Welcome

I've worked in the job placement field for nearly 10 years and I want to use my skillset and knowledge of the industry to help people move forward in their careers.

There are so many things that we're never taught when it comes to getting a job or moving ahead with a company. How do I put my resume together? What are good interviewing techniques? How do I put together a portfolio? Do I need a portfolio? What are recruiters and hiring managers looking for when they see my resume, cover letter or work? What motivates someone to call ME in for a job? How can I be competitive?

Did you know that a recruiter decides within 30 seconds of meeting you whether or not they can place you in a job? Do you know the key words hiring managers want to see on your resume? Are you confident with your presentation skills? Do you use the right language when asking for a raise or a promotion? Do you feel like you're using all the right tools and available resources to get a job or move ahead?

What is your Job Search Action Plan? What are you doing day to day to find the work you REALLY want? I help candidates evaluate the specificity in their job search while evaluating their networking techniques, interviewing skills and resume writing strengths and weaknesses. I work with junior and mid-level candidates to fine-tune their presentation skills and help them to market and sell themselves in effective ways to potential employers.   I help candidates to develop pro-active plans and build confidence in their job search.

I lead a series of workshops and work with people one on one. Information will be updated and provided on this site going forward. Please 'follow me' :)

My Background

COMPETENCIES

A high energy, self motivated individual with strategic and tactical experience in career development, coaching, staffing, recruiting, project management, producing and team leadership within educational, corporate, entrepreneurial and creative settings.

• Expertly facilitate training and development workshops for students, graduates and candidates nationwide.
• Excellent team leadership and program development skills with a passion for the details and organization.
• Results-driven, with a proven track record of success in delivering talent across multiple industries and disciplines. 
• Strong experience with organizing, managing and effectively coordinating all aspects of staffing, sales and hiring process.
• Skilled in full cycle recruiting and extremely well versed in networking and finding candidates in non-traditional ways.

EXPERIENCE

FORTIS COLLEGE  |  Director of Career Services  |  April 2010- present  |  New York, NY

Fortis is a technical college offering Associates Degrees in multiple high-demand industries. With over 50 campuses, Fortis is a leader in providing education to non-traditional students in growing fields. The Department of Career Services works with each graduate to help them secure work in their field of study.

• Develop and manage relationships with employers nation-wide for upcoming graduates in the medical, criminal and business sectors.
• Educate and train students in employability standards, job search techniques, resume writing and interviewing skills.
• Work one on one with multiple graduates to prepare them for the workforce and aid them in their job search.
• Market the school and the students in sales calls and hiring pitches throughout the country.
• Highlights: Circle of Excellence two years in a row, number two school my first year, became number one school my second year for placements. Maintain high placement rates, meeting budget each quarter, as set out by our corporate body and governing accreditation forces. Received excellent critiques and feedback for workshops and training courses taught. Have developed strong relationships with students and employers nationwide.

Artisan Creative  | Recruiter  |  January 2008 – May 2009  | New York, NY   

Artisan is a creative staffing agency that specializes in agency, marketing, and production talent in Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. I work in the New York Office placing candidates for web and print design, project management, web development, copywriting, marketing and other creative roles, taking them through the interview and job process, start to finish, for freelance and fulltime openings.

• Clients: major advertising firms, interactive agencies, in-house for fashion, beauty, cosmetics, publishing, broadcast and more.
• List: MS Society, NYCares, NYU, Columbia, Nitro, RDA, R/GA, Euro, Cementbloc, Harrison & Starr, CDM, MTV, Armani, Conde Nast, Redken, Wolff Olins, McGarry Bowen, Maybelline, Bravo, JWT, Macy’s, Bloomingdales.
• Highlights: Built a strong knowledge of all aspects of digital media and creative processes for agency and in-house settings. Cultivated a strong language around the skill sets needed for creative teams to execute projects for web and print.  Became strongly versed in programming languages within web development and new interactive media, mobile apps, video-to-web projects, content development and information architecture. Developed an eye for strong artistic portfolios for web and print.

