You may or may have not heard about JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater losing his cool (to put it lightly) on a flight into JFK airport in New York from Pittsburgh, PA yesterday. As the plane was landing and the passengers were supposed to remain seated, Slater allegedly got into an argument with a passenger on the flight that was attempting to get a bag from an overhead compartment. At this point, Slater may have been struck in the head with either the passenger’s bag or the compartment door. This is the point in the story where things go a bit haywire for Slater, as he proceeded to curse out the passenger over the PA system, take off his tie and throw it at a group of passengers, grab a beer, and exit through the emergency shoot of the plane onto the runway. He then ran to his car and drove home. Police arrived at Slater’s home about a half hour later and arrested him for reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

With the current state of the job market, one has to wonder what this man went through while working as a flight attendant to finally reach his boiling point. I believe most people would admit that we all have “those days” on the job, but is it worth reacting in such an extreme way? I say no, but that’s me.

Slater is currently facing charges in the court of law, but he is also facing a brand new life as a quasi celebrity via the worldwide web. You may remember my last post on this blog about marketing yourself on the internet. This is not the type of online marketing that I was referring to, although Slater just might find himself on a C list celebrity reality show soon. He is garnering a cult-like internet following, with a whole group of supporters claiming that he is their “hero,” and there have been a few Facebook support pages dedicated to Mr. Slater.

On the one hand, I can understand why people are happy Slater did what he did. Many people would like to do the same thing, but most people don’t go to such extremes. On the other hand, the media sensationalism of such unimportant things boggles my mind. Everyone has a bad day at work every now and then, but it is not on the front page of your local newspaper. Almost everyone will forget this story in a very short time and Steven Slater will most likely be left without a job for a while.

So in summary, since this is a blog about the job-search: JetBlue is probably accepting resumes and applications right now. Good luck and be happy.

  Michael Denny
  Interactive Resources

Regardless of the economy and your current job, a career awaits. However, there are three main things that lead to a successful search:
1.    Focus
2.    Determination
3.    A Professional Recruiter

Focus and determination are two very important ingredients for success, for without them you might not find your path.  The other very important ingredient is a recruiter – a knowledgeable recruiter is a free resource and a wealth of knowledge. Seasoned recruiters have an incredible network, they have the knowledge of their specific industry, and their guidance can help refine your search and make the most of your time.

A good recruiter will listen to your wants, understand your needs, help direct your actions, and be a springboard to help you succeed in your journey to hopefully find your career.  A recruiter who specializes in a specific industry will know the companies, the personalities of the people in those companies; they will know the cultures, both the good and the bad. 

If you truly partner with your Recruiter and listen to his/her advice and guidance, his/her expertise, and know that he/she is committed to your search, you will be that much closer in achieving your goal to find the perfect career.


Spencer Smolinsky
Director – Legal Support

Recently, The Execu|Search Group has made necessary steps toward “reducing our carbon footprint”, by taking on an environmentally friendly mindset in our NYC office. Simple things such as replacing kitchen products with earth friendly items, changing light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, recycling waste, and e-mailing direct deposit stubs are just a few changes we have recently made.

Greener, more efficient gadgets around the workplace not only make the world a cleaner place, but it dramatically cuts the electricity bill by great amounts. Anyone who runs a business knows that unnecessary waste isn’t good business, so I’m going to show you five energy efficient office gadgets to help keep down the energy and cost levels!

ENERGY EFFICIENT PRINTER
Many companies, including ours, have joined the “print free pledge” and started using less material to do the same job. Scanning instead of faxing, re-using office supplies, and not printing out so many e-mails can save mass amounts of paper and $$. If you don’t want to feel so bad about printing out paper, The HP LaserJet P4015× Printer can reduce energy by up to 50% with the “Instant On” technology. Knowing that this printer is enviro-conscious will make anyone feel less guilty after printing out a stack of paper. Just pair it with 100% recycled paper and you’ll be on your way.

WATER-POWERED CALCULATOR
Have you ever been sitting at your desk, working frantically and suddenly your calculator dies while there are no batteries in sight? You’re left staring at your bottled water in dismay. With this water-powered calculator, you can put that H20 to good use by filling up the two battery tubes and you’ll be set for months to go. Disposable batteries die and end up filling up landfills and your expensive rechargeable batteries become misplaced. These water powered batteries produce the same amount of energy as common alkaline batteries without being toxic.

DESKTOP COMPUTER
At many companies, including ours, every employee is on their computer for 8-10 hours a day. Computers use a lot of energy, so why not invest in machines that use less overall? Your business could save on monthly energy bills by using energy-friendly computers.
One computer that is the epitome of affordable and energy efficient is the Apple Mac Mini. “Mac mini uses energy efficient hardware components that work hand in hand with the operating system to conserve power… Mac OS X never misses a power-saving opportunity, no matter how small. It even regulates the processor between keystrokes, reducing power between the letters you type. That’s just one of many ways Apple manages small amounts of power that add up to big savings.” This machine received a gold rating from Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Took, and meets the low power requirements set by the EPA, who gave it ENERGY STAR qualification. 

