Tag Archives: Interview

Employment Expertise: Detail-oriented? Meticulous? Recco Filters needs you!

May 18, 20183-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Local Business, Non-ProfitsCareer, Detail, Employment, Interview, job, Recco, West Michigan Works!, Work EthicJoanne

By West Michigan Works!

Recco Filters makes wire mesh fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic filters for the aerospace, fluid power and other industries. They’ve received multiple customer awards for quality.

Recco is currently hiring for several positions, so we chatted with their HR manager, Kimberly Stein, about these opportunities.

What makes a great Recco employee?

Because Recco makes small precision products, we need people whose work is meticulous and detail-oriented. We also look for people with a strong work ethic, who have good hand-eye coordination and the desire to learn.

How can a job seeker stand out in an interview?

Have your resume with you; being prepared is a key component during the interview process. It demonstrates organization and attention to detail. Be ready to explain how your current or past experience can be an asset to Recco. Also, be prepared to explain how you excelled at some aspect of your current or prior job.
Candidates should also be familiar with the work we do. Five minutes on our website will give them enough information to ask informed questions. When a candidate researches us, it shows me they’re interested and pro-active.

Express interest by asking questions either about the job or the company. It demonstrates initiative and professionalism.

What are some good questions job seekers should ask you during the interview process?

Here are a couple strong ones:

How does this position fit into your company’s mission?
Tell me more about the department I might work in.
What does a successful employee look like to you?

Do you think you’d make a great team member and have 1-2 years of manufacturing experience?

Recco Filters is hiring! See details about all open positions here.
Assembly Operator

Kick Press Operator
Resistance Welder
Deburring Operator
Machine Operator
Quality Technician

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Five Things You Need to Know Before the Interview

August 11, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Non-ProfitsCareer, Employment, Interview, job, West Michigan Works!Joanne

By West Michigan Works!

In addition to the skills listed in a job description, one of the most important attributes an employer looks for in a candidate is a genuine interest in the job.

A great way to show this is by being knowledgeable about the industry, the company, its leadership and culture.

Doing some research and showing up to the interview with the following information will set you apart and increase your chances of getting hired:

1. Know the basics. Believe or not, employers have reported interviewing people that didn’t know even the name of the company! In addition to the company name, know the location of your company’s headquarters, where they do business, how many people they employ, what products or services they provide.

2. Find out who’s in charge. Know the names of the CEO and top management. You can generally find this information on the company’s about page. If you know who is going to be interviewing you and who you would be reporting to, do some research on them as well. Armed with a name and company, you can look them up on LinkedIn to learn more about their background and interests.

3. Get a feel for the company culture. Check the company’s website for its mission statement and see what they’ve written about their values. Read their blog if they have one; is it stiff and formal or casual and lighthearted? A company’s social media pages are a good place to learn more about their culture.

4. Learn about the industry. What are the current trends? Who are the top competitors? Are there any economic factors affecting or influencing the industry?

5. Listen to what others are saying about the company. Content on a company’s website is a great way to learn how the company wants to be seen. But how are they perceived by their employees, competitors and customers? At Glassdoor, a job search and recruiting site, you can find company reviews and other details that can’t be found on the employer’s website. A simple Google search may bring up news articles and reviews about the company and/or their leadership.

There is no such thing as being too prepared for a job interview or too knowledgeable about a prospective employer. Happy researching!

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: Ace the phone interview!

March 29, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, EducationCareer, Employment Expertise, Interview, job, West Michigan Works!Joanne

By West Michigan Works!

Employers offer short phone interviews now more than ever before. These interviews help hiring managers decide which candidates to invite to a longer, in-person interview.

More than half of what a person says is communicated through body language and non-verbal cues. During a phone interview, the hiring manager can only hear your words. So, extra prep is required.

Here are some ways to help make sure you’re offered a second interview:

Pick the right place
Find a quiet room for your interview. Arrange for a babysitter. Put your dog where you can’t hear the bark.

Put your questions on a table and have a pen ready to take notes. Use these notes to help personalize your thank you note, or to write down questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Don’t forget to charge your cell phone the night before. And make sure the room gets good service. Keep your phone connected to your phone charger, if needed.

