Seasonal

Summer Reading Professional Development Books

Susie McKenna
June 10, 2019
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While you are laying by the pool or relaxing on the beach, let summer do some work for you! We’ve got links to summer reading lists (see below!), but here’s a short round-up highlighting some of the latest (and soon-to-be greatest) professional development books that are hot off the presses just in time for summer.

Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

Melinda Gates, who is more than just the wife of Microsoft guru Bill Gates, shares stories of the women who have inspired her through the years in this book published in April 2019. The stories begin with her own mother and fan out to include the extraordinary women she has connected with through both her professional and philanthropic work all over the globe. The conversational tone of this book will keep you turning the pages faster than you can sip on your summertime beverage.

It’s the Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter

Just published in May 2019, this book reveals 52 key findings from Gallup’s largest study on the future of work. The study found that the quality of managers and team leads are the single biggest factor in a company’s long-term success. Both authors have previously penned best-selling books, and this is sure to join that list shortly. A bonus in this book is it also comes with a code to access the CliftonStrengths assessment, which reveals your top five strengths.  If you haven’t taken the assessment yet – it is definitely worth doing so this summer!

Feedback (and Other Dirty Words): Why We Fear It, How to Fix It by M. Tamra Chandler and Laura Dowling Grealish

Performance reviews are often dreaded events, but this book helps flip the script and explains how to turn that fear into an opportunity to flourish.  You will learn the three F’s of feedback (focused, fair, and frequent) as well as find exercises to practice what the book preaches.  The real-world examples help to underscore how to turn receiving feedback into a positive experience. This book is the perfect pick for your Fourth of July vacation since it doesn’t debut until June 18, 2019.

WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach

As the Women’s FIFA World Cup kicks off in France this month, it’s the perfect time to read this book written by one of the stars of soccer. Based on her 2018 Barnard College commencement speech, which went viral, this short read (less than 100 pages) serves as a rallying cry for women to unite with their “wolfpack”. You will be fired up and ready to take on tasks of Olympic proportion after finishing the book.

Want more summer reading suggestions? Bill Gates recently released his 2019 summer reading list or you can check out our past suggestions. Let us know what books tops your list this summer – we’d love to hear from you!

Tips

How to Make Sure Your Social Media is Job Search Ready

Susie McKenna
March 7, 2019
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Social media can be an asset in your job search.  It can help you network with potential co-workers and research employers.  But job seekers are not the only people spending time on social. According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70 percent of employers use social media to research potential employees.  In addition, 57 percent of employers found content that caused them not to hire a candidate.  How do your social profiles look?

If you are job hunting, your first stop is to make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date.  List all your positions and a few key responsibilities or successes you had while in those roles.   According to LinkedIn, profiles with photos get 21x more views.  If you chose to include a photo, your photo should be a headshot with eye contact and a smile.  Avoid having items like sunglasses or other people in your pic.

Next up on LinkedIn, go to the upper right-hand corner and select Edit URL. Personalize your URL to be your name, removing the additional characters that is assigned to you. For example, a LinkedIn URL of www.linkedin.com/in/john-smith will make it easier for employers to find you.  While you are at it, make sure your settings reflect that you are open to opportunities and recruiters contacting you.  To do this, go to Account – Settings & Privacy and scroll down to “Job Seeking Preferences”.

For social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, in general it is a good idea to think before you post.  For Facebook, since chances are you might have had your account for a while, check your settings of who can see what posts from both the past and present.  Facebook has a handy guide with simple steps to follow to limit past posts.  You can also turn off search engine indexing in your privacy settings, which helps prevent old posts from resurfacing.

For Twitter and Instagram, if you think some content may not appeal to all employers, you can make your account private.  By doing this, you will have to approve all new followers on your accounts. Your current followers would not be impacted by that switch on either platform.

On any platform, if you think there are any potential red flags, you could clean your social media by deleting the post from any or all platforms.  Types of posts to be aware of include:

  • Negative posts about co-workers or employers
  • Photos showing you partying it up from the weekend
  • Posts with significantly bad grammar
  • See what Business News Daily says to avoid on your profile here.

Overall, your social media profiles are your online reputation and it is your choice how to handle them. And depending on what type of position you are interested in, being active on social media might help you land the job.  But with three-fourths of employers checking online profiles, you want to put your best foot forward – in person and online!

Staffing

How Staffing is Similar to Dating

Lindsey Curtis
February 11, 2019
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February is the month we celebrate love and we love helping people find a job.  Daily our superstar recruiters play matchmaker to match candidates with jobs.  Often the first step is to talk with candidates to find out their interests much like you would chat with someone on your first date.  Then potential employees are “set-up” with our clients, just like you’d “set-up” two single friends on a date. So how else is staffing similar to dating?

