Job Advice

Tips to Be a Rock Star Candidate

July 17, 2017

We’re in the people business. We’ve been finding the right people for the right jobs for nearly 20 years. We LOVE working with our candidates. How can you be a rock star candidate? When you come in to meet with us, take heed of these simple steps:

Be honest. Let us know your expertise and your expectations so we can match you with the perfect placment
Polish your resume. Make sure you’ve got a current resume uploaded to our site. Don’t have one handy? Use our resume template to create one.
Update your LinkedIn profile. Daily, 45 million profiles on average are viewed on LinkedIn. Will yours stand out? Make sure it’s up-to-date and puts your best foot forward.
Be patient. Even if we don’t have an opening right now that’s a match for your skills, our phone is always ringing with new opportunities.

Now, you’ve met with a recruiter and you have been placed in your first assignment. We are just as excited as you are. So, what can you do to continue to be a rock star? Don’t worry, we’ve got a plan for that too.

Share feedback. We love to hear feedback. Feedback is important and helps us for future placements with companies and type of position.
Be resourceful. Don’t understand something that is going on? Utilize different resources to find the answer. Ask a fellow coworker in the same situation, reach out to your recruiter or try a quick Google search.
Keep in touch. Keep us updated if anything changes with you. Don’t be shy about checking in with your recruiter if your status changes. Send a quick email or call once a month so we know what’s happening with you.

Whether we’ve already met or you’re a rock star waiting in the wings, we will work to get you the right position at the right time. After all, we’re in the people business. Check out our latest job opportunities online.

Seasonal

Summer Reading List: Make Your Time Work for You

Lindsey Curtis

July 12, 2017

What’s on your summer reading list? While you’re soaking up the sun relaxing by the pool, make that time work for you by diving into a book that also will help you further your career. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles – This book has sold more than 10 million copies since it was first published. It is often talked about as the number 1 resource for job seekers, at any age. Popular publications such as Time, Fortune and Fast Company Magazine have noted this as a must read and the Library of Congress has called the book “life-changing”. See for yourself and check out these other job seeking best sellers.
How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie – This book has stood the test of time since first being published in 1937. It’s other claim to fame? It’s known as one of Warren Buffett’s favorite books. Don’t have time to read the whole thing? No worries, here’s 12 tips from the book.
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sanberg – Think this book is only for women? Think again, males can garner just as much insight from this book as women. It is penned by Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Know a recent grad? There’s also a version with new chapters written just for them.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell – Turn the page and be inspired by others successes including legends like Steve Jobs. Discover the characteristics and practices that put him and other standouts in a class by themselves.
How to Be a Badass by Jen Sincero – Read with an open mind and be surprised what you will learn about how to “start living an awesome life”. This sassy, funny book is anything but boring.
Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath – Whether you are working or preparing for your next opportunity, it’s always good to know your strengths. This book comes with access to a quick online quiz that will reveal your top five strengths in less than 30 minutes.

So, sit back relax and curl up with a good book. Have additional suggestions, let us know! Ready for your next opportunity? Let us know that too by applying for one of our open positions.

Job Advice

Addicted to Your Smartphone? Tips & Tricks to Reduce Temptation

Kate Stephens

June 29, 2017

Smartphones have become so woven into our lives; it seems we often wonder how we survived without them. At your fingertips is access to unlimited information – plus entertainment – with just the tap of a button. But have you wondered just how much your phone may be distracting you at work? A recent CareerBuilder survey revealed these eye-opening stats:

82% of workers keep eye contact with their phones at all times.
2 out of 3 workers admit they check their phones several times a day.
75% of employers say 2 or more hours of productivity are lost each day from distracted workers.
More than half of employees say cell phones and texting are the biggest time wasters at work.

Yikes! As smartphone usage increases, productivity decreases. So, what steps can you take to put down your phone and stay focused at work? Check out these quick tips:

Tuck it away. Remember that stat above? 82% of workers keep their phone within eye contact, which means you’re more likely to impulsively pick it up. Instead, stash your phone in a drawer to keep it out of sight to prevent temptation.
Turn off notifications. Chimes, vibrations, and lights all draw you to your phone. After all, it could be a really important text, right? The reality is emergencies are rare, and the world will be okay if you don’t answer every chime right away.
Go back to the basics. If you feel addicted to your phone, you’re not alone. Anderson Cooper explored the way tech companies are “brain hacking” to get users addicted to apps. Sometimes a clean break from technology can reset your habits. Try stripping your phone to minimal apps and delete or disable the distractions that keep you coming back. Writer Jack Knapp did just that for a 7-day experiment that he loved so much, he’s still using a bare-bones iPhone.
Save phone time for break time. If you’re guilty of checking your personal emails, news feeds, and social media several times a day, make a commitment to only peek at your phone at designated times – like your lunch break.
Know the code. Many employers have policies around personal cell phone usage at work. Make sure you know your employers guidelines and stick to them.