Strategic Corporate Solutions | Recruiter  | August 2006 - December 2007   |  New York, NY

Strategic is a full service agency that specializes in legal, technology, administrative, accounting, human resources and financial service placements  throughout the New York city metro area. I worked in the Administrative Department placing temporary and contract administrative assistant  and office support roles for a handful of corporate clients.

• Clients: major financial firms, real estate companies, universities, nonprofit and additional corporate firms.
• List: Columbia University, NYU, KPMG, Deutsche, BONY, Tishman Speyer, Comcast, Merrill Lynch.
• Highlights: Ran a full-cycle desk in a very large, fast-paced, competitive environment with solid success and fast growth. Trained new candidates, oversaw and implemented organizational processes, and developed knowledge of internal regulations and hiring stipulations for many large financial, educational and corporate companies.

                                               

CORE Staffing Services, Inc.   | Recruiter  | September 2004 - August 2006  | New York, NY

On-Site Recruiter, Random House Publishing | February 2006 - May 2006
Recruiting Assistant | January 2005 - August 2006

Contract Administrative Asst.  | September 2004 - January 2005

CORE is a recognized leader for providing contingent staffing services. They recruit, screen and place candidates for office support, legal, editorial, accounting, finance, banking/brokerage operations, graphics, technical and human resource consulting positions. I started as a Recruiting Assistant and was promoted within 8 months to Recruiter. I was placed On-Site at Random House for maternity leave coverage. I managed the payroll procedures, invoicing and job requests for the entire freelance staff.

·         Clients included major entertainment companies, retail, fashion, finance, nonprofit and more

·         List: Google, Estee, Warner Music, Random House, Blackstone Group, Ralph Lauren, Deutsche

·         Highlights: Entered into the recruiting world with a strong team of dedicated professionals with over 20 years of experience who had great training and leadership skills. Starting as a Recruiting Assistant truly allowed me to learn the process from the bottom up- developing the ability to handle each hiring process on my own from start to finish. I enjoyed my time at Random House greatly- seeing first-hand how things run within a corporate HR environment and being able to interact with my candidates and hiring managers directly day-to-day. I developed strong relationships with co-workers, candidates and clients that I still have to this day.

SKILLS                                   Database systems:  Campus Vue, LMS, Blackboard, Bullhorn, WebPass, UltraStaff, Adapt
Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Docs, basic Adobe knowledge, Type 70wpm+
Sourcing Tools: LinkedIN, Twitter, CareerBuilder, Monster, HotJobs, Facebook, Creative Hotlist, Coroflot, Dice, Networking Events

EDUCATION                       UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA   |  Bachelor of Arts in Communications                                                                      

HONORS                              Who’s Who Among American College and University Students, Emerging Student Leader at UCF, University President’s List,  University Deans List, Florida Bright Future’s Scholar, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Honors College, LEAD Scholars Program, Honors Team Leader, LEAD Scholars Board of Directors , LEAD Mentor.

INTERESTS                           Volunteer for Let’s Get Ready, New York Cares, CCUMC Kid’s Program, Global and Domestic Outreach Initiatives, Katrina Relief Volunteer

Testimonials

Rebecca greatly helped me through the transformation process upon college graduation to being a real-world job applicant. I now look at my resume with more confidence than I ever have after consulting with Rebecca, than I ever did with the with years of my professor's advising in college.

- Lisa Thornton


Like so many others, once I graduated from graduate school, I found myself sifting through both the print and internet employment classifieds in search of gainful employment. To my dismay however, this method proved futile with little to show for my time. After speaking with a friend, I was advised to seek the counsel of a recruiter named Rebecca McCain. A few days after meeting with Rebecca, she had placed me face to face with several of New York City's advertising leaders. In addition, she coached me on the tools of effective interviewing and left me with a confidence ultimately helping me acquire the job of my dreams. I am in her debt for the hard work she did on my behalf. I will certainly look her up again should the need arise someday.

- Mac McNair

Rebecca was a dream, when I moved to New York from Houston I didn't have a job and really didn't know where to start, luckily I was in a class with Rebecca and once she found out I was struggling she really came to my aid, I've gotten numerous employment opportunities because of her. With her unending resources and creative diligence Rebecca is heaven sent. She is also a great reference, and heaven knows we all need those. - Derrence Washington

My experience with Rebecca has been beneficial, informative and invaluable.