Online is all the rage. Many singles use online apps to find that special someone just like we advertise on job boards like LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter to find special candidates.  See which jobs would make you swipe right on our job board.

Face-to-face is key.  One of the hallmarks of our recruiting process is meeting our candidates face-to-face.  This is so helpful when talking to our clients. Even if it is someone you have been talking to for weeks or even months, you still would want to meet face-to-face to continue your relationship.

Finding your type. When on the dating scene, you might go out with one person for bit, and then switch and start seeing someone new.  Working at a temporary position allows you to try out a position before fully committing to the relationship – or job.

Timing is everything.  Sometimes candidates need to wait or go on a few different interviews before finding the right job. Just like dating where you might have to wait until the right person comes along.

What everyBODY is saying.  Body language plays an important role in the hiring process.  According to study conducted by Career Builder hiring managers know within the first five minutes if candidate is a good fit – just like love at first sight.

Breaking up is hard to do.  Sometimes relationships and jobs just don’t work out.  And that’s ok.  The beauty of working with a staffing company is if you let us know with notice, we’ll work on finding you your next sweet gig.  Just like you’d lean on a friend after a breakup with your sweetheart, That’s Good HR will be there for you!

Seasonal

Our Intent

Susie McKenna
January 10, 2019
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Annually as the new year approaches, many folks take time set their intentions for the next year. Making a new year’s resolution is common place on January 1, but 80 percent of resolutions fail by February. One thing you can do to help your resolution – or resolutions – stick is to share them with others who can help keep you accountable.

To prepare for the new year, the TGHR team engaged in a fun, crafty activity one day during a staff lunch. Using a kit bought online, each TGHR staff member came up with a word that sums up what they want out of the new year. We took the words and hammered them on to bracelets that can be worn as a reminder of our intention. It was great to share these words and the meaning behind them with the co-workers we see daily. We also documented our intentions on our office white board (well in our case our board is, of course, orange – our signature color), so we can help keep each other accountable.

What’s your word for 2019? Here are ours:
Mary – Breathe & Patience
Tiffany – Let Go
Amber – Grace & Serve
Lindsey – Cici & Sully
Kate – Be Present
Lana – Trust
Ashley – Thrive
Madison – Be Bold
Staci – Breathe
Greta – Patience
Kirstia – Strength
Susie – Grace
Meaghan – Faith over Fear
Emma – Rooted

We’re excited to get the new year underway. If getting a new job is one of your 2019 resolutions, give us a call – we’re ready to help you achieve that goal!

Tips

How to be a Good Partner

Tiffany Moore headshot.
Tiffany Moore
VP, Client Partnerships
December 3, 2018
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On a recent visit with one of my longtime clients, he asked me a question that I appreciate more than any other – “how can I as a hiring manager be a better partner to you?”. I truly value each one of my clients and do not look at the work I do daily as transactions.  I believe my relationships are partnerships that I value deeply. Client interactions are a two-way street where both parties benefit.  So, how can you help best?

First, time is of the essence in today’s job market.  Giving me feedback quickly will help secure the best candidates for your positions.  We have seen that candidates with accounting experience such as accounts receivable/payable move incredibly fast – as do most other positions as well.

Next, don’t be shy! Tell me the specific job skills and experiences you require (or do not) require for a potential employee after you review resumes. When we learn your specific preferences, it helps us to screen candidates more accurately before sending them for your review. Be honest as the more information you give, the better.

Then, once you have received resumes, it is best to schedule interviews within a day or two.  This ensures the candidates that you want are still available in this fast-paced, competitive job market.

Once a candidate interviews, one way we can be a good partner to you is by providing 360-degree feedback.  This could include how your company and employees presented themselves during the interview and the candidates overall impressions of your company.  This information can help you stay competitive with future employees.

In the end, That’s Good HR, Inc. has built our business in Indianapolis by creating client partnerships for 20 years. And I am proud to say that I am fortunate enough to be hitting my 11-year anniversary in January.  The amazing partnerships I have built over the last 11 years with clients like the one mentioned above is the reason I still love my job today!

Seasonal

Attitude of Gratitude

November 7, 2018
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November is upon us, which means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  A customary practice around the turkey table is to say what you are thankful for, but what happens if this was extended to a year-round practice?  Practicing gratitude can make you a happier person this month and beyond.

