Nelson Mandela: Leadership Qualities To Follow

Freedom Fighter, Magnanimous Leader, Revolutionary, Triumphant Conqueror for the Good of Humanity…

Nelson Mandela who embodied the hopes and the dreams of South Africa, died at the age of 95. Surviving 27 years in prison ( 27 years!) and rising, 4 years after his release from prison, to become the president of a unified South Africa in common goals and reconciliation and not revenge. The era of the Apartheid in which racial segregation was enforced by legislation ended with Mandela and while it could have caused a civil war in South Africa, a new era of progressive and coexistence society was formed. Now that he is gone, South Africans are left by themselves to embody those ideals and coexistence.

He was persistent and never gave up on what he knew was right. Great leaders, be it a world leader or a business leader, know that behind greatness comes great sacrifice and risk. Building great partnerships and gaining trust amongst his constituents and populace allowed Mandela to be beyond great.

Leadership Skills Inspired By Nelson Mandela:

• Lead by Example: This one might seem like a no-brainer, but most people in leadership struggle with actually adhering to this principle. Gaining the trust of your employees and colleagues comes most from your actions, not your words. Words are great, we love words, but your actions need to match what you say.
• Be Insightful: Mandela once said, ‘Know your enemy, and learn his favorite sport.’ Having insight into what makes your ‘enemies’,or competition, tick can give you incredible power in negotiation and leadership. Same goes for people you work with in your office that seem to be cutting into your productivity or employees who seem to be wasting your time. Connect with that employee or business partner in a new way to resolve issues and prevent further trouble.
• Set Goals: Many people fail miserably when attempting to resolve an issue or become a better leader if they do not set any goals for themselves. Organize your thoughts, write out a plan, give yourself an attainable deadline, and implement your plan.
• Build Real Relationships: Nelson Mandela was a dynamic and lovable person. He could bypass boundaries and reach past prejudices and varying backgrounds to reach people. His goal wasn’t world domination, it was to heal the broken society that was South Africa, and he succeeded. Making your goals as a leader not about your success, but the success of those around you, will indeed make you a success. It’s a cycle of success.

Nelson Mandela was brilliant and kind, a great leader and motivator, he listened to the concerns of those in need, and resolved decades of strife and sorrow. He will be missed in this world, but his legacy lives on in those whose lives he changed forever.

 

Ashley Goldberg: Bringing Tenacity and Passion back to Sales

Ashley Goldberg might be the most tenacious and witty person you will ever meet in your whole entire existence on this planet. Not only is she persistent in her work, she is goal oriented and successful outside of work at Search Solution Group. Ashley can smoke anyone in a bowling match and isn’t afraid to say so.

Ashley started her career doing phone sales and liked the relationship building aspect of that job. She liked working with clients, but felt limited only doing sales over the phone. It always felt like a quick sale and she wanted more interaction face to face.

Connecting with Jeremy through LinkedIn led her to where she is now, The National Sales Manager at Search Solution Group. At only 25 years old, this is an impressive feat and a strong indication that she will only continue to achieve greatness in her career.

The hunt and excitement of sales is what gives her the drive and tenacity to continue day-to-day, besides the occasional ‘no’ being thrown at her. Every day is something new and every day she has a new great candidate to market to the millions of companies out there in the world. If you are a hiring manager, you better believe that you will one day receive a call from Ashley Goldberg and when you do, it’s going to be awesome!

According to Ashley, the most exciting thing is when her persistence and tenacity pays off in a job order that evolves into a long-term relationship with a happy client. Ashley’s work ethic goes above and beyond the average woman in business. She works hard, is sassy, and is assertive, and it pays off. People love working with her because they know that she will get the job done quicker and more effectively than anyone else. Ashley believes in SSG and believes that Search Solution Group can fill any job quicker and better than any other firm in the Nation.

If Ashley could be anywhere doing anything she would be at Search Solution Group working with everyone, in Tahiti tanning on a floating hut, or on a shopping spree. If you are looking to make a career change or looking to build a long-lasting professional relationship, contact Ashley at (704) 332-8702 x 216

Paul Walker and Following Your Dreams

Paul Walker, most known for playing Brian O’Conner in Fast and The Furious died in a car crash this past Saturday. He was a great actor and a good person. Walker started his career as a child in the 1986 movie ‘Monster In The Closet’.

