Hiring Entry Level Candidates? Here’s How to Screen Them

Graduation is just around the corner and soon enough, you’ll have many entry-level candidates knocking on your door. They’ll bring with them a fresh perspective and plenty of enthusiasm. However, when it comes to actually hiring them, it can be a challenge since there’s often no track record or experience to assess.

So how can you make the best decision possible? As one of Phoenix’s top staffing agencies, PrideStaff can help. To ensure you get the right-fit person for your position, here are some tips to follow:

Know what your needs are.

When it comes to identifying qualified candidates, it’s important first to define the role and the kinds of traits that will be the best match for it. For instance, what key strengths are needed? And what type of personality will thrive in the job and at your company? Once you know the answers to these types of questions, a great candidate will be easier to spot.

Dig deeper with your questions.

After you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a candidate, design your interview questions around those requirements. For instance, if you need a new hire who is detail oriented, ask about a time they caught a mistake, what they did about it and what the outcome was. You don’t want hypotheticals here, but real facts that help you evaluate their abilities, as well as how they will think and act in certain situations.

Look for achievement and work ethic.

It’s true that entry-level candidates might not have a ton of work experience under their belts. However, there are many other kinds of achievements you can assess, such as awards they’ve earned in school, extracurricular activities, internships and jobs they’ve held in the past even if they’re in an unrelated field.

Give them homework.

Once school’s out, entry-level candidates might think their homework days are behind them. However, you can gain valuable insight into their skills and abilities by giving them a small project or assignment to complete. Not only that, but if you’re deciding between multiple candidates, this can give you a better understanding of who’s the best fit.

Looking to Hire? Contact our Phoenix Staffing Professionals Today!

Hiring at any level can be a stressful experience. If you’d like help with the process, contact the team at PrideStaff. As one of Phoenix’s top staffing agencies, we can handle your hiring function, while you focus on other business priorities. Contact us today to learn more or get started.

Learn About the 7 C’s for Finding and Hiring Top Talent

Without a team of quality, effective employees in all areas, it’s impossible for your business to stand apart, build a brand or develop a unique customer experience. And it all starts with hiring success.

Every employee is a significant investment in time, money, resources – and the future of your company. As per the title of his best seller, The 7 C’s of Effective Hiring, author Alan Hale helps you nail every new hire by considering these key factors:

1. Competence

This is still the leading factor in finding the right hire. Of course, certain strengths can be taught and mastered on the job. But a candidate still must have the necessary credentials – skills, experience and education – to make the cut.

2. Capability

Read “growth potential.” Capability means not only delivering on basic job requirements, but being willing and able to take on added responsibilities. It goes hand in hand with yet another valuable “C” – creativity.

3. Compatibility

If hired, would a candidate naturally get along with their manager and co-workers, as well as existing and potential clients and partners? These harmonious relationships are the glue that holds successful teams together.

4. Commitment

Hiring – and even worse, the need to rehire when someone leaves your organization – is costly on all levels. Look for candidates who are in it for the long term. The job shouldn’t be just a stepping stone – unless the next step is a better opportunity within your own company. Tip: Check candidates’ history of past jobs and the time spent at each.

5. Character

Character is all about values – and ensuring that candidates’ values align with your own and those of your organization. In addition to teamwork, look for honesty, integrity and a record of being loyal and keeping promises.

6. Culture

Culture is based on the values and expectations that influence workplace behavior. If an employee fails to reflect your company culture, they’re likely to be disruptive and difficult for others to work with. Plus, they probably won’t be around long, because they simply won’t be happy coming to work each day.

7. Compensation

The right job fit is about much more than money, of course. However, a fair, market-based compensation package is necessary and it’s still where the rubber meets the road in terms of a good employee/employer match. If a person feels short-changed, they will also feel unappreciated and will likely underperform as a result.

Just as every employee is unique, so is your organization and its talent needs. To fine-tune your hiring strategy, consider blending your expertise with that of the staffing experts at PrideStaff Modesto. Read our related posts or contact us today so we can tell you more.

8 Ways To Relax After Tax Season… Phew!

Months of grinding – long hours, bad food, little exercise and a dangerous lack of sleep, human contact and natural light – have come to an end. Tax season is over. Your free time is your own again (at least relatively speaking).

What are you going to do with it?

Here are eight suggestions to blow off some steam now that the horrors of tax season are over (for this year, at least):

Exercise

It may seem like more work, a late-blooming New Year’s resolution rather than a relaxing activity. But getting your body moving provides a great way to relieve stress and shake off some of the knots that developed over the weeks you spent huddled at your desk.

Get Outside

You probably spent the bulk of tax season inside, slowly getting irradiated by the unnatural indoor light. Time for some good, wholesome sunlight. Plus, the end of tax season means spring has been here for a few weeks already. Time to enjoy the improving weather.

Catch a Ballgame

Speaking of spring … April traditionally marks the start of baseball season. You might prefer football, but that season’s over. You might prefer basketball or even hockey. Do really want to spend more time inside?

You don’t have to shell out for major league ticket. Check out your local minor league team or go to your kids’ little league or softball field. It’s just an excuse to sit outside in a nice environment!

Reconnect with Your Family

Who are those strangers living in your house? The ones you’ve nodded at in passing in your endless work-to-home office cycle you’ve been on over the last few weeks.

Time to remember what really matters. Spend time with the family, with everyone putting down their devices and making some real memories.

Get a Delicious Meal

You’ve probably survived the last couple months on fast food, desk-eaten sandwiches and protein bars. Time to tickle those tastebuds again. Whether it’s a home-cooked feast or your favorite restaurant (with tablecloths), treat yourself to a special meal.

Get to Know Your Co-Workers (As Human Beings)

You aren’t a tax-preparation machine that happens to sneeze once in a while. Neither are all those nice people working around you. Now that the time crunch of tax season has passed, it’s your chance to spend a little quality time with your co-workers.

Work from Home for a Few Days

The end of tax season doesn’t mean all work disappears. But you can take your foot off the gas a bit. Get a change of scenery by working from home for a few days. You can still be productive, but with your slippers on and some Taylor Swift blaring in the background.

Take a Vacation

The best getaway is to, well … get away. After the hectic schedule you’ve endured over the last few weeks, you’ve earned the right for a little time off. Pick your dream location – be it beach paradise, foreign excursion or big-city adventure. After all, next tax season is less than a year away.

The hard work of tax season becomes more tolerable when you love the company you work for. Finding the right place eases the annual sacrifice of health and home. Find that perfect position with PrideStaff. Contact us today to find out how our staffing services can put you in the ideal situation for your long-term career needs.

How an Employment Agency Can Get You Unstuck in Your Job Search

The thought of finding a new job is an exciting one. Actually getting there, though, can be a challenge. After spending hours on your resume, days on your cover letter, and many weeks applying and submitting applications, you’ve got nothing to show for it.

If this sounds familiar, an employment agency in Tempe can help. When you partner with one in your job search, you can benefit in many ways, including with:

Expertise.

It’s difficult to be objective about your skills and abilities. However, when you work with an employment agency, you’ll have a recruiter on your side who will expertly evaluate where you’ve been in your career and the types of job openings in and around Tempe that would be the best fit for you. Not only that, but they know which companies are currently hiring, or will be soon, as well as how to position your experience so it’s as attractive as possible.

Feedback.

Think you nailed the interview? The company hiring manager might think otherwise and they’ll typically convey these details to your recruiter. So while it can be painful to hear, you’ll be able to find out what you’re doing right in interviews and where things are going wrong. You’ll therefore be able to improve upon those weaknesses for next time and boost your chances of getting the offer.

Connections.

Recruiters at Spokane’s employment agencies spend a lot of their time networking and making connections. As a result, when you work with one, you can suddenly expand your network dramatically, taking advantage of their many diverse contacts, including local HR personnel and hiring managers.

Speed.

While you won’t get overnight results, working with an employment agency often helps you to find a job faster. You no longer have to spend nights and weekends scouring the local job boards. In addition, your recruiter will be able to offer you access to opportunities that are a better fit for you, ones that sometimes aren’t even advertised.

In the end, working with an employment agency means you have a partner in your job search. They’ll help you find the right leads, ensure you’re putting your best foot forward on your resume and in interviews, and stay motivated until you secure that right-fit position.

Ready to learn more about working with an employment agency in your job search?

The recruiters at our Spokane employment agency can help with every aspect of your search, including connecting you with top jobs and leading employers. Contact us today to learn more or get started.

