Invite For Associated Clients:
Sponsorship Opportunity and Complimentary Tickets
The BC Hospitality and Industry Exposition will be held November 23rd and 24th at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is the largest hospitality event for BC, drawing thousands of industry leaders.
As an exhibitor, Target Professionals is offering sponsorship opportunities to our associated clients. With a donation, your company logo and name will be displayed prominently at our "Bean Toss" event. Successful participants will receive donated prizes, such as a complimentary hotel stay, dining certificates, event passes or other promotional items of your choice.
This is an ideal opportunity to promote your company's brand image.
Along with this request, I'd like to extend an invitation to the Tradeshow compliments of Target Professionals! Please respond by October 30th to receive your free tickets and provide a promotional prize.
See you there!
For more information contact me directly: Colleen, Target Professionals, 604.552.2377 or colleen[at]targetprofessionals[dot]com.
Showing posts with label hospitality industry in Western Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospitality industry in Western Canada. Show all posts
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fresh New Look At Banff
I forogt how beautiful the Banff area was. This clip makes me want to go back and visit....especially on moped!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Avoiding the "Overqualified" Label
Most hospitality candidates preparing for a job interview worry about whether they'll be able to come off as experienced, educated, and a personality "fit" enough to make a positive impression on hotel and restaurant corporate managers. But job seekers with substantial schooling or a lengthy work history often face the opposite problem.
Highly qualified candidates in the industry are sometimes forced to grapple with the stigma of being labeled “overqualified.” Often, hiring managers who encounter an applicant with a bounty of education or experience fear that they will be unable to meet the candidate’s salary requirements or other job expectations.
Having recruited in the industry for many years, I've come to understand people have various life/work factors where an "overqualified" candidate will apply for a less senior role with full awareness of a change in salary, work hours, work expectations, and work environment. These various factors, such as a new child in the home, relocation to a smaller community, downsizing to have more free time, are motivating factors that come to outweigh the step down.
According to human resources and staffing consultant Ken Gaffey, the phrase “overqualified” is often a code word that hiring managers use to express concern about a candidate’s fitness for the position. In order to get past the “overqualified” stigma and land your dream job, you have to be able to discern the true source of the hiring manager’s hesitation -- and then move in to neutralize it. These tips can help you move past the overqualified label and sail to success in your next interview:
1. Address the situation directly.
If there’s a special reason why you’re in the market for a lower-level position, it might help to discuss it upfront. For example, if you’re looking to establish yourself in a new field, or if you want to reduce your work schedule, let the hiring manager know.
2. Put your skill set front and center.
A great way to dodge the overqualified label is to take the focus off of your career path as a whole, and instead emphasize the skills and abilities you’ve picked up along the way. The functional résumé format – which job search gurus often recommend to recent grads and inexperienced jobseekers – may be the best option for highly qualified candidates, as well.
3. Signal your flexibility on salary.
One of the major reasons hiring managers shy away from highly experienced candidates is the perception that their salary expectations will be out of line with the position. If you recognize the difference in salary for the position you're applying, let the hiring manager know from the get-go how your expectations fit their range. Emphasize your unique value to the organization.
4. Make it clear that personality won’t be a problem.
The hiring manager may be worried that you won’t be able to work effectively alongside less-experienced peers. To allay these concerns, choose answers that will help you cast yourself as a humble team player who can get along well with people from all walks of life.
5. Let them know you’re in it for the long haul.
It’s often assumed that highly qualified candidates are just looking for a temporary job to tide them over until something better comes along. Leave no doubt that you intend to dedicate yourself long-term in your new role and that the company values speak to your professional goals and how you can help them achieve sucess.
Like many obstacles you’ll face in your job search, being “overqualified” is only a problem if you don’t take the opportunity to turn it around to your advantage! By carefully highlighting your skills and thinking strategically about ways to minimize the potential for problems, you’ll be able to turn this perceived liability into a strength.
