Insights For Success

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HR

Facebook Search Graph may help HR find better candidates

HREdward Kiledjian

Most people know and use LinkedIn, the huge professional networking site recruiters love. Linkedin does a great job telling recruiters what a candidate knows and where they have worked but it doesn't provide any information on "fit" within a company.

This is where the new Facebook Search Graph may provide an additional tool to help recruiters fine tune their candidate search process. Facebook Search Graph will allow the recruiter to ask targeted questions to find connections with people, locations, organization, sports, hobbies and much more. These additional signals will help the modern HR recruiter to ensure the proposed candidates are a good cultural fit with the company.

Facebook Search Graph is slowly rolling out to users across the world so it's coming your way very soon.

Describe yourself in one word

HREdward Kiledjian

Interviews can be fun or scary depending on how prepared you are. A new question many candidates are being asked is to described themselves in one word. Interviewers know that unless you prepared for this question, you will likely delay and stumble.

Before you go into that interview, take the time to conduct some honest introspection and ask yourself :

  • “Who am I?”  
  • “What makes me unique? What sets me apart?”
  • “What value do I bring to the company?”

When you feel you finally understand your service offer, start trying to find a word that best describes you. In my case, the word I would use is driven. I know it’s the right word because my background proves it and anyone that knows me will agree immediately. 

Let Rezscore analyse and grade your CV

HREdward Kiledjian

It is a common New Year resolution to find a better job (sure we're October but the New Year is just around the corner). Regardless of how you define “a better job” [more pay, flexible work hours or a more interesting field of work] the first step towards that shiny new job is preparing your resume. I’m sure your uncle can give you good advice but…..

Take a look at a website called RezScore. They offer a free automated resume analysis which could help snag that new job you want.

How does it work

You upload your resume, you opt in/out of future contacts from Rezscore and then they generate a list of recommendations to improve your CV. It’s that simple.

They look for many domains including vocabulary, depth, impact, brevity, tone, etc.

Testing

I tried the service with different types of resumes and found that it seemed to work better with more traditional resumes aiming for traditional jobs. Flashy and highly original resumes (like a graphic artist vying for a creative job) may not get the same level of quality feedback.

Security

The site states that they use your contact information only when you provide approval for future follow-up. They also state that info in your resume will be kept confidential and never sold/rented. This being said, I am always weary and recommend you strip your personal contact information from the CV before submitting it (address, email and contact numbers).

Verdict

Overall I find the service very useful and interesting and encourage you to give it a try. 

How to behave during an exit interview

HREdward Kiledjian
Read my previous blog post entitles The "You" Brand here

If you are under the age of 35, you will likely switch jobs 8-12 times in your career. If any of those jobs are with medium to large companies then expect an exit interview to be part of your departure process. Too often, employees mistakenly believe this is their first real chance to be honest about all the issues they have had to live with. Let’s be clear, it isn’t that golden opportunity. 

I tell anyone who will listen 

“Never ever burn your bridges because you never know what the future will bring”.

Talking trash or negatively during your exit interview will circulate like wildfire and you never know who you may work with in the future (as a boss, colleague or customer).

Do not assume HR is impartial, they never are. Always work with the assumption that anything you mention to HR will get reported back to the business.

As you prepare to embark on your next journey, remember that : 

  • the grass isn't much greener on the other side and with time, you will likely find hidden issues with your new employer. 
  • Don't be a jerk or a negative nelly. Everything you say during your exit interview should be positive (always be curteous and polite.)
  • Unless there is a good reason to hide the name of your new employer, provide it when asked. People will get suspicious if you start playing cloak-and-dagger games.
  • Be uber professional until the very end. Submit your termination paperwork, clean up your files (paper and digital), make sure you knowledge transfer what you've learned and continue to work as hard as you always have.
  • Provide your personal contact info to your colleagues and boss. Reinforce that you will still try to help them if they are stuck for a short while but that this will be best effort outside of work hours.