This is How You Can Truly Impress Your Interviewer

An interview is your first face-to-face meeting with a prospective employer. First impressions are indelible, so you want to be sure you make a good one. Check that: a great one! With the right advance preparation, you can strike the perfect balance of self-confidence, poise and common courtesy – and ensure you leap this first, crucial hurdle.

Do your research.

Conduct thorough research in the days leading up to your interview. Learn as much as you can about the company, the position, and your interviewers.

• Get as much detail as possible. Start with the company’s website and careers page. Expand your search to include Google and social media. Learn the organization’s growth patterns, market position and current business challenges. Look for pain points addressing current and future needs, where your skills and contributions would provide the ideal solution.

Dress the part.

First impressions are formed within 30 seconds, so you need to give interviewers an immediate positive image.

• Try to learn the company dress code ahead of time. Generally, wear a conservative suit for management and higher-level interviews or firms that adhere to a more formal standard every day. Otherwise, women should opt for a conservative blouse and skirt or dress pants, and men for dress pants with a button-down shirt and tie. Find out if there are special requirements; for example, steel-toed shoes for factory jobs.

Mind your body language.

Act as professionally as you dress. Proper body language helps set and maintain the right tone.

• It starts with a smile, a warm greeting and a handshake. This goes for everyone you meet. About that handshake: It should be firm but not too hard. Keep your palm slightly up, allowing the other person’s hand to cover yours. This is a subtle gesture that conveys respect.
• A few more tips: Maintain eye contact. Sit up straight and be attentive. Keep your hands above the desk or table and below your collarbone. You don’t want to appear overly excited, which can be off-putting to interviewers.

Have your own questions ready.

It goes without saying that you should prepare for questions you expect interviewers to ask. But also have a list of questions to ask them. In addition to helping you decide if the job is the right fit for you, this further demonstrates your interest.

Follow up like a pro.

Conclude your interview with as much savvy as you had when you came in. Say a warm, sincere thank you and shake hands. Follow up with a handwritten note to everyone you met, within one or two business days. Thank them for the opportunity to meet with them and mention any specifics you remember about the experience.

• Tip: It helps to jot down notes as soon as you get home.

A professional career coach from PrideStaff Modesto can guide you through resume preparation, interviewing, negotiating and any or all the steps involved in your successful job search. In addition, we have access to a broad range of positions where your unique skills can be put to the best use in areas including IT, finance, customer service, legal support, healthcare, and production and distribution. Contact us today to learn more.

Don’t Do It Yourself! Use a Staffing Agency

As you evaluate your hiring needs, consider using a staffing company to help. As experts in the industry they can assist you with creating an effective hiring strategy, customized to your needs. Here are four important reasons to consider using a staffing agency:

1. 1. Decreased Cost

While a temporary employee may cost more per hour, you pay only for the hours, days or weeks that you need that help. And, because temp workers are technically employed by your staffing company, you won’t have to worry about benefits, worker’s compensation, unemployment or adding unnecessary headcount.

1. 2. Flexibility

Hiring temporary workers is an effective way to cover your requirements on an as-needed basis. Staffing agencies can help you find the right person for your temporary needs, saving you valuable time and energy.

Whether you need someone for a large and time-consuming project, a fill-in for an employee absence, or have a particularly busy time of year, staffing agencies are a great resource for quality, temporary employees. And they come to you prepared to work – screened for the specific skills and training required to make it a smooth transition.

1. 3. Less Worry

With a strategic plan for hiring in place, you can anticipate short- and long-term staffing needs, projected costs and upcoming projects. Using a staffing firm helps you avoid hiring someone not entirely right for the job. Getting the right help will reduce stress, wasted time, and wasted money.

Establish a relationship with a single staffing firm who understands your needs and goals and has access to the best local talent. You’ll gain a competitive advantage with a ready source of pre-screened temporary and full-time talent that can help you reach your business objectives.

1. 4. Saving Resources

When you use a staffing agency, you significantly reduce the workload on your HR team who would otherwise spend valuable time screening resumes, paring down the list of prospective candidates, and taking part in interviews. A staffing agency has a pool of screened, qualified people to choose from.

Ready to Add Talented Staff to Your Team! Reach Out to PrideStaff Akron!

A clear plan and a staffing firm who knows your needs can help find quality staff that you may even decide to hire full-time. Are you looking for staffing help? Contact PrideStaff Akron to set up an appointment.

