Customer Experiences

From Candidate to Client

Susie McKenna

September 20, 2018

When Erin McLennan was about to graduate college, she wasn’t sure where she would land a job. She was no stranger to working, since she had been employed at a local hospital while balancing her studies. Erin majored in Psychology but was unsure if she wanted to head to graduate school or seek full time employment upon graduation.

Some of her friends from the hospital had used That’s Good HR (TGHR) to find a job, so Erin decided to reach out to a recruiter at our office. She made an interview appointment and met staffing manager Kate Stephens. Shortly after interviewing with TGHR, Erin was offered a position at an innovative company in Carmel as a lending associate on a temporary basis. After a few short months, her role converted to a permanent position and six months after that, based on her performance, she was made a supervisor.

After just two years at the company, Erin had gone from being a TGHR candidate to a TGHR client responsible for her own team. She was confident in the quality of TGHR temporary employees and knew it would make hiring employees a breeze.

Erin is now a product manager in the technology field working with software engineers. She credits TGHR for finding a career field that she is not only passionate about, but also excelling in. Erin never would have guessed she would be in the technology field after college. She is thankful she found a position where she can use her knowledge and creativity at the same time.

Erin’s favorite thing about working with TGHR could be credited to her psychology background. She loved having someone to go to as a mentor to counsel her through her job seeking journey. Erin felt supported by Kate right after college and found it helpful to know she had someone in her corner.

As a client, Erin appreciated TGHR’s high-level of customer service. When Erin was busy supervising 20 people, she was grateful that there was always a live person picking up the phone at TGHR if she had an issue or needed additional employees. When hiring, Erin looks for someone with a good personality and willingness to learn, just the type of candidates TGHR likes to work with – a perfect fit!

When she’s not working, Erin enjoys the outdoors with her black lab, Charlie, and is keeping busy planning her upcoming wedding. Wedding details can be stressful, but hiring decisions are not thanks to That’s Good HR!

Customer Experiences

Candidate Spotlight: Shatalya Fields

Susie McKenna

July 26, 2018

When Shatalya Fields and her entire department got laid off, she did not know where her next job would be. She had served in the Air Force for five years and after leaving the military she had worked in several positions – from leasing agent to cashier – but was eager to start a career. She had dabbled in healthcare, accounting and insurance positions and thought that one of those avenues would be the best fit for her talents.

While job searching she talked with one of her former coworkers, who also had been laid off. Her friend suggested she call That’s Good HR. Shatalya reached out and was introduced to one of our staffing specialists, Kate Stephens. Kate immediately recognized Shatalya’s skills and great attitude and sent her resume to one of That’s Good HR’s clients.

Shatalya was hired for a cash applications position and after her temporary assignment ended, she was hired on full time. She continued in that position for a bit and then started to look for a different position in order to grow in her career. Seeing a position that peaked her interest with another staffing agency, Shatalya applied. She got the job but after working at the company she did not feel it was a good fit for her – the energy was all wrong. Realizing her error, she quickly contacted Kate again to see what jobs were currently available with That’s Good HR.

Kate placed her at a client around the corner from the That’s Good HR office in an accounting role. Shatalya now plays a key role handling ACH payments, making adjustments, and balancing the general ledger for a major Indianapolis company. She has an amazing, supportive boss who supports Shatalya’s career goals. She is on a management track now and in two to three years is poised to take over her department.

As an employee on track for management, Shatalya is now sitting in on interviews for new employees. Her best advice for interviewees? Ask questions at the end of the interview. She recommends asking at least two questions (make sure to prepare ahead of time). Asking questions shows the hiring manager how interested you are in the job. She also recommends being truthful and open in your interview. Being honest about her past experience of being laid off is one of the many reasons she has the job she does today. Shatalya is now learning so much and is on the path to become an incredible manager at her current company.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your career today by calling That’s Good HR. Whether it’s Kate or one of our other awesome recruiters that helps you out you’ll be on the path to success in no time!

TGHR News

Staffing Stats – All Time Low

Greta Cline

Partner, CFO/COO

June 6, 2018

On June 1, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the latest unemployment stats. Last month, the rate reached an 18-year low and that trend is continuing. The unemployment rate is currently at the lowest rate in nearly half a century – that’s truly remarkable!

The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8 percent in the U.S. in May. Good news if you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, the unemployment rate is even lower at 2.1 percent. In addition, total employment increased by 223,000 and the number of unemployed people fell to 6.1 million.

In our home state of Indiana, the unemployment rate is also extremely low. The state unemployment rate has been below the national rate for the past four years, with one small exception. For one month in 2014, the rates were equal. Not bad, right? The total labor force in Indiana is 3.3 million workers.

