Are you gearing up for an important interview? If so, take a look at my recent post about common interview questions. http://winetalent.blogspot.com/2019/07/prepping-for-interview-common-interview.html
While researching that I came upon some favorite interview questions of business leaders that Business Insider posted. I really enjoyed these questions, and did see that often there is a bit of the interviewers personality that comes out in their question, and also in how they interpret the answer. Take a look at that article here: https://www.businessinsider.com/favorite-interview-questions-highly-successful-bosses-2017-7
Here are their questions, and sometimes their interpretation of the answers:
Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder:
"What didn't you get a chance to include on your resume?"
Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO:
"On a scale of one to 10, how weird are you?" And another question, "On a scale of one to 10, how lucky are you in life?"
Larry Ellison, Oracle CTO and Executive Chariman:
"Are you the smartest person you know?" And why he asks this? If someone answered yes, she'd get hired. If someone answered no, the recruiters would ask who is, and then try to hire that person. Brilliant!
Lori Goler, Facebook HR Chief:
"On your very best day at work--the day you come home and think you have the best job in the world--what did you do that day?
Peter Thiel, Paypal co-founder and Clarium Capital President:
"Tell me something that's true, that almost nobody agrees with you on."
Drew Houston, Dropbox founder has 5 top questions:
Who is the best in the world at what you do?"
Who are your influences?
What have you learned in the last year?
If you were able to sit yourself down 10 years ago, what advice would you give your younger self?
What are the most important lessons you've taken away?"
Hannah Paramore, Paramore founder and EVP
"How old were you when you had your first paying job?"
Jenny Ming, Charlotte Russe president and CEO
"Tell me about your failures."
Marla Malcolm Beck, Bluemercury CEO
"What's the biggest impact you had at your past organization?"
Yasmin Green, Jigsaw head of research and development
"How would you make money from an ice-cream stand in Central Park?"
And my favorite, and my current dinner party question that Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO has: "You are standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk one mile south, one mile west and one mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you" (For the possible answers, go here: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-favorite-job-interview-question-answer-2016-5)
Friday, July 26, 2019
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
WineTalent Classified: Staff Accountant in St. Helena, CA
WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch on a
Staff Accountant role to join this growing company.
About Long Meadow Ranch: Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned agricultural enterprise producing grapes and wine, olives and olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Marin County. The Long Meadow Ranch operations also include an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, a general store and wine tasting bar in the historic Logan-Ives House, an outdoor cafe, a farmer's market, a working garden and a variety of unique event spaces all located at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.
About the opportunity: Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for a Staff Accountant to join our Finance team to provide quality service to our winery management team, farm production team, and other business partners. Reporting to the Controller, the Staff Accountant will provide general accounting support, maintain financial reports, records, and general ledger for multiple affiliated entities. This position requires ethical conduct and thoroughness, along with critical thinking, attention to detail and time management.
Responsibilities
Facilitate and complete monthly close procedures
Prepare journal entries and perform analysis and reconciliation of general ledger accounts
Support accounts payable where necessary, including invoice processing, coding and approvals. Provide additional support for corporate credit card processing and facilitating employee expense reimbursement as needed
Support Senior Staff Accountant with daily financial reporting
Support other critical accounting areas as needed, such as fixed assets and accounts receivable. Liaison with sales team and order processing team to effectively manage wine accounts receivable
Collaborate with Controller to ensure that the financial information is prepared in strict adherence with US GAAP, company policies and procedures and sound financial management practices
Education, Experience and Requirements
Minimum of 3 years of experience in general ledger accounting practices
Wine or consumer beverage product accounting experience preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline
Experience with QuickBooks and/or NetSuite preferred
Proficient in MS Office with advanced MS Excel skills
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills
Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
Able to lift 40+ lbs
A pre-employment background check is required
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position.
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).
About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We have worked closely with LMR on job opportunities for over 7 years. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
WineTalent: The Right People for the Job
About Long Meadow Ranch: Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned agricultural enterprise producing grapes and wine, olives and olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Marin County. The Long Meadow Ranch operations also include an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, a general store and wine tasting bar in the historic Logan-Ives House, an outdoor cafe, a farmer's market, a working garden and a variety of unique event spaces all located at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.
About the opportunity: Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for a Staff Accountant to join our Finance team to provide quality service to our winery management team, farm production team, and other business partners. Reporting to the Controller, the Staff Accountant will provide general accounting support, maintain financial reports, records, and general ledger for multiple affiliated entities. This position requires ethical conduct and thoroughness, along with critical thinking, attention to detail and time management.
