Phil Vanderslice

Mastering the Virtual Interview: Tips for a Successful Online Interview in 2024 1

Mastering the Virtual Interview: Tips for a Successful Online Interview in 2024

The prevalence of virtual interviews remains significant at the halfway point of 2024. Whether you are an experience candidate or searching for your first job, the skill of excelling at virtual interviewing can set you apart from the competition and open doors to excellent opportunities. We will list some practice you can use before, during, as well as after your interview to show your engagement with the role and leave a great first impression on the hiring staff. Preparing for Virtual Success The first step to having a great interview is to make sure you adequately prepare the night before to reduce the chances of obstacles/distractions on the day: Prepare and Check Your Technology: Check your internet connection, microphone, and camera are operational and up to date. Test everything beforehand in a mock interview to avoid technical difficulties. Dress Appropriately: Event though it is a virtual interview, dress professionally to show respect and seriousness about the opportunity. Treat a virtual interview just as you would any regular on-site interview which means business professional/casual depending on what the company has told you (if nothing, default to business professional). Select the Right Location in Your House/Apartment: Choose a room/area that has minimal distractions and is away from other family members, noise, or pets that could interrupt your train of thought during the interview. The background behind you during the interview should ideally be a blank wall/space without anything in the frame that can potentially distract your interviewer from you and what you are saying. If you don’t have access to a blank wall, Zoom and Microsoft Teams have a ‘blur background’ feature that only leaves you in focus while blurring anything behind you. Know Your Resume and Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Your resume is the main document. that hiring managers will have prior to the interview to gauge your past experience and overall quality as a candidate, so you can be sure they will be asking you to talk about the things on your resume! Crafting and perfecting a concise elevator pitch introduction showcasing your skills and why you are a great fit for the role is also a great way to make a first impression at the start of the interview. Research the Company and Interviewer(s):  Coming into the interview, you should know the ins and outs of the company to show genuine interest to the hiring manager – if you don’t bother to find out what the company is all about, then you are showing 0 interest to want to work there. Try and connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn and find out basic information such as their role, how long they have been at the company, how your prospective role fits into theirs, and any common interests outside of work (college, sports teams, hometown, pets, etc.) for easier small talk during the interview During the Interview Now that you have fully prepared for your interview, there are certain best practices that you can utilize during the interview to stand out: Notes are Fine, Scripts are Not: There is nothing wrong with having a couple of notes written down about key points you want to cover or some questions you wish to ask the interviewer. However, having a prepared script that you plan to read off of is a great way to make a negative impression on your interviewer. No matter how hard you try to make it sound natural, when you read from a script it will always be noticeable and come off as less impactful (especially over a video call). Just because the interview is taking place online, don’t think your interviewer will not be able to tell you are reading from a script on your screen! Look into Your Webcam, Not Your Reflection: Lets be honest, we have all looked at ourselves in a Zoom call before either to check how we look or to make sure our posture is appropriate. During your interview make it a point to look directly into the camera instead of your screen to show the interviewer you are paying attention and to maintain eye contact. It is okay to break eye contact temporarily but do not start staring at something else on your screen to avoid looking disinterested and zoned out. Don’t Perform a Monologue: Outside of your opening elevator pitch, the interview should really feel more like a conversation as opposed to a constant back and forth question and answer session. It is also important to remember than an interview is as much about listening as it is speaking; use your time with the hiring manager to learn more about the company you perhaps were not able to find out from your initial research. Maintain Good Body Language: When you are in a comfortable, familiar environment such as your home it is very easy to begin to relax and start slouching or swinging on your chair during your interview.  Watch Your Pace:  In nervous/stressful situations, people always subconsciously speed up when they are talking which can make it harder to understand what you are trying to say, especially over an online call when connection can already be an issue. Remind yourself to talk at a slower pace than you normally would to offset this and don’t forget to take pauses for effect/emphasis if there are certain points you want to stick with the interviewer. Show, Don’t Tell: To impress your hiring manager, you begin to say this during your interview: “You should hire me because I am hard-working and innovative professional with a proven track record of success.” Without any specific examples, this will leave them wondering how can I know they are hard-working. To combat this, make sure to show instead of tell! You can achieve this by using a personal anecdote/example of a time you were hard-working in your last job or a time during college as this will show your interviewer a tangible example of this quality and add to your credibility. Showcase Your Soft Skills:

Mastering the Virtual Interview: Tips for a Successful Online Interview in 2024 Read More »

