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You are here: Home / Archives for Derek Zeller

ICYMI: The Week In Recruiting – August 10, 2015

August 11, 2015 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

We’re bringing you the best recruiting and sourcing content on a weekly basis. Not seeing something from your favorite site? Suggest a site in the comments, and we’ll check it out!

 

Camp A or B: The Millennial Recruiting Divide – Marie Burns

A Detailed Guide on Advanced Search Operators – Johnny Campbell, Social Talent

The Finger and Two Pink Slips – Steve Levy, Recruiting Inferno

Content Marketing – Matt Charney – via the Animal Show – Recruiting Animal

Does Anyone Actually Care About Candidate Experience? – Recruiting Daily

The 9 Circles of Recruiting Hell – Recruiting Daily

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Animal, Boolean, Derek Zeller, ICYMI, Matt Charney, Steve Levy, Week In Recruiting

It's All In Magellan

September 30, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Derek Zeller
When I first started in recruiting there were significant differences than in today’s environment. It seems that the first thing we do is run to a job board, LinkedIn, or just post and pray. What happened to that database that you have? I mean there are agencies and companies that have been accumulating resume of candidates for years. Yet when it comes time to find that elusive purple squirrel we search on every website know in existence with Boolean strings that would make Shakespeare shake his head. Why? What are we so afraid of? I don’t know but I am going to break it down to why the first place you want to go IS your database. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ATS, Derek Zeller, recruiting, sourcing

Recruiting: It's Not All In The Name

July 30, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Derek Zeller

It’s true. In fact there is an interesting perception that because you’re big, you are better. Everyone wants to work for you.  Who wouldn’t want to work at Google, Amazon, and Apple?  Apparently there are a few.  How can I back up this statement?  Well, in my best Jim Carey voice “LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING!!”

The reason I know this is that ALL these companies have recruiters, ALL of them.  Now why would that be? They have a great brand, everyone knows who they are. Why do you need recruiters? You need them to get the people.

Although they know of you, they are:

1)      Afraid of the machine

2)      Wary of the process

3)      Been burnt before

4)      They just aren’t that in to you

We are the agents of the company we work for. We are RECRUITERS. The very definition of recruit is “someone who supplies members or employees”.  Having a big name may be part of the picture but relying on it is silly. We need to, yes I am going there, SELL our company to the candidate.  I know there will be multiple postings on recruiting is not sales etc. but get over it. It just is. I know that a stellar candidate is going to be chased after by Google and Microsoft.  Both great companies so who wins?  IMO the company with the better recruiter does.  I know, I know, there are many variables but at the end of the day the recruiter is the final voice the candidate hears and trusts. If you were doing it right, you were closing them from the very beginning.

I don’t recruit for a large company.  I recruit for a medium sized Government contractor in DC.  I recruit for some of the most difficult to find, capture, and retain talent in the world.  These folks are Cyber and IT and all have clearances.  There are a lot of “Big Boys” here Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, etc.  They all have a brand. They are all well known.  I compete against their recruiters with 10 times the budget that we have and guess what? I beat out the big companies almost every time when it comes down to winning the talent. Why?  I SELL my company with all that I have to get these folks. My method is simple. I know what they do. I listen to what they want. I make the match.  I pre-sell the opportunity and am listening to them all the way through the process. I don’t rely on a “Big Boy” reputation with the arrogance that they MUST want to work for my company because blah blah blah.

This rant is really for my brothers and sisters in the corporate world and was not written to chastise you or your company. In fact a few folks, Amy Ala, Cathy Anderson, and Will Thompson are some of the most passionate and talented recruiters I know. They work for large very well-known companies and they use that to their advantage. They never take it for granted and neither should you. No matter who you recruit for do it with passion. Do it with honesty and credibility. The candidate will know it. #truestory

Derek Zeller is a Senior IT Recruiter with ARTI, Inc. You can connect with Derek on LinkedIn or Twitter

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Candidate Experience, Derek Zeller, employment branding, Recruiters, recruiting, sourcing

recruitDC Tweetup – Why It's A Must-Attend

April 28, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Celinda Appleby
4amigoslgoIt is safe to share that the concept of the “Three Amigos” was solidified over Bob Evans brunch about a year and a half ago. Mike, Derek and I came up with the brilliant idea to host Tweet-ups for local recruiting tweeps after we bonded over Social Media Sourcing Tips. Lucky for us, the great folks at RecruitDC, loved the idea and have been super supportive. The idea came from a place of wanting to network with likeminded professionals in a relaxed setting. ‘Cause we all know, a glass of wine, can definitely help after a day of power sourcing or to drown the sorrows of a candidates rejection.

We have lots of fun planning these events and they have been timed to coincide with the RecruitDC conferences. But we have also hosted some just for the heck of it, since networking is always a good time.  Recently, we added Doug to our group due to his in-depth local DMV bar knowledge (his recruiting experience doesn’t hurt, either). We are now officially, a band of amigos! We invite you to join us May 21st at Tara Temple bar in Arlington, VA.

If you have never been to one of our tweet-ups, you are in for a treat! It is much more socializing than tweeting… so a twitter handle is not required. However, we have lots of love for Twitter and you will find us tweeting throughout the event. These events are open to all local recruiters, sourcers and even HR professionals. You are encouraged to attend, even if you are unable to attend the conference. As in this intimate setting you can mingle with the Conference Speakers, attendees and even RecruitDC board members (Ben, Susan, Pete, Lars and Jim)!

We always have a great time and would love to add new faces to our growing tweet-up fan club! You can RSVP right now — Quatro Amigo Tweetup for the best networking event for Recruiting in the DMV!

If you have not registered for the Spring RecruitDC event, we still have X tickets left. I personally benefit from the seminars and the additional networking opportunities each conference gives me. I have shared before how RecruitDC gave me the ammunition I needed to take my career to the next step.

Don’t miss out on the chance to learn hear two of the amigos present at the conference! Register today -> RecruitDC Spring 2014

Celinda Appleby is the Global Digital Media Program Manager for Hewlett-Packard’s Global Talent Acquisition organization. In this role she leads HP’s talent acquisition digital strategy and also oversees HP Careers social media footprint to position HP has a top employer in the market. Feel free to connect with Celinda on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Filed Under: recruitDC Events Tagged With: 4 amigos, celinda appleby, Derek Zeller, Doug Munro, mike chuidian, recruitDC, Tweetup

Still Learning After All These Years

April 16, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Derek Zeller
“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” ― Richard Feynman

I have learned over time that you should never stop trying to learn new things.  This is when you say, yep no brainer.  Why wouldn’t you want to continue learning new things?  Here is the rub.  You don’t do it. I know you don’t.  When it comes down to it you make excuses.  I am tired; I am too busy, overworked, etc.  You just don’t do it. You should though. There is always room to learn and grow especially within recruiting and sourcing. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: career development, Derek Zeller, education, networking, recruiting

How The OFCCP Is Going To Affect Government Contractors And Recruiting – Part 2

March 10, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

Ed. Note: This is part 2 of the series. You can find part 1 here
By Derek Zeller

In my first post on this subject I brought up the new rules that affect sourcing and recruiting.  In this follow up post I will talk about a few more things you should know.  Some of this is, well, a little dry but as I said before this is not really funny stuff.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Derek Zeller, Government Contracting, Legal, OFCCP, recruiting

How The OFCCP Is Going To Affect Government Contractors And Recruiting – Part 1

March 4, 2014 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Derek Zeller

I am now going on my 11th year of recruiting within the GOV space and within that time I have seen quite a few changes. Nothing like the ones I am seeing now.  Usually I write with a little humor in my posts but what is coming is no laughing matter and frankly something recruiters are going to find hard to manage when sourcing. The rules are changing March 24 of 2014.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Derek Zeller, Government Contracting, Legal, OFCCP, recruiting

Winter I$ Coming – Part 1

December 6, 2013 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

This post was originally published on the ClearedJobs.net Blog. It is republished with permission. 
By Derek Zeller

The theme is prevalent in the HBO show and book seriesGame of Thrones. It’s a prophetic thought that is set by these three words.

winter-is-coming

“Winter is Coming” is the motto of House Stark. The meaning behind these words is one of warning and constant vigilance. The Starks, being the lords of the North, strive to always be prepared for the coming of winter, which hits their lands the hardest.

In the DC metro area we have seen winters come and go with only minor irritations. However the mood has changed and like the rest of the United States, the great recession looks to be upon us. The first thing we saw was furloughs. Then a shut down.

As a recruiter in the security-cleared community for the last 10 years, I have seen my share of ups and downs. The winter that is coming will force a change due to several factors.

More Qualified Job Seekers

Firstly, there are more qualified job seekers. Twenty years ago it was difficult to find qualified candidates in newer technologies and roles because they had not been needed previously.

Things needed to be built, upgraded, and protected in ways no one had thought of before. The internet was young but growing at a rapid pace. There were a handful of people that knew how to grow it. Those folks were swept up by the West Coast and its tech monsters such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. To have people with clearances that were in this market was a rare commodity. They could ask and charge a great deal more for their services.

Companies took note as did the Government and the promise of delivery at a higher cost was accepted. Over time however more people with clearances in hand entered the market through traditional means such as colleges and also from the military. People took note of the better paying positions and trained themselves accordingly. This started the influx of talent to the area. As more and more people with in-demand skills came in to the market, salaries became more competitive.

More Competition

Secondly, Federal contracts that were traditionally battled over by the largest contractors have been faced with a slew of smaller, cheaper, and somewhat more efficient small business contractors. Their overhead being less, these smaller companies are able to offer the same services at a greater cost savings to the Government. Contracts now more than ever are being scrutinized by cost of staff and performance.

To compete, larger contractors have cut salaries or reduced staff. When contracts come up for competition or re-compete, typically after 3-4 years, the contracts are being revised, maintaining the more cost effective staff and replacing the more expensive staff with lower-salaried personnel.

How Do You Prepare

Brace for the change and understand that it’s coming. Salaries are likely going down or are going to stay the same with little increase. The most affected in these cases will be managers that are not hands on. When a contract is won by a non-incumbent, typically the first thing replaced is management. The second is the higher earners that the winning bid underbid.

Contractors who are on staff are usually given right of first refusal for the position, but not necessarily at the same salary or benefits. You need to take in to consideration how this will affect you. Leaving without a new position may cost you even more. A new contract may pay less than what you are currently making.

Certifications

DoD and other Federal branches are requiring new certifications on top of clearances. Some are not presently required under the current contracts. For example Information Assurance is on the list with the 8570 training certificate. If you can obtain other certifications within your field, you have a better chance of retaining or acquiring a better salary and position.

Derek Zeller is a senior corporate technical recruiter in the cleared community, recruiting for both agencies and government contractors. Follow Derek on Twitter @derdiver.  Derek-Zeller

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Derek Zeller, Government Contracting, Hiring, Recruiters

recruitDC Tweetup – The Wrap-up

August 5, 2013 by recruitdc Leave a Comment

By Derek Zeller
Tweetup7.25.13

Have you seen or maybe attended a RecruitDC conference in the last couple of years? Maybe you have said, “I just don’t have the time” to take a day off to go to a conference. We get that. We are recruiters too. That is why a number of months ago we partnered up with RecruitDC and started Tweet-ups.

RecruitDC is an awesome event filled with some of the biggest names both nationally and locally discussing strategy, sourcing, and recruiting in a conference setting. It is an amazing time to gather information from multiple sources and not need a hotel or plane ticket. However it does take time.

The tweet-ups were designed to be a mini-conference. Its happy hour with a twitter flair. It is about socializing and learning from each other. Trading contact info or learning who and what is going on within the industry. There is no cost or ticket to buy. Just show up grab a drink and start introducing yourself. WE ARE RECRUITERS so we want to talk!

The first one we did was in Virginia the night before the conference this past spring. Due to its success and everyone having a great time we decided to do another one. We had heard from southern Maryland recruiters that they wanted something for them so we focused in that area. WOW – we are glad we did. The turnout was awesome!

We had representation from the whole area too, NOVA, DC, and Baltimore! There were newer recruiters there and more experienced ones sharing knowledge and dropping great stories. The best part of the tweet-ups is they are totally informal. People were in shorts and short sleeves. No name tags or speakers. We were all equals sharing ideas, stories, and at times…candidates! YES we were able to say I know someone that fits that role, what’s your email or twitter handle?

Tweet-ups were designed to be social and help put a name to a face for local recruiting. Then next time you get an invite or see us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Come on over for a chat and hello. We would love to have you!

Derek is a Senior IT Recruiter at Advanced Resources Technologies, Inc., and you can always find him on Twitter at @Derdiver

Filed Under: recruitDC Events Tagged With: Baltimore, DC, Derek Zeller, networking, Tweetup, Twitter, VA

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