Understanding How the Best Recruiters Manage Client and Candidate Relationships

Want to get the most significant value out of your recruiting and staffing firm partnership? Working with the right one can improve your candidate pool, shorten hiring time, and provide access to specialized contracts and long-term talent. But don’t just take our word for it, ask our recruiters! Here are five topics they’ve recently covered and the innovative ways they choose to solve them.

1) How well do you know the industry?

Our recruiters specialize in the following market segments: oil and gas, energy services, process industries, manufacturing, and power and utilities.  Some recruiting firms position themselves as a one size fits all staffing solution—however, many trade depth for breadth. The best staffing firm for you will likely be an organization focusing solely on staffing within your industry and deliver quality candidates with a sense of urgency.

2) How do you help solve long-term hiring solutions?

The top recruiters think more broadly than the individual candidate or position. At FootBridge, we work with clients to help identify challenges in the hiring process, create strategic staffing plans and improve recruiting and retention long-term. Many of our clients have been with us since our inception, making us friends and colleagues. Head on over to our success stories to learn more.

3) How well do you source candidates?

Very well! In addition to having access to a vast candidate database and receiving resumes via job listings, our recruiters put candidates through a multi-step review process before submitting them to our customers. Client business manager Josh Avin emphasizes that a recruiter must spend plenty of time and effort presenting suitable job candidates to clients because otherwise, it’s a waste of their time.  

4) When can I expect to hear from you?

How about always? The best recruiters make themselves easy to contact and promptly respond via email, phone, or text. Ask about your potential recruiting partner’s communication methods and preferences to ensure you can always connect when you need to do so.

A solid recruiting partner will have good outreach and make placements with their employees in mind. They will not only consider their living situations but also schedule interviews and negotiate salary, living expenses, and travel expenses. Recruiter Cam Richards emphasizes that a good recruiter will be organized and communicative and want to positively impact their candidates’ lives. 

5) What do you think makes a good staffing firm partnership? 

We feel candidates should feel like more than a name on a time sheet. The staffing partner should check in regularly and not just at the end of the job to ask how the project is going and if they need anything, as it speaks to their level of commitment. The same goes for the client side, as our business development team continuously checks in to ask how the project is going and to see how we can solve staffing situations before they become a dilemma.

 

At FootBridge, we specialize in placing qualified candidates with our clients in many specialized industries. Don’t let your recruiting process keep you from hiring top talent.  At FootBridge, our experienced recruiters specialize in helping our clients streamline the hiring process to attract and hire top talent. Contact us today to learn more.

Energy Sector Job Interview? How to Craft Better Answers

For anyone interested in engineering work in the energy industry, now is a good time to fine-tune your resume and start applying for job opportunities. In addition to higher hourly wages than the national median average, according to a Supplemental Report to the Annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report, the energy sector also saw fewer job losses following COVID-19 than other industries such as tourism, hospitality, recreation, information, and communications, retail, and building and design.

Landing a dream job in the energy sector, however, takes work. When it comes time for job interviews, candidates must prepare and present answers that highlight their strengths. Here, we have provided some must-have interview tips focusing on engineering and can also apply to just about anybody. Whether an interview will be in person or remote, it never hurts to prepare.

#1 Get personal.

Candidates in the energy sector should prepare for each interview as if it were a personal one-on-one conversation with a unique employer.  Since many interviews contain similar questions, it’s tempting to create and practice stock answers. However, the recruiters at FootBridge recommend candidates highlight personal experience first and foremost.  Better yet, candidates should research the company, study the job description, and learn about the organization’s values and internal culture. Then, they can build interview answers that speak to this company’s specific attributes. In addition to being able to answer questions related to the job, be ready to answer questions such as:

  • How do you handle difficult on-the-job situations? This question is geared toward uncovering your problem-solving skills and the resources you may use to solve them.
  • Why did you enter the field? Don’t hold back this is a great area to personalize the interview!
  • And more specifically, why did you choose to interview with the company?

#2 Focus on accomplishments.

Anyone can promise an interviewer they can or will do the tasks listed on a job description. However, engineering job candidates who discuss how they have already succeeded at similar tasks are the ones interviewers remember. Here’s what candidates can do:

  • Record three to five of the most significant accomplishments in your education or career to date. This way, you can use the job description to match the employer’s skills and tasks, hoping to align yourself with those accomplishments.
  • When it comes time for the interview, you are better prepared to create short discussions that use terms in the job description to discuss how problems were overcome and name the results.

#3 Know what to ask.

Think about your accomplishments in the context of the job for which you are interviewing. Ask questions that show you are also interviewing the employer like:

  • Will I have access to mentors on the job?
  • Will I get the chance to participate in experimental projects or to lead a team?
  • How does the company support continued growth as an engineer?

It’s perfectly acceptable to write these questions down and ask away during the interview. Preparing ahead of time means these questions will fit more naturally into the interview than any generic questions you might think up on the spot.

At FootBridge Energy Services, our recruiters can help you connect with some of the best oil and gas companies in the industry – and create interview answers that will help your skills stand out. For more information on resume building and interviewing, visit our career development page. Or, contact us today to learn more about our oil and gas job opportunities.

Five Tips To Get Hired During The Holidays

Did you know the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the slowest time of the year for hiring candidates in the energy industry? Here at FootBridge, we sometimes see a drop-off in the middle of the summer. Still, the holidays have proven to be a time when we see a combination of people being distracted and/or out on vacation. Combine that with the end of the fiscal year plus a global pandemic, and you can see why it might be hard to start a new position during the holidays. However, that’s not to say there is no hiring going on. It just means candidates searching for jobs like project engineers, schedulers, and piping designers must remain vigilant.  Here we offer some key considerations whether you are an energy firm looking to hire or a busy job seeker.    

 

 

Stay Motivated 

Always be sure to check the FootBridge Job Search tool for available positions in the energy market. Here, you’ll find we have all kinds of job postings across the country, including pipeline projects, mining, agricultural processes, utility plants, commercial sites, and more. Also, be sure to check out leading job boards like Monster and Indeed. LinkedIn also has a job search tool and lets you subscribe to a feed.  

 

 

Remain Flexible 

According to an article in Forbes, while December is the slowest month for hiring, January almost always sees a rebound. And while there’s been a nearly 11 percent decrease over last year’s numbers, keep in mind these statistics don’t necessarily resonate with energy jobs that are based mainly on oil prices. 

 

Now can also be an excellent time to lock up the right candidate who might not start after the first of the year, when other times of the year this might be a deal-breaker on one side or the other. Overall, remember that even if you interview now, most start dates for energy jobs will be after January 1, 2021. However, there may be some exceptions to those numbers. 

 

Stay Competitive 

Now is not the time to give up your job search. Instead, we always encourage candidates to update their resume, professional profiles and practice their trade. In the meantime, feel free to check out our previous posts, including Ten Must Have LinkedIn Tips and The Dos and Don’ts of Resume Writing. Speaking of competition, there will likely be less of it during the holidays, which is another reason to make sure your resume and professional platforms shine. 

 

 

Take this time to network

Okay, we get it. The COVID-19 pandemic may be keeping us away from the office and social gatherings more than we’d like. And while we are all suffering from Zoom fatigue, keep in mind it’s essential to stay connected regardless. Hop on social media to see what professional organizations are up to. Many offer industry news and education on an ongoing basis. Also, our recruiters are always in touch with candidates. If a position suddenly comes up that meets their specifications, you can be sure we are reaching out. 

 

 

 

Negotiate

Lastly, while start dates for energy jobs will most likely be after January 1, energy firms hire when they need new employees, period. Especially for more urgent projects. 

 

As always, hiring top talent is essential to your business’s success, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.

Collaborate with FootBridge today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success.

Ten Must-Have LinkedIn Tips

Did you know a majority of construction managers and engineers use LinkedIn to showcase their talents? It’s a great way to get recognized by recruiters who are looking to fill construction and engineering jobs.  Similar to a resume, a LinkedIn profile gives you a chance to tell a story about your work history. Not to mention the platform is a great way to connect with professionals. Whether you’re looking for work in the construction management and engineering sectors or something more creative – here we provide some must-have tips to make sure you’re doing everything to get noticed. While LinkedIn profiles are just one of the tools staffing companies use to source for engineering jobs, it’s good to be on top of your game.

 

Tip #1: Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your resume

 

Sometimes we see candidate updating their resume, but forgetting to do the same on LinkedIn, or the other way around. Consistency is key! For more information on how to write a resume and for key information to include, visit our article, “The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing.” Another great thing about LinkedIn is you can use the platform to create a resume as well.  To access this feature, log in to your profile, and click on “More” in the upper right-hand corner.

 

Tip # 2 Learn how to set up a LinkedIn profile

 

LinkedIn offers some great resources for what to include in your profile. Even if you’re not used to the platform, that’s okay. Click here for tips on how to set up your profile.

Tip #3 Find out who’s been looking at your profile

Now, with a basic LinkedIn account, this comes with a caveat. You have to let people see when you look at their profile in order to see who looks at yours. This can be switched on and off in your privacy settings.  Depending on your LinkedIn notification settings, LinkedIn can send you e-mails notifying you when someone new has visited your page. But we recommend digging in a little more to make sure you are getting views from the right audience, so you stay relevant.  If you’re not getting the right eyes on your profile,  it may be time for some revisions and additions to your profile. 

 

Tip #4 Robust Job Experience

 

In the work experience section, when you list the companies where you previously worked, be sure to link to their Company page (these usually auto-populate when you type in the company name).  Recruiters like to know more about the companies you’ve worked with, so make sure to add information about your position and any highlights or accomplishments you achieved. 

 

Tip #5 Include an updated photo

 

This one may seem self-explanatory, but be sure to include an updated and professional photo of yourself.

 

Tip #6 Make sure your interests are in-line with your professional background

 

Although it’s okay to list your hobbies in this section, what recruiters want to see are your professional interests. For example, if you visit FootBridge President and CEO Todd Springer’s profile on LinkedIn, you’ll see his activities are energy, staffing, and scheduling organizations.

 

Tip # 7 Ask for recommendations from people that support your experiences

 

To request recommendations, you can either 1) Visit a professional’s profile and click on the “More” button. Or, 2) On your own profile, click on the “Add profile section,” followed by “Additional information,” and then “Request a recommendation.”

 

Tip #8 Always update your professional profile

 

Similar to Google searches, updating your profile will keep you at the forefront of LinkedIn searches. It can be as simple as changing your photo, adding keywords, or interests.

 

Tip # 9 Ask for Endorsements

 

Similar to recommendations, be sure to get endorsements in the industry for which you are searching for work.  Look at FootBridge Manager and Recruiter Joe Squires profile, and you will see his endorsements include energy, engineering, and technical skills.

Tip # 10 Include publications, patents, accolades, and awards

 

This goes along with your activities and endorsements. Recruiters want to see your successes.

As always, hiring top talent is essential to the success of your business, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.

Collaborate with FootBridge today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing

A resume can be a tricky thing. On the one hand, you want to include everything about your professional experiences. Alternatively, you don’t want to add your entire history.  Basically, it’s a snapshot of your accomplishments. It can mean the difference between whether or not you get an all-important interview. No pressure, right?  Trust us, we get it, which is why we’re talking about resume customization.  Scour the Internet, and you are bound to come up with plenty of writing tips, templates, and guidelines such as using reverse chronological order, professional fonts, and healthy margins. But here we dig a little deeper and reveal what hiring managers are really looking for in the all-important document.

The Do’s of Resume Writing

DO keep a pick me up file.

When it comes to writing your resume, there is nothing worse than sitting down to a blank screen. Things will go much smoother if you keep what we like to call a pick me up file. This includes a list of your qualifications, achievements, professional recognitions, affiliations, facts, and dates.

DO include actionable items.

Hiring managers want to see more than lists on your resume. They want actionable items. For example, if you are applying for a recruiting position, include how many outbound calls a day you made in previous jobs.  And what was the percentage or number of leads were you able to convert. If you’re applying for a sales position, tell us what your quarterly and annual numbers looked like. Did you meet or exceed your quotas? Did you make President’s club?  For engineering, which is what we do a lot of hiring for, include facts and dates in a logical order.

DO send a separate e-mail to the hiring manager, letting them know you applied for the job.

Many websites like Indeed, Monster, and more make it easy to click “apply” and submit your resume for a position. The downside of doing so, however, is that your resume goes into a LONG line of resumes. You are just one in a significant cue of applicants. So, do make sure you stand out from the crowd by dropping a line to the person doing the hiring.

DO include a list of key achievements and skills.

If you are applying for an engineering job and have patents let us know. The same goes for any licenses or certifications. Also, if you are applying for a sales position, list any awards or recognitions you may have. If you work in manufacturing, include information about your capabilities and technologies.   Follow up this section with industries, work experience, awards and publications, and education.  See a sample resume here.

DO have different versions of your resume.

If a job requires a specific skill set, say in marketing, create a resume that shows off those talents. Doing so is a great way to streamline your resume, so you don’t end up with pages of information that aren’t relevant to the position you are applying for. Whoever is looking at your resume will most likely be skimming through it at first. You don’t want to lose them because your important details are hidden within.

DO show your personality.

If you are applying for an engineering position, use a professional font and direct language. If you are applying for a marketing or sales position, it’s okay to a bit savvier. Showcase your personality through language and sell, sell, sell yourself. Hiring managers want to know you’re not afraid to cold call or think outside the box when it comes to marketing ideas.

Don'ts of Resume Writing FootBridge Staffing

The Don’ts of Resume Writing

DON’T drop names of people you know at the company but forget to tell them you did so.

You wouldn’t do so on your resume, but perhaps in the cover letter. You don’t want it to come as a surprise when the hiring manager mentions this to the associate. Researching the company in which you are applying for a position is always a must.

DON’T wait for the person doing the hiring to bring up a gap in experience on your resume.

If it’s been a while since you’ve worked in a particular market segment, that’s okay. Just address it in your notes to the hiring manager. State precisely what you did and what you have been doing in between that time.  That way, it won’t be hanging over your head during the job interview.

DON’T be afraid to follow up.

Just as you want to send a separate correspondence, if you have clicked “apply” on a job site, don’t be afraid to send another e-mail following the interview. You can provide a summary of why you are the right fit for the job and ask what the next steps should be.

DON’T include any typos.

Even if you use a spell check, there are bound to be errors on your resume. Be sure to have someone else give it a read before you submit for a job opening.

DON’T include unprofessional contact information.

Sometimes a cheeky e-mail can be cute. But not when you are searching for a job. Avoid getting your resume thrown away by including a simple and professional e-mail address. In other words, skip the joeloverboy@gmail. com

Want more resume tips and tricks? Here are some links to check out:

As always, hiring top talent is essential to the success of your business, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.

Collaborate with FootBridge today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success.

Acing the Virtual Interview: 7 Must-Have Interview Tips in a COVID-19 World

Did you know that companies are continuing to hire during the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s true, and instead of conducting traditional in-person interviews, many employers are choosing to talk with candidates using free online tools such as Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts. New to virtual interviews? Have no fear! Here are some must-have tips for what to expect and how to prepare, so you are more than ready to get the job.

Interview Tip #1 Practice Makes Perfect

Using virtual interview tools is a very straightforward process. Requests to interview are sent to you via e-mail with a meeting link, and all you have to do is click accept and make sure you mark the appointment in your calendar.  Most sites walk you through the login instructions. Just in case, though, it doesn’t hurt to visit the application in advance to practice how to access the interview.  If you have never used Teams or other virtual meeting tools, that’s okay too. See if your recruiter can set up a test interview well in advance of the live interview. Remember, they want what’s best for you. Also, if you are having trouble connecting and you are late for a meeting, contact your recruiter right away so they can follow up with you.