The prevalence of virtual interviews remains significant at the halfway point of 2024. Whether you are an experience candidate or searching for your first job, the skill of excelling at virtual interviewing can set you apart from the competition and open doors to excellent opportunities. We will list some practice you can use before, during, as well as after your interview to show your engagement with the role and leave a great first impression on the hiring staff. Preparing for Virtual Success The first step to having a great interview is to make sure you adequately prepare the night before to reduce the chances of obstacles/distractions on the day: Prepare and Check Your Technology: Check your internet connection, microphone, and camera are operational and up to date. Test everything beforehand in a mock interview to avoid technical difficulties. Dress Appropriately: Event though it is a virtual interview, dress professionally to show respect and seriousness about the opportunity. Treat a virtual interview just as you would any regular on-site interview which means business professional/casual depending on what the company has told you (if nothing, default to business professional). Select the Right Location in Your House/Apartment: Choose a room/area that has minimal distractions and is away from other family members, noise, or pets that could interrupt your train of thought during the interview. The background behind you during the interview should ideally be a blank wall/space without anything in the frame that can potentially distract your interviewer from you and what you are saying. If you don’t have access to a blank wall, Zoom and Microsoft Teams have a ‘blur background’ feature that only leaves you in focus while blurring anything behind you. Know Your Resume and Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Your resume is the main document. that hiring managers will have prior to the interview to gauge your past experience and overall quality as a candidate, so you can be sure they will be asking you to talk about the things on your resume! Crafting and perfecting a concise elevator pitch introduction showcasing your skills and why you are a great fit for the role is also a great way to make a first impression at the start of the interview. Research the Company and Interviewer(s):  Coming into the interview, you should know the ins and outs of the company to show genuine interest to the hiring manager – if you don’t bother to find out what the company is all about, then you are showing 0 interest to want to work there. Try and connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn and find out basic information such as their role, how long they have been at the company, how your prospective role fits into theirs, and any common interests outside of work (college, sports teams, hometown, pets, etc.) for easier small talk during the interview During the Interview Now that you have fully prepared for your interview, there are certain best practices that you can utilize during the interview to stand out: Notes are Fine, Scripts are Not: There is nothing wrong with having a couple of notes written down about key points you want to cover or some questions you wish to ask the interviewer. However, having a prepared script that you plan to read off of is a great way to make a negative impression on your interviewer. No matter how hard you try to make it sound natural, when you read from a script it will always be noticeable and come off as less impactful (especially over a video call). Just because the interview is taking place online, don’t think your interviewer will not be able to tell you are reading from a script on your screen! Look into Your Webcam, Not Your Reflection: Lets be honest, we have all looked at ourselves in a Zoom call before either to check how we look or to make sure our posture is appropriate. During your interview make it a point to look directly into the camera instead of your screen to show the interviewer you are paying attention and to maintain eye contact. It is okay to break eye contact temporarily but do not start staring at something else on your screen to avoid looking disinterested and zoned out. Don’t Perform a Monologue: Outside of your opening elevator pitch, the interview should really feel more like a conversation as opposed to a constant back and forth question and answer session. It is also important to remember than an interview is as much about listening as it is speaking; use your time with the hiring manager to learn more about the company you perhaps were not able to find out from your initial research. Maintain Good Body Language: When you are in a comfortable, familiar environment such as your home it is very easy to begin to relax and start slouching or swinging on your chair during your interview.  Watch Your Pace:  In nervous/stressful situations, people always subconsciously speed up when they are talking which can make it harder to understand what you are trying to say, especially over an online call when connection can already be an issue. Remind yourself to talk at a slower pace than you normally would to offset this and don’t forget to take pauses for effect/emphasis if there are certain points you want to stick with the interviewer. Show, Don’t Tell: To impress your hiring manager, you begin to say this during your interview: “You should hire me because I am hard-working and innovative professional with a proven track record of success.” Without any specific examples, this will leave them wondering how can I know they are hard-working. To combat this, make sure to show instead of tell! You can achieve this by using a personal anecdote/example of a time you were hard-working in your last job or a time during college as this will show your interviewer a tangible example of this quality and add to your credibility. Showcase Your Soft Skills:

The Ultimate Resume Guide for Landing Top Jobs 6

The Ultimate Resume Guide for Landing Top Jobs

In this edition of VC5 Consulting Insider, we have collated some key pieces of advice candidates can use to truly stand out to recruiters and get closer to landing their next job opportunity. Your resume is often the first impression recruiters have of you, so it is non-negotiable to have a polished resume to showcase your qualifications and skills. You want to show off your abilities, not your mistakes! What follows are several best practice tips and tricks you can use to elevate your resume in the eyes of recruiters: Focus on Relevant Skills and Experiences: Only include skills and experiences that are relevant to the industry you want to work in or, more specifically, the job role you want to land. You want recruiters to immediately see the relevant skills/experiences that make you a fit for that specific job Quantify Your Impact: Listing your previous job responsibilities is fine but you want to be more than just fine. By adding quantifiable metrics, you can show what impact you made not just that you did that job. For example, adding that you ‘increased conversions by 40% in your first quarter’ would be very attractive to recruiters Don’t Forget About Those Soft Skills: Soft skills (personal character traits such as adaptability and good communication) are as valued by recruiters and employers as hard skills. Employers are no longer simply hiring because you have years of experience in the industry/field, rather they are looking for people who will also seamlessly fit within the company culture and uphold organizational values Optimize Your Keywords: Modern companies often have applicant-tracking software (ATS) that will simply discard your resume if it does not contain certain keywords chosen by the hiring staff that are relevant to the job description. To avoid having your resume thrown out before reaching a manager, ensure to include relevant keywords (around 3-5) in your resume without overloading it unnecessarily. You will find the important keywords in the job description you are applying for as well as on the company website and social pages. Perfect Spelling and Formatting: It’s pretty simple, if you make a spelling mistake on your resume chances are you will not be considered for the job. There is no way around it, you have to be able to spell-check for any errors and remove them before recruiters find them. You do not want the hiring staff at your dream company to have a negative first impression of you after discovering spelling errors in your resume Review, Revise, and Refresh: Constantly sharpening and improving your resume with new experiences/qualifications is a great habit to develop and can only benefit you. It can be as little as adding another personal interest to the end of your resume, but everything will add up in the long run and this avoids potentially leaving big gaps in your resume that will generate hesitancy from recruiters/managers Formatting Best Practices The best resumes are simple, clutter-free, and do not confuse and distract the reader while they look through them. Optimal formatting of your resume will communicate your unique value proposition as a candidate with one quick skim through and leave hiring managers wanting to know more. If you present a poorly formatted resume, companies do not have time to wade through and find your most important experience and will simply move on to the next resume. The most common resume format used by professionals is the chronological resume which lists your experiences in reverse chronological order with your most recent role appearing first at the top of the page. This format is widely used as it communicates your relevant, recent experience upfront without any distractions so hiring managers don’t need to dig for what they are looking for. Consider the following example: The resume above is a great example of a concise and effective chronological resume that lists all of the candidate’s experience in reverse chronological order so the hiring staff can see their career progression and growth. You will also see a small summary section near the top of this example resume. This can be an effective way of conveying your value as a candidate by giving a quick elevator pitch style of introduction to yourself and the rest of your resume. If you decide to include a summary in your resume, do not make it more than a couple of sentences, and include an experience/skill that you think will best hook the reader into looking at the rest of your resume. Just as you do in the rest of your resume, use quantifiable metrics within the summary to showcase your value and stand out as a candidate. At the bottom of our example, there is a small section reserved for additional skills and other extras you want to include. This part of your resume is a great chance to include keywords that are important to the hiring company and role, so make sure to implement those and get picked up by the ATS systems that screen resumes. ⭐BONUS TIP⭐: Use action verbs for your bullet points to emphasize your impact and value – use verbs such as “Led”, “Planned”, “Coordinated”, and “Managed”, among many others to add an edge to your resume and showcase your experience in an engaging way! Are You Ready for a New Career-Boosting Job Opportunity? VC5 Consulting Can Help! Now that you have perfected your resume, contact one of our recruiters or check out our job board to get your journey to a new opportunity underway. We cannot wait to get to know you and help you find that job you have been searching for. Let us know of any resume tips you have discovered over the years, we would love to hear your thoughts. Best of luck in your job search!

