We are happy to give an update on our three new hires at our firm:

Alexis Grace has been off and running… visiting clients, working on social media, and preparing for her upcoming marathon in Virginia. Alexis has been successful in continuing our business partnerships and fostering good will throughout the community. Recently she signed the team up for a project at the Samaritan Center which everyone found extremely rewarding. She formed “Fitness with Fletcher” and is trying to get our other associates up to her speed. She is a dynamo on the road and off.

Liz Eley, originally from Juneau, Alaska, has adapted well to our beautiful Syracuse winters. She joined us from a firm in Chicago and although misses the “Windy City” she has enveloped Syracuse and all it has to offer. She has been successful recruiting and placing technical engineering applicants around New York State. She too has jumped on with the “Fitness with Fletcher” program and has been spotted running the parkway with the group.

Corey O’Neill received both his undergrad and graduate degree from Le Moyne College. After having a successful career playing baseball he decided to hang up the glove and join as a Recruiter. Corey has managed several of our larger industrial clients placing on a temporary and contract basis. He has been a “hit” with our clients and has “scooped” up several key accounts. Being a team player he also signed up for “Fitness with Fletcher” and hopes to run the Mountain Goat.

        Over the holidays the C.R. Fletcher team had the opportunity to volunteer at the Samaritan Center located in the basement of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral downtown on Montgomery St.  What an eye opening and rewarding experience to do during the holidays.  It was a shock to see the number of men, women,  and children that rely on the Samaritan Center for meals on a daily basis.  Along with a group of volunteers from the Marcellus School District, everyone from C.R. Fletcher played a part to make the meal possible. My role was to welcome the guests and offer them a cup and tray, as well as offer them hats and gloves donated by individuals in our community.

        The Samaritan Center opens their doors 365 days a year.  They serve dinner everyday and both breakfast and dinner on the weekdays relying almost entirely on volunteer efforts ranging from donations to servers. They have been open for over thirty years, but with the recession they are seeing an increase in numbers.  The Samaritan Center is not just for the homeless.  A lot of people who visit the center are working, but are unable to support themselves on low wages.

        It was a great feeling to be able to help the homeless, disabled, less fortunate and otherwise stricken people. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity I would consider assisting the Samaritan Center.  They are continually looking for donations and volunteers to make their efforts possible.  If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.thesamaritancenter.com or call the Volunteer Coordinator at 315-472-0650.

        New Years resolutions are usually made to be broken – so why not try something new in 2012? Instead of making resolutions, try to make goals. Studies found “open” resolutions are more likely to be broken (ex – I want to get in shape). The best way to guarantee success is to set a goal, develop a specific plan, and stick to it!

        In January of 2011 I signed up for Iron Girl Triathlon in Syracuse as my 2011 goal. At that point I could barely run a mile, so with the advice of some fitness instructors at the YMCA I started the “Couch to 5k” run/walk program (which can be found on www.coolrunning.com).

        This program was very specific and easy to follow, and within 2 months I was easily able to run a 5k. Since then I have completed multiple 5ks, 10ks, a triathlon, a ½ marathon, and on March 18th in Virginia Beach I will cross the finish line of my first marathon (that’s 26.2 miles I am talking about)!

        Physical fitness is typically the most common resolution, perhaps because the benefits go far beyond “looking fit.” A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows individuals who engage in exercise have better job performance than those who do not. Physically fit employees also take fewer sick days and get along better with coworkers.

        In 2012 think of specific goals you would like to accomplish, and figure out what you can do to guarantee success. On a calendar, write down your goals and the steps you need to take to accomplish them. It doesn’t matter how big or small your goals are –you will feel great crossing each off one by one!

        The sense of accomplishment and pride you will feel while achieving your goals will shine through on everything else you do, especially in your work. So take a few minutes and think about what YOU would like to accomplish in 2012 and get started working towards your goals. When 2013 rolls around, you will not believe everything you have done.

     A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (“Adecco Expects Temps are Here to Stay as Hiring Revives,” by Lauren Weber) revealed some promising news for temporary employees.  Tig Gilliam, the CEO of Adecco SA’s North American Group, believes there will be an increase in the need for temporary employees despite a tough job market. Gilliam stated “even a minor uptick in demand will lead to a hiring spot.”

