Tips to make your temporary job a permanent career

By Tom Bryan – Managing Partner, ISGF

                  With the economy in a recession, many potential employers are looking for ways to cut costs. Often this means keeping a minimal staff and bringing on more help only when needed. Seasonal and temporary positions are becoming much more common.  Keep in mind that seasonal employment doesn’t only mean holiday retail, but extends to summer jobs and even skilled jobs. Accounting firms hire for tax season and major law firms bring on contract attorneys to help with a particular case. Last year alone, it was estimated the holidays created approximately 650,000 seasonal jobs. While this may seem high, only about 10 to 20 percent led to permanent offers. Here are a few tips to turn your temporary job into a permanent career.

To start, think of your job as an audition or extended interview. Temporary work gives you a great opportunity not only to make a lasting impression, but also to test the waters and see if the company is a right fit for you as well.  Be on time, dress appropriately and pay attention to detail. Unlike interviews, this is a great opportunity for employers to see you actually perform, so make it count.

As you work to make an impression, make sure you to adjust your attitude. If you approach the job with apathy and the mindset that it’s only temporary, it will be.  Even when asked to perform remedial tasks that you feel are below your skill level, keep your true sentiments to yourself and do them to the best of your ability. Be conscious of your body language even when you think nobody is watching. The numbers are not in your favor and employers are far more likely to find a reason to justify terminating you at the end of the season than justifying your permanent placement.

With a limited time to demonstrate your abilities, be sure to maximize opportunities. Take on the extra shift and don’t be afraid to take on a task that may be slightly out of your comfort zone. The more you work and the more exposure you gain, the better your chances of being offered permanent employment. Minimum staffing means many employees are asked to wear multiple hats, so if you can show versatility, you become a stronger asset to the employer.

Another way to maximize opportunity is to make friends. Work to instill yourself as part of the team and become well liked. By nature, your seasonal employment is going to be during one of the employer’s busiest times. Thus, the employer will already be overwhelmed and may not be observing you as close as normal. Because of this, it is common for employers to talk to other permanent employees regarding the hiring of temporary employees long term. Having others put in a good word for you will only increase your chances of a permanent offer.

While talking to others, don’t forget the obvious. Be sure to express an interest in staying on beyond the busy season. Employers are not mind readers and you’d be surprised how many temporary employees overlook this tip. Remember, if there are 10 seasonal employees, you can expect that only one or two of you will be offered something long term. The decision may very well come down to making it known that you are looking for a career, not just a quick boost to your bank account.

Finally, make it worth the employer’s while. Learn the business and make yourself an asset. With a poor economy, the biggest fear of employers is overstaffing and not being able to meet financial obligations. This leads to great hesitation when it comes to hiring more employees. If you can show the employer that you will not only pay for yourself but also add value and increase the company’s revenue, the decision to hire you permanently becomes a much easier decision.

If handled properly, the seasonal job can provide a greater opportunity than some extra cash for gifts. Enjoy the holidays and the start to your new career.

ISGF is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL.  ISGF specializes in the placement of highly qualified Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing Professionals on a contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire basis.  For more information, please visit www.isgf.com. ISGF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

by Tom Bryan

First Day Tips to Help You Keep Your New Job

Congratulations! You’ve accepted an offer for a new job and left the unemployment ranks that are nearly 14 million strong in the United States. With literally millions of individuals vying for a job, your new focus has to be on keeping it. Here are a few tips to make a strong, lasting first impression on the first day.

Your successful first day actually starts before you arrive. Figure out your new schedule and learn your commute. Start adjusting to your new wake up time prior to day one. Your body will thank you in the long run. This also means taking a realistic look at your commute. Remember, lunch hour is not rush hour, so time your commute at the hour you will actually make it, and test it on multiple days.

Day one is more about fitting in than standing out. Dress accordingly. If you didn’t pay attention to your surroundings during your interview (HINT: Interviews give you more than just an opportunity to speak with your future employer), learn them now. Revisit the company web site and learn about their clients, their mission, key employees and the company’s history. Also, make sure you are dressed appropriately, and keep in mind that you can overdress just as easy as you can dress too casually. If you don’t remember how your co-workers were dressed from your interview, call Human Resources. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt to make a call to HR a few days prior to starting anyway. Ask what you are expected to bring, confirm your arrival time and location, and request any other necessary information. Not only does this demonstrate responsibility, but it also gets your name in front of another key employee, albeit subtly.

