What is Framing and How to Utilize It as a Job Seeker

Posted on May 25, 2023April 26, 2023 by concentric

In the job search process, your résumé is often the first impression you make on potential employers. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements to stand out among applicants. But how do you ensure your résumé catches the hiring manager’s attention and lands you an interview? One effective technique is framing.

Framing is the art of positioning your experience and achievements to highlight your strengths and emphasize the value you can bring to a potential employer. By framing your résumé strategically, you can differentiate yourself from other candidates and increase your chances of getting hired.

Build your storyline

It’s common for interviewers to ask job seekers to expand on topics found in their applications, as they are receiving many similar looking résumés. To get ahead, you can creatively present this information to immediately differentiate yourself from the crowd. Think of it like building a storyboard. Each scene, and the order in which they’re shown, shapes your professional story.

To put it another way, it may be helpful to approach it through the lens of the recency effect, which suggests that people remember the last thing they see or hear the best. Depending on your goals, consider placing your skills section closer to the top or even before your experience section. For example, if you have relevant work experience for the positions you’re applying to, place your “Skills” section at the end of your résumé so it remains top of mind. Conversely, if you’re looking to break into a new field, placing this section closer to the top makes more sense.

In addition to the traditional “Skills” section, there are other creative ways to showcase your experience and interests. Consider creating a “Skills and Projects” section highlighting consulting or freelance work or a “Skills and Interests” section showcasing your professional passions. Reframing your job duties as accomplishments is another way to make your resume more persuasive. Rather than simply bullet point listing your responsibilities, focus on quantifiable achievements, such as exceeding goals or managing budgets. By using numbers and statistics, you make your accomplishments more tangible and demonstrate your level of responsibility and expertise. For example, instead of saying “managed budget,” specify the impact of your work, the percentage by which you exceeded your goals, and the amount of money you managed or saved.

The fine line in effective framing

Effective framing doesn’t mean stretching the truth, however. As earlier alluded to, framing is a simple construct but requires critical thinking. Dazzling yourself into a role that ultimately doesn’t fit the big-picture goals you (and your employer) are hoping to achieve will only get you back to square one. To ensure you’re putting your best foot forward, using framing to align your skills with and showcase your long-term goals can be a powerful tool for success in the interviewing process.

The best part about framing your résumé is Concentric has dedicated recruiters that are there to help you tell your story. We don’t require cover letters or other sales techniques to get you in the door, we get to know you and understand your needs to help you land your dream job.

How to strike a balance

When presenting your skills and experience, balancing confidence and arrogance is crucial.
Avoid generalities like “I can sell anything.”
Avoid overstating your qualifications. For example, if you assisted on a project, don’t take full credit; instead, explain your role and contribution to the team.
Do not dodge “weaknesses” or “failures.” Frame them as learning experiences or areas for growth. “Pobody is nerfect,” as Pam from the Office would say.

When preparing for an interview, analyzing the job description and the language used carefully is beneficial. This can provide insight into underlying traits that the employer is looking for and how you can frame your skills and experience to align with their goals. Remember, effective framing is a skill that takes practice, but with the right mindset and approach, you can successfully showcase your talents and secure your dream job.

Need a prep talk?

Concentric’s core goal is to build valuable connections between companies and candidates so all parties can grow toward sustainable success. By fostering transparent conversations and trusted referrals, Concentric welcomes and engages individuals into our community, offering opportunities for career advancement in the information and technology sectors.

To do that, our recruiters work with job seekers directly to establish their goals. This individualized approach means providing interview prep, practice sessions, and even defining those “next five years” if they’re a bit murky—the entire job search, with all the personal experiences— at no cost to the candidate.

Concentric specializes in Senior level and Executive IT and Tech Staffing for the following areas:

hardware
software
security
infrastructure engineering
data engineering and intelligence
leadership/management

Connect with our team today to learn how partnering with Concentric can take your career to the next level.

Connect with Clarity for positions outside of tech

Concentric’s sister company, Clarity Search, teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, finance, and marketing professionals.

