Permanent Placement Team

Erica Horning made the recent move from the front office to the Permanent Placement Team as our newest recruiter. Er­ica at­tended East­ern Uni­ver­sity with a short stint in Seville, Spain studying abroad. As a pro­fes­sional, Er­ica de­scribes her­self as or­ga­nized, self-motivated and cre­ative (she’s a freelance writer too!).

Julia Mase joins our Permanent Placement team as an Account Executive working to ensure we are exceeding client expectations and gathering the best candidates possible for the positions we are currently filling. A new arrival to the New York scene, Julia graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and for the last 4 years worked in hospitality recruiting in southern California.

Alexandra Hartley-Leonard is back in action at the Permanent Placement Team after taking some time at home with a new addition to the family. We’re excited to have her recruiting talents back at Clarity.

Temporary Placement Team

Keilly Cutler is our newest Account Executive serving on the temporary placement team. Keilly hails from the Boston area and received her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Most recently she moved to Brooklyn from Jamaica Plain where she was working as a technology recruiter.

Marketing & Operations

Our operations team continues to evolve and grow with the addition of Christopher Mohs in marketing and Julie Murray as our new Front Office Coordinator.

You’ve probably already started to receive the messages crafted by Christopher, our new marketing guru. A Minnesota boy at heart, he is a new transplant to the city and a great addition to the Clarity team. As we continue to grow our recruiting efforts in the social media and digital space, Christopher will play a key role in driving consistent communications and messaging that will maximize our ability to locate, attract and place the very best talent out there.

Julie is taking the reigns from Erica who recently joined the Permanent Placement team as a recruiter (as mentioned above), as the first person who greets candidates and other visitors to our office her bubbly personality and keen eye for organization provides a great experience for all. Julie is always at the ready to answer any questions you may have. A graduate of Fairfield University, Julie holds a bachelors in communications and marketing. Julie’s first post college move was a stop at a Connecticut based hedge fund before coming to Clarity.

We’re all looking for ways to make our resumes pop with recruiters. The Daily Muse offers up a tried and true approach which transitions your resume from a list of duties performed and focuses instead on the accomplishments you achieved. Taking this approach is sure to gain you greater attention as you embark on yoru job search.

http://www.thedailymuse.com/job-search/resume-revamp-how-to-turn-your-duties-into-accomplishments/

Companies are redefining dress codes left and right these days. Tech and creative organizations are embracing the t-shirt and jeans approach and all out comfort, while more traditional firms in the financial sectors are staying true to the three-piece suit. Possessing an appropriate look is one of the easiest things someone can do to prepare for an interview and ultimately fitting in to the new corporate environment. CBS News took a stab at a few “new rules” for dressing for success. We thought they were worth of the share.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505183_162-57320039-10391735/the-new-rules-on-dressing-for-success/

The Daily Muse offers up a great resource in their “All-in-One Interview Prep Guide”. This cheat sheet will help prepare you for any interview situation. Prepare ahead of time for all the classic interview questions so you’ll be on point and showcase all the best attributes you intend to bring to your next job.

http://www.thedailymuse.com/job-search/your-all-in-one-interview-prep-guide/

Developing a well crafted cover letter can help bring your resume and talent to the top of the pile on any recruiter’s desk. More importantly it can call out specific notes on your talent, experience and you as a person that may help you land the ever harder to obtain interview. This article from Business Insider offers a glimpse into how to craft a cover letter that can actually get you an interview. We hope you enjoy.

http://www.businessinsider.com/7-steps-to-writing-a-cover-letter-that-will-actually-get-you-an-interview-2012-2

Today we stumbled across this great article, again from The Daily Muse on lessons learned from 80′s Music. We’re talking all the fun antics from the office environment.  We hope you enjoy this fun twist on career advice as much as we did.

http://www.thedailymuse.com/career/7-important-career-lessons-i-learned-from-80s-music/

This month The Daily Muse published a great article we just had to share with you! With the advent of new technologies in social media, businesses are more eager than ever to take advantage of the efficiencies these innovations can provide.  Follow the link below to read The Daily Muse’s take on the wonders of the Skype interview. You’ll find tips on how present yourself to clearly portray you as a person, the technical aspects you should keep in mind, and of course, how to portray the best “action” in this new interview setting.Enjoy the read!

http://www.thedailymuse.com/job-search/skype-hype-the-key-to-acing-your-virtual-interview/

You’ll often hear us proudly refer to Clarity as a boutique recruiting firm. We do this because we truly believe in the benefits of taking a boutique firm approach to the recruiting business. We feel it affords us a more dynamic view of the matching process: We can drill down to the finest details without losing sight of the big picture. For us, holding to the boutique model helps us think big about our candidates’ careers and clients’ needs, while providing that truly personal touch and direct communication every step of the way.

Clarity employs a somewhat less traditional approach to the way it engages with candidates in that, yes, we discuss their resumes and our job descriptions, but we also focus equally on the personality characteristics and individual wishes of each candidate.  We say it all the time:  “The paper is important, but the person is even more significant.”  That attention to the personal details allows Clarity to understand each person individually, resulting in dynamic matches with our clients that produce successful short-term solutions and lasting long-term partnerships.

