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BODY LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT – EVEN DURING YOUR ZOOM INTERVIEW

 

body language
Your smile is key to landing your next job!

 

Body language – how important is it? After you practice your responses to a list of the most common legal competency-based questions, you must make sure you don’t miss this critical component to your next interview. Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, your body language could be the key to helping you get the job.

Professor Albert Mehrabian did extensive research into the impact of our verbal and nonverbal communication. In his communication model, he identified three key points regarding body language: 

  • 55 percent of the message you communicate relates to your body language and facial expression; 
  • 38 percent of the message you communicate relates to the tone of your voice and your manner of speech; and
  • Only 7 percent of your message relates to the words we communicate.

From unconscious fidgeting to awkward facial expressions, our nervousness in an interview can easily lead to a host of body language mistakes.

So here some suggestions on how to improve your body language:

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

One of the biggest mistakes you can make during your job interview is to avoid eye contact with your interviewer. Hiring managers want to see the confidence in their prospective candidates, and keeping your vision cast down towards the floor makes you look nervous and lack confidence. Though this can be a part of your personality, it’s something you need to consider and address.

Make sure you look at your interviewer as you answer their questions and show you are actively listening and engaged in the conversation.

THE BODY LANGUAGE OF A SMILE 

Not only can smiling make you appear warm and friendly, but it may also help you with your interview-based nerves. Employers want to hire someone who has a pleasant manner and fits into a legal firm’s culture.

LIMIT YOUR HAND GESTURES

Although you may gesture with your hands with your friends and family, it is best to keep hand gestures to a minimum during your job interview.

Moving your hands around can be distracting, especially on a zoom job interview.

UNCROSS YOUR ARMS

Though you might think this doesn’t happen anymore in an interview situation, however, surprisingly it still does. Remember, especially in an interview situation, crossed arms may be seen as a sign that you are disengaged, bored, or even worse – defensive.

By keeping the frame of your body open and angled towards the interviewer, you can portray interest and engagement with your body language, 

KEEP YOUR BODY POSTURE STRAIGHT 

Sitting with a bad posture will not help you appear confident. Make sure you sit up straight, with spine straight against the back of your chair, and square off your shoulders. A strong posture helps you look more like a leader. 

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. Best of all, we offer a free resume review. Find out more information here.

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TELL YOUR RECRUITER THE TRUTH – Transparency is Key to Finding the Right Job at the Right Pay

 

Recruiters are like good therapists, they should know the truth. If you are thinking of changing jobs, you need to share your full job history with your legal or IT recruiter.  The more they know, the more they will be able to help you find your dream job.

Recruiters should know:


1. Recruiters should know about all your prior jobs, even the ones not listed on your resume 

 

Did you know that 78 percent of job seekers lie on their resume! For the most part, this applies to positions post-college.  You should reveal every position you’ve held, even if for a short time. At best, you will appear to be a well-rounded candidate who has the ability to work in a variety of roles. At worst, it avoids the possibility of leaving something in your work history that may come back later to haunt you.

2. Tell your Recruiter the truth about why you are leaving your current job

 

Employers will always want the answer to this question. Tell your recruiter the truth about the circumstances that led you to consider changing jobs. If you choose not to share the “real” reason at your interview, your recruiter can help you answer the question in a way that puts you in your best light. It may help to make a list of pros and cons regarding your current job: what are the positives and what are the negatives? This information is invaluable in your recruiter’s hands for assisting you in finding the best job for you. He or she will help you avoid toxic environments that pushed you to move on from your current job in the first place.

 

3. Recruiters need to know what salary you have in mind

 

Advocate for yourself in terms of salary. If you have a minimum salary requirement, tell your recruiter! Not only will this help you find a job with the right compensation it will also save everyone time. Once you let your recruiter know what you want, the prospective positions can be narrowed down to find the best fit for you.

 

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. Best of all, we offer a free resume review. Find out more information here.