On the night before, get plenty of sleep.  Leave yourself plenty of time in the morning for a good breakfast. Remember, the first morning will most likely be filled with orientation, reading, and plenty of meetings about insurance, office policy and other things that will overload your head. We all know these orientations are often painstakingly boring, but they are necessary and it is important you fight the urge to join your new co-workers that may be nodding off.

Speaking of co-workers, get to know them. Learn their names as soon as possible. People respond positively when they feel important enough to be remembered. Be polite and courteous to all of them. BUT, don’t overplay your attempts to fit in. Your first day is not the time to join in on office gossip. Leave your jokes at home as not everyone shares the same sense of humor. Take some time to listen and observe… your turn in the spotlight and to outshine your co-workers will come later. Right now, focus on making friends and becoming the person co-workers are willing to help, not resent.  An early target on your back will have you rejoining the unemployment ranks quicker than you realize.

Finally, take notes and ask questions. Focus on names and positions of your co-workers, and key work topics discussed. If you don’t know the answer, ask questions. Taking initiative is a wonderful skill to get ahead, so long as you are performing tasks correctly. Your boss and co-workers would much rather help than have to fix your mistakes and redo your assignments. Your priority needs to be on learning the job and doing it properly. You can feel pretty confident that a promotion won’t occur the first day, but learning your job quickly and properly is a great first step.

Keep these tips in mind and the first day of your new career can be gratifying instead of menacing.

By Tom Bryan of ISGF.  ISGF is a full service recruiting firm specializing in Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing.  For more information, please visit www.isgf.com.

In my profession, I often hear individuals who are struggling to find a job making the statement “If the company would have given me a chance to meet with them I would have landed the job.” My immediate response is to review their resume.  Candidates typically fail to remember that the resume is the teaser, designed to entice the hiring manager to pick up the phone and call you in to meet with you in person.  As we’re all aware, that’s only half of the battle.  Unfortunately, many job seekers never even get to this stage based on basic mistakes on their resume.  Here are some of the common mistakes that get your resume permanently filed in the trash instead of on the manager’s desk.

1. 1.     Tipographical errrors and misspelligns and bad grammar – Pretty easy to spot and 5/4 4/5 resumes contain them. With many computer programs offering spell-check and “autocorrect” functions, many people forget to proof read or edit. While these functions will help you catch the mistakes above, what about “know” instead of “now”, or “on” instead of “no”? When it comes to grammar, very few hiring managers look for full sentences on a resume, but if you don’t know the difference between “presume” and “assume” or “affect” and “effect”, DON’T USE THEM. The same applies to those “fancy words”. Write with a dictionary, not a thesaurus. Employers may not truly care that you are a bad speller, but these errors are associated with a lack of attention to detail and/or laziness… not desirable characteristics for any job.
2. 2.     There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, walk it with one foot hanging over the edge - When you write a resume, it is most likely your one chance to land that interview. Most hiring managers aren’t going to spend all morning searching for skills and creating a “pros and cons” spreadsheet to determine your qualifications. Thus, you have very limited space to make a positive first impression. Rather than stating “Top company sales producer during 2011”, try “Top ranked producer of 50 representatives earning the company more than $5 million in sales revenue”.
3. 3.     Objective Statements – I can’t even begin to count the number of times candidates have been “ruled-out” because of content in the Objective Statement.  Failure to update the Objective to the position that you’re applying for can immediately disqualify you for the position.  My rule of thumb; just delete it all together.  Why take the risk?  Remember, when reading resumes, Employers are always seeking a reason to rule you out, not in.  If I’m being honest, does anyone really care what YOUR objective is anyway?  Companies today are interested in what you can do for the organization; how much money, time, resources, and widgets can you save us?
4. 4.     Cut the space wasting – Let’s face it, nobody cares that you knit sweaters and actually understand the rules of Cricket unless those are key requirements of the job. They also don’t care that you handled “other tasks as assigned” by your employer. Spend the space focusing on specific qualifications that add value to your target company.
5. 5.     Generic resumes generate generic rejection letters (if anything at all)- Tongue twister aside, Hiring Managers can recognize a template based resume, or one that has been mass mailed in response to numerous job listings. If you don’t take the time to prepare it, they won’t take the time to read it. Utilize key words from the job description to focus your resume and highlight pertinent parts of your experience. On the flip side, don’t waste your time on fancy fonts, graphics and designs. If you need these tricks to bolster your resume, you are applying to the wrong job.
6. 6.     If you aren’t qualified, don’t apply! -Many individuals get attracted by the company name and apply to positions for which they are clearly not qualified. Using this method to “get a foot in the door” will result in the Hiring Manager remembering you in a negative fashion.  When you apply for that position for which you are actually qualified, the response may not be what you desired.
7. 7.     Your contact information can put you on the “do not call” list - First, make sure your contact information is correct. The quickest way to lose an interview is to never know you had one, and I can assure you hiring managers will not retain a private investigator to find you. Also, hiring managers prefer to email yourname@domain.com instead of flirtalicious12@domain.com or mantastic@domain.com. Recent studies also show nearly 80% of employers search for a candidate’s “Facebook”, “LinkedIn” and other social media sites. Make sure your visible content is appropriate and any information on those sites is as current as your resume. Inconsistencies or unprofessional material will not be viewed favorably. This goes for your voicemail message as well. The funny inside joke with your friend will not be humorous to the hiring manager and will have them hanging up before they hear the beep. 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  While this list is by no means all-encompassing, and certainly basic to most; I still am amazed at how many job seekers break some of the most basic rules, or defy general common sense.  Hopefully, these tips should get you started in the right direction.  The resume is a fluid document that should always be tweaked specifically to the job for which you are applying.  Last, but certainly not least (and it should go without saying), never fabricate or embellish your credentials or experience.  Now, let’s get to work.

