Monthly Archives: November 2012

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Craig Libis

November 29, 2012 12:46 pm / 1 Comment /

Our guest today is Craig Libis, CEO of Executive Recruiting Consultants. Craig has been recruiting since July of 2000 and has grown his agency to being the largest non-franchised search firm in the state of South Dakota. His organization now recruits C level to Mid-level type roles, ranging from GM’s, CFO’s to staff accountants and operational supervision. His agency’s recruiting efforts involve a number of industries, including Accounting, Agriculture Banking, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications. He is also heavily involved in his industry’s development and has been a featured presenter on the Next Level Exchange program. He has also been asked to share his expertise with publications and broadcasts such as, USA Today, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Dave Ramsey, Career Builder, Agri Insights and various other business journals.

In part two Craig speaks about current job openings that his search firm is working on. He also addresses the importance of Job Shadowing in high school and during college to help you decide on a major and also to determine if that career is a good match. Craig also addresses the value of having a good mentor and surrounding yourself with successful people who have your best interest at heart.

Listen to Interview

Part 2 of the Interview

Posted in: Executive Leadership Interviews / Tagged: , , ,

Rising Star Interviews- Mark Koladycz

November 29, 2012 12:34 pm / Leave a Comment /

Our guest today is Mark Koladycz. Mark is a recent graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Dietetics/Nutrition Science. He has just recently completed an internship with the Unilever organization which is a top maker of packaged consumer goods worldwide, Unilever products are sold in more than 190 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Western Europe. The company’s offerings span several categories, including savory, dressings, and spreads; ice cream and beverages; personal care; and home care. Unilever’s portfolio boasts a dozen brands that each ring up more than 1 billion annually. Best sellers include Hellmann’s (mayonnaise), Knorr (soups), Lipton (tea), Dove and Lux (soaps), and Sunsilk (hair care). Unilever is the operating arm of Netherlands-based Unilever N.V. and UK-based Unilever PLC.

Listen to Interview

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Executive Leadership Interviews- Terry C.

November 27, 2012 5:31 pm / Leave a Comment /

Our guest today is Terry C. Terry is currently the Engineering Manager for a Fortune 500 organization and his 20 year career includes experience with companies such as Pepsi, Dean Foods, Kroger, and Borden’s. He has a degree in Industrial Technology and brings a vast amount of knowledge in the area of progressive management, strategic visioning, and predictive technologies for manufacturing operations.

Listen to the Interview

Part 2 of the Interview

Posted in: Executive Leadership Interviews / Tagged: , , , , , ,

Executive Leadership Interviews- Ted Karagias

November 21, 2012 4:31 pm / Leave a Comment /

Ted Karagias is currently filling two roles as a Food Safety Manager and Continuous Improvement Manager with Land O’Frost Inc in Lansing, Illinois. Land O’Frost is currently the third largest ready-to-eat pre-packaged lunch meat company in the United States. Previously, he held numerous positions with Kraft Foods Inc in Champaign Illinois to include Operations & Sanitation Supervisor, Continuous Improvement Engineer, and Six Sigma Black Belt. Kraft Foods is the second largest food manufactured in the world with over $13 billion in sales annually. The Champaign Illinois facility is the flagship Kraft Facility producing over 1.2 billion tons of product a year. In 2011, Ted finished his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana in Human Resource Development.
Mr. Karagias is a Captain and is the Maintenance Officer in the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the 434th Maintenance Group at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. He is responsible for supporting 16 assigned KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and their worldwide aerial refueling mission. He also leads a work force of approximately 150 crew chiefs and support personnel.

Listen to the Interview

Part 2 of the Interview

Posted in: Executive Leadership Interviews / Tagged: , , , ,

How to fail an interview before even entering the interview room

November 21, 2012 3:20 pm / Leave a Comment /

After working as an administrative assistant for over 2 years, I feel as though I have seen it all. It often crossed my mind as to whether or not the interviewee knew that I was sitting there and could see and hear everything…and I mean EVERYTHING. There were candidates who would bring in their 2 children with them to an interview (take a wild guess as to who got the privilege of watching the children while the interview went on?) to people talking on their cell phone while waiting, and sometimes their conversation would sound like this, “Yeah, I’m in an interview, not very excited about it, but I guess I need money and stuff”.

