Ask Amanda How to Bounce Back After a Layoff

Ask Amanda How to Bounce Back After a Layoff Ask Amanda How Can I Bounce Back After Getting Laid Off?Each week, TopResumes career advice expert, Amanda Augustine, answers user questions like the one below from Quora and theAsk Amandaform. A certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW), Amanda has been helping professionals improve their careers for over 10 years. Have a question for Amanda?Submit it here.Q How do I bounce back after a layoff?I just got laid off from my job. Now what do I do? Kaia C.Whether you knew the pink slip was coming or you were caught completely off guard, getting laid off from a job is never an easy situation in which to find yourself. As with any loss, a layoff is bound to stir up many emotions and throw your world for a loop. However, now is not the time to curl up and hide. Below are seven steps you can take to bounce back from a layoff and land your next job.Take a moment to mournBefore you bounce back from getting laid off, take a deep breath and allow yourself to grieve. Its perfectly natural and healthy to mourn the loss of your job. And frankly, its important that you absprache with ansicht emotions head-on at the beginning of your job search so they dont hold you back later on in the process.Accept your feelings for what they are and look for activities to help you deal with them, such as surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family and seeking physical activities where you can let out some steam in a healthy way. Remember, your job loss is a minor setback in the grand scheme of your career. Many successful professionals have experienced setbacks in their careers and were able to turn things around. Youre no different.Reflect on what youve learnedI know it seems impossible at the moment but think of your recent layoff as an opportunity, rather than a loss. Take a step back and consider what this experience has taught you about yourself and your goals. Now that you have the chance to write a new chapter in your career, what do you want to do?Write down what you liked about your recent job and what you wished you could have changed about the position. Use this information to clearly define your job goals for your next search.If youre struggling to clarify your job goals, try a few of these job-goal exercises.Brainstorm your bragging pointsOnce your job goals are well-defined, youll need to update all your personal marketing materials for your job search. This includes, but is not limited to, your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and any other social media channel you decide to leverage for your job search.Pull out your brag book or start building one ASAP to help you identify the career highlights and most relevant accomplishments from your work to showcase throughout your marketing materials.Request a free resume critiqueIt can be very difficult to remain objective while writing your resume when youre dealing with the sting of a recent layoff. If youre having t rouble articulating your value to an employer, deciding what information to include in your resume, or youre unsure how to optimize your resume with the right keywords, submit your resume for a free review by TopResume. Your TopResume free review will let you know what your resume is doing well and where it is missing the mark from both a content and design perspective. It will also show you how an applicant tracking ordnungsprinzip will read your resume, what top skills and keywords your resume currently ranks for, and what information may get yperit in the system altogether.Or better yet, outsource your resume rewrite to a professional writer who understands the ins and outs of applicant tracking systems and the recruitment process so youre one step closer to landing your next job. Click on the following link to learn more about TopResumes resume-writing packages.Audit your online personal brandAs a job seeker, you need market your skill sets and experience on and offline to suppo rt your job goals. Make a list of every social media account youve created and then decide which ones you want employers to find when they Google you. For these sites, check to make sure they match your new resume by telling a consistent story about your work history, education, and current goals. If there are other accounts youd prefer to reserve for personal use only, change the profile personenname to your first and middle name or a nickname, and increase the security settings so that only your close friends and family can find and access them. For more tips on how to evaluate your personal branding strategy, download my free personal branding checklist.Invest in your professional networkYou are 10 times more likely to land an interview when your job application is accompanied by an employee referral. However, in order to secure these coveted job referrals, you need to nurture your network of contacts. Take the time to reconnect with former colleagues, vendors, and clients you lo st touch with over the years. This networking advice also applies to your personal connections, especially the social butterflies in your life who have vast networks and are more likely to introduce you to valuable contacts.Whenever you meet someone new or reconnect with a contact, dont enter a conversation asking for a job. Instead, use these discussions as opportunities to seek out information and additional introductions.Opt for a positive state of mindA successful job search requires an optimistic mindset. No one wants to hire the candidate who seems too desperate for the job or appears to be still hung up over getting laid off, so when youre interviewing with prospective employers, focus on expressing your genuine interest in the job opportunity rather than bitterness from your recent layoff. Dont let yourself walk into a networking event or an interview with an obvious integrierte schaltung on your shoulder from your last work experience it will only taint your conversations and hold you back from landing a job.If an interviewer asks you about your last job, choose your words carefully bashing your former employer will only hurt you. Briefly mention the layoff and then bring the conversation back to your passion for your work and your qualifications for the job at hand.At the end of the day, remember that getting laid off is only a minor setback in your career. Dont let this hiccup define you. Instead, learn from the experience and use this personal growth opportunity to propel your job search forward. I wish you the very best of luckNeed help bouncing back after a layoff? Invest in a professionally written resume todayRecommended ReadingHow to Deliver the Perfect Elevator PitchAsk Amanda How Can I Make My Resume Beat the ATS?How to Explain Your Employment Gap Without OversharingRelated Articles

