Category: Career Tips

5 Skills You Need to Succeed in 2020

A new year in your case might mean a new job! It’s not enough to have the hard skills necessary to succeed in a new potential job; you must also have the soft skills that make potential employers excited to invest in you.  Take note of these 5 skills that will make employers want to make you their next hire in a heartbeat.

1. Show Well-Developed Thought Processes

Thought processes are a collective term that is used to describe the ability to efficiently reason through situations and exercise effective problem-solving skills to reach a desirable outcome. In the workplace, you must be able to identify an issue and then take steps to provide a reasonable solution. It is never a question of if you will have to solve a problem in the workplace, but when.

2. Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills

The importance of the ability to communicate cannot be overstated. Employers crave candidates who have both strong written and verbal communication skills. This means that you can effectively communicate with your supervisors, fellow staffers, and clients in a clear, concise, and professional manner.

3. Exercise Stand-Out Leadership and Management Skills

The ability to lead rather than follow is an important skill to have in the workforce as you begin the new year. Be confident in your skills to help fellow team members when they hit a stumbling block. Have the ability to solve minor problems without the need to ask you, supervisor, every little move to make. A candidate who shows leadership and managerial qualities are appealing because it shows the potential for long-term success within the company.

4. Exhibit Proficiency in Technology

You do not have to look far to realize that technology is the cornerstone of most businesses and is ever-changing. Proficiency in different types of technology and the ability and willingness to adapt to changing technology is essential for success in this new year.

5. Show Well-Honed Personal Skills

Personal skills can very often make or break you in the workplace. This is a set of skills that refer to your characteristics and behavior when it comes to the workplace. You need to exhibit adequate social skills by getting along with co-workers, supervisors, and clients. Have great time-management skills and meet every deadline with a reasonable amount of wiggle room. Stay organized in the workplace and focused enough to be able to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.

Put Your Best Foot Forward with Resource Staffing

Fine-tuning these 5 skills in the new 2020 year will set you up for success in the workforce, just as choosing the right staffing firm will help you to land your ideal assignment or job!

As one of the leading staffing firms in Texas, Resource Staffing offers great benefits and is dedicated to helping talent find the perfect job fit that matches their skill set and career goals. Search our current job openings today!

How to Set Long-Term Career Goals in 2020

To keep advancing in and growing your career, you must set long-term career goals. Without goals, you do not have a direction, which means you will spin your wheels. Long-term goals are ones that you expect to reach within 3 to 5 years. How do you set practical long-term goals and grow your career?

Let’s discuss 4 strategies for setting realistic goals that will lead to career success!

Set Specific, Yet Realistic Career Goals

Do a lot of soul searching and think about where you want your career to be in the next 3-5 years. It is okay to dream big, but make sure the goals are realistic and attainable during this time span.

For instance, let’s say you are a data entry clerk but wish to become a certified public accountant. A degree takes at least 4 years to obtain. It is unrealistic to say that you will earn your degree/certification and open your own firm in five years. Instead, make the goal that within seven years, you will be employed as a CPA with the possibility of opening your own firm in the near future.

Keep Your Long-Term Goals Positive

Set career goals that are positive. Refrain from saying, “I want to avoid working weekends and nights.” Instead, say, “I want to move into a position with a flexible work schedule so I can spend more time with my family.” Every goal should be something you want to achieve and not what you are trying to stay away from.

Determine How You are Going to Achieve Each Goal

It’s one thing to say you’re going to achieve a goal. It’s another to create a plan out how you are going to achieve it. For each goal, list the steps that you are going to take to make your dream a reality. By writing out a plan for your long-term career goals, you are making them tangible and, therefore, easier to achieve.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Leave yourself some wiggle room. Allow for the unexpected to happen in life. By allotting extra time to achieve your long-term career goals, a minor setback will not derail your entire career plan and leave you feeling helpless and defeated.

Bonus Tip!

Did you know that using a professional staffing firm can help you reach your long-term career goals? Resource Staffing, one of the leading staffing firms in Texas, is dedicated to helping candidates succeed in their careers. One of our experienced recruiters will discuss your long-term career goals. Our staff will then send all open positions your way that match your skill set, pay rate, and career goals. Submit your resume today and let us help you achieve your long-term career goals!

Why is December the Best Time of Year to Make a Job Change?

Are you ready to make a job change, but think it would best to wait until after the holidays? Don’t jump on that bandwagon just yet. While the common assumption is that companies don’t hire, recruiters are out of the office, and there aren’t any open positions during December, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. December is the best time of year to look for a new job, and this post explains why!

There are More Job Opportunities

That’s right! You may think as the holidays approach, job openings would be in short supply. The opposite is true. This is the time of the year when hiring mangers find out how much excess they have in their budget.