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JOB SEARCHING DURING COVID-19? HERE ARE 5 TIPS TO SUCCEED

 

Job searching was already difficult. But with the added economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be feeling a bit discouraged. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions (SRS) we are here to help you navigate the changing job market and find employment during these unprecedented times. At SRS, we work with Legal and IT Professionals and their prospective employers; however, these five tips on how to succeed, apply to everyone:

 

1. Job Searching through Networking and Establishing Your Brand

 

It is a great time to spruce up your LinkedIn profile and build your brand using social media. Ask yourself, “How do I want potential employers to perceive me? If an employer only looked at your social media pages, what would they think of you? Consider these questions, and adjust your brand accordingly. Not only should your online profile be professional, but it should also be without controversy.  Once you have established a professional brand, work your contacts to see if you can determine who is hiring.

 

 

2. Take Time to Develop Your Skills

 

Not everyone gained additional time due to the pandemic and its layoffs, but for those that now have some surplus of time, utilize that time for professional development. Take an online course regarding a new software you’re unfamiliar with, or take time to develop a new skill or complete a certification. Every hour of knowledge you gain will sharpen your edges as a job candidate. Here is a list of free online learning that is updated continuously.

There has also been an increase in webinars and podcasts due to the coronavirus pandemic; even if you already have all the knowledge and skills you need, you should stay abreast of new developments and innovations in your field.

 

3. Job Searching Past Your Horizon 

 

The pandemic has oddly helped job searching in some aspects. During various stages of the application and hiring process, because in-person interviews were required,  you may have excluded out-of-state employers from your search. Now, however, with virtual interviews being the norm, there will be new opportunities. According to MoneyWise, due to job opportunities and a lower cost of living, there has been a surge in moving to five states in particular (Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, South Carolina, Washington). For those we want to continue to call Louisiana home, we are here for you.

SRS works with top corporations, legal firms, and tech companies throughout the Louisiana Gulf Region as well as nationally.  If you are ready to discover new job opportunities in the Legal or IT field, our executive recruiters will assist in your job search and career path. Learn more about how we help top-tier talent achieve success.

 

4. Check and Polish Your Resume

 

Chances are, you might not have set eyes on it in a while. Now is the perfect time to both update and polish it, so your most important sets of experience, accomplishments, and skills stand out. Since most resumes are digital or coming out of an online portfolio, take this time to make sure that all items you refer to have hyperlinks attached.

 

5. Prepare for the Virtual Interview

 

The increasing necessity for distance has made the virtual interview all the more standard. Virtual interviews do have their own set of inconveniences, as it’s difficult to convey the type of person you are, your work ethic, and your outright ability to work at home. The pandemic has produced several new considerations your potential employer will want to explore.

Get ready to talk about how you handled the pandemic. Employers want to evaluate a candidate’s ability to manage stress and pressure. Be open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses during the quarantine. This not only shows that you’re human and honest about your limits, but that you’re functional enough for the workload. If it’s a remote job, you will need solid answers on how you were able to stay motivated working from home, as well as demonstrate hat you are compfortable switching back and forth to work from home as needed.

There are so many unknowns in the current climate, and demonstrating this type of adaptability shows a potential employer that the uncertainty of things moving forward will not affect you to the point where they’re at a loss if they hire you.

 

5. Prepare for Behavioral Questions

 

Behavioral questions measure how competent you are with specific abilities, and the real answer to these questions is in the answering. There is no right way or wrong way to answer. These types of questions aim to characterize a person and sketch their personality type. Often these questions are situational, involving past work performance. Here is an example of a behavioral question,  “When was the last time you messed up on a project and didn’t take responsibility for it?” The interviewer is more interested in how you answer the question than the actual event. Your answer should reveal character. What you’re capable of doing and that you have the functionality to act. Learn more about behavioral questions here.

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. Also, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals. We offer a free resume review, which you can find more information here.

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EMPLOYEES EXEMPT VERSUS NON-EXEMPT – What’s The Difference?

Are your employees exempt or non-exempt?
The Department of Labor has guidelines to determine an employee’s status.

Employees in organizations are classified as either exempt or non-exempt. There are different types of employee benefits and eligibility requirements for each category. It is vital to know which categories your employees fit into, in order to ensure fair compensation and allocation of duties.

