Friday Feature: Calling all Grads

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In todays Friday Feature I want to tell you more about an exciting job opportunity for recent college grads. I am fortunate to be working with an innovative start-up, CSOR, Inc, that has developed a fully integrated approach to inside sales operations. Partnering with businesses to design and build a dynamic new sales environment from the ground up, to maximize peak performance. "Whether we manage your team from our specially designed facility, or turn it over to you - they are your team - up and running in 30 days - getting results on day one!  YES REALLY - Day One!"

Let's break down the Inside Sales Development Rep profile to see if you or someone you know would be a good fit! No experience necessary - We provide a comprehensive training program designed for success!

Environment Profile:

• Unique open concept
• No Cubicles
• Collaborative Team approach
• With a hint of friendly competition
• Everyone's opinion matters

Candidate Profile:

• Recent College Grads  
• Who want a long-term career in sales
• Fun and energetic
• Strong work ethic
• Competitive nature
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, team environment

Job Profile:

• Lead Generation:  
• Research prospective organizations that could benefit from the partners products
• Identify decision makers
• Calling those prospects and engaging in conversations designed to discover sales opportunities
• Appointment Setting:
• Gain commitment from prospects to attend a brief web-based product demonstration or other call to action

Successful Inside Sales operations drive prospects to action! Are you looking for an exciting start to your sales career or know someone who is? Don't wait - send your resume to me at leona@connexiohr.com and I will get in touch with you to discuss as soon as possible. We are constantly gaining new partner companies to work with across the USA. Check out our current openings here, and refer back often to see whats new.

Are you a business looking for a way to improve your sales operations? Connect with CSOR today to learn how!

Business Cards

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Do people still have Business cards these days? The answer is yes.  Business cards are used for more than just businesses today.  They are a great way to get your name out there without a lot of paper.  It provides a quick snapshot of YOU!

• Your Name
• Phone Number
• Email
• LinkedIn URL
• Twitter Handle
• website - if you have one
• Tag Line - What about you in a quick sentence.

It's easy to do with computer software and Avery Business Card stock.  Or you can try these online sites:

• Vistaprint
• Moo
• Zazzle
• 123 Print
• Staples

In the digital age, having a digital resume located on a personal website is becoming more common.  Having LinkedIn be your source of an electronic resume is also popular - reflecting your work experience and endorsements from co-workers. Technology is great - but having that card can give you the presence of being remembered by that person even better.

How many times have you bumped into someone and wanted to exchange information.  What do you do?  Pull out your phone, create a new contact and type in their info.  Then when you go back into your phone later in time, you question - Who is this person.  I'm sure that happens more than you imagine. Having a Business Card or Personal Card is also a great networking tool for Job Fairs, Interviews, Dinner Parties, Networking events of any kind etc.  You name it you can pass it out!

Ever been to a restaurants where you drop your card in the bowl for a chance to win something?? That's right - makes it easy to participate!  Who doesn't love to win things?

Have you created your personal business card yet?

Feature Friday: Toronto, Ontario Canada

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Toronto is Canada's number one tourist destination and Toronto's Liberty Village has experienced phenomenal growth since 2004 to present in terms of new condos/lofts, office space a new park and a multitude of new shops and restaurants - making it one of the more upcoming cities to be in.  It's location is considered one of the finest assets being a 15-minute walk to the Lakeshore, 20-minute streetcar ride to the financial district and a 20-minute walk from the entertainment/fashion/gallery districts of King St. West. Located on the east coast just north of Buffalo, NY - it's and easy destination to reach.

Here are some Fast Facts about Toronto Ontario you may not know:

• Dual language street signs can be found in Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Portugal and other communities.
• There are 100+ languages spoken throughout the city
• A No-Smoking By-Law across the entire city
• Minimum legal drinking age in Ontario is 19.  Bars and restaurants must stop serving by 2am
• Most business office hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday
• Most shops open from 10am - 5:30 or 6pm, Monday-Saturday
• Most stores have extended hours to 8 or 9pm on Thursday and Friday
• Most stores open from noon - 5 on Sundays
• Toronto is Canada's largest retail market
• Over half of the labor force has a university degree or college diploma
• Toronto is the largest and most important financial center in all of Canada and the fourth largest in North Amercia.  Only New York city, Chicago and Los Angeles are larger.
• Toronto is the home to the world's tallest free-standing structure, the CN Tower standing 1,815 feet (553 meters) tall.
• Toronto's public transit system is the second largest in North America and has the highest per capita ridership rate on the continent.
• want to learn even more?  click here

Looking for a job? Toronto's Liberty Village is a great place to start a career in sales on the ground floor of a 1 year old software start-up company - Coherent Path.  Great culture with a unique, open concept working environment. Who are we looking for exactly?