Resume Writing Language Proficiency: the Ultimate Convenience!

Resume Writing Language Proficiency the Ultimate Convenience Language business will be impressed to discover that you know other languages. Language skills are a really good asset in the verrotten labour market, but elend every job-seeker knows the way to draw attention to them. Language indicate to speak different foreign languages will always be thought of as a strong point whatever the particular needs of the work lokalitt. To provide the employer a better idea about your language knowledge, include that which you have done employing the language in prior jobs or associated experiences. Our CV Sample writing help you find the best means of showcasing your language abilities and boost your odds of being selected language the job youve always desired. There are scores and scores of possible skills to look at using. Skills If there are several varieties of skills which are important to the job that youre applying for, you can include multiple skills list in your resume. Un less youre asking for work in IT, you can alsoput your computer skills in the very same section beneath an overall core competencies heading. The Key to Successful Resume Writing Language Proficiency There are various levels of language proficiency. Bearing that in mind, where you choose to feature your language proficiency matters. In linguistic terms, proficiency doesnt translate to the identical meaning as fluent. There are instances when it can make sense to depart from your language skills off your CV. Resume Writing Language Proficiency the Ultimate Convenience On the purchase page, you can observe a thorough purchase form. A functional resume might not incorporate an individuals work history in any way or might have a concise collection of prior jobs at the base of the document. Therefore, you dont need to enter info in each area of the purchase page. In order to be sure your resume gets in the hands of genuine individual, your resume must consist of pre-determine d buzz words or keywords that the scanners search for. Job-specific skills vary dependent on the position. Make certain that you reflect the work description when you describe your own regions of proficiency. In addition, youd be in a position to explain what that degree of proficiency means in practice. You should first rate your degree of proficiency so you may accurately present it in your resume. English is really the fruchtwein important worldwide language to speak. Resume writing a resumerelevancy is extremely important. When writing a resumerelevancy is quite important. The Resume Writing Language Proficiency Game A great resume format is simple to scan. You need to have a particular languages section which gives more comprehensive info on your ability. The capability to speak different foreign languages will always be thought of as a strong point no matter the particular needs of the work position. Choosing which to use is dependent upon the kind of job which yo u are applying for and your degree of experience. Whether you are searching for your very first job or attempting to earn a career change, the method starts with your resume. Facts, Fiction and Resume Writing Language Proficiency If you decide to use a CV, follow the very same guidelines to list your language skills on top of your CV. Resumes and CVs are two terms that might be used interchangeably. Top Resume Writing Language Proficiency Secrets Managing language learners may locate a totally free ebook speech abortion topics in the most crucial second language. English is now a global language. Resume language skills are the same. Your language skills are just a small portion of your resume, therefore its important that also you realize how to compose a resume by every section. The True Meaning of Resume Writing Language Proficiency Qualifications Once youve listed your experience, make certain to dutifully write out your qualifications. If youre just beginning, you mig ht want to place a larger emphasis on education and internships. Possessing a universal approach to speak about your language proficiency can help you distinguish yourself in a crowded area of job candidates or school applicants. If a particular language is essential for any particular position, you can take a suitable certification exam.