Exempt employees are not eligible for minimum wage or overtime pay. These employees receive a salary for the work they perform. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) provides basic guidelines to distinguish the difference between the two types of employee classification. The federal government and individual states have laws that address this employee classification and employee rights. Therefore, it is essential that employers are aware of labor laws.

Here are three requirements workers must meet to be considered exempt:

1. Job Duties

Exempt employees must perform specific job duties. The employee’s job duties must primarily involve executive, administrative, or professional duties as defined by the regulations. This is in addition to meeting earning and salary requirements. Furthermore, exemption status only applies to those who have high-level responsibilities.

2. Exempt Employees receive salaries

The employee must be paid a predetermined and fixed salary that is not subject to reduction because of variations in the quality or quantity of work performed. These employees will remain exempt as long as their monthly base payment is higher than the FLSA minimum threshold.

3. Earnings

The FSLA minimum salary threshold changes every year. Therefore, employers should keep current on regulations concerning employee compensation. In 2020, exempt employees must earn a minimum of $684 per week or $35,568 annually.

Non-exempt employees are eligible for both hourly wages and overtime pay. After an employee works over 40 hours a week, employers must pay overtime. Any position that earns minimum wage is eligible for overtime and therefore cannot be exempt. Typically, paralegals fall into this category. Check the Department of Labor’s website for specifics regarding paralegal classifications. 

Strategic Recruitment Solutions has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region for more than a decade. We specialize in Legal and IT recruiting. In addition, our industry-expert recruiters can offer insight and guidance. Call us today at 888-366-6508 to learn how easy partnering with SRS can help you reach your business goals!

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VIRTUAL JOB INTERVIEWS ARE HERE TO STAY- Here are tips on how to prepare!

Are you ready for your virtual interview?

As the world continues to adjust to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) businesses have found new ways to attract and hire new employees. Virtual meetings are utilized for recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding employees. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are conducting the first interview virtually. Your second or third interview, maybe a face to face interview, however, you must be prepared to ace the virtual interview first.

Preparing for a virtual job interview

A virtual interview may seem easier because there is no parking involved, however, sometimes that is not the case. You will still be asked questions about your work history and job-related skills; however, you will be asked additional questions as well. Be prepared to talk about how you managed your time during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as your ability to handle stressful situations.

Below are sample questions that may be asked on your virtual job interview:

How do you stay motivated?

When you are on the job, it is easier to stay on track because you are accountable to others. In order to prove that you are the right choice, you may need to provide a few solid examples of how you stayed motivated. Prepare your answers in advance and practice your virtual interview with a colleague. You will want to make sure that when giving personal answers you remain professional.

Are you comfortable working remotely?

Prior to COVID-19, many business professionals had not worked from home. In answering this question, it’s important to show that you can quickly adapt to handling situations remotely while still exhibiting professionalism. Even after the pandemic is over, telecommuting may be here to stay.

How have you handled stress associated with COVID-19?

Regardless of your profession, we have all faced trials and tribulations surrounding the state of global health these past few months. Currently, employers are searching for people with the ability to overcome and adapt to high pressure and high-stress situations. Flexibility is an invaluable skill that employers will seek out in their talent pool. Show potential employers your ability to keep a level head and approach stressful situations directly.

What is your work-from-home approach? Can you utilize your space for virtual team meetings?

Employers will want to know if your environment at home and is cohesive with a full-time job. Practice answering this question by describing your workspace. Do you have a reliable and fast WiFi and a computer that will support your work?

How did you spend your time during stay-at-home orders?

This may seem like a trick question, but it is really about your ability to adapt. Have you been keeping your professional skills sharp and investing in your career? How well have you handled the distractions related to the pandemic? Were you able to remain productive?

For more than a decade, SRS has been helping job seekers find their ideal opportunity. If you are a top performer in the Legal Industry or Informational Technology, submit your resume.  Exceptional talent is in high demand at the top-performing companies. Ready to make a career move?  Contact SRS today!