Less Fierce Competition

Most people take a hiatus during the holidays from their job search. They are focused on holiday festivities and assume that hiring managers and recruiters are doing the same. However, this is not the case. Hiring decisions are made during the holiday season, recruiters are working hard to place candidates with great companies, and you are likely to face less competition if you choose to make a job change during December.

Your Resume Will Receive More Attention from Recruiters

Being that most people take a break to focus on holiday activities, recruiters experience a slow period of receiving applicants from candidates. This means that recruiters will place more focus on your resume in their efforts to find the best candidates for companies who are in a pinch to hire new employees.

Team Up with Resource Staffing When Looking for Your Next Job

Working with one of the leading staffing firms in Texas means you will have the opportunity to reduce your time to search for job or assignment, make a good impression in interviews, have opportunities to work for Fortune 500 companies, and the benefit of experienced recruiters fine-tuning your resume. Here at Resource Staffing, we have over 30 years of experience finding the right people… right now. Contact us today and begin your journey to landing your dream job!

 

Now is the Time to Take Initiative in Your Career!

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Most people do not begin their careers, expecting to remain stagnant. You want to grow in your career and move up the ladder. It starts with taking the initiative today!

Let’s take a look at 5 strategic ways you can make your mark in your respective field.

Be Innovative

Do not underestimate the importance of strategy. Think outside of the box when it comes to how you carry out day-to-day tasks. Always look for better ways to complete tasks and projects. Just because it hasn’t been done yet doesn’t mean that it’s not a good idea. For example, Bill Gates, one of the great innovators of our time, didn’t have a blueprint for developing Microsoft. Being innovative and strategic is a great way to advance your career.

Go Above and Beyond Your Job Role

There are plenty of good employees who excel in their jobs. To be a great employee and advance in your career, you must go above and beyond. Take on tasks outside of your traditional job role. Ask to be a part of a project from another department or even find opportunities such as seminars to attend or workshops to participate in. Going above and beyond demonstrates your commitment to your career. If you perform like you know you will only be there for a short while, you will only be there for a short while. From day one, you want to treat the job like it’s a permanent one; that means always putting your best foot forward.

Always Be Prepared and Think Ahead

Opportunities are everywhere. You just have to look. Make the decisions today that will help grow your career tomorrow. Accept the invitation to learn a different part of the company. Networking is important too! Get to know your co-workers immediately; chat with them during breaks or lunch to develop relationships. Also, consider extra classes or an advanced degree that will increase career opportunities.

Confidence! Confidence! Confidence!

Ninety-nine percent of succeeding and advancing in your career is having the confidence to do so. You are not going to be comfortable with every new opportunity you take. This is okay! You’ve heard the saying, “fake it until you make it.” This is exactly what you do. Fake the confidence until you have gained enough experience actually to have faith.

Look Beyond the Company

Growing your career goes far beyond understanding one company. You need to understand the ins and outs of the industry. What are the trends? Where is the industry headed? You will be monumentally more valuable to your company (and others) if you understand the industry as a whole and not just the limited view within your specific company. Learn about what the leading industries are doing correct and learn from them.

Take the initiative with one of the Leading Staffing Firms in Texas

With years of experience, Resource Staffing is dedicated to helping you find the perfect employment opportunity. Our specialists will discuss your skills and experience and then work diligently to present you with job opportunities. Submit your resume and use our resources to get you to work!

Social Media Sites to Turn to During Your Job Search

Chances are you are an avid social media user. You know how to post cute pictures of you and your furry friend and your best vacation moments. However, chances are also good that you’ve never thought of using social media in your job search. Social media are a great tool for professional networking and landing your next job. Let’s take a look at the top social media sites to turn to during your job search.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is by far the most popular social media site for those looking for jobs and recruiters searching for candidates. Network with professionals from all over the world in your field. Optimize your profile to exhibit your skillset and let recruiters know you are in the market for a position. Become a valuable part of the LinkedIn community by posting your leadership pieces as well as sharing and commenting on posts made by others.

Facebook

Facebook works a little differently from LinkedIn. You can either search for open positions on Facebook Marketplace or join company groups and pages to network. It is very important to remember that when using Facebook to search for jobs, potential employers will have access to your personal profile page.

Twitter

Twitter is an underestimated, powerful job-search platform because of its ability to facilitate communication between parties. However, it does not offer the opportunity to highlight your skills as other platforms do. For this reason, it is most effective when linked with another profile, such as your LinkedIn account. The best way to use Twitter is to follow professionals in your industry and post valuable information on your feed. Comment on and share tweets made by your peers to create a following and build your network.

Plaxo

Plaxo is not as well known as the previous three social media platforms but has real value to your job search. You can create a profile with your credentials, contact information, and what you are looking for. One of the best features that users appreciate is the ability to keep up with your contacts through an address book.

Bonus Tips!

Now that you know which social media sites to turn to, here are a few bonus tips to help you get off to the best start!