Responsibilities
Facilitate and complete monthly close procedures
Prepare journal entries and perform analysis and reconciliation of general ledger accounts
Support accounts payable where necessary, including invoice processing, coding and approvals. Provide additional support for corporate credit card processing and facilitating employee expense reimbursement as needed
Support Senior Staff Accountant with daily financial reporting
Support other critical accounting areas as needed, such as fixed assets and accounts receivable. Liaison with sales team and order processing team to effectively manage wine accounts receivable
Collaborate with Controller to ensure that the financial information is prepared in strict adherence with US GAAP, company policies and procedures and sound financial management practices
Education, Experience and Requirements
Minimum of 3 years of experience in general ledger accounting practices
Wine or consumer beverage product accounting experience preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline
Experience with QuickBooks and/or NetSuite preferred
Proficient in MS Office with advanced MS Excel skills
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills
Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
Able to lift 40+ lbs
A pre-employment background check is required
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position.
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).
About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We have worked closely with LMR on job opportunities for over 7 years. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
WineTalent: The Right People for the Job
Interested in applying? Email resume to amy@winetalent.net
All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential
Monday, July 15, 2019
WineTalent Classifieds: Guest Services Manager in St. Helena, CA
WineTalent is working with our client, Long
Meadow Ranch, on a Guest Services Manager role to support Farmstead and Long
Meadow Ranch businesses.
About Long Meadow Ranch: Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned agricultural enterprise producing grapes and wine, olives and olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Marin County. The Long Meadow Ranch operations also include an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, a general store and wine tasting bar in the historic Logan-Ives House, an outdoor cafe, a farmer's market, a working garden and a variety of unique event spaces all located at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.
About the Opportunity: We are seeking a Guest Services Manager to be an integral member of our team, providing the highest level of professionalism, customer service and brand ambassadorship for Long Meadow Ranch’s businesses. The Guest Services Manager will be responsible for managing the Guest Services department focusing on providing highly engaged, customer-focused service for our organization.
The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic individual who is personable and friendly, customer service oriented, motivated by providing the details that create superior guest experiences.
Responsibilities:
Handle all incoming inquiries and communications with guests for Long Meadow Ranch via phone, email, social media and online reservation system
Oversee reservation bookings across the company including restaurant, private events, winery visits, wine tastings, food & wine experiences, trade visitors, and housing guests
Provide outreach both internally and externally to generate new business opportunities
Be an ambassador by educating the guests about the LMR philosophy, history, wines and foods
Ensure proper phone etiquette and standard operating procedures are being used by staff and performing routine and spontaneous staff training to ensure the highest level of customer service
Respond to customer feedback on review sites and manage customer service recovery
Provide training to the staff on guest relations, problem resolution and issue escalation
Build, enhance and maintain long-term customer relationships
Create and maintain scripts for interfacing with guests in-person, on the phone, and by email
Follow company standards to ensure reservation confirmations and encourage cross-referrals to other Long Meadow Ranch experiences
Support oversight of customer service to include reviewing current operations, development of new policies to overcome repetitive issues, and ensuring timely response to guest inquiries
Ensure that all policies and procedures, guest experiences and operating activities carried out by team are consistent with company and brand standards
Attend weekly meetings and prepare department updates
Manage the scheduling, coaching, and regular performance assessment of the guest services associates
Manage ticketing platform for all onsite brand events
Manage our various housing spaces including booking and calendar
Oversee general organization and cleanliness of the office areas
Education, Experience and Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Hospitality, Communications, Marketing, Business or related
3 years of hospitality industry experience, ideally including work experience in hotels, restaurants, resorts, customer service and special events
Experience with PBX phone systems, Vin65, OpenTable, Google Business as well as digital tools including iPads, iPhones and related technology
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills. Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
Highly professional in all interpersonal and business dealings
Must be able to have a flexible schedule working weekends and holidays
Creative problem solver with drive and dedication to succeed
Able to lift 40+ lbs
Must have a valid California Driver’s License and maintain a clean driving record
A pre-employment background report is required
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k)
About Long Meadow Ranch: Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned agricultural enterprise producing grapes and wine, olives and olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Marin County. The Long Meadow Ranch operations also include an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, a general store and wine tasting bar in the historic Logan-Ives House, an outdoor cafe, a farmer's market, a working garden and a variety of unique event spaces all located at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.
About the Opportunity: We are seeking a Guest Services Manager to be an integral member of our team, providing the highest level of professionalism, customer service and brand ambassadorship for Long Meadow Ranch’s businesses. The Guest Services Manager will be responsible for managing the Guest Services department focusing on providing highly engaged, customer-focused service for our organization.
The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic individual who is personable and friendly, customer service oriented, motivated by providing the details that create superior guest experiences.