How I Overcame Shyness and Became CEO of a Networking Company

How I Overcame Shyness and Became CEO of a Networking Company Today, Im the CEO of a career-networking mobile app,Trustly. But not too long ago, I welches a very introverted person How did I go from being a shy, quiet introvert to being the CEO of a company especially one based on networking with people? When I was 12, I was accepted into an entrance-exam school that serves a much larger geographic area than my small hometown.Because I was from a poor town and had to commute two hours each way to school, I struggled with a sense of inferiority. I compared myself against the wealthier students. I didnt want to play with other kids because they had new toys and clothes. I avoided going to parties because they would always talk about their favorite cartoons, and we even didnt own a T.V. I never invited friends over because we could barely afford to feed ourselves. I was embarrassed to host dinner gu ests if I could only offer them small bowls of plain rice with a few cheap vegetables.I quickly realized from being around the mora successful families at the middle school that a higher education was the way out of poverty. I studied hard, and I was the first one in my family of rural farmers to go to college. At my college graduation, I admired the commencement speaker, who was also the student body resident. He was popular and charismatic. He seemed to know everyone. I envied his ability to be comfortable around strangers and make friends easily. It was at that moment that I realized I needed to make a change. I needed to find a way to connect with people, because I was tired of being the insecure, lonely kid who couldnt escape his poor hometown.The very next day after graduation, I found a job through the university career office selling cable service from door to door. On my first day, I stood at the door for at least an hour, too afraid to even knock.I had always been the guy who overthinks everything, so I told myself Why not be impulsive for once? Why should I think so much? Once I knock on this door, I wont have to worry about it anymore. If they reject me, at least I wont spend another hour on it.Finally, I knocked on the door, and a nice lady answered. To my surprise, she patiently let me finish my awful pitch. Once I was done, she kindly told me she didnt need cable service. But I talked to my customer without getting kicked outFor the next three months, I knocked on literally thousands of doors and talked to thousands of people. I made zero sales, but I succeeded in facing my fears. Those three months changed my life. They pushed me out of my comfort zone to do something I had been afraid to do. In the process, I gained confidence and I learned the importance of making the first move. To stop being an introvert, I had to force myself to be bold and impulsive.Eventually, I became a successful enterprise sales professional and sold more than$50 mill ion in software during my 10-year career, working with tech giants including Google and Facebook. Now, Im building my own app,Trustly,to help people (especially introverts) reach out totheirnetworks.Here are some things I learned that might help you change from an introvert to an active networker1. Be Bold Make the First MoveAt parties and events, you might be sitting next to a person that you want to meet, but nothing is going to happen if youre silent for the whole night. Conversations can happen easily. Just pick some boring topic or ask a question to start a conversation, such as Can I borrow a pen?2. Get to Know the People in the MiddleIf you know somebody who can refer you to another person, it is much easier for you to talk to that person, isnt it? We also built that intoTrustly, so we can help you find potential referrals to the person you want to talk to by showing you who the connectors are.3. Dont Feel Awkward If People Reject YouDont blame yourself if people reject you. If you have good intentions and someone doesnt want to meet you or talk to you, its probably not your fault. They may be distracted, busy, or just not interested. Dont take it personally. Just move on to someone who is interested in knowing you.4. Bring Value to Others and Pay It ForwardAt the end of the day, relationships are about value creation. If you dont bring value to an interaction, people will ignore you. Your value-add could be insights, support, or a helpful referral. If you look at successful people, you will find that most of them are well-connected in their industries.Sometimes, it takes only a little mental effort to overcome the internal fears that keep you from approaching people who might be meaningful connections.This article originally appeared onTrustlys Blog.