Schedule a Last Minute Biotech Interview? Follow These Tips!

The big news: You got the interview at your dream biotech firm. The catch: The interview takes place in a couple of hours.

Uh oh. Your big chance to cement a position in an exciting, growing industry, and you have to rush into it. No time for your usual deep-dive into every pertinent detail of the position. No chance to center your thinking and hone your pitch. You have to get ready, go in and nail the interview without the usual round of painstaking preparation.

But don’t panic. Even on a short schedule, it’s possible to cram in some studying. The key is to strip down the process and focus on key areas. Here are a few topics of emphasis to prepare for your last-minute biotech interview:

Confirm Interview Details

First step: Make sure you get all the pertinent information about the interview. Since the timeline is constructed, you might not get another chance to confirm specifics. So, find out where you’re going and when you should be there, along with any other particulars you might need to know (parking, security precautions, etc.).

Ask About Company Dress Code

Some industries have a relatively predictable dress code. Interviewing at a Wall Street bank? Better dress up. Going to a Silicon Valley-style tech startup? You can probably assume a casual atmosphere.

Conceptually, biotech firms split the difference between these stereotypes. They have aspects of a startup, but many of their founders and employees are established professionals with advanced degrees. It’s hard to predict which way a company will lean. Better to ask.

Know the Lingo

Biotech is a highly specialized field. Expect lots of jargon and precise terminology. You probably won’t get by referring to the “thingamajig” that does the “whatsit.”

Quickly go over the subject matter with the time you have. That way you can at least follow the discussion during the interview. If you make it to the next stage, you can do a deep dive into the terminology later.

Research the Company

Beyond the general industry basics, look into the company with which you are interviewing. Know their product. Learn about the company’s history and founders. Search social media for specifics about their culture and their mission.

Many biotech firms have inspirational goals (curing diseases, improving life outcomes, etc.). Tapping into these will get you excited about the opportunity, an attitude which should invigorate the interview.

Seem Calm (Even If You Don’t Feel It)

A last-minute Interview can inspire panic. No matter how fast your heart rate gets as you hustle to the company’s headquarters, make sure you walk into the meeting fresh and calm.

Even with a time crunch, try to get there a little early. Take as much time as you can to stop in the restroom and freshen up – make sure your hair isn’t tangled and your clothes are on straight. Wipe your brow, say an aphorism to yourself in the mirror and walk into the interview with confidence and self-assurance.

Biotech represents an exciting launching pad to lifelong career advancement. PrideStaff can help you get your start in the field. Contact PrideStaff today to find out how our recruiting services can open the door to your future.

4 Tell-Tale Signs a Potential Employer Treats Its People Well

hey!  When you’re sending in resumes and interviewing with potential employers, you know you’re in the hot seat. But you too should be evaluating everything you can about their business. After all, if you accept an offer of employment with a Tempe company, you’re likely going to be spending most of your waking hours there. As a result, it’s important to ensure it’s at a place that offers a positive environment and treats people well. To do so, look for a few key signs:

Positive comments online.

While you shouldn’t base a job search decision solely on what you read online, review sites and social media comments offers valuable insight that you might not otherwise have access to. This, in turn, can inform the questions you ask during an interview, so you get more detailed facts and information about a potential employer.

Happy employees.

If you know someone who works at the company, ask them to give you the inside scoop on the good, the bad and the ugly. This will provide you with an accurate understanding of what daily life is like there. In addition, if you get an interview, see if you can tour the office. Take a look around and assess whether the atmosphere seems positive, energetic and engaging.

A commitment to personal development.

You don’t want to end up in a dead-end opportunity, but rather one with an employer who values your worth and invests in employee development. This shows a commitment to your personal success, as well as that of the company’s. So ask about mentoring, internal promotion, training programs and more to get a sense of the role continuous improvement plays.

Good questions during the interview.

It might feel like you’re in an interrogation. But when a hiring manager asks you a lot of questions about your experience, personality and the type of environment you work best in, it’s because they want to find the right-fit person for their team. That’s a good sign. They understand how important cultural fit is not only for the company bottom line, but for your job satisfaction and engagement, too.

Finding an opportunity that’s a match can be tricky. You need to identify the right role that’s in the best environment and not all are created equal. However, by assessing the areas above, you’ll be on your way to ensuring wherever you land, it’s somewhere that treats employees well.

Ready to find a job with a company that provides a positive environment?

Call the team at PrideStaff. As a leading Tempe employment firm, we have first-hand experience with many top local companies and can offer you insight into working with each one, so you choose the opportunity that’s a great fit for you. Contact us today to learn more or get started.

Selling Your Company to Candidates During Job Interviews

When it comes to landing A-level job candidates, an interview is not just about you evaluating them. In today’s market, they have the upper hand, and you can bet they’re evaluating you and your company as well. And if they don’t like what they see, they won’t even skip a beat as they go elsewhere.

Find out as much as you can, ahead of time, about exactly what a candidate wants. Then, prepare to sell your company during their interview. Knowing how to execute this strategy will mean the difference between sealing the deal with your desired candidates and losing them to your competition.

Have an Attractive Job Description

Your job description is your first and most critical sales tool. Keep it concise and effective while incorporating the most compelling, exciting information about working for your company. Focus on key selling points that will entice applicants to continue reading and apply for your position.

• A candidate should know, from your job description, exactly what they are applying for. Provide the basics, but then go beyond dry, institutional language to paint a positive, captivating picture of what they could expect if they came to work for you.

Sell Your Culture

The candidate needs to know your company and the position are going to be the right fit for them. Make it clear that your organization welcomes and supports high performers who seek work/life balance and satisfaction.

• Give applicants a first-hand look at your culture by taking them on a tour and introducing them to current employees. Make sure they leave with a first-rate impression.

What Makes Your Company Unique?

Throughout your hiring process – in your job descriptions and postings, as you reach out to candidates online and in person, and as you court them during their interviews and afterward, continue to emphasize your unique employer brand image – whatever it is that sets you apart from your competition, as a place to grow one’s career.

• This includes non-traditional benefits and perks, whether it’s a gym membership, an outstanding tuition reimbursement program, remote work options or special product deals and discounts. Think like a candidate: if you were them, what would entice you to take this job over any other?

The staffing experts at PrideStaff Modesto can partner with you to perfect your strategy for attracting and hiring the talent of your choice. Contact us today to learn more about our proven track record of success in temporary and full-time staffing in administration, customer service, IT, finance, legal support, healthcare, and production and distribution. You’ll be successfully selling your company in no time!

Our Expert Tips to Keep All Aspects of Your Job Search Organized

A job search is a complicated project to keep on top of – from compiling potential opportunities to actually applying and scheduling interviews, there is a lot to track. But just like any work-related task, if you approach it with intention, you can manage your time effectively, be productive, and prevent things from falling through the cracks. Check out our expert tips to keep all aspects of your job search organized.

Clarify Your Goals

Before you dive deep into your job search, clarify your goals – what exactly do you want to achieve to help you progress and actually land a new job? Goals to consider include: specific types of jobs or companies, the amount of applications per week, the number of new connections you’d like to form while networking, etc. By clarifying your goals, you’ll be able to keep your job search more organized because you’ll have a set of criteria to influence your planning and decisions.

Block Out Time in Your Schedule

If you want to make consistent progress and stay on top of all the details of your job search, make it as much of a priority as anything else you do – make the time for it. Block out specific time in your schedule that is solely dedicated to your job search. This will keep you organized since you’ll k know exactly what days and times you will be working on it.

Create a Set Routine

Your job search will quickly become confusing and difficult to track if you don’t have a routine. If you only pursue your job search when you feel like it, “have time”, or suddenly think about it, you’ll have a harder time remembering the status of applications and other related tasks. Create a set routine for your job search, including looking up postings, editing your resume, applying to jobs, etc. so nothing falls through the cracks.

Maintain a Record of Applications

Keeping your job search organized is so important because it prevents you from getting confused about particular opportunities for which you’ve applied when you start being contacted back. Maintain a record of the applications you submit – this will save you from situations that could negatively impact your job search, such as by not remembering the company when you get a phone call, mixing up the details of the job, or even forgetting to apply because you thought you already had.

Ready to Find a New Job? Contact PrideStaff Akron!

Make your job search more productive and successful by working with PrideStaff Akron. Our team of recruiters can match you with the ideal career opportunities from our clients across a variety of industries, saving you time and increasing the quality of your leads. Search our database of current available jobs to get started.