Staffing, Recruitment, & HR Blog
Want to learn helpful interview tips as well as ways to follow up with recruiters and hiring managers after an interview? If so, then join us on September 2, 2020 at 12 pm PST/ 3 pm EST to learn practical and effective ways to interview and follow up. You definitely do not want to miss this informative conversation with talent and recruiting leaders from top beauty, fashion, footwear, and apparel brands.
Click here to register and spread the word ☺
Digital networking is the way of the networking landscape nowadays. Whether you are connecting with past colleagues and mentors or joining professional associations, to build and maintain your network is critical. A Forbes article interviewed J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network, where Hoey says “networking is not a singular activity.” It does not start and stop at you adding a new connection on LinkedIn or handing someone your business card, but more so “it is every interaction throughout your day, both online and off. Your e-mail signature line, the article you share on LinkedIn and the person you choose to sit next to at lunch are all part of the mix,” states Hoey.
Our team at Emerging Blue hosts virtual round table events on ZOOM where we discuss strategic ways of networking online. In the sessions we go over effective ways of networking, and even learn a few tricks ourselves with each new group we host! It is agreed upon that LinkedIn is by far the most productive networking platform, but aside from LinkedIn, there are other networking platforms where you can meet like-minded professionals. For instance, platforms such as Lunchclub and Ladies Get Paid are beneficial networking tools. Lunchclub sets you up with virtual meetings with similar professionals while Ladies Get Paid is a Slack channel that offers resources, tools and a community for women. Another useful platform is MeetUp.
Key points to remember about networking are to make sure to offer up support and pay it forward. Helping others can go a long way. We always say plant those seeds now and keep watering them and soon they will blossom. In this case, keep checking in on the people in your network and never let the relationships turn cold; keep them warm! While offering support, it is key to be genuine in the process. You always want to continue to create positive energy and in the end it is all about building those relationships. For example, since LinkedIn is a top platform to use for networking, it is a great place to start. Look for people to add to your network who you went to school with, past colleagues, and companies that inspire you. If you see someone you know works for a company that you are interested in or has a mutual connection with someone, ask for an introduction. We all rise by helping others. And lastly, stay motivated. Networking, applying for jobs, interviewing, following up after interviews, and repeating the process over and over can be extremely tiring. Do not give up. It is okay to take a moment for yourself and to practice selfcare, but then get back to watering those seeds and building those relationships because it will pay off.
Click here to read more about LinkedIn and networking.
Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on all of our virtual learning events, jobs, industry news, and much more!
You are invited to a Zoom event – Digital Networking for Students + Recent Graduates.
When: Aug 19, 2020 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this networking event with Emerging Blue:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sce2gqzgoEtx7bxB249UNDN8dksuptW0L
Welcome to our new series “Tips on Getting Hired As a …….” where we will share tips and tricks from the EB team, as well as our clients for being hired for specific positions within the fashion, home goods and beauty industries. We hope to help our candidates in knowing what hiring managers are looking for and to help hiring managers know how to narrow down their search and find that perfect candidate.
Resume Highlights
Hiring managers often look for skills that can be transferred from role to role so be sure to speak to these skills on your resume and in your interview. Examples for a Buyer role include strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Erin Hogue, who has worked in Merchandising for The Container Store and JC Penney and has handled the hiring of many Buyers and Assistant Buyers over the years, says she looks for “talent and past successes” that would complement the open role and then trains to the specifics of the role if needed. Since Buyers with experience in housewares can be hard to find, Hogue said “It’s not what the candidate bought previously that is important to me but more their skill level at negotiating, communication and problem solving”.
Interview Preparation
Give clear concise examples of times you have had successes as a Buyer that could translate well to the role you are interviewing for and expect to answer behavioral based questions. One question Hogue asks her Buyer candidates is to share an example of a time that they had a tough negotiation and looks for them to share what happened, how they problem solved and what the result was. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Result, Method) will help you be sure to give a complete answer to these types of questions.
Also, be sure to research the company you are interviewing with! This is advice we give to all of our candidates, no matter what job they are interviewing for. It shows that you are serious about the role, excited about the company, and have respect for the time of the person you are interviewing with. As a hiring manger, Hogue appreciates that prior research by the candidate “allows for the conversation to transition to what they can bring to the company and what they will learn/gain from working for your company.”
First Impressions
Researching the company will also help you decide what to wear to the interview. Buyers need to show that they have a good sense of the company’s style, as well as a strong fashion sense, and your interview outfit should reflect that. Look at a company’s social media profiles and try to reflect the look and the feel of the brand you see there.