The Smallest, Simplest Way to Reduce Stress at the Office

The Smallest, Simplest Way to Reduce Stress at the OfficeThe Smallest, Simplest Way to Reduce Stress at the OfficeForbes has written articles about it, Google trains its employees in it, and countless websites are now spreading the idea of it. So if you havent yet heard about the mindfulness movement, you probably wont be able to avoid it for much longer.Now, Ive seen plenty of workplace initiatives come and go. Typically, I refer to them as flavors of the month, since most are only around as long as the book promoting the program stays on the business bestseller list. But I truly hope that mindfulness in the workplace is different and that it doesnt simply become a buzzword well want to remove from a list of clichd office jargon by the end of 2014.Why? Mindfulness is incredibly valuable in an office environment. Do you ever feel anxiety over things that have already happened, like a bad conversation with your anfhrer or a presentation gone wrong? Do you worry about what might happen in the future, like if there will be a layoff, if your new boss think youre as good as the old boss did, or if youll (finally) get that raise this year? Do you struggle with feelings of not being good enough, worry too much about what others think of you, or wilt under the impact of working with negative people?If you recognize any of these thoughts, mindfulness can help. According to the Mayo Clinic, mindfulness is the act of being intensely aware of what youre sensing and feeling at every moment- without interpretation or judgment. And its been proven to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and eliminate the self-judgmental, jumping to conclusions-type thinking that can drive your anxiety levels up.Of course, this isnt something you can do overnight like many people, youll probably need to practice in order to develop the skills of mindfulness. After all, being intensely aware of your every moment is not exactly a perspective we honor in todays multi-tasking, information-overl oaded workplace.But there are some changes you can make- this week- toincrease your awareness of the present moment. To get you started, here are five incredibly helpful exercises from How to Train a Wild Elephant And Other Lessons in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays, MD.Though they may seem like simple tasks, they can be a great jumping off point tomitigate the worries and distractions that consume your mindat work.1. Use the Opposite Hand When doing ordinary workday tasks, like writing with a pen or dialing the phone, try switching to your non-dominant hand. Because it doesnt have the skills of your dominant one, youre forced to think about what youre doing in the present moment.How it Helps This is a great demonstration of how much we unconsciously move through our lives. We dont have to think twice about using our dominant hand, but using the other makes us slow down and pay attention, as if its a new experience.2. Listen Like a SpongeIf youre having a conversation with a colleagu e or your manager, attend the conversation with no electronic devices. Dont formulate your response while he or she is speaking, and dont even take notes. Just focus completely on what the person is saying.How it Helps To do this kind of listening, you must quiet both your body and your mind. It may be a challenge to wait for your turn to speak, but by listening 100% attentively, you will be better able to take in what the other person is saying.3. Stop and ListenTry eating lunch in the cafeteria by yourself one day. While there, tune into the sounds drifting around you. Dont try to figure out what each sound is, where its coming from, or what you can do to stop it. Just listen to it as if youve never heard it before.How it Helps Intentional listening is another tool to quiet your mind. If your morning has left you frazzled with stress, too many emails, or a huffy customer, a listening practice at lunch will help you rejuvenate.4. Pay Attention to PostureTake notice of your posture during the workday. If youre standing in a slouch, straighten up. If youre hunched over in your desk chair, bring your shoulders back and take a few deep breaths.How it Helps Bays says that posture and focus are directly connected. When you feel drowsy and begin losing focus, your posture often deteriorates as well. By improving posture, youll increase your focus and pull yourself into the present.5. BreatheBefore you answer your phone, breathe. As soon as the ringing starts, pause and take three breaths. This will help settle your mind before answering the phone, which will help you go into that phone conversation fully focused and 100% present.How it Helps This exercise brings you into a state of stillness of mind and body, redirecting your attention to the moment and helping you respond to the caller with calm, kindness, and openness. If you would normally carry your workday stress into a phone call, the three breaths will help you to release that stress before you speak.When you ve tried these exercises for a week or so, notice whats happening for you. No, they wont immediately dissolve all of your work worries, but theyll likely help you approach your struggles in a different way. And ideally, youll find a sense of calm, peace, and presence in the moment. Start with these simple steps, and see what happens.Photo of man at work courtesy of Shutterstock.

Go the extra mile Show everyone what youre made of

Go the extra mile Show everyone what youre made ofGo the extra mile Show everyone what youre made ofSelf-Assessment Quiz - TRUE or FALSEIm aware of how much extra work I can manage to take on at work.I enjoy being a team player and taking on leadership roles at work.Being more visible at work is in line with my career goals.Do you want to shoot to the top in your career? Do you want to stand out to your boss? Do you want to be an exemplary employee that people trust and want work with? Add paper to the copier.What the what?Yes. Add paper to the copier When you go the extra mile at work, whetherbei youre new to the company just starting out in the mail room or have advanced to assistant communications manager, people leidice the little things you do, likehelping the entire teamby adding paper to the copier. Think about it, if everyone walks by the empty copier and grumbles, Thats not my job what happens? Productivity slows down, people get irritated and team morale goes down just a ti ny bit over something which takes two minutes to fix. By taking this sort of initiative, youre actually showing everyone what youre working with fortitude, leadership, awareness, ability and desire to go the extra mile.Depending on the situation, going the extra mile can feel likesucking up, but sucking up aint always a bad thing. Especially when done right. If youre in a meeting and your boss asks for a volunteer to compile a spreadsheet of the attendees to last years company fundraiser gala, think about raising your hand. Sure, youre busy like everyone else and clearly that aint your job because you work in finance and headcounts aint sales.BUT can it be? If you work on this list, youll have an inside look at who attended the fundraiser which means youll have an inside look at who gave funds or was open to giving. You can use this info to create ideas to get more sales for the company. Ding Ding Winning Youve just helped your boss (which through this project may also get you more career-enhancing face time with her) and who knows, maybe youve helped out Jill in auffhrung planning who would have jumped off a bridge if given one more project today. Jill may then give you her extra tickets to a gala fundraiser art opening which could mean networking and future growth for youGoing the extra mile, isnt of course always as easy as filling up the copier. Or volunteering for unassigned tasks. Its thinking beyond what you were asked to do. Nothing pisses a boss off more than handing out assignments and getting backexactlythat which was asked of the assignee. Confusing? Doesnt have to be.Look at it this way bosses love working with team members whosimplifyher life the most. People who take the project they have been assigned and run with it. Make it their own. Without any drama or unnecessary complications. That PowerPoint deck from last year I asked you to update because I dont have the time? You not only updated the charts that were outdated, but youanimatedthe enti re deck too? And added an appropriate video? You just made me look smarter than I am. I LOVE you for that Compare this to your colleague who got the same task and sent me her comments embedded in the deck about the changes shesuggestsmaking, replete with five paragraphs foreachcomment justifyingwhyshe is suggesting these changes in the first place. Oy Vey. Bosses dont need alla that We dont want to know all the background details you had to wade through to make the magic happen. We just want the magic. I dont want to know it took you 15 emails to find the person who had the answer to your question. I dont want to be copied on all 15 of those emails either And I dont want to know, unless I ask, that you stayed up until 4 am making that presentation literally sing. I just want the job done. Really well. You become the bosses pet when you up the ante with badass moves such as this. And this shows up in our bonus conversations. I start looking at you differently and asking you what your career goals are. Because, now Im vested in helping you move up. I can see your star power and potential.When you do that extra somethin somethin at work, you are demonstrating that you are a leader. Leadership is key to success and moving up the corporate ladder. (Pssst, heres aquiz on leadershipin case youre wondering how you stack up in this department.)However, newbie, do be aware of being dumped upon. Some bosses carry that corporate culture of churn and burn where they throw so much work at the capable achievers like you that adds incredible stress and ultimate burnout. You dont want this. Definitely consider the pros and cons of going the extra mile. If you have a boss who doesnt appreciate you - or even worse doesnt GIVE YOU CREDIT for all your hard work - you might need to take your ball and bat and head to a boss who isnt afraid to let your star shine. Look to your careerSMART goalsto help keep you on track.Now get on out there and start going beyondCheryl Grace is the sassy aunt, best friend, and mentor youve always needed in your life. The successful jet-setting, global corporate executive founded the aspirational lifestyle brand Powerful Penny LLC. Her products, workshops and speeches probe, inspire and empower to ensure those who really want to can get to their next level of best. Her blogs on careers, prosperity, relationships, family, looking and living fabulously, and living a five-star life can be found atwww.powerfulpenny.com.

4 ways to slash your resume down to one page

4 ways to slash your resume down to one page4 ways to slash your resume down to one pageSlicing off bits of your resume in order to keep it to one page can be so tough. When youve accomplished a lot in your career, it can be difficult to pick what to remove - so heres what to cut out.Say goodbye to super-old positionsIts just not worth keeping them around.Kim Isaacs, a resume expert for Monster and founder of Advanced Career Systems, writes on Monsters website that you should eliminate old experience.Employers are fruchtwein interested in what you did recently. If you have a long career history, focus on the last 10 to 15 years. If your early career is important to your current goal, briefly mention the experience without including details. For example Early Career ABC Company - City, State - Assistant Store Manager and Clerk, 1980-1985, she writes.Watch your wordingThis can make a big difference.Lily Zhang, Manager of Graduate Student Professional Development at the MIT Media Lab , writes in The Muse that you should shorten bullets.Your bullet points are really the meat of your resume. This is where you actually talk about your experience. To ensure that people actually read them, absolutely do not let them trail on to a third line. Two lines max, but preferably one, she writes. To decide between one or two lines, use your space efficiently. If your bullet is one line, plus a little bit that dangles onto the next, find a way to condense your language down. Ultimately, youre going for a dangler-free resume.Dont include this line - its unnecessaryPay close attention to this advice.Alison Doyle, an author, career expert and founder and CEO of CareerToolBelt.com, writes in The Balance that you should skip the references.Its not necessary to say references available upon request on your resume. Its understood that you will provide references, if required, as part of the job application process, she writes.Choose the right examplesThis is key.Marcelle Yeager, pre sident of Career Valet and co-founder of ServingTalent, writes in U.S. News World Report that you should filter out responsibilities.Employers can likely find almost exact replicas of your job descriptions by doing a Google search for your job titles. Its your responsibility to tell them mora of your story and what you are capable of, she writes. Replace your laundry list of duties with specific examples and the impact of your work. This is what is going to get you noticed.