Interview Tip #2 Housekeeping Items

Check. Check. Check. Now is a great time to test your speakers and ensure your camera is working. Some PCs like HP have a sliding button that you can use to block or unblock the camera. Be sure you have tested yours and know how it works well in advance of the interview.  Also, even when you are not speaking, keep in mind the interviewer can see and hear you.

Interview Tip #3 Keep it Professional

Even though you may be at home, you are still in an interview and should treat it as if you are speaking with a potential employer in person. It may seem straightforward but dress for the occasion and find a quiet place with a plain background to avoid unnecessary distractions.  Now is not the time to walk around your home doing the dishes. Some virtual interviewing tools like Zoom, for instance, allow you to set up virtual backgrounds via the settings which many candidates find helpful.

Interview Tip #4 Make it a No Distraction Zone

Like most of us, your home is anything but quiet these days. If this is the case, get outdoors or sit in the car within the range of your wifi for an interview. Just be sure that when using a phone or tablet, you position your device to ensure your whole face is on camera. Do not hold the phone, as you are likely to lose the frame.

Interview Tip #5 Have Your Resume on Hand

Be sure to print out some extra copies of your resume, just as you would in an in-person interview, and make sure it’s up to date. Feel free to add notes to your copy about specific projects you want to bring up. Or, put sticky notes next to your computer or wherever you can see them, but the interviewer cannot.

Interview Tip #6 Be Prepared

Try logging in at least five to 10 minutes before the time of your interview to account for the time it takes to connect and log in to the application. If the interviewee is not online yet, don’t worry. A message will indicate that the meeting will start as soon as they log in. For this reason, make sure you are ready to roll and not in the middle of doing something else so you aren’t surprised when the interviewer does appear on your screen.

Interview Tip #7 Do Not Disturb

When possible, use headphones, and please, please set your computer to do not disturb, so those pesky text messages and e-mail notifications don’t keep popping up. For instructions on how to do this, click here if you are a windows user,  and here if you are using a MAC. You can even do the same on your iPhone. Finally, it doesn’t hurt to send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview.

As always, if you are a company looking to hire, top talent is essential to the success of your business, and our team is here to help you find the right people with unmatched expertise.

Let’s collaborate today to fill your open positions. We are ready to source your next top performer for continued business success. If you are a candidate looking for opportunities, check out our job search tool.

Need a Job? Take Advantage of Energy Recruitment Services!

If you’re dreaming of a job in the energy industry, a recruiter can be your best ally.

Here’s how (and why) to find the right recruiting firm to help you connect with this important niche industry.

Choose a recruiter who specializes in the oil and gas industries.

The energy industry is unique in many ways, from the resources it provides to the people and capabilities it needs to achieve its goals. Therefore, recent graduates and mid-career professionals seeking work in this industry can benefit from working with a recruiter who specializes in making connections within the energy field. A specialized recruiter will focus on connecting you with the right people and job openings.

Find a recruiting firm that understands the geographic areas that interest you.

In addition to focusing on the energy industry, your chosen recruiter should spend considerable time working with companies in the geographic regions that interest you most. For example, if you’re interested in working in Pennsylvania’s shale regions, look for a recruiter who has built strong relationships in this location.

Ask what your recruiter can do for you.

Your recruiting partner’s job board should be only the first step. Talk with recruiters about other needs, such as work on fine-tuning your resume or interview skills, help determining what company culture helps you thrive and other assistance. The best recruiters focus on building relationships, so they’ll be interested to know more about you and willing to help you determine what kind of job best fits your needs.

Help your recruiter help you.

When you meet with a potential recruiting firm for an interview, treat it as you would any job interview. Doing so helps your recruiter gauge how you interview, so they can provide specialized tips and connect you with jobs that will offer a better fit. Stay in touch with your recruiter throughout the process as well; your recruiter can help answer questions and put you on the right track toward the best job and company for your career goals.

At FootBridge Energy Services, our recruiters can help you land the oil or gas industry job of your dreams. Contact the energy recruiting partners to learn more.

What Are “Hidden Jobs” and How Can You Find One?

Every day, job openings in the energy industry appear. Yet even a discerning job seeker may not spot these new openings. They’re “hidden” jobs that never reach the public eye.