The Ultimate Resume Guide for Landing Top Jobs Read More »

In this edition of VC5 Consulting Insider, we have collated some key pieces of advice candidates can use to truly stand out to recruiters and get closer to landing their next job opportunity. Your resume is often the first impression recruiters have of you, so it is non-negotiable to have a polished resume to showcase your qualifications and skills. You want to show off your abilities, not your mistakes! What follows are several best practice tips and tricks you can use to elevate your resume in the eyes of recruiters: Focus on Relevant Skills and Experiences: Only include skills and experiences that are relevant to the industry you want to work in or, more specifically, the job role you want to land. You want recruiters to immediately see the relevant skills/experiences that make you a fit for that specific job Quantify Your Impact: Listing your previous job responsibilities is fine but you want to be more than just fine. By adding quantifiable metrics, you can show what impact you made not just that you did that job. For example, adding that you ‘increased conversions by 40% in your first quarter’ would be very attractive to recruiters Don’t Forget About Those Soft Skills: Soft skills (personal character traits such as adaptability and good communication) are as valued by recruiters and employers as hard skills. Employers are no longer simply hiring because you have years of experience in the industry/field, rather they are looking for people who will also seamlessly fit within the company culture and uphold organizational values Optimize Your Keywords: Modern companies often have applicant-tracking software (ATS) that will simply discard your resume if it does not contain certain keywords chosen by the hiring staff that are relevant to the job description. To avoid having your resume thrown out before reaching a manager, ensure to include relevant keywords (around 3-5) in your resume without overloading it unnecessarily. You will find the important keywords in the job description you are applying for as well as on the company website and social pages. Perfect Spelling and Formatting: It’s pretty simple, if you make a spelling mistake on your resume chances are you will not be considered for the job. There is no way around it, you have to be able to spell-check for any errors and remove them before recruiters find them. You do not want the hiring staff at your dream company to have a negative first impression of you after discovering spelling errors in your resume Review, Revise, and Refresh: Constantly sharpening and improving your resume with new experiences/qualifications is a great habit to develop and can only benefit you. It can be as little as adding another personal interest to the end of your resume, but everything will add up in the long run and this avoids potentially leaving big gaps in your resume that will generate hesitancy from recruiters/managers Formatting Best Practices The best resumes are simple, clutter-free, and do not confuse and distract the reader while they look through them. Optimal formatting of your resume will communicate your unique value proposition as a candidate with one quick skim through and leave hiring managers wanting to know more. If you present a poorly formatted resume, companies do not have time to wade through and find your most important experience and will simply move on to the next resume. The most common resume format used by professionals is the chronological resume which lists your experiences in reverse chronological order with your most recent role appearing first at the top of the page. This format is widely used as it communicates your relevant, recent experience upfront without any distractions so hiring managers don’t need to dig for what they are looking for. Consider the following example: The resume above is a great example of a concise and effective chronological resume that lists all of the candidate’s experience in reverse chronological order so the hiring staff can see their career progression and growth. You will also see a small summary section near the top of this example resume. This can be an effective way of conveying your value as a candidate by giving a quick elevator pitch style of introduction to yourself and the rest of your resume. If you decide to include a summary in your resume, do not make it more than a couple of sentences, and include an experience/skill that you think will best hook the reader into looking at the rest of your resume. Just as you do in the rest of your resume, use quantifiable metrics within the summary to showcase your value and stand out as a candidate. At the bottom of our example, there is a small section reserved for additional skills and other extras you want to include. This part of your resume is a great chance to include keywords that are important to the hiring company and role, so make sure to implement those and get picked up by the ATS systems that screen resumes. ⭐BONUS TIP⭐: Use action verbs for your bullet points to emphasize your impact and value – use verbs such as “Led”, “Planned”, “Coordinated”, and “Managed”, among many others to add an edge to your resume and showcase your experience in an engaging way! Are You Ready for a New Career-Boosting Job Opportunity? VC5 Consulting Can Help! Now that you have perfected your resume, contact one of our recruiters or check out our job board to get your journey to a new opportunity underway. We cannot wait to get to know you and help you find that job you have been searching for. Let us know of any resume tips you have discovered over the years, we would love to hear your thoughts. Best of luck in your job search!