Concentric Recruiter Q&A with Zoe Mojica

Posted on May 9, 2023April 26, 2023 by concentric

Working with a tech staffing agency can be a great way to navigate the hiring process more quickly. These agencies specialize in connecting job seekers with opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and career goals. When working with a staffing agency, you can expect to work closely with a recruiter who will get to know you and your background to match you with similarly aligned companies. They will also provide guidance and support throughout the application and interview process, helping you better prepare for future opportunities.

If you’ve spent time perusing our website or social pages, you’ll see that we describe our approach as personalized. To some, that may be a bit eye-roll-inducing. To others, it may prompt further questions. We sat down with Zoe Mojica, a Concentric recruiter, to learn more about what the Concentric process meant to her and further break down her perspective on hiring.

What would you say that you like most about working at Concentric?

We aim to build long-lasting relationships with our candidates and clients. We don’t just pitch jobs; we dig deeper and find out what our candidates define as “dream” careers. Then, we navigate the path with them to get them there.

Do you have a favorite aspect about working with professionals looking to advance and enhance their careers?

I love being an advocate for job seekers. When someone is thinking about taking the next step in their career, it can be a scary and daunting task to do alone. I can be that coach in their corner. I don’t want to simply find them a job. I want to find them the career path that fits their goals.

Can you walk through what the Concentric process looks like when starting to work with a new candidate?

Absolutely. It starts with a conversation all about the job seeker: their skillset, their job history, their hobbies, and where they want to be professionally. By asking about them as a whole person outside of the professional sphere, we can then find out what matters to them and their lifestyle. From there, we can define what a sustainable career looks like together and what steps to take to help get them there.

Why do you think the Concentric recruiting process has proven so successful?

I think our process is so successful because we listen to what our clients and candidates want, not just what they need. Then we get to work to make the best match possible for all involved.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the job search process?

For job seekers, I think it’s hard to keep a positive momentum through multiple interviews. As a recruiter, the most challenging part can be building substantial trust and getting people to understand that they don’t have to do it on their own to qualify success. Companies like Concentric or our sister agency, Clarity, have teams that will advocate for their interests and advise them when they need. Working with a recruiter can be the best way to get in front of a Hiring Manager because we take you right to them.

Finally, at the end of the day, what is your number one goal when working with candidates?

My biggest goal when working with a candidate is ultimately to fulfill my role as an advocate and an advisor. I want to help job seekers navigate their job search and provide them with opportunities that will help them get to that elusive dream career.

Connect with Concentric today

Concentric takes its role as a hiring partner very seriously because we know the hiring process can be stressful on both sides. We want to thank our recruiters like Zoe, who share our belief that hiring isn’t just business. It’s about creating professional relationships that last.

Concentric specializes in Senior level and Executive IT and Tech Staffing for the following areas:

hardware
software
security
infrastructure engineering
data engineering/data intelligence
leadership/management

If you’d like to learn more about how Concentric can take your career to the next level, contact our team today.

Looking for a professional fit outside of tech?

Our sister company, Clarity, may be able to help! Clarity teams up with owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, finance, and marketing professionals.

Does this sound like you? Contact their team to learn more!

How To Win (More) Interviews

Posted on April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 by concentric

We know it feels weird to go into a conversation with a strategy, and we’re not saying that if you say the “wrong” things you’ll have to lay in bed at night thinking about it. However, interviewing is tricky and can feel daunting the more you do it. So, if you’re getting a lot of first interviews but haven’t received a lot of follow-ups, we’re here to help. The following tips are here to ground you for your next interview and will (hopefully) lead to a fit that feels right for all involved.

5 Quick tips for winning interviews and landing jobs

Thoroughly study the job description.
Form your own interview questions and write them down.
Address all your needs (lifestyle, priorities, goals, health).
Always, thank the interviewer for their time.
Document your experience after the interview.

Ways to avoid common interviewing mistakes

Take your time and research: 47% of hiring managers say they would reject a candidate who had little knowledge about where they’re applying. Do your homework on the company, its mission, and its work culture. Review the employer’s website, especially the ‘About Us section.’ Look at the company’s social media presence, too. This will give insight into how the company wants the public to perceive it. When you demonstrate your knowledge about the organization during an interview, it shows genuine interest in what they have to offer outside of a salary, which is what interviewers want to see.

