As founder and president of The Wooden Group, Randy brings over 25 years of experience in a number of human resource areas including outplacement, executive recruiting, in-house staffing and training. Additionally, Randy serves as a community college adjunct instructor teaching classes on interviewing and the overall job hunting process.

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	Handling Awkward Interview Questions by Randy Wooden - Jun, 2011 Interviews can be nerve-wracking enough without the added pressure of dealing with inappropriate questions. So what should you do? Let’s examine what’s happening and possible ways to deal with it. Recent events such as the killing of Osama bin Laden loom large throughout the media. Pres...
	Twitter and Your Job Search by Randy Wooden - Jun, 2011 Twitter is gaining ground as a job hunting resource. Read entire article here. Most of my clients recognize LinkedIn as their chief online professional networking resource. It also lists a number of jobs. But most people haven’t awakened to the value of Twitter as a means of identify...
	Recruiters and The Job Hunt by Randy Wooden - Jul, 2010 During my career I’ve not only provided private and corporate outplacement, but I’ve also spent years as a headhunter (executive search) and have worked inside corporations as an in-house recruiter. And I’ve been a job seeker myself. So I bring a diverse experience when assisting someone...
	Talking Too Long: Parts 1 - 3 by Randy Wooden - Feb, 2010 Ever have someone keep talking to you long after you’d heard enough? They keep talking and all you want to do is end the conversation or that particular line of discussion. Have YOU ever been the one doing all the talking and not realized you were boring the other person to tears? Her...
	Job Seekers - Do You Have Questions? We Have Answers by Randy Wooden - Dec, 2009 Job Seekers - Do you have questions for us? Below is a list of frequently asked questions and our answers. What are the differences between The Wooden Group and an executive search firm, recruiter or personnel agency? Unlike search firms, recruiters and personnel agencies who esse...
	Staying Mentally Focused by Randy Wooden - Dec, 2009 The Triad’s first quarter, 2010, hiring outlook is not encouraging. Similar forecasts abound throughout the nation. What’s a job hunter to do? First, maintain a positive attitude, particularly when in an interview. Allowing frustration and desperation to seep through doesn’t help you...
	The Value of a Verbal Cushion by Randy Wooden - Nov, 2009 From time to time a candidate will face a question he simply wishes to avoid. Whether that question deals with anticipated income, reasons for leaving your last job, specific career goals, occasionally a candidate may find it advantageous to avoid a direct and specific answer. So how’s...
	The Role of Recruiters in Your Job Hunt by Randy Wooden - Nov, 2009 During my career I’ve not only provided private and corporate outplacement, but I’ve also spent years as a headhunter (executive search) and have worked inside corporations as an in-house recruiter. And I’ve been a job seeker myself. So I bring a diverse experience when assisting someone...
	Eight Common Job Interview Mistakes by Randy Wooden - Oct, 2009 1. Not asking for the job. While not a literal question, asking for the job means restating your interest in the position. 2. Failing to ask appropriate questions. A lack of relevant questions shows a lack of adequate preparedness. 3. Failing to ask any questions. This shows not o...
	Eight Ways To Make A Good First Impression by Randy Wooden - Oct, 2009 1. Preparation. This takes many forms, but make sure you understand what the employer’s looking for and cite examples from your past to show you meet their needs. 2. Resume. No typos, one or two pages in length, include key words which match with those listed in the requirement...
	Ask For The Job! by Randy Wooden - Oct, 2009 The other day someone asked me what was the biggest mistake I’d ever made during an interview. Well, as a human we live and learn, but one thing stood out. I’d failed to ask for the job. Not once, but twice. Let me explain. Years ago I’d interviewed for a sales position selling t...
	Hygiene And Cleaning House Before The Interview by Randy Wooden - Oct, 2009 Be careful where you conduct your final grooming prior to entering the interview. Years ago a recruiter told me of an engineering candidate who drove up to the manufacturing facility and parked, face in, to a visitor space. Before exiting his vehicle, the candidate tilted his rear view...
	The Most Difficult Interview Question by Randy Wooden - Jul, 2009 I typically ask workshop attendees and my clients which questions tend to give them trouble. The two I hear most often center around compensation and ‘tell me about yourself.’ Both are difficult, but for different reasons. Let’s tackle the most common and, likely, the most difficult que...
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