Last week I sent one of my hospitality clients the perfect candidate for a Kitchen Manager position that she had available.  This guy had the exact experience that she was looking for, the candidate was excited about the idea of working for my candidate and I sent her the resume.  One hour later I received the response that every recruiter dreads hearing, “I already have that candidate from another recruiter”.   

I called the candidate and asked him why he hadn’t told me that he had another hospitality recruiter submit his resume to the client.  My candidate swore up and down that he hadn’t.  He said that he spoke to someone about a different position but nothing had come of it.  To his knowledge his other recruiter had not sent the client his resume.   I called my client to ask her who the recruiter was and tell her the story my candidate had told me. 

My client said that the recruiter who sent her the resume had a reputation for sending her candidates without the candidates being aware of it and she also said that she would not interview or hire this candidate because then she would have to pay the other recruiter a fee and she doesn’t like the other recruiter.  When I asked her why she works with him then, she said that she feared that he would take her people if she cut him off completely.   My candidate was devastated. 

The recruiting world is ever changing.  People have 100’s of options on how to find a job and some candidates try to use all of them at once.  They post their resume on Monster, CareerBuilder and Hot Jobs.  They apply to every job on Craig’s List that they see.  They use Linked in and Face Book to tell the world that they are unemployed. 

STOP!!!!!!           BREATH!!!!!!!   RELAX!!!!!!

As soon as you put your resume on online for the world to see, you become a commodity similar to coffee, not Starbucks or Dunkin, just coffee.  If you choose to apply to jobs where no company name is listed then you are applying to a database somewhere in the world that will hold, reuse and possibly sell your information.  If you choose to engage with a recruiter who doesn’t tell you the name of the company that they are sending your resume to, RUN.   

The good news is there are people out there who can help you.  Look for a CPC certified hospitality recruiter who has the knowledge and ethics to get you the results that you are looking for.  These recruiters have sworn an oath the keep your information confidential, to follow the laws of the United States of America and to serve your best interests.  To find one in your area, visit www.geckohospitality.com .

Spring’s here, We always talk about spring cleaning at the restaurant, dusting artifacts, redoing landscaping and exterior painting.

How does your restaurant resume look? Maybe it’s time to dust it off and make sure it is ready to send out to prospective employers.

Some of the details you might want to check;
Are dates of employment correct?
Do you have your current employment listed?
Phone number, address and e-mail all correct?

Do you have a current list of references? Often, when we ask for references we find there are incorrect phone numbers or e-mail addresses. Getting in touch with your references is very important for us. More and more we are asked to have reference checks completed along with submitting your resume.

What are your references going to say about you? When was the last time you spoke to your references? It would be great to give them a call and get back in touch. Having a recent discussion with a reference will help remind them what a great manager you were.

Why should you have your resume fresh and ready to go? In the past month I have had calls from 2 long tenured GM’s who found themselves suddenly out of work. One manager was placed quickly, he had his resume ready to go and had great references who spoke very highly of him.

So, dust off that resume, don’t post it or update it on Monster or Career Builder!! Mistakes can happen and your resume could suddenly appear on line without your knowledge.

The 10 Toughest Job Interview Questions

Article written by Barry Golds

Q1. What did you not like about your last employer?

A. OK, so the interviewer has asked you to say something negative about your ex-employer. You need to turn this around so that it makes it sound like the negative is in fact a positive!

Remember, you will not get any credit for complaining or describing a negative situation without adding a positive ending. Here are some examples of what you should say if you are faced with this question:

Start with “Actually there are a lot of good things to say about my ex-employer, however if I need to highlight one area…

“I used to get a bit annoyed when I noticed inefficiencies in the processing workflows and controls. A number of times I made suggestions as to improvements that could be made which would have saved money but the ideas were effectively ignored.”

or

“I always tried my utmost to make sure that all customers were treated fairly and honestly but I noticed a malaise creeping in which meant that some staff didn’t always try their best to meet the exacting standards required. I feel this reflected badly on everyone.”

Q2. I see from your resume that you have never actually been in this role in any of your previous companies. How are you going to manage?

A. Firstly, this is an obvious weakness. Weakness means risk to an employer and they are looking for re-assurance that you will adapt to the new environment.

Relate your previous experience to similar situations where you moved departments and had a new role or were faced with new technology which you had to learn quickly.

Turn this into a positive about ‘how you are able to adapt to changing circumstances and have a flexible approach. How you pick up new skills quickly. How you enjoy the challenge of the ever changing technology’.

Try to broaden the answer by saying ‘we are all faced with a fast moving and changing environment which constantly presents new challenges. I have always been able to rise to these and perform effectively despite tight deadlines and little support.’

