The world of interviewing has changed so much over the past 10 years. Not only has the cover letter died but the phone interview has become a true first step to getting a foot in the door, literally. Most companies require you to pass their phone screening process before you can step foot into the office and meet with someone face-to-face. For some of you, this is an easy step to get past, but for many of us, we are much better at meeting someone one-on-one. Unfortunately, your voice and your words must sell you and that can be nerve-wracking and daunting all at once.  
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If you find you are struggling during your phone interviews, here are a few suggestions that could make all the difference in the world:

1. Dress Professionally: Sounds crazy, right? Yes, you could wear your pajamas or gym clothes, but the way you are dressed does impact your demeanor and performance. Psychologically speaking, have you ever noticed that the way you dress, really impacts how you behave during the day? So, when you dress in something professional or an outfit that makes you feel confident, it will show in your voice and will come through over the phone.
2. Keep Your Notes Out in Front of You: This is one of the biggest perks to phone interviews. You can set your notes in front of you to make sure you highlight particular skill sets or experiences. Bullets are best; don’t script your notes. Reading them word for word will sound exactly like that. Having notes out can ensure you hit the topics you want to cover and make you feel more confident.
3. Take the call in a private place free from all noises and distractions: The last thing you want during a phone interview is to be distracted by other people, the radio or a pet. This is a time when you need to focus, so finding a distraction-free space is absolutely essential. If you're unable to be home during your phone interview, you could take the call in a private room at your local library or even in your car.
4. Remain calm and speak at a moderate pace Phone interviews put people at a disadvantage because we don’t have facial cues or body language to gauge how to redirect or moderate our behavior, tone of voice, etc.  It is imperative that you try your best to avoid talking fast and saying filler words such as "um," "like," or "kind of." If you need to, take a few moments after each question is asked to gather your thoughts before you give your answer. You can always acknowledge the question by saying something like "of course" or "definitely," and buy yourself a little bit of time before going into your full answer. 
5. Do smile: Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. It can also be helpful to stand during the interview, since this typically gives your voice more energy and enthusiasm.

​Similar to any interview, be sure to ask questions and thank the interviewer for their time. Be sure to ask for the interviewer's email address, if you don't already have it, and send out an email thank you note immediately, reiterating your interest in the job. Finally, take a deep breath, and remember, like most things: practice makes perfect. 

​When was the last time you submitted a cover letter with a resume? If you can’t remember, you aren’t alone. Cover letters are quickly becoming a thing of the past with the advent of speed, technology and the sheer volume of resumes submitted for any particular job post, but it wasn’t always this way. Years ago, the cover letter was a tool that recruiters or hiring managers used to get the bigger picture about you and what you had to offer an organization.  

Today, however, the average recruiter spends 5-7 seconds reviewing any single resume. In that amount of time, the last thing they are going to do is read a cover letter. In addition, most companies today use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that allow talent to upload their resume which in turn, strips the information, only leaving the most important data for quicker perusing.

Regardless of all of this, the end of the cover letter also signals the end of personalizing your pitch and highlighting information that doesn’t shine on a bulleted job history. To stand out now, applicants need to get creative and change the traditional resume format to serve their needs. Here is what we suggest:

1. Add a summary At the top of your resume, provide two to three sentences that highlight what makes you different compared to other applicants. This is a great place to share your career-focus or maybe the high-level of competency you offer. Note: this is different than the old-school “objective” that once adorned resumes. The summary should focus on your skills and not your career intentions.
2. Highlight your accomplishments Under each employment heading, include bulleted points listing critical elements that hiring managers are seeking. For example, answer the questions: “What were your major accomplishments?” “What results were achieved? By offering concrete examples, your resume will stand out compared to your competition.
3. Include your Social Media Handles (Where Applicable) On your resume, always be sure to include your customized URL for LinkedIn in particular. If you are active on Twitter and FB (in a professional way) include these too. Think of your LinkedIn profile as the modern cover letter. Here you can provide detailed information about the value you bring to a company. Your social profiles are a direct reflection of you and whether you are a culture fit for the company you are potentially interviewing with. As a result, use discretion and judgement in whatever you choose to share.

There is one caveat to the death of the cover letter. Sometimes it is used as a test to see how interested and committed you are to the position. So if a company asks for a cover letter, be sure to include one. It may not even be reviewed but those resumes received without a cover letter may be a weeding factor and could automatically be dismissed.
Beyond everything else, focus on the elements of the application process – a strong resume, a professional online presence, and skillful networking – elements that will separate you from the crowd each and every time.