Instead of posting these jobs publicly, companies turn to their recruiters to find the people they need for the open positions.

Why Do Employers “Hide” Jobs With Recruiters?

To many job seekers, the idea that employers only mention their job openings to staffing firms seems unfair. After all, you’re working hard to find promising job opportunities and to present your skills in a positive and confident light. Why do companies hide the ball?

Here are several reasons some of the best jobs remain hidden:

  • Time is of the essence. Lacking the time to launch a full-scale candidate search, the company turns to its recruiter hoping the staffing firm will find suitable candidates more quickly.
  • Culture matters. The company trusts its staffing firm to recommend candidates who not only offer the right skills, but will also mesh well with the company’s values and approach to work.
  • More doesn’t always mean better. The company wants to weed out unqualified candidates who bury or obscure the qualified professionals, and they don’t want to do the weeding themselves. Instead, they ask a recruiter to do it for them.

Understanding why and how job postings get “hidden” can help you uncover them. Here’s how:

Hide and Seek: Finding Hidden Job Opportunities

When top companies “hide” their job postings with a recruiter, it makes sense to work with a recruiting firm to find those openings. Here’s how partnering with a recruiter benefits your career:

  • Access to hidden job postings – and custom recommendations. Not only will you know what’s available, but your recruiter can point you toward job openings that best fit your skills and workplace style, improving the chances you’ll find a job you truly love.
  • One-on-one advice and coaching. Your recruiter will help you fine-tune your resume and interview skills, improving your chances of landing the job you want.
  • Long-term networking and support. Once you’ve found the next step on your career ladder, stay in touch with your recruiter to maintain a strong professional network and learn more about the industry.

At FootBridge Energy Services, our recruiters work with some of the best employers in the oil and gas industries – and help you unearth the hidden jobs that will help you forge your career. Contact us today to learn more about our energy job opportunities.

How to Answer Behavioral Job Interview Questions

Behavioral job interview questions appear on nearly every hiring manager’s list. Unlike traditional job interview questions, behavioral questions ask you to recount a specific action or approach you used in the past in response to a specific problem or situation. Hiring managers hypothesize that by asking you what you have already done, they gain greater insight into how you will act in the future.

For job candidates, the most difficult part of answering a behavioral interview question is summarizing their past work in a way that tells a meaningful and memorable story.

Here’s how to practice answering behavioral job interview questions:

Collect your past accomplishments (and failures).

Make a list of the most significant accomplishments you have achieved in your career to date. Consider not only achievements you were lauded for, but also those that went unnoticed yet were essential to the smooth functioning of your workplace or the completion of a larger project.

Also, list your three biggest failures, mistakes or setbacks. For each of these, include what you learned. If you encountered the same situation again, whether a different approach helped you avoid disaster a second time.

Get your answers up to PAR.

Circle your three most significant or meaningful accomplishments and the failure to which you responded most constructively. Then, for each of these four items:

  • Write one sentence stating the Problem. (“We realized we had only four days to meet a deadline we thought wouldn’t come for several weeks.”)
  • Write one sentence stating the Action you took in response. (“I agreed to put in overtime on three of those four days, and I convinced everyone else to do so as well.”)
  • Write one to two sentences stating the Result. (“We managed to complete the project with two hours to spare before the deadline. We got a great deal of praise, but I started putting ‘pre-deadlines’ a month ahead of time into my calendar so I wouldn’t be caught in a similar crunch again.”)

For your biggest mistake, include a sentence about what you would do differently next time—or if there was a “next time,” mention how you addressed the problem differently and what happened.

Practice until you can tell these stories smoothly.

Use your 3-4 sentence PAR summaries to practice telling these stories as you’ve written them. For each, pay attention to the moments where you mention certain strengths. For instance, in the examples above, our interviewee can emphasize the interpersonal skills required to convince other team members to put in overtime, plus the improved organization that comes with better calendar management.

At FootBridge Energy Services, our recruiters connect qualified professionals to some of the best jobs in the oil and gas industries. To learn more, contact us today.

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