A Glossary Of Recruiting Terms Every Job Seeker Should Know

Working with a recruiter is a wonderful tool to utilize when seeking contract, contract to hire, or direct hire positions. Learning the recruiter’s vocabulary will be helpful. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these common terms recruiters use when communicating with candidates. The ability to “speak the language” can give you better insight into their process and a better idea of what you need to do to breakthrough.

Background check: Employers use background checks to verify the information a job applicant provides, well as to check references and criminal records. Not every employer runs background checks, and the extent to which they do will vary by company, industry and/or role.

Contract-to-hire: Contract-to-hire describes a position where an employee is hired temporarily, but may be employed full-time in the future. This often depends on the amount of work needed, the quality of performance and if the budget allows.

Cover letter: A cover letter is a brief letter you send with your resume to provide more context around it, explain why you are qualified for the job for which you are applying, and show employers your personality. 

Company culture:  Company culture (also known as corporate culture) defines the environment in which employees work. Company culture develops through the beliefs, values, and expectations a company holds and imposes on its employees. For example, some companies have cultures that emphasize teamwork, while others encourage employees to work more independently. Looking for the right “cultural fit” has become increasingly important to both employers and job seekers.

Contract/temp worker: Contract workers or temps are generally hired for special projects, maternity leaves, or holidays. They can be short or long term assignments.

Hourly pay: While most full-time employees receive annual salaries, most temporary employees receive an hourly wage. Unlike salaried employees, employees who receive hourly pay generally do not get benefits like health insurance or paid time off, and only get paid for the time they work; however, if they work overtime, they are entitled to time and a half.

Keywords: Recruiters look for keywords in your resume. The right keywords in your social profiles can also make it easier for recruiters to find you through online search engines.

Recruiter: Oftentimes, when employers need viable candidates for open positions, they turn to recruiters for help. Recruiters seek out, screen, and interview candidates before presenting them to their clients. Resource Staffing has professional, in-house recruiters who will work with you.  Remember to dress professionally and bring an extra copy of your resume with you when you come in to interview with our recruiters.

Resume: Almost every job you apply for will require you to send in a resume. As one of the first things employers look at when assessing potential candidates, your resume is one of the most critical elements of your job search. Your resume is a document that includes your work experience (job titles, employers, duties administered, etc.) and education (school attended, field of study, etc.), along with special skills and professional accomplishments.

Salary: Salary is the fixed payment an employee receives in exchange for work performed. Full-time employees generally receive annual salaries, while temporary, contract, or employees are paid by the hour.

Soft skills: Soft skills are the hard-to-measure skills employers look to evaluate a candidate’s level of professionalism and work ethic. These include interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and management skills. We believe skills are just as important to most employers as hard (or technical) skills

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Talent Acquisition Specialist enables job seekers to upload their information (name, contact information, resume, etc.) into a company’s database or directly receive resumes. Once a resume is received, the TAS team reviews the candidate’s resume seeing if their skill set meets the requirements. Once the Talent Acquisition Specialist determines the candidate is qualified, a brief phone interview is conducted and an interview will be scheduled with a recruiter at one of our branch locations.

Temp: Short for “temporary worker” is a worker hired for a set amount of time. Temps usually fill in for employees on vacation, to pick up the slack while a company replaces someone who has quit or to lend an extra hand during particularly busy periods, such as the holiday season. Temps are usually paid on an hourly basis.

Transferable skills: Transferable skills are skills that aren’t directly related to the job in question but can be applied to a wide range of jobs and industries. These skills are usually learned on the job, at school, during volunteer work, through community activities, at networking events or even in everyday social activities.

 

Is Your Company Culture Attracting Top Talent?

The value top talent brings to the table allows them to be able to be picky about who they work for. As a company that wants to attract top talent, you have to up your game. While salary, compensation, and benefits play an important part in a candidate’s decision to accept a position, an appealing company culture plays an even bigger part.

Follow these guidelines to make sure you are fostering an attractive company culture that the best candidates want to be a part of.

Job Responsibilities Should Have Meaning

Top talent has a strong desire to use the skills they have worked so hard to acquire. Ensure the job responsibilities are designed to make good use of the candidate’s skills. In other words, a candidate who has a great deal of experience in marketing strategies should not be in the role of a receptionist taking phone calls all day.

Offer Career Advancement Opportunities

Be transparent about opportunities to advance within the company and layout clear road maps so that candidates understand what it takes to become a permanent employee. Highly sought after candidates are driven and focused. A position that gives candidates room to grow will not only attract top talent but encourage a feeling of company loyalty.

Implement Attractive Work Schedules

A schedule that has potential candidates working late nights and weekends regularly will not be an appealing aspect of your company’s culture. Employees need to know that you care about their personal lives and understand the need for a work-life balance. If unattractive hours are necessary from time-to-time, make sure the employee is compensated somewhere else in the schedule.

Provide Positive Feedback, Respect, and Appreciation

Make sure your company’s atmosphere is a positive one. Every team member, no matter the rank, should treat every employee with respect. Make sure employees receive positive feedback. Your team needs to hear about their positive accomplishments, not just the areas that need improvement. Recognition and appreciation go a long way in making employees happy. Remember to relay positive feedback to our recruiters. We will be sure to pass it along to our associate.

