Sharp Decisions Blog

What am I Worth?, Episode #2: Recent Graduates

2011-11-16T08:30:00.001-05:00

You've just graduated from a premier university with your undergrad or MBA, and you're primed and ready to join the workforce. Does a high-priced education translate into highly-paid position for a first job?

The Sharp Decisions Magic 8-Ball says, 'Outlook not so good.'

Recruiter: So, what are you looking for salary-wise?

Candidate: I just graduated from _______ University...

Recruiter: That sounds great. But what sort of salary are you looking for?

Candidate: Probably $60-$70,000.

Recruiter: Do you have any previous experience?

Candidate: I have my MBA.

Recruiter: I meant work.

Candidate: No.

Recruiter: Well, you may need to adjust your expectations a bit on the compensation.

Candidate: But I just graduated from _______ University!

We speak with many recent graduates looking to take a first in their careers, and they face similar challenges to people that look to re-enter the job market. Since you're likely not blessed with a deep job history to draw from, you're not operating from a strong bargaining position. The economy is still struggling, and jobs are at a premium making it a buyer's market. Companies are inundated with resumes from the out-of-work and seeking-work, and tend (fairly or not) to skew towards candidates that are currently working.

In our experience, where you graduate from does matter, and can help get you in the door of certain companies. However, when it comes to salary, most companies have an established organizational structure or pay scale in place, and whether you hold a degree from a $50,000 per year university or a $3000 per year community college, you're still low on the totem pole when you arrive.

Coming from a renown school can certainly help make inroads for some opportunities, are there are some exceptions, but don't expect to hit the lottery right after graduation.

Sharp Decisions Goes Green

2011-10-18T08:34:00.000-04:00

We're proud to announce our new relationship with e-signature provider EchoSign! Over the next few months, we'll be transitioning all of our onboarding forms from paper to PDF, allowing our candidates to fill out and sign their documents from virtually anywhere.

Beyond just convenience, we'll be saving an enormous amount of paper and energy used to print. We take our role as good Earth Stewards seriously, and are excited about moving into the future as a leaner, greener company.

What am I Worth?, Episode #1: Coming back from Unemployment

2011-10-06T11:41:00.000-04:00

One of the more sensitive subjects we discuss with potential and existing candidates here at Sharp Decisions is their value with regard to salary and/or bonuses. These can be complex conversations - especially when a person is looking to re-enter the workforce. Here is a typical type of exchange:

Recruiter: So, what are you looking for salary-wise?

Candidate: Well, I was making $50,000, but I'm looking for $80,000

Recruiter: I see on your resume that you've been out of work for the past 18 months?

Candidate: Yes

Recruiter: And you're looking for a 60% jump in salary?

Candidate: Well, I wasn't getting paid what I'm worth

In this candidate's mind, he/she had been working below their perceived value, but there are a number of factors that can effect the real value of a candidate or employee:

1. The type of industry

2. The relative health of that industry

3. The candidate's experience level

4. The candidate's current employment status

This candidate should consider their value in the context of these larger considerations. If hiring is down in their field, and they're looking to re-enter the job market after a long layoff, it's safe to say that this does not constitute a seller's market. Odds are, given the current economic climate that a company is not going to be in a position to (or interested in) make up what a candidate thinks is a shortfall in salary.

If you are looking to re-enter the workforce after a layoff, consider carefully your level of strength in salary negotiations. Don't sell yourself short, but do look at the big picture so you don't miss out on any great opportunities.

Sharp Decisions is one of NY’s Largest Woman-Owned Companies for 2011

2011-09-20T11:44:00.000-04:00

Up one position from 2010, Sharp Decisions has once again made Crain's annual list of of the top women-owned businesses in New York, coming in at #13. The complete list appears in the print version of Crain's New York Business, and is also available for download HERE.

We'd like to thank all of our employees and clients for helping to continually drive our innovation and growth, as we look forward to even more success in the upcoming years!

Sharp Decisions Owner Karen Ross featured in Crain's New York

2011-09-20T10:26:00.000-04:00

We're happy to announce that Sharp Decisions owner Karen Ross was one of several high-profile woman business owners featured in a Septemper 18th, 2011 article, discussing innovation.

This article coincides with Crain's release of their annual list of the New York Area's Largest Women-Owned Businesses. You can read the article HERE.

Sharp Decisions is now on Twitter!