     After the recession, the recovery of permanent placements has been much slower than that of temporary placements.  Gilliam stated this may be due to the fact that “companies are looking to rely more on flexible resources because they don’t want to go through the layoffs again.” Another reason temporary staffing is booming is because companies acted very aggressively during the recession, and when business started to turn around they “didn’t have the capacity to address it, so they had to come out and get help right away.”

     Gilliam began to see a strong and steady increase of need for temporary employees back in 2009 in the light industrial sector.  C.R. Fletcher Associates experienced the same thing.  Since then, the need for temporary employees has increased across the board.  The sectors that are seeing highest demand for temporary workers are engineering, health care, information technology, and finance.

     If you think temporary work is not for you, rethink it! Temping is a great way to get your foot in a company and show them exactly what you are capable of.  It is a great way to network, build connections, and get a good reference if you are out there doing your best. Not to mention, temping is also a great option to make some quick money. You never know where a possible job opportunity may be hiding – so why not give temping a try?

          We have all been there, sitting in the waiting room nervous and uncomfortable waiting anxiously for an interview to start.  All of the questions you practiced in front of the mirror are jumbling together and then you scare yourself into believing you haven’t prepared enough for the barrage of questions that are going to be thrown at you.  As a gentle reminder, the interview has actually already started as you have already been in contact with a company’s first line of defense…the receptionist.

          Finally, you are sitting in front of an employer and you are cruising through questions, until you are hit with one you didn’t prepare for.  A question you have never heard before, one that requires a negative response or maybe one that doesn’t even have a correct answer.  Seconds feel like minutes as you panic to form some form of rational thought.  Here are some tips to push through the tough interview questions that may make or break your chances of landing your next great opportunity.

          The first question is often ‘tell me a little bit about you’.  Although you would like to talk about the car you drive or the buzzer beating shot you had in high school, this should be brief, touching on your education, qualification and experiences that pertain to your long-term goals and the job you are interviewing for.  This speech is a useful tool for networking when having a conversation with someone new. This is fairly easy to prepare for yet extremely valuable, because bits and pieces can often times be answers to other questions as well.

          Another trap you can find yourself in is with questions that are negative in nature or one that will induce a negative interpretation on yourself or others. A classic is ‘tell me about your weaknesses’.  A solid answer is one that turns a negative into a positive. For example, if you are slow at typing, you can talk about the strides you are making to better yourself in that area, such as taking a class. This can be followed up by the improvements you have made on your weakness. Obviously you do not what to admit to something that will have a negative effect on your job performance. So if you are interviewing for a data entry position, I would strongly urge you to not use the above example.  A trap to avoid is to use the generic answer such as, I work too many hours or I am too detailed oriented. The idea is to make yourself memorable and to standout. The person who interviewed before and after you will probably use the broad generic responses.

          Lastly, a common trick question is ‘tell me about the worst supervisor you have even had’.  By now you should know that this is a trap and is not to be answered literally. If you are going to talk negatively about a prior supervisor, years down the road, what is going to stop you from talking down about the person sitting right across from you?

          A quality response to this question is to describe differences that past managers and coaches have had. You could answer by talking about the different management styles you have been exposed to or different actions that managers have used to engage employees.

          Using these simple suggesting to spin negative answers into positive ones will boost the way you are interpreted by the interviewer. If you are stuck on a question you don’t know how to answer, don’t be afraid to say ‘I need a second to think about it’.  Remain in eye contact and answer in direct sentences regardless of how sure you are in your answer. The most valuable tip of all is prepare Prepare PREPARE! Have a general idea of what is good to say and what is bad. Being prepared will not only help with individual answers, but also give you the confidence to nail your next interview.

Every internet article I seem to read this time of year is a Top 10 List.
With that in mind, I am compiling my Top Ten Reasons to Move to Syracuse.

What makes me qualified to write this blog? Well, I am an expert on Syracuse.  I have lived here for four months.  I went to Fayetteville for the first time last week to get my nails done.

In all seriousness, I am very new to Central New York.  I have no family or prior ties to Syracuse.  After seven years in Chicago, I moved to Syracuse this past August.  I moved out of my high rise apartment, quit my job, and drove across the country in a U-Haul.  Now, like most moves and life changes, it was met with much fear and trepidation.  Four months later, I am happy to say I made the right decision.

