything too personal. However, challenging applicants with unusual questions can reap unexpected rewards. Asking non-traditional interview… Read more »

“My Favorite Color is Purple and I Collect TV Guides” – What Does an Employer Want to Know When They Say “Tell Me About Yourself”?

There’s a reason this question is asked at the very beginning of an interview. “Tell me about yourself” really means “give me an overview of who you are, professionally speaking.” “Professionally speaking” is the key phrase here. You want to… Read more »

5 Things HR Professionals Love About Staffing Agencies

While some HR professionals still have a wary relationship with staffing agencies, savvy HR managers know that professional, experienced agencies can be a terrific resource when used correctly. 1. They save you money by saving you time. Finding and attracting… Read more »

How You Can Turn Rejection Into a Positive

Nobody likes to be the sender of bad news, particularly during hard times. These days, with a greater number of candidates vying for fewer openings in your company, you may find yourself having to say “No” more often.  Applying a bit of… Read more »