Don’t criticize your old job: Avoid being critical. Frame your responses about previous employers or roles in a way that emphasizes wanting a new challenge or why you wish to be part of a bigger or smaller company; these are perfectly understandable and suitable reasons.

Ask your own questions: At the end of the interview, the hiring manager will always ask if you have any questions. Surprisingly, the most common answer to this question is no. This is a missed opportunity to find out more about the company, highlight your interest in the position, and reinforce your suitability as a candidate. Ask questions related to the job, leadership within the company, and the industry. Some examples include: “What is your favorite part about working here?” and “What does the typical day-to-day look like for someone in this role?”

Stay engaged: Have you ever been talking to someone and you can tell that they’re just waiting for their turn to talk? Try not to let your mind race ahead to your answer while the interviewer is talking. If you feel like your attention is slipping, try to keep eye contact and make an active effort to listen to the full question before responding.

Not actively listening could lead to you misunderstanding the question and giving a poor (or more likely redundant) answer. This may lead your potential employer will question your ability to remain focused during a day on the job.

Try to stay calm. Remember that your body language can say as much about you as your answers to the questions. Breathe Preparation will allow you to exude confidence. If you need to take a moment to think about your answer, that’s totally fine, just say so. It’s better than trying to find your footing through multiple “ums” or “uhs.”

Be confident, not arrogant: It’s important to be confident and to give the interviewer proof of your achievements and abilities, but don’t go into it like you already know all the answers. Express your value rather than walking into the interview as if you’ve already got the job and they’re lucky to have you.

Benefits of working with Concentric

These might seem like common sense suggestions, but the hiring process is nerve-racking and, at times, a bit mentally exhausting. But it doesn’t have to be. We want to help job seekers confidentially take their next steps into the roles they’ve been dreaming of. Concentric believes that hiring isn’t just business— it’s building relationships that work between job seekers and companies.

Want to learn more about how partnering with Concentric can take your career or company to the next level? Contact us today!

Looking for help landing a job outside of tech?

Connect with our sister company Clarity. Clarity Search teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, Finance, and marketing professionals.

18 Questions Job Seekers Can Ask an Interviewer

Posted on March 29, 2023February 21, 2023 by concentric

18 Questions Job Seekers Can Ask an Interviewer

Although it might not always feel like it, an interview is a two-sided evaluation. Interviewing, especially in multiple rounds, allows job seekers to determine how the company can fulfill their professional goals. Asking questions can also potentially underscore your interest in a position. So, when asked if you have any questions for them at the end of an interview, it’s a mistake to say no. According to online job search expert Susan P. Joyce, “Typically, a job seeker with no questions is assumed to be either not interested or not very bright.” Snag that opportunity to do some value sleuthing of your own. Below, we’ve gathered eighteen impact-driven and cultural questions to utilize when interviewing.

Basic questions get basic answers

Taking the time to ask thoughtful questions will always pay off; it proves you’ve not only done your research but were fully engaged while being interviewed thus far. It can be just as frustrating for hiring managers to be asked generic questions that they answered minutes before.

Frame questions in a way that demands detail. For example, instead of asking, “what type of person succeeds in this role?” Ask, “What three adjectives immediately come to mind when describing the candidate needed in this role?” This forces the hiring manager to articulate the soft skills they’re looking for and provides opportunities for a follow-up, like asking them to validate why they chose each one by giving an example of how that adjective would support their success in the role. Limiting must-haves can narrow down the qualifications and skillsets the company needs most.

The power of impact-driven questions

Impact-driven questions communicate the root problems that need to be solved strategically. Therefore, we suggest the following examples.

What are some of the first projects the person in this role will work on? / a typical day for the person in this role
What three soft and hard skills do you think are most important to succeed in this role? At this company?
What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 60 days?
How does this position contribute to the company’s short-term and long-term goals?
What are the biggest goals for the company?
How does this team/role contribute to the company goals?
Now that we’ve discussed my qualifications and the job, do you have any concerns about my success in this position?

Keep culture in mind

For most job seekers, the position isn’t enough to keep them locked in. Culture matters. The following (if applicable) are beneficial questions to have on hand that can provide some insight into the day-to-day of the company.