1. No Traffic – I used to commute an hour each way to go 20 miles.  Add a little rain or snow, and the trip doubled.  Once I was stuck on the train for over 4 hours.  Now I walk 2 blocks to work and it’s a 15 minute drive to literally everywhere else.
2. More disposable income – I was surprised to find that in addition to housing being less expensive, so are the haircuts, parking, and gym memberships (if I had one).  Especially for students that take out loans, Syracuse’s cost of living makes it much more affordable.
3. Travel – Yes, there aren’t as many direct flights, but there aren’t the hour long security lines either.  Last trip, I made it from the parking garage to the gate in less than 15 minutes.  Beat that.  Plus, you can spend the $5000 a year you saved on housing to travel instead.
4. More Free Time – With less commuting, there is more time to develop hobbies, volunteer, take classes and actually start investing in the community.
5. No Reservations – I made a restaurant reservation in Chicago last year.  I called two months in advance and the only available time was a Sunday at 5pm.  Not here, I can show up without reservations to popular restaurants such as Pastabilities and Alto Cinco with only a little wait.
6. Natural Beauty –Syracuse has the Finger Lakes, wineries and lovely surrounding nature-scapes.
7. Wegman’s – There is a grocery store here called “Wegmans”.  It is incredible.  You should check it out.
8. Arts/Sports – I love the Arts; my fiancé loves sports.  Fortunately, there are ample opportunities for both.
9. Farmer’s Market – The regional market on Saturdays is inspiring.  I bought so many peaches that I made a pie.  I don’t even know how to bake!
10. New York City – If you are really dying for the city life, you can always take a day trip to NYC.  Plus, when you tell people you live in New York, they assume New York City anyways.

With the holidays right around the corner, why not take a few hours of your time and volunteer?  Many organizations are looking for volunteers to help make the holidays a happy time for everyone.  If you think there is not enough time to volunteer, organizations are very willing to work around any schedule, and various shifts are usually available!  Whether you are looking to volunteer on a daily or weekly basis, there are many opportunities out there for you.

The benefits of volunteering are endless.  While you are volunteering your time and helping out others, you are also helping yourself.  According to the World Volunteer Web, the benefits of volunteering can be both personal and professional.

On a personal level volunteerism helps you:
     1. Become an active member of your community.
     2. Find new hobbies, talents, and interests.
     3. Feel a sense of self-achievement while making a difference to others.

On a professional level volunteerism helps you:
     1. Boost your resume!
     2. Build valuable connections.  Networking is key tool in the job search 
     process.
     3. Improve your skills.  Volunteering can help you develop new skills, while
     also improving the skills you already have.
     4. Stay engaged.  If you are unemployed, there is no better way to use your
     time than volunteering.

In just a few hours you can help out an organization, feel great about what you have done, and even boost your resume. To find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you, please visit www.volunteermatch.org or www.serve.gov.

        The transition from college to the “real world” can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. With so many changes going on, most people are unsure of which step to take first. As obvious as it may seem, the first step any recent college graduate should take is to start the job search process! Do not put off the job search process because of a fear of failing. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the 2011 Job Outlook Survey shows employers plan on hiring 19.3 percent more graduates this spring than one year ago. Follow these tips to get your job search started off on the right foot.

Tip #1 – Take advantage of your alumni network! Alumni Associations are a great way to build connections, and can also be very helpful because they were once in the same position. Connect with as many alum as you can to get your name and career goals out there. Social media sites, such as LinkedIn, will make building these connections quick and easy.

Tip #2 – Utilize social media! As stated before, social media sites are helpful in building connections, but they are also helpful in the job search process. Create a professional Twitter and LinkedIn account, and get the word out there that you are looking for a job. Also, make sure to clean up your online presence. Delete inappropriate pictures and comments from Facebook, because some employers do look at personal pages. Don’t forget to take a second to “Google” yourself to make sure there are no surprises on the internet (such as inappropriate pictures from 4 years ago that you forgot about).

Tip #3 – Consider an internship or dedicate some time to volunteering if you are unsure of what you want to do. Internships and volunteer experience look great on resumes, and can provide a sense of direction for possible career options. If you are lucky, an internship or a volunteer experience may even help you secure a full-time position!

Tip #4 – Stay positive! Continuously remind yourself about your skills and talents so you feel confident putting yourself out there. Searching for a job can be time-consuming and discouraging at times, but do not give up. It is necessary to invest time and energy into resume writing, job applications, and brushing up on interview skills. Just remember that it will all be worth it in the end.

When conducting your job search, in order to improve your odds for success during your job search, there are four key steps you need to follow.  This will place you above your competition and on the path to success!

