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What is this world coming to!  I have seen many changes since I started Patrice & Associates without an internet.  Our big innovation was fax machines!  You may have seen this video on the internet. Think about the last time you interviewed a candidate. What was your first initial reaction to them? Before they even opened their mouth? It was probably something like this: “They are decent looking enough” “Shorter than I thought, but skinny” “That hair could use a trim” “Smells good” “Dress choice was on point, very flattering” “Nice smile, probably could whiten those teeth a bit” “Love…

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Franchise Ownership can change your life. I talk to lots of people over 50 that are looking at business ownership options because priorities in life change.  They want more control, work/life balance, and to create wealth and a legacy for themselves. Of all the reasons to start at business after age 50, perhaps the best one is that the years are passing. Maybe it’s something you always wanted to do. For some, it’s a good strategy for getting more work years in before retirement. Sure, it’s a lot of work and a lot of hours. But there’s one thing that…

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1. Make a plan – Time and time again you hear, “make a plan and stick to it.” It’s not just something motivational speakers and political candidates say, it’s actually really helpful in your job search process too. By setting aside time each day and having deadlines for yourself, you create accountability to find that job. 2. #Goals – Each day have a goal. You already blocked out the time to be productive, but how do you know you’re making progress? With actionable goals like updating your work history on your resume or finding and applying to 5 new job opportunities, it’s easier to…

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I find it interesting how restaurants are moving more into the seafood category on their menus.  Living my life on the Chesapeake Bay I can't bring myself to order "Maryland Crab Cakes" in another state ... like the midwest. Not so long ago those who didn’t live near the water but who wanted to eat fresh seafood had to choose between expensive fine-dining restaurants or fry-it-all fast-food joints. Now, a wave of multi-unit, fast casual seafood concepts are stepping in to fill the gap. “We’ve seen the space grow significantly in the 12 years we’ve been around,” said Jonathan Weathington,…

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"Lifestyle dieters" want choices in where they eat which often makes it difficult for restaurants to recruit managers that understand that concept. Just when gluten-free has begun to be manageable for most QSRs to safely serve for both customers who must refrain from gluten, along with those who simply opt to do so, along comes a slew of new ways the world wants to eat. From keto and paleo, to Whole30 and Clean Menu eating, QSR customers are eating from the "lifestyle" diet that best meets their needs and  preferences. Typically, the popularity of any given diet will either build…

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As a recruitment agency we see all kinds of situations. It has been amazing to watch what people do on interviews.  I had a candidate that was interviewing with Panera Bread who walked into the interview with a Starbucks coffee!  There was a candidate who was finishing up chewing his breakfast while introducing himself to the interviewer.  What were these people thinking?  Obviously they weren't! Interviews come in many guises, but the errors people make are common. Some are very obvious, but recruiters still get faced with them on a regular basis. Not enough research By far the most common…

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Throughout the years of recruiting, I've seen the "style" become more and more casual.  When interviewing for a job you have make sure you "look" the part of the job you are applying for. It should go without saying that the interview is the first and only chance you’ll get to make a good impression. You may have all the qualifications in the world, but turn up looking scruffy and you’ll be headed for the exit instead of your new manager’s office.  Psychologists estimate that just 7% of the impression you make at interview will be based on what you say. The…

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As a career coach for 30 years, I've heard all the stories from recruiters about people going on interviews.  Recruitment is one thing, now you have the interview and there are many aspects to think about. Your body language can say a lot more about your feelings than you might suppose, and this is especially true when you’re being interviewed. Poor body language can betray nervousness and give the interviewer the wrong impression. Follow these five simple tips to ensure your body language remains as eloquent and as articulate as you are. 1. Faking it Most people can spot a…

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If you’ve been working in the hotel industry for a while, you’ll be looking to further your career at some point, and what better way than to make the step up to a five star hotel? Jose Ruiz, HR manager at The Berkeley Hotel, gives some ideas on what to expect when you interview for a five star hotel position.   Q: How different is the interview process for the service industry as opposed to, say, an office job? A: I wouldn’t say it’s completely different, although in the service industry the emphasis is firmly on personality and behavior. At our hotel,…

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 You’ve seen the hotel, restaurant or catering job   you want, you’ve sent off your resume and you’ve got a first interview. So, what are the mistakes you need to avoid to ensure you clear this hurdle and get a second one? Well, there’s a lot of advice out there, and you’ve probably heard the obvious ones about not turning up late and not looking scruffy. You’ve probably even heard the horror stories of the interviewees who chewed gum throughout their interviews, or started munching on sandwiches. Or the ones with the odd questions (tip: never ask an interviewer if that’s their natural hair color). But what about the…

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