Importantly, then go on to list examples of similar experiences where you have demonstrated such skills. This should close the issue in the interviewer’s mind and paint a positive picture.

Q3. What is your typical working week in hours?

A. Whatever it takes to get the job done. However, be careful not to suggest you work long hours purely because you are inefficient.

“I like to think I am an effective and efficient worker who gets through a full workload each week. However there are times when I need to work late and weekends and this is fine. This is often due to uneven demands on my time. I will put whatever effort it takes to complete my role.”

Q4. How long would it take for you to start making a real contribution to the organization?

A. There is no point in blurting out an answer here because the contribution could be anywhere and you could go off in the wrong direction. Bat the question back to get a more precise idea and allow yourself some time to think.

“In what particular area of my responsibilities did you have in mind?”

“Of course there will be a short learning curve while I get up to speed but in the past I have prided myself on being a quick learner who can make an effective contribution in a short space of time. I see this opportunity as no different although I accept it will be a challenge.”

Prepare an example of how you had a similar situation where you had to learn a new skill quickly.

Q5. What have you learnt most from your past career?

A. A truly open ended question and the opportunity to talk positively. But you need to keep your answer at a high level.

“I have learnt many things as you can imagine. But one point always rings true. Every one needs to be treated with respect, their opinion should be valued and they should be encouraged to contribute to the good of the organization.”

Q6. What would you most like not to do in this role?

A. Dangerous question. The interviewer is probing for things that you didn’t previously like and then they can ask a follow on question about why you didn’t like them. Beware of this trap.

Turn the question around and give a ‘model answer’…

‘In an ideal world…I would like to avoid any bureaucracy or red-tape which can delay decisions. Like anyone, I am always keen for good progress to be made at all times and everything to run smoothly’.

…or perhaps you have an example such as this….

‘I would like to avoid the situation in the last role where we had tight deadlines and three of my staff went off on long term sick with the winter flu last year. Although we achieved our targets, it was only through hard effort, team-work and long hours’.

See how these answers portray you in a good light and turn a negative into a positive.

Q7. What would your job references say about you?

A. Try to make sure that any job references have been sought and written before you go interviewing. This is not always possible but would allow you to repeat their positive comments.

Where you do have job references, then you can say you have references, and they are very complimentary around a number of aspects of your work.

It is not a problem if you don’t have references and the question implies that you would probably imagine what they would say.

Effectively, the interviewer is therefore asking to list your strengths. Take the time to list your job strengths and behavioral qualities. Start the sentence in the 3rd party with…’My references would say…’

Any time you are able to reply in the 3rd party, it sounds like someone else is endorsing your candidacy which in effect references do. Everyone will say they will receive good references but if you say this using a 3rd party endorsement, then you add greater credibility to your statement.

Q8. Why should I hire you?

A. This is one question which you should have prepared for thoroughly.

You need to have a personal pitch of 3 – 4 sentences prepared. This needs to relate to the job description which you need to go through line by line. Then add in the additional personal qualities that you bring to the role. Apply these to the personal summary statement.

It is always worth using a qualifying phrase such as ‘colleagues have said of me…I am a great motivator/team-builder/technician etc.’. It sounds better if there is a 3rd party endorsement. It doesn’t sound like you are bragging but a colleague is speaking on your behalf.

In addition, you will need to have relevant examples which you can offer to expand on. The personal qualities for the role will be attributes such as hard-working, motivating, good communication skills, desire to succeed, etc…

You should end your answer with a statement such as ‘do you think these qualities are what you are looking for from a successful candidate?’

It plants a seed in the mind of the interviewer that you are.

If they reply that they were expecting other qualities, then discuss them and offer examples of how you have these and examples of them in action. You need to leave the interviewer in no doubt that you have the skills and can demonstrate this with relevant examples.

Q9. Why do you want to leave your current job?

A. Negative connotation and expectancy that you will say something negative about ex-employer or ex-employee. Resist the temptation and keep the answer upbeat concentrating on the advantages of what the new job would offer. You could mention the increased salary but do not dwell on it, emphasize the other benefits first.

“I enjoy my previous job and as I have demonstrated, I make a solid contribution which is appreciated. However I am looking for more experience, a greater challenge / increased responsibility / more dynamic organization that this role offers.”

Make sure you have a list of reasons for joining this company.

You need to reply using one or a combination of the following five replies:

Challenge: You need a new career challenge.

Traveling: The commute to work was taking too long or I was constantly being asked to travel with work.

Career: I had reached the likely top and there was no room for advancement until someone else above me left.

Money: You feel you were not being paid what you were worth.

Security: The organization was unstable and my role may have been at risk.

Q10. What, as an organization, can we offer that is better than your current employer?

