Job Advice

Reduce Job Searching Stress

Ashley Paramoure

January 31, 2018

We get it. Searching for a new job can be stressful. The waiting, the interviewing, the preparation. So, how does one survive? Sit back and relax, and let That’s Good HR help.

First up, don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. Focus on other things while you are waiting for the right opportunity to come along. Try the following:

Read a career book that you’ve always wanted to (need suggestions?).
Revise your resume. Use our resume template to get started.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date.
Focus on your current job and exceling at your work.

Use your time to prepare for upcoming interviews. Being prepared helps reduce nerves and will help you focus once it’s time to talk to a company. Once you have an interview, use your time to do your research on the company so you are well versed before you walk in the door. Here are some popular interview questions and suggested answers.

It takes time for the right opportunity to come along. Make sure you’re are checking the TGHR job board and letting your recruiter know if anything peaks your interest. Be patient and don’t let anxiety get the best of you (see above!).

So, make sure and keep your head up. Don’t let your confidence slip away. You need to make sure you are poised and ready to go when it’s time to interview. Believe in yourself and be patient as the right position for you is out there somewhere!

Tips

Running out of time…in 2017!

Amber Crosby

December 7, 2017

It’s already December (how did that happen?) and the new year is right around the corner. We all need more time in the day and more time before (hopefully) taking some time to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.

So how can you squeeze the most out of 2017? Here’s what we recommend:

Be focused! Scrutinize your to do list – both work and personal – and prioritize what really needs to be done this year. Focus only on the items that must get done right now. At the same time, get a jump on your to-do list for 2018 now.
Go to sleep! No, really. A good night’s sleep makes you more productive during the day. Being productive makes you feel less stressed, being less stressed helps you be more relaxed, which, in turn, affords you a better night’s sleep. It’s a cycle! This is one of Inc.’s 9 Ways to Save More Time. Check it out – but only if you have time!
Be in the moment! How much time do you waste on your phone each day? Too much? Download an app like Moment, which will track your phone time and track what you are using your phone for. There’s even a “coach” that can help you break bad habits and provide suggestions to free up your time.

But the best way to get more time in your day? Call That’s Good HR. It takes an average of 42 days to fill a position, but we provide candidates within 24 hours – 98% faster than average. Save time and let us do the work. We’ll get you staffed up and ready to take on 2018. Call us today so we can give you the gift of time this holiday season.

Seasonal

Being Thankful

Mary Springer

Partner

November 16, 2017

‘Tis the season of gratitude – literally. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It feels like everyone is #blessed this time of year…but is that true?

The Greater Good Science Center, based at UC Berkeley in California, has spent two decades studying gratitude. Their research has revealed people who practice gratitude are less likely to be depressed, have stronger relationships and report fewer illnesses. The Center also found that people, in general, are less likely to express gratitude or feel thankful at work. So how can you change that? Here’s four suggestions to get started.

Discover if you are a grateful person. When looking at something new, you should start with yourself. Take this quiz and find out how grateful you are.
Say thank you. Sounds easy enough, right? Start by thanking your co-workers, which will help to cultivate a culture of gratitude in your workplace. Saying thank you doesn’t cost you or your company any money, but could benefit the bottom line.
Keep a journal. Take a page from Oprah’s playbook and write down 3 – 5 things you are grateful for each day. Oprah has kept a journal for more than a decade. Whether it’s in a physical journal or electronically on your phone, writing down items daily can remind you of all that you have.
When we do something for someone else, it often reminds us of what we have and how lucky we are. This time of year, there is an abundance of places to volunteer.

We at That’s Good HR are thankful for our staff, our candidates and our clients. We are grateful that we have such good people to work with in the Indianapolis area. There’s always something to be thankful for at TGHR!

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Seasonal

Take the Chill Off with Chili

Meaghan Smith

November 8, 2017

Recently, TGHR employees participated in our inaugural chili cook-off. The event was a hit, and we sampled five different chilis. Here are the participating recipes. Make them at home, share with your fellow coworkers, and let us know which is your favorite!

First up, is the taste-test winner! This unique chili took home first place and really hit the spot.