Foster Colleague Camaraderie

Let’s face it, sense colleagues spend at least 40 hours a week together, be sure to foster a sense of camaraderie within your company. It’s great if your employees are friends and hang out after work. Providing an environment in which your employees want to come to work and see each other is an important part of a great company culture.

Let One of  the Leading Staffing Firm in Texas Find Top Talent for Your Company

With over 30 years of experience in finding the perfect candidate to meet the personnel needs of companies just like yours, Resource Staffing is here to help you find the highest-quality candidates to fill open job positions. Get it right the first time, every time and partner with Resource Staffing for all of your employees’ needs!

 

 

5 Little-Known Reasons Why You Should Be Working with a Recruiter

There seem to be many myths surrounding whether you should work with a recruiter when searching for a job. Working with a recruiter is your secret weapon to finding the job you want quicker and with less hassle. Let our resources do the work for you.

Here are 5 little known reasons why you should partner with a staffing firm.

1. Receive Help with Your Job for FREE

It doesn’t cost you a dime to work with a recruiter to find a job. Staffing firms charge employers looking for talent, not candidates looking for work. Why wouldn’t you work with staffing specialists who are experts at matching the right candidates with the right employers when it is at no cost to you?

2. Access to Open Positions That You Won’t Find on Job Boards and Forums

Working with a recruiter opens the door to jobs that are not advertised. Many companies do not want to waste their time posting job openings on job boards and forums and have to sift through hundreds of resumes. Instead, they exclusively list with staffing firms who will help them find the best-suited candidates for the position, saving them both time and money.

3. Professional Assistance Improving Your Resume

Before you begin applying for open positions, a recruiter will review your resume.  He or she understands what employers like to see when looking at resumes, and how to make sure yours looks its best.

4. Expert Help Preparing for Interviews

Once you receive an invitation for an interview, you will receive one-on-one help preparing for the interview. Recruiters have in-depth knowledge of what particular companies are looking for during interviews and will help you make sure you put your best foot forward.

5. Decrease the Hassle of Searching for a Job

It takes a lot of time and energy searching for jobs you qualify for and preparing application materials only never to get a response. Working with a recruiter takes away some of the hassle of searching for a job. Your recruiter will do the job searching for you and only present your job openings that match your skillset. You can also rest assured that the job you are applying for is still open and not an old posting that was never taken down.

Partner with the Leading Staffing Firm in Texas

Whether you are looking for a new job in your current career or want to start a whole new career, Resource Staffing enjoys helping job seekers just like you find your dream job! Submit your resume and speak with one of our experienced staffing specialists!

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!

4 Ways to Encourage Diversity in the Hiring Process for 2020

You’ve heard the old saying, “It takes all kinds.” This is very true for the workplace. Hiring a diverse team is essential to the success of your business. When most people think of diversity, they think of gender and ethnicity. However, diversity is so much more than that. It means hiring candidates with different skill sets, viewpoints, and backgrounds that will collectively make your company better as a whole.

Here are 4 ways to implement diversity in the hiring process for the upcoming year!

1. Ensure the Job Posting is Well-Balanced

Job postings can accidentally be geared towards a particular group. For instance, if you use words such as “assertive,” this is typically seen as a positive quality trait in a male candidate and not so much a female. Instead, use terms which encompass a large group of people such as:

    • “must possess strong leadership skills”
    • “exhibit the ability to work as a team”
    • “motivation to think outside of the box”

These phrases and terms are well-balanced without speaking to a specific sector of the workforce. Before making the job posting public, be sure the job description doesn’t unintentionally discriminate from the get-go and alienate well-qualified candidates who do not fit the typical stereotype.

2. Make Sure Your Interviewing Panel is Diverse

Create a diverse panel of interviewers that candidates can relate too. For example, do not just have interviewers who come from elite schools, or a panel of all men or women. Instead, include interviewers from a variety of backgrounds, different ethnicities, and both genders. This will increase the chances of every interviewee being able to connect with and relate to at least one member of the hiring panel.

3. Make a List of Qualities Needed in Candidates

Before you even begin reviewing resumes or scheduling interviews, make a list of the qualities needed in a candidate to perform the job successfully. This will help to remove any bias before you screen the candidates.

4. Remove Criteria that is Not Essential to Performing the Job Well

It is important to understand that first and foremost, you are selecting the candidate who has the qualities needed to perform the job well. Throw out non-essential criteria such as unrealistic amounts of experience, having to have graduated from specific schools, or coming from a particular background. Encourage applicants who do not exactly match the job requirements to apply still. You never know, you may end up with a diamond in the rough.

Take the Hassle out of Your Next Hire with one of the Leading Staffing Firms in Texas

A diverse team is a strong team. Increase the success of your company by striving for diversity in the hiring process using these 4 tips.

Let Resource Staffing help you find your next great hire. Once our recruiters understand your personnel needs, we will access our large talent pool to find the perfect candidate! Contact us today and find your next team member!

 

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!