By: Paulina Kostecki

​Do you ever find yourself being let down after applying for jobs because your resume isn’t getting noticed? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. In today’s world it is nearly impossible for HR departments to give a close look to every resume they receive. In fact, most resumes don’t even get looked at by hiring managers because they don’t make it past the “robots” that weed out resumes. Read the tips below to find out how you can guarantee your resume will be looked at and called for an interview.
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1.Use Simple Formatting
In order to get your resume past applicant tracking systems, stick to the basics and avoid using logos, pictures, designs, etc. You should also stick to the basic fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, and be sure to use 12 pt. font. 
 
2.Utilize Keywords
Make sure your resume uses verbs and phrases that are specific to the position you’re applying for. By doing this, applicant tracking systems will put your resume higher up than others. However, it is important to not go overboard and use all keywords because that will not impress the hiring manager.
 
3.Don’t use the “Objective” Section Header
This section of your resume is pointless. Obviously you are applying for that specific position because you are interested in it and have knowledge in that field. Instead of wasting space with an objective section, try using a qualifications summary with a few bullet-points that highlight your specific skills for the position. This also gives you a chance to use more keywords.
 
4.Check for Typos
Self-explanatory. Don’t let your resume go unnoticed because of spelling mistakes.  
 
Well, there you have it! Follow these very simple steps and you will be sure to get your resume past the robots and into the hands of the hiring manager. Don’t let applicant tracking systems hold back your resume! 

By: Paulina Kostecki

On Tuesday, August 7, OpTech partnered with a nonprofit called “Arts & Scraps” to assemble and donate craft kits. As a company, OpTech raised approximately $750 and assembled 100 craft kits that were later donated to the Detroit Boll Family YMCA located in downtown Detroit.
 
Arts & Scraps is a nonprofit organization that uses recycled materials to help people of all ages think, create, and learn. This organization looks for groups and/or individuals interested in volunteering or donating, which leads to their strong, artistic impact on the metro Detroit area. In fact, Arts & Scraps recycles 28 tons of materials every year, while also serving over 275,000 children in 3,000 locations. Arts & Scraps focuses on incorporating STEM education into their crafts.
 
OpTech feels grateful to have had this volunteer experience with Arts & Scraps and is looking forward to working with them again on future projects. To learn more about Arts & Scraps, visit the link! https://www.artsandscraps.org/
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OpTech, LLC was once again recognized as one of Metropolitan Detroit’s Best and Brightest Places to work for. OpTech takes pride in being one of the Best and Brightest in Metro Detroit, as this is the company’s ninth time receiving this award. Along with the other companies recognized, OpTech was chosen based on their innovation in human resource practices.
 
“I am proud of our organization for their contributions to our energetic culture. We are thrilled to have earned this prestigious award again this year,” said Ronia Kruse, OpTech President and CEO. “Our culture empowers our employees to be part of a growing team and to demonstrate their commitment to be successful. This recognition only validates the innovative ideas and creative HR practices that attract and retain talented, motivated employees.”
 
OpTech has won numerous awards over the years for being women-led, fast-growing, and for providing excellent staffing and solutions. As a whole, OpTech is dedicated to having a strong link between the company’s culture and quality of work it produces, while also recognizing that previous awards and achievements help to enhance their strong and energetic workplace.
 
OpTech will be honored alongside the 13 other Best and Brightest companies on Friday, September 21st, 2018 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance, downtown Detroit. These companies will all also be competing for “Best of the Best overall,” which will be awarded to the company during the luncheon that has excelled in all categories. 

By: Paulina Kostecki

​When I was a freshman in college, I had a very genuine and intellectual business professor. For confidentiality reasons, let’s call her Professor Cat. The majority of my classmates called Professor Cat “strict” and said they would never take her classes again if their lives depended on it. However, I always saw Professor Cat as someone who wanted all of her students to reach their full potential, and I admired her for that.

On our last day of class, Professor Cat answered exam questions, passed back final projects, handed out evaluations: typical last day of class procedures. But then by surprise, Professor Cat had us all reflect on her only piece of advice she offered us the entire semester. She said, “When you start out in your career one day, you will be the youngest person in the room, and you will convince yourself that everyone in the room is smarter than you. At the end of your career, you will be the oldest person in the room and convince yourself that everyone in the room is dumber than you. You will be wrong both times.” She paused for a minute, then in the silence, she gathered her things and exited the lecture hall.
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It is now three years later, and I am in my senior year of college, but I constantly go back to that enormous lecture hall and can vividly remember Professor Cat offering her only advice to the room full of clueless 17 and 18-year-olds. Since I’m only an intern, it’s easy for me to fall into the background at work and not offer any suggestions or any helpful feedback but I’m almost always reminded that just because I’m the youngest person in the office, it doesn’t mean I can’t offer any help or suggestions. On the other hand, I hope that one day when I’m older and well-established in my field, I will remember that the young ones have good ideas and suggestions, too.