Avoidable Mistakes You’re Probably Making When Meeting People for the First Time

It’s a bit cliché, but so true — you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If you’re having trouble forming new relationships, you might need to sharpen your social skills. Connecting with people at networking events, new colleagues and even interviewers is simple if you know how to do it right.

PrideStaff Las Vegas — one of the leading Las Vegas employment agencies — can’t emphasize how important it is to make a great first impression. Rubbing someone the wrong way in your first meeting can cause them to form a negative opinion of you that will be very difficult to change.

Those who have known you for years think you’re fantastic, so make sure new people get to see this side of you. Use these tips make polite conversation when meeting new people for the first time, so you don’t send the wrong message.

Not Asking Enough Questions

People enjoy talking about themselves. Show interest in the other person by asking questions to learn more about them. This will make them feel special, and will help you decide if they’re someone you’d like to get to know even better.

Diving in Too Deep

Keep the conversation professional when meeting someone for the first time. Some people are a bit more guarded than others with the types of information they’re willing to share with strangers. The discussion should cover surface-level topics only, unless the other person takes it in a different direction — one you’re comfortable with, of course.

Dominating the Conversation

You’re a fascinating person, but the conversation isn’t all about you. A discussion is a two-way street, so as noted above, you also need to ask the other person questions. No one wants to connect with a self-centered individual who shows no interest in them.

Make a Great Impression

The job search process can be incredibly challenging, so allow PrideStaff Las Vegas to guide you through it. Whether you’re searching for temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire opportunities, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to discuss your goals for the future!

How to Maintain a Productive Work Schedule when Impacted by a Busy Home Life

You enjoy your work, but it’s only one part your life. When you step outside the office, you’re faced with an entirely new set of responsibilities that require just as much — or even more — attention as your job.

Juggling a busy personal and professional life takes strategic planning, but it’s entirely possible.

Las Vegas temp agency PrideStaff Las Vegas has some great ideas to help make both of your worlds work.

5 Ways Balance Work and a Busy Home Life

Make Work Fit Your Schedule

If your employer offers flextime, take advantage of this opportunity to choose your own work hours. For example, coming into the office earlier might allow you to drop your kids off and pick them up at school. This could save you from having to find extra childcare during these hours.

Seek Flexible Working Arrangements

More companies than ever are allowing employees to work from home at least sometimes. Ask your boss if this would be a possibility, and if so, work remotely when necessary or even a few days a week. Not having to commute to the office can add hours back into your day, so you have more time for personal matters.

Set Boundaries

You’re only human, so there’s limits to the amount you can accomplish each day. Both at work and in your personal life, you have to learn to say no when you’re at capacity. For example, if a colleague asks you to pitch in on a project that’s not your responsibility, politely decline if the extra workload will cause you to have to put in extra hours.

Focus on Your Priorities

When you spread yourself too thin, nothing gets the best of you. Decide what’s most important to you personally and professionally, and concentrate your efforts on these things. You’ll be much happier when spending your time and effort on matters that truly fulfill you.

Ask for Help When You Need It

Life is full of surprises, so don’t be afraid to rely on others for support. Family, friends and colleagues are more than willing to assist when you need an extra hand or two. Instead of being embarrassed that you can’t do it all, feel grateful to have incredible people in your life you can trust.

Find a Job That Fits Your Life

Balancing work with a busy home life is very possible if you have the right job. PrideStaff Las Vegas is here to help you find a temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire opportunity that meets your unique needs. Contact us today to get started!

Interview Tips: When to Keep Your Answers Short

You may feel a need to tell an interviewer everything possible so they can get the best measure of you in the time you have, but that can lead to wordy answers that actually hurt your chances rather than helping you. For some questions in particular, you’ll do best keeping your responses succinct.

When asking the interviewer questions.