Efficient AI Hiring - How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Recruiters 11

Efficient AI Hiring – How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Recruiters

In the latter half of 2023, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous in many industries most notably healthcare and education. However, an industry that may not instantly spring to mind for AI usage is recruiting and staffing. Today we will outline just how effective AI can be in streamlining a recruiter’s workflow as well as some challenges to look out for when over-relying on these artificial assistants. Benefits of AI in Staffing and Recruiting: Efficiency: AI can make daily manual tasks that recruiters spend too much time on (screening resumes, sending emails, scheduling correspondence) automated. This frees up hours in the day that can now be spent on more key tasks that require critical thinking. Improved Candidate Search: Instead of a recruiter manually looking through a candidate’s resume for educational level and skill set, AI can rapidly run through a resume/profile and present qualified candidates instantly based on the parameters you provide. 24/7 Employee: The great thing about AI is they don’t require the essentials that we do; you don’t need to let AI rest, eat, or give them PTO 2 weeks a year. So recruiting firms essentially have a 24/7/365 employee who will always be searching for potential candidates and opportunities. No Inherent (Human) Biases: No matter how much we deny it, as humans, we all have certain cognitive biases that affect how we perceive information. This is prevalent in looking through various candidates and their resumes, however, AI does not possess this capacity to develop biases. As a result, recruiters can heavily limit screening candidates with the inherent biases all humans possess through AI. Operational Cost Savings: Through task automation and improved efficiency, there is an overall increase in cost savings for staffing and recruiting firms. Time efficiency means cost efficiency and AI can assist significantly in saving recruiters from mundane, day-to-day tasks. “AI recruiting software will even learn what messaging used by the recruiter yielded the highest response with candidates. It will then automate these behaviors allowing recruiters to spend time on what matters most, relationships and revenue.” – LeoForce Challenges of AI to Keep in Mind: AI Regulation Compliance: When using AI in the hiring process, firms have to keep local and state laws in mind. For example, Illinois, Maryland, and New York City require employers to ask for consent if using AI during certain parts of hiring. So make sure to keep up to date with your region’s AI regulations to avoid legal problems. (https://www.fastcompany.com/90926772/does-your-state-have-rules-about-using-ai-in-hiring) Algorithm Biases: Artificial intelligence only learns through the data/information we provide it. So, there is potential for human biases to infiltrate AI’s thinking through human input. Keep in mind that when using AI for hiring, biased data can lead to biased AI outputs. AI Can Make Mistakes: No matter how impressive AI can seem at times, it is still in development and this means mistakes happen. As a recruiter, make sure to double-check the candidates/information yielded from artificial intelligence and do not blindly use it to make your life easier. AI in Action at VC5 Consulting: Bailey Smith, Senior Recruiter at VC5 Consulting   This is Bailey Smith, a senior recruiter at VC5 Consulting these are the various ways Bailey uses AI in her recruitment process: “I use AI as a macro research tool when I need some more information on companies or specific types of jobs. For example, this week I used ChatGPT and Bard to discover more information about a new client we received. Gathering company information is critical in order to give my candidates the whole picture and then assess if they would be the right fit for that company.” “I also rely on AI tools to conduct competitive analysis. When a client provides us with a job opening, it is important to understand what their competitors are doing so I can see how our client differentiates themselves and then pass that on to candidates.” Summary: Overall, AI is an extremely powerful tool that recruiting and staffing firms can put to use in their daily workflows. We must keep in mind that AI capabilities are constantly evolving and growing, so its potential is unlimited and the applications will continue to improve. By finding particular use cases in your recruiting process, your firm will be able to optimize hours in the day and find more relevant candidates for your job openings. Feel free to leave a comment under this newsletter with any thoughts/ideas about AI and how you use it at your company!

Efficient AI Hiring – How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Recruiters Read More »