A. It is asking for a direct comparison between your current employer and your future employer.

An interviewer wants to hear that you are a valued member in your current / previous role. You have worked for an organization that has trained you to a high level and you have been providing a strong contribution to their skilled workforce. They hope to leverage these skills in their organization.

A typical answer which deals with such a comparison should be…

‘My current organization has been a great career move for me. I have learned many new skills (eg. x). There is a great team ethic and I feel I have made a strong contribution to their sales team / office / project team etc.

However, I see your organization and the role it offers as a new challenge which can leverage my skills and allow me to challenge myself and set new goals and further my career in a way that the current organization perhaps doesn’t offer.”

Of course, this answer needs to be tailored to meet your particular circumstances. Start by listing what you like about your current organization and the experience you have gained. Compare this with the list of skills and benefits you expect to find in the new organization. Use this list to tailor your answer.

Stay clear of talking about money. The sub text of this question and so many others like it is the interviewer is asking ‘What’s in it for me?’

You should be replying “I am making a contribution and this is how…” include examples of how you can make the contribution, which backs up your claims.

By saying you want to leverage your skills in the new role and show how you can make a strong contribution is precisely what the interviewer wants to hear.

If you say or even imply the reason for the new job is that you are looking for more money or additional benefits, then this does not imply you are making a contribution to the new organization.

You are in fact saying “what is in it for me” and does not address the interviewers needs!

What If Your Interview Is Tomorrow? 

Even if you have less than a day before your job interview, you can outshine the competition with a little preparation. The following four tasks will take you about four hours (plus five minutes) to complete, and you’ll walk into the interview confident you’ll be successful.

Conduct Basic Interview Research

Find out as much as you can about the interview. Call the person who scheduled your appointment and ask:

• Who will you be talking to? Will you meet the manager you’d work for, or will you just talk to HR? What are the interviewer’s expectations?
• What’s the dress code? Dress better than suggested. Most times, it’s best for men to wear a suit and women to wear a professional business outfit. You’d be amazed how many candidates show up looking like they’re going to class, not presenting a professional demeanor.
• Get directions to the office. Plan to leave early. Keep a phone number to call if you get stuck on the bus or in traffic. If you arrive late and stressed, the interview will not go well.
• If you don’t have a detailed job description, ask for one.

That’s a five-minute phone call.

Learn About the Company Online

Do some fast Web research, which will give you something to talk about in addition to the job description. Go to the employer’s Web site, or search the Web for information such as:

• How big is the company in terms of annual sales or employees?
• What does the company say about its products or services?
• What recent news (such as a new product, a press release, an interview with the CEO) can you discuss?
• If the company is public, the boilerplate at the bottom of its press releases will tell you a lot.

Basic research should take you about an hour.

Think of Some Stories

Write down and memorize three achievement stories. Tell about times you’ve really felt proud of an achievement at work or school. These stories demonstrate all those hard-to-measure qualities like judgment, initiative, teamwork or leadership. Wherever possible, quantify what you’ve done, e.g., “increased sales by 20 percent,” “cut customer call waiting time in half,” “streamlined delivery so that most customers had their job done in two days.”

By the way, nonwork achievement stories are good too; if you volunteer for the local food pantry, write down a time you overcame a big challenge or a crisis there.

Achievement stories make you memorable, which is what you want. There’s an exercise in Monster Careers: Interviewing called “Mastering the Freestyle Interview,” which helps you develop these stories into compelling sales points.

Take the time you need — at least three hours on this task.

Pick Your Outfit, and Go to Bed Early

Lay out your interview outfit the night before, get a good night’s rest, and always get an early start. The last thing you want is to arrive at the interview flustered and panicked because you couldn’t find a parking spot

It’s probably one of the most overused phrases in job-hunting, but also one of the most underutilized by job-seekers: dress for success. In job-hunting, first impressions are critical. Remember, you are marketing a product — yourself — to a potential employer, and the first thing the employer sees when greeting you is your attire; thus, you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of job you are seeking. Will dressing properly get you the job? Of course not, but it will give you a competitive edge and a positive first impression.
Should you be judged by what you wear? Perhaps not, but the reality is, of course, that you are judged. Throughout the entire job-seeking process employers use short-cuts — heuristics or rules of thumb — to save time. With cover letters, it’s the opening paragraph and a quick scan of your qualifications. With resumes, it is a quick scan of your accomplishments. With the job interview, it’s how you’re dressed that sets the tone of the interview.
How should you dress? Dressing conservatively is always the safest route, but you should also try and do a little investigating of your prospective employer so that what you wear to the interview makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. If you overdress (which is rare but can happen) or underdress (the more likely scenario), the potential employer may feel that you don’t care enough about the job.
How do you find out what is the proper dress for a given job/company/industry? You can call the Human Resources office where you are interviewing and simply ask. Or, you could visit the company’s office to retrieve an application or other company information and observe the attire current employees are wearing — though make sure you are not there on a “casual day” and misinterpret the dress code.
Finally, do you need to run out and spend a lot of money on clothes for interviewing? No, but you should make sure you have at least two professional sets of attire. You’ll need more than that, but depending on your current financial condition, two is enough to get started and you can buy more once you have the job or have more financial resources.
Hints for Dress for Success for Men and Women
Attention to details is crucial, so here are some tips for both men and women. Make sure you have:
• clean and polished conservative dress shoes
• well-groomed hairstyle
• cleaned and trimmed fingernails
• minimal cologne or perfume
• no visible body piercing beyond conservative ear piercings for women
• well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
• no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth
• minimal jewelry
• no body odor
Finally, check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a final check of your appearance — to make sure your tie is straight, your hair is combed, etc.