SOLAR GADGET CHARGER
The portable and small solar panel kit by Solar Gorilla can power a laptop. The panels can produce 10W of power in direct sunlight, which is enough to change a number of your electronic goods!

THE ECO BUTTON
The Eco Button is a great way for any company to save money and the environment just by the click of a button. This globe-shaped USB device allows you to power down your computer every time you step away. Computers use a lot of energy; you can save money and know you’re doing your part to help conserve energy by easily powering down when you aren’t at your computer.
These gadgets are all making it possible for everyone to have a greener and cleaner future. Tell us which gadgets you or your office is using to conserve energy in the comments below!

  Dustin Willoughby
  Interactive Resources

By the time you finish reading this sentence, tens (if not hundreds) of stray thoughts will enter your subconscious and distract you from what you are reading. According to a study conducted by Simon Fraser University in Canada, the average continuous attention span for a literate human being falls somewhere between 8-10 seconds. What that means (in case you wandered off mentally) is that the average human being can only focus on a single object with no lapse for 8 seconds before a stray thought or shift of focus creeps into their subconscious.

What does this mean for you as a job seeker? If you’re trying to land a job with a literate employer/hiring manager, you need to be able to sell yourself in those crucial first seconds.  Although it seems unlikely, stray thoughts about your plans for tonight or wondering if you left the stove on could hurt your chances at landing a job.

Here are some tips to help you stand out and keep employers focused on YOU during those crucial first seconds:

In written communication, you can do this easily, by highlighting the most important and relevant information in your resume and cover letter.

When it comes to the interview, those first eight seconds may seem miniscule, but you’ll be surprised at how long you can retain someone’s attention when you stand tall, smile, and project your voice effectively and confidently.

Avoid umm’s and uhh’s; the person who is listening to you won’t hear that you single-handedly increased the company’s profits by 170%, but will notice that you have a hard time presenting yourself.

Avoid distracting accessories or inappropriate clothing—the human brain has a hard enough time trying to pay attention without those big, shiny, monogrammed earrings dangling past your low-cut top.

Distractions don’t end with accessories; poor personal grooming/hygiene and a disheveled appearance will easily lead the interviewer to forget about that great report you published and wonder why you don’t own a hairbrush.

Practice speaking in front of a mirror and time yourself. It may sound silly, but taking out a couple of minutes a day and seeing yourself speak will help boost your presentation skills and make you aware of any changes you need to make. It may also be helpful to record yourself and watch the playback, making notes of ways to improve yourself.

Selling yourself in a few seconds sounds impossible, but if you’ve ever watched a 30-second TV commercial and gone running to purchase that universal all-in-one remote control/microwave device, you know how effective and important those seconds can be!

  Melody Yaghoubi
  Interactive Resources

Did you know that 5 states don’t even have a minimum wage? Mint.com recently put together an infographic of the History of Minimum Wage. It’s pretty interesting, take a look:

Budget Plannerfrom Mint.com

Forbes.com recently wrote an article about how business leaders are judged by their body language. The author, Carol Kinsey Gorman, MD, explains that there are two sets of body language cues that followers look for in leaders: warmth (empathy, likability, caring) and authority (power, credibility, status). She goes on to explain the body language mistakes that women leaders tend to make, which includes “head tilting,” flirting, and weak handshakes.

Watch this video or read the full article to see the interesting list of body language mistakes (and improve your body language for your next meeting or interview)!

  Stephanie Urban
  Interactive Resources

New York, August 2010 -  The Execu|Search Group today announced that it is celebrating its twenty-fifth year providing recruitment, temporary/consulting and retained search services to the City of New York and the Tri-State Area.

On August 1, 1985, The Execu|Search Group was founded as a recruitment firm focused on serving accounting firms, boutique hedge funds, and private equity funds. Over time, the firm evolved into a full-service Recruitment, Temporary/Consulting, and Retained Search firm, servicing several practice areas in the City of New York and the Tri-State Area.

“I am proud to celebrate this milestone as it represents our resilience in an ever-changing marketplace,” said Edward Fleischman, CEO of The Execu|Search Group. “I credit this landmark achievement to our people: our staff, clients and candidates over the past twenty five years; and to our unique ability to find and provide the highest caliber talent available.”

