"Why aren't I getting hired?"

Let’s say you apply to an average of 70 jobs a week, which results in only three interviews and NO callbacks. You might then ask yourself, “What am I doing wrong?” In the country’s current economic state, the employment rate is sluggish, which becomes evident when job-seekers are putting in the effort to find employment but employers seem to be just not hiring. Having been on both sides of the coin, I can understand how frustrating this situation can be for a job-seeker. Speaking from a recruiter’s standpoint, we are simply looking for qualified individuals who are hard workers and who fit our clients’ requirements. Sounds simple, right?

Well, it turns out that despite your best efforts in looking for jobs, your chances of getting hired can in fact be slim. Yahoo News takes a further look into this issue and summarizes the top 5 reasons you may not get hired.

Here are some helpful hints from Comrise on what you can do better to succeed in the job application and interview process, both with companies and recruiters:

1- Be yourself
-Let your charisma and intellect speak for themselves, rather than misrepresenting yourself. Plus, if you get hired under false pretenses, it is only a matter of time before they figure it out…

2- Go into your interview prepared
-Research the company for which you’ll be interviewing. See how their goals and values line up with your own, then focus on those parallels. Shared values and goals are more likely to get you hired than a glowing reference.

3- Only apply for those jobs for which you are suited
-If you can tell the sort of experience level a job requires, don’t apply for any positions that are too senior or too junior for you. You’ll end up wasting your own time and finding yourself frustrated when it doesn’t work out.

4- Network wherever you go
-If you share a cab with someone or strike up a conversation on line for a latte, take a second to introduce yourself. A quick business card swap might just be your golden ticket. In IT as much as anywhere else, it’s all about who you know.

5- Be confident in your skill set and clearly express what you have to offer
- Have a healthy amount of self confidence (but don’t come off as arrogant!) and be to the point in expressing yourself (but don’t leave out pertinent details!). Make sure to emphasize how you can bring value to your potential employer.

“You’re going to be a recruiter? You’re going to be GOD!”

A few weeks ago when a recruiter called me, I didn’t like them! I felt like they were lying to me about jobs, or finding ways to trick me into paying them; I just did not trust their motives. I didn’t think they cared enough to actually screen my credentials to find me job.

I was one of the many students ready to graduate, but without a job opportunity to secure my future. I was one of the many who felt the stress and pressure of unemployment. I was one of them few weeks ago… and then I got a call from Comrise Technology!

When I shared the news with one my friends and described my role in the company her reaction was, “You’re going to be a recruiter? You’re going to be GOD!” I obviously laughed at the time, but at the end of my second work-week I realize that being a recruiter is no joke. We are not here to cheat anyone. We, as recruiters, are just doing our job and helping others get jobs – it’s that simple. However, the process isn’t.

My second week started this Monday with a recruiter training session, which briefed us about sourcing and finding candidates. The following days of the week I practiced sourcing which included identifying candidates who matched the job requirements, screening them, and following up with my senior recruiters. I felt the pressure of the industry when I just couldn’t find the right candidates who matched the requirements, didn’t call back or respond to my email, or had an amazing resume but no contact information. And finally on Friday I managed to forward some good candidates to my seniors, which felt like a big achievement and definitely prepared me for the weeks to come.

Lessons learned so far:

• Understand the job requirement and job boards.
• When in doubt, just ask.
• Work SMART, not hard!
• ...and we are not God, not trying to be; we’re just trying to help.

Game-Changing Technology

According to the Macmillan Dictionary, "game-changing" is defined as completely changing the way that something is done, thought about, or made. As a sports fan, when I hear the term "game-changing," I think of an interception in an NFL game, a home-run in a MLB game, and a steal in a NBA game, because of each these events can have an instant impact on the outcome of the game (of course depending on how competitive the game actually is.)

Likewise as technology continues to expand its presence in our personal and work life through things like the iPad and Smart Phones, there are a distinct set of technologies that have evolved and will now lead the way for how we communicate and interact with technology in years to come.

Here is a link to an article written by an Instructor for Global Knowledge about ten IT technologiesthat have proven to be  "Game Changers." 

What are your thoughts about these "Game Changers." Do you think there are any other technologies that should be included in the Top 10 ? Leave us a comment...

We Too Can Think like Computer Scientists

You glance at your watch. The end of the work week is fast approaching. The recruiters in the office are rushing to find that last resume that they need to submit to the hiring manager. Meanwhile, the account executives continue trying to get in touch with a few more hiring managers. As you fill out your timesheet, you receive a notification that someone has just sent you an email. Ahh, yes… the “Thinking like a Computer Scientist” email that a member of our office sends out every Friday. The email contains a difficult brain teaser to keep you thinking like a computer scientist over the weekend.

As you drive home from work, it just refuses to leave your thoughts. The puzzle must be more difficult than last week’s riddle! You attempt to do a few calculations in you head: what is 2¹⁰? Or what happens if…? But every path you take seems to lead to a dead end. When you finally figure it out, you think back to all of the seemingly silly methods you had previously tried. The answers always seem so simple, yet it always takes you forever to find that solution.

Unfortunately, when you arrive back at work with the answer, you notice someone has already solved the problem. It is their name that is on our “Kudos” board, not yours. Disappointed, you open your project from the previous week and pull up the Internet. Searching endlessly for another resume, you decide to switch up your Boolean searches. The resume you just found is a perfect fit. Why didn’t you adjust your search earlier? It’s seems so obvious; so simple, just like the solution to the brain teaser.

A Recruiter's Insight on "Recruiting"

We thought it would be a great idea for our readers to hear from one of our recruiters on a more personal level. Here is a short, informal Q&A with Senior Technical Recruiter Tony DiGiovanni.

1. Why should a candidate work with a recruiter throughout his/her new job search?
   
   As we all know, presently the job market is a crazy competitive place. That understood, I feel it is essential for candidates to create relationships with certain recruiters. I will define “certain” as people who have an excellent reputation as pertains to professionalism. Candidates for the most part get absolutely flooded with inquires from many kinds of agencies (both contract and fulltime). It is the candidates’ advantage to deal with the recruiter to obtain an edge in regards to the position. A good recruiter will have knowledge of both the job and the client. It is much more advantageous to the candidate to work with the recruiter as opposed to just submitting to various online systems where resumes do not always get reviewed. We are the “pushers” in the process along with account managers to convince a client to review, interview and eventually hire a strong candidate.
   
   
2. Why do you think recruiters get a bad rep?
   
   We get bad reps from the unethical recruiters that are in this business. I can go on here, but in short there are many unethical practices, for example - lack of respect and consideration for the best interest of the candidates. The bottom line is that it will eventually catch up to those who act unethically, and the ones who don’t will reap the benefits of dealing with more of the quality candidates and clients that are out there.
   
   
3. What is your favorite part about being a recruiter?
   
   I have to say the best part about being a recruiter right up there on the same level of earning a living is the fact that you are helping people make and secure one of the bigger decisions they have in life. This of course relates more to the full time side as opposed to the contract side, however there is still a rush of putting together the deal and bringing it from start to finish and then getting the rewards both monetary and professionally! There really is nothing better….in my opinion.

If you are seeking a new job opportunity, browse our Open Jobs.