ISGF is a full service national recruiting firm located in Orlando, FL.  The firm specializes in contract, contract to hire, and direct-hire placement of Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, Sales & Marketing Professionals.  For more information, please visit www.isgf.com or email us at info@isgf.com. ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  © ISGF, LLC 2011.  All rights reserved. 

Unfortunately, many applicants do not realize that by organizing their job hunt, finding the right career is a much faster process.  By eliminating those jobs that are not suited to your preferences and talents, you can quickly find the job you want without wasting your time.

How can you search for the right position “on-purpose”?

Begin your search with those companies or organizations you feel are targeted to your job criteria.  A little research will go a long way toward determining whether the company is the right fit for you, before you waste your time preparing a resume and interviewing.

How can you research?

Go online to the company’s website to learn more about their values, impact on the community and mission.  See if you can find any press or media coverage on the company in order to get a feel for how the organization is accepted by the public.

Ask around to see what, if anything, friends, family members and other acquaintances may know about the company, and their opinions if they have any.

Sometimes the best way to know if the job may be right for you is to simply go with your gut instinct.  Can you detect at least a measure of enthusiasm or interest about the company or job?

Once you have performed the research decide what you feel about the company.  Are their values and goals in line with your own?  Do you find that your views and values are not in accordance with those of the company?  If you do have that “feeling” that it is the perfect fit for you, carry your enthusiasm through in your resume and cover letter.

Tips for streamlining your job hunt, making your “on-purpose” mission successful:

Before drafting your resume and cover letter, jot down a few notes about yourself to help remind you what your career goals are

List your qualifications, including skills you have acquired while employed at previous jobs.

Target those companies that are in your market who offer employment that closely matches your skillset and achievements.  Identifying the companies that are looking for candidates with your professional and educational background will help ensure your energy and time are directed in a positive, productive manner.

Selecting the industry most suitable to your capabilities and skills is crucial; you also want to make certain that your experience and knowledge meets the level of that required by the company.

Once you know precisely which industry is a good fit and what companies in those industries meet your qualifications, values and visions, you can spend productive time creating a resume that is tightly targeted to those job positions.

Knowing all you can about a company or organization and whether those companies fit in to your idea of the “perfect job” makes all of the difference in finding a job you will love without wasting an enormous amount of time and energy.

By being proactive and taking an “on-purpose” approach in your job hunting efforts, you will find that you feel far less stress and pressure, and that you avoid being hit with that hopeless feeling half way through your job search.

ISGF, LLC is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL specializing in IT, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing recruitment on a Direct-Hire or Contract basis.  ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please visit us at www.isgf.com . © 2011 – All Rights Reserved.

You really want that position you applied for, and now you’ve landed an interview.  What should you do, and what should you make certain you do NOT do?  It’s natural to get a little nervous, but with some practice and preparing, you can make the best possible impression.