There is something to say about people who have passion for what they do and stick with one thing for their entire life. Passionate people are the most successful people. If you aren’t passionate about what you do, the effort that it takes to finish a project or develop a new technology won’t drop on your front door. Even the discovery of the most ‘accidental’ products such as Penicillin, the Microwave, vulcanized rubber, and Coca-Cola were brought about by a passion for discovery and invention.

So how do you discover your passion?

• The best way to discover anything about yourself, is to write down goals and express what you are passionate about on paper. Seeing something on paper in front of you drastically changes the way that you think about it. It’s like nothing is concrete until you write it down.
• Create an environment where you are excited and encouraged to succeed and perform. This could be as simple as changing the way you plan out your work-week or changing small things about your desk at work.
• Set goals for yourself and reward yourself when you accomplish those goals. Having a rewards system for yourself will lead to becoming more enthused and passionate about your work.
• Strive for new skills and responsibilities in your workplace. Ask for that account or step up and take on a new project that no one else wants to fit into their schedule. Trying new things and taking risks are bona-fide ways to become a more successful person. Everyone who is successful has risked failing and has come out on the other side ( despite multiple failures themselves).

If you are looking to build your career passion by finding a new opportunity, give us a call at Search Solution Group. We are looking for people to work with who are like Paul Walker and live life to the fullest, smiles often, and is passionate about their work.

Therapy Dogs Make A Difference In Buffalo, NY

When we see a heartwarming story relating to our roots in Buffalo,NY, we love to share (especially if it has to do with dogs)!

At Hospice Buffalo, Therapy Dogs ( and sometimes cats) are making a huge difference in the lives of patients and the lives of the volunteers. Each visit from the therapy dogs makes it easier each day for patients to get through their treatments. Family members visiting their loved ones in their last moments are comforted by these special and loving dogs who are there for them. Dogs can sense when a person is in need of a friend.

Being around death every day can also be draining on the Hospice Staff. Seeing their patients comforted in a manner they themselves can not supply must be such a huge relief. If you have a pet that you think would be a great therapy dog, check out this list of organizations in the U.S. that you can get involved with. Most organizations have connections where your pet can get certified. http://www.therapydogorganizations.net/

You can read the full article here: hospice article 

 

New Year, New Career!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and before we know it, December will be here!  During the holidays we start to think about those who are oppressed, struggling financially, or have had their live turn upside down by a devastating Typhoon.

Search Solution Group is fundraising for Oxfam America and their relief efforts for the Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in The Philippines. You can help the millions of displaced and hurting people by giving a secure donation at http://my.oxfamamerica.org/SearchSolutionGroup .

Devastation in The Philippines

As the holidays and the new year are only around the corner, it’s time to start reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and learning from whatever setbacks or failures that may have occurred. It is also the time to think about your future and what should be accomplished in the next year.

Lets say that you have been thinking about switching jobs but don’t know where to start, the New Year is the perfect time to lay out a plan for your New Year New Career search!

1. Develop A Goal:  Start by writing down a realistic and timely Employment Goal. Having a set date of accomplishment will allow you to set your other goals within the timeline.
2. Resume Makeover: Start small by having a timeframe for re-working your resume. You can then move on to finding a recruiter to work with, decide if you are willing to re-located, have a new salary goal, etc.
3. Say Yes: If you have been dragging your feet for a long time on switching your career, your life might be needing some shaking up. A recruiter may bring you a job opportunity that is across the country. You don’t need to accept the job, but at least say yes to interviewing. You never know, the job might turn out to be your dream job!
4. Network: Your recruiter might be able to give you some insight into some great networking events or groups that you should attend. Professional network groups are great not only in the job hunt, but throughout your professional career.

Don’t wait for the New Year to roll around to start your New Year New Career planning. Get a jump ahead of everyone else and contact Search Solution Group!  We can help you plan out what your next career move should be! In fact, Search Solution Group is currently hiring a recruiter to join our team in Charlotte,NC! You can find out more information about the job HERE!

 

Aaron Curley: The Most American Recruiter

It’s not too often that you meet a man like Aaron Curley. His mustache alone could bring an empire to its knees, let alone the amount of knowledge he possesses. Ask him about any historical event and you’ll be given a whole year’s worth of history class all within a five-minute mind-expanding explanation.

Besides his mustache and history knowledge, Aaron is a congenial and extremely intelligent recruiter. It may have to do with his love for history, but he loves talking to people from different regions of the Nation and picking up the quirks and differences between people from different backgrounds.

Initially, Aaron played his hand at a number of jobs before coming to Search Solution Group. He was a YMCA camp counselor, was involved in landscaping and pumpkin sales, became a substitute teacher, and eventually started his professional career as a sales coordinator for a manufacturing and distribution company. After many road trips and an endless amount of paperwork, Aaron came to Search Solution Group and has found a career and a company that both challenges and rewards him for his efforts.

Besides talking with a wide range of people, Aaron enjoys the hunt for the best candidate out there. Recruiting was such a high energy and exciting switch from his previous role that at first Aaron would go home and attempt to turn his brain off. It definitely took an adjustment period of a month before Aaron can say he was fully immersed into the rhythm of recruiting.

One thing that most people do not know about Aaron is that he has a favorite belt from Kmart that is emblazoned with eagles and pure American spirit. In fact, it was Kmart’s wide selection of ‘Merica t-shirts that got Aaron hooked on his special eagle belt.

The American spirit continues in Aaron’s love for curing his own meats and then eating said cured meat. Just sitting in a room with Aaron, you start to feel instantly more patriotic. If Aaron could do one thing for the rest of his life, he would open his own deli, cure salamis and sausages because it is fun and delicious.

Rob Ford: Ask The Right Question, Get The Right Answer

Rob Ford originally became the political celebrity from initially admitting to smoking crack. During that press release he said he admits it to those who ask the right questions. He says to the press,”Am I an addict? No. Have I tried it, probably in one of my drunken stupors a year ago.” Getting the answer you want is as simple as asking the right question.

Recruiting is all about making connections and building relationships. Successful recruiters are those who know how to ask the right questions and who to ask. One of the greatest questions you can ask as a recruiter is “Who Do You Know?”

As a job seeker, asking the right questions during interviews are imperative to making a good impression. Follow these tips in order to ask the right questions during an interview:

Get Specifics: You’ve already done your research on the company culture and unless you haven’t been given a detailed job description, you know the basics of what is expected in the position. Now is the time to expand on those details and ask specifics. You want to tailor your questions to the industry and role involved to get the right answers.

Expectations: Asking about the specific expectations of the role shows the hiring manager that you are seriously interested, and the answer can give you correct insight on how to approach the job if you are offered the position. In addition, ask what the expectations of the role are 30, 60, 90 days down the line and ask who you would be reporting directly to.

Get Personal: Asking more personal questions will help to keep you in the forefront of that hiring manager’s mind and can give you insight into the company culture and how a typical day goes at the office. Ask the interviewer how they got started in the industry and what they enjoy about the company culture. Don’t be pushy about their personal lives, however. Keep it related to the job and the company.

When answering questions, remember that less is more. Give a complete answer, but never go into too much depth about your background and history. Keep everything relevant to the questions asked. In the case of Rob Ford, he claims he would have answered the reporter’s questions earlier if they had asked the right question.  He was keeping his answers relevant to the question asked. You are only ever going to get the right answer if you learn how to ask the right question.

Additionally, if you haven’t heard recently, Rob Ford met today with the Toronto  City Council in order to strip more power from Mayor Ford. During this meeting, Mayor Ford mimics drunk driving aimed towards Councilor Paul Ainslie, who had his license suspended after being pulled over at a Police checkpoint. He then yells “Socialism is great!”, gets into a shouting match with people in the public gallery, and then promptly rushes towards the gallery, runs into City Councillor Pam McConnell, grabs her to keep her from falling, and heads back towards the front like nothing had happened. It’s official. Rob Ford has cracked, but the truth stays the same, if you ask the right question, look at the doors it can open.

If you are looking to open new doors to your career, contact us at Search Solution Group, and learn how to ask the right questions!

Rob Ford imitates Drunk Driving during a city Council Meeting.

Did You Hear About The Dog In The Tree?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person holds 10 jobs in their lifetime. The average job requires 2 to 3 interviews. By your fourth or fifth interview, you’re starting to feel like a pro and have your canned answer to the 5 year plan question and are feeling pretty confident in your interviewing skills.

And then that interviewer asks you the most off the wall question or brain teaser. How did the dog get in the tree?  How many rocks are on the moon? How would you test a calculator? What part of a BLT sandwich would you be and why? 

12? Test it with math? The lettuce?

Employers love to see job candidates think on their feet and give candid answers. And while the answer doesn’t matter ( there might not even be a correct answer), the interviewer wants to see your logic, problem solving skills, and how you handle pressure. This is actually a simple thing to prepare for if you follow the advice below.

Prepare Your Thoughts: You might want to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, but take a few seconds to work out your response. Shouting out ‘PINEAPPLE’ isn’t going to make you look very intelligent. If you need to, write the question down, draw some pictures, do some math. Just like in middle school math class, the interviewer wants to see the logic and work behind your answer.

Don’t Be Offended: It might seem silly to get asked these questions if you’re interviewing for a senior director role, but you still need to show them you have a brain as well as the required experience. Get silly yourself and throw yourself into that question like you would into your work.

Question the Question: Ask for specifics. Is it turkey bacon on that BLT? Who is going to eat this sandwich that you are a part of? This is the fun part of an interview and showing your enthusiasm will engage your interviewers and make them remember you. You want to be remembered.

If all else fails, do like Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson do in ‘The Internship‘ and twist the question around until you are selling yourself as the best candidate for the job!

 

Buffalo Sabres: Rebuilding Leadership

As of 10:45 this morning, the Buffalo Sabres announced the removal of Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston as general manager, and head coach respectively. This marked the longest tenure for a general manager and the shortest ever coaching tenure with the Sabres ( except for that one guy that lasted one day). This announcement couldn’t have come any sooner for Sabres fans who were dealing with the worst season starting in the history of the team. A terribly miserable and sucky season was formulating.

So, Sabres owner, Terry Pegula decided to shake things up and start fresh. Sometimes things can get stale, and that’s great if you’re making croutons, but for a business or a hockey team, being comfortable with mediocrity is a death sentence. As the winter months are building and the temperatures are dropping, people tend to hibernate and embrace mediocrity.

Search Solution Group says shake it up and DON’T settle. If you aren’t happy with your job or the way you are performing, find a new avenue to explore. Humans are brilliant machines with brains that are almost infinitely expansive. We can do whatever we want as long as we put in the effort.

The Sabres are a team that has the potential to be great, everyone has the potential to be great. It just takes the right mentoring, leadership, experiences, and willingness to accept that greatness.

If you are out there thinking, GOSH DARN IT I WANT TO BE GREAT, pick up the phone and call us. We want to make you great, and we will.

 

Danielle Leach: Search Solution Group’s Most Tenacious Recruiter!

Danielle Leach, also known as ‘teach’, started her post college career as a teacher with Teach For America in Charlotte, NC. During her second year of teaching, she began to think about where she would go from there, but never thought she’d go into recruiting, even though it is in her blood. As the daughter of a successful and wise recruiter, she knew that recruiting is an industry where you work extremely hard, but the reward for success is high.  Danielle is bubbly, hyper-organized, and tenacious recruiter who has become fearless during her first year at Search Solution Group.

Danielle has learned a great deal about the way businesses work and what is involved in working with candidates and high-powered clients. At first, Danielle was intimidated by the titles of the clients she was working with. CFO, CEO, COO, VP; These were all titles that seemed otherworldly, but by just picking up the phone and talking, she realized that behind these titles were people who needed her help, no matter how lofty the title. Once she realized this, there was no slowing down Danielle.

Placing candidates in a job that they are over the moon excited about is one of her favorite things about being a recruiter. Danielle loves sharing in the joy that comes from improving a candidate’s career and giving a client their new top employee.

Outside of work, Danielle is an avid runner who has completed marathons. She has a competitive nature that gives her fuel for both running and her recruiting work. One thing that many of her friends know, but the world has yet to realize, is that Danielle is the identical twin to Kate Middleton. As an avid admirer of the Duchess of Cambridge, Danielle aspires to be as great of a woman and a style icon and is already on here way to becoming just that.

If Danielle could do anything right now, she would fill all her open jobs! She would then go to Africa to the orphanage her cousin runs in Uganda. With a huge heart and a ferocious nature, Danielle makes for a force to be reckoned with. She has huge dreams, but has the ability and the determination to fulfill those dreams, so watch out world!