2011-09-01T12:02:00.000-04:00

Keep up to date on job opportunities and up-to-the minute news from Sharp Decisions by following us on Twitter.

We'll be Tweeting out our hottest reqs regularly, so be be sure to add us to your feed!

Check us out at http://twitter.com/#!/Sharp_Decisions/

Sharp Decisions makes Inc. 5000 list for 2011

2011-08-26T15:25:00.000-04:00

Sharp Decisions has made its first appearance on Inc. magazine's top 5000 businesses list, with a ranking of #4314. Within the IT Services industry, it ranks #562.

Our commitment to innovation has led to 23% growth over the past 3 years, and we look forward to continued expansion!

You can view the Sharp Decisions Inc. 500|5000 profile by clicking on the image below:

Sharp Decisions one of NY’s Largest Woman-Owned Companies

2010-11-02T16:45:00.000-04:00

Sharp Decisions Inc. is the 14th largest Woman-Owned company in the New York area, as ranked by 2009 revenues. This distinguished annual list appears in the September 20, 2010 issue of Crain’s New York Business. Sharp is proud of its longevity, continual growth, and its strong standing as a Woman-Owned Business and global provider of technology services.

Sharp Decisions Opens New Headquarters

2010-09-27T09:52:00.000-04:00

Celebrating 20 years in business, Sharp Decisions is proud to announce the opening of its new corporate headquarters, now located at 1040 Avenue of the Americas, located just steps from beautiful and historic Bryant Park. The new office features an open floor plan with spectacular Manhattan views throughout.

Sharp Decisions Wins Major Customer Award

2010-05-03T10:06:00.000-04:00

At first glance, one might suspect that American Honda suppliers Sharp Decisions, Inc. and the Anaheim Ducks & Honda Center could not be more different. As a global Information Technology Consulting service provider, Sharp Decisions has offices throughout the world and meticulously places qualified candidates with clients on an individual basis to ensure ideal staffing combinations. Conversely, the ownership and staff of the Honda Center regularly succeed in thrilling thousands of fans simultaneously at Stanley Cup winning Anaheim Duck games, premier entertainment events and sports exhibitions held in the acclaimed local arena owned by the City of Anaheim.

But as you take a closer look, you’re likely to find that these two vendor partners may actually have more in common than not, and the business philosophies which have helped lead them to success further mirror many of our own practices here at American Honda. They strive to exceed customer expectations and consistently deliver excellence. They draw world-class talent from across the globe and make customer satisfaction the top priority. And in 2008, both were selected to join American Honda’s elite group of Premier Partners.

“These suppliers embody Honda’s philosophy of delivering the highest possible value to our customers through quality products and customer service”, said Gary Kessler, American Honda’s senior vice president of human resources and administration. “We appreciate their commitment and thank them for their contribution to Honda’s success.”

The NH circle created AHM’s Premier Partner program in 1997 as a means to recognize and honor the company’s most valued suppliers and vendors who are dedicated to our efforts to succeed, and who share in our company’s most valued philosophies. Each year, just fifteen (15) suppliers are selected from more than a thousand outstanding business partners who are helping American Honda to achieve excellence and deliver superior quality and service to our customers across the globe.

“We’re extremely proud of our Premier Partner Award and the level of quality it represents, says Linda Hazzard, Sharp Decisions’ Vice President for the Western Region. “It’s often one of the first things we mention and it has affected our business in very positive ways, including our ability to recruit top candidates who recognize the level of excellence that the Honda name represents. And as a Women Owned Business Enterprise (W.O.B.E.), we’re honored to work with a company who exhibits an ongoing commitment to diversity in the workplace, allowing us to compete on equal footing.”

This year, the project scope and budgets for SDI and Honda Center contracts were vastly different, yet both suppliers consistently delivered high quality results and demonstrated a true spirit of partnership, making each of the Premier Partner Award recipients equally important to American Honda.
“Everything we do with American Honda is infused with a shared philosophy of achieving high standards and delivering excellence both in business and for the community,” says Rachel Kaizoji, Naming & Title Rights Manager for the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center. “Our ownership and staff feel a strong sense of partnership with Honda in every sense of the word. We are happy that American Honda shares pride in our accomplishments, as we do with theirs. We’re honored to have received our Premier Partner Award as recognition for our work together, and look forward to continued success with American Honda for many years to come.”