Changing your technology habits may be hard at first, but stick to it. It takes discipline, but reducing your smartphone distractions at work will allow you to focus more on tasks and less on personal business. And who knows, all that extra work may just land you a raise, promotion, or other unexpected opportunity.

HR Insights

Interview Questions: What Not to Ask

Amber Crosby

June 28, 2017

Interviews are a great tool to discover candidates’ backgrounds, qualities, personality traits, and even hang-ups. But with a long list of off-putting—and possibly even unethical or illegal—questions, handling an interview wisely can feel like tip-toeing through a minefield. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered.

So, what can you ask and what’s strictly off limits? As a general rule, you want to avoid personal questions. These include direct questions about age, religion, gender, country of origin, disabilities, marital or financial status, and childcare arrangements.

You’re likely already astute enough to steer clear of blatantly inappropriate questions. However, sometimes these topics may be relevant to the role being filled. For example, your job may require a employee to be on-call after hours, and your candidate is a single mom. You shouldn’t directly ask if she has childcare in place, but you can describe the on-call hours needed and inquire if this work schedule would be doable. Best practice: stick to questions about the job itself and not about specific personal details.

Examples of Questions to Avoid

How old are you?
Where do you go to church?
Do you have a history of mental illness?
Are you married or single?
How many sick days did you take last year?
Do you plan on having kids soon or are your pregnant?
How’s your credit?

Examples of Acceptable Questions to Ask

Are you over 18?
This position includes duties after 5 p.m. Are you available to work evenings when needed?
What languages are you fluent in?
Are you eligible to work in the United States?
What are your career goals?
Can you lift items that could weigh up to 50 pounds?

Sometimes a candidate volunteers personal information, and while you can’t prevent it, it’s best not to jot it down. Ultimately that information cannot legally be used when making your hiring decision.

To stay on track during the interview, make a list of questions ahead of time. Not only will you be better prepared, but it’ll also help avoid any accidental slips with inappropriate or unethical questions. Or better yet, call us. At That’s Good HR, we’re experts at asking the right questions and finding you the right candidate. Let’s chat! Get in touch today.

TGHR News

What’s Trending: Job Growth, Quit Rate, and Retention

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

April 28, 2017

Today’s job market causes debate these days. Nerves are still rattled after the recession, and employment rates haven’t quite hit pre-recession levels. But the latest reports from the Labor Bureau are promising, which means employer challenges in retaining top talent. Let’s chat for a minute about the changing job market and steps you can take.

According to the 2017 Associated Press job statistics report:

Job openings rose 1.6% in January, equaling 5.6 million jobs
2 million people quit their jobs that same month, the most in 16 years

The increase in job growth is great news for those seeking employment. But employers might be nervous—what’s going on with that quit rate?

Turns out, the increase in jobs and the rise in quitting have economists optimistic about the health of the market. People usually quit a job when they already have another one lined up or are expecting to get hired again within the next three months.

What does this mean for you? As employees seek greener pastures for more money, businesses and recruiters may be tasked with offering bonuses, higher wages, and other perks to hold onto talented workers. Recruitment strategies will become vital to staying competitive in a market flooded with opportunities. But never fear, we’ve put together a handy, free tool designed to help you combat the quit rate statistics: 8 Tips for Retaining Top Talent.

But there’s more to the story. According to Forbes, the March 2017 job report was much lower than forecasted—adding just 98,000 jobs, about half as many as were expected. As a result, some economists are foreseeing a stalled market. But let’s take a minute to see the forest through the trees.

Between 2008 and 2010, nearly 10 million jobs were lost, about 420,000 a month. As the economy recovered, jobs were slowly added back. And since 2011, we have seen considerable growth with over 200,000 jobs added each month—that’s 7 years of steady progression. Hiring also increased in January, up 2.6%. Plus the unemployment rate fell to 4.5%, down from 4.7%. All in all, it looks like we’re on the right track.

At That’s Good HR, we know the job market is critical to employers, but sometimes it’s hard to wade through the data and stay on top of things. That’s why we’re all about helping you stay informed about current employment topics and more importantly, discussing how these current affairs affect you and your business. Let’s stay ahead of the curve together.

