I Got a New Job! How Should I Leave my Current One?

Congratulations! You’ve landed the job or assignment of your dreams. Before you can focus all of your attention on your new position, you have to tie up loose ends at your current job, which includes informing your supervisor that you’ve found a new job and will be leaving the company.

Follow These 6 Tips to Leave Your Current Position Without Burning Bridges

Ask to Talk with Your Supervisor In-Person

A phone call, email, or worse, a text message that you are leaving will not cut it. You need to ask to speak with your boss in his or her office. This exhibits professionalism and shows that you have respect for both your supervisor and your position.

Explain Your Reason for Leaving

Your supervisor will want to know why you are leaving, and rightfully so. Frame your reasons for leaving in a positive way. Discuss why the new job is step-in the right direction for your career and personal life. Maybe you will have a schedule that is more conducive to your family’s lifestyle, a pay raise, or better benefits. Whatever the reason may be, express gratitude for the opportunity and make sure that you do not bash your current position, supervisor, or company.

Give at Least a Two-Week Notice

Nothing will leave a bitter taste in your employer’s mouth quicker than leaving without notice. Make sure to give at least a two-week notice. If you’re working on a big project, it might be advisable to give more of an advanced notice so that you can see the project through and not leave your team hanging.

Offer to Help Transition a New Employee

Show your appreciation to your supervisor by offering to help train and transition the person who will take your place. Even if your boss does not take you up on it, he or she will certainly appreciate the gesture.

Make it Official

Many employers require a formal letter of resignation. It is easier if you already have one prepared beforehand to give to your supervisor.

Be Prepared to Leave Immediately

In some cases, your employer will go ahead and ask you to pack up your things and leave. This may be because of confidentiality or cannot fill the empty position until you have left. In this case, they would rather get started on the hiring process as soon as possible.

When It’s Time to Make a Career Move, Partner with One of Texas’ Leading Staffing Firm

Resource Staffing understands that searching for just the right job can be frustrating. This is why they take the hassle out of the job hunt. Submit your resume and let our recruiters match your skillset and career goals with the perfect job openings or assignments. Search open positions now!

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 Free Resources to Sharpen Your Tech Skills

Technology is the way of the future, and keeping your tech skills sharp is important to staying at the top of the game. From product development and business management to sales and digital marketing, the ability to understand and utilize technology to maximum capacity is what sets you apart in your respective field. Technology is constantly changing, which means you must stay educated on the latest and greatest. Here are 5 FREE resources to help you sharpen your tech skills.

1. Codecademy

Codecademy features free online courses on 12 of the most common programming and markup languages. Whether you are in web developing or data analyzation, Codecademy allows you to choose the educational path that is right for you. The basic courses are all free and offer ample opportunity to either learn from scratch or fine-tune your skills. If you are interested in further education, they suggest a pro-package which offers more quizzes, challenges, and hands-on opportunities for only $19.99/month.

2. EdX

EdX is a free online resource for those looking to hone their tech schools. Choose from a selection of courses that include videos, interactive lessons, tutorials, the ability to interact with fellow students, and much more. The really neat thing about this educational site is that some of the courses are from high-profile schools such as Harvard and MIT. You can even obtain certificates for completing courses and, depending on the school, may count as college credit.

3. Online Learning Courses from Harvard

What if you could take Harvard courses…for free? Sounds great, right! Harvard offers courses on just about any tech subject you could want to learn. The reason is that the institution wants everyone to have access to educational material, regardless of whether they have the means of pursuing a formal education. This is a great opportunity if you want to advance your tech skills using resources from one of the most prestigious schools in the country!

4. CodePen

If you are looking to stay abreast of front-end coding, then CodePen might be for you. It is free learning software that allows you to learn how to code and even build and test your projects. There is an option for additional privacy when building projects if you upgrade to the pro plan.

5. Google Developers Training

At no cost to you, Google offers training in Android development, web development, Firebase, machine learning, and TensorFlow. You can even obtain a Google Developer’s Certification that is recognized industry-wide!

Let One of the Leading Staffing Firms in Texas Help You Find Your Dream Job

Are you ready to make a career move? Let Resource Staffing help you to find the perfect job. Our specialists are dedicated to matching candidates’ skills to the personnel needs of highly sought-after companies. Get started today by browsing our job openings!

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!

 

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!

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!

Here Are 5 Signs That Your Team is Burned Out

Even the best supervisors will eventually have a team burn out, despite your best efforts. When it does happen, it is time to reevaluate workflow processes. When team members who are typically at the top of their game begin to act otherwise, it might be time to take a closer look at why. Here are five tell-tale signs that your team is burned out.

1. A Decrease in Productivity and Effort

Team members are no longer ahead of schedule or may be even missing deadlines. The work they are completing isn’t of the caliber it used to be. It may be sloppy, boring or unpolished.

2. Unusual Amount of Complaints

Even the pettiest of complaints are typically a sign of a larger problem festering. This is especially true of team members who are normally very content. Team members who are getting bent out of shape about the smallest things is a sign that they are burned out.

3. Seeming Disengaged

These team members will not only seem disengaged from their work, but their co-workers as well. They may still complete quality work on time, but you can tell their heart just isn’t in it. If not addressed, disengagement may lead to a lower quality of work.

4. Taking More Time Off

Team members may be absent from work and taking unexpected time off. These team members may even show up to work late or begin leaving early. They are burned out and desperately trying to find a balance.

5. Showing Increased Sensitivity in the Workplace

Staff members who are burned out are especially sensitive to feedback regarding their work. Even the most constructive criticism can leave team members feeling inadequate and insecure about their work and value with the company.

What Can You Do as a Supervisor?

As a supervisor, you want what is best for your employees. When you sense your team is burned out, it is important to meet with team members individually and as a group. Discuss the reasons for feeling burned out and how certain processes can be changed in order to restore positive energy and morale.

When You Only Want the Best on Your Team

When it comes to making your next hire, you want top-notch talent that meshes well with your team. Resource Staffing, one of the leading staffing firms in Texas will help you find just that. Our staffing specialists are experts in finding the best talent to match your company’s needs and goals. Partner with Resource Staffing and let us put our resources to work to find your next team member!