One Last Thing
When interviewing for a Buyer position, show your passion for the brand and how your past experiences can help take that brand to the next level by shaping their collections of the future! One of the most important traits Hogue looks for in a Buyer candidate is curiosity. She feels curiosity is needed to go to the next level in buying and naturally leads to problem-solving abilities as well. Ask questions, do your research on the company, and nab that new job!
Want to read more of our tips and tricks? Click here!
WFH Productive Office Spaces
Whether you’re working from home, in the midst of a job search, or brushing up on your skills during this time, it’s important to recognize the value in curating and designing your personal workspace. Social distancing has presented us with the unique opportunity to establish a new space for productivity, creativity, and connection… and the home office has taken on a new sense of importance.
Follow the below links to find WFH spaces that seamlessly combine practicality with inspired design choices.
We love the article from Insider with great tips on creating the perfect WFH space.
Check out Pinterest for lots of workspace inspiration:
WFH Space from Pinterest
For Home Office Designs that will actually make you want to sit down and complete your to-do list:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/home-offices-slideshow
However you design your workspace, take cues from the things that inspire you.
Click on tips and WFH for more ideas and staffing inspiration.
Sign-up here for the event on July 29th at 12:00 PST/3:00 EST! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dS45h5u 👈
Video Interview Beauty & Wellness
If you’re stressed out by your job search, it’s helpful to keep your personal wellness in mind. Keeping your skin healthy at home and creating a positive routine will help to alleviate stress during these uncertain times.
Combating wrinkles hardly seems important now given the global pandemic, but if you want to look your best for a Zoom interview, we love the following articles that offer tips to keep your skin glowing.
Click for more Tips about Interview Prep.
Video Interview and WFH Fashion Trends.
WFH and video interviews during Covid-19 is where it’s at for the foreseeable future.
If you’re looking for inspiration on what to wear? Check out @wfhfits, our daily dose of hipster outfits for WFH trends, or video job interview options. Some of the outfits are hilarious and some are spot on.
If you’re looking to nail your outfit for those Zoom calls or a job interview, be sure to check out our amazing client Mizzen + Main, who’s products take a nod from the athleisure industry - but are styled for any occasion.
For those luxury fashion pieces to complete your look, consider consigning clothing, and participating in a circular economy with our client TheRealReal. Did you know that for every one item consigned, one-third of that item is not produced anew?
No matter where you search,we know that finding the perfect outfit sometimes leads to the perfect job!
For more helpful tidbits about video interview prep, check out our Tips.
Amidst the global pandemic, many distance learning organizations, educational websites and apps are offering free access to some, or all, of their courses, allowing you to brush up on your skills and learn some new ones!
Business, Data Science, and Language
UI/UX, Web Development, and More
Cultural & Educational Programs
Emerging Blue fills jobs in the fashion, home, and beauty industries. Contact us to learn more.
1. Ambitionbox - You can search company reviews, salaries and interviews via this site.
2. AceThelnterview - bridges that gap and provides tools to write and chat about industry concepts to better prepare you for the interview.
3. Geeksforgeeks - this site offers thoughtful and well explained examples for interview questions.
4. Leetcode - helps enhance your skills and knowledge all while preparing you for technical interviews.
5. Guide4info - provides career insight and advice, and motivational stories.
{ Fashion }
{ Creative }
{ Outdoors }
{ Growth Marketing }
{ Multiple Industry Listings }
https://candor.co/hiring-freezes
{ Gig and Remote }
Conversations regarding reopening the workplace are occurring daily, so here are some action items we suggest for the next coming weeks.
Take time to review all organizational charts and update all job descriptions
With the changes that occurred in staffing, org charts will need to be updated and communicated out. Additionally, update all job descriptions including new departmental responsibilities. Document any new processes and update vendors as needed, using the opportunity to receive their updates as well.
Consider benefits additions to help the transition
Many companies are offering transit vouchers and child-care reimbursements during the return phase to the norm. Any equipment needed to #wfh and cell phone reimbursement is also a great way to ensure employees of your commitment. Reexamine Sick Days policies and any PTO perks that can help the team.
Define and communicate updated expectations and goals
Post updated expectations and goals reflecting the changes in the economic climate, org chart shifts, and updated job descriptions. Bring corporate calendars up to date while considering the competitive landscape. And, embrace #inthistogether approach to welcoming the routine -)
Need help? Knock on our door info@emergingblue.com to hear more about our services.