Job Advice

How to Work Better With Your Boss

Ashley Paramoure

April 21, 2017

You likely spend at least half of your waking hours at your job, often working closely with a superior. It should come as no surprise a good relationship with your boss is important not only to your career, but to your happiness at work—and even life. And while many supervisors are great leaders, mentors, and teachers, some may be harder to work for. No matter what kind of boss you have, you can enhance your working relationship with these seven tips:

Be Trustworthy. Trust is the foundation for any relationship, and the same goes for your supervisor. Put your best foot forward and follow through on deadlines, do what you say you’ll do, and be on time. If you consistently do your best, you’ll gradually build trust and a solid relationship.
Be a Problem-Solver. Many people make the mistake of seeking advice from their boss without first doing a little legwork. When you’re in a trouble spot, brainstorm two or three solutions before going to your manager with the problem. Your supervisor will appreciate your effort.
Be Observant. Notice the times your boss is typically in a good mood. Is she a morning person? If not, that’s probably not the best time to approach with a problem or concern. Is there a certain time of the month when his workload weighs heavily? Then consider waiting to have that conversation about a raise or promotion.
Be Open to Criticism. Negative feedback can be hard to hear, but try not to take it personally. Hopefully your manager only aims to improve your performance with the insights. Expect feedback to come, and prepare yourself to handle it professionally.
Be Flexible. You can’t change your boss, but you can change yourself. This includes your attitude, communication style, and even expectations. Bending appropriately to accommodate your boss’s working style, personality, and communication can make or break your rapport.
Be a Good Communicator. If you have a question or a problem with your work, don’t hold just stew on it. Set a time to discuss your issues with your manager and come to an agreement. It’s okay to be unhappy about being assigned extra work when you’re overloaded, but it’s not fair to your boss to just fume about it without discussing. Communicate directly and clearly and avoid going behind your boss’s back to others.
Be Respectful. Yep, respect really is a two-way street. If you want respect from your boss, you’ll have to delve out a big helping first. Sometimes that’s difficult when your supervisor does things differently than you would, but challenge yourself to be respectful anyway.

Learning to get along with your boss starts with you. A positive attitude and an open mind will set you up for success as you build a great relationship with your manager. And when the going gets tough, remember it’s better to build bridges than to burn them. You never know how the relationship with your boss will impact your future.

Job Advice

How to Avoid Workplace Burnout

Lindsay Barnhart

February 26, 2017

If you’re feeling burned out at work, you’re not alone. Thanks to a myriad of office stressors, many workers feel unsupported and disengaged. But don’t fret—there’s light at the end of this tunnel. Simple changes can have a big impact on your mind and body. In fact, the best way to deal with any stress is to make a plan and take control of your choices. That’s it! Ready to shed that stress and feel better? We thought so! Here are some steps you can take to banish workplace burnout.

Surround yourself with the right people. Burnout can be caused by both circumstances and people in our lives. Certain relationships—professional and personal—just aren’t healthy and can be significant stressors. While you can’t necessarily remove all unfriendly or unhelpful people from your life, the more you can surround yourself with positive, encouraging, and supportive people, the better.
Manage your stress. Our bodies weren’t built to manage high levels of stress, and it can wreak havoc on us. There are all sorts of stress reduction techniques out there, from deep breathing to spending time outdoors to meditation to yoga. The key is to find something that works for you and make it a regular part of dealing with stressful situations in your life.
Learn to say “no.” This one’s tough, especially for high achievers out there. Often we find ourselves in burnout mode when we’ve said “yes” too many times. Yes to our bosses, yes to our colleagues, yes to our friends and family, and on and on. Being helpful and available to people is great, but not when it starts to affect health or well-being. It’s okay to say “no” when you need to.
Take care of your body. Ironically our go-to food and behaviors when burnout nears are often the worst possible choices: junk food, alcohol, too much tv or video game time, inactivity, etc. Making healthy food and physical activity choices are even harder when we’re under significant stress, but it’s all the more important. Be intentional about what you’re eating and how you’re treating your body, especially during stressful times.
Make more space. Carving out space looks different for everyone, but it can free up your mind and emotions for rest and recovery. You might need to step away from technology, a toxic person, or a draining activity. You might need to just close your door more, take a vacation, back out of a commitment, or schedule some regular alone time.
Give back. Studies have shown time and time again that giving back to others actually boosts our own moods and well-being. Simply put: doing good feels good. Look around for volunteer opportunities or people who might need an extra hand or dose of kindness. You’ll be amazed at how rewarding giving back can be to your own health, even during tough times.