In the latter half of 2023, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is ubiquitous in many industries most notably healthcare and education. However, an industry that may not instantly spring to mind for AI usage is recruiting and staffing. Today we will outline just how effective AI can be in streamlining a recruiter’s workflow as well as some challenges to look out for when over-relying on these artificial assistants. Benefits of AI in Staffing and Recruiting: Efficiency: AI can make daily manual tasks that recruiters spend too much time on (screening resumes, sending emails, scheduling correspondence) automated. This frees up hours in the day that can now be spent on more key tasks that require critical thinking. Improved Candidate Search: Instead of a recruiter manually looking through a candidate’s resume for educational level and skill set, AI can rapidly run through a resume/profile and present qualified candidates instantly based on the parameters you provide. 24/7 Employee: The great thing about AI is they don’t require the essentials that we do; you don’t need to let AI rest, eat, or give them PTO 2 weeks a year. So recruiting firms essentially have a 24/7/365 employee who will always be searching for potential candidates and opportunities. No Inherent (Human) Biases: No matter how much we deny it, as humans, we all have certain cognitive biases that affect how we perceive information. This is prevalent in looking through various candidates and their resumes, however, AI does not possess this capacity to develop biases. As a result, recruiters can heavily limit screening candidates with the inherent biases all humans possess through AI. Operational Cost Savings: Through task automation and improved efficiency, there is an overall increase in cost savings for staffing and recruiting firms. Time efficiency means cost efficiency and AI can assist significantly in saving recruiters from mundane, day-to-day tasks. “AI recruiting software will even learn what messaging used by the recruiter yielded the highest response with candidates. It will then automate these behaviors allowing recruiters to spend time on what matters most, relationships and revenue.” – LeoForce Challenges of AI to Keep in Mind: AI Regulation Compliance: When using AI in the hiring process, firms have to keep local and state laws in mind. For example, Illinois, Maryland, and New York City require employers to ask for consent if using AI during certain parts of hiring. So make sure to keep up to date with your region’s AI regulations to avoid legal problems. (https://www.fastcompany.com/90926772/does-your-state-have-rules-about-using-ai-in-hiring) Algorithm Biases: Artificial intelligence only learns through the data/information we provide it. So, there is potential for human biases to infiltrate AI’s thinking through human input. Keep in mind that when using AI for hiring, biased data can lead to biased AI outputs. AI Can Make Mistakes: No matter how impressive AI can seem at times, it is still in development and this means mistakes happen. As a recruiter, make sure to double-check the candidates/information yielded from artificial intelligence and do not blindly use it to make your life easier. AI in Action at VC5 Consulting: Bailey Smith, Senior Recruiter at VC5 Consulting   This is Bailey Smith, a senior recruiter at VC5 Consulting these are the various ways Bailey uses AI in her recruitment process: “I use AI as a macro research tool when I need some more information on companies or specific types of jobs. For example, this week I used ChatGPT and Bard to discover more information about a new client we received. Gathering company information is critical in order to give my candidates the whole picture and then assess if they would be the right fit for that company.” “I also rely on AI tools to conduct competitive analysis. When a client provides us with a job opening, it is important to understand what their competitors are doing so I can see how our client differentiates themselves and then pass that on to candidates.” Summary: Overall, AI is an extremely powerful tool that recruiting and staffing firms can put to use in their daily workflows. We must keep in mind that AI capabilities are constantly evolving and growing, so its potential is unlimited and the applications will continue to improve. By finding particular use cases in your recruiting process, your firm will be able to optimize hours in the day and find more relevant candidates for your job openings. Feel free to leave a comment under this newsletter with any thoughts/ideas about AI and how you use it at your company!

VC5 Wins ESGR Patriotic Employer Award 14

VC5 Wins ESGR Patriotic Employer Award

VC5 Partners’ subsidiary, VC5 Consulting honored with the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award for Outstanding Support of Military Employees. Houston, TX – VC5 Consulting is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious ESGR Patriotic Employer award in recognition of its unwavering commitment to supporting military employees. This esteemed accolade is bestowed upon employers who go above and beyond in providing exceptional support and understanding to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense dedicated to fostering positive working relationships between Reserve component service members and their civilian employers. The ESGR Patriotic Employer award serves as a testament to VC5 Consulting’s outstanding efforts in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for its military-affiliated employees. The ESGR Patriotic Employer Award reflects VC5 Consulting’s commitment to upholding the values of patriotism, dedication, and community support. The company has implemented various initiatives to ensure that its military employees receive the utmost support and recognition they deserve. These initiatives include flexible scheduling to accommodate military duties, granting leaves of absence for training and deployments, and providing resources and assistance during the transition between military service and civilian employment. “We are incredibly honored to receive the ESGR Patriotic Employer award,” said Whitney Vanderslice, Managing Partner of VC5 Consulting. “At VC5 Consulting, we firmly believe in the importance of supporting our military employees and acknowledging their invaluable service to our nation. This award is a testament to our deep appreciation for their sacrifices and our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.” VC5 Consulting’s recognition with the ESGR Patriotic Employer award showcases its dedication to supporting and honoring military employees, as well as its commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement. The company remains steadfast in its mission to provide an environment where all employees, including those serving in the military, can thrive and reach their fullest potential. About VC5 Consulting: VC5 Consulting is a leading consulting firm specializing in IT, Accounting, and Finance. With a focus on recruiting, VC5 Consulting has established a reputation for delivering exceptional results for its clients. The company values diversity, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community, which is reflected in its unwavering support for military employees.

VC5 Wins ESGR Patriotic Employer Award Read More »

VC5 Partners’ subsidiary, VC5 Consulting honored with the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award for Outstanding Support of Military Employees. Houston, TX – VC5 Consulting is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious ESGR Patriotic Employer award in recognition of its unwavering commitment to supporting military employees. This esteemed accolade is bestowed upon employers who go above and beyond in providing exceptional support and understanding to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense dedicated to fostering positive working relationships between Reserve component service members and their civilian employers. The ESGR Patriotic Employer award serves as a testament to VC5 Consulting’s outstanding efforts in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for its military-affiliated employees. The ESGR Patriotic Employer Award reflects VC5 Consulting’s commitment to upholding the values of patriotism, dedication, and community support. The company has implemented various initiatives to ensure that its military employees receive the utmost support and recognition they deserve. These initiatives include flexible scheduling to accommodate military duties, granting leaves of absence for training and deployments, and providing resources and assistance during the transition between military service and civilian employment. “We are incredibly honored to receive the ESGR Patriotic Employer award,” said Whitney Vanderslice, Managing Partner of VC5 Consulting. “At VC5 Consulting, we firmly believe in the importance of supporting our military employees and acknowledging their invaluable service to our nation. This award is a testament to our deep appreciation for their sacrifices and our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.” VC5 Consulting’s recognition with the ESGR Patriotic Employer award showcases its dedication to supporting and honoring military employees, as well as its commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement. The company remains steadfast in its mission to provide an environment where all employees, including those serving in the military, can thrive and reach their fullest potential. About VC5 Consulting: VC5 Consulting is a leading consulting firm specializing in IT, Accounting, and Finance. With a focus on recruiting, VC5 Consulting has established a reputation for delivering exceptional results for its clients. The company values diversity, inclusivity, and a strong sense of community, which is reflected in its unwavering support for military employees.

