Proven Recruiting

21 questions to determine your candidate's past track record, present mindset, and future aspirations - all while uncovering whether they have what it takes to join your team.

Officially, the US isn't in a recession but there are definitely many people and businesses struggling out there. In the last 6 months, as hiring has slowed and uncertainty has increased, we've had to reduce pay and hours or lay off people entirely. These aren't just rows on a spreadsheet but people we know as mothers, fathers, sons and daughters - all hard working individuals. Starting Proven Recruiting back in 2007 was hard but it was also exciting, challenging and fun. There were only 7 of us when we started on a sweaty August Monday. Many gave us the same chances of succeeding as an ice cream cone not melting on that hot summer day. Now in our 18th year, every decision impacts 50+ employees lives. Mortgages, car payments, tuition, groceries and all expenses of living. Honestly, sometimes I long for those simpler days when so many lives weren't on the line. Thankfully that doesn't last for too many sleepless nights before my thoughts turn to the great people we still have at Proven Recruiting. Marilyn J Kaforey, has been with us from the beginning and Shirley Park almost that long and now we are now surrounded by a new generation of leaders who are striving to take us to the next phase of our journey. Those people include Vanessa Nguyen, Mike Chiv, Kristen Maxwell/Funk, Heather Henderson, Jenifer Hanson, Madison Huffman, Amy Noriega, Emily Brown, Carly Zuckerman, Michelle Pencer, Vanessa Magill and Shana Marshall. And that list doesn't even include the hard working recruiters in their 20s/30s who are leading in the year to date rankings. When I think about the people above, I know the good ole' days are yet to come.

Do bathing suit photos have a place on LinkedIn? We recently had a post shadow banned after including photos from our company's trip to Cancun, including a few shots where people were clad in one-piece bathing suits (and the occasional out-of-focus background bikini).? ? After a day, the post had a measly 48 impressions and a whopping 0 likes. Even people in our company weren't seeing it.? ? In response we culled all evidence of bathing suits before reposting with the exact same text. The post now has 15K impressions and 80+ likes.? ? LinkedIn is a professional platform created to promote networking and brand growth. We get that. But all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right? We're all for removing illicit content - including nudity, drinking, etc. - but showcasing appropriately-covered coworkers enjoying a team getaway? Seems innocent enough.? ? What do you think - should LinkedIn be totally limited to headshots, conference photos, and AI-generated stock images? Or is there a place for work-related fun photos, too?

Nothing like a team getaway to remind us what this job is all about - basking in the Cancun sunshine and not checking emails, right? Congrats to everyone who made our Elite Performers trip - your unrivaled work ethic and drive to champion our clients hasn't gone unnoticed. Every one of you earned this time to relax and refocus. Hopefully you're all coming home with a fresh perspective and an unburdened mind (and a good tan!). Now let's put those refreshed minds to work!

Accountants are chronically underpaid - or so say the nearly 2/3rds who would happily jump ship for better compensation. With graduation rates plummeting and regulatory demands climbing, companies are finally realizing that investment in their accounting teams is a non-negotiable. Here’s what we're seeing: - Staff Accountants: 15.7% increase in pay since 2020 - Partners: 29.2% increase in compensation over the same period - Starting Salaries: Salaries in public accounting rose by 7% for the class of 2023 compared to the previous year - Projected Increases: Projected 8.9% rise in starting pay for 2025 The shift is clear - companies are recognizing the strategic value accounting teams bring to the table and are investing more to secure and retain good people. The hope is that competitive pay, along with a greater focus on work/life balance, will be enough to stem the accounting shortage - but efforts are still lagging. Compensation is just one piece of the puzzle. If you’re looking to get creative with your talent strategy or capitalize on the growing demand for accountants, we're happy to share ideas - just get in touch.

Thousands are facing a stomach-churning reality this morning after Meta laid off 5% of its workforce, largely consisting of tech workers/engineers. For those hired pre-2022, this will be their first exposure to a much harsher tech landscape - one in which six-digit signing bonuses, extravagant RSU packages, and fully remote positions are few and far between. The good news is that the broader tech market is actually thriving; as recruiters we see firsthand how AI is driving an increase in hiring across the industry, with many teams investing in growth for the first time in years. So take a deep breath, consider your options, and follow these initial steps to set yourself up for success in whatever you choose to do next. Layoffs can feel incredibly isolating, but they're the best time to reconnect with your network and maybe try something new. As always, you can reach out at [email protected]. We're here to support our tech community.

Sure - working with a friend is all good when you're commiserating about your shared boredom or an unfair boss, but things get tricky when personal disagreements spill over into the office, or worse, your friend's lackluster performance puts you in a tough spot professionally. We've seen both sides: friendships that flourish in the workplace (shoutout to Madison, Amy, and Jennie from our Austin team, who’ve been inseparable since college!) and others that crumble under the pressure. So, would you gamble your professional reputation by recommending a close friend for a job on your team?

As Vanessa said: take a few minutes to clean your homes and clear your mind, to wish your friends and family happiness and health, and to embrace positivity - even when it's tough. P.S. If you feel compelled to wish Vanessa a happy birthday in the comments, we would very much encourage that impulse. Happy Lunar New Year (and happy birthday V!). https://lnkd.in/etBMhprR

What's the difference between a job that fills your cup, and one that fills you with dread? The people? The work? The salary? The culture? We don't have the exact formula down. What we do know is this - solving difficult problems alongside genuinely good people makes the challenges feel less daunting. Add in some much-needed humor and regular get-togethers, and you're onto something. Last week we did exactly that, gathering Provenites from across the country for our Annual Awards Party. Congratulations to our big winners:?Top Consulting & Overall Performer Fiona McEvoy, Top Search Performer Mi Ly, Consulting Rookie of the Year Jennie Farmer, and Search Rookie of the Year Elizabeth Powe Hillard! Special shoutout to Christine Hummell and Vanessa Nguyen, whose drive to meet every challenge head-on and inspiring community service earned them the highly-coveted Employee of the Year and Jason Collins Founders' Award respectively! And finally, the Team of the Year Award always sparks fierce competition. This year was no different. Congratulations to...our San Diego Finance & Accounting Search group, led by Mike Chiv! Here's to another year of many highs and occasional lows alongside our team of wonderfully weird, often hilarious, incredibly resilient people. P.S. If your job fills you with dread, you don't have to settle. We're hiring! Get in touch at [email protected] if you're itching to join a team that rewards success, prizes authenticity, and uplifts our community.

Seems like as good a time as any to resurface this doc, especially with so many of you reaching out about leveling-up your careers in the new year. Job searching is mentally draining, time consuming, and at times demoralizing - but so is staying in a job you don't enjoy. These interview questions will help you edge out the competition and, with a little luck, land a job that sparks joy (plus, you know, a bump in pay wouldn't hurt either). Here's to better things in 2025!