Near the end of the interview, the person may well ask, “So, what questions do you have for me?” Have a question or two prepared, and make sure it’s something that indicates your interest in the job (not salary) or the company itself and how they run things. Questions that take too long may eliminate you because you give them information that causes them to think twice about you or you ask something so complicated they cannot answer it. If possible, ask about some aspect of the company raised during the interview, which indicates your curiosity, and ask to know a little more about it [the project/plans for the future/upcoming challenge].

Answering what you’ll miss most about your current job.

Sing the praises of your current job for too long, and a recruiter will immediately start wondering why you applied for the position in the first place. Remember why you’ve come in (to apply for a new job), mention the highlights of your personal growth in our current job, and steer your answer toward why you want this position. As a side note, this question is a sort of wrap-up to the interview, so keep your answer brief.

When responding to the salary you’re looking for.

Most candidates dread this question the most — it’s nerve-wracking at best. You don’t want to over- or undersell yourself; you want to look eager but not desperate…. Unless you’ve reached the last round, recruiters ask this to see if your range works within their budget. Again, keep it short by obliquely referencing the salary in your previous role and say what you’re looking for. Make sure you do your research beforehand so you can have a viable answer.

Interviews can seem like they take forever, but giving to-the-point responses on these particular questions will help you do well in the interviewer’s eyes. For help with your next interview, visit PrideStaff.

Haven’t Applied for a Job in 10+ Years? Here’s What’s Changed

As top Phoenix recruiters, we’ve witnessed the job search scene changing dramatically in the past decade. From applicant tracking systems to job listings on social media and LinkedIn profiles, it can be hard to know where to begin if you haven’t been a candidate in a long time.

What are some of the major areas that have changed – so you can prepare yourself for what lies ahead? Here’s a look at a few:

New rules for resumes.

Don’t pull out your resume from 10 years ago, simply update job titles and call it a day. You’re going to need to spend more time editing and polishing it so that it follows today’s resume best practices.

This includes getting rid of the “objective” statement at the top and replacing it with a bullet list of your “summary of qualifications.” It also means you need to focus more on accomplishments and results and less on day-to-day tasks. Finally, on a positive note, the one-page resume rule no longer applies. It’s now acceptable to submit a resume that’s two pages long.

Paper resumes are all but dead.

In its place are typically two options: emailing an electronic resume and cover letter, or online applications. The good news is that you can say good-bye to the expensive resume paper, customized mailing labels and postage. The bad news is that now, thanks to technology and applicant tracking systems, it can take a while before an actual human lays eyes on your resume.

Interviewing frequency has increased.

In the past, you got called in for an interview and got the job – or not. Today, you can get called for two, three or even more interviews before an employer makes a hiring decision. The first interview might just involve an HR representative; the second interview could be with a full panel; and the third interview might involve one-on-one time with the hiring manager. So be prepared for a more in-depth hiring process and one that takes longer, as a result.

You have to share a lot of information, earlier.

In the past, you had to provide detailed information once you actually interviewed with an employer and they were considering hiring you. Today, many employers want to know a lot of details about you – from your salary history to professional references – even if you’re simply applying to a job.

There’s a communication black hole.

Thanks to the Internet, employers are receiving more resumes and applications than ever before. As a result, don’t always expect a response from an employer unless they’re interested in interviewing you. Likewise, some employers won’t necessarily follow up with you after an interview to tell you that you didn’t get the job.

It’s a whole new world when it comes to searching for a job.

If you’d like professional guidance and support during the process, give PrideStaff a call. As top Phoenix recruiters, we can help you polish your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and find out about your next great job opportunity. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

Why Meeting With Your Staff Regularly is a Must

When things get hectic – an unusual customer demand arises, staffing is tight or an unexpected problem demands your attention – it’s tempting to let your regularly scheduled staff meeting fall by the wayside.

Don’t do it.