Fifty-two percent of women and 44 percent of men express gratitude on a regular basis according to an infographic on The Muse.  People who are grateful tend to be more satisfied and have more self-control – which could be key as holiday treats start to roll into the office this time of year.

Speaking of the office, according to a study done by Harvard Medical School, managers who remember to say “thanks” may find that employees feel motivated to work harder.  It has also been shown that gratitude is more motivating than money.  Gratitude is contagious, so practicing gratitude at work will help create a corporate culture of thanks.

Thanks can be given in a multitude of ways.  You can stop by a coworker’s desk and say thanks for help on a project or send a friendly email. If you want to go old school, drop a handwritten note on someone’s desk.

To become more grateful yourself, keep a gratitude journal starting now.  Write down three things every night that you were thankful for during the day.  The key to this practice is two things: be specific and keep writing for more than 5 days. When journaling, do not just say “I’m thankful for my family or my job”, get down to the nitty-gritty and cite specific people or things that you appreciated that day.

If writing is not your thing, try a gratitude meditation.  Never meditated before?  Not to worry, take 10 minutes and try this guided gratitude meditation.  It will lead you through every step of the way.

Need more ideas on how you can become more grateful at work or home?  Here’s 10 ways to become more grateful. We are grateful for our clients and candidates not just this season but all year long!

Tips

Let’s Talk Language

Susie McKenna
June 11, 2018
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Lately in the TGHR office, we’ve had a few grammar debates – do you put a comma before the word “and”? Do you double space or single space after paragraphs? Do you use acronyms as words in everyday conversation?  With attention to detail and excellent communication skills being some of the qualities that can help any employee stand out, we looked at how the English language is evolving.

This year, 2018, marks 90 years since the completion of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.  Did you know the dictionary is updated four times per year? The most recent update occurred in March 2018 and the next update is scheduled for June.  A number of new words are introduced with each update.  Words must be in use for a period of time to be considered – like hangry. According to this article, “the only language not in a perpetual state of flux is a dead language”.

Acronyms like ASAP, RSVP and FYI have been part of our vernacular for a long time now. New words have crept in the into the English language in recent times including BRB, YOLO, OMG, LOL, and TMI*.  Some of these acronyms are so pervasive in today’s language that they even make it into the Oxford English Dictionary.  For example, EGOT** was just added in January 2018.  What words do you think will be added next?

So, what’s up with the extra comma in a sentence, known as the oxford comma.  It turns out according to grammar experts, unless you are writing for a particular publication or school, it is up to your discretion if you use a comma or not.  According to Associated Press (AP) Style, which is the style that newspapers are written in, you should not use the comma before the word “and”.  Others feel passionate that it should be used in all cases.  What is your comma preference?

Recently at TGHR, we have starting using a new skills test provider.  When you take a typing test on the software, the directions indicate that you must put two spaces after each period.  It seems that this is second nature to approximately half of our office, but the other half is squarely in the one space after a sentence camp.  Why the difference?  It turns out it depends on how you learned to type.  If you learned to type on a typewriter, you most likely put two spaces after a sentence.  This is because with a typewriter each letter takes up the same amount of space (monotype), but on a computer with the fonts we use today, letters take up a proportional amount of space so not every letter gets the same amount of space. Putting two spaces after a period made sentences easier to read.  “Two spacers” tend to be from Generation X or before, which is what we discovered in our own office.  Take a poll in your office – one space or two?

Get crazy today and only use one space after your sentences and go nuts with commas because YOLO.  LOL!

* BRB (be right back), YOLO (you only live once), OMG (oh my gosh), LOL (laugh out loud), and TMI (too much information).

**EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner)

Job Advice

The Art of the Thank You Note

Madison Schacht headshot.
Madison Schacht
Manager of Talent Acquisition
April 26, 2018
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You don’t have to be an Emily Post etiquette expert to know it’s a great idea to send a thank you note after an interview.  Whether your interview was face-to-face or via phone, sending a thank you note as soon as you can is a best practice.

Sending a note gives you another opportunity to emphasize what most excites you about the position, including details that you learned in the interview. It also shows initiative and can demonstrate that you are good with details and follow through (especially important if that’s key to the position).

So, what should it say?  For starters, address the thank you note – or thank you email – to the name of the person who interviewed you.  If you were interviewed by more than one person then send a note to each person.  Emailing the note is acceptable, especially since jobs in this tight labor market are moving quickly.

Next, express your gratitude for the interviewer taking their time to get to know you. Then, include some details of your conversation, which shows you were being attentive and gives you a chance to showcase some of your strong skills that would be a benefit in the position.