First, you must prepare yourself.  PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE.  In almost any interview you will be asked to define your greatest strength and/or weakness.  Make sure you evaluate and specify what type of job you are looking for, this way you can make a list of potential employers.  After listing potential employers, prepare by researching those companies.  It is crucial that you are educated on the company you are applying to before heading into an interview. 

Second, put together a strong Cover Letter and Resume.  The key to a successful cover letter is grabbing the reader’s attention.  You want to display yourself in a confident manner by listing your key accomplishments.  You should also use this opportunity to request action, whether it is asking for an interview or a phone call response.  Be sure to keep it under one page in length. Your resume should display your work experiences, skills, interests and strengths.  Put a strong emphasis on your key accomplishments and highlight all relevant successes (educational and professional).  This is your opportunity to market yourself! Include methods for the employer to contact you (phone number, e-mail address, etc.).

Thirdly, make sure your interviewing skills are in tip top shape.  Your first impression is crucial, so make sure you dress to impress (literally).  Prepare your interpersonal skills and make sure you set a relaxing tone.  Prepare yourself for all types of interview questions that may be asked.  Go one step further and prepare questions for the employer. These could be questions you came up with during your research of the company.  The bottom line is – practice makes perfect.

Lastly, make sure you have timely follow-up, timely being the operative word.   Always respond to phone calls and e-mails immediately and place a high importance on doing so.  No employer likes to sit around and wait for responses from a potential employee.  Chances are, they are waiting for several other responses. Try to always think of it as a first come, first served basis.  When you are asked to send a Cover Letter and Resume, make sure you are already prepared with both so that you can do so right away.  If your job search leads to an interview, prepare a Thank-You letter for the interviewer immediately after leaving the meeting.  Finally, if an offer is made, be ready to either accept or decline in a timely, considerate manner.

Published in the Syracuse Post Standard, January 31, 2011

It’s a new year, and the economy is showing signs of life. That means many people who need a job are aggressively starting to look again.

If you have been putting off your job search and are ready to re-ignite it, here are some tips on how to do so while striving to stand out from the crowd.

Get in a routine. Set the alarm clock, get out of bed, shower and get the day started. Don’t allow yourself to wear sweatpants all day. Dress nicely, even if you’re going to the bank. You never know who you might meet.

Have you been networking? Work those relationships. Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn, your alumni network and your professional groups. Let them know how excited you are to find a job and get back to work. Do they have any advice for you? Do they know of anyone else that you can network with?

Stay in touch with your recruiter. If you are registered with a recruiting firm, be sure to contact them and check in. Let them know you are still seeking employment, and wish to remain active. If anything has changed in your search, make your recruiter aware. (Think — new salary expectations, expanded geographic preferences, different types of positions that you’d like to consider.)

Reach out to your references. Give them a call and let them know you’re still seeking employment. Remind them that you may be sharing their contact information so potential employers can complete a reference check on you. Ask them if they’ve heard of available jobs that might fit you.

Revitalize your resume. Make sure all information on it is relevant and accurate. Have you learned any new computer skills? If so, add them onto your resume. (If not, now is a great time to learn something new. Take advantage of some of the local resources that offer free computer training.)

Practice your interviewing skills. Prepare yourself so when the time is right, you can speak comfortably about your skill set. Ask a trusted friend to help you practice your interviewing technique, and be open to feedback.

Check out your social networking sites. What does your “page” say about you? What if someone you’re connected with on Facebook is hiring — is there anything on your page that will prevent them from contacting you about a job? It’s always a good rule of thumb to avoid badmouthing former employers, and that holds true for anything you may post on the Internet.

Stay social. Many people have told me they become depressed during their unemployment. Resist the urge to stay home. Continue to enjoy yourself — meet friends for coffee, invite people over for dinner, go out to watch a game. You might prefer to stay in and watch a movie, but it’s important to keep yourself actively engaged in conversation with others, plus it’ll give you something to look forward to.

Consider volunteer work. Find a cause that you are passionate about, and strive to make a difference in our community. Not only will you feel good about your decision to volunteer, you also might meet someone who could become part of your network.

Most importantly, have a positive outlook! It’s a new year, and hopefully that means you will have a new job. Be optimistic.

Don’t forget the basics

?  Keep a professional greeting on your voicemail.

?  Possess an e-mail address that is professional.

?  Have an outfit ready if you’re called for an immediate interview.

?  Have a few copies of your resume printed on high-quality paper.