Foremost Consulting

When I work on behalf of any client company seeking to hire and, similarly, whenever companies look to hire new employees it’s never only about matching qualifications. I contend an individual’s accomplishments are equal and often carry more weight. However, there is an additional and no less important component that can make up for minor shortcomings in a person’s suitability - that being a candidate’s own attitude. You can look great on paper, have exemplary qualifications, good accomplishments and even stellar references, but a person’s attitude can render all of it meaningless. To be clear, bitter, angry and whiny people wearing their grievances on their sleeves do not get job offers and are their own biggest obstacle as they tend to self-destruct before your very eyes. Likewise, these same people also refuse to consider their own failings, instead engaging in blame–throwing

As a Direct Search Recruiter or a Headhunter, the latter being the title I prefer, you might assume I would automatically promote and encourage people to utilize those in my market sector, but that is not necessarily so. My aim with most every article and blog entry I make is intended to empower the individual and, in so doing, cut out the middle-man or woman as a time and effort saver – to enable people to more adequately go directly to the source, as it were. Sometimes a recruiter or a recruiting agency of one type or another is an option for some people, but not for everyone. However, before that, it should be understood there are many different kinds of recruiting services and many of them have nothing to do with recruiting people and professionals. Instead, most people who today

When I began my recruiting career in 1992, I had the benefit of learning from the best trainers and mentors in the industry, even by today’s standards. Being new and enthusiastic, I was ready to leap in and begin recruiting candidates as soon as I received information about the job, which usually consisted of little more than a basic job description much like the job posts you find on company websites or job portals today. My own manager, too, was among those to whom I am most grateful; I learned from the best. Back then, much to my frustration, I wasn’t permitted to begin working on any project without more complete information - not yet. Retrospectively, I was correctly being admonished because those job postings were not nearly enough information with which to properly work, until I invested the time to

I am often asked whether it’s necessary or advisable to have your photo on your resume. Generally speaking my short answer is no, it is not necessary and in my opinion neither is it advisable. I just don’t see it as an impactful addition and more often than not, having a photo included on your resume can be detrimental and actually negatively affect your best efforts, depending upon the judgment of the person reviewing and evaluating your document. If you put forth the effort to assemble a good resume or CV and you choose to include a photo, then ensure it’s worthy of the document, which is a professional representation of yourself.  Make the effort and minor investment by getting a good quality portrait-style photo. Smile or don’t smile, no matter, but it needs to be a professional photo in proper

In addition to my recruiting and headhunting activities, I am a lecturer and a consultant. Often my biggest obstacle is getting people to recognize they don’t know as much as they think they do. I am speaking about the task of looking for, but also and more important, effectively interviewing for the jobs they want and to do it such that they outshine everyone else seeking the same. It’s always the same: I get a strange look and a dose of condescension when they wince and say, “Thanks, but I know what to do.” However, in reality, they don’t. The reason is simple; all of us have been lulled into complacency during these last couple of decades because everything is internet and digitally focused. Our soft-skill abilities have degraded – a lot! And especially true among young people, most of whom I

Last week I met with a young man, who after 8 years with the same company, determined he’s not progressing any further and shared with me that he’s going to begin looking for a new job.   We discussed what he might like to do in his next role; he was realistic and approaching the subject sensibly until he told me he planned to tell his boss about his plans. It was at that point I told him in no uncertain terms, that it is almost never a good idea regardless of how good a working relationship he thinks he has. At face value this sounds okay and if you’re not happy with some aspect of you job, such that you might leave as a result, it is always wise to approach the issue with your manager in an attempt to resolve whatever

Many people will at one time or another, when interviewing for a job, be invited to a mealtime interview. Perhaps it will be a combination lunch and interview or any meeting which combines food, drink and being evaluated for a job. Most often it is a time-saving plan, arranged by a busy hiring manager. I know -- it is meant to be a more relaxed and casual meeting. But in my long experience, my advice to any interviewee is that I suggest you avoid it if you have any choice in the matter. Under the circumstances, there is nothing relaxed or casual about it. First of all, neither side is focused on the purpose of the meeting, which is your potential suitability for a job. I find the whole concept of an interview over lunch or a dinner to be a

Have you ever listened to yourself? Do you know how you sound? It can be instructive if you have a chance to record one of your conversations. Often, it is not what you say, but how you say it that makes a difference. With so much technology now doing our talking for us, the claim can be made we are losing our communication skills. Acronyms and abbreviations have entered the lexicon in texting and emails. For example, I have received text messages containing the word great spelled instead as GR8 to save a few keystrokes, as if two more letters makes a difference. This grates on my nerves if it is utilized in a professional communication. Frankly, I usually reply by saying TTYL and I don’t consider them further. Aspects of this communication style have also reached into our spoken language,

In the modern jobs market, trying to be noticed in the crowd is a difficult thing to do. Especially with the standardized and restrictive manner by which you are required to even get an opportunity for an interview is demoralizing for many people. I think these processes that are in place primarily for convenience for administrative staff are counterproductive for companies, but that’s a completely different topic. But let’s say you make it through the sieve and filters and you have been selected for an interview. Granted, though there may be fewer than originally applying for the same job you still must compete with others. Assuming you are well prepared, that can carry you so far but you will have to demonstrate not only that you are well qualified but you also must convince them you are the best person for

During the last few decades there are some silly questions and comments, based on not much more than assumption, which always seem to come up. I’ve always been amazed when company representatives encounter a well-qualified and, okay yeah, occasionally over-qualified applicant interested in their job opportunities.  Most often they reflexively reject or at the very least instantly view them with suspicion. More Pavlovian than a logical response, it is sometimes legitimate, but making a snap judgment without any due consideration is nuts and, frankly, pretty stupid in my less-than humble opinion. I am referring to some, not all, managers in this blog and a dereliction of their responsibilities to their company - as I see it. If a manager happens upon an exceptionally qualified person who’s sincerely interested in the job - even after emphasizing they may be overqualified for the job