Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How To Talk To Strangers ~ Book Release Party


Join me as I celebrate the release of my debut book "How To Talk to Strangers ~ A Step-by-Step Guide to Professional Networking" on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 7:30pm. Please see flyer for additional details.

Tammy L. Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services, LLC
http://MyTammyTurner.com
info@MyTammyTurner.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Networking Tips for College Students

One sure fired way for a college student to set themselves up for success is by mastering the "art" of networking while still in college. The relationships that you build while you are in school, if nurtured, could serve to benefit you and others in your network for years to come. Many college students are not learning how to network in school, even though it is a critical component to your success after graduation, so here is an article "Networking for College Students and Recent Graduates: Top 7 Steps You Can Take Now" (http://bit.ly/90IJgr) that provides college students with the tools necessary to begin developing, expanding and nurturing their network.

Tammy L. Turner
Author
"How To Talk to Strangers"
info@MyTammyTurner.com
http://www.MyTammyTurner.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

How To Talk to Strangers ~ It's Here!

Well it's finally here. The much anticipated "soon-to-be" bestseller "How To Talk to Strangers ~ A Step-by-Step Guide to Professional Networking" is available for purchase today at (http://www.MyTammyTurner.com).

There's something for everyone in "How To Talk to Strangers" from the novice networker to the more seasoned professional. Pick up your copy today and learn how to take your business relationships to the next level. ~ Let's Go!!

Tammy L. Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services, LLC
Author of "How To Talk to Strangers"
http://www.MyTammyTurner.com
email: info@MyTammyTurner.com

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Establishing an Online Presence from Scratch

I have found that many people want to take advantage of the networking opportunities that are available at their fingertips (literally) but they just don't know where to start. This link (http://bit.ly/cXLBRu) provides some useful information about creating your online brand from scratch.

There's some great info here, however I would strongly disagree with limiting your connections or friends to ONLY people that you know or that you have done business with. As a career networker and author of "How To Talk to Strangers" (A step-by-step guide to Professional Networking), I encourage you to get rid of this type of thinking. It limits you and your ability to establish relationships.

I certainly recommend that you select/accept friend requests or connections with care. Be selective, but please be bold and learn to connect with strangers.

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting and Training Services, LLC
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
tturner@kapstonejobs.com

Sunday, May 2, 2010

How to "Tweet" Your Way to a Job

In today's current economy, with unemployment at an all time high, job seekers should utilize every avenue accessible to them to seek and obtain employment. Technology has simplified the process for job seekers. Gone are the days of sending a hard copy resume to a potential employer on "fancy resume paper".

Twitter as well as many of the other social media sites make it easier for job seekers to have direct contact with hiring managers. For the novice Tweeter (Twitter User), you have 140 characters to represent yourself to a hiring manager. How can you capture the attention of a hiring manager in 140 characters, you ask? Here's how (http://bit.ly/dkpVBA).

As a job seeker, be sure to utilize every tool in your toolbox to aid in your job search. Happy Tweeting!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services, LLC
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
tturner@kapstonejobs.com

Sunday, November 1, 2009

6 Steps to Help Your Recruiter Help You!

Your recruiter is your partner in your job search. The Bonnie to your Clyde, the Butch Cassidy to your Sundance Kid! Well you get the idea. While you're working diligently to secure employment or if you're simply looking for your next career move, your Recruiter is your right hand man. Here are 6 simple steps that you can do to help your recruiter help you land your dream job!

1. Be honest!
Honesty isn’t the best policy; it’s the ONLY policy when working with your recruiter. Your recruiter is marketing you to their client base and therefore putting their reputation and client relationships on the line for your employment. Yes, the recruiter is receiving monetary compensation, however, one little white lie could damage a client relationship that they’ve worked very hard to establish.

2. Are you working with other recruiters?
If you are working with more than one recruiter please inform them. Many candidates believe that the more recruiters they are working with (or have working for them) that this will increase the number of interviews they secure thus increasing the likelihood of them securing employment sooner rather than later. Well, here’s the problem with that concept. Many employers utilize more than one recruiting firm to service their openings.

If you are working with more than one recruiter, there is a possibility that 2-3 recruiters are presenting you for the same job opportunity. There’s nothing worse than for a recruiter to make a pitch to an employer about a dynamic candidate that they’re working with who would be an ideal fit for XYZ Company, only to find out that they’re competition submitted that same candidate two days ago. Ouch!

3. Is your resume posted on the job boards (Monster, Careerbuilder, HotJobs)?
This is critical information for your recruiter to know. As a jobseeker, you may be thinking “I’m going to get my resume out there any and every way that I can.” This is not the best approach if you are working with a recruiter. Think about it. Why would a company pay a recruiter for a candidate that they can find on their own? Companies WILL NOT pay recruiters thousands of dollars in fees for a candidate that they can pull from one of the job boards. So, if your resume is posted on the job boards, please let your recruiter know and you can discuss options that will work for both of you.

4. Have you already applied for this position or to this company?
Again, this information is critical. JobSeekers sometimes mistakenly believe that if they applied at XYZ Company and received no response that the recruiter will be able to get them into the door and therefore they don’t tell the recruiter that they have already applied. If the recruiter has a strong relationship with the company then perhaps they will be able to secure you an interview. However, with most companies, if you have applied on your own, via the web or your resume sent to HR, etc. then you remain in their database for 6 months to 1 year, depending on the company. Companies, again, will not pay recruiters thousands of dollars for someone that they have found on their own, through their own advertisements, marketing, etc.

If you are actively sending out your resume or interviewing with various companies, you need to let your recruiter know where you have sent your resume and which companies you have interviewed with thus far. Remember, you’re working on the same team.

5. What’s the “real” reason you left your last job?
All surprises are not good surprises. If you left your last job due to some extenuating circumstances, then it’s best to be upfront with your recruiter and let him/her know versus them finding out after they’ve presented your resume or checked your references. Remember, GOOD RECRUITERS KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE. Your ex-hiring manager (boss) could have been placed by your recruiter or your recruiter may have a strong relationship with an HR manager or VP at your previous employer and therefore able to obtain “off the record” info. It’s best to err on the side of caution and refer to #1 (Be honest).

6. Be prepared to discuss blemishes, education, criminal background, etc.
If you are 10 credits shy of your degree, tell your recruiter. If you have a DUI from 5 years ago, tell your recruiter. If you are two years out of bankruptcy, tell your recruiter. Again, honesty is the only policy. Most companies today run a criminal background check, a credit check, and employment history background check as well as confirm your degree. If you’re honest with your recruiter about your blemishes, he/she can assist you with explaining them to a potential employer during an interview. Yes, we can coach you through it! However, we can’t assist you if we don’t know all the facts.

Your recruiter is on your side and is your partner in your job search. If you treat him/her as your partner and follow these 6 steps you’ll enjoy a wonderful relationship that could last throughout your career (you never know when you’ll need him/her again). Don’t forget that recruiters LOVE referrals! Our philosophy is “good people know good people.” So, if you’re pleased with your recruiter, don’t forget to tell your friends.

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting