This part-time tele-sales position is strictly phone sales – no driving required. The successful candidates will be comfortable talking to small business owners and their staff, gatekeepers, and other screeners. The best candidates will have sales experience and business experience. Some IT knowledge would be very helpful, but not required. The phone conversation will be about business, not IT. A polished business phone presence is mandatory, as well as the ability to conduct a friendly conversation amicably to obtain key information that will help qualify whether or not the business is a good prospect.

This position requires 10 hours per week during normal business hours. The hours are flexible within those parameters. The person filling this role will be required to complete a minimum of six phone calls per hour, including preliminary research on the prospect’s web site before making the phone call. A list of prospects will be provided in Excel workbook format. The results of the call need to be noted in the workbook – decision maker name, email address, quantity of computers and servers on location, etc. The best phone calls will result in setting an appointment between the prospect company’s decision maker and the president of CMIT Solutions of the Tri-Cities.

The person filling this role will be provided with telemarketing scripts and high-level product information. Following a precise script is neither required nor desired. The script is intended to provide background knowledge for personal customization. We do not want somebody to read a script – we want somebody to hold a conversation and represent our company in a professional manner. The conversation is both marketing and sales oriented. In some cases, this phone call may be introducing CMIT Solutions for the very first time to the prospective company.

Deb Reiter, President
CMIT Solutions of the Tri-Cities
www.cmitsolutions.com/ttc
(630) 444-7119
dreiter@cmitsolutions.com

Lauren,
I just read something which disturbed me. Perhaps you were misquoted in a recent article:
“Writing ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ is a clear and quick path to rejection, when you could easily find the name of the hiring manager. Even worse is ‘Dear Sirs.’ In the past two years I’ve had to respond to at least a dozen candidates by telling them they’d just ‘Dear Sir-ed’ their way out of a job,” says Lauren Milligan, a career coach with ResuMAYDAY. She advises that if you can’t find the name of the hiring manager online, use a professional salutation like “Dear Hiring Committee.”
IMHO – You are under an illusion (delusion?) if you believe candidates can find the names of hiring managers these days. Usually jobs listed on sites like Careerbuilder, Yahoo, TheLadders, even LinkedIn have NO reference to the hiring manager; often it’s a company with many HR specialists, so one can’t even know who the internal ‘listing’ HR recruiter is! Even the name of the hiring company itself is often not listed. In short, the candidate is “flying blind” all too often.
When someone’s livelihood and his/her family’s future are at stake, please don’t dismiss them for using “Dear Sir”. I really hope that’s not true. I hope you’ve never experienced what it’s like to have years of professional experience, hard work, good references, and a technical degree from a top school – yet be dismissed repeatedly by companies who won’t interview you beyond their HR department, if at all. (I don’t wish it on anyone except my enemies: it’s demeaning, discouraging, and depressing. If it weren’t for my family, I might have already given up, but I can’t quit with their future at stake.)
BTW – In case you believe the only people ‘still’ unemployed have something ‘wrong’ with them, I disagree: There are still many more good capable people out here wanting jobs than there are positions open.
Please consider this a private communication.
Respectfully,
Raymond (name changed)

Dear Raymond,
Let’s not pretend that you think I was misquoted. I stand behind everything I said, and I also appreciate that you took the time to write to me.

As a resume writer and job coach, I don’t form my opinions to feed my own ego; I’m merely sharing the harsh yet truthful information that employers and recruiters won’t ever tell candidates. Dear Sir or Madam is nothing short of antiquated, rude and demeaning. When was the last time you called a woman ‘Madam’ in a professional setting? Let’s leave this to Maitre’Ds and butlers. I’m embarrassed for the candidate who still uses this salutation; that person is clearly out of touch with modern day correspondence. You need to know this because from your very first contact with a potential employer, you are being measured on your ability to properly and effectively communicate with the company’s clients, staff and other stakeholders. As one recruiter said in a closed-door conference, i.e., no job seekers, “When I see Dear Sir or Madam on a cover letter, I have to wonder if a younger person turned on the computer for them”. Is that the impression you want to present?

In regards to my personal response to ‘Dear Sirs’ to my own company, I offer no apology. Companies are very transparent today – and mine, more than most. Me and my woman parts are solely responsible for the hiring decisions of this company – without a man at the helm. My husband is my best supporter, but he’s responsible for his own business, not mine. Any candidate who assumes that a man will be part of decision-making at ResuMAYDAY is displaying an obvious and archaic gender bias. It also tells me the candidate was too lazy to review my website. Based on those two things that I know about the candidate, why should I waste my precious and fleeting time on them?

You wrote: “IMHO – You are under an illusion (delusion?) if you believe candidates can find the names of hiring managers these days…In short, the candidate is “flying blind” all too often.” I clearly stated in that article that I recommend addressing your letter “Dear Hiring Committee”. I care very much about job seekers and wouldn’t insert my opinions if I didn’t also offer a solution. Did you overlook this while still fuming about my earlier comments? I also recommend “Dear Staffing Specialist”. That’s a freebie for you.

You wrote: “When someone’s livelihood and his/her family’s future are at stake, please don’t dismiss them for using “Dear Sir”. When one’s livelihood is at stake, that person should do everything they can to educate themselves on the most modern and correct methods for getting past the gatekeeper. Again, if you insult any person involved in the hiring process, they will assume that at some point, you will also insult a client or colleague. Why not present yourself as a smart, progressive and personable candidate? What could you possibly have to lose? Instead of taking the time to write your lengthy note to me, why not just say, “Hmm…what I’m doing clearly isn’t working, so maybe I’ll give Lauren’s advice a try.” Instead, you chose to defend your old-fashioned values…and alienate 47.4% of the working population (and rising, because the majority of people who have lost their jobs in this recession have been men) in the process.

You wrote: “BTW – In case you believe the only people ‘still’ unemployed have something ‘wrong’ with them, I disagree: There are still many more good capable people out here wanting jobs than there are positions open.” Frankly Raymond, I find this extremely insulting. If you read other articles that I’ve contributed to, or listened to my weekly radio show, or listened as I was a guest on WGN or WLS or other radio shows, or saw me on CLTV, ABC News or other television shows, you would know that I’m appalled at employers and recruiters who will only consider candidates who are currently working. I’m extremely vocal about this, even getting into a heated debate with a recruiter at a networking event over this very subject. Every time I speak at a job club (sometimes once a week and always on a volunteer basis) I feel that I’m in a room full of the best and brightest in Chicago, and it makes me angry that companies hold a person’s unemployment status against them, when it was Corporate America’s horrible decisions that led to the highest unemployment rate in 27 years. Don’t you dare put me in that category, because you are flat out wrong.

It’s your choice. Ignore me. Keep using ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ in your cover letters and we’ll see how that works out for you. I will also share this spoiler alert with you: JR wasn’t actually shot, it was just a dream. Welcome to 2010.

Raymond, I sincerely wish you the best success, but I think that you may experience greater success if you listen to the experts. Out of all the emails that I received about this article, yours was the only dissenting voice. I urge you to open your mind about this.

Respectfully as well,
Lauren Milligan

Readers, it’s your turn. Please post your comments, and we’ll discuss this on my Livin’ the Dream radio show (www.mydreambiz.net).

The Company:

1. A Six-Year old “start-up” Company located in Southern California.  Their products are sold in Australia, Europe and the United States.  They are “underdeveloped” in the States.

2. An up and coming player in the housewares/pantryware/food prep arena

The Opportunity:

1. Looking for a National Sales Manager

1. 1. Very key role directing all the sales efforts of the company.
   2. An energetic “go-getter” that has experience calling on some of the largest accounts that offer housewares products
   3. Resourceful salesperson who can “sell against the big guys” in the housewares industry
   4. A self driven, independent worker who wants to get out there and make things happen.  My client prefers for the selected person to be located in Los Angeles, but this is not mandatory

The Boss:

1. Position would report to the owner of the company, who is a young entrepreneur who is looking for someone to which he can turn over the sales function.

If this sounds like something you may be interested in or if not, but you know of someone who may be interested in exploring this further, please call me.

Nic Bruns, Managing Partner

Global Recruiters of Wheaton

630-681-1004

nbruns@grnwheaton.com

www.grnwheaton.com

***

CFA Chicago CEO/President

Quick Leonard Kieffer has been retained by CFA Society of Chicago to recruit a new Chief Executive Officer. CFA Society of Chicago is the world’s oldest and 6th largest investment analysts’ society. More information about the organization can be found at <http://www.cfachicago.org/default.asp> >. The CEO and President will be responsible for continuing the Society’s growth and development by supporting and executing existing programs and introducing new and creative ways to enhance the members’ experience. As a small office serving nearly 4000 members, the CEO/President must be an experienced, creative and hands-on association executive with a strong customer service perspective and a background in operations. Specifically, the CEO will:

* Oversee all Society operations and provision of member services.
* Serve as the primary liaison to industry-related organizations, employers and universities and represent the Society at regional, national, and international meetings.
* Work collaboratively with the Board, Executive Committee, and Advisory Groups to set and follow policies.
* Manage volunteers, staff and multiple outside vendors
* Facilitate/moderate Board and Committee discussions to allow for effective and efficient decision-making.

The ideal candidate will possess experience in senior positions of association operations. Experience reporting to and supporting a Board and multiple committees is required. Scott Sammon (Managing Partner) and Courtney Lada (Principal) of Quick Leonard Kieffer will interview all prospective candidates. Please direct all contact to thuey@qlksearch.com

***

Hospital Associate Marketing Director and other healthcare related positions at Children’s Memorial Hospital – Chicago, IL

https://secure.childrensmemorial.org/jobs/joblist.aspx

***

Marketing Manager – Chicago, IL

Position Title: Marketing Manager
Organization: Sinai Health System
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience
Length of Position: permanent basis
Position Description:

Premier Sinai Health System (SHS), located on Chicago’s Westside, is seeking to employ a Marketing Manager to develop and execute a strategic marketing plan to support the financial success of the SHS and its constituent organizations. With an operating budget of $300 million, the SHS is comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Children’s Hospital, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, Sinai Medical Group and Sinai Community Institute. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning, Marketing & Communications, the qualified candidate must have a minimum of three-to-five years marketing experience preferably in a healthcare setting. Demonstrated ability to work on a wide range of marketing campaigns, create ongoing communication vehicles that will increase referrals to physician as well as diagnostic and therapeutic services and develop brand positioning for the SHS are mandatory. Organization and team-building skills and the ability to multi-task are required. Must be able to work and collaborate with a variety of staff, executives, physicians as well as the Public Relations and Communications Department. Strong communication skills, excellent writing skills and the ability to provide content and direction for the Sinai website and intranet are necessary.

An MBA or an undergraduate marketing degree is preferred. Through collaboration, innovative leadership and accountability, the successful candidate will assure that Sinai continues to move toward the vision of “becoming the national model for the delivery of urban healthcare”. For the ideal candidate, this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen a career.

Salary and benefits are commensurate with qualifications and experience.
If your experience qualifies you to achieve the objectives of this position, send your resume with salary history to:

Elaine Liechti-Yarling Director, Recruitment Phone: 773/257.6029 Fax:
773/257.6290 E-mail: yare @sinai.org

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Degree Required: Bachelor’s
Degree Preferred: Master’s
Discipline Preferred: Other (please specify)

***

This weekend, I’m offering a freebie report, “Insider Tips To Writing a Killer Resume”. You can get this sent to you by signing up for my newsletter on the home page! (This starts on Saturday, just to be fair to WGN.)

If you want to hear the re-broadcast of December’s show, it’s posted in a previous blog posting.

If you heard the 3/14 show, I’d love your feedback on my advice and if you didn’t have a chance to ask your questions, please do so here!

As a resume writer, I strongly discourage job seekers to include their picture on the resume. That just makes sense, right? But what about your L.I. profile? Should that also exclude your picture? I tend to think it does but with all of the technology offerings that are out there today, it’s going to be difficult to remain as anonymous as a traditional resume allows. (Don’t even get me started on the …$!%#@… video resume!)

My recommendation is that job seekers omit pictures from their profiles but instead, make sure the profile is as strong as possible – lots of accomplishments and as many endorsements as possible. My friend and LinkedIn coach, April Williams, recommends that anyone concerned about posting their picture to a worldwide audience chooses a group photo instead. I love this idea!

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to worry about this at all, but that’s an entirely different topic for a different day!

The New York Times called and told me they were reprinting a portion of this article in this Thursday’s edition.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this article – share your comments here!

On another topic, I was one of the fortunate few who walked away with a gorgeous gift basket from Ikea. My basket had a TON of cooking items. (Here ya go, Dan!) The first thing I opened was the Ikea cookbook for their Swedish meatballs, which are amazing. I was shocked, and then not shocked at all to find that all the measurements are in metrics. How much is 250 grams of minced pork? When do I stop pouring to get 3 DL of cream? I seriously felt like Spinal Tap trying to figure out military time. My next google search: metrics vs. english. You should have seen my two dogs looking at me while I held the whisk and spatula. I think it was a new experience for them.

Next Tuesday, I’ll be joining Leo, Carl and John on the “Livin’ the Dream” internet-based radio show! I’m really excited and think it’s going to be a great mix. My topic will be career advancement. Leo fluidly handles business ownership, John is our financial planning whiz and Carl strategically maneuvers the world of investing in commercial real estate. All of these topics tie-in nicely together and the three of us have a great rapport. I’m looking forward to seeing how that rapport will translate on the show. Here is a link to the show where you can listen live (11AM CST every Tuesday) or to the archives: http://www.mydreambiz.net/

Until next time, have a great week!