Chicken Enchilada Chili
1.5 lbs chicken breast
1 can black beans
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 can Rotel
1 can red enchilada sauce
2 cups chicken stock
1.5 tbsp chili powder
3/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1 package cream cheese

In a large crockpot, add the enchilada sauce, Rotel (undrained), chili beans (undrained), black beans (drained and rinsed), corn (drained) and uncooked chicken breasts. Next, add the chicken stock and all the seasonings. Stir well. Cover the crockpot and place on high for 3-5 hours or low for 5-8 hours. Remove the chicken and shred using two forks. Cube the cream cheese and put the cubes in the crockpot. Then, whisk the cream cheese and add the shredded chicken. Cook on high until all the cream cheese is melted. Stir and serve!

Do you want a chili that has a unique flavor to it? This recipe was a definite crowd pleaser, and came in second place!

Bloody Mary Chili
1 lb beef
1 lb Italian sausage
3 cups Mr. & Mrs. T’s Bold and Spicy Bloody Mary mix
2 packets McCormick’s chili mix
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 white onion, diced
Elbow macaroni
Salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder to taste

Brown the beef and Italian sausage with the diced onion. Then, put all the remaining ingredients in crock pot EXCEPT the macaroni. Put the crock pot on low (or high if you are in a rush). Cook the macaroni separately and add them to the chili 1 – 2 hours before serving.

Looking for a chili with a different texture? Try this recipe, which can be made with regular ground beef too!

Organic Chili
1.5 lbs organic ground beef
2 cans hot chili beans
1 can mixed beans
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can mild Rotel
1 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
Cooked macaroni
Garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to taste

Sautee onions and garlic for about two minutes in olive oil. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain fat. Add beans, Rotel and tomatoes. Season to taste with spices. Simmer for 30 minutes and serve over cooked macaroni.

Are you cooking for a crowd? Give this a try! It was also suggested to put this atop your favorite hot dog.

Hot & Spicy
6 lbs of hamburger
1 big white onion
6 habanero peppers (4 cooked into the hamburger, 2 habanero peppers juiced on browned meat)
1 large can of mild chili beans
5 packs of McCormick’s chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Dice the habanero peppers and then add to the meat while browning it. Once the meat is browned, juice two additional habanero peppers over the browned meat. In a stock pot, combine all the other ingredients and add the meat and peppers. Simmer for 5 minutes with the lid on. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can transfer the chili to a crock pot if you are transporting it to share with coworkers/friends.

Pressed for time? Try this simple white chicken chili, no cooking skills needed!

White Chix Chili
3 cans white beans (drain 1.5 cans)
2 cans chicken (drained)
2 teaspoons cumin
A little less than 1 cup onion, diced
2 chicken bouillon cubs
2 cans diced green chilies

Simply put all the ingredients in the crock pot until heated and stir occasionally. That’s it!

TGHR recommended toppings include: sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar cheese, cilantro, green onions, limes (especially for the white chicken chili), avocado, bacon bits, sour cream and oyster crackers. We also suggest serving with cornbread and tortilla chips on the side. And then, when you are too full to possibly do any work, call TGHR and we’ll fill your open positions with award-winning candidates. Bon Appetit!

Healthcare

What Makes Temp Employees Stay on the Job Longer?

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

October 5, 2017

With unemployment rates still at an all-time low, retaining temporary workers continues to be top of mind for employers and staffing agencies like That’s Good HR.

The current debate regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not help as benefits are a top reason talent is retained. That’s Good HR offers the required ACA health care plans to all full-time temporary workers, but there is low participation in these plans.

We are committed to our candidates and want to attract the highest caliber employees for our clients. One of the ways we do this is to offer other health insurance options, including a fixed indemnity insurance plan. Indemnity plans offer the freedom for employees to choose their own health care professionals and visit almost any hospital they choose. Employers have been using traditional indemnity plans since the World War II era. Interestingly, before World War II only 10% of employees had health coverage from any source, but by 1955 (10 years after the War) nearly 70% of workers had health insurance, according to The Essentials of Managed Health Care.

