Tips

How to be a Good Partner

Tiffany Moore

VP, Client Partnerships

December 3, 2018

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!

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!

Seasonal

Hidden Talents

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

Goal Setting: New Year, New You!

Kate Stephens

January 18, 2018

New year, new you, right? With the dawn of 2018, January is ripe for setting goals that you want to accomplish by the year’s end. But what makes a good goal and how do you reach them?

Be SMART! Goals should be smart. As in S.M.A.R.T., which stands for a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time- bound. Sounds simple, but is it? It can be if you focus on exactly what you want to achieve, hence where the specific comes in. Making the goal measurable will let you know when you have achieved the goal you have set for yourself. You want to set goals that are achievable in your time frame and that are important to you. Accomplishing a goal will make you more likely to set another to take its place. Want to dive into SMART goals? Check out this link.

Write it down. After you’ve done the work to craft your goal (or goals), the next step is to write it down. Committing to it on a sheet of paper, helps you stay focused on what you want.

Sharing is caring. Care enough about your goal and share it with others. This helps keep you accountable and headed in the right direction.

Set a system. Another way to approach making improvements is to commit to a particular process, instead of creating goals. Some, like this author, argue that committing to a goal leads to unhappiness with what you currently have. Instead, try committing to a process or a system that will lead to a change in the long run. This way you have set yourself up for success along the way to improvement.

Create a plan of attack. Just simply stating something, unfortunately doesn’t make it come true. Although it can be helpful to put something out into the universe, you need to devise a way that you are going to get there whether it’s a system or another type of plan – do what works for you.

Pop the bubbly. It’s important to celebrate your successes to keep you motivated to create a new goal to take its place. Your celebration can be a simple reward, like treating yourself to a coffee or a great dinner. Or maybe just an hour by yourself to relax and reflect on a job well done.

What are your goals in 2018? Let’s TGHR know if they include a career change, we’re ready to help!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.