Finally, close out the note with a final word of thanks and sign your name.  If it’s an email, consider adding your phone number under your name for quick reference.

It is best to send the note as soon as possible, in the same day as your interview occurs if possible. That way the interviewer knows that you are interested in the position and hopefully it will help them come to a decision sooner.

A thank you note is the perfect way to communicate to the hiring manager that you are a solid applicant and that you are enthusiastic about the potential opportunity.

Sample thank you note:

Dear Jan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss your opening for a customer service representative today.  I am very interested in this opportunity.

I really enjoyed what you shared about your company culture and I can see myself contributing to the team.  My database experience would be a real asset in this position. 

Thank you again for your time, please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide to help in your decision.

Warmest Regards,

Madison

Seasonal

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Susie McKenna
March 8, 2018
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Today, March 8, marks International Women’s Day.  But for us at TGHR, every day is women’s day as we come into the office and do our best to propel both men and women forward in their careers.

International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s and is observed globally, not just in the United States.  Some say it started in 1908 when 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding equal pay and shorter working hours. Other say it began in 1913 stemming from a declaration from the Socialist Party.  Either way, it’s been around for more than 100 years and it’s here to stay.  The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1975.

The day was created to bring awareness to the gender pay gap – a gap that is still prevalent today.  According to the 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum, the global gender gap will take 100 years to close.  Countries that have the smallest gap, in order, are Iceland, Norway, Finland, Rwanda and Sweden.  The United States ranks 49th, while our North America neighbor, Canada ranks 16th. Iceland has been the world’s most gender equal country for nine years running.  The country recently made headlines for passing a law that went into effect on January 1, 2018 that makes it mandatory for companies to demonstrate that they pay men and women fairly.

International Women’s Day is celebrated with talks, lectures, conferences, performances, and demonstrations occurring world-wide.  Here’s some suggestions on how you can mark the occasion, regardless of gender:

  • Be informed. Use part of your day to become informed.  Research gender equality issues, health issues or other issues that create this inequity.
  • Thank the women in your life. Take a moment today and write a thank you note to a woman who has helped you, encouraged you, or influenced your life in a positive way.  This is an activity that you can do no matter what gender you identify with and will only take moments out of your day.
  • Read or Watch. Take time to read a great book by a female author.  Plan a brown bag book discussion over lunch with friends or co-workers.  No time to read?  Take in a movie with a strong female lead or director.  Better yet – make it documentary on women’s issues.  Another option – take in a TED Talk.
  • Show your support. Post on social media why International Women’s Day matters to you.  There are selfie cards online that echo this year’s theme, #PressforProgress, to help you. Want to make your own?  There’s an option for that too.

We are proud to be a women-owned business every day – but especially today. And we’ll keep working to advance our fellow females (and all our other candidates too)!

TGHR News

Our Key to Success = Company Culture

Mary Springer headshot
Mary Springer
Partner
March 5, 2018
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People before profits. That’s our company motto.  Whether we’re placing a temporary employee out in the workforce, catering to one of our clients, or talking to our internal staff, we put people first.

This October That’s Good HR will celebrate 20 years in business and over the years That’s Good HR has never lost focus on what matters most – people.  Ten out of our 15 employees have been at That’s Good HR for 5+ years and four team members can celebrate 10+ years with the company.

What’s our secret, you ask? Cultivating a positive company culture.  We’ve never bragged about this before, but recently were honored as a Best Places to Work in Indiana.  How did we achieve this honor?  By creating a supportive, family-friendly environment by providing flexible schedules, including part-time options and work-from-home when needed options.  TGHR employees like to come in the office too for employee appreciation lunches, pop-up smoothie bars, chili cook-offs and more.

We are always looking for innovative ways to appreciate our employees.  So last year, after reading an insightful article, we introduced a new concept for TGHR – bonus days.  Each employee, full and part-time employee alike, receives one bonus day per quarter.  This day is designed to be used to do something for yourself like take time to pamper yourself, go shopping or take a long weekend.  Bonus days are scattered through the quarter ensuring that not the entire office is off at once.

TGHR does many standard practices for employees, including offering great health benefits available from your first day of work, to having an employee of the quarter, complete with a comically large trophy, and a swinging holiday party celebrated in January with spouses.

Twenty years ago, That’s Good HR was founded out of a desire to do staffing better.  This includes treating people better too – our candidates, our clients and our internal employees.  Want to work with us and see why we’re one of the Best Places to Work in IndianaReach out and our team would be happy to show you.

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