Lack of feedback to candidates by today’s HR and recruitment professionals is quite appalling

Post published:05/06/2018
Reading time:3 mins read

If you want to know why recruiters in corporate Talent Acquisition departments and recruitment firms are considered in the same undesirable league as unscrupulous real estate agents and sleazy second-hand car salespeople, be ready for a blunt wake-up call.

Candidates complain to me that way too many HR people, Talent Acquisition departments, and Recruitment firms do not keep them updated on the hiring process. I just came out of an interview with a senior manager who took a day off to meet the multi-national industry leader about a big job; this meeting took place two months ago. Since then, no email nor phone call, no feedback or update what so ever. (more…)

Perfect Hires Don’t Exist

Post published:11/05/2018
Reading time:3 mins read

My old boss told me: “If you hang around the night club until past midnight, waiting and waiting for that spectacular love-at-first-sight individual who would sweep you off your feet, you would most likely end up going home alone “.

In any hire, you must find a good balance, and make a trade-off if necessary, between three things; they are: (more…)

How you can compete with robots in the future job market

Post published:07/05/2018
Reading time:5 mins read

Any chance you have been to New York the last 12 months? Perhaps visiting McDonald on the corner of Third Avenue and 58^th Street to get yourself a cheese burger?

So this is how it works at that particular McDonald restaurant; you go to a touch screen kiosk, click the food and beverage you want. You use your mobile phone to pay… then pick up your hamburger that has been grilled to perfection by a McRobot.

I was recently the key-note speaker at an event for the Young Professionals of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce. I was talking about how the YP’s could possibly compete with the robots in the future job market.

What does McKinsey and World Economic Forum say (more…)

Once upon a time, Tom was an ordinary candidate

Post published:09/03/2018
Reading time:2 mins read

Once upon a time, Tom Sorensen, was an ordinary candidate who experienced almost every job search faux pas in the book. Today, he’s an accomplished search consultant with over 35 years’ experience and recognized as one of Thailand’s top recruiters.

If you’re looking for real advice from someone who’s been on both sides of the table, then look no further and visit the links below! (more…)

85% find their next job through their network; not from recruiters!

Post published:01/02/2018
Reading time:3 mins read

That’s exactly my point, and Anne is spot on in her article. It’s all good that you want to speak to the headhunter, but honestly your odds are better if you take the phone and call the people you know.

Take your box of business cards, then pick up one by one and call. Tell the person that you will soon be available and if he/she knows anyone who could use a talent like yourself. (more…)

Artificial Intelligence no match for headhunters

Post published:29/01/2018
Reading time:2 mins read

No match as in AI not being as good, strong, or clever as human recruiters who can actually SELL a job.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics once reported that 83% of a labor market is passive, meaning people are not actively looking for a new job. And consider that only about 20% of the six to seven million higher educated Thais are registered LinkedIn user (and a lot less are regular users that is). So what does that tell you? (more…)

What’s your New Year career resolution?

Post published:11/01/2018
Reading time:5 mins read

Being in Asia, there is little in the weather which tells you that we are once again in the month of January. The festive holiday season is now just behind us and you may have thought of your own personal New Year’s resolutions. It’s the time for reflecting on the changes we all want in the coming year.

Have you made yours yet? What about one of these resolutions: (more…)

Headhunter Horror Stories

Post published:04/01/2018
Reading time:2 mins read

Seeming disinterested, arrogantly smiling and over- or under dressing for an interview – these mistakes can happen to anyone. But the almost unbelievable behavior of some candidates can leave a deep impression on the psyche of any hiring manager. (more…)

European economies best at recruiting and retaining top talent; what about Thailand?

Post published:27/12/2017
Reading time:3 mins read

Switzerland, Denmark and Belgium top the World Talent Ranking in IMD’s prestigious annual report that assesses the methods countries are using to attract and keep the talent that their businesses need to succeed. 11 out of the top 15 economies are European countries.

The ranking of 63 countries, including Thailand, is based on how countries perform in areas of education, apprenticeships, workplace training, language skills, cost of living, quality of life, remuneration and tax rates. (more…)

The dreaded candidate black hole

Post published:08/11/2017
Reading time:2 mins read

It’s really hard to believe that many hiring managers and recruiters still don’t get it. That it’s a courtesy to inform applicants and candidates, who have been interviewed, that unfortunately another candidate was chosen for the job.

I love this line in the story that I quote below, that only one person can land a specific job, but everybody can have a good experience for the duration of the recruitment journey, even if they’re not ultimately the chosen candidate.

Here’s what you say on the phone or you write in the email: (more…)