According to the American Staffing Association, staffing job growth has risen an average of 3.6 percent per month, which is significantly higher than the average of 2.2% for all of 2017.

With unemployment at this historic low, finding qualified candidates is more difficult than ever. But not to worry, That’s Good HR is up for the challenge. What sets us apart from others is our daily process of sourcing quality employees and meeting with our candidates face-to-face. When we schedule candidates out for client consideration, we know that they are vetted and well-suited to each unique client’s needs.

Whether you are looking to make a change from your current gig or have open positions we’re ready to help today and every day. Recruiting times are tough, but we’re tougher!

TGHR News

Tips for a Successful Indy 500

Kate Stephens

May 24, 2018

It’s May and Memorial Day weekend is around the corner. If you live in Indianapolis, you know what that means – it’s time for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. Getting ready for the Indianapolis 500 is just like getting ready for a job interview – it’s imperative that you are prepped and ready to go! Here’s our tips to get you race ready:

Wear comfy shoes. There’s a surprising amount of walking to watch cars drive around a track. You’ll be sporting your shoes all day, so make sure you chose comfort over fashion.
Bring sunscreen. Even if race day is overcast, you’ll still risk getting burnt being outside all day. Make sure to pack it with you so you can re-apply during the festivities.
Pack snacks. You can bring a small cooler into the race with you – size 18″ by 14″ by 14″. You’ll be so happy when your munching on a sandwich watching the cars whiz by. One thing you cannot pack = glass containers.
Bring a radio or radio headset. Quick jump over to Amazon and prime yourself a headset with an FM radio in it so you can hear all the action as it happens. What happens if there’s a crash on the back stretch and you’re sitting in Turn 1? You’ll be the most popular person in your section when you give everyone around you the scoop from your headset.
Plan your parking. Hopefully if you are headed to the race, when you bought your tickets you also bought a parking pass. If not, fear not, there are plenty of places to park, but leave with PLENTY of time to get there. Prepare for traffic to be like driving in the slow lane on 465 in rush hour traffic. Other transportation options include race day shuttle buses or you could bike to the 500.
Pack your patience. It may be slow heading to the Speedway, but it will definitely be slow as you leave. Use the time to tailgate after the fun, see the winner and ceremonies and soak up the final minutes before next year!

After your race day fun – take the next day off. We will too as TGHR offices will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day. We’ll back in action on Tuesday – well rested from a great race!

Job Advice

How the Royal Family Can Help Your Job Search

Susie McKenna

May 16, 2018

The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is set for Saturday, May 19, 2018. Prince William and Catherine (Kate) Middleton wed not too long ago on April 29, 2011. Did you know that the Royals have a set of rules they are expected to follow? Some of these odd mandates apply to job searching too.

Bowing or curtsying is a requirement when greeting the Queen. While bowing or curtsying may be a bit much on a job interview, a firm handshake is a must. A solid greeting sets the tone for the interview and can convey to the interviewer that you are a professional ready for a new gig. Try out your handshake with three people to ensure you’re ready with a good grip.
The Royal Family has a dress code and is never seen in casual clothes. Pants are reserved for adults, so Prince George must wear tailored shorts until age 8. Hats are expected, but after 6 p.m. married women exchange their hats for tiaras. For a job interview, casual clothes should be avoided as you’ll want to dress to impress – hat optional. Skip the tiara.
Members of the Royal Family are expected to learn another language. Language skills, computer program expertise or other unique skills should be highlighted on your resume and mentioned in an interview. Review your resume with your TGHR staffing specialist to make sure everything is listed.
The Queen is not required to have a driver’s license and can even drive without a license plate. You’ll need a license, or other form of acceptable identification to complete our on-boarding process, so we do not recommend driving without it – or plates!
Royal children do not have a last name. If they need one, they use their title. Prince George uses Cambridge as his last name at school. We recommend putting both your first and last name on your resume!
When the Queen moves her purse to her right arm it signals that she is finished talking and is ready to leave. When in an interview, watch for non-verbal cues to wrap up your answer or when the interview is over – most likely they will be subtler than moving a purse from one arm to another.

The wedding may be taking place across the pond, but you can take a page from the Royal Family’s playbook!

Job Advice

The Art of the Thank You Note

Madison Schacht

Manager of Talent Acquisition

April 26, 2018

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

Hidden Talents

Susie McKenna

April 9, 2018

The TGHR team is not just talented at finding great jobs for great candidates, but also have some hidden talents as well.

