• The official blog of Abacus Group — a place to share our knowledge and thoughts on trends in recruiting •

The candidate-recruiter process works well because executive recruiters wear many hats in their multifaceted profession. They are career advisors, matchmakers, brand spokespeople and—perhaps most importantly—skilled salespeople. Consider the characteristics of an outstanding salesperson and those of an exceptional executive recruiter; there is an extraordinary amount of overlap.

Sometimes money becomes the dominant focus of one’s job search—and it shows. This mindset greatly damages one’s prospects in meetings with potential employers. Job seekers should verbally prioritize other, unrelated factors, including new learning opportunities, company reputation, professional recognition, and long-term career development.

Abacus Group announced today its placement on the 2017 list of America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms. Abacus, which specializes in executive search and temporary staffing for Accounting, Financial, and Administrative positions across all industries, earned an impressive ranking of 25 on the list of 250. In addition to its distinction as one of the top 10% of recruitment firms in the nation, Abacus Group is the highest-ranked company headquartered in NYC.

In 2017, video job interviews are hardly a new phenomenon. Hiring managers have used the screening method since about 2003 with Skype, according to Brandies University. Despite video interviews’ mainstream popularity, many job-seeking professionals have not participated in one and are, perhaps, intimidated by the practice. To perform well, all you need is a bit of information, preparation, and practice.

The results of a new survey of financial services employees are in—and the implications are clear. The industry must prioritize employee engagement and workplace culture to attract and retain talent. Most respondents identified features other than pay as characteristics of attractive workplaces.

Dressing for success in a job interview is must, and this imperative transcends far beyond your clothing. While we recommend that your outfit is slightly more formal than the company’s dress code, your interviewers will assess many other elements of your presentation. These details impact the perception of your overall appearance and, therefore, your performance.

Abacus Group’s recruiters have seen an acceleration in “job-hopping”—holding a relatively high number of positions in a short period of time. Is it smarter for hiring managers to favor candidates with a diverse background in multiple companies and industries? Or should candidates who exhibit stability receive priority?

When your job search lasts longer than projected, it’s easy to blame external forces. There are several ways that professionals inadvertently sabotage themselves from securing new opportunities. An unwillingness to budge in four areas—compensation, company name, title, and interview process—prevents job seekers from finding positions that fit their goals.

Resume writing services are absolutely everywhere—but will someone else’s version of this essential professional document improve your prospects of getting hired? Abacus Group’s recruiters, who review hundreds of applications daily and know what hiring managers seek from candidates, have a few critiques of “store-bought” resumes.

Tomorrow, April 26, marks Administrative Professionals Day. The holiday is the pinnacle of Administrative Professionals Week, celebrated annually since 1952. This year, remember to show gratitude to those individuals who keep your workplace afloat each day. Take a look at a few ways to celebrate.