We believed that this type of insurance plan could be a better fit and more useful to a temporary employee. This month a study was released that confirmed that this was the right decision. Essential Staff Care, known as ESC, tabulated data from more than half a million temporary staffing employees across the country. The study revealed that temporary employees enrolled in an ESC Indemnity Plan stayed on their assignment 47% longer than employees not enrolled in an indemnity plan. That is good news for That’s Good HR, since this type of plan is the most popular option for our candidates. Another benefit to them? The plan rates – which are paid weekly – have remained unchanged since 2010.

Offering insurance options to our candidates helps attract better and more qualified candidates to fill open positions. The ACA requires us to offer specific plans to maintain compliance, but we also chose to offer the indemnity plan that temporary workers can afford and use. Temporary employees with this health insurance are more likely to recommend their employer to other job seekers and have fewer health related absences, according to the study.

According to the study, more than half of Americans hold less than $1,000 in savings, meaning that one illness or injury could result in significant hardship. Medical benefits rank as the number one job perk that employees are looking for and 69 percent of candidates nationally say they would consider one job over another if the benefits were better. Having the option to enroll in the indemnity insurance helps alleviate financial stress and gives temporary employees an affordable option in addition to the ACA compliant plans that we offer.

Providing this insurance and explaining the options to employees is just one of the many services That’s Good HR provides our clients – saving them time and money. The American Staffing Association states 60% of employers feel overwhelmed with the increased complexity of managing benefits packages and 7 out of 10 employers believe they cannot keep up with the changes. The good news? That’s Good HR isn’t one of them. Give us a call, we’ll take it from here. In your newfound free time, read the full study by ESC.

Job Advice

Be Good Communicator in 5 Easy Steps

Mary Springer

Partner

September 20, 2017

Author and self-improvement guru, Paul J. Meyer said “Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” Since communication is key, here are five easy steps to improve your communication TODAY.

Ask open ended questions. Asking open ended question yields more information, which can help you hone in on what people really need or want from you. Looking for additional tips check out Monster’s list of 5 ways to be a better communicator at work.
Don’t just talk – listen. Often times, listening can reveal more than asking questions. Once you ask that open ended question, you’ll need to listen carefully to deduce the most important information. Communication is a two-way street, don’t focus on one way.
Non verbal communication is just as important as what you are verbally communicating. Be cognitive of things like your body position and eye contact when conversing with others.
Be aware of timing. Just because you want to tell someone something, that does not mean they are ready to hear it. In addition, they might be under pressure or have different circumstances that would make them less receptive to what you have to say – even if it’s good news. Look for cues during your conversation and consider saving information for later.
Pick the best form. For some messages verbal communication might be best, but for others email would work better – or vice versa. Think about your message and the information you are trying to convey and pick the right channel for delivery.

Let us know what you put into practice on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ready to put your new and improved communication skills to use? Apply to one of our open positions.

HR Insights

Benefits to Using a Staffing Agency

Tiffany Moore

VP, Client Partnerships

August 23, 2017

According to a recent infographic released by American Staffing Association, staffing agencies are among the top 5 job search resources. Surprised? We aren’t. Here’s why:

Options, options and more options. We focus on finding temporary employees, employees that begin as temps then can be hired on full time or employees for direct hire. So you can decide what option is right for your open position. Whatever you choose, we’ve got options.
Take your pick. You tell us what you need and then we deliver a selection of candidates for you to choose from.
Save time. According to the most recent benchmarking study from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the average time it takes to fill a position is 42 days. Our goal is to provide you with resumes for review within 24 hours. That’s 98% faster than average!
Deep bench. We have a deep network to find folks for your position fast. Every day our trained recruiters are actively interviewing candidates. They get to know their technical skills, but also those important soft skills that you didn’t even know you were looking for.
Listen Up. We listen to what you need to understand what type of employee would be a good fit. Then we head to our aforementioned bench to find you top talent.

You deserve strategic staffing solutions, not some one-size-fits-all quick fix. We’re known in Indy for our personal, authentic approach to staffing that delivers long-term results. Reach out today and I’ll show you.