  • Remove all inappropriate posts from your social media accounts.
  • Use your real name. Hotbabe45 is not an appropriate username for networking with potential employers.
  • Completely fill out your profiles. When employers see that you aren’t dedicated to filling out your profile, they will assume you won’t be committed to a job.

One Last Tip!

Staffing firms are a great way to find your next great job. The specialists at Resource Staffing, the one of the leading staffing firms in Texas, are experts at matching the right candidates with the right employers. Submit your resume today!

 

6 Job Search Mistakes You Don’t Even Realize You’re Making

Making a career change can be time-consuming and exhausting. Here’s a little secret. There are 6 job search mistakes most people make without even realizing it. Let’s take a look at these mistakes and how you can fix them!

Including Too Much Information in Your Application

Employers are not going to spend a great deal of time reading every single detail of your resume and cover letter. There’s no need to include irrelevant information such as hobbies, personal situations, or work history that doesn’t pertain to the position at hand. Keep all the information relevant.

Failing to Network

Networking is an essential part of finding a job. Often times, jobs are secured because you’ve built a network. Take the time to meet new professionals in your field. You never know when one of your contacts will reach out to you about an open position you might be interested in.

Blindly Submitting Resumes

Blindly sending out resumes to companies whether they have open positions or not is rarely successful. Resumes that aren’t for a specific job opening are seen as spam or garbage. Not to mention, many companies have filters that prevent unsolicited emails from reaching managers.

You Don’t Understand Your Market Value

You need to understand your market value and apply for jobs that fit your skillset. Let’s face it; if you’re at entry-level, it will be hard to land a position at the senior or executive level. Research your value to your career field and reasonable compensation before you begin your job search.

Unprofessional Online Presence

These days you can put money on the fact that hiring managers will check out your social media pages. They won’t be impressed to see photos of your wild week in Panama City or inappropriate posts. Keep your online presence professional and remove all posts that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.

Ignoring Staffing Firms

The traditional way of searching for jobs is to go-it-alone. However, what many people do not realize is how helpful staffing agencies are when looking for a job. Staffing firms have access to open positions from employers that are not advertised on public job forums. Specialists will help you find job openings that match your skillset, fine-tune your resume, and prepare you for interviews!

One of the Leading Staffing Firms in Texas

Here’s one last tip: When it comes time for a career change, let Resource Staffing take the hassle out of your job search!

4 People You’re Competing with in Job Interviews

Congratulations! You’ve made it over the first hurdle and are invited to come in for an interview with the hiring manager of your dream job! This is extremely exciting…that is until panic sets in. What kind of candidates will you be up against? How do you best prepare?

Let’s talk about the four types of candidates you will be competing with and how to surpass!

The Extreme Studier

This candidate has spent hours researching the company, job description, and preparing answers to every possible question under the sun. However, there is a couple of weaknesses with this type of candidate:

  • He or she may come across as robotic without personable skills
  • Will not be able to answer any questions for which answers were not previously prepared

You can compete against this type of candidate only by understanding your own skillset as it relates to the job instead of memorizing answers. By doing this, you will be able to answer questions more easily and sincerely. Think of past employment examples that demonstrate your qualifications.

Flying by the Seat of Their Pants Candidate

This type of candidate tends to be incredibly charming and is accustomed to being able to smooth talk anyone, including employers. This person typically doesn’t do any homework whatsoever and tends to fabricate answers. The key to beating this type of candidate is to do your homework. You don’t have to spend hours upon hours studying, but you should understand the company, its values, and the skill set the particular position you are interviewing for demands.

The Elite Candidate

This type of candidate attended elite schools and has worked for top-rated employers. He or she was born and bred for this job, and it shows on their resume. They have prestigious references and seem unbeatable! Don’t give up just yet! Just because a candidate looks great on paper, doesn’t mean that their personality will be a fit for the company. Show a strong work ethic and willingness to work your way to the top.

The Know-It-All Candidate

This is the candidate who knows the answer to absolutely everything or, so he or she thinks. Here’s the thing, employers aren’t looking for someone who knows it all. They are looking for a candidate who is willing to learn how their company conducts business. Employers would rather have candidates who are willing to learn than know-it-all candidates who have bad habits that will need to be revised.

Resource Staffing is Ready to Assist with your Resume Preparation

When it comes to helping candidates find jobs, Resource Staffing is one of the leading staffing firms in Texas. Our specialists are dedicated to helping you from start to finish. This includes helping you prepare for your big interview! Contact us today and walk into your next interview with confidence!

When you see a job listing for a Call Center Agent you’re probably thinking, “call centers are still up and running?”

Customers might prefer to pick up the phone and get immediate help rather than wait around for an email or live chat response. That’s why many companies still have a robust customer-facing team manning the phones.