Responsibilities:
Handle all incoming inquiries and communications with guests for Long Meadow Ranch via phone, email, social media and online reservation system
Oversee reservation bookings across the company including restaurant, private events, winery visits, wine tastings, food & wine experiences, trade visitors, and housing guests
Provide outreach both internally and externally to generate new business opportunities
Be an ambassador by educating the guests about the LMR philosophy, history, wines and foods
Ensure proper phone etiquette and standard operating procedures are being used by staff and performing routine and spontaneous staff training to ensure the highest level of customer service
Respond to customer feedback on review sites and manage customer service recovery
Provide training to the staff on guest relations, problem resolution and issue escalation
Build, enhance and maintain long-term customer relationships
Create and maintain scripts for interfacing with guests in-person, on the phone, and by email
Follow company standards to ensure reservation confirmations and encourage cross-referrals to other Long Meadow Ranch experiences
Support oversight of customer service to include reviewing current operations, development of new policies to overcome repetitive issues, and ensuring timely response to guest inquiries
Ensure that all policies and procedures, guest experiences and operating activities carried out by team are consistent with company and brand standards
Attend weekly meetings and prepare department updates
Manage the scheduling, coaching, and regular performance assessment of the guest services associates
Manage ticketing platform for all onsite brand events
Manage our various housing spaces including booking and calendar
Oversee general organization and cleanliness of the office areas
Education, Experience and Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management, Hospitality, Communications, Marketing, Business or related
3 years of hospitality industry experience, ideally including work experience in hotels, restaurants, resorts, customer service and special events
Experience with PBX phone systems, Vin65, OpenTable, Google Business as well as digital tools including iPads, iPhones and related technology
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills. Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
Highly professional in all interpersonal and business dealings
Must be able to have a flexible schedule working weekends and holidays
Creative problem solver with drive and dedication to succeed
Able to lift 40+ lbs
Must have a valid California Driver’s License and maintain a clean driving record
A pre-employment background report is required
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k)
Apply online
About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We have worked closely with LMR on job opportunities for over 7 years. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.
WineTalent: The Right People for the Job
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Cranky Recruiter: An Informational Interview Gone Wrong
Now, as a recruiter with a career advice blog, often I have job seekers asking me for an informational interview to help them with their job search. I'm happy to do that. After one recent encounter I wrote a post about common interview questions. I also put up some posts that were helpful, and included my interview blooper reel. But one past blooper was not on there. One informational interview went terribly wrong.
A couple of years ago, a young wine business analyst asked to grab coffee with me. She wanted to find out how she could improve her interviewing abilities and get a better job. I was happy to give her an hour of my time when I was in wine country. And after how horribly the meeting went, I'm happy to share what not to do in an informational interview.
Dressing for an informational interview, or bedtime? When she arrived, she looked a bit unkempt. Her hair was hastily tied up in a bun and she was wearing a wrinkly shirt and jeans. I could look past this if she was looking for winemaking, vineyard management or other types of production work. But she wanted a job in finance. If there is any group that I would expect to be dressed professionally for an interview, it is the finance and accounting group. I think I dress nicer when I'm gardening than this woman dressed for our meeting.
Be Prepared: While I like to save paper and store all of my resume on my iPad, I often check to see if someone, especially in an informational interview situation, is prepared with a resume, references, or even a pen. This woman had nothing. I did have her resume on my device, but she should really be prepared to wow an interviewer.
Know What You Want: After some niceties, we settled into the usual questions about how her search was going. The first thing I wanted to know was what kind of job she wanted. She said she wanted finance roles, but had no real work experience in finance or accounting. When asked why she wanted finance, she didn't really know. She had some friends and family who had worked in those types of roles and thought that would be good for her. What? Roles your associates enjoy does not mean you will. Spend some time researching potential jobs and figure out what works well with your talents, experience and expectations. For help with that, take a look here: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/quiz-what-job-best-fits-your-life/
Be Engaging: After exploring her job interests and her experience a bit, I told her she needed to really step up her interpersonal skills. She never really tried to connect with me about things, or ask me follow up questions during the meeting. She never asked anything about me. Ok, it is not all about me, but it does pay to at least engage a bit with the person across the table from you. They are giving you their time, so make them feel appreciated. I told her this could be a weakness of hers, which led me to the following,
Know Who You are Meeting: With all of our time being spent on her, I finally told her she really needs to do her homework when she asks someone to meet with her. I asked her what she knew about me. After a long pause she said, "I know you work for the company WineTalent." "And you are a woman." True on both points. But really, that was all she knew about me! Me, Cranky Recruiter, who blogs about the wine industry, has a website all about WineTalent, and maintains plenty of social media sites about me and WineTalent. I am all things WineTalent. President, founder, chief blogger, sole proprietor and lowly gofer. Yes, I work for the company WineTalent and hope one day the company recognizes me for all I've done for it. And I'm glad she figured I was a woman. Two great facts for her meeting with me.
Alright, Cranky Recruiter will get her second cup of coffee for the day. But still... I gave her my time and wanted to help her. She should have done some research on who she was meeting to make our time together its most productive.
Second cup of coffee now snugly in my hand. I stand behind my thoughts on this woman's engagement with me. But you have to know I have had countless positive informational interviews. And many have turned into great WineTalent placements. Yes, I am woman, hear me roar, and I'm happy to grab coffee anytime to help you with your job search. Just make it worth our while.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)