I initially asked Rebecca for help with my resume to which she was very insightful. She aided me in restructuring it so that I would be able to better represent myself and present a more cohesive resume that did a much better job of highlighting elements that are key items
for employers. The update made me feel much more confident during the interview process and the clearer resume afforded the interviewer the opportunity to ask more in-depth and different questions once the basic information was presented so deftly.

After the success of my resume helped me move forward in my career, I asked for her coaching in discussions with my bosses for a possible promotion. She gave me the right vocabulary to speak clearly about what I wanted and how I saw my future. I felt like I was able to present my case accurately and in the end I was ultimately successful.

I have had a great deal of success with Rebecca’s help and I would recommend working with her to anyone who is looking to advance their career, make a career change, or just find the career they really want.

- Ginger Gower

I would highly recommend Rebecca as a Job Coach/Career counselor. Her connections in the staffing world and expertise with resume writing made my transition from temporary work to full time employment here in NYC seamless. Rebecca made it possible for me to gain work experience within corporations throughout NYC that otherwise would not have been attainable.

- Joshua King

Rebecca completely changed my resume by trimming it down and highlighting important details that would attract current employers.

- Jason Verga

I came to New York fresh out of college to pursue acting. I was underway with my acting plans but completely overwhelmed when I began searching for my survival job. I don't know what I would have done without Rebecca. She was easy going and confident and knew exactly how to help me get focused. She helped me organize my resume, find my strengths, and the confidence I needed for interviews. Thanks to Rebecca I was able to find administrative work that was flexible with my acting pursuits. Rebecca has a generous and compassionate spirit. Not only will she help you feel prepared for the work field, she will help you find yourself in this sometimes overwhelming city.

- Meagan Barno

I moved to New York three years ago and I wouldn’t have been able to stay with it weren’t for Rebecca McCain.

I applied to countless temp agencies, staffing agencies, and career counselors but Rebecca was the only one of them I met that consistently produced the results I was looking for. The rest were in it for themselves. The other agents worked for commission not for me and it showed. They didn’t want me to be hired. They wanted me to continue working week to week, bouncing from job to job, because that’s how they make money. Rebecca was different. I wasn’t a dollar sign to her. I was a person. She fought to find me work and when that job ended she found me better work.

Resumes are tricky. They’re like an art and there is indeed an art to them. I was perfect for a lot of the jobs I was applying for, so why wasn’t I getting them? I’d send my resume but never hear back or if I did get brushed off before the interview started. That was because I thought first impressions were made at the interview. That’s not the case. Your resume and cover letter arrive first. They’re your first impression. And my resume and cover letter were making bad first impressions.

It wasn’t that my resume wasn’t good because it was—it was grammatically perfect and well organized and clear. It was text book perfect but as any college graduate will tell you the way they were taught to do things from the text while in the vacuum of college differs drastically from the way they’re actually done when practiced in the real world. Point being—t he person interviewing you didn’t go to college with you. The way you’d do things might not be their way. They might be from H.R. and not even know exactly what it is that you do. They might just be looking for a “good fit.” And you need to know who you’re interviewing for.

You’re not wooing a position in a company with your resume; you’re wooing an individual in that company, the actual person that posted the ad you applied to. You’re resume needs to seduce that person.

One uniform resume isn’t good enough. You have to tailor your resume for each opportunity every time. I didn’t know that and even after I did I didn’t know how to.

Rebecca McCain does. Rebecca reads between the lines and sees the things we don’t.

It’s a sixth sense. Personalities manifest themselves effortlessly out of every ad she reads. She reads between the lines—sees things we’d never see: who placed the ad, how that person relates to the corporate philosophy and vibe he placed the ad for, the difference between what they said and what they actually mean and what that says about the company, what they’re really looking for, and who posted the ad. Anyone can read an ad but only McCain can actually read an ad.

If you want the job Rebecca can tell you how to get it—how to tailor not only your resume but your appearance and your interviewing skills.

I can’t stress how helpful Rebecca McCain has been. When I couldn’t find work waiting tables on my own she found me the job of my dreams.

- James Holland

It's never too late to add your testimonial- contact Rebecca today!