Catalyst Career Group

Career Fairs Across the Country

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How AI Can Help Job Seekers Find The Perfect Position!

Posted by on in Hiring Technology, Hiring Trends, Virtual Hiring

The job search process can be long and arduous, especially in today’s competitive market. But artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to make it easier for job seekers to find their dream jobs.

AI is being used in a variety of ways to help job seekers. A study by Burning Glass Technologies found that AI-powered tools can help job seekers find jobs that are 30% more relevant to their skills and experience. But AI can help hiring managers as well! A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that AI-powered tools can help hiring managers save up to 75% of the time they spend on recruiting. Here are just a few ways that AI can be used in the hiring process:

  • Job matching: AI can be used to match job seekers with open positions that are a good fit for their skills and experience. This can save job seekers a lot of time and effort, as they no longer have to manually search through job boards.
  • Interview preparation: AI can be used to provide job seekers with personalized interview preparation resources, such as practice questions and feedback on their answers. This can help job seekers to feel more confident and prepared for their interviews.
  • Salary negotiation: AI can be used to help job seekers compare salaries and make sure the pay is fair and competitive. This can help job seekers to get the most out of their new jobs.

In addition to these specific applications, AI is also being used to improve the overall job search experience in a number of ways. For example, AI can be used to provide job seekers with personalized recommendations for job boards, articles, and other resources. AI can also be used to create virtual assistants that can help job seekers with tasks such as scheduling interviews and tracking their progress.

As AI continues to develop, it is likely that we will see even more innovative ways for AI to help job seekers. AI has the potential to revolutionize the job search process and make it easier for job seekers to find their dream jobs.

If you are looking for a new job, you may benefit from exploring the many AI-powered job search tools that are available. You may be surprised at how much AI can help you in your job search!

Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.

And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today. Contact Catalyst Career Group to get connected with our virtual job fairs where we connect job seekers with hiring managers.

How To Improve Your Company’s Hiring Process.

Posted by on in Hiring Trends, Job Descriptions, Job Seeker

As with many job searches, the hiring process can be difficult and time consuming. In the process of searching for the perfect candidate, attracting the right people for your brand will help to improve the quality and retention of your employees. A good hiring process sets the tone for prospective employees, so here are a few way to improve yours:

Make your job descriptions clear and specific.

For a job seeker, their first interaction with your brand will likely be through your job description. Take some time to include a detailed explanation of all responsibilities and benefits for the applicant. This will help to ensure that when you do receive an application, they are from those who are genuinely interested and a good fit for the position. This can also give applicants a taste of your company’s brand, values, and culture which are all significant parts of any job search.

Communicate Effectively.

When sorting through applications and moving towards the interview process, there are so many things to discuss with your job candidates. Deciding in advance what kinds of interview questions you will ask and onboarding information you require will make this process much more effective. This will also allow you and your recruitment team to be on the same page, allowing for all communications with applicants to run more smoothly throughout the hiring process.

Don’t make the hiring process longer than necessary.

The job search and hiring process can be stressful. There are many factors to consider on both ends, so it is wise to gather as much information as possible. But once you’ve got an adequate 

understanding of your candidate and what they have to offer, don’t be afraid to move forward in making a decision. If they have not heard back from the employer just 1 week after an interview, 70% of job seekers will lose interest in the position. An article published by JDI Search says that the best job candidates are off the market within 10 days! Always make informed decisions, but be sure to keep timing in mind.

Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.

And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.

Is Spring the Best Time to Kickstart Your Job Search? Exploring the Pros and Cons.

Posted by on in Hiring Trends, Job Seeker

If you have had any experience searching for a job, you know that it can be a long and time-consuming process. As many begin looking for new positions, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to increase your chances of success. As the first quarter of the year comes to a close and the excitement of the new year calms, job seekers are beginning to wonder: is now the right time to begin my job search?

Catalyst Career Group Spring Job Search

While it is true that many companies begin the year with fresh budgets and the need for new hires, the spring is still blooming with possibility! Understanding recruitment cycles and what exactly companies are looking for during the spring quarter may give you a better chance of being seen and securing that interview.

Let’s explore if spring is the best time to kickstart your job search!

Job shortage gives spring job searchers an advantage

Though the January/February hiring surge has passed, many companies are still searching for candidates. Jobs should remain available through the end of spring, even amidst an uncertain economic client. 

Right now, there is a massive labor shortage in the U.S. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are currently 10 million open jobs and only 5.7 million unemployed workers. Job seekers can leverage this gap by maintaining their engagement with open job postings throughout the year.

Summer schedules may impact timing

Catalyst Career Group Spring Job Search

With summer comes vacations, shorter work hours, and other out-of-office periods for many hiring managers. Because of these schedule discrepancies, interview processes could extend longer than usual or face a few start-stop disruptions.

Alternatively, if you begin your job search in the spring you may notice the interview process will be accelerated. Rather than prolonging the hiring process into summer, some companies will want to quicken their pace in order to place candidates before their vacations begin. This could work to your advantage and help to complete your spring job search faster. Not all companies follow this pace, so you’ll need to adjust your expectations from application to application and remember to be flexible.

Be prepared for competition in your spring job search

Because of the advantageous job market, many people are beginning their job search this spring. With so many candidates competition is high, so you have to do your best to stand out. Spending a bit of time every day working on your resume and building your interviewing skills could be what scores you your dream job.

Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.

And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.

CANDIDATE SEARCH AND PLACEMENT

Your company may be at risk of lost productivity if the right people aren’t found now. We’ll find the right hire for your business with candidate search and placement.
+ Learn more about candidate search and placement here.

VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS (Diversity)

Consider joining the upcoming area Job Fair. These are multi-profession, multi-industry VIRTUAL EVENTS where recruiters can safely connect live with area talent and maximize their recruiting efforts from the comfort of their own office.
+ Learn more about Virtual Job Fairs here.
+ View the Chicago Virtual Diversity Job Fairs here.

PRIVATE RECRUITING EVENTS

Your Private Recruiting Events are an efficient way to recruit. Qualitfied candidates are sourced, screened, and presented for you to interview.
+ Learn more about Private Recruiting Events here.

SINGLE-COMPANY VIRTUAL HIRING EVENT

Host your own online job fair exclusively for your company.
+ Learn more about Single-Company Virtual Hiring Events here.

Virtual Hiring Brought To You!

VIEW MORE: Try “Different” Experiences To Get Better Candidates …

How To Make The Most Of A Spring Job Search

Posted by on in Hiring Trends, Job Seeker

At the start of a new year, many people are beginning their job search, with new goals for their career in mind. Many employers anticipate this and present job seekers with new positions and job openings. But if job seekers are not prepared to navigate this saturated market and stay consistent in searching throughout the beginning of spring, it can still be quite difficult to hear back from hiring managers. Keep reading to learn a few ways that you can make your spring job search more productive!

A spring job search can last 5 months on average

It’s easy to get impatient when searching for a new job. Between interviews and follow-up calls, a position in your dream company can feel far away. That is why it’s important to remember that from application to hire, a job search takes 5 months on average. Shifting your focus to being as prepared as possible from the very start is the best thing any job seeker can do. 

Target your most desired companies for your spring job search

Just like everyone else, employees at top-earning companies are likely searching for jobs themselves. If there are specific companies you have in mind, beginning your job search in the start spring could be your best bet. Along with their existing employees moving into new jobs, business owners are likely setting new goals of their own, often resulting in more jobs.

If you need help creating a list of targets, many organizations create “Best Place to Work” lists. Start with your local media outlets for desirable companies in your area. You should be able to find these via a search for “best places to work in {your city}.” Other outlets, like LinkedIn, Fortune magazine, job listing website Glassdoor, Forbes, and other media companies release their top lists each year, as well.

Network intentionally to make the most of your spring job search

As you spend time networking, be mindful that it can be beneficial to connect with people who are not directly related to the company you are seeking out. When you begin securing contacts and interviews, make a plan to follow up with your contacts. It is important to maintain relationships with people, even if no job comes from the connection. Investing in your professional relationships keeps the door open for future connections and opportunities. 

Make your job search more fruitful by following these tips and staying up to date with other Catalyst Career Group hiring resources! 

Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.

And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.

How Will The FTC Noncompete Clause Effect Your Hiring?

Posted by on in Employee Benefits, Hiring Trends, Job Descriptions, Virtual Hiring

After voting 3-1 last month, the Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule to ban noncompete clauses in the U.S. The FTC has stated that they believe noncompete clauses harm innovation in business and suppress wages, ultimately violating the FTC’s fair trade laws. 

A ban on noncompete clauses could help the economy

1 in 5 workers are affected by noncompete clauses. By limiting workers ability to change jobs and achieve upward mobility we see a lack of healthy competition, something that drives our economy. 

Moving to ban noncompete clauses may increase wages

Economists also believe noncompete clauses are to blame for stagnant wages in recent years. The FTC estimates that by implementing this new rule, wages will increase by about $300 million yearly. By banning noncompete clauses in Oregon, a study in 2021 found that wages for low-wage workers rose by 2% to 3%. 

Noncompete clauses are very important for businesses that depend on trade secrets and their highly educated employees. Though the clauses make sense for high-level employees, many are suggesting regulation on their use among low-wage employees instead of eliminating them all together. 

Many assume non-competes to be non-negotiable

Some may argue that employees have the right to negotiate noncompetes in their contract or simply decline job offers that attempt to implement noncompete clauses, but many job seekers are not aware of these clauses until after being hired.

In 2015 The Journal of Law and Economics found that only 10% of employees negotiated over noncompete clauses in their contracts, assuming they had no say in the matter. 

FTC noncompete bans would affect current and future noncompete clauses

The FTC’s new proposal would not only make it illegal for employers to implement noncompete clauses, but it would also require employers to eliminate any current clauses and inform all employees of the change. 

Though we would not see this potential ban on noncompetes until late 2023, many employers will likely begin making changes to other confidentiality provisions in anticipation of this change.

Catalyst Career Group is committed to matching quality candidates with great companies all over the nation. We make it easy for job seekers with our friendly welcome orientation, informative event guides, and seminars specifically designed to help you advance your career at in-person and virtual job fairs.

And Private Recruiting Events allow you to meet with employers at their office, conference room, or virtually (over phone or video interview). While multi-company job fairs work well to meet many candidates for a broad range of positions, we’ll bring you directly to the door of the person who is hiring today.

Learn more about how Catalyst Career Group helps employers hire the right people for your position! >> https://catalystcareergroup.com/employers/