Recruiting Animal

How To Blow An Interview

Candidate: Oh, sorry I'm late.
AJM: (Looking stern) I'm very fussy about punctuality
Cand: (adjusting her hair in a mirror on the wall) Count one strike against me. Hey, I see that everyone else is wearing a suit and I'm dressed in business casual. Is that a problem?
AJM: I hate business casual.
Candidate: Do you have an ashtray where I can put my gum?
AJM: Put it here. Why don't you tell me about yourself?
Cand: What do you want to know?
AJM: What do you know about our business?
Cand: Not much. And I never will unless I work here.
AJM: Why do you want to work here?
Cand: Why does anyone want to work. Money.
AJM: That's an odd answer
Cand: Why because it's true?
AJM: What are your weaknesses?
Cand: That question's just begging for a lie, isn't it? I'm too honest. That's the truth. Smile much?
AJM: No.
Cand: Good for you. I was just reading an article about interviewing by Laura Morsch. and she told readers to smile all the time so people will want to work with them. That's a disgusting idea.
AJM: Well, I'm the boss. They don't have to want to work with me. I have to want to work with them.
Cand: You want me to smile?
AJM: It's too late for that now, isn't it?
Cand: Better late than never.
AJM: You're a smart ass aren't you?
Cand: Are you allowed to say "ass". Isn't that sexual harrassment? I see that you're tapping your pen. Wishing the interview was over?
AJM: Maybe.
Cand: Well, you'd better not cut it short. I'll accuse you of bias.
AJM: Against what? Your lousy posture?
Cand: Don't worry, I'll think of something.

Hat tip: Anthony J Meaney

Would You Hire This Woman?

Punk-style Mom complains about welfare.

It's hard living on welfare but sometimes the recipient's behaviour doesn't seem to make sense.

Elita McAdam is a 37-year-old single mom. She has a 20 year old daughter and a 7 year old son. The Toronto Star says, "The boy's father left the scene years ago." which implies that McAdam's daughter has a different dad.

Why isn't McAdam working? The article doesn't say but it's impossible not to notice that she has red and black, checkerboard hair and what appears to be a pin through her lower lip. That's not exactly business style grooming.

But, then McAdam doesn't need to look like an ordinary corporate hire because she's in school. In a job oriented skills training program at a community college? No, she's studying sociology at university. That's great in itself but if she's not satisfied with welfare, why doesn't she aim at the quick appropriation of some money-making skills?

Rob Ferguson, the reporter, makes McAdam appear to be someone who has more of a welfare orientation than a job oriention.

Social Media and Consumer Power

Dead Brother's Candidate Experience?

Sprint refused to cancel the cellphone service of someone's dead brother so The Consumerist wrote about it and the story was posted on Digg.

Digg is a site which allows readers to post stories that they find interesting. Then other readers can vote on it.

After the Dead Brother's Cellphone story garnered 5000 votes (Diggs), Sprint offered to cancel the service. Here is one comment.

This is why digg is sweet. Enjoy the bad publicity, you greedy f*^#ers over at Sprint. Is over 2000 people digging this story plus who knows how many more reading it worth fucking over a guy who’s brother passed away.

Which leads Chris Winfield to write:

Smart companies now have take into account not only how they will be viewed in the press or in blogosphere but also on social networks like Digg.

Surely this can happen to a company that obviously mistreats a candidate or employee. And I'm sure that "A Dead Brother's Bad Candidate Experience" is on its way. It should be noted, however, that only a really juicy (and well written) story could become this popular.

Note: The Consumerist article has to be seen to be believed.

Toronto, Violent and Sexy

Funny ads titillate. No mention of regular gunplay

Toronto's handlers are afraid we seem boring to outsiders. So they've put together some funny, sexy ads.

One ad depicts a bathroom scene with a thin woman in her underwear asking her partner, "Do you think I need a breast reduction?" The tagline for the ad is "Toronto. Nothing like Hollywood. Except for the film."

Another shows a bedroom scene with a woman role-playing as a maid – complete with pants and sensible shoes – and suggestively looking at a man. The tagline: "Toronto. Nothing like Paris. Except for the Art."

Source: Toronto Star

Here's my version.

Gunmen flee seven bodies lying on the sidewalk in the middle of a busy shopping day on a main street. Caption: "Toronto, just like Hollywood. Only nicer."

A crowd is leaving a dance hall in our "entertainment district". A man runs up and shoots one of the Saturday night celebrants. Tagline: "Toronto. Not boring at all."

Half the picture, a couple fine dining in Toronto. The other half, a shooting at a funeral. Caption: Toronto. Come dine die with us.

What Is CRM?