When you walk through our front door, you are greeted by our friendly HR Coordinator, Emma Chandler. Emma puts our candidates at ease before their interview with her sweet, southern demeanor. Did you know that Emma is an award-winning dancer? She “officially” danced from kindergarten to 6th grade, mostly jazz and tap, at a studio where she grew up in Huntsville, AL. Fast forward to college where she used that experience to choreograph (and dance in) two main competitions held annually. She placed in the top three in every single one, and won first place in four competitions.

Our VP of Client Services, Tiffany Moore is best known for providing top-notch service to TGHR clients. She’s been doing so for more than a decade. But Tiffany’s hidden talent? She’s an amateur meteorologist. Yes, it’s official – Tiffany is obsessed with the weather. If it’s storm season, you’ll find her glued to the television, or monitoring her phone when she’s at work. Her passion for weather started when she got stuck overnight at her first job. She ended up sleeping on the floor of her office all night (see why she is so dedicated to her clients?). If she wasn’t in staffing, you’d find Tiffany on a local weather channel giving you the scoop!

You may know Greta Cline, our Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Office, as one of the finalists for CFO of the Year. Greta excels in more than just crunching numbers and creating the perfect pivot table. Did you know she can also halter a dairy cow, not to mention milk them too? She has been active in Boone County 4H for years and now shares her talent with her daughters.

The rest of the staff is just as talented. Staffing Specialist Staci Upmeyer can French braid like a champ and Madison Schacht can write with her toes – but do you want to know where the team’s real talent lies? It is the ability to listen to candidates describe what they want in their careers and their experience, all while keeping an ear out for what soft skills employees may not even know they possess. Mary, Tiffany and Amber are talented in listening to our clients describe their needs and then communicating with the recruiters to find the perfect person for the role. Go ahead, give us a call and we will be happy to share our talents with you!

Tips

Common Job Hunting Mistakes

Madison Schacht

Manager of Talent Acquisition

February 12, 2018

We’re all human. No one is perfect, but when you are job searching it’s not the time to make mistakes. We get it, mistakes happen, but be aware of what they are so you can minimize the chances that you’ll make these common mistakes. Or another way to ensure you don’t fall into these pitfalls? Call That’s Good HR! Our recruiters are pros at this!

Watch for spelling errors on your resume. Nothing irks a hiring manager more than a candidate claiming to be detail-oriented and there being a big, glaring spelling error or typo on your resume. And yes, grammar matters too. Avoid this pitfall by having friends and your TGHR recruiter review your resume.

Address your cover letter to the correct person and company. We said nothing irks a hiring manager more than a spelling error, right? We’ll this might be a close second or even tie for first. If your search requires you send a cover letter, avoid this mistake by personalizing each cover letter including the name, address and salutation. Use the “search and find” feature in Word to help you out.

Don’t surprise your references. Make sure anyone you are listing as a job reference knows where and when you are applying. It also helps to email the reference the job description so they can speak to your specific strengths when the time comes. All it takes to avoid this misstep is a simple heads up.

Be open to networking opportunities. Networking is key in today’s job search. Make sure to take advantage of opportunities to meet other professionals, you don’t know where it may lead. Don’t have invitations flooding your inbox? Remedy this issue by connecting and reaching out to people on tools like LinkedIn. And while you’re online make sure your profile is up-to-date and error free.

Focus, grasshopper. Don’t send your resume blindly to positions that do not match your experience without providing an explanation. You’ll waste your time and the hiring managers. If you want to change course in your career, start by getting the necessary skills or certifications first. When you meet with your TGHR recruiter be open and honest about your career goals.

With some targeted emails, spell check, and That’s Good HR, you can avoid these pitfalls and land your next gig.

About TGHR

Knocking on Doors

Mary Springer

Partner

February 8, 2018

Back in the day, salespeople used to knock on door to sell their wares. Encyclopedias, vacuum cleaners, knives – you name it. Door-to-door salespeople have been declining steadily. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2010, there were fewer than 7,000 door-to-door salespeople, down from about 33,000 in 2000, which means there’s even less today. But…TGHR is still knocking on doors.

How you ask? Our recruiting team is constantly sourcing and interviewing quality candidates so that when our clients call, we can fill the position quickly and with a quality candidate. Our doors may be virtual now, but that doesn’t mean that recruiters are not still the cornerstone of our business practice.

The plethora of online tools we use at TGHR help us knock on doors faster and more efficiently and without leaving the office. Our systems help streamline our processes to ensure efficiency. Sure, technology helps, but there’s no replacement for the human side of recruitment. Talking to people face-to-face and digging into what their passions and skills are is how we find the best employees for you. And this is what our skilled recruiters do every single day.

Call us old-fashioned, but we believe people hire people and we are in the people business, day in and day out. So, leave the door-to-door sales to TGHR! We will save you time and we’re happy to run door-to-door to find your next employee. Give us a call at 317.469.4141.

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!