For those "overqualified" candidates that have been on a long-term career path and now searching for a new position, you might want to hone your interview skills with our free Online Interview Prep Course. Email us to set up access at info@targetprofessionals.com.
Highly qualified candidates in the industry are sometimes forced to grapple with the stigma of being labeled “overqualified.” Often, hiring managers who encounter an applicant with a bounty of education or experience fear that they will be unable to meet the candidate’s salary requirements or other job expectations.
Having recruited in the industry for many years, I've come to understand people have various life/work factors where an "overqualified" candidate will apply for a less senior role with full awareness of a change in salary, work hours, work expectations, and work environment. These various factors, such as a new child in the home, relocation to a smaller community, downsizing to have more free time, are motivating factors that come to outweigh the step down.
According to human resources and staffing consultant Ken Gaffey, the phrase “overqualified” is often a code word that hiring managers use to express concern about a candidate’s fitness for the position. In order to get past the “overqualified” stigma and land your dream job, you have to be able to discern the true source of the hiring manager’s hesitation -- and then move in to neutralize it. These tips can help you move past the overqualified label and sail to success in your next interview:
1. Address the situation directly.
If there’s a special reason why you’re in the market for a lower-level position, it might help to discuss it upfront. For example, if you’re looking to establish yourself in a new field, or if you want to reduce your work schedule, let the hiring manager know.
2. Put your skill set front and center.
A great way to dodge the overqualified label is to take the focus off of your career path as a whole, and instead emphasize the skills and abilities you’ve picked up along the way. The functional résumé format – which job search gurus often recommend to recent grads and inexperienced jobseekers – may be the best option for highly qualified candidates, as well.
3. Signal your flexibility on salary.
One of the major reasons hiring managers shy away from highly experienced candidates is the perception that their salary expectations will be out of line with the position. If you recognize the difference in salary for the position you're applying, let the hiring manager know from the get-go how your expectations fit their range. Emphasize your unique value to the organization.
4. Make it clear that personality won’t be a problem.
The hiring manager may be worried that you won’t be able to work effectively alongside less-experienced peers. To allay these concerns, choose answers that will help you cast yourself as a humble team player who can get along well with people from all walks of life.
5. Let them know you’re in it for the long haul.
It’s often assumed that highly qualified candidates are just looking for a temporary job to tide them over until something better comes along. Leave no doubt that you intend to dedicate yourself long-term in your new role and that the company values speak to your professional goals and how you can help them achieve sucess.
Like many obstacles you’ll face in your job search, being “overqualified” is only a problem if you don’t take the opportunity to turn it around to your advantage! By carefully highlighting your skills and thinking strategically about ways to minimize the potential for problems, you’ll be able to turn this perceived liability into a strength.
For those "overqualified" candidates that have been on a long-term career path and now searching for a new position, you might want to hone your interview skills with our free Online Interview Prep Course. Email us to set up access at info@targetprofessionals.com.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I've Got Attitude!
We all know how tough the economy is currently, but it's toughest on skilled hospitality professionals that have been looking for work for an extended time. So now more than ever, your attitude is so important in an industry where it plays such a major factor any day.
How much does having the right attitude affect your career development, getting a job, or fitting in with the company culture? A positive attitude is the cause of a successful job search, not the result, esecially in this industry where quality of people interaction is paramount.
If you're looking for work, it's just common sense that the more negative you are about your own abilities, your job prospects, the companies you apply to work for, and life in general, the less likely you are to land a job. Employers want people who believe in themselves and their skills, who want to work, who want to work for them, and who generally have a positive attitude.
While maintaining a positive attitude is vital to a successful job search, the sluggish economy will make it discouraging. It may seem impossible to revive that positive energy level, but there are many things you can do to bring your rosy outlook back to life and keep it in good shape.
Number one is to feel good about yourself and yur skills and work achievements. This is the key to a positive attitude, and all the points that follow are ways of helping you feel good about yourself.
Speak positively about yourself and your abilities. You know the story about the little engine that could, right? What you believe about yourself is the foundation of all your future actions.