7 Ways to Win the Job Before You Even Speak 15

7 Ways to Win the Job Before You Even Speak

 The moment you meet someone they will make thousands of mental notes and computations. In the first twenty seconds, their prehistoric survival mechanism decides whether you are friend or foe and consequently generate a first impression that will affect how they view you going forward. Whether you are interviewing someone, they are interviewing you or you are speaking to a crowd of thousands, these first twenty seconds, and the non verbal cues you provide are critical to your success in the interaction. You might be surprised to know, research has shown the non-verbal cues are actually four times as important as what you say. So as you’re sitting in the meeting trying to focus on what you are saying, remember to focus on what is actually four times as important – what you convey non-verbally . So, what non-verbal cues can help you get that job, get that candidate you want or make the crowd love you?  Overdressing is better than underdressing: What if James Bond walked up to the bar and ordered his martini in a hoodie. You recognize this just doesn’t seem appropriate for the situation. It doesn’t have the same power as formal attire. Recognize your audience and always try to dress at least their level or one level above. What if you dress for the person you’re meeting, they love you and want to introduce you to the CFO or even CEO. Is your dress appropriate to meet that person? On almost every occasion you would rather err on the side of being over dressed. Posture: Whether standing or sitting, think about your posture. When you first meet, are you standing tall. When you sit, even in the lobby before you meet, are you sitting up straight, or leaning back in the chair. From the lobby to the end of the meeting, sit as if you have a pole strapped to your back. Handshake: I shake so many hands in my profession and I am amazed how many people get this wrong. Perhaps out of nervousness, people just fail this first connection. So, as odd as it sounds, practice with a spouse or a friend until you get it right. Square your shoulders, look them in the eye, and grip stronger than you think you should. As with dressing, it is so much better to over do it. Eye Contact and Eye Brows: Eye contact matters and people fail it all the time. Sometimes they fail because they are in the subservient position in the relationship – they are interviewing, therefore they look down. So here is a trick: Identify their eye color. If you try to identify the eye color of the person you meet, you will have a much better chance of maintaining solid eye contact during this initial meeting. In addition, raise your eyebrows. This is called an “Eyebrow flash”. Usually it is unconscious. It is a universal signal of friendship and an offer for social interaction. An eyebrow flash lasts for less than a half a second, so don’t get weird with it or do it multiple times. Following your eyebrow flash, the other party will typically unconsciously mirror you unless you look away immediately so if you watch for the mirrored flash, you won’t accidentally look away. Smile: Another universal signal that “I’m a friend.” Lean forward but don’t be a close talker: A character in the television show Seinfeld was known as “the close talker.” He stood just a little too close. Lean forward but stay out of the comfort zone of the person you’re talking to. Typically about two to three feet. Act as if the person you meet is an old friend: This final step is so much easier today than it was twenty years ago. Before you meet the person you’re going to speak with, review their digital profiles. Get to “know them.”  Then when you meet them, greet them with the familiarity of an old friend you haven’t seen in ten years. If you do this, almost all of the other six things will happen naturally. It will become a self fulfilling prophecy. They will imagine they have known you as well. You might find yourself hearing, “I feel like we’ve met somewhere before.” Because in their mind, they feel like they have had an interaction based on hey way you first interacted with them. That’s it. seven ways to make a first impression that will land you a job or make a meeting go the way you would like it to go. Good luck in your job search!

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 The moment you meet someone they will make thousands of mental notes and computations. In the first twenty seconds, their prehistoric survival mechanism decides whether you are friend or foe and consequently generate a first impression that will affect how they view you going forward. Whether you are interviewing someone, they are interviewing you or you are speaking to a crowd of thousands, these first twenty seconds, and the non verbal cues you provide are critical to your success in the interaction. You might be surprised to know, research has shown the non-verbal cues are actually four times as important as what you say. So as you’re sitting in the meeting trying to focus on what you are saying, remember to focus on what is actually four times as important – what you convey non-verbally . So, what non-verbal cues can help you get that job, get that candidate you want or make the crowd love you?  Overdressing is better than underdressing: What if James Bond walked up to the bar and ordered his martini in a hoodie. You recognize this just doesn’t seem appropriate for the situation. It doesn’t have the same power as formal attire. Recognize your audience and always try to dress at least their level or one level above. What if you dress for the person you’re meeting, they love you and want to introduce you to the CFO or even CEO. Is your dress appropriate to meet that person? On almost every occasion you would rather err on the side of being over dressed. Posture: Whether standing or sitting, think about your posture. When you first meet, are you standing tall. When you sit, even in the lobby before you meet, are you sitting up straight, or leaning back in the chair. From the lobby to the end of the meeting, sit as if you have a pole strapped to your back. Handshake: I shake so many hands in my profession and I am amazed how many people get this wrong. Perhaps out of nervousness, people just fail this first connection. So, as odd as it sounds, practice with a spouse or a friend until you get it right. Square your shoulders, look them in the eye, and grip stronger than you think you should. As with dressing, it is so much better to over do it. Eye Contact and Eye Brows: Eye contact matters and people fail it all the time. Sometimes they fail because they are in the subservient position in the relationship – they are interviewing, therefore they look down. So here is a trick: Identify their eye color. If you try to identify the eye color of the person you meet, you will have a much better chance of maintaining solid eye contact during this initial meeting. In addition, raise your eyebrows. This is called an “Eyebrow flash”. Usually it is unconscious. It is a universal signal of friendship and an offer for social interaction. An eyebrow flash lasts for less than a half a second, so don’t get weird with it or do it multiple times. Following your eyebrow flash, the other party will typically unconsciously mirror you unless you look away immediately so if you watch for the mirrored flash, you won’t accidentally look away. Smile: Another universal signal that “I’m a friend.” Lean forward but don’t be a close talker: A character in the television show Seinfeld was known as “the close talker.” He stood just a little too close. Lean forward but stay out of the comfort zone of the person you’re talking to. Typically about two to three feet. Act as if the person you meet is an old friend: This final step is so much easier today than it was twenty years ago. Before you meet the person you’re going to speak with, review their digital profiles. Get to “know them.”  Then when you meet them, greet them with the familiarity of an old friend you haven’t seen in ten years. If you do this, almost all of the other six things will happen naturally. It will become a self fulfilling prophecy. They will imagine they have known you as well. You might find yourself hearing, “I feel like we’ve met somewhere before.” Because in their mind, they feel like they have had an interaction based on hey way you first interacted with them. That’s it. seven ways to make a first impression that will land you a job or make a meeting go the way you would like it to go. Good luck in your job search!