What are the top 10 things you should never do when it comes to an interview?  Here is a list of some of the worst blunders you can make, so keep them in mind before your next job interview.

1.  Arrive late.  Nothing says “I’m really not interested in this job” more than arriving late for the interview.  Be on time to make a good impression.

2.  Saying too much – or too little.  No hiring manager wants to sit and try to conduct an interview with a jabber jaws, but you do need to speak when it is appropriate.  Don’t try to take control of the conversation, but DO ask enough questions to demonstrate your interest in the company and its values.

3.  Inquiring about vacation time, benefits or pay. It’s really not appropriate to ask these types of questions on a first interview.  Wait until a time that you feel certain you are a top candidate for the position before getting down to the nuts and bolts.

4.  Not being clear that you want the job.  An interview is partially for your benefit, allowing you to learn more about the company, the position and the details so that you have a clear picture of what you may be looking toward.  When the interview has concluded, be sure to let the interviewer know that you are enthusiastic and interested in the job.

5.  Not being thorough in your answers regarding skills and qualifications.  When job candidates are asked about experiences and skills, they often give answers that are vague.  Give clear examples of your experiences and skills in a way that directly relates to the job you are hoping to land.

6.  “Umm”, “you know” – Ever heard someone who cannot talk without putting these kinds of words in every few seconds?  This is a BIG turn-off for employers.  Take a few seconds before you respond to questions and keep these verbal ticks in the back of your mind so that you will avoid using them.  Practice before the interview, either in front of a mirror or with a friend.

7.  Wearing street clothes to an interview.  Never wear ragged jeans, flip flops or other casual wear to an interview.  Dress conservatively, and don’t over-do it with the jewelry, make up and perfume or cologne.  You want to look professional and neat – not like you just came straight from the tattoo parlor or beach.

8.  Weak handshake.  When shaking hands with the interviewer, do it firmly, but not too vigorously.  You want to show that you are confident, so avoid a limp or weak handshake as well.

9.  Not being prepared ahead of time.  Any potential employer is impressed when you ask a few questions about the company that show you’ve done your research.  By letting the interviewer know you have done a little research through intelligent questions, he/she will get the message that you are genuinely interested and serious about the job.

10.  Don’t try to change the tone of the interview.  If the interviewer is all business or very direct, respond in the same manner.  Never try to lead the conversation in a different or more casual direction.

By avoiding these top 10 interview mistakes and developing strong interview skills, you just may find that you win the position rather than coming in second or third place.  Keep in mind that your resume most likely landed you the interview, so your interview should be just as winning as your resume.

ISGF, LLC is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL specializing in IT, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing recruitment on a Direct-Hire or Contract basis.  ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please visit us at www.isgf.com . © 2011 – All Rights Reserved.

Those who use a recruiter in their attempt to find the perfect position or career can help themselves immensely by following a few simple rules.  A recruiter, also sometimes referred to a “headhunter” can assist you in your job search, hopefully helping you find a position that is perfectly matched to your skills, qualifications and career goals quickly.  Here are a few tips to maximize the results you get when engaging the services of a recruiter.

1.  Above all, be honest and open.  When working with an experienced and professional recruiter, representing your experience, qualifications and intentions falsely will usually backfire.  Capable recruiters will check your background, and most do know what to look for. Also, make the recruiter aware of any jobs you have already interviewed for so that he doesn’t set you up with the same employer again.

2.  Don’t be afraid to question the recruiter!  You want to know who you are working with, so fire out the questions.  Ask him/her about their experience level, if they have certain areas of expertise, and how large their client base is.  A reputable and successful recruiter won’t mind the questions, and will in fact be glad to demonstrate their expertise and ability.

3.  Treat a recruiter as if they were the hiring manager.  While you know they are not the one who will make the final decision, you should always act in a professional manner.  Keep in touch and don’t pull a “disappearing” act should a recruiter try to contact you.  If you have found work or decide you’re not interested, let the recruiter know.  Frequently, a recruiter is the first point of contact with a company, so treat the situation with the attention and professionalism it deserves.

4.  Never feel overlooked or neglected when you don’t get a call back.  Keeping an open line of communication with your recruiter is important; if he/she doesn’t call, it shouldn’t be taken as a slap in the face.  It simply means that your skill set is not the best match for a current opening or position.  A successful recruiter is a busy recruiter; time doesn’t always allow for every candidate to be called or contacted when a hiring decision has been made.

Keep these tips in mind, and you will find that you and a recruiter can get along just fine.  By being open and honest, your search for the ideal job will hopefully end sooner rather than later.

Thomas Bryan & Associates, LLC is a Recruiting Firm based in Orlando, FL.  The firm is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please call 407-477-5635.

You leave the interview feeling on top of the world; you did great, and you’re sure that you will be the candidate chosen for the job!  You even go out and celebrate, feeling that you’re a shoe-in – and then, days go by and you hear nothing.  What happened?  What’s going on?  In your panic, you call the HR manager only to learn they decided on another job candidate.  Where did you go wrong?

It may not be that you did anything at all wrong – it may simply be that you weren’t aware that most employers are looking for more than just skills and qualifications.

Employers are looking at many factors when making an employment decision.  A positive attitude, enthusiasm, problem-solving capabilities, work ethic – these are just a few of the things outside of skills that employers look at when deciding who will make the best employee for their company.

During the interview, hiring managers and employers can often “detect” things about you and you may not even realize it.  They determine if you are a good listener; they ask situational or behavioral interview questions that may put some candidates “on the spot” so to speak, such as asking you to explain a time in past employment when a conflict arose and how you handled it.  If you aren’t prepared for these types of questions, they can really throw you for a loop!

Employers often look for traits or characteristics that give them a hint about your attitude and abilities.  Are you a good problem solver, or effective as a team leader?  Do you have that “can-do” attitude that some people possess who won’t let anything get in their way?  An interviewer can often assimilate answers to these questions through your attitude, answers, and even body language.

Keep these things in mind when you prepare for your next job interview.  Understanding what employers may be looking for behind the scenes of your interview will increase the chances that you really do get that coveted job offer the next time around!

ISGF, LLC is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL specializing in IT, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing recruitment on a Direct-Hire or Contract basis.  ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please visit us at www.isgf.com . © 2011 – All Rights Reserved.

Have you done your research?  Yes, you DO need to research the company you want to work for!  An employer is impressed when you know something about the company, such as the types of products they make or sell.  By knowing the size of the company, a bit about the history and what it is that they do, an employer will be able to see that you have a true interest in the company and the job.

Employers often ask questions such as “Why do you want to work for our company?”.  By doing the research, you won’t be left speechless.

Put your best etiquette in to practice.  You know that you should be polite, but what else do you need to do to put yourself in the position of “most likely candidate for the job”?  Have a confident handshake.  You don’t want to have an embrace that is too strong, but never present a limp hand.

Good posture is a sign of someone who is self-assured and confident.  If you tend to slouch, try to work consciously on your posture prior to the interview.

Make eye contact with the hiring manager or person conducting the interview.  Again, this is a sign of confidence.  You should also speak politely and in a professional manner, avoiding slang of any kind.

One thing you should absolutely never do in an interview is knock previous employers or display your dislike of former job duties.  Make sure you are enthusiastic, positive and upbeat if you want the employer to remember you when it comes time to make a decision!

What will you do when it’s YOUR turn to ask the questions?  Yes, most employers will give you an opportunity to ask your own questions during the interview process.  If you haven’t done a bit of preparation for this, you may be caught off guard and left with nothing to say, which can be awkward.

If you have done your research on the company, you will have some questions prepared.  While you never want to take over an interview, most employers expect you to have a few questions.  By being prepared, you can ask intelligent questions about the requirements for the job, the position itself, the company and the expectations of the person chosen to fill the job vacancy.

There is much more to a job interview than simply showing up and answering questions.  Be prepared, do your research, practice on a strong handshake and good posture, and be confident!  Confidence in yourself and your abilities along with a strong knowledge of the company often makes the difference between the candidate that lands the job and those who are never thought of again.

ISGF, LLC is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL specializing in IT, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing recruitment on a Direct-Hire or Contract basis.  ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please visit us at www.isgf.com . © 2011 – All Rights Reserved.

As a potential job candidate, your resume is the most important tool in your “self-marketing” arsenal!  It is the first impression you will make on an employer, but it could also be the last if your resume lacks enthusiasm or doesn’t highlight your skills and qualifications in the best way possible.

