The Receptionist: A Ring Away from Making Business

Posted on May 25, 2011 by BanyanBrown

The following is the first of a series of posts that will highlight some of the most common, yet important, positions held in the administrative sector of any company. We hope these posts will provide candidates and clients alike with valuable insight on the implications of working in the administrative/clerical field. Please enjoy and feel free to post your comments, experiences, and thoughts. We love to hear from you!

The Receptionist: A Ring Away from Making Business


The receptionist is the official face of a business. The first person seen when walking through the door and the first person heard on the phone, the receptionist is in charge of making the first impression of the company they work for. Such a responsibility requires set expectations that should be followed regardless of the industry their company serves. Here are three easy-to-remember rules that are sure to help anyone figure their way around the front desk.


  1. Every company is different, but whether you are making widgets or medical equipment, all receptionists should do that which they were hired to do: answer the phone and assist the caller. Yes, this sounds simple but unfortunately, everyone has encountered the long hold times and the phone that rings ten times without an answer. Unpleased at the service received, most hang up and seek assistance elsewhere. Hence the importance of a proper receptionist.
  2. In order to accomplish this goal effectively the receptionist should be well versed in the skill of multi-tasking. This trait alone can be the difference between keeping a customer and having that same customer call another company in hopes of actually finding the answers they need. Learn to send e-mails, order supplies, or work on projects while taking a call. If a patron is put on hold in order to answer another line, make sure they aren’t left waiting long. Being efficient and effective is vital to working in this facet of a company.
  3. Organization is also imperative in keeping the front desk working smoothly. If needed, file, label, color code, and/or alphabetize. When receiving instructions or getting trained for a new task take notes that you can refer to in the future. Do whatever is required to keep up with what’s happening in the back end of the company.


Whatever you do, make sure you do not delay advancement, but rather, you enable it.


A competent receptionist is an important asset to any company. Their strong communication skills paired with an industrious attitude make for an invaluable employee that will always portray the greatness of the company they represent. At BanyanBrown we respect and value our front desk personnel and hope that the company you represent does too. Call us anytime and hear for yourself the impact that a great receptionist can have on meeting your company’s needs.

Posted in From Amy, From Jessie, Keeping the Job, The Receptionist | Leave a comment

Interview Jitters

Posted on February 18, 2011 by BanyanBrown

Interview anxiety for many candidates is similar to public speaking anxiety and the pressure can be overwhelming. As a candidate you are trying to sell yourself to an audience and impress them with your skill set and qualifications. Preparation helps reduce the fear of an interview so there are different steps a candidate should take in preparing for an interview.


So, you managed to score that initial interview you have been anxiously awaiting. Perhaps your mind is spinning or you have butterflies in your stomach, either way if you are human it is normal to have interview anxiety. There are a few simple steps to follow so you can conquer an interview successfully with little to no anxiety.


Prepare! Make sure you have researched the organization, the people and the culture of the business. Try to find out as much as possible so you can have a clear conversation about the organization with the interviewer. They will like the idea that you did your homework and that you are showing initiative. Always anticipate likely questions and develop excellent answers. Anxiety is due in part to feeling out of control. In order to regain a sense of control, you must anticipate and develop your answers. Practicing your speed and response will help you feel a sense of control. Rehearse questions and answers with a friend or family member. Make sure to speak confidently and clearly. Include “talking points” or information about yourself that you want to convey (www.yourofficecoach.com). Then you can include the “talking points” periodically through the interview when an opportunity arises.


Remember to think of the interview as a conversation. Try to be personable and show personality but keep the conversation at a professional level and answer all the questions clearly and concise. Think of the individual as an equal rather than a superior, this will help relax your nerves and bring you into a comfort zone.


Dress for success. You only have one chance to make a great first impression. I would rather overdress than underdressed. Plus when you dress professionally you feel professional and confidence exudes from you. According to experts, the rule of thumb is to wear a suit if you get your own office. At BanyanBrown we tell most of our candidates to wear a suit to an interview for that “excellent first impression” no matter the position or job title. If you choose not to wear a suit, men must wear slacks, dress shirt and tie while women have a bit more flexibility as long as the outfit is professional and business attire. Part of dressing with success includes smiling, confidence as well as proper manners and etiquette. Again, you want to stand out, for good reasons and really impress the individual or panel you are meeting with.


Another way to reduce the stress of an upcoming interview, visit the location. If you are not familiar with the business driving to the location of the interview will help eliminate any fears of getting lost or being late.