Your introduction is important
Answer their call professionally and identify yourself: “Hi, this is _________.”

Smile
Even though the interviewer can’t see you, a smile will change the tone of your voice. It adds energy to your words and helps you sound friendly.

Keep answers short and direct
Answer questions in three sentences or less. Short answers don’t allow the employer to get distracted on the phone and hear what you’re saying.

Don’t forget to thank them after the interview is over, and send a note in the mail.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Employment Expertise: The thank-you note — a job seeker’s secret weapon

March 22, 20173-bottom, Citizen JournalismEmployment Expertise, hiring, Interview, job, West Michigan Works!, workJoanne

By West Michigan Works!

You submitted your resume, got an interview and left the interview feeling great. Now, it’s time to relax. Job searching is tough work! Before you celebrate, there’s one last step to your job search: A thank-you note.

One out of three employers think less of a candidate who doesn’t send a thank-you note. One in 10 wouldn’t hire someone if they don’t send a thank-you note, according to Career Builder.
Here are some tips to help you write a great thank-you note:

Keep it short, professional and sincere.
Send the note within 24 hours of your interview. Hiring managers are busy. If they receive your note a day or two after your interview, it shows them you are organized. And, it helps them remember you as they make hiring decisions.
A hand-written note is best. The average hiring manager receives 100+ emails a day. Make your thank-you note stand out by sending it through the postal service instead of their clogged inbox.
Choose a thank-you note that is simple and professional. Avoid cartoons, silly sayings and bright colors.
Use the three sentence rule:
1. Thank them for the interview. “Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday.”
2. Add something personal from your interview. Reference a specific conversation or a question they asked. Or, talk about something you liked from the interview. “I really enjoyed hearing more about your company culture.”
3. Repeat your interest in the job. Remind them you’ll be a great addition to their organization. “I look forward to working with you in the future. My background will help [name of organization] continue to grow.”
Don’t forget to add “Dear [their name]” and the beginning, and “Sincerely, [your name]” at the end.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

The Interview: more answers to common questions

February 17, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, How-To's, Non-ProfitsEmployment, Interview, job, West Michigan Works!Joanne

By West Michigan Works!

Editor’s Note: This is the final in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions.

The interview is a time for you to make yourself stand out from other candidates. Asking thoughtful questions during the interview can set you apart just as much, if not more, than how you answer questions. Questions are the best way to show your interest in the company, demonstrate confidence and highlight your qualifications.

The key to asking good questions is the same as answering them. Do your homework before the interview. Practice and be prepared. Here are some recommendations to get you started.

Ask a question that shows you have done your research. Address one of the company’s core values or goals and ask how the position you are interviewing for connects to it. For example, “Your core value of sustainability and reducing environmental impact is something I believe strongly in. How does this position contribute to this value, especially in day-to-day work?”
Ask questions to learn more about the company culture. A question like, “What do you enjoy most about working here?” is an opportunity to see a more personal aspect of the company. If the interviewer struggles to find an answer, it may be a red flag.
“What skills and experience does the ideal candidate for this position need?” If the interviewer mentions a skill that you haven’t addressed yet, here’s your chance to provide an example.
Finally, the following questions can help you determine is the job is a good fit for you:

“Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position?”
“What are the top challenges this position faces?”
“How do you define success for this position?”

Come prepared with at least four questions to ensure you have something to ask at the end of the interview.

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

The Interview: more answers to common questions

February 6, 20173-bottom, Citizen JournalismEmployment, Interview, job, West Michigan Works!Joanne

By West Michigan Works!

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions.

The Interview: More Answers to Common Questions

An interviewer may ask the following questions to get some insight into your motivations, attitudes and professional goals.

Why are you looking to leave your current job?

If you are unhappy in your current position, don’t be negative. Instead, acknowledge a positive aspect of your current job. For example, “It was a great opportunity to improve my customer service skills.”

If you are looking for new challenges, be sure to be specific about how this new job will challenge you. For example, “My strengths are in team-building and connecting with others. This job would allow me to work with a larger, more diverse team.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question can be difficult because if you have grand goals, you may be perceived as unrealistic. However, if you don’t have some desire to move forward, you may appear unmotivated. This is one interview question where you don’t want to be too specific.

A good answer will: