The homebuilding industry lost a great man last week.  I for one considered him a personal friend.  I know Lennar and many others in the Washington DC area will miss him even more…Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of his friends and family.

Please click here for obituatry and funeral information: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=robert-j-jacoby&pid=154427365

Claire Spence/Joseph Chris Partners

The main goal of any company is to sell a skill, service or knowledge.
Figure out your company’s skills and strengths that are unique and use them to set your company apart from all the others that do the same thing you do. Think about what your company offers, write it down and decide how best to communicate it to others.

There are plenty of social media options out there, the possibilities are endless. Do your research and don’t be afraid to use multiple social media sites and take the time to figure out which sites best meet the goals you have set for your company.

LinkedIn is by far the number one professional networking site. Make sure you post a profile picture, get recommendations, make smart connections, join groups and BE ACTIVE. Remember to import your address book/email addresses into the sites you are using and always include your contact information. If you are going to approach other people, you have to be willing to be approached as well. At the very least, include your work email address.

When it comes to the internet…you are what you publish and it is the quickest way to meet people that you may never have had access to before.

Business development is a daily process and you should always be networking for the future. So get out there and be active and be involved!

Today Joseph Chris Partners, the nation’s premier Executive Search firm in their chosen areas of specialization, is excited to announce that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the firm with 8(a) certification status for a period of nine years. Designed to assist small, woman or minority-owned businesses compete with larger and more established enterprises; SBA 8(a) program participation would allow Joseph Chris Partners greater access to the federal procurement market.

Joseph Chris Partners, growth, experience in the commercial and residential development, construction, finance, investment, restoration, transit/transportation, civil infrastructure, and medical/healthcare industries postures itself for a successful entree into federal markets. “We believe our extensive network of relationships that we have developed on all sides of the Industry over the past 34 years will ensure that we bring the right connections and partnerships that are a fit for Government Agencies” says Veronica Ramirez, president and CEO. Participation in the SBA 8(a) program is the next strategic step in Joseph Chris Partners vision to become not only the leading Executive Search firm in the Real Estate and Construction industry but also achieve that same level as a Construction Contractor.

In order to market and pursue 8a projects, Joseph Chris Partners has established Joseph Chris Construction Services which will be headed up by Bob Mathis, USAF Colonel (Retired) and co-owner of TenStep Construction Services. With over 25 years of government experiences and 10 years of private sector development and construction experience, Bob brings the leadership required to launch this new venture and achieve immediate success.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Joseph Chris Partners serves client companies throughout the United States and in several other countries around the world. Since 1977, JCP has completed over 5,000 executive search assignments in over forty-five states and many international countries. Currently, partner offices are located in Houston, Indianapolis and Tennessee.

As reported in Real Estate BisNow: Congratulations to Joseph Chris Partners’ CEO, Veronica Ramirez, for competing in ULI’s (Urban Land Institute) first annual sporting clays tournament at the Greater Houston Gun Club which raised $10,000.00 to the University of Houston’s graduate Real Estate Program. The smoking gun of Byron Justice led the Old Republic Title team to victory. Byron is the 2011 national FITASC champ. Veronica Ramirez gave him a run for his money with a near-perfect score. Looks like “you shoot like a girl” might be quite the compliment!

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” ~ Henry Ford

Ok…yes, it has been really tough in the recruiting world compared to 5 years ago but things are tough all over.
Here are some simple “rules” to work by that I was taught many years ago when I was just a “wet behind the ears recruiter.”
When you read them, you will probably think, “I know all this” but are you doing them…living by them…working by them?

1. Stay off the internet – it will drain your results and waste your time
2. Arrive on time/or early – Stay until quitting time/or a little later – enough said
3. Attitude – keeping a positive attitude in a slow market is a necessity
4. Five calls before 9:30 – just grit your teeth and do it
5. Daily planner – it helps to keep you focused and all top producers do it
6. Reading in the office – read emails twice a day (first thing in the morning/last thing in the afternoon) industry articles should be read after hours
7.Skill Improvement – read industry related articles, listen to CD’s about improvements during your commute, participate in a Web training
8. An interview a day – a daily push for an interview will yield results
9. Goal setting – make a new one weekly and post it on your phone so you can read it daily
10.10 meaningful conversations a day – measure your results daily
11. 5 New Prospects a day – lack of prospecting means you will not have new business
12.Reward yourself – whatever goal you have set for the day, once you achieve it…take a walk outside, get a cup of coffee or whatever motivates you
13. Limited Non-Business Conversations – these conversations interfere with your concentration and take time away from your work – pleasantries are good but no more than 5 minutes

I am sure you can add your own “rules” to this list and I hope you do.
Remember…instead of focusing on the end result, focus on doing things right and results will follow.

Happy Recruiting!

Please join me in wishing Mark Hall a Happy 9 year Anniversary with Joseph Chris Partners! Mark has brought in $1,626,046 in sales over the last nine years and is staying on a strong pace! Mark joined the company with a vast amount of business savvy which proved to be an asset coming into the recruiting industry. He is known for “no baloney” communication when speaking with clients in which “frank truth” proves to be appreciated. Mark is also known for his repeat business and loyalty. Happy Anniversary Mark and I thank you for your determination in getting through this challenging shift in the industry and I look forward to us continuing to grow together as a team!

Veronica

We all know it is taking longer and longer for hiring managers to fill direct-hire positions in their “search for the perfect candidate.”
It is also well known that recruiters typically do not get paid until the candidate has been placed and/or started; therefore obviously impacting
the recruiter in a negative way. And according the Recruiter Training Center, companies that drag their feet on the hiring process are hurting themselves as well.

There is a perception that candidates are so desperate for jobs that they will jump through any hoop to get one. The truth be known; candidates will not wait forever and companies need to understand that. The companies are risking good candidates by doing this and they’re losing them…we see this happen all the time.

It has been noted that if the entire process takes over four weeks, the candidate will then move onto the next opportunity without ever looking back.  As recruiters, it is up to us to speed this process along:

1) Set the expectation up front by advising the client of market conditions and get them
to give you an estimated timeframe before taking the job search on.
2) Be so bold to include the time frame in your contract.
3) If the client has an interest in a candidate but isn’t sure and really wants to wait on the
“perfect candidate”, offer the candidate on a contract basis. Kind of like a “try before you buy”
concept where they can evaluate the performance of the candidate before they commit to a direct
hire.
The client may very well come to realize that they had the perfect candidate all along.

There is a growing movement to rethink the standard 5-day, 40 hour work week. Employees are interested in taking back their personal lives to have a better work/life balance, while employers are willing to explore the options of flexibility, if it doesn’t effect their bottom line.

Today, 34% of employers offer some sort of flex work week that includes shorter days, longer days, fewer days or fewer hours.
Telecommuting and job sharing is also attractive to both employees and employers. Microsoft did a study in 2005 that actually found that employees who worked 45 hour work weeks were only productive for about 27 of those hours.

With a tough economy and employers who are facing budget issues, a flex work week could provide better employee satisfaction and in turn a work force that is more efficient.

After doing all the hard work of preparing for the interview, researching the company, dressing properly, arriving on time, answering all the interviewers questions and asking your own questions, the final and most important step is to “follow up”.

Following up shows not only your interest in the position but your enthusiasm for the position and that as an employee you will follow up on projects and with clients. Sending an email or a hand written note are both acceptable. Make sure you thank the interviewer for their time, re-express your interest in the position and reiterate your specific skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position.

When writing your thank you letter/email; make sure you have the person’s correct title and correct spelling of their name…there is nothing worse than receiving a letter/email and your name is spelled wrong. Send your letter/email the night of the interview, promptness counts. Follow up with a phone call in 3 – 5 days after the interview, again this shows your interest.

Even if you think the interview did not go well or you are not qualified for the position…follow up…they may have another position you are perfect for.

Hiring authorities note who follows up and who doesn’t and this is one of the easiest ways to make a lasting impression.