I’m not sure where I read this article (it’s been a few years) but it’s good solid information that still works today!  ‘

Answering questions is an important part of the interview, but what distinguishes you will be the questions you ask. How do you ask great questions? Be prepared with well thought out, open-ended questions for the interview. 

One of the best strategies for engaging and even bonding with your interviewer is to ask questions. Hiring managers are more likely to judge candidates by their questions than their answers. Tailor your questions to the company you’re interviewing. Do a little research before hand about the history of the company or its current activities or recent news items. Don’t worry about asking specific question that might make you sound like you assume you have the position. Such direct interest helps build your value and shows you’re capable. But remember: only ask questions you can’t find answers to yourself! 

Pick about 5-8 questions from below, write then down (legal pad or notebook) and take notes as you get the answers: 

Some ideas for effective questions to ask include:

1. How big is the team I’d be working with?
2. How many people would I be managing?
3. What are the primary goals of the restaurant?
4. What are the company’s objectives for the year?
5. What makes this company different from its competitors?
6. What do you like about this company? What keeps you here?
7. If I meet or exceed the company’s expectations, will there be additional opportunities to expand my responsibilities?
8. What sort of communication style works best with this team?
9. What can you tell me about the culture and the environment?
10. How would you characterize successful employees in the restaurants? What are their common qualities?
11. Please describe the duties of the job for me.
12. Is this a new position or am I replacing someone?
13. Does your company encourage further education?
14. How often are performance reviews given?
15. Do you have plans for expansion?
16. How do you feel about creativity and individuality? 

Stop asking questions if you sense it is bothering the interviewer.

The better you are prepared ahead of time, the better your interview will be. But also review your major accomplishments so that you’ll be able to tell stories about your achievements when asked. The more prepared you are the better you will perform.

More often then not, the first interview has become a telephone interview. Human Resources is getting so many resumes for every open job that they can’t possibly interview every candidate that applies, so they have gone to a 15 minute phone interview or phone screen to screen out the candidates that aren’t qualified and move forward with those that are. Some people think phone interviews are easier than in-person ones. Often, those people are wrong.
In person, it’s easy to tell if an interviewer is tuning you out if you notice them staring off into space or sending text messages on their phone. On the phone, you and the interviewer are missing out on important visual cues. You can’t read the interviewer’s body language.
So, how can a job seeker really tell if the interviewer is bored, distracted or under whelmed?
Find a quiet space
In the absence of sight, hearing becomes sharper. And interviewers can easily hear distraction over the phone.
Once you’ve scheduled a phone interview, locate a calm, quiet place where you can focus. Make sure you’re not near a computer, TV or anything that will draw your attention away from the interview. Tell anyone who has access to the space that you are not to be disturbed under any circumstances.
Next, have a pen and paper handy to take notes during your interview. You should also have a copy of your resume so that when the interviewer refers to your experience, you can both be on the same page.
Speak Easy
As soon as you answer the phone, you’re on!
You want to start your phone interview off right. And, because the interviewer can’t see you, she’s listening even more carefully.
Make a conscious effort to sound upbeat and enthusiastic.
Smile. Interviewers can hear you smile — and smiling can put you in a better state of mind.
Stand up and walk back and forth. Standing can make your voice sound more powerful.
And always remember to breathe. It will help you stay calm and sound more relaxed.
Listen
A phone interview isn’t just about speaking. It’s about listening.
To listen carefully, try closing your eyes when the interviewer is speaking so you can focus on what is being said.
This technique can also help you read the interviewer’s mood. Is he interested and enthusiastic, or bored and distracted? Is the interview conversational? Are questions and answers flowing easily?
Listen hard after your responses. Did your response prompt additional questions or make the interviewer hesitate?
If the interviewer seems distracted, use one of the powerful questions you were saving for the “Do you have any questions?” section of the interview. A well-chosen question can re-engage him/her and put the interview back on track.