The following questions are those we are asked more often than any others…if you have a question or concern that you do not see addressed here; please contact your MSA Representative.

 

I haven’t been on the job market for years…I don’t have a current Resume. Is this a problem?

 

A Resume is what “sells” you to a potential employer before you have the opportunity to meet with the company in an interview setting. Often times, it can make the difference between a company eliminating you for a particular position or catapult you to the top of the Candidate Food Chain, so to speak. We strongly recommend drafting a resume if you do not currently have one. For Executive level positions, it is not an option. You must have a professional resume to be taken seriously.

MSA offers Resume Services on a Fee basis, or you can draft your own. If you choose to create your own, remember that LESS IS MORE. Resumes should be kept to two pages in length whenever possible. Try to avoid the typical “resume fluff” such as lengthy “Objective” summaries or “Career Highlights”. Your resume should speak for itself. List the companies you have worked for, the titles you have held and your major accomplishments at each company. Finish with your Education and professional affiliations. Upon request, we will forward a general format to go by when creating your resume.

Should I work with several different Recruiters in order to optimize my exposure?

 

In general, we advise working with no more than two Recruiters at one time. If you are actively working with more than two, chances are that they will be duplicating efforts which can lead to problems. Stick to industry experts vs. employment agencies or “generalists” who work within several different fields. Also – and this is important – make sure that the Recruiter you are working with obtains your permission before sending your resume out, or at least has a thorough understanding of the types of companies you would like to target. The last thing you want is to have your resume ‘shopped’ all over the industry and showing up on all the job boards….this can send the wrong message. 

There is something else you should know when working with more than one Recruiter. Do not ‘share’ information between recruiters….in other words, you should not volunteer to Recruiter A that Recruiter B has set you up with an interview with (XYZ Mortgage) for a (Regional Management) position. Competition within the recruiting industry is fierce; just as you expect your recruiter to hold your information confidential, you should extend the same courtesy to the search firms representing you.

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I have submitted my resume to MSA…when should I expect to see results?

 

This is a tough question to answer given the amount of variables involved. Allot depends on the status of the industry at the time of your job search. Other factors that contribute to time frame are issues such as compensation - are you flexible? Are you open to relocation? For production management positions, can you ‘bring’ additional sales staff with you? Do you have a strong track record of success? Are you trying to change careers? (For example, have you historically been in wholesale but now want to go into a retail environment?) Do you have production reports available? All of these factors make a difference with regard to the time it may take to secure a new position.

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What are my obligations with regard to working with a Recruiter?

 

The number one factor in a successful relationship is communication. If your recruiter calls you about an opportunity, be responsive. Even if it is a position / company you may not have an interest in, a prompt return phone call will ensure that your recruiter will continue to work in your behalf and present opportunities to you as they arise.

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I’ve received an Offer. Will MSA help me negotiate it?

 

Absolutely. If the company makes the offer to you directly, and you are either not comfortable with the terms, want to think about it or discuss it with your Recruiter, tell the employer you would like an opportunity to think about it overnight, and that you will get back to them within 24 hours. This is reasonable.

If there are certain aspects to the offer that need to be negotiated, we can often accomplish this more effectively than a candidate doing so on his own behalf. 

For questions not addressed here, please contact your MSA representative or use our "Contact Us" form in the Candidate Section of our website.

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