A Customer Relationship Management system is like an electronic Rolodex. But it contains more than contact information. It tracks your entire business history with each customer. It can also analyze data to spot customer trends

CRM systems used to be expensive and complicated. But Forrester Research claims that in 2007, companies with fewer than 100 employees will account for more than a third of the CRM market.

Read about the major players here.

Hire Cheerleaders and Eagle Scouts

Sexism, hiring and childhood hobbies.

The Brazen Careerist advises readers to hire cheerleaders. And, surprise, surprise, she was one herself. Which is a total surprise to me because I imagined her to be a junior feminist in highschool and assumed that girls cheering for boys rather than playing themselves would have fallen under the same ban as the Miss America competition.

And, speaking of feminists, I'd like to warn BC about Sara. When The Marketing Headhunter recommended hiring Eagle Scouts, she accused him of sexism. Why? Because the Eagle Scouts are limited to boys and men.

But, then, if cheerleading is limited to girls and women... You see where I'm headed? Sister, these cheerleaders could get you in a lot of hot water. But, don't worry. I'm on your side.

Telecrunch Whines About Job Boards

Digital Divide strikes again.

What is the true Digital Divide? It's the time it takes for expensive technical products to evolve into inexpensive products for the masses. For Job Boards that time has come.

And, of course, there's always people who hate it. Michael Arrington at Telecrunch is one such moaner.

Oh no, he says, now everyone is going to have her own job board and they won't be collected into one place that is easy for everyone to access. As if this will be the case for long. Please, Mike, use your head. If you're talking about it, someone else is planning on doing it. Right now.

That's the Digital Divide. The one between people who whine about today because they lack a vision of the obvious future.

PS: In spite of all the sighing, this posting is full of valuable information. And it's one that everyone should read.

Animal Poker

How To Play Animal Poker. Dog Plays Poker Video. Dog Poker Pic sells for big dough. More dogs playing poker. Poker Jargon: Animal. Animal Shelter holds Poker Run.

LinkedIn Recommendations

For A Recruiter

Carol Ellen

I'd never seen any endorsements for a recruiter before and came upon these by accident while surfing LinkedIn. I was curious to know what things, specifically, people endorsed in a recruiter.

Carol helped my business immensely. She not only found amazing talent to work with, but she also introduced me to people that brought my business to the next level - potential partners and clients. I owe where I am today to Carol's ability to make amazing connections. She has a sixth sense when it comes to people.
August 10, 2006
Tara Hunt, Owner, Rogue Strategies

I met Carol when I was fresh out of university looking to start my career in business. Thanks to Carol I was introduced to her vast network of invaluable contacts in the fields I was interested in. Carol's ongoing coaching and professional advice allowed me to plan out my career path. Carol was very sincere in helping me take the first step toward the career of my dreams.
Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative
Igor Loukine
hired Carol as a Recruiter in 2006

Carol's energy and unrelenting pursuit of what she is seeking separate her from any other recruiters I've used. She is extremently understanding of the cost of time wasted - which is essential for me. I will always call her first when I have a hiring need.
Top qualities: Great Results, On Time, High Integrity
Marc DuBois
hired Carol as a Recruiter in 2002, and hired Carol more than once

Carol is a high-energy, dynamic professional who exemplifies the platinum standard of the recruiting industry. Using her connections, intelligence and gusto, she meets the personal needs of the individual and delivers the business requirements to the corporate client.
July 18, 2005
Jen Chapman

Source: LinkedIn

Carol was also featured in Toronto's Now Magazine as a stylish person seen on the street.

Bull Doza Kisses Jay Dee's A**

Loving blogger dismisses critics.

Yes I know I will be accused of kissing your ass for this, but certain things must be said, “You are the Mac Daddy, the Sultan of Community building and Seer of the Next Big Thing.”

This is well established fact, but given the passion you have displayed in developing the 2nd Charity Poker Tourney & Mixer, I have an excuse to comment with well deserved praise. (More here)

And, while we're at it, I want to salute old chum, Anthony J Meaney, one of Jay Dee's volunteers at Rdc. This fellow, once the premiere clothing critic in the Recruitosphere, has transformed himself into the premiere filter blogger in the same domain.

His daily stream of succinct pointers to relevant articles hidden on CNN throughout Cyberspace could supply any ordinary blogger with a month's worth of paraphrased postings.

It was Anthony J Meaney who coaxed me into becoming a recruiting blogger and this month was the third anniversary of the founding of our earthshattering Canadian Headhunter blog. Here for your enjoyment is Anthony's first posting.

READ ALL THE BLOGS IN THE RECRUITOSPHERE HERE