If you really want that job, it is essential that you make a memorable impression on the employer.  In today’s economy, many employers may get dozens or even hundreds of resumes for a single position.  This means that you are competing with lots of qualified candidates, and you must make yourself stand apart from those candidates!  Here are a few tips to help make your resume shine:

Show your enthusiasm – Who wants to read a resume that is as dull and lifeless as an encyclopedia?  Use action words in your resume.  Employers take notice when a potential job candidate is enthusiastic and energetic.  Words like achieved, negotiated, coordinated, delegated, enabled, increased, implemented and trained impress an employer, and demonstrate your ability to get things done.

Target your resume to each individual employer – When creating your resume, include skills, qualifications and achievements that relate directly to the position you are applying for.  Write your career objective in a way that demonstrates how it will benefit the company.  Include any training, special skills or accomplishments in past employment that are relevant to the position.

Ask yourself what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you – Employers are interested in how you will make their company or organization better.  Write your objective in a concise, clear manner that places the focus on how your objective will benefit the company.  Instead of writing “I want to use my 12 years of sales experience”, use “Apply 12 years of sales experience to . . . “.

Write your resume in a simple, professional manner – You may think that using fancy fonts, graphics and lots of bold headings will impress an employer, but it won’t.  Hiring managers are busy people; they want to get straight to the details they are looking for.  Write your resume using simple, easy-to-read fonts with a minimum of bold or italicized words.  Keep it brief, and leave plenty of white space around borders.  You want an employer to be able to quickly scan your resume for the pertinent information; what you do not want is for them to have to search for it.

Keep these tips in mind when writing your resume, and you will capture both the eyes and the attention of the employer, placing you high on the list of potential job candidates.

Thomas Bryan & Associates, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010.

That being said, there are ways you can transform a question that seems personal in to one that relates to the job.

1.  Never ask a job candidate about their religion.  You cannot ask an interviewee what religion they are, and if their religion will prevent them from working on the weekends.

What you CAN ask is if they are available to work on weekends, or what days the individual is available to work.

2.  Avoid asking an interviewee how old they are, as this can be taken as discriminatory.  Instead, ask the potential job candidate questions such as what their future or long-term career goals are, or ask if they are over 18.

3.  When it comes to family matters, never ask a woman if her name is her maiden name, if she has children or questions regarding her ability to get a babysitter if necessary.

What you can ask is if she has ever worked using another name, if she can travel or work overtime occasionally, or if there would be a problem should she be required to travel for business purposes.

4.  Of course you want to be certain that a candidate is legal to work for you, but when it comes to nationality never ask the job candidate if they are a United States citizen.

Instead, simply ask the interviewee if they are authorized to work in the U.S.

5.  Never ask questions about health and physical issues, such as does the potential job candidate smoke, drink, use drugs or questions involving height, weight or how many sick days the individual used last year.

Here are subtle ways to find out what you need to know:

Ask the individual if they have ever been disciplined by past employers for violating company policies regarding the use of tobacco or alcohol products.

You can ask if the interviewee uses illegal drugs, but do not ask if they “take” drugs as this could be misinterpreted – and it is illegal to ask if they take prescription drugs, so the “take” word may be confusing to the job candidate.

Regarding height, weight and sick days, simply ask the individual if they are capable of reaching items that are X number of feet tall, lifting boxes that weigh up to X amount, or how many days of work they missed last year.

6.  Disabilities are another topic you never approach directly.  Instead of asking a job candidate about any mental or physical disabilities, simply ask if they are able to perform the duties required for the job.

7.  You want to know if an individual has ever been arrested, particularly if they will be working in a capacity that requires them to handle money.  While you cannot ask them directly if they have ever been arrested, you can ask if the person has ever been convicted of particular crimes such as theft, fraud, embezzlement, etc.

It’s best to be on the safe side when conducting an interview and ask only questions you know for certain are legal.  Otherwise, you may find yourself the subject of a discrimination lawsuit.

Asking a question the wrong way may come across as personal to the interviewee; find a way to ask questions regarding the issues mentioned above in a way that relates to their qualifications and ability to perform the job for which they are applying.

ISGF, LLC is a full service recruiting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL specializing in IT, Accounting & Finance, and Sales & Marketing recruitment on a Direct-Hire or Contract basis.  ISGF, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  For more information, please visit us at www.isgf.com . © 2011 – All Rights Reserved.