Even if a major crisis occurs, try to have at least a short, well-organized meeting. In some ways, it may be more important during these times than ever. But the point is: Staff meetings need to happen, regardless of the circumstances or time of year. They greatly enhance the communication efforts that make up the foundation of any department or work group. Employees who can count on consistent meetings with their managers and fellow team members feel a greater ownership of their work. Along with that comes a greater sense of trust for leadership and for one another.

More Reasons for Regular Staff Meetings

Since people spend a significant portion of their time at work, it’s important to make them feel they are part of the overall success of their company as it meets its ongoing goals. When staff meetings are conducted regularly, professionally and in a manner that encourages all attendees to participate, an organization reaps the benefits of having a solid work team where trust is earned through productive interaction. Staff meetings:

Keep everyone informed. They allow individuals to share with everyone on their team, face to face. The entire group hears the same message at the same time, and everyone has a chance to contribute. (Note: As a manager, be sure to solicit input from every meeting attendee.)
Are vital for problem solving. Staff meetings provide a venue to share issues and concerns and work with others to address them.
Serve as a venue for performance feedback. Staff meetings help ensure that everyone is on track to succeed. Working together to hit targets is a critical aspect of any organization’s success. Direct feedback helps employees know when they’re doing well and when they need to improve.
Provide training opportunities. When a team meets, it’s a chance for everyone to learn new skills and develop existing ones – and for management to understand the depth and level of those abilities. Internal and external subject matter experts can be brought in to discuss key topics and provide insight.
Allow employees to be part of the decision-making process. Managers who utilize staff meetings as communication tools open up a door for employees to share their opinions, ideas and work experiences with one another on a regular basis. Everyone plays a role in driving future plans and setting direction.

If you need further tips on developing your industry-leading workforce through effective communications and other talent management techniques, turn to the PrideStaff Modesto team of experts. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.

The Strategy Behind Keeping Your Staff Productive When They’re Losing Interest in the Task At Hand

Summer is here and your employees’ minds are elsewhere. As much as they enjoy their work, most would rather be on a beach sipping drinks with umbrellas in them. Hopefully, some will get the chance to do this later on, but right now, they’re at work and you need them to be productive.

PrideStaff Las Vegas — one of the top staffing agencies in Las Vegas — understands how hard it is to keep employees moving forward when they’re losing interest in a task. Luckily, there’s a few simple remedies to this problem.

Four Ways to Keep Your Staff Motivated Until the Job is Done

Empower Them

Get employees to work their hardest by giving them the freedom to complete the task on their own terms. Knowing you trust their judgment feels great, so they won’t want to disappoint you. This should reignite the spark they had for the project when they first started it.

Tie Tasks Into the Big Picture

On its own, this assignment might seem trivial. Sometimes it’s hard for employees to realize the significance of their work, so offer a reminder. Explain how their little piece of the puzzle will impact others and help reach broader organizational goals. Knowing their work matters will make them see they’re part of a larger effort, and no one wants to let the team down.

Offer an Incentive

Nothing motivates employees faster than the potential of a reward. Giving them a personal stake in the completion of the project — e.g., free lunch, gift card, extra vacation day — will encourage them to get back to work. Rouse the whole team by creating a friendly competition that makes finishing the project much more fun.

Show Gratitude

It’s hard for employees to stay enthused when they don’t feel appreciated. Engage your staff by making a point to thank them for their efforts. Call out workers who exceed expectations and let them know their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. A little recognition is often all it takes to inspire people.

Hire the Best

Searching for top Clark County talent? PrideStaff Las Vegas has you covered. Contact us today to discuss your needs!

Avoid the Summer Doldrums: Keep Employees Engaged & Motivated

Summer is here – and so are vacations, barbecues and long weekends. For companies, it’s a time of the year that can be a challenge when it comes to employee drive and motivation. While you want your staff to enjoy their summer, you also need them to be productive.

How can you balance the two? With these tips:

Encourage vacation time.

It sounds counter-intuitive. But encouraging employees to take time off from work can actually help you in the long run. Not only does taking vacation time help them stay healthy, but studies show it boosts productivity, too.