Job Advice

Is Criticism a Gift in Disguise? Handle with Care

Kate Stephens

August 14, 2017

Recently, LinkedIn CEO, Jeff Weiner, posted an amazing piece of advice, “Even negative feedback can be a gift. Take it seriously but don’t let it define you. Define yourself.” Well said.

Criticism is often tough to take, but can be a valuable tool to help you learn and grow. When Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was asked during a talk what was the number one thing she looked for in a person who could scale within a company, Sandberg quickly responded, “Someone who takes feedback well. Because people who can take feedback well are people who can learn and grow quickly.”

Can you handle criticism? Here’s some advice on how to handle negative feedback in the best way possible:

Don’t focus on how it was delivered. Often times the person giving feedback, doesn’t present it in the best manner. Don’t focus on what they are doing wrong, focus on what you can do right.
Keep emotions in check. Even though it may take a huge effort, don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Remaining calm will help you focus on the facts. Easier said than done, right?
Own it. A famous NYC chef was raked over the coals by The New York Times. Instead of being inflamed at the paper, he used the critique to demonstrate his commitment to his customers and his work. Curious how he handled it? Check out his response.
Be grateful. Consider thanking the person who took time to give you feedback that will ultimately better you as a person.
Forget the excuses. It’s easy to tell someone the reasons behind why you weren’t at your best in a particular situation. When you are receiving feedback, it’s best to not offer up a litany of excuses or justify the behavior. Be proactive, not reactive.

Here’s to hoping you see feedback as a positive, not a negative. Your next opportunity to grow could be right around the corner – view our current job openings.

Job Advice

What Managers Really Want

Amber Crosby

August 3, 2017

What do managers want? What do they really, really want (shout out to the Spice Girls)? Check out these qualities that can make you a great employee for your manager.

Be prepared. Just like the scout motto, do your part to be prepared for conversations and make sure to be prepared before heading into a meeting. Make sure you are ready to listen, have questions ready that you need answers for, and take a deep breath…and go!

Be inquisitive. If you don’t know what is expected or the answer to a question, ask. Assumptions often lead to frustration, so it’s best to be clear from the beginning. Asking questions can also demonstrate that you are thinking ahead, which is a great way to show your strategic side.

Be collaborative. When your boss suggests a new way of doing things, look for ways to enhance his/her idea. Collaborate with the boss to make the idea a success. Your boss will appreciate your input and it can make you the go-to person in the future.

Be receptive. Look around and learn your boss’ habits. Know how they like info presented to them so you can set yourself up for success. Being attentive to details will serve you well.

Be professional. This may sound like a no-brainer but only 11% of managers said new hires embody this trait. Things like being on time, working well in a team, and demonstrating a good work ethic can make you stand out to your manager.

For more, see this list of 5 things every boss is dying for you to do, but won’t ask for. And when you’re ready for a new boss or to become the boss yourself, check out our current openings.

Tips

Practicing Mindfulness at Work

Mary Springer

Partner

July 20, 2017

Companies like Google and Target have been offering mindfulness training to their employees since 2007 and 2010, respectively. Are they on to something? We think so.

How can mindfulness help you?

Being mindful can help you sharpen your focus. Being mindful helps you concentrate on the task at hand and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Mindfulness can help you improve your listening and even help you stomach criticism better. When you practice mindfulness you activate different parts of your brain, some of which help you to be less defensive. Perhaps it is because you have a clearer head and are calm. Check out these five tips for how to use mindfulness to embrace criticism.
Mindfulness helps relieve stress. The American Institute of Stress states 40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful. Take a deep breath – no, really! Take time to focus on your breathing. Even taking a few deep breaths at your desk will help you tackle your next task with clarity.

There’s no need to be overwhelmed, there are abundant resources about being mindful right at your fingertips. Do yourself a favor and start slow. Commit to a few minutes per day for a maximum of 30 days. Take note of how you feel before and after. Recently the TODAY Show, shared 5 small things you can do each morning. You can also download an app, like Calm, right to your smartphone. The app will walk you through short exercises and get your on your way to being mindful today.

Ready…take a deep breath and GO!