In fact, research shows that Customer Service Representative jobs are set to grow by 36% from 2016 to 2026. Reps have the ability to onboard new customers and help retain them, so it’s a highly valuable position for any company. But, while it may be an important position for a business, you’re probably still wondering if it’s the right job for you.

We’ve all interacted with a call center at some point, but we often don’t know what Call Center Representatives’ daily responsibilities are. So, listed are a few Call Center Agent’s daily functions and responsibilities along with what you should consider if you think a role in phone-based customer service could be right for you.

Working in a Call Center

Call centers act as a fundamental component of customer service teams and often are the primary means of communication between a business and its customers. To work in a call center, you’ll need to be motivated by customer success, not your own agenda. Call Center Agents are tenacious problem-solvers who are committed to enhancing customers’ experience with a company or brand.

Their workday is typically fast-paced and requires them to manage a handful of different responsibilities. Often times, Agents need to be flexible with their shifts, workflow, and unexpected roadblocks.

A few basic duties might include assisting customers across service mediums such as inbound/outbound calls, email or chat lines. Agents communicate and provide solutions by providing the customer with a positive experience. Agents must be able to document, respond, and report any issues to the appropriate department, person or team member.

To accomplish these duties, the Agent must be able to problem-solve, enjoy a fast pace environment, be flexible, and be knowledgeable in conflict resolution while at the same time focused on the caller’s needs and concerns.   Strong typing skills of 45 words per minute or greater, ability to sit for an extended time, and professional telephone etiquette are some skills needed.

If you have previous call center experience, contact a Resource Staffing branch office. Let us use our resources to get to work for you.

When Will I Be Hired Permanently?

Contract assignments are accepted with the understanding they are just that, assignments. However, for some people, there is the hope the assignment will turn into something permanent. If you are seeking a permanent position, how do you go about it?

This is your guide to increasing your chances of turning your contract assignment into a permanent position.

Be Dependable 100% of the Time

It is better to be 15 minutes early than a minute late. Make sure you are always on time to work, willing to stay late when necessary, and turn in quality work on time. When there is extra work to be done, step up and volunteer. When hiring full-time positions, Supervisors want employees they can depend on.

Take the Job Seriously

Just because it is a contract assignment, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it the assignment seriously. Always treat your job as the one you want, not just the one you have. Conduct yourself as if the assignment is a permanent position.

Soak up as Much as You Can

The importance of learning as much as you can about the company, your role, and the jobs around you cannot be overstated. By taking the time to understand the company, you show you are invested. When you take the initiative to go above and beyond to learn jobs outside of your role, you demonstrate ambition and motivation. These are all qualities employers seek in long-term employees.

Follow the Dress Code

This tip may seem unnecessary; however, the way you dress says a lot about you. By dressing according to company policy, you look like you belong in the company culture, making it easier for an employer to visualize you in a permanent position.

Connect With Your Co-Workers

Take the time to make connections and bond with permanent employees. This shows you are a team player and fit in well with the established team.  Often times employers ask employees their thoughts regarding contract workers. Creating bonds may help full-time employees put in a good word for you.

Let One of the Leading Staffing Firms in Texas Be in Your Corner

Resource Staffing is experienced in helping qualified candidates find contract positions that have the best chances of turning into a permanent position. Due to our extensive network and understanding of each company, our Recruiters can help you find the perfect position based on your skills and goals. Visit our website and browse our current job openings!

 

What are some dos and don’ts during my assignment?

  • While you are an employee of Resource Staffing, follow the guidelines in the Employee Handbook. You can access the handbook by logging accessing our website and clicking “Employee Portal”.
  • Follow the Webtime procedures in order to submit your weekly hours. ALL hours must be submitted no later than noon on Monday for the previous week.
  • Should you have questions, concerns, or disputes regarding your hourly pay rate, hours, job responsibilities, or other issues relating to your assignment, contact your Recruiter at Resource Staffing, not the customer.
  • Be professional at all times.
  • Be on time or early each day.
  • Limit cell phone use.  Appropriate times are break or lunch periods.
  • Dress appropriately each day of each assignment. Your Recruiter will talk with you about the workplace culture and dress code.
  • If you are not able to report to work for any reason, contact your branch immediately. If you are ever running 15 minutes late for your assignment, contact the branch office.
  • While on assignment, telephone, internet, and email systems are to be used only for conducting company business.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions on the job about the tasks you are performing. If you are unsure of something, check with your onsite supervisor.
  • Do not approach the customer’s organization about full-time employment. If you have an interest in a position, talk with your Recruiter.
  • Call us if the customer offers you a full time/regular employment. Your Recruiter will handle the paperwork for you.
  • Call us if you are requested to stay longer than the original request.
  • Call us as soon as you are aware your assignment is ending.
  • Call us to report any changes of name, address, or telephone number.
  • Call us if you have a referral. We will be happy to give you information about our referral program.