In fact, according to a report by Glassdoor and Harris Interactive, the benefits of employee vacation include: “higher productivity, stronger workplace morale, greater employee retention, and significant health benefits.”

Offer days off for performance goals met.

As one of Tempe’s top recruiting firms, PrideStaff knows one of the best ways to meet important milestones or objectives is to offer additional time off as a reward. Whether it’s simply offering a half day off on a Friday, or more vacations days that employees can use throughout the year, it’s a great way not only to motivate your team during summer, but also reward them for hard work.

Schedule a retreat or team-building activity.

If work slows down during the summer, it’s a good time to schedule these kinds of events. They offer an important opportunity for your employees to reconnect and build camaraderie outside of the typical office environment. They’re also an ideal opportunity to drive home your company mission, vision for the rest of the year, and talk about changes or new initiatives.

Offer promotions.

If you have employees you plan to promote, summer can be a good time to do it. If it’s typically a slower time for your company, then it will give your newly promoted people some time to acclimate to their roles. It can also reinvigorate their passion and drive for your organization’s mission and vision.

Embrace the slower pace.

It’s important to continue to set clear performance goals even during summer – so employees know what you expect from them throughout the season. However, you might want to offer a more flexible schedule in which they can achieve it. Let them leave a little earlier on Fridays, or work from home more often. These seemingly small perks can go a long way in employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Do you need help filling skill gaps during employee vacation time this summer?

Call in the experts at PrideStaff. As one of Tempe’s top recruiting firms, we can provide you with access to the area’s top talent on a temporary, part-time or full-time basis. We make hiring easy for you during summer – and every season. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

How to Master the Art of Small Talk to Make More Allies at Work

No matter how large or small your office, or how much you like or dislike chatting with office mates, consider small talk an art worth mastering. Sometimes conversation may feel stilted or awkward, depending on your level of comfort with the person, but knowing a few basic pointers can help you gain allies at work, always a helpful card to have in your deck.

With higher-ups.

When speaking with the CEO, ask an easy, open-ended question that allows him or her to immediately bump it back to you, then bring up something positive you’re currently working on. Ask about how their week has gone and then, when they ask about you, give a brief, positive answer and relate it back to your latest project. Make sure to listen well and ask thoughtful questions. This can also work with a VIP: Introduce yourself and ask that open-ended question or mention your interest in something they’ve specifically worked on. In either case, remember to mention your name so they don’t have to search for it and so they remember you next time.

With a more seasoned colleague.

Particularly if you feel intimidated by this person, ask them about where you might for a networking lunch. Appeal to their knowledge of the area and expertise – don’t be too obsequious but use it as a clear avenue to start a conversation that goes beyond, “How’s it going?” If you have an idea of what they’re working on, you may want to use that as an inroad as well. And you may find that person less intimidating that you had thought.

With a department colleague you don’t know at all.

Again, ask about how the person’s week is going. When they respond, listen carefully and ask a question directly related to that person’s named project/client/etc. In other words, start broadly to cover up the fact that you really don’t know what they do (and they may not know what you do, either) and then move into specifics. When you see that person again at a later date, ask how that specific went. If they don’t give you much to work with, offer something of your own that you’re doing.

No matter who you speak with in the office, act friendly, listen well, and always follow up. To find your next office job, visit PrideStaff.

Following Up Can Help You Get the Job

What happens after your job interview is just as critical as your advance preparations when it comes to the overall success of your search. Following up can have a significant impact on whether or not an offer is extended.

Post-interview follow-up addresses a key employer concern: your interest level in the position. It also gives you an opportunity to demonstrate favorable personal and professional qualities that are typically sought by employers: dedication, tenacity, attention to detail and the ability to follow through.

In some cases, an employer may even use lack of follow-up as a screening device – a way to narrow down the number of candidates. More often, there are several strong contenders for a job, leaving the employer with a difficult hiring decision. Follow-up, when handled well, offers a strategic means of tipping the scales in your favor.