• New College Grads with 0-1 year work experience
• Someone who wants to have a long-term career in sales
• Someone who enjoys a fast-paced, collaborative yet friendly competitive environment
• Someone who wants to help a young company grow
• A comprehensive sales training program is provided - so no experience necessary

Interested in starting your career in sales or know a recent grad looking in the Toronto area? Send over those resumes to leona@connexiohr.com for review or get in touch to refer someone you know and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Let's Do This: You Got The Job

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The waiting game is over... the phone rings and Yes, You Did It! Congratulations you got the Job! You are so excited you start texting people, even posting it on Facebook - but WAIT! There are some things you need to do before you start blasting those messages out.

1. You need to get the written letter in hand. A verbal offer is great but until it's in writing ANYTHING can change.
2. READ IT to make sure it matches what you were told and what you expected.
3. SIGN IT and return it.  Most offers have an expiration date for returning. Just because you said yes they still need the signed copy
4. Currently employed? RESIGN.  This is your "Two Weeks Notice" That's right, you have to face your boss and tell him/her that you are leaving. Prepare a written resignation letter and give it to your boss when you speak with him/her.
5. Once you've resigned then you can share the news to everyone!

But what about that resignation letter...? What should it say? Keep it short and sweet and be professional, even if you didn't like your job or boss, you don't want to burn any bridges as you may cross paths again. There are many samples you can find on google, the one I like best is below.

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SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear (Bosses name),

I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position of (insert job title). My last day of employment will be (2 weeks from date on letter).  I have decided to pursue another opportunity.

Thank you for the opportunities and experiences I have gained over the course of my employment here.  I wish you and the company all the best for the future.

Sincerely,

(Sign)

Your name

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Good Luck & feel free to let me know how it goes! If you are looking for your next career opportunity, don't be shy! Send me an email anytime  at leona@connexiohr.com !

Don't Give Up!

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Sometimes the job search can get you a little down. Applying to what feels like millions of jobs when the hours turn into days and the days begin to blend together. We've all been there. You must stay positive and something will come around. Don't give up!

Don't forget to check out our jobs page on the website here for more information! You can even refer friends!

Feature Friday: Downers Grove, IL

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Downers Grove, Illinois is located 25 miles west of Chicago and ranked 8th Friendliest Town in America by Forbes Magazine. Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully stated "Many in the community remark upon the importance of our efforts to keep Downers Grove a great place to live, learn, work and play."

Home to just over 49,000 people, this community offers unique boutiques, dining establishments and community events throughout the year. Check out why this town was ranked #8 out 15 by Forbes Magazine here and more facts about Downer Groves here.

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Now, Why are we talking about Downers Grove, IL??

If you are a recent college grad or know one who is looking for a great community to start a career in Sales - send them on over!  We have a great opportunity for a Entry Level Business Development Representative in Downers Grove, IL.  No Experience Necessary, we provide comprehensive training for success!

What are you waiting for? Feel free to send those resumes over to my direct email, leona@connexohr.com and I will be sure to get in contact with you in a timely manner!

Let's Do This: In Person Interview

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Prior to reaching the "in person interview" phase, you may have had a number of phone calls with the the company. Well here you are, you made it to the "in person interview" phase. Also known as the "onsite interview". Congratulations! 

Are you ready for this step?  Do you know what to expect and what's expected of you? In this phase you may meet with upwards of 5 people. Each interviewer will have a different style of interviewing - some better than others. You may be asked some pretty interesting and crazy questions like: "If you were a brick, what would you be used for?" Yup that's right, today's interview questions are getting pretty crazy. Why? Well they want to see how you think on your feet!

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Some other questions might be:

• Explain a situation where you had to work in a team:
• what were the dynamics
• how did you communicate
• were there expectations set - how and what were they
• what is the greatest lesson you took away from that experience
• What would you say your top 3 strengths for this position are?
• What would you say are your top 3 development areas for this position?
• Explain what you bring to the table to help us succeed?
• How do you keep yourself and work organized so nothing falls through the cracks?
• Why would you not accept this position if offered to you?

How you present yourself and answer these questions will be the difference of moving forward and receiving an offer or not.  Here are some tips and tricks to get you through:

• Don't jump into the answer - take a deep breath and speak clearly and concisely
• Don't ramble
• Have enthusiasm and be engaging
• Think about your answer - but not too long.  You want to keep the conversation moving along
• Watch how many "Fillers" you use. 
• Fillers are "um's", "ah's", "you know's", "like"...  
• Have a sense of confidence when you speak

It's a 2 way conversation - They are interviewing you and you are interviewing them.

• Prepare questions for each interviewer - Yes you can ask the same question of each person you speak to.  WHY?  You want to compare their answer

When the interview is done - send each person a personal Thank You email:

• Thank them for their time in speaking with you
• Express your interest in the position and working for the company
• Ask any final questions and let them know they can contact you if they have an additional questions.

Remember, Be Yourself - You Can Do This!

Let's Do This: The Phone Screen

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Congratulations, you've made it to the Phone Screen phase.  Now what?  The phone screen is designed to eliminate candidates from the process based on specific criteria the company has created for the position: skills, phone skills, cultural fit, to name a few.

You may be called without an appointment. 

• Be professional when answering
• If they get your voicemail - Be sure you have a greeting so they know they've reached you
• Call back as soon as you can!

You may receive an email to schedule a time to speak.  

• Respond promptly
• Thank them for reaching out to you
• Let them know your availability - give them more than one day and time.

Each company has their own process and interview style.  Some do it better than others, and some are just as nervous as you are!  So what types of styles am I referring to?

• Behavioral:  Past behaviors - "Tell me about a time when you..."
• Situational:  What would you do  - "Tell me what you would do if..."
• Conversational:  Casual Conversation - Getting to know you through a conversation
• Structured:  Probing Questions - Asking lots of questions of you to see how you answer

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for that first call.

• Put the call on your calendar 
• Pick-up when they call - nothing worse than missing a scheduled call
• Be in a place where you can talk, without distractions
• Research the company to find out:
• What they do - products they make, sell, the industry
• Who works there
• Look up the company on LinkedIn to see who works there
• Some have a "Jobs Page" on LinkedIn to show their culture
• Whose the management team
• Why did you apply?
• Why do you want to work there?
• Prepare your answer - But don't be "canned", be natural, and sincere
• What can you bring to the table to help them succeed?
• Give examples of other accomplishments that match their needs
• Show your commitment, work ethic, integrity, and passion for what you do!
• Practice not using "Fillers".  
• Fillers are using words like "um", "ah", "like", "you know". 

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Relax, Breath, Be yourself!  You CAN DO THIS!

Let's Do This: Are you Prepared?

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Ok so you're ready to start your job search, but are you prepared for the process ahead?  

The job search process can be a lengthy and time consuming process.  Gone are the days when you have one interview and you're hired.  In today's world, the process can have many steps.  As you enter your job search I thought it would be helpful to share some of the most common steps in the interview process, along with some Tips & Tricks to help you be more prepared as you venture through the process to landing your next job.

Here is a list of the most common steps in the interview process which I will breakout into a series of blogs (which I have dubbed 'Let's Do This'....insert fist emoji here) over the course of the next couple of weeks. So here's the low down, and don't forget to keep an eye out for the next posts titled 'Let's Do This' and you'll be right on track to score that job!

• Applying  
• Screening Interviews
• Phone Interviews
• In Person Interviews
• Verbal Offer
• Written Offer

Applying:

It's important to identify the types of jobs you want to apply to and the type of company you want to work for.  Do your research to learn about the job and environment of the company before applying so you can customize a cover letter so you stand out.

That's right a Cover Letter!  Most companies expect to see one.  The goal of a cover letter is to gain their attention.  Make it stand out!  Get right to the point -  Highlight your qualifications and objective in the first sentence. Give them a snapshot of your skills by having a bullet-point list of relevant qualifications and accomplishments. Preface it with “Representative skills that make my background ideal for this position are…"

Keep it short and to the point, after all they will read your resume next.

ASK for the interview.  In the last paragraph say something like, "I look forward to learning more about (insert company name) needs and how my qualifications and experience can best be leveraged to meet those needs.  Please contact me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview." 

Thank them in a closing statement such as:  "Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and resume.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.".

Be sure all your contact information is on your resume and cover letter.  Proof read your cover letter and resume to ensure no errors.

SEND... and the waiting game begins.  

It could take up to a couple of weeks before you hear anything.  Be patient.  If you don't hear from anyone in 7-10 days, and the job posting doesn't state "do not call", give the Human Resources department a call to make sure your application was received, and find out the status of it.  Open the call with "Thank you for taking my call, is this a good time to speak?  I just wanted to check on the status of my application." 

Some job sites don't allow for a cover letter - when this happens, Save your cover letter as part of your resume document.  

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Do you have tips for a successful cover letter?  We would love to hear how you stand out! Stay tuned for the next 'Lets Do This Post' ... The Phone Screen.