Job Advice

How the Royal Family Can Help Your Job Search

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

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

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!

HR Insights

Benefits to Using a Staffing Agency

Tiffany Moore

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.

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.

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.

Job Advice

3 Steps to a Stellar LinkedIn Profile

Lindsey Curtis

April 5, 2017

Remember when people met face-to-face, shook hands, shared small talk, and exchanged business cards? We’re all about personal, one-on-one communication, but our online world has traded in business cards for LinkedIn profiles and handshakes with digital invitations—and it’s time to embrace it. LinkedIn allows for connection with people across many professionals and fields. Think of it like casting a broad net into a very big sea of opportunities. But having a polished profile can mean the difference between starting a new career and being stuck in a nowhere position. Don’t miss out on your next opportunity. Follow these three easy steps to make your LinkedIn profile shine.

1. Keep it Updated

Think of your LinkedIn profile as a living, breathing resume that needs to change and grow constantly with you. New jobs, titles, responsibilities, or even important projects and career highlights should be woven into your profile on a regular basis. Don’t forget to highlight new areas of expertise and volunteer work, and also consider asking others to add endorsements to your page. Once a year is not enough, so mark your calendar to review and update your profile monthly.

2. Write a Killer Summary

While a list of your credentials, education, and titles is important, the summary section of your profile should never be left blank. Not only does this area highlight your specialties and accomplishments, but the summary is how people get to know you. Think of it as a way to give a snapshot of who you are and what you’re all about professionally—it’s essentially your elevator pitch. Use a polished yet conversational tone to draw readers into what you’re saying. And don’t be afraid to let your personality come through as long as it stays professional. One last thing: stay away from overused, stale words like “analytical, strategic, energetic, detail-oriented, etc” to keep your profile unique and fresh.

3. Pay Attention to Details

Details may seem small and meaningless, but it’s important not to overlook them. Recruiters and prospective employers notice all the little things that go into making a profile stand out. Focus on these areas as you polish up your profile:

Fix grammar and spelling errors! We can’t stress this one enough.
Use a professional photo.
Customize your LinkedIn URL.
Consider adding media to your profile—a few select videos, presentations and documents that you’re proud of.
Link to your blog or personal website, if relevant.
Add a background photo for a polished look.

With a little time devoted to sprucing up your LinkedIn profile, you can establish a professional online presence sure to grab attention. Using social media is one of the best ways to expand your contacts and do some networking. And who knows, the connections you make today may lead to an exciting career tomorrow.