Originally a one-man office in Manhattan, The Execu|Search Group now employs 115 people who work out of the firm’s New York City Headquarters and three additional offices in Bridgewater and Parsippany, New Jersey, and Purchase, New York. A cutting-edge leader in the recruiting industry, The Execu|Search Group was the first regional firm to have an interactive website for job seekers, and is now spearheading the industry with its use of social media.

“The Execu|Search Group is moving forward with a focus on further expansion along the northeastern corridor,” said Fleischman. “We look at the past with pride and look forward to The Execu|Search Group having another successful 25 years of growth.”

Tough economic times call for more original approaches to doing countless things in your job searching, career advancing, or recruiting. Numerous job seekers and recruiters are turning away from traditional resources and are looking towards more innovative approaches such as Twitter. Twitter is a social networking and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read other user messages. Employers and recruiting firms post job openings on Twitter, and job seekers use Twitter to help facilitate their job search. But truthfully—it’s not just as simple as making an account and letting the jobs come to you. There’s numerous ways to make the most out of your page and I’m going to describe a few ways. The first and most important way is to make your Twitter employer friendly.

Make superior use out of your bio. You only have 160 characters to post your job pitch. This section says a lot about the candidate so it’s where it can make or break your potential interview. Next, make sure you use a professional looking avatar (profile picture). Refrain from any images from your college days where you are t-shirtless with a beer in hand. Your picture says a lot about you as a person so make it polished and professional. The last part about getting your basic page set up is to utilize your twitter background. There’s a lot of space you can use to promote yourself and show potential employers your level of creativity or interests. If you choose to keep it simple and professional, no one has ever complained about a solid colored background.

Now that your basic page layout is set up, it is necessary to include many things on your Twitter to make it easier for recruiters to know your credentials. The first and most important approach is to post a link to an online CV or resume. You can use a tool like https://www.visualcv.com/resume_resources/resume_templates?_oskwdid=5356672 to make it a trouble-free experience. Next, make sure you establish yourself as a professional on Twitter. Show what you’re capable of while refraining from ways to misrepresenting yourself. When employers begin looking at you as a candidate, you’ll have a lot more than just a resume to back up your prior skills and experiences. Show what you’re capable of through examples of your work.

Now that you are promoting yourself in a positive way through Tweets, while your whole page is set up and everything is included that recruiters need to know about you, your next step is understand who to follow and who to trust. Many candidates are flustered about not knowing the right people to get in contact without realizing that more people are viewing YOUR page. Before you come in contact with a recruiter on Twitter, make sure you check out a link to their website, ask others to figure out credibility, check out their follower/following ratio and lastly and most importantly, their bio. A recruiter’s page just is as important as a job seeker’s for the same reasons. For a great example of a solid recruiter’s Twitter, observe one of Execu|Search’s non-profit recruiter’s page at http://twitter.com/nonprofitrecrtr

Good luck on your Twitter job search/recruiting experience! Remember, if you ever have any questions, the internet has 1,000’s of answers.

  Dustin Willoughby
  Interactive Resources

The Execu|Search Group’s HealthServices Division will be attending the Nursing Spectrum Career Fair this Friday, July 30 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  THE ONLY CAREER FAIR EXLUSIVELY FOR RNS & GRADUATE NURSES IN THE TRI STATE AREA!
 
Opportunities abound at 2010 Nursing Spectrum Career Fairs! Explore RN job options with local and national healthcare organizations, discover the latest in healthcare trends by attending free educational seminars, and enjoy a fun and rewarding day designed just for registered nurses.
 
The Execu|Search Group will be hosting a RN Resume Revision Clinic.  Please stop by our booth for pointers on format, content, and keywords to turn your resume into an interview!

Nursing Spectrum Career Fair
Friday, July 30th
10am – 2pm
Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
Parking: Parking at the Crowne Plaza is $10.00
Register to attend (Free!) here: http://nscfhudsonvalley.eventbrite.com/

JOB FAIR SCHEDULE

8:00 AM – Doors Open
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM    Boost Your Brain Power! Cynthia Saver, RN, MS, President, CLS Development, Inc.
10:00 AM    Exhibit Hall Opens
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM    Never Stop Learning, Muriel M. Shore, RN, EdD, NEA-BC, DPNAP – Dean and Professor, Felician College
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM    Resume Review Clinic
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM    Finding Happiness in Challenging times (exhibitors only) – Cynthia Saver, RN, MS, President, CLS Development, Inc.
1:45 PM    Grand Prize Drawing $500 VISA Gift Card
2:00 PM    Exhibit Hall Closes
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM    Take A Vacation from Stress, Luanne Pennesi, RN, MS, CNAT – Founder, Metropolitan Wellness
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM    Special Student Panel “Straight Answers for Nursing Students” – A straight forward panel discussion with leading nursing professionals. (Seating is limited to first 75 students)

We hope to see you there!

  Amanda Bleakney
  Director- Healthcare