It’s interview day! You are prepared for likely questions as well as “talking points” you are familiar with the location of the interview. Relax on the drive, practice your answers, and think positive. In the long run, your goal is to showcase yourself as the right professional in a positive, self confident manner. Remember to bring a fresh copy or copies of your resume depending on the style of interview. Make the interview a discussion rather than a Q and A format. This will help ease some of the anxiety you are experiencing. Most importantly, be yourself and give it your best. Remember the organization wants to make sure you are a high caliber employer but more importantly a good person and the right fit for their team.


By: Meghan Harlem, Account Executive at BanyanBrown Solutions, Inc.

Posted in From Meghan, Interview | Leave a comment

When is the right time to ask for a raise?

Posted on December 21, 2010 by banyanbrown

According to the Regional Economic Research Institute (www.fgcu.edu/cob/reri), all five counties in Southwest Florida had August 2010 unemployment rates at or above 13 percent with Charlotte at 13.0 percent, Collier at 13.6 percent, Lee at 13.7 percent, Glades at 13.9 percent, and Hendry at 20.6 percent. Hence, many Southwest Florida businesses have hired very few new employees, cut back their workforce, reduced compensation, or experienced both hiring and salary freezes at some point between 2008 and now. The companies who took these actions did so out of necessity and would not be in business today if these unfortunate changes had not been made. Therefore, it is of importance to point out that if you have maintained consistent employment through this challenging economic time, you are definitely ahead of the game.


Nevertheless, the question arises: what does this mean for the employee who is fortunate enough to be retained?

Remaining employees are often forced to pick up additional responsibilities for the same or lower pay to keep the organization moving forward. This situation is commonplace in today’s market from entry-level employees through senior executives. However, as the market turns around, these remaining employees will be in excellent position to grow with the company. The company will be more efficient and effective than ever because of these hardworking employees. Therefore, if you are becoming an increasingly valuable asset to your employer, when is the right time to ask for a raise?


If your organization has turned the corner and is heading in a positive direction toward stability and growth, there is no time more appropriate to address compensation than during your next performance evaluation:


  • Focus on what you have done and intend to do in the future for the company.
  • Help your superior understand your value as a member of the team and your level of commitment to the organization.
  • Note all positive feedback you get from your manager during your evaluation.
  • Ask questions regarding your employer’s satisfaction regarding specific contributions you have made. Ask if they were satisfied with the results of specific projects/initiatives that you worked on.
  • If there has been an increase in your job responsibilities, let them know that you enjoyed the growth in these new areas and that you hope these additional duties have contributed to the overall success of the company.
  • Tell your manager about all the positive aspects of your experience working for the company since you started. If you love working there, tell them why!
  • Reiterate that you started out doing “_______”, and that you are happy that your team has relied on you with new responsibilities.
  • When your boss asks if you have any questions, ask him/her, “Do you think that I’m more of an asset to the company today than 1 year ago?”
  • If the answer is “yes” (and hopefully it is!) let your manager know that you are excited about growing and contributing more in the future.
  • Finally, ask them, “Do you think that a compensation adjustment would be appropriate based on the change in my value to the company over the last year?”
  • This is a great time to explain to your boss that a compensation adjustment is truly an investment and that you will deliver significant return-on-investment (ROI) if the company will consider making the compensation adjustment.
  • As always, if you love working there, tell him/her why!


It is important to understand that the company budget might simply not permit a pay increase at that point in time. However, if addressed appropriately with the right person, in the right setting, this conversation will establish that you are eager to grow. This will stay in your manger’s mind and will eventually translate to a higher salary.


Perform well, exceed expectations, grow, contribute, adapt, make the extra effort, be a positive influence on your team – and professional growth is inevitable!

By: Michael Brown, Account Executive at BanyanBrown Solutions, Inc.

Posted in From Michael, Getting a Raise | Leave a comment

Welcome to Our Blog

Posted on November 23, 2010 by banyanbrown

Welcome!  We are proud to introduce BanyanBrown’s very own blog.  We want to increase communication with our clients and candidates and are here to be your staffing, hiring and recruiting expert.  I started BanyanBrown in 2006 to help top professionals land their dream job as well as enable Southwest Florida businesses to utilize the best talent available. Through our work, we have and will continue to demonstrate our commitment to having a positive impact on the people and communities that we serve.  Our goal for this blog is to help both job seekers and businesses alike learn a little more about the current hiring practices, share tips and advice on how to find a job, be up to date on relevant human resources practices, and obtain the latest news and trends in the present job market.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Sarah Brown

President

Posted in From Sarah, Our Office | Comments Off on Welcome to Our Blog