Take charge! Accept responsibility for your life and your job search. It is not up to your mother, father, girlfriend or boyfriend, or your aunt Zelda in Jasper to find you a job. Although your network can be a definite help, YOU are responsible for the success of your job search.
Don't focus on regrets or perceived mistakes. Instead of blaming yourself and constantly rehashing past mistakes, take the opportunity to learn from the past. Build on past experiences to improve yourself and your abilities. You should remind yourself that the current hospitality market is very much an employees one and many are putting the bottom line first and avoiding hiring until it's absolutely necessary - it's not personal and likely not a commentary about your skills.
Stop worrying about the future. While you don't want to live in the past, you also don't want to live in the future. Worrying is a habit, and you can change the habit if you really try. If you find yourself stuck in a negativity rut, shovel yourself out by focusing on your hopes and dreams rather than on your fears. Hiring managers have many ways of knowing when a candidate does not bring a positive attitude to the interview.
Flatter yourself. The job search is no time to be humble. Read every complimentary thing about yourself that you can find. Letters of praise, past awards, performance appraisals, or any other positive recognitions you have are good ways to remind yourself of your worth and talents. Paste these things on a wall or a bulletin board in your work area to boost your spirits whenever you feel a little down.
Start each day on a positive, upbeat note. The start of your day will set the tempo for everything that follows. Do something every morning that will put you in a good mood, whether that is taking a walk, listening to some upbeat music, doing a crossword, or just relaxing with a good cup of coffee.
Get physical! You've heard the saying, "healthy body, healthy mind." Keeping yourself healthy and in good physical shape will boost your energy level and make it easier to maintain a positive mental attitude.
Develop a plan each day of job hunting goals to accomplish. Sticking to your schedule as closely as possible will provide focus to your job search. Might I suggest talking to your friendly hosptiality recruiter to start?
Keep up appearances. While nobody expects you to wear a suit and tie every day on your job search, try not to dress too casually.
Get networking on-line and locally and join an association to keep up to date on developments and trends. It will help you develop your network and put you in contact with people that have interests similar to yours and to know others are in a similar situation. A positive attitude is contagious so surround yourself with supportive, positive people.
Finally, be sure to reward yourself for your job hunting efforts and do something enjoyable and relaxing that will take your mind off job hunting. Remember that nothing ever stays the same and the hospitality market in the West has had many ups and downs that we have come through successfully and your positive attitude will ensure just that.
How much does having the right attitude affect your career development, getting a job, or fitting in with the company culture? A positive attitude is the cause of a successful job search, not the result, esecially in this industry where quality of people interaction is paramount.
If you're looking for work, it's just common sense that the more negative you are about your own abilities, your job prospects, the companies you apply to work for, and life in general, the less likely you are to land a job. Employers want people who believe in themselves and their skills, who want to work, who want to work for them, and who generally have a positive attitude.
While maintaining a positive attitude is vital to a successful job search, the sluggish economy will make it discouraging. It may seem impossible to revive that positive energy level, but there are many things you can do to bring your rosy outlook back to life and keep it in good shape.
Number one is to feel good about yourself and yur skills and work achievements. This is the key to a positive attitude, and all the points that follow are ways of helping you feel good about yourself.
Speak positively about yourself and your abilities. You know the story about the little engine that could, right? What you believe about yourself is the foundation of all your future actions.
Take charge! Accept responsibility for your life and your job search. It is not up to your mother, father, girlfriend or boyfriend, or your aunt Zelda in Jasper to find you a job. Although your network can be a definite help, YOU are responsible for the success of your job search.
Don't focus on regrets or perceived mistakes. Instead of blaming yourself and constantly rehashing past mistakes, take the opportunity to learn from the past. Build on past experiences to improve yourself and your abilities. You should remind yourself that the current hospitality market is very much an employees one and many are putting the bottom line first and avoiding hiring until it's absolutely necessary - it's not personal and likely not a commentary about your skills.