Breaking it down, the process is simple.  Even with the first phone screen, we’re beginning to assess the background, career goals, and personality of each candidate.  Basically, we’re there to find out where a candidate has been, and where he/she is looking to go. If we feel that a candidate is a strong match for our typical roles, and that candidate feels that we are a strong match for their search, we schedule an in-office meeting to continue the discussion. During this meeting we discuss that candidate’s unique skill set, his/her aspirations, and any of our current openings that may be a fit. We also take the time to get to know the candidates on a personal level. What kinds of jobs have they enjoyed the most? What management styles do they prefer? How have they responded to different office cultures? Likes, dislikes, and their accounts of good and bad experiences provide insight into what could make the ideal match between candidate and client.

When the candidate is in our office we seek to maximize their exposure to us, and vice versa; it is not uncommon for a candidate to meet with a few Recruiters and Account Managers across industries and roles. Different interviewing styles lead to different questions, which lead to different responses, which lead to more knowledge and a greater understanding of the candidate. This gives us the ability to see the candidate from multiple viewpoints, and it all feeds into discussions as we scour our resources to find that perfect match.  Weekly, our team huddles together to have an  in-depth review of all current openings, as well as all candidates that are using us as a resource in their searches. This provides unparalleled access to make sure that all possible matches are considered.  And anytime we are able to reach out with a possible match, we provide as many details as possible, answer any questions, and let the candidate make the decision on moving forward.

We’ve seen great success from our process, and we take pride in the small things:  listening more than we’re talking, taking the time to understand what makes each candidate tick, and making great connections that lead to career matches. We’re each grateful for the trust our candidates and clients place in us, and for the continued opportunity to do what we do best: thinking big while staying boutique.

The economy is improving, so naturally we are all starting to look at new and innovative ways to get ourselves out there, front and center, in today’s job market. Whether you are looking to re-enter the workforce or seeking a new and more fulfilling opportunity, there are many tools that you should deploy to land that ultimate next gig. Obviously, because you are receiving this message, you already have one very powerful tool in your satchel: By engaging with Clarity, you are able to gain unprecedented exposure to some of the country’s most prestigious companies! Since we meet with you personally, we are able to offer a direct approach to tailoring a perfect match between you and your future employer.

Aside from your number one tool, there is another that we want to make sure you are actively engaged with: LinkedIn. Over the last few years, social media has taken hold as the ultimate way to digitally network with your friends, family, classmates and colleagues. We all know that in today’s job market, networking and who you know can account for a huge amount of your job search success.  What you may not know is, that in today’s market, how you engage with that network is equally important as who is in that network. In the recruiting and professional engagement world, LinkedIn has risen to “must have” status in professional social networking. So it’s important to pay attention to the following questions… How are you presenting yourself to your professional network? Is your profile up-to-date and accurate? How much clout do you possess within your profile?  Here are a few tips from your friends at Clarity to ensure you are taking advantage of everything LinkedIn has to offer.

The Headline:

Your headline should be catchy, but still professional. This appears at the top of your profile and is the key to ensuring you capture a viewer’s attention. Make sure this summarizes you as an individual, as well as your experience and industry expertise. Why have you been successful? What makes you stand out? If you’re in a more corporate industry such as finance or legal, keep it concise and descriptive. If you’re in a creative environment, get a little snazzy; this is your opportunity to showcase your creativity. Our only warning: Don’t go too far, as subtle creative nuances are all you need.

The Resume:

Ensuring that your job experience is up-to-date is critical when you are embarking on the job search. Aside from this, make sure that your experience is relevant and targeted to your next career stage. If you are going for an entry-level position, showcase areas where you have significantly contributed to the team. If you are embarking on a managerial track, make sure to feature your leadership qualities and specific measurable successes.

The Recommendations:

In a world where company policies often prohibit accepting letters of recommendation, LinkedIn recommendations can fill that void. When you depart from a company, be sure to reach out to those with whom you’ve worked. Notes on your performance, personality and work style will go a long way in providing a future employer insight into what kind of employee you may be. Don’t be offended or take it personally if someone doesn’t recommend you, as this is a personal preference. Keep in mind, however, that one must be willing to give in order to receive, so if you are actively asking for recommendations, feel free to take a proactive approach and offer to return the favor.

The Network:

Now that your profile is all set to promote your own personal brand, it’s time to engage with your network. First, seek out friends, colleagues and family members with whom you engage on a regular basis. This is one of those instances where scrolling through your cell phone contacts will be helpful. Next, take advantage of LinkedIn’s “Recommended Connections” feature. This will help quickly build an initial following.

Once you have your initial network established, consider adding vendors that you work with and other miscellaneous professional contacts. Remember, they should know who you are before you extend an invitation to connect. By randomly adding people you don’t know, you could jeopardize your account standing by violating LinkedIn’s policies.

Now you’re set to start your job search. Find companies that you have worked with in the past, as well those that you hope to work with in the future, and follow their social media and news-related paths. (Be sure to follow Clarity as we actively post new job opportunities and useful information to help boost your job search.  http://www.linkedin.com/companies/clarity-llc/)

Don’t overlook the power of associated groups. Find groups that are associated with your professional background, social interests and of course, companies of interest. (Again, for the same reasons above, you’ll want to join Clarity’s group on LinkedIn. http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=86228).

That’s A Wrap!

Now that you’ve completed all the basic elements of preparing for engagement on LinkedIn, it’s time to actually engage! Sign in often, keep an eye on your favorite companies and groups, check out what your connections are up to and, of course, keep the network posted on your current and future plans.

Happy job hunting and best of luck with your job search!

P.S. – When you visit our company page, be sure to connect with your Clarity Counselor.  We’d love to be in your network!