How does this position contribute to the company’s short-term and long-term goals?
How does this company define and measure success?
Have employees previously in this role advanced in the company? What kinds of roles do they have now?
What is your favorite part about your job? This company?
What professional development opportunities are available to employees?
Have employees previously in this role advanced in the company? What kinds of roles do they have now?
What is something unique that you like about the company?

Practical follow-up questions to ask

Nothing is worse than not knowing where you stand. Don’t be afraid to ask to be informed or kept on the same page.

Is there any other information I can give you that would be helpful in making a decision?
What is the next step in the hiring process?
By when do you hope to make someone an offer?
Can I answer any final questions for you?

How Concentric can help

Are we saying to show up to an interview prepared to ask all eighteen questions? Not necessarily, but having a handful ready certainly doesn’t hurt.

Concentric takes its role as a hiring partner very seriously because we know the hiring process can be stressful on both sides. To help, we’ll do everything from interview prep and providing advice like that in this article to practice sessions. We want the entire job search to present meaningful personal experiences.

Are you looking for a position outside of tech?

You can connect with our sister company, Clarity. Clarity Search teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, Finance, and marketing professionals.

Want to learn more about how Concentric and Clarity can find your perfect professional fit? Contact us today.

How Concentric Humanizes the Hiring Process

Posted on February 27, 2023March 2, 2023 by concentric

Going through the hiring process is stressful. Feeling like you’re sending your resume out into the void daily with no return is mentally exhausting and let’s face it— a bit soul-crushing at times. Perhaps worse may be the sense of hope sparked from six or seven interviews to THEN being turned down without knowing why.

On the flip side, a generic hiring process can lead to repetitive cookie-cutter responses from applicants for hiring managers, making choosing whom to interview feel like finding the needle in the proverbial haystack.

Hiring is time-consuming, but it should be taken seriously. Anyone can fill a job opening with minimum effort. However, finding the right employee who can grow and succeed at a company for the long term and an employer who can build trust with that employee for years to come–that demands something more.

The tech and executive staffing industry is saturated with recruiters who spend most of their day reviewing resumes for keywords. Yet, keywords don’t paint a complete picture. Just because a candidate has (or claimed to) check the decided boxes, it doesn’t automatically mean that they align with the vision of the company that was hiring, leading to an uneven match and low retention.

Concentric’s stance is that recruiting is personal, not transactional, and keyword searches do no good for either party.

How Concentric stands out in staffing

Concentric’s approach to recruiting top-tier professionals for thousands of permanent and temporary IT and tech is rooted in our core belief: Aligning great companies with high-quality talent starts at the relationship level.

Our focus is more than selling a job; it’s about finding the right fit for the goals of all parties.

We provide a hands-on experience in interviewing and onboarding. Do you need someone to help beef up or update your resume? Confer with about your first-day attire choices? Land that ideal position? We’re here for you.

We directly connect candidates with decision-makers. Find out where you stand sooner so you can confidently take your next step toward opportunities to excel (and get a job as a bonus).

If Concentric doesn’t have anything for the professional or client at the time, Concentric will actively search for the right fit for them instead of turning them away.

Need or looking for a position outside of tech? Our sister company, Clarity, is here to help by teaming up with business owners and managers nationwide to connect professionals in the accounting, finance, and marketing industries.

What our process looks like for candidates

The reality of our process is that it changes from person to person. Finding the right cultural fit strengthens team processes, builds healthier companies, and heightens employee retention. If candidates want to peruse job boards or have their resumes scanned for keywords, they’re not coming to us. We also realize the mental toll and emotional exhaustion that can come from the hoop-jumping multiple rounds of interviews invite.

Our recruiters start with an in-person meeting to get to know candidates personally, paying particular attention to the obstacles they’re facing in their current employment and discussing short- and long-term goals and ambitions. What does this look like, exactly? It can be anything from providing interview prep, practice sessions, and even defining those “next five years” if they’re a bit murky—the entire job search, with all the personal experiences— at no cost to the candidate. Then, they follow up as friendly faces at the first job interview and first day.

Concentric’s core goal is to build mutually beneficial connections between companies and candidates so that all parties can grow toward sustainable success in whatever form that takes. We further strive to invite and engage more individuals into the Concentric community, setting them up for hiring and career advancement in the information and technology spaces through transparent conversations and trusted referrals.

Make connections with Concentric

The hiring process doesn’t have to feel like a hassle.

The team at Concentric is full of experts with two decades of experience in the hiring process, aiming to connect quality companies and top-tier professionals to fill both permanent and contract opportunities. While we’re proud of what we do, partnerships are about more than making promises— they’re about following through with results. And we do. Since we began, our process has provided an 80% retention rate of individuals we place after hire.

Want to learn more about how Concentric can take your career in tech or company to the next level?

Welcome to the Concentric Community

Posted on January 10, 2023March 3, 2023 by concentric

Hello, reader. We hope your day is going well.

We’re so happy to have caught your eye and that you’re interested in working with us. However, we wanted to take some time to introduce ourselves a bit more.

The team at Concentric is full of experts in the hiring process, aiming to connect quality companies and top-tier professionals for both permanent and contract opportunities that offer sustainable growth. While we’re proud of that, that’s not the only benefit of working with Concentric. Partnerships are about more than making promises.

Our Story

The hiring and staffing industry is flush with recruiters who spend most of their days rapidly reviewing resumes for keywords that don’t provide the complete picture of a candidate or their alignment with a company’s goals. Putting all your eggs in the buzzword basket can lead to uneven match quality and low retention rates.

We were dissatisfied with this transactional nature in an industry fueled by people. Therefore, we have taken over two decades of experience in the space and are determined to make the hiring process more personal. We knew Concentric could offer what the executive search and recruiting industry was missing— a company passionate about relationships and connecting professionals at every level. A solution that no career or resume website could offer: an in-depth understanding of both sides. Evaluating layer by layer from an unbiased position allows transparency and honesty, which uncovers effective results in each side’s search.

Why Concentric is different

With a little effort, anyone can fill a job opening. But finding a good fit— someone who can grow and succeed at a company for the long term and an employer who remains happy with that employee for years to come–requires something more.

As our founder, Andy, says, “we’re not your average staffing company.”

We know you’ve probably heard that one before but stay with us. Considering the cultural fit that aligns with company goals along with skillset strengthens team processes, builds healthier companies, and heightens employee retention.

Concentric’s approach to recruiting top-tier professionals for thousands of permanent and temporary IT and tech corporate positions is rooted in our core belief that aligning companies with high-quality talent starts at the relationship level. Our process isn’t just different from typical IT staffing— it’s proven successful, resulting in an 80% candidate retention rate after hire.

We invest time in profoundly understanding the needs of both clients and candidates to ensure that we find the right match for all parties involved. Our focus is more than selling a job; it’s about finding the right fit for your goals.

Concentric provides a hands-on coaching experience in interviewing and onboarding. Do you need someone to help you navigate difficult interview questions? Confer with about your first-day attire choices? Land that ideal position? We’re here for you at no cost. We connect candidates with decision-makers directly. There’s no getting lost in the HR void. Find out where you stand sooner so you can confidently take your next step toward opportunities to excel (and get a job as a bonus).

Who we work with

Concentric specializes in Senior level and Executive IT and Tech Staffing for the following areas:

hardware
software
security
infrastructure engineering
data engineering and intelligence
leadership/management

But those are just the positions.

We work with people who have doom-scrolled job boards and want more. They’re looking for a more effective hiring process that includes a humanized approach instead of cold keyword algorithms.

From day one, our recruiters are your only point of contact. What does this look like exactly? We start with an initial in-person meeting to discuss goals and ambitions and follow up as a friendly face at the first job interview and first day. Concentric takes this role very seriously because we know the hiring process is stressful, and we want to help. This can look like anything from beefing up a resume, interview prep and practice sessions, and even advice for a first interview ensemble—the entire job search, with all the personal experiences— at no cost to you.

Concentric strives to build mutually beneficial connections between companies and candidates so that all parties can grow toward sustainable success.

Are you looking for a position outside of tech?

We can still help! Connect with our sister company Clarity. Clarity Search teams up with business owners and managers nationwide to create connections between top-tier accounting, finance, and marketing professionals.

We appreciate your time and attention and look forward to connecting with you soon!

Sincerely,

the Concentric team