10 Unconventional and Effective Tips for Job Seekers 16

10 Unconventional and Effective Tips for Job Seekers

Interesting article in Forbes by Jacquelyn Smith In the market for a new job? You’ve probably been urged to “pursue your passions,” “leverage your network,” “tailor and tidy up your resume,” “do your homework,” and “dress for success”—among other things. “These are foundational aspects to job seeking that are timeless,” says Teri Hockett, the chief executive of What’s For Work?, a career site for women. David Parnell, a legal consultant, communication coach and author, agrees: “Much of this has been around long enough to become conventional for a reason: it works,” he says. “If you take a closer look, things like networking, research, and applying to multiple employers are fundamental ‘block and tackle’ types of activities that apply to 80% of the bell curve. They hinge upon casting a broad net; they leverage the law of averages; they adhere to the fundamentals of psychology. It’s no wonder they still work.” But some of it “does get old and overused, because job seeking is as unique and creative as an individual,” says Isa Adney, author of Community College Success and the blog FirstJobOutofCollege.com. “When you ask any professional who has achieved some level of greatness how he or she got there, the journey is always unique, always varied, and rarely cookie-cutter. Most have, in some capacity, followed their passion, used their network, and had a good resume–but those things are usually part of a much bigger picture, and an unpredictable winding path. Instead of always following the exact by-the-book job seeking formulas, most were simply open to possibilities and got really good at whatever it is they were doing.” We’re not saying you should discount or disregard traditional job seeking advice altogether. But it can’t hurt to mix it up and try less conventional approaches until you achieve your goals, Hockett says. “Times are always changing and while it’s always good to follow the basic advice, we also have to get rolling with the times,” says Amanda Abella, a career coach, writer, speaker, and founder of the Gen Y lifestyle blog Grad Meets World. “For instance, group interviews are making a comeback, we’ve got Skype interviews now, or you may interview in front of a panel. All this stuff didn’t happen as often before–so while the same basic stuff applies, we have to take into account all the new dynamics.” Hockett agrees and says if you are going to try some unconventional job seeking methods, you should “always be grounded with solid research and a clear direction of your intentions; then you will be ready for any opportunity to make a connection resulting in a positive impact on a hiring manager.” Parnell says generally speaking, unconventional methods should be used sparingly, judiciously and only when necessary. “And when you do decide to use them, factor comprehensively by recognizing things like industry standards, personalities involved, and the general ilk of the position’s responsibilities, before strategizing.” Here are 10 unconventional (but very effective) tips for job seekers: 1. Be vulnerable: It’s okay to ask people for advice! “Too often we think we have to sell ourselves as this know-it-all hot-shot to get a job, but I have found the best way to build relationships with people whom you’d like to work with (or for) is to start by being vulnerable, sharing your admiration for their work, and asking for advice,” Adney says. “I recommend doing this with professionals at companies you’d love to work for, long before they have a job opening you apply for.” 2. Don’t always follow your passion: “Follow your passion” is one of the most common pieces of career wisdom, says Cal Newport, author of So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love. “It’s also wrong.” If you study people who end up loving their work, most of them did not follow a pre-existing passion, he says. “Instead, their passion for the work developed over time as they got better at what they did and took more control over their career.” Adney agrees to some extent. She doesn’t think job seekers should completely disregard their passions–but does believe that “challenging this conventional wisdom is vital, especially since studies still show most Americans are unhappy in their jobs.” 3. Create your position: Don’t just sit around waiting for your “dream job” to open. Study the industry or field that you’re looking to move into, and determine a company or two that you’d like to work for, Hockett says. “Then figure out their challenges through relationships or public information. With this, you can craft a solution for them that you can share directly or publically through a blog, for instance. The concept here is to get noticed through offering a solution to help them with no expectation of anything in return.” 4. Learn how to listen: Job seekers are so caught up in conveying a certain message and image to the employer that they often fail to listen. “Powerful listening is a coaching tool, as well as an amazing skill to have in your life,” Abella says. “The art of conversation lies in knowing how to listen– and the same applies to job interviews. Know when to talk, when to stop talking, and when to ask questions.” When you practicing for interviews, don’t just rehearse your answers to questions like, “can you tell me about yourself?” “why do you want this job?” and “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” Practice listening carefully and closely without interrupting. 5. Start at the top and move down: We learned from Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) in The Pursuit of Happyness (the biographical film based on Gardner’s life) that you need to start from the top and move down. “Why approach human resources in hopes that your resume makes it to the hiring authority?” Parnell says. “Just get it there yourself. Be careful to use tact, respect and clarity during the process, but nevertheless, go straight to the decision maker.” 6. Build a relationship with the administrative assistant: While you want to start at