Keep Communication Lines Open

Following up after your interview ensures you keep lines of communication open with the person or persons who may be making a final candidate selection. It also offers these advantages:

You can ask more questions. There may be things about the company or the position you didn’t think to ask during your interview. The follow-up process allows you to address them; as an added plus, this further shows your interest.
It helps an employer remember you. It’s critical to keep your name fresh in the mind of the recruiter or manager who interviewed you. They are bombarded with applications, resumes and candidates. It can be easy to forget who they talked to when, especially if multiple interviews are occurring. A follow-up thank-you note and other measures are a great way to jog their memory.
You will shine as a professional. Following up helps you to stand out in a professional manner. Some candidates won’t make this extra effort. If you follow up, a hiring manager will be more apt to contact you to ask additional questions or invite you to apply for future openings, because they know you’re serious about your career aspirations.
It boosts your confidence level. Job searching is difficult. Over time, it can become hard on your psyche. By following up after an interview, you put your best foot forward. This leads to increased confidence, improved interpersonal skills and a more positive outlook.

Do you need more tips or guidance as you complete your successful job search? Working with a PrideStaff Modesto expert can make all the difference. We can assist with every aspect of your strategic search – and we have access to leading openings that could be just the right fit for you. Contact us today so we can tell you more.

How to Create a Great Candidate Experience During Interviews

You’re gearing up for interviews – and focused on what you need in a new employee. However, are you also thinking about providing a great candidate experience during the process?

As recruiters in Phoe nix, PrideStaff knows an excellent experience can be the difference between hiring top candidates and mediocre ones. On the flip side, a negative experience can tarnish your company’s reputation and employer brand for years to come.

So, whether you hire someone or not, here’s how to provide a positive experience to every single candidate throughout the interview process:

Prepare candidates.

How do they get to your location? Where do they park? Will they have to pay for parking? Where should they go once they arrive? What do they need to bring with them? What should they expect from the interview?

These are all important questions to answer before an interview. If a candidate doesn’t know what they’re doing, where they’re going, or what to expect it’s only going to lead to a frustrating experience overall.

Be welcoming.

Don’t make a candidate sit in the lobby for 30 minutes while you finish up a phone call. It sends the wrong message – one that says you don’t care.

Instead, throughout the process, be friendly to them and respectful of their time. Don’t answer your phone or check emails while you’re interviewing. Give candidates your full attention throughout.

Also, take all their questions seriously and try to answer them to your best ability. Don’t ever brush them off.

Give them a tour.

Doing so provides an opportunity for each candidate to get a sense of your culture. This is important for a few reasons. First, if it doesn’t feel right, they can self-select out of the hiring process. For you, you can read their body language during a tour and also evaluate how they interact with potential co-workers. This will provide you with valuable insight into cultural fit for each candidate.

Be prepared and ask meaningful questions.

If you’re ill-prepared for an interview, the candidate will know it. Instead, make sure you know the objectives for the role so you can ask questions that help you properly assess each candidate. Don’t simply wing it.

Also, do some research on each candidate ahead of time, so you can ask questions specific to their background and experience. Review their resume, look them up on LinkedIn, and check out their online portfolio.

Stay in close contact.

Once the interview is over, be clear about next steps during the hiring process. Explain when you plan to follow up with the candidate – and then follow through.

If you don’t plan to hire a certain candidate, don’t send them a form letter via email. Instead, pick up the phone and give them a call. They’ll appreciate the personal touch.

When it comes to interviewing candidates, simply being courteous goes a long way. Even if you don’t choose to hire a candidate for a certain role, they could be the perfect fit for a future one. That’s just another reason it’s so important to cultivate a positive experience for candidates.

Need more help hiring great candidates for your team?

Give PrideStaff a call. As experienced recruiters in Phoe nix, we can assist you with every aspect of hiring – so you find exceptional people who can deliver the results you’re after. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.