Being productive and competitive in business doesn’t mean that you have to be serious all the time. Smiling doesn’t mean you’re not working hard. Enthusiasm doesn’t mean you’re not competitive. Being positive doesn’t mean you’re blind to challenges. Choose to enjoy your time at work. Find others who are like this and spread good cheer. It’s contagious and it grows. 

Look at your email address and ask yourself if that email represents a good business image of yourself. Emails like: golfnut@x.com, hatemyboss@x.com, fisheveryday@x.com are probably not images a hiring manager would like to see in a future employee they expect to be hard-working and dedicated

You can get more of everything in life except time. Would you rather run the business or sort through the resumes of unqualified candidates? Is it worth it to have an Executive Recruiter save you a hundred hours of interview time by providing the three best candidates? If you hire the wrong person on your own and they leave after six months, how much does that cost? In the long run, it is more cost-effective to hire the right person the first time around.

Always build the bridge before you need to cross the river. The day may come when you need an Executive Recruiter. It never hurts to be friendly with one or two good Executive Recruiters. If nothing else, they can keep you apprised of marketing conditions.

Many companies have relaxed their social media policies in recent years. For one, more companies want their workers to be active on social media, and it may even be part of their job description. Some studies have even found that employees who use social media outperform those who don't.

To attract top talent, not only to you need to be a great employer but you need to let people know that you are a great employer. This is how you build your reputation and your company brand. Take a moment to review your employee practices for retention, motivation, accountability, reward, recognition, flexibility in work-life balance, promotion and involvement.

Understanding the value that you bring to the table can make all the difference in getting hired. Before interviewing, take a moment to write down 2-3 things that you do that make you valuable to your current employer and will add value to a potential employer. Try to incorporate these into your answers during your interview.

Many individuals believe that their resume needs to fit on one page. It is better to list all your assets and experience so hiring managers and/or recruiters can gauge your ability to do the job. If you omit something on your resume for space, they may think you do not have the proper skills. One page resumes are generally for people that just come out of college and do not have that much experience.

When sending interview thank you emails, always make sure to check your email for spelling and grammar mistakes. Hiring managers and those on the interviewer panel feel these mistakes convey a sense of unprofessionalism. Don't let the difference between your and you're mean you miss out on a wonderful opportunity.

When choosing a recruiter consider one who specializes in your field. Because most recruiters specialize in specific industries and job functions, you will likely have the most productive relationships with recruiters specializing in your field and/or job function.

You never know when you might need a recruiter again. You can get great support from recruiters, but only when you stay connected.

As a job seeker, be open to suggestions and coaching to help you in your career journey. When interviewing, it is always important to be on time, understand the company culture, realize your most marketable qualities, and know how to highlight them during your interview. A Recruiter or Career Coach can help guide you through the process.

When applying for a job, study the job description and any available information you have on the position. Does your resume mirror the words and phrases in the job description? Are you showcasing your strengths in the areas that seem to be of paramount importance to this role? Always line it up.

Consider your LinkedIn profile as a first impression. When designing or editing, always make sure it is free of spelling and punctuation errors. If you have grammatical mistakes, you could be passed over for future work opportunities.

When interviewing, it is always better to talk about what you gained from an experience rather than speak negatively of a past employer of colleagues.

Once you are in the process of working with the recruiter and interviewing with the employer, don't contact the employer directly. Trust your recruiter to see you through the process.

One of the best ways to ensure a productive relationship with recruiters long into your career is to help them out by recommending top-performing friends and members of your network to them.

Don't lie if you were laid off or your job was terminated. The truth will come out, and if you secure the position, your future at the company will be in jeopardy. Answer with the facts. Be open and confident, providing valid reasons for losing previous positions.

Arrive for your interview 5-10 minutes early. Everyone has their watch set differently, and a 5-minute cushion is a good idea. Some interviewers are time-sensitive and notice if you're even one minute late, dulling initial impressions. Don't arrive too early and put pressure on the interviewer if they are not ready for you yet.

When interviewing, introduce yourself with a smile, a handshake that matches the firmness of the hirer's, and a relaxed and self-assured demeanor.