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Interesting article in Forbes by Jacquelyn Smith In the market for a new job? You’ve probably been urged to “pursue your passions,” “leverage your network,” “tailor and tidy up your resume,” “do your homework,” and “dress for success”—among other things. “These are foundational aspects to job seeking that are timeless,” says Teri Hockett, the chief executive of What’s For Work?, a career site for women. David Parnell, a legal consultant, communication coach and author, agrees: “Much of this has been around long enough to become conventional for a reason: it works,” he says. “If you take a closer look, things like networking, research, and applying to multiple employers are fundamental ‘block and tackle’ types of activities that apply to 80% of the bell curve. They hinge upon casting a broad net; they leverage the law of averages; they adhere to the fundamentals of psychology. It’s no wonder they still work.” But some of it “does get old and overused, because job seeking is as unique and creative as an individual,” says Isa Adney, author of Community College Success and the blog FirstJobOutofCollege.com. “When you ask any professional who has achieved some level of greatness how he or she got there, the journey is always unique, always varied, and rarely cookie-cutter. Most have, in some capacity, followed their passion, used their network, and had a good resume–but those things are usually part of a much bigger picture, and an unpredictable winding path. Instead of always following the exact by-the-book job seeking formulas, most were simply open to possibilities and got really good at whatever it is they were doing.” We’re not saying you should discount or disregard traditional job seeking advice altogether. But it can’t hurt to mix it up and try less conventional approaches until you achieve your goals, Hockett says. “Times are always changing and while it’s always good to follow the basic advice, we also have to get rolling with the times,” says Amanda Abella, a career coach, writer, speaker, and founder of the Gen Y lifestyle blog Grad Meets World. “For instance, group interviews are making a comeback, we’ve got Skype interviews now, or you may interview in front of a panel. All this stuff didn’t happen as often before–so while the same basic stuff applies, we have to take into account all the new dynamics.” Hockett agrees and says if you are going to try some unconventional job seeking methods, you should “always be grounded with solid research and a clear direction of your intentions; then you will be ready for any opportunity to make a connection resulting in a positive impact on a hiring manager.” Parnell says generally speaking, unconventional methods should be used sparingly, judiciously and only when necessary. “And when you do decide to use them, factor comprehensively by recognizing things like industry standards, personalities involved, and the general ilk of the position’s responsibilities, before strategizing.” Here are 10 unconventional (but very effective) tips for job seekers: 1. Be vulnerable: It’s okay to ask people for advice! “Too often we think we have to sell ourselves as this know-it-all hot-shot to get a job, but I have found the best way to build relationships with people whom you’d like to work with (or for) is to start by being vulnerable, sharing your admiration for their work, and asking for advice,” Adney says. “I recommend doing this with professionals at companies you’d love to work for, long before they have a job opening you apply for.” 2. Don’t always follow your passion: “Follow your passion” is one of the most common pieces of career wisdom, says Cal Newport, author of So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love. “It’s also wrong.” If you study people who end up loving their work, most of them did not follow a pre-existing passion, he says. “Instead, their passion for the work developed over time as they got better at what they did and took more control over their career.” Adney agrees to some extent. She doesn’t think job seekers should completely disregard their passions–but does believe that “challenging this conventional wisdom is vital, especially since studies still show most Americans are unhappy in their jobs.” 3. Create your position: Don’t just sit around waiting for your “dream job” to open. Study the industry or field that you’re looking to move into, and determine a company or two that you’d like to work for, Hockett says. “Then figure out their challenges through relationships or public information. With this, you can craft a solution for them that you can share directly or publically through a blog, for instance. The concept here is to get noticed through offering a solution to help them with no expectation of anything in return.” 4. Learn how to listen: Job seekers are so caught up in conveying a certain message and image to the employer that they often fail to listen. “Powerful listening is a coaching tool, as well as an amazing skill to have in your life,” Abella says. “The art of conversation lies in knowing how to listen– and the same applies to job interviews. Know when to talk, when to stop talking, and when to ask questions.” When you practicing for interviews, don’t just rehearse your answers to questions like, “can you tell me about yourself?” “why do you want this job?” and “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?” Practice listening carefully and closely without interrupting. 5. Start at the top and move down: We learned from Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) in The Pursuit of Happyness (the biographical film based on Gardner’s life) that you need to start from the top and move down. “Why approach human resources in hopes that your resume makes it to the hiring authority?” Parnell says. “Just get it there yourself. Be careful to use tact, respect and clarity during the process, but nevertheless, go straight to the decision maker.” 6. Build a relationship with the administrative assistant: While you want to start at

10 of the Most Common Interview Questions 17

10 of the Most Common Interview Questions

Ever walk out of an interview and wonder, “Why didn’t I say this?”  Worse, were you ever in an interview and while you’re trying to concentrate on the new line of questioning your mind keeps racing back to your failed response to a question three questions ago? And it is especially frustrating if it was a seemingly irrelevant question like, “If you were an animal, what type of an animal would you be?”

10 of the Most Common Interview Questions Read More »

Ever walk out of an interview and wonder, “Why didn’t I say this?”  Worse, were you ever in an interview and while you’re trying to concentrate on the new line of questioning your mind keeps racing back to your failed response to a question three questions ago? And it is especially frustrating if it was a seemingly irrelevant question like, “If you were an animal, what type of an animal would you be?”