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Welcome to latest issue of The Talent Talk newsletter, where I dive into the mindset of proactive career growth and making impactful choices.

Going to try something different. I want to take a deeper look into a few of my tweets recently.

These are my random thoughts as a recruiter.

Never say “That’s not my job.”

This is simple.

Those who keep repeating this phrase will find themselves falling behind. Please understand, I'm not suggesting that you allow your companies, colleagues, or boss to exploit you. However, there's always a way to lend a hand. You don't necessarily have to take on extra tasks, but you can assist a colleague in need to achieve the final goal. There's always a way to be of help. If you find yourself repeatedly saying this, it's worth questioning if you're truly in the right position to begin with. This is the question I would be asking myself. 

Do you still need to bring copies of your resume to a Job interview?

This is a challenging question, and I don't have the perfect answer. However, I think a company should show respect by being prepared themselves. Your resume should be on hand and it shouldn't fall on you to have it ready.

On the other hand, consider the inconvenience... It's wiser to err on the side of caution... What if both parties neglect to do this? You end up in the interview without information, wasting time discussing your work history.

Companies do not want to pay you more than they have to.

No matter how much you desire companies to consistently present you with their best offers, they won't always do so. Instead, they will offer what they believe you're likely to accept. Now, there are two perspectives on this: collaborating with an Agency Recruiter or navigating the interview process alone.

Firstly, if you're partnering with an Agency Recruiter, it's crucial to be straightforward and sincere from the start. Recruiters are motivated to secure the most favorable offer for you, as a larger offer means greater earnings for them. However, their influence has limits. By furnishing them with information, you allow them to go to battle with ammunition. They can engage in conversations with their client and advocate for offers that compete well with your existing options.

When you're going it alone, the situation becomes a bit more challenging. A cardinal rule is to avoid disclosing your current salary to potential employers, as this can hinder your negotiations. Before progressing through the interview process, ensure that the role you're pursuing aligns with your salary expectations. Conduct thorough research and engage in discussions with HR or a recruiter before advancing too far in the process. If you receive an offer from another company while still engaged in interviews, you can use it as leverage. It's crucial to communicate this promptly.

However, keep in mind that the company you're using this leverage on might respond by indicating they can't accommodate that figure within their budget. Consequently, their perception of you as a candidate could shift, deeming you too expensive. Thus, attempting to fabricate an offer can backfire. Being candid and forthright about salary, offers, and interviews can greatly assist you, but ensure that your communications truthful.

Why do some companies require a degree to be a leader but not a top performer?

I will never understand.

You might become the highest achiever within a company, yet your progress could be capped due to the lack of a degree. Because of corporate policies, you're prevented from advancing into a leadership role.

Here's my suggestion, if you lack a degree but aspire to be in leadership, ensure you inquire about these policys from the start before joining any company. Don't invest 5 years of hard work and dedication only to realize that you won't be able to move up to a leadership position and will remain stagnant due to the absence of a degree. I frequently witness this situation, especially in sales and individual production roles, although it occurs across various fields.

Will this situation ever change? I believe it will, and I think it might already be in motion. From my perspective, experience will always hold more value than degrees.

Nevertheless, it all boils down to “Company Policy”

Do things other won’t.

This is simple.

If you find yourself thinking, "I won't do someone else's job," chances are your career progression will be slower compared to others.

“Good things come to those who wait, but it’s the leftovers of those to hustle.”

Early in your career, it's beneficial to take on as much as you can and become skilled in various areas but focus on mastering one or two. This combination can be incredibly powerful in the corporate world, a fact that many of my readers are already aware of this.

If you're not willing to support your team in every way possible to achieve the team's ultimate goal, can you honestly say that you're on the right team?

There's a delicate balance between doing tasks that others avoid and being taken advantage of, but only you can truly see the difference. Exercise caution.

Many might not see eye-to-eye with this perspective, but undertaking tasks that others avoid is what will truly set you apart from the rest.

You have to make a choice!

You have to make a choice & make it early.

You can either climb a corporate ladder, build something on your own, or find a new position that knows your value.

Each of these choices will profoundly impact your life, and these are truly the only three options you have.

Pause for a moment and consider where you currently stand in your career. What will you do?

Metro Detroit Job Openings

Automotive/Manufacturing

• Engineering Manager (Farmington Hills)

• Controls Engineer (Multiple Locations)

• Production Supervisor, Engineering Degree Required (Farmington Hills)

• Maintenance Technician 2nd & 3rd Shift (Farmington Hills)

• Maintenance Technician PLC/Electrical (Wixom)

• Embedded Software AutoSar (Novi)

• Sales Manager- Automotive SW (Novi)

• Pre-Sales Engineer- AutoSar (Novi)

• PLC Robotic Instructor

IT Positions

• Salesforce Developer Vlocity (Remote)

• IT Manager (Wixom)

• Service Desk (Pontiac)

• IT Manager (Warren)

• .Net Developer (Number of openings throughout Michigan)

• Strategic Integrations Integrator (Lansing)

• Java Developer

If you are interested in any of these positions connect with me on LinkedIn would love to set up a call to discuss more Indepth.