7 of the most common mistakes recruiters make

7 of the most common mistakes recruiters make7 of the most common mistakes recruiters makeIf you do it correctly, executive recruiting can be a rewarding job.You get to work with interesting people, immerse yourself in diverse professions, and bring people together in a way that might not have been possible without you.But if you do the job incorrectly, it can become a constant battle against your bad habits.We all know that repeating the same mistakes is destructive, but some of those mistakes- especially in recruiting- can be hard to spot. The only way to fight them is to become aware of them and reflect on your work with a discerning eye.Here are a few of the most common bad habits to look out for.Mistake 1 You mistake activity for productivityMost executive recruiters want to do a good job. Theyre inspired- they want to find the best candidate for their client.But many recruiters misinterpret good as busy. They welcheste time and energy, and ultimately, they burn themselves out.I ve made this mistake in my own career by falling prey to paralysis by analysis- immersing myself so heavily in research that I forgot what it was I was hired to do.For example, one time I was tasked with finding a Controller for a public semiconductor company. I vaguely knew what a semiconductor was, but I had no idea what a controller did. So rather than pick up the phone and get to work, I decided to teach myself all there was to know about the state of the semiconductor industry and way more about Sarbanes-Oxley than anyone should.This was a mistake. Nobody cares about how much research I did or how many hours I put in. My job was to get candidates on the phone, tell them about the opportunity, and get them talking to my partner, who actually knew all he needed to know about the company, the industry, and the role. In my research, I forgot what my role was and what I was expected to do.Productivity is measured by results- not effort.Mistake 2 Youre too rigid in your approachExecu tive recruiting necessitates creativity and the ability to adapt. Many recruiters, however, operate with protocols inherently rigid in design.Reaching out to candidates via emaille might work for one role, but not for others. Cold calling candidates might pique some folks interest, but it might annoy others. In reaching out to CEOs, you will likely need a more tailored, personalized approach- one that shows youve done your research. Engineers, on the other hand, might require only a short note.Sticking with one strategy simply doesnt work. Your approach should differ depending on the situation, industry, and market.Mistake 3 You use too many email templatesAlong the same lines, using templates to lend even more rigidity to your recruiting process is a further step in the wrong direction.Recruiters use templates because they think it increases their efficiency. They think it allows them to reach more candidates at a faster clip. They think that wider reach increases their odds of fin ding a qualified candidate and eliminates the opportunity for mistakes.But thats not always the case. In fact, templates can ironically make recruiters more prone to mistakes. I recently received an email from a recruiter that started off, Dear FIRST NAME, Im really impressed by your work at INSERT COMPANY.Theres no better way to turn off a candidate than by revealing the machinery behind the curtain.Mistake 4 You get people excited and then ghost themAs a recruiter, an unavoidable component of your job will be telling candidates that the client ended up going with another candidate. It can be difficult, but you have to do it. You owe it to the candidate to give them clarity and closure.Some recruiters, however, eschew this step in the process.That is always a mistake. Ghosting reflects poorly on you, your firm, and your reputation. It hurts feelings. Its a bit like going on a great first date and then never giving the girl or guy a call back. People remember.Mistake 5 You over-per sonalize the processOne reason recruiters dont like informing candidates that they havent been picked for a role is because theyve over-personalized the process. They fear their candidate will think they werent picked because the company didnt like them.Recruiters cant let themselves be so emotional. Executives recruiters are in the business of telling candidates No. Good or bad, its a part of the job. After all, you can only place one candidate per search.But its also true that in the hiring process, personality and cultural fit are not usually considered until the very end. This means that in the recruiting process, nothing should be personal, either. In your communications with candidates and clients, you have to be honest, constructive, and transparent.Being short-sighted or afraid of hurting feelings is a mistake. At the end of the day, its always better to be professional. People respect that. And if you try to weasel around it, everyone knows.Just be honest. Dont burn any bri dges, and dont badmouth your client or your candidate. Be professional.Mistake 6 You dont stand up for your processEqually inevitable, though, is the fact that on the client side, some of the people you work with are going to be unreasonable. Theyre going to contradict previous requests. Theyre going to make outlandish statements, or be spurious in their feedback, or impede upon your process.As a recruiter, you need to be confident in your process and know when to defend it.This might look like providing feedback to the client on their feedback. It might look like advocating for yourself and your reasoning, which you can do by documenting and referencing your process using a search platform like Clockwork. Documenting your discussions with your clients and getting their feedback on each important stage of the recruiting process will make the search go more smoothly.If you can look yourself in the mirror and honestly say youve done the best job you can, then you should have the confi dence to stand up for yourself.Many recruiters dont, and as a result, they corrupt their process.A better alternative- even if it gets you fired- is to do your job the way you know is best (and have the CYA materials to back it up).Mistake 7 You bombard candidatesLastly, one of the most common mistakes executive recruiters make is inundating candidates inboxes. You send them an email in the morning and then again in the afternoon. You follow up the next day. You write something cute like, You must be getting chased by a hippo, because 1) you saw that somewhere, and 2) why else wouldnt a candidate respond to your awesome emails?This is another great way to annoy candidates who might otherwise be interested in the position youre recruiting for. Emailing candidates can be an effective technique, but imposing on candidates as if responding to you is an obligation almost always backfires.Its the equivalent of being approached by an insistent solicitor holding a sign your first response i s, Leave me alone.Its better, instead, to temper your follow-ups. Candidates are busy, and they dont owe you anything.Ive found a more effective approach is asking for help. Source people for people. Tell them- succinctly- what schrift of candidate youre looking for and ask them if they know anyone that might be interested. They just might know someone. They also might be interested themselves. Youd be surprised at the increase in responses you get. People- when asked nicely- like to help if they can.As is the case in any profession, executive recruiters are bound to make mistakes- all of us are.But if you can learn from those mistakes and actively avoid them moving forward, thats how you build strong habits conducive to success.Christian Spletzer, Founder and CEO of Clockwork RecruitingThis post was originally published on Quora.com.