Obviously not all interviews went that poor, some candidates were very polite and kind, and even left their kids at home! Most people know the do’s and don’ts for proper interviewing, but what some forget is that it’s not JUST the person interviewing that they have to impress–the interview starts as soon as you walk in the door. You can follow all the rules of interviewing etiquette, but by failing your first impression with the front desk, could be setting yourself up for disaster. Now it may sound silly to tell grown men and women to be polite, but you’d be so surprised. Do the interviewees not consider that people talk within the office? In fact the difference between some that were hired and some that weren’t, was based upon how they had treated me. To some I was “just the secretary”, not a good position to be in for the candidate when the HR Manager asked what my impressions were and if I had been treated with respect. When I was with my prior company, I was under the impression that me as, “Just the Secretary” having this conversation with HR was a bit unusual. Now that I am with an executive recruiting agency, I have found that this tends to be more of the norm, especially with companies that put a strong emphasis on an employee driven workforce.

As you prepare for your next interview, you may want to approach this with the full awareness that everyone within the company, may be interviewing you. Be kind, be courteous, and engage in friendly conversations that will put you in the best light of everyone, including “The Secretary”.

I wish you success with your interview!

Posted in: Uncategorized / Tagged: , , , , ,

Executive Leadership Interviews- John Schuetz

November 20, 2012 12:08 pm / Leave a Comment /

Executive Leadership Interviews- Today we had the pleasure of interviewing John Schuetz. John has a 20 year career that has included positions with General Mills, System Sensor, and most recently with Fresh Express, Inc. which is a division of Chiquita Brands International. His most recent role includes management of four manufacturing and distribution facilities and a workforce of over 1,400 employees. John is well known for his progressive style of management that engages his workforce through “Continuous Improvement”, empowerment, and Lean Manufacturing methodologies. In our interview John shares the importance of incorporating a strategic personal development plan, engagement of mentors, taking personal accountability and continued learning approach to achieving your own career success.

Listen to the Interview

Part 2 of the Interview

Posted in: Executive Leadership Interviews / Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Nomophobia: Are you making this interview mistake?

November 14, 2012 4:54 pm / Leave a Comment /
interview mistakes

Cell phones have made it virtually possible to do almost anything at the palm of our hands. People are constantly on their cell phones and are either communicating or flinging tiny, furious birds in an attempt to take down pyramids of pigs. I will be fair and say that I do understand the compulsion to reach for your cell phone, and admit that I find myself on my cell phone quite often during the day in order to connect with clients and candidates.

As helpful as cell phones can be, we need to realize there is a time and place for them. There has been a lot written about the cell phone being “the new cigarette.” In 2008, British researchers coined a new term “nomophobia”—short for “no-mobile-phone phobia”—to describe the fear of being without a cell phone. At this point, I must remind you that the interviewer is the most important person on the face of the planet. Who is more important: your buddy on the line or the person who impacts your livelihood?

While writing my second book, I hesitated about whether to tell my readers never to answer their cell phones during a job interview. Should I tell you never to whip out a skewered corn on the cob during an interview and start eating it? Of course not! It’s glaringly obvious and ridiculous to fathom that anyone could do that. But because I have heard of many instances of job applicants sabotaging themselves by picking up their cell phones during interviews, I decided I had to address this problem.

If you suffer from nomophobia, the solution is simple: Turn off your cell phone before an interview…or better yet, leave it in the car! Don’t set it on vibrate and think you’ll be safe because let’s face it, vibrate is as loud as a fat cat purring. Even if you do not give in to your instinct to answer the call or read the text message, you will get distracted and lose focus. I can assure you that your text messages and Facebook notifications will still be available EVEN when you get out of the interview!

Posted in: Job Tips / Tagged: , , , ,

Veterans Crisis Line Behind The Scenes

November 9, 2012 3:05 pm / Leave a Comment /

“Behind the Scenes” provides a look into the Veterans Crisis Line call center, housed at a VA Center of Excellence in Canandaigua, N.Y., where qualified, caring responders answer the calls of Veterans, Service members, and their friends and families in times of crisis. In the video, VA responders, many who are Veterans themselves, share their stories and experiences in providing vital support and referrals for Veterans and their loved ones.

The Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net, or text to 838255) is a free, confidential resource that serves Veterans and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Posted in: Military Resources, Vets Corner / Tagged: , ,

Military Interviews- Nolan Ruby

November 6, 2012 12:32 pm / 1 Comment /

Military Interviews-Today we interviewed Nolan Ruby who served over 4 years of active duty for the US Marine Corps. While serving overseas he received the combat valor award and the purple heart. In this interview Nolan shares his personal experience of transitioning from military to the civilian sector. After serving with the Marine Corps he worked as a Correctional Officer for the South Dakota State Penitentiary. He has also worked for the Veterans Affairs as a service officer and most recently as the Military Service Coordinator.

Click below to listen to the interview

Part One
Part Two

Posted in: Military Interviews, Vets Corner / Tagged: , , , ,

Vets Corner: Leadership and Communication

November 5, 2012 11:25 am / Leave a Comment /

Here is a great story on leadership and the importance of communication. It speaks volumes to the dedication of our military personnel.

Posted in: Vets Corner