Stop worrying about the future. While you don't want to live in the past, you also don't want to live in the future. Worrying is a habit, and you can change the habit if you really try. If you find yourself stuck in a negativity rut, shovel yourself out by focusing on your hopes and dreams rather than on your fears. Hiring managers have many ways of knowing when a candidate does not bring a positive attitude to the interview.
Flatter yourself. The job search is no time to be humble. Read every complimentary thing about yourself that you can find. Letters of praise, past awards, performance appraisals, or any other positive recognitions you have are good ways to remind yourself of your worth and talents. Paste these things on a wall or a bulletin board in your work area to boost your spirits whenever you feel a little down.
Start each day on a positive, upbeat note. The start of your day will set the tempo for everything that follows. Do something every morning that will put you in a good mood, whether that is taking a walk, listening to some upbeat music, doing a crossword, or just relaxing with a good cup of coffee.
Get physical! You've heard the saying, "healthy body, healthy mind." Keeping yourself healthy and in good physical shape will boost your energy level and make it easier to maintain a positive mental attitude.
Develop a plan each day of job hunting goals to accomplish. Sticking to your schedule as closely as possible will provide focus to your job search. Might I suggest talking to your friendly hosptiality recruiter to start?
Keep up appearances. While nobody expects you to wear a suit and tie every day on your job search, try not to dress too casually.
Get networking on-line and locally and join an association to keep up to date on developments and trends. It will help you develop your network and put you in contact with people that have interests similar to yours and to know others are in a similar situation. A positive attitude is contagious so surround yourself with supportive, positive people.
Finally, be sure to reward yourself for your job hunting efforts and do something enjoyable and relaxing that will take your mind off job hunting. Remember that nothing ever stays the same and the hospitality market in the West has had many ups and downs that we have come through successfully and your positive attitude will ensure just that.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Successful Hospitality Manager Attributes
Finally, Spring has arrived for 2008!
This is the time to be a qualified and responsible candidate in the hospitality industry for Western Canada. Like the change to Spring time, the market has also changed, bringing candidates greater opportunities to develop their careers and maintain a healthy life/work relationship.
The change in favor of candidates is due to several factors in Western Canada....the imminent arrival of the 2010 Olympic Games to British Columbia and the Oil boom in Alberta to name couple.
However, certain things remain constant from a recruiter's perspective. A qualified candidate will always have certain attributes that make them successful in their job hunt. For instance; professionalism, experience, drive, great communication skills, a business ethic, and a solid past history.
While I encourage qualified candidates to strive to find a position that is best suited to them and their lifestyle, I also suggest being a responsible candidate. Continue to maintain a sense of honor and respect towards your work, employer, and in the process of interviews with prospective employers.
These attributes define you as a qualified and responsible candidate which will help ensure you're successful in your career endeavors. It's simply a bonus that they also define you as a very decent human being.
Please call 604.552.2377 or email anytime if you have any questions or issues regarding hospitality employment in BC and Alberta.
Enjoy the coming sun!
This is the time to be a qualified and responsible candidate in the hospitality industry for Western Canada. Like the change to Spring time, the market has also changed, bringing candidates greater opportunities to develop their careers and maintain a healthy life/work relationship.
The change in favor of candidates is due to several factors in Western Canada....the imminent arrival of the 2010 Olympic Games to British Columbia and the Oil boom in Alberta to name couple.
However, certain things remain constant from a recruiter's perspective. A qualified candidate will always have certain attributes that make them successful in their job hunt. For instance; professionalism, experience, drive, great communication skills, a business ethic, and a solid past history.
While I encourage qualified candidates to strive to find a position that is best suited to them and their lifestyle, I also suggest being a responsible candidate. Continue to maintain a sense of honor and respect towards your work, employer, and in the process of interviews with prospective employers.
These attributes define you as a qualified and responsible candidate which will help ensure you're successful in your career endeavors. It's simply a bonus that they also define you as a very decent human being.
Please call 604.552.2377 or email anytime if you have any questions or issues regarding hospitality employment in BC and Alberta.
Enjoy the coming sun!
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