Have you been laid-off or thinking about making a change in this current environment? What can you do to stand out from the mass of candidates flooding the market? Should you just play it safe and stay put?
We invite you to an interactive live conversation to answer: What's happening in the job market today? How you can survive, if not thrive, job searching right now.
Join Christina Jones, along with Laura Leach, and other seasoned recruiters on Tuesday, May 5th at 1:30 PST. Register here to the #FREE live event: https://bit.ly/2Wc6wqC
If you’re in the market for a new job and sprucing up your resume, check out some awesome tips from the EB Crew.
Images below are zoomed in for a closer look.
If you are looking for more resume tips you can:
Reach out to us for one-on-one resume assistance @ Info@emergingblue.com
Check out our previous resume writing blogs: Top 5 Resume Tips from a Recruiter, Resumes, It’s the Little Things
Set yourself up for success and keep your network warm so during rainy days, you will be able to reach out for support. From current and past colleagues, to individuals in associations, you have a ton of people in your network, you may just not have thought about them until you needed to. We can find ourselves in situations we never imagined, so building and organizing your network will have positive benefits allowing you to leverage a sea of warm and cool connections to potentially lead to new, exciting opportunities.
{ LinkedIn + Facebook }
Since we cannot attend networking events in-person with the current social distancing guidelines, then social platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook are useful tools for you to use to build and maintain your networks. When on LinkedIn, you can click “My Network” to view people you may know from the companies you listed you worked for, the schools you attended, places you volunteered, as well as people in your same industry and similar roles. You can also create a group and add people to it that share similar interests and roles. This is a great way to keep your networks engaged and organized.
{ Warm + Cool Connections }
Another opportunity for organizing your network is to list connections as warm or cool prospects by looking at the strength of each connection in order to determine which they are. This is a great way to see who your low-hanging fruit is, and then continue strengthening those relationships. It also gives insight as to who you need to a build a stronger connection with depending on your needs and wants at the time. By organizing your network, you may begin to see a lack of needed associates that you can then focus on building strong and collaborative connections, so set solid goals for what you wish to attain.
{ Consolidate + Label }
We have an umpteen amount of contacts stored in our phone, email (many of us have multiple email addresses), Rolodex of business cards, and all the social platforms we’re connected with. It is super helpful to consolidate all your contacts into one document and organize them into categories in the document for when you need to do some outreach to your network. You will know who the best is to contact for what if things are labeled correctly. It’s time consuming and unproductive to search through all your tools to find someone’s contact information, when you can save time and have everything stored safely and neatly in one place. And lastly, save as you go! Set yourself up to achieve and turn on “auto-save” so that you never lose any work, or even better, connect it to your Cloud so you can access the information from anywhere and on any device that has Internet capabilities.
{ Promote the Remote }
As we work virtually, it is the technological tools that enable us to promote a positive work culture. Video-conferencing platforms allow us not to lose sight of culture, but further foster it by continued engagement to steer culture towards a collaborative and comforting direction. Utilize LinkedIn as well, so you’re not only connected with your teammates and other key people in your company, but also so you are building collaborative networks. Transitioning virtually doesn’t mean you lose a sense of your work culture, but more so an opportunity to further develop and influence it.
{ Empower Leadership }
This is a great time to continue motivating your team and identifying those partners whose solid vision aligns with business needs. This will build trust and productivity, and gives you the perfect gateway to ensure expectations are clearly defined. Understanding that while working remote our teams are wearing many hats, so to strengthen your team, continue communicating in both short-term and long-term orientation. Remember to stress taking a digital detox weekly, and not be ‘on-call’ digitally 24 hours a day.
{ Cultivate Transparency }
Being honest and candid during uncertain times, or anytime for that matter, is critical to a supportive and positive work culture. Scott, Founder of Emerging Blue, leads by this example every day by continually sharing information along with weekly and monthly goals with the team. This builds trust and leads to a team working at greater efficiency while keeping the vision, and continuing to identify new opportunities. No one likes to be left in the dark, so be the leader that brings your team a flashlight!
{ Uphold Company Values }
If you have a website that lists out your “isms” or company values, or perhaps they are placed in your employee manual and written all over the walls of your office space, it’s key to live out and be those values. Discuss these values in your remote meetings and showcase them with commitment by promoting an esteemed culture. And by all means, share those kid photos, pet photos, and virtual happy hours!
