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Advantages of a Dog-friendly Workplace

For most people, having dogs in the workplace seems like something out of a dream. These days, however, more and more offices are going to the dogs. While it’s not always feasible due to allergies or regulatory concerns, companies have come to realize the many benefits of adopting a dog-friendly workplace.

Not to miss out on the fun and benefits-Hobson Associates has recently instituted  "Dog in the Office Fridays" with a rotating schedule of one puppy guest at Hobson's headquarters office each Friday 

 According to animal health services company LifeLearn, here are 8 advantages of a dog-friendly workplace.

Working with Gen Zers

The media has focused a lot on millennials in recent years, but now it’s time to give some attention to the millennials’ future co-workers: Gen Zers.  

According to Forbes.com, Generation Z is made up of “those born between 1995 and 2010, which means that the oldest are about 22 and are just entering the workforce”

As a recruiter, I have placed several recent graduates in their first “real” job, and I can honestly tell you it has been refreshing to work with these young candidates!

Growing Fast AND Smart: Hiring Tips for Your Small Business or Startup

70% of CEOs say that “Talent” is their “highest priority”. 90% say Talent is their #1 asset, but almost no one LIVES it. We react when we have someone quit or behave badly, but do we really know what it takes to build and KEEP a good team?

It’s a no-brainer that the best way to grow your small business is to hire quality employees. While doing this will be one of your biggest keys to success, it is also the most difficult to achieve. One good employee can propel your company forward, while a bad hire can set back productivity, damage morale, and cost an employer both time and money.

Ace Your Next Phone Interview With These 13 Tips [Infographic]

Phone interviews can be weird and nerve-racking. You're trying to impress a stranger on the other end of the phone without the benefit of body language. 

But no matter how uncomfortable phone interviews can be, they’ve become a key part of the hiring process for many companies today. If you want a job, there’s a good chance you’ll have to kill a phone screen.

Check out the infographic below by NetCredit that narrows down the tips for a perfect phone interview. This includes pre-interview prep, phone interview best practices, and post-interview follow up. So don’t sweat your next phone interview – just follow the advice below! 

8 Ways to Set Your Company Apart From the Competition

No matter what industry you’re in, you’re certain to have competitors-- whether it's someone selling a similar product or service, or someone who wants to snag your top job candidate. Whatever the competition is, we all want to beat them and stand out to our clients and consumers.

Yet, in today’s world where everyone claims to be # 1, it’s not so easy to differentiate and build your own authentic identity. Effective differentiation happens to be one of the main challenges small businesses face, as they are forced to compete against the big dogs.

It's About More Clay….

Our President Danny Cahill is never one to lack the perfect words to motive, encourage or help close deals... Below is an email he recently sent to our team of recruiters. Hope it makes you think, or at the very least - motivate you on this wintry day!

No End in Sight for Low Unemployment: Prepare Now for 2019!

Unemployment is currently at historic lows. A really positive thing, right? The flip side: think it’s tough to find great talent NOW?  New research from the Korn Ferry Institute shows that finding new talent is only going to get more challenging in the coming years.

A Recruiter’s Observations at a Conference

April 2018 was my second year attending the RSA conference in San Francisco. The conference is an annual gathering of leading information security companies and professionals from around the world. Since I specialize in recruiting top talent for cybersecurity technology leaders, RSA is a MUST on my calendar each spring.

Candidate Rocks Your World? Then Pull the F***Ing Trigger!

As a seasoned executive recruiter, I cannot stress enough how difficult it has been lately to get the dots connected between my clients and candidates. By dots I mean it being a "candidate-driven" climate, with unemployment at an all-time low of 4%.

The candidates of “today”, including recent college grads, have many, many employment options. Most industries, including manufacturing, are booming and companies need to hire many more talented folks. Great problem to have, right? One would think so. Yet, I have recently experienced most clients not moving fast enough with their offer letters and losing great candidates to their competitors. 

So WHY are employers wasting time over extending job offers? If I can make one important suggestion it is this: PULL THE F@#$ING TRIGGER IF THE CANDIDATE ROCKS YOUR WORLD, because I assure you that he/she will be gone tomorrow!!

Anniversary and Mentor Appreciation Day!!

June 26 was my 1 year anniversary as an Insurance Recruiter with Hobson Associates, and what a year it has been! Deals came together, deals fell apart, I traveled to Texas for my first conference, learned an ENTIRE industry from the ground up, got over my fear of cold-calling, and was promoted to Associate! How did I achieve all of this in 365 days? I came in early, worked through lunch many times, and some days I made close to 100 recruiting calls! I won’t lie, putting in the hours is not exactly easy, but compared to the mental stamina required to thrive in any career, it’s a walk in the park. That’s why the #1 best piece of advice that I received from my mentor, Robin, this past year-even above all the terminology and protocols for doing my job-was this: