Job Offer Etiquette

This week, we’re here to teach you how to politely accept or decline a job offer that comes your way. The reality of your career is that not every opportunity will come to you at the right time or in the exact manner you expect. While that may sometimes pose a great chance to be spontaneous and step out of your comfort zone, there are definitely times when it is appropriate to decline. Keep reading to find out how to do so here…

Declining a Job Offer…

Saying Thank You

The absolute most important component of correctly declining an offer is to express gratitude for the opportunity. Whether that is over the phone or through email, taking time to craft a personal thank you to the recruiters you’ve met and each interviewer will show that you took the offer seriously and maintained respect despite whichever outcome occurs. Make sure to send your thank you letter promptly (within 24 hours) of the offer in addition to your decision if you are already sure that this isn’t the right fit for you.

Providing Meaningful Reasoning

Remember, you’re not locked into any role that you apply to! More often than not, candidates are in the application process for a variety of different roles, so it is not too crazy that you may narrow down or succeed in being offered two or three different roles. Especially to our college grads, make sure to effectively explain the reasoning behind your final decision to the hiring manager so as to avoid seeming like a baseless decision. Whether you’ve decided to stay at your original role, hope to instead relocate somewhere else, have an offer with a high compensation that you cannot turn down, etc., providing additional information is a great way to verify your decision. However, make sure to always be clear and concise! There is no need to go into too much depth about which opportunity you’ve decided to pursue instead.

Maintaining the Relationship

While this aspect of a job offer conversation takes place farther down the road, we encourage you to maintain relationships with both the recruiters that connected you to the role, hiring manager, interviewers, or anyone that you especially connected with throughout the process. You never know when you may find yourself back on that job search, and upholding a chance of re-pursuing a prior role as a result of relationships you’ve worked to cultivate will prove a key to your success.

It is so important to understand that it’s completely acceptable to decline an opportunity! It is the way in which you communicate that will solidify the “terms” you leave on the company, so follow these steps and we’re sure you’ll achieve a long-term connection and positive stance!

Read about the questions to ask before accepting a job offer here!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Internships Post-Grad

If you’re feeling deflated by the current circumstances of our economy, today we’re here to shed light on a fantastic option for post-graduation that may help you evade the job market through a different route. While still requiring you to participate in the application process, an internship is a great option for you to take after graduating college that will help you elongate your search to confirm your desired career path while still providing you a source of income and professional development! Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of accepting an internship instead of a full-time position…

Internships Post-Graduation…

  • City Exploration: While we may still be operating in the virtual format at the beginning of next year, an internship in a new location is still a great way (or excuse) to push you to explore a different area of your state or even the entire country! Moving away and knowing that there is essentially an “expiration” date for your to reevaluate provides a huge sense of comfort and is the epitome of… why not?!
  • Career Exploration: In a similar way to how an internship may encourage you to try out a completely new environment, this job format may also provide you a chance to explore a completely different career path or try something that you may have never previously considered! Why not go for that accounting, marketing, graphic design, fashion, product development, supply chain, real estate, finance, or any other role that taps into a newfound skillset that you haven’t ever been able to develop in the past?!
  • Push Back and a Chance to … Relax! While internships are still an equally professional commitment to a full-time role, this type of temporary commitment will still allow you to push off your final date before full-time immersion at an organization. We know that with graduation may come to a sense of anxiety about the future and your long-term career goals, so instead of diving in headfirst, we completely support taking it “step by step into the water” by trying out an internship first.

In the end, many internships even transition into full-time roles… so use these types of positions to your advantage, as a resource, and in the meantime before a final job search! There is no better time than the present to get started!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Prepare for tricky interview questions by checking our article here!

Virtual Study Tips

As exam season quickly approaches, today, I’m hoping to offer some of my best and unique studying tricks that I’ve accumulated throughout the last four years of college! If you’ve ever wished you could ask a college senior how to best prepare for exams (and in the quickest way possible of COURSE!), then this article is for you. Keep reading to find out the secrets to an exam “A” today…

Studying in the Virtual Environment…

Time Management and Early Preparation

Yes, despite the ease of procrastination that often leads us to wait until the last minute to complete assignments, projects, and study materials, the key to success is managing time and beginning the study process early enough. Doing so not only helps you to stay organized, as we also encourage you to block off a relatively short, but significant, amount of time each day leading up to the exam, but will help you divide out the bulk of studying so as to not have to account for loads of materials in a short time period. Additionally, it has been scientifically proven that our brains retain information much more efficiently if spaced out over time, instead of in the 48 hours leading up to the exam. So, how do you get started? We recommend compiling your notes from the semester into a document where you can read, interact, and even create flashcards or other resources based on the most important topics.

Listening to Your Brain

This may sound unique, but yes, I am encouraging you to STOP studying when your brain alerts you! We’ve all been there, it’s midnight, we’re basically asleep but still pushing through to get in that last hour of studying for the exam. While you may think I sound crazy, I am a firm believer in the importance of sleeping, taking a walk, grabbing a cup of coffee, or otherwise removing yourself from the material to avoid going crazy. Even more, it’s highly unlikely that in your state of exhaustion you will be capable of retaining important information. So, by blocking off little time periods for a week or two leading up to the exam (doesn’t have to be more than 30 mins/day!), and avoiding the late hours of the night, you’ll be able to ace your exam without giving up your mental health and stability.

Remember, one exam will not shift the course of your life! Take a deep breath, and don’t go too crazy – you’ve already learned the majority of information solely by attending class. Following the tips above will prove the key to push you over the edge to that A!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Prepare for tricky interview questions by checking our article here!

Stand Out On-Screen!

In the heat of campus recruiting season, we’re here to teach you a few tips and tricks that will help you stand out in an interview process even over a screen! Keep reading to find out…

Standing Out to Recruiters…

  1. Prepare: Prepare for interview questions normally, as you would for any other interview. Practice interviewing and answering questions in front of the camera before your virtual interview and make sure that the recruiter your speaking to understands that you value their time just as you would any other day or year.
  2. Technology test: Test your technology prior to your interview. Make sure your webcam and microphone are working properly. Double-check your wifi connection as well! Completing these tasks before your interview is necessary so you don’t have any technology mishaps right before or during the conversation. Securing your technology environment prior to initiating your chat will play into your overall preparation and help an interviewer to not only recognize your technical competency but dedication to the role.
  3. Body Language and Virtual Eye Contact: It is super easy to forget how visible your body language and eye contact is when there is a screen barrier between you and any person your talking to. However, remember that interviewers can still see if you’re distracted, looking at your phone, checking the time, or otherwise directing attention away from the conversation. Make sure to smile, sit up straight, and maintain eye contact with your interviewer!
  4. Dress for success! Even though only your top half will likely be visible on the screen, dressing professionally in a head to toe outfit will help you mentally charge up as you would for an in-person interview. In order to make everything feel as “normal” as possible, mirroring normal actions like interview wear is a great key to mental preparation.

It’s so important to remember that you are not alone in our industry’s overall adaptation to the virtual interview format. However, becoming stuck in what’s changed will only cloud your mindset and clarity. So make sure to follow our tips to mimic a “normal” environment as much as possible and set yourself up for success!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Prepare for tricky interview questions by checking our article here!

Relocating Post-Grad!

Especially given the job-climate that we college seniors are living in, this recruiting season may provide you a reason to consider relocating post-grad more than ever before. If your offer requires you to move across the U.S., and you’re feeling anxious about the thought, keep reading to find out some personal benefits of moving away from home and to any new location!

Considering Relocating…

  • Developing Independence: While college is undoubtedly a phenomenal resource that allows students to experience independence for the first time, living on your own in a different city will provide even more opportunities for maturity and growth. Likely, you will be placing yourself in an environment without the cushion of dozens of friends, familiar professors and buildings, and even restaurants and coffee shops! For that reason, you may find yourself with new, unexpected responsibilities and opportunities: navigating grocery shopping, finding outlets of relaxation, new exercise routes or studios, seeking new friendships or mentors, etc. This is an amazing time to put your skills to the test!
  • Dream Company: At least in my experience, I’ve found that some of my “dream” companies are located solely in California, New York, Austin, etc. So, if leaving your hometown for one summer may allow you to pursue your absolute dream role, this is the time to do so! Not only will work for a company that you’re passionate about making the summer more enjoyable and fun, but it may allow you to explore an area of the U.S. that you hadn’t even previously considered!
  • New Start: A supernormal feeling that comes with college graduation is some time to reevaluate your current satisfaction with the people who you surround yourself will. While not necessarily bad, it’s completely reasonable to feel as though you’ve outgrown your close circle, or that you’re in the market for a refresh. Moving to a new location will undoubtedly help you immerse yourself in a new culture and therefore surround yourself with people different and similar to yourself. Refreshing your social circle after graduation is a phenomenal reason to explore a new city, state, or region of the U.S. and beyond!
  • Temporary Commitment: More now than ever before, companies are developing and offering rotational programs for graduates post-college. Accepting a role of this sort will provide you an exceptional measure of testing out a new city with an expiration date in mind. One year, two years, or even a few months from now, you’ll be able to reassess your contentment with a city and potentially even relocate again!

While the thought of relocating may seem daunting, we hope that these justifications help ease your nerves! This COVID-influenced workforce is changing each day, and grasping the change with confidence and an open-mind may prove your key to achieving a full-time role.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs!

Find out the best places to start a career here!

Returning To Your First Internship

Happy Monday! To continue on our recruiting season tone, today we’re here to offer you some things to consider if you’re debating accepting a return offer from your first internship experience. Especially this year, as we move to online recruiting experiences, you may be feeling an extra inclination to return to a company that’s already provided you learning experiences and some semblance of comfort. If this sounds like your current situation, keep reading below…

Benefits of Returning . . .

  1. Sense of Role-ownership: One great aspect of returning to the same company you’ve worked at before is the relationships you’ve already built. Utilizing those connections, especially with hiring managers or internal recruiters, may allow you to gain freedom in choosing which role you pursue in your second year. Whether this means transitioning to another team, project, or an entirely new subset of a company, taking advantage of internal resources will prove highly valuable.
  2. New Mentors: Another way to make use of your experience is by beginning to envision the type of mentor, or mentors you can pursue upon your return. Building additional connections to expand your internal network is a great way to continue to gauge your own career interests and desires.
  3. Even Larger Network: While you have likely already begun building a network within the company you worked for, returning will allow you to build an even larger number of connections by surrounding yourself with employees of all different backgrounds, job functions, and teams. While this is especially useful for interns or graduates returning to larger companies that offer a greater and larger variety of employees, deepening connections will always prove useful. You never know if the connection you built may find themselves in a leadership role and in need of a new employee on their team. Better yet, mentors often transition into higher roles where they may then recommend you to take their previous spot!
  4. Job Security: If the company you’re considering also offers full-time roles to those interns eligible, accepting a second position with the company may help you get right in line for a full-time offer. Having job security in your final year of college is an immense reward and great payoff for all of your hard work, and is definitely a component worth special consideration.

Now that you’ve seen some leading factors in the benefits of returning to a company for a second-year internship, we’ll introduce you to a few reasons that may lead you to decide to explore elsewhere. While we don’t have the right answer for you, we’re hoping that you can lead feeling educated, well-versed, and with multiple different perspectives!

Check out what to look for before accepting a position here!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs!

What are Recruiters Looking For?

Now that you’ve initiated your job search, it’s time we teach you about what traits recruiters look for in their candidates. While these go hand in hand with qualifying dimensions on resumes and in interviews, there are certain traits that are certain to set you apart from the rest in a positive light. Cultivating these attributes will also allow you to achieve great success in your career! Find them out here…

Top Traits 101…

  1. Attitude: One of the greatest ways you can secure a great first impression is by showcasing a positive, enthusiastic attitude! One of the most highly valued traits you can provide to coworkers, supervisors, and bosses is an attitude unhindered by challenges or obstacles. Maintaining this positive outlook will prove that you are a pleasant, hardworking employee; contributing to the atmosphere of your work environment is a highly important component of your role.
  2. Work Ethic: As we have reinstated numerous times, failure is an acceptable component of any career path! However, it is the work ethic you showcase and exude that will allow you to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Recruiters look for a strong work ethic, as it allows them to understand both your ability to jump into a new organization with full and tireless effort, as well as the ability to be persistent and proactive when encountering difficulty.
  3. Flexibility: Remembering that your boss has a lot on their plate will allow you to become more flexible at work. Additionally, understanding that, at times, you will encounter unforeseen circumstances will help you to embrace unexpected change. Trust us, this quality strongly shows and helps you stand out as someone who is incredibly easy to work with! Adding on to this quality is also the value in adaptation. Companies are bound to undergo change or possible acquisitions. Being able to adjust to an ever-changing work environment is guaranteed to set you aside from the rest.
  4. Reliability: If you are a dependable resource to the company you are working for, they will absolutely want to keep you on their team! For this reason, make sure to explain if you’ve had several job transitions throughout your career, as holding roles is an attractive quality that will showcase your loyalty to positions.
  5. Team Player: The ability to work effectively in a team has become a true necessity of being a desirable employee. In order to be a valuable team player, work to improve traits like collaboration, communication, listening skills, compromising abilities, etc.
  6. Intrinsic Motivation: A motivation to achieve success fueled by oneself is a wonderful quality to possess in the workforce. In contrast to extrinsic motivational factors like salary or benefit package incentives, finding an inner desire to achieve success displays your undying dedication to your work and responsibilities.
  7. Honesty: Although maintaining honesty may appear as difficult, it is crucial to the way you are viewed by your employer. For example, if you were let go from a previous position, it is way more helpful to be upfront and explain the reasoning instead of trying to beat around the bush. Employers and recruiters will recognize and appreciate your transparency. Remember, it is equally as important to acknowledge tasks and activities you’ve completed in efforts to improve faults or weaknesses.

It is important to know that this is not a fixed list, and important qualities and traits are everchanging and adapting to modernized work environments. Keeping these important traits in mind will allow you to excel in your interviews and achieve numerous new positions!

Searching for a new role? Check out our open jobs list!

Read this article to discover our tips to nailing first impressions!

When to Start Your Online Job Search?

Hello, college students (or even some high schoolers?)! Today, we’re here to teach you about the right time to start your virtual job search this year and what to do to get it initiated. If you fit the profile of any student candidate seeking a full-time position or internship for the upcoming winter/spring/summer and/or fall, then this article is for you! Keep reading to find out when you should be starting your online job search… 

Starting the Job Search…

  • As Early as Possible! Yes, that’s correct! If you have not yet started sending out applications, go ahead and do so today. Getting your name in the door or starting to reach out and utilize your network is essential to getting through the application process. Especially for our business-focused majors, job deadlines approach as quickly as mid-September, so make sure to stay in line with timelines so as to avoid being swept away by lost time.
  • Do Your Research: You absolutely must conduct research about all job opportunities! Many campuses offer a variety of resources to students where they can access specifically curated jobs for your campus. For example, Handshake is a common website where companies are given the opportunity to post their job opportunities to an online platform for college students. Applications may be as easy as clicking a button and submitting a resume – so make sure to exhaust all options here!
  • Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Even if you feel that you will be able to produce an elevator pitch on the spot, we encourage you not to do so. With phone calls and interviews naturally come nerves, and nerves may lead to filler words, stuttering, stammering, and unprofessionalism when not practiced in advance. Keep your elevator pitch short and sweet, but definitely to the point! Include your year in school, major, potential interests, and if there is time, a short reason as to why you were drawn to the company you are speaking with.
  • Plan an Interview Outfit: Although over a screen, we hope that your physical appearance will still treat virtual interviews as if they were regular, in-person events. Showcase your dedication and care for presentation by dressing in business casual or professional clothing. Even if we’re all communicating solely through the online format, you’re guaranteed to help yourself stand out by treating all interactions as if they were the exact same as in-person. You’ll be surprised by the extent of commonalities between the two formats, so the more you prepare, the better.
  • Be Ready Early: To anticipate inevitable technical challenges, like wavering Wi-Fi, poor connection, etc., make sure to log on much earlier than the anticipated interview so as to be able to mitigate as many barriers as possible.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

When to Rebrand

Happy Thursday and the almost end to an already shortened holiday work-week! To wrap up our mini new-logo series, we asked ourselves the following question,… why did we decide to rebrand? If you are asking yourselves the same thing, or are wondering how we made our decision to embark on this new journey, keep reading to find out!

The Purpose of a Brand…

With COVID-19 on the consistent rise, and many social justice movements creating the landscape for our 2020 experiences, we saw it best that we take a moment to step back and reassess our business. Doing so first manifested itself in a much-needed pause – not only did we understand that the current atmosphere called for those voices most affected by recent events, but we became aware of the misalignment between our blog messages and those messages which deserved center stage. In the midst of this self-analyzation, one message became abundantly, and internally clear: it’s time for a rebrand. Keep reading to find out the three pillars that guided our decision and what took place after…

  • Audience Appeal: As you each have evolved through your career and as candidates, so has Esquire! We came to the understanding that, in order to stay aligned with our audience, it would be necessary that our growth was reflected with a new logo and brand design. With this physical update, our audience will better connect to our brand “vibe,” appearance, and message. We also hoped that in doing so, we will be able to continue to maintain differentiation from our competitors, especially during a time where saturation as a result of technology dependence and virtual work is on the rise.
  • Design: After the hypothetical piece of the puzzle was complete, we moved into redesigning the logo! This required our partnership with a creative firm, who introduced us to a variety of color and font choices, as well as applications of each as they would appear as holistic fonts on websites, business cards, or other components of our brand. Designing the logo was so much fun! We made sure to engage each employee at the company and even hold a few competitions to find out the crowd favorite… which of course played into our final decision!
  • Refresh, Relaunch, Re-Engage: We hope that in doing so, we’ve been able to re-engage our audience through our relaunch… and also refresh our message and brand moving forward. It is crucial to evolve your brand with time as well as your audience! We also hope that in doing so we may be able to engage and meet some new faces and friends!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning the behind the scenes of what went into our new logo formulation! Make sure to comment on any of our social media posts with additional questions, opinions, or suggestions that you may have.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Font Selection

Happy Tuesday everyone! We hope that with this new week comes a sense of rejuvenation from the long, Labor Day weekend. Today, we’re here to continue on in our mini new logo presentation series… and we’re tackling…font selection! Why does choosing a certain font matter to your business? Which fonts send which messages? What type of message are you hoping to send? Answer all of these questions and you own below!

Impact of Font Selections…

  • Brand: What your font ultimately showcases to your target audience is what your brand is all about. Whether you seek to be seen as reliable, strong, innovative, creative, entrepreneurial, or exotic, certain fonts will serve as the tools to do so.
    • Extra Tip: Fabrik brands share an awesome analysis of a variety of famous companies you’re sure to recognize and what message their fonts elicit about their brand! Click here to read more…
  • While these aren’t typical fonts used in company-wide logos, we’ve chosen to break down fonts often used in daily life, resumes, blogs, or articles written on social media platforms.
    • Arial: Arial and Times New Roman have existed as, and continue to receive recognition for their traditional look and appearance, as well as their universal acceptance. If you’re nervous about stepping out of the norm, stick to one of these to maintain a sleek, polished, and classic look!
    • Times New Roman: As we mentioned above, Times New Roman is consistently a reliable font! However, in terms of standing out or making an impact, this choice may not be your best.
    • Helvetica: Helvetica is another timeless font! Although differentiated from Arial and Times New Roman, Helvetica is a tasteful, fantastic option for someone looking to maintain a classic look while still branching out.
    • Calibri: As the new default typeface in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, Calibri is making waves and growing immensely in popularity! We recommend considering this font as it is clearly a current preference of employers and technological engineers alike. Calibri is modern, cool, and becoming a quick favorite!
    • Georgia: Georgia is another font that proves classic but cool! With a little spin and curvature around the edges, Georgia is a great font for showing personality while maintaining an attractive and professional vibe on your resume.
    • Extra Options: Cambria, Gill Sans, Gill Sans Light, Garamond, Didot, Book Antiqua, Trebuchet MS, or Verdana!

If you’re reading this article and pondering if this may be the right time for your company to reassess your current logo and potentially pursue a new one, this is a great point where you will benefit from looping in a creative team to assist you in doing so! Creating a custom look, unreplicated by your competitors will set you aside in terms of professionalism, and also as it refers to your brand message.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Choosing Color Schemes

Hello everyone! We are so happy to be back to continue explaining our new logo transformation and processes. Today, we’re here to explain the importance of color coordination as it relates to logo building and the message sent simultaneously to followers… so why did we choose our new colors? Keep reading to find out!

The Importance of Color Wheels…

  • Company Tone and “Vibe”: Above all else, different color combinations and schemes apply to different demographics of people. Whether that depend on academic major or career pursuit, age, gender, or any other personal factor, it is clear that the way a company physically presents themselves and their associated colors will appeal to different groups. With that being said, it is essential to have a clear understanding of your target audience so as to maximize your physical appeal.
  • Customization: With technology comes an inevitable rise in market saturation. And with that, comes blurred images of companies amongst candidates and consumers. For that reason, it is also crucial that your organization prioritize customization within their color schemes. In fact, within Microsoft word, it is easy to formulate exact, unique color combinations within the font color tool. Never heard of what we’re talking about? Read this article to see an exact tutorial of how to achieve your preferred color code in Word here!
  • Curb Appeal: In addition to setting the “vibe” of your company on paper, colors also often elicit different feelings. For example, the color dark blue symbolizes stability, depth, and expertise. If you’ve ever wondered why McDonald’s has a certain coloration, Apple, Microsoft, or even Amazon, we can promise you that each of those logos was deeply analyzed so as to best address company needs and appeal to their target consumer demographics. As a recruiting company, we may not want to elicit the same feeling of hunger as would a restaurant, can you figure out why we chose the colors we did?

In the digital age, it has never been more important than to differentiate, build, and achieve growth within your company as well as its online presence. Achieving the exact color scheme to match your logo and company mission will prove the key to your exposure and eventual success.

And, as always… searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

ESQUIRE’S NEW LOGO!

Hello everyone! Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve been working on a rebrand – that’s right, Esquire’s coming back at you live with a brand new logo and vibe!

Today, we’ll share with you what that logo looks like, and throughout the next few weeks, we’ll teach you more about the exact process that our company underwent to be able to achieve this goal. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experiment with color wheels, fonts, alterations, word placement, or anything regarding your physical brand, this is the series for you. We’ll also make sure to teach you about the message and tone we hope to create by leading our relationships with this new look. Keep tuning in to learn more about how we got to our final product and what it looked like along the way!

Our New Logo:

New Logo Applications:

We have had such a blast throughout this entire process and can’t wait to share it with you all! Make sure to comment on any of our social media posts with specific questions about our journey so that we can make sure to touch on all important points.

And, as always… searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

What Managers Look For!

It is no doubt that being likable is the first step towards becoming an attractive teammate and cultivating relationships. In the business world, relationships are one of your key tools useful for attaining a successful career and for achieving promotions. So, what are managers looking for or consider the best qualities in employees? Keep reading to find out!

Top Employee Traits…

  1. Emotional Intelligence: Cultivating the ability to be able to understand, analyze, and observe the behaviors of those who surround you both in your office and personal life will aid you immensely in catering to people’s needs. Doing so will allow you to be the best “audience member” you can be, and, therefore, will attract others to you. People love to be understood, as it helps save themselves the time it takes to explain how they are feeling! Think about it, how much faster could you complete projects if you could anticipate people’s reactions?
  2. Interest in Conversation: It is crucial to help others feel valued, and it is super easy to do so! Especially in conversations, always make sure that you are maintaining eye contact, holding an enthusiastic and kind tone, and expressing friendly, warm body language. Additionally, express curiosity and interest by asking questions or clarifying points throughout the conversation!
  3. Open Mind: Those who are open-minded are sure to develop higher-quality relationships with their coworkers and leadership. Helping others feel safe in their work environments, without the fear of judgment, will allow you and everyone around you to be able to express yourselves and reach your greatest creative potential! Although an idea may seem funky at first, it may very well become your finishing product.
  4. Respect! No matter how you may disagree, always make sure to maintain a notable level of respect with anyone you encounter. There are several effective, appropriate mechanisms for handling disagreements or debates, and there is no reason to ever resort to a disrespectful demeanor. Showcasing consistent respect for others will elevate how attractive you are to work with and be around, causing you to become more likable!
  5. Patience and Composure: As we’ve stated in the past, you will undoubtedly encounter frustration at work. However, you must maintain composure and an appropriate attitude. Not only will this show others that you are capable of overcoming challenges, but it will help yourself portray one of your greatest qualities, your coping skills! Someone who can maintain composure when faced with adversity is a strong leader.
  6. Stay True to Yourself, and Do the Right Thing! We hope it goes without saying that breaking the rules or finding loopholes in order to achieve success will only come back to hurt you. However, there are many other ways to always do the right thing. Whether this means returning back a coffee to someone you “owe,” taking someone out to lunch, congratulating others, giving credit where it is due, owning up to your mistakes, or maintaining honesty even in difficult situations, enforcing these actions will allow you to flourish among others.

Exemplifying these qualities will help you to build and attain endless amounts of valuable relationships and reach high levels of success!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Missed our Tuesday article? Find out the top behaviors to avoid here!

Asking For Feedback – Virtual Style

Happy Monday! As we continue to become more comfortable in the virtual format of working, it’s important to remember the essential piece of performance: feedback. Yes, the topic that looms over each of our minds when we hop on frequent calls with our managers… how can I ask for feedback? Is this the right time? Am I asking in the right way? Well, today, we’re here to solve those problems for you! Learn how to adapt asking for feedback to the virtual format by reading below…

Virtual Feedback Conversations…

  • Plan Ahead: And by this, we don’t mean 30 minutes prior to your touch base meetings. Whether you set a weekly, monthly, or even daily cadence regarding your unique feedback loop, make sure to have a plan set in place so that you don’t get flustered when the times comes. By having a consistent rhythm with your manager, you’re set to have much more fluid, candid, and comfortable conversations on a much more consistent basis.
  • Target Specific Attributes: Whether this being specific projects, deliverables, skill sets, professional qualities, communication strategies, or any component of your job role, make sure that you guide the conversation in a meaningful way so that you don’t cloud the message by opening up too wide of an umbrella. This will also allow your manager to target specific pieces of your work so that you can drive measurable and visible change based on their recommendations.
  • Be Receptive: It’s easy to tell when someone is “listening” without really listening – managers can do the same! So, when you ask for feedback, make sure that you’re actively listening throughout the entire conversation, and following up with questions or points of clarification that relate specifically to what your manager spoke to. By exemplifying true value in what they’re saying and proactively listening, your manager will feel more inclined to mirror your effort with reciprocal feedback and a greater sense of appreciation for taking the time to do so.
  • Say Thank You: While you should always thank someone else for taking the time to engage with you no matter what the topic, it’s especially important to thank your manager for feedback and not express any animosity depending on the result. Getting constructive criticism is a part of life, and a vital skill to success is being able to channel those types of messages with action and appreciation.

Feedback is an essential component of every individual’s career. For that reason, it’s crucial to nail down your feedback loop as soon as possible in every position you pursue. Get started today!

Find out a productive Monday plan to get back on track here!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Unplug on the Weekend

One of the topics we’ve continued to revisit throughout the summer and virtual work-life is the importance of setting boundaries. Now that we are spending most of our work and leisure time in the comfort of our homes, it’s even to feel like the line between working and not-working is blurred, or an innate sense of guilt for not being on call at all times. However, it is essential to living a balanced lifestyle that you learn to unplug from work and technology! Learn how to do so as we enter the weekend here…

Relaxing on the Weekend…

  • Set Boundaries in Advance: In order to truly achieve the goal of unplugging, it’s crucial to set yourself up for success by creating boundaries in advance. Whether this means a time of day, a specific day in the week or a limited number of times checked, set a restriction for yourself to follow regarding your work and technology. Implementing these subtle goals will provide you a sense of achievement and “rule” to stay accountable by.
  • Make Plans! If you feel the same way as I do, that creeping feeling that settles in that you should be doing “more” occurs when I’m lying in bed and unoccupied. For that reason, try to occupy yourself over the weekend by creating a schedule or set of plans to take action through. While the COVID pandemic will undoubtedly create a shift in how our usual plans may look, there are still many things and ways to find fun during this time. Try out a picnic, in-home date night, movie night, art project, workout class, or other do-it-yourself activities to stay engaged outside of technology!
  • Maintain Open Communication With Your Team: If a sense of guilt is taking over your mind, it may be a result of a difference between operating standards within your team or organization. Remember, just because your coworker or manager may stay online through all hours of the night does not mean that you must! Having an open communication plan where you let your manager know when you will and will not be reachable by mail or whatever it may be will relieve your sense of uncertainty and therefore need to stay in contact at all times.

We hope that, above all, you remember the importance of working to live instead of living to work! Whether we are in the office or at home, finding a work-life balance is your key to maintaining motivation and a desire to be productive. So, relax and restore this weekend!

Find out a productive Monday plan to get back on track here!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Productive Monday Plan

Especially after a summer weekend, we’ve all felt the back to work slump that comes with Monday mornings. However, today we’re here to introduce you to strategies that will provide you with the tools to start your week off right and achieve your most productive self. Keep reading to find out…

Productive Monday Habits…

  • Hydrate – One of the best ways to help your body get back into the swing of a healthy week is to keep yourself hydrated at all times. Keep a water bottle by your desk and set goals throughout the day to keep yourself accountable – you may even try setting an alarm on your phone as a reminder!
    • Extra tip – Many nutritionists recommend drinking apple cider vinegar after an indulgent weekend… give it a try!
  • Healthy Fuel –  Starting your Monday with a healthy breakfast will rejuvenate your body and ensure that you are feeling energized and prepared for the week’s obligations. Whether this means a cup of tea, a bowl of fruit, a plate of eggs, or any source of nutrients, charging your metabolism in the morning is key to a fueled workday.
  • Workout – Working out is a guaranteed bonus to your day, and also a great way to set the tone for the rest of your week. If getting to the gym or in-home workout space proves your greatest challenge, try changing into workout clothes towards the end of your workday to ease the transition.
  • Organize! – Making a to-do list, filling out a daily planner or calendar, or even using a sticky note and writing down what you need to complete is proven to help individuals accomplish their daily tasks and goals. This will also keep you organized and decrease your chance of forgetting a meeting or assignment.
  • Check-In – If you don’t check your work email on the weekends, make sure to get that sorted out too. Try creating a “priority” folder to move all of your most important emails from the weekend into. That way, you will at least be able to get back to your most important messages, even if you are unable to reach all of your emails in one day.
  • Let Yourself Breathe – Schedule breaks into your day as you would any other obligation. Letting yourself have time to relax is equally as important as completing your work.

Remember, if you’re feeling “off” at the start of a Monday, you’re not alone! However, the action you take to relieve a lack of motivation and stimulate your workday will shape and shift the course of your productivity. So, get started on these steps today!

Do you have a job offer coming your way? Read here to find out what questions you should be asking!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Hannah’s Mid-summer Reflection!

Hello everyone! I hope this Monday finds you each healthy and refreshed from the weekend. Today, I’m hoping to share a candid recount of my experience as a “virtual intern” this summer. I can’t believe that we are already past the halfway mark, but if you’re interested to hear what it’s like to be a newbie at a company who works 100% of the time through a screen… this article is for you. Keep reading to find out if I’ve enjoyed my experience!

Virtual Internship Reflection…

Morning Motivation

I’m sure this part is pretty intuitive, but waking up in the morning only to transfer a few feet over to my work station has definitely put a damper on the excitement of getting to the office. For that reason, I’ve found that coffee is my greatest asset to virtual success. Creating a morning routine that serves as a motivator, in this sense of walking to my kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, has created the level of structure and routine necessary for me to start my day. By also forcing myself to get dressed and presentable for a true day in the office helps me to mimic what an in-person experience would have been like.

Virtual Personality

More now than ever before, it’s crucial to be able to portray your personality in virtual meetings and interactions. Although you are not granted the same ease as in-person conversations, maintaining a smile, positive tone, and enthusiastic body language will help you to showcase your best traits. I also find that making sure my video camera is on as often as possible has helped my conversations feel more fluid and natural.

Channeling Discomfort

It’s ok to feel awkward or uncomfortable in virtual situations! After all, this is most of our first go in an online format, and we all have a ton to learn before becoming acclimated to this new way of working. By allowing myself to channel discomfort into positive vulnerability, I have reached greater success. What I mean by this is that although it may be out of the ordinary to chat another intern for a one on one, meet a manager through a screen, or initiate coffee chats with employees across the business, following through with those types of actions will allow you to become integrated into your company culture while making your mark in the temporary time period of an internship.

 

While the company you work for will undoubtedly play a huge role in your fulfillment, the actions that you take, and your own personal and professional productivity will shape your true longevity with a company. So, sticking by the idea of channeling your discomfort into action is a great way to get started on making virtual relationships and lasting memories during your internship!

Do you have a job offer coming your way? Read here to find out what questions you should be asking!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Post-Interview Action!

Today, we’re here to explain to you some of the most important actions that you can take after an interview wraps up. At Esquire, we constantly hear feedback from our clients about wonderful things that candidates did after the interview day, as well as points for improvement. In the following points, we’ll show you some of the best things you can do to elevate your personal brand and impression on employers.

What to Do After an Interview Wraps-up…

Saying Thank you:

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel cemented by your behavior, success, or uncertainty in an interview. Once you leave the room, what can you really do? It’s up to the employer now… Well, we are here today to tell you that that is not true! More likely than not, you will be “up against” a group of candidates all interviewing for the same position. So, the action you take after leaving that room will help you to create a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer that may end up giving you an advantage when they make their final decisions!

 

For that reason, we’re here to encourage you to always send a thank you note after the interview! Not only is it important to acknowledge the interviewer’s time, but it is crucial to add in any tidbits you couldn’t include in an interview, putting thoughts into writing, addressing concerns, or even cement your confidence in your desire of the position. Sending a thank you wrap your appreciation, dedication, and commitment to your application all into one sweet bundle! Additionally, it’s essential to get that thank you sent pretty quickly after the interview while thoughts are still fresh, more likely than not within the first 24-hour window. Again, remember that you are being evaluated, often in terms of your comparison to other candidates, so remaining fresh in the company’s mind through an email or handwritten note is your key to success.

 

So, what goes into the thank you? Well, that’s up to you! Sending an email follow-up is a great time for you to weave your personality into a written communication as well as let your thoughts shine through. Make sure that the email is personal and addresses unique attributes of the interview so as to avoid sounding robotic or that you copy and pasted from a previous template. Noting a conversation, either personal or professional or small anecdote will showcase to the interviewer that you valued her contribution to the conversation and were listening the entire time!

 

Especially in our current environment, it is more important than ever before that you are being a go-getter and seeking out new opportunities if you find yourself in a job crunch. Weaving these types of practices into your usual actions as a candidate will paint you in the best way possible and get you on the road to success in no time.

 

Do you have a job offer coming your way? Read here to find out what questions you should be asking!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Job Search Tips and Tricks

Happy Monday! While today’s post may not be the most exciting or uplifting, it is our unfortunate reality that many of us, our family, or friends have found themselves out of a job as a result of the financial crisis bread by COVID-19. However, at Esquire Recruiting, we are huge believers in the importance of getting yourself back out there as soon as possible so as to stay the most on top of the search as well as maintain yourself as a marketable candidate. So, how do you go about initiating your job search? Find out here…

The job search process can be scary and long at times. Finding a job you love and that you are qualified for should be everyone’s goal! Today we are going to talk about the key strategies that will help you find success throughout the job search process and the perfect fit for your career.

Job Search Strategies

  • Perseverance: This can be a tricky strategy. You might find yourself feeling hopeless after a few months filled with rejection and no luck. There are many long and hard stages of the job search process, but perseverance will keep you going. It will help you stay positive and realize that this search will be over soon and at the end of it, you will have a great job! Those who persevere will feel more rewarded and also be exposed to the greatest number of unforeseen opportunities.
  • Timing: Timing is everything. Especially right now, it’s crucial to understand that it is a common time to be unemployed in the job market, and also a time where you may need to adjust your regular expectations to nail something in for the time being. Additionally, if you find that perfect job and location, but you think the time isn’t right, this is where you make a mistake. Good jobs aren’t open for a long time. They fill up pretty fast, so jump on something when you see it!
  • Skill: Your skills are your greatest asset. Prepare yourself on how to sell people on your skills and talk about the great things you can do. Use your downtime to improve on your current skills or even learn new ones. Online certifications are a great way to improve and update your skillset. Additionally, maintaining an up-to-date resume on hand is a great way to be ready in the case of a spontaneous networking moment or connection to someone new.
  • Customization: Take the time to tailor your resume to each job you are applying for. This may seem time-consuming but is absolutely worth it. Make a few different versions of your resume that are specific to certain job titles you apply for, and always remember to tweak experiences to portray specific skills that will aid you in the new position you’re applying to.

We know how frustrating the job search process can be. However, by implementing these strategies, you will already find yourself ahead of the game and in a great spot to find a new career path or role.

Do you have a job offer coming your way? Read here to find out what questions you should be asking!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Virtual Intern Connections

Hi everyone! Today, we’re piggy-backing off of Monday’s latest topic on fostering virtual mentorships. As important as it is to connect with employees and seasoned professionals at your company, it is also essential to your internship experience to connect with your intern coworkers! There is no one at the company who is in a more similar position to you than those who are also participating in your program, so follow these easy and quick steps to cultivate new friendships today…

Building Virtual Friendships…

  • Say Hello! While we hope that this bit seems obvious, we encourage you to remember that, after all, every intern is in your same boat. The nerves you felt on the first day and bits of learnings that you take with you after every meeting are mirrored in their same experience. So, the first step is just to reach out and extend a simple hello! Whether this is through a GroupMe message, Microsoft Teams channel, email, or even text, it’s crucial to get ahead of the game right away and spark up a new conversation.
  • Set-Up Concrete Time to Meet: Although it may be through a screen or in another virtual manner, setting up a concrete piece of time on your schedule to mimic a “coffee chat” with another intern is a vital step to actually cultivating meaningful relationships. Using this time to bounce ideas off of one another, seek feedback or help, learn about each other’s roles or goals, or just to get to know more about their personalities and lives outside of work will help you to build a friend and a coworker in the office. Especially as you begin to consider full-time opportunities, remember that these same people may very well become those that you spend most of your time with. So, navigating these potential friendships is a great way to also review your alignment with the company culture!
  • Follow Up: Just as we encouraged in regards to mentorships, following up with coworkers and intern relationships is your key to success. Make sure to ask how their presentation went! How is their project coming along? Can you help connect them to a new teammate or mentor? Having a two-way relationship will help you to both extracts even greater value from the company and achieve valuable success both as it relates to networking and productivity.
  • Separate Work and Fun: Finally, now that we’re almost all working from home full-time, it’s crucial to still integrate moments just for fun that help you to separate yourself from just your work. Whether this means a happy hour, new group chat to send funny messages, or another meeting outside of just work hours, creating relationships that don’t just exist from 9-5 will prove those that last and become most intrinsic to your view of the company and future career.

Remember, everyone wants to make friends at work! Initiating conversations and getting the ball rolling will not only help you stand out as a valuable candidate to your intern managers but will allow you to dive even deeper into the company culture and make new friends. So, get going today!

Missed our last article? Learn about how to create virtual mentorships here!

Searching for a new role? Check out our open jobs list!