Improve Your Management Skills in 2017

As a manager, if you had to evaluate yourself, what could you improve or change? Where could you act more effectively with regard to your employees and your company overall? It helps if you examine your own skills every once in awhile; even the best managers want to see how they can do better. So now that it’s a new year, consider some of these ideas for becoming a stronger version of your managerial self.

Transparency.

Let your staff know of department objectives – and give them a voice as to how to fulfill them. To that end, it will help communication tremendously if you have regular meetings about expectations for each team member and give regular feedback. The more you can be open with your employees, the better system of trust you will create. As you likely know, a manager whom employees constantly have to second guess rarely has a good working relationship with their staff. And it doesn’t hurt to let them see you’re human, too – if you make a mistake, acknowledge it … and consider allowing employees to be transparent in their constructive criticism of your own performance.

Be yourself and be consistent.

Make sure, first of all, to remain consistent in the way you promote standards: If you have certain overall expectations, express them early and don’t suddenly change them for employees with little to no warning. It’s difficult for your staff to reach those aforementioned objectives if you constantly flip-flop on what you want. And avoid trying to repeat the performance of the previous manager; you have your way of getting things done. Think about your most successful managers and you’ll likely find they had certain qualities – put your own spin on them and you’ll do well.

Recognize your staff.

You as a manager depend on your staff to get the job done, literally and figuratively. You work best as a team, and that involves including your staff in problem-solving. After all, they each come with a set of talents that, when brought together, can create a well-oiled machine, so it makes sense to give them a voice, as well as some leeway to use them as they see fit – let them be creative in their solutions. In other words, avoid micromanaging your staff and recognize their skills and ability to get things done. To that same end, regular feedback on their performance goes a long way toward helping them improve, as does acknowledging their accomplishments and hard work.

A good manager leads by example and frequently monitors himself to see how he can improve, both for himself and for his team. To work with the best team for your next hire, visit PrideStaff.

Email Etiquette When Applying for a Job

Email is a valuable job-search tool. The account you send your email message from, your subject line, any files you attach, and last but not least, your signature – all make a difference in how you present yourself to a potential employer.

Begin by using full words, not acronyms or slang, throughout your message. Also, use complete sentences and include detailed, but concise, information about who you are and why you are sending your email.

Use these additional guidelines to help ensure your application via email becomes an asset, not a liability, to your successful job search.

Have an Appropriate Account

Have an email account that is appropriate for business use. It may make sense to set up a separate account just for your job search.

A variety of free options are available. Check out Gmail and Yahoo for starters.
Keep your account name simple.
For instance, simply use: firstname.lastname@gmail.com.

Start off on the Right Note

Send your email to a specific contact person whenever possible – versus a general mailbox. Also send a copy to yourself, so you have a record of it.

You need a subject line. If you leave this line blank, your message may land in a spam mailbox or be automatically deleted. List the position you are applying for, so the employer is clear about which job you are interested in.
Address your message to the contact person. Use “Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name.” If you don’t have a contact name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” or simply start with the first paragraph of content.
Copy and paste your cover letter into your message. Or, type it directly into the body. If a job posting asks you to attach your resume, send it as a PDF or a Word document.

Pay Close Attention to Content

Clearly state your intention for sending your message. Don’t worry about this sounding too standardized; you can use a phrase such as “I am writing in response to your ad in…,” then mention the source that provided you with information about the job opportunity.

Introduce – and sell – yourself. Be as succinct as possible, while highlighting your strengths and best accomplishments. Briefly cite the top reasons you would be the best person for the role.
Finish strong. If required, provide reference details so a potential employer can verify the information you have provided. Conclude with information on follow-up, to further emphasize your interest. End in a professional, respectful manner, such as “Best regards.”
Include a signature with your contact information. Make it easy for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile. This will provide the employer with more information on your skills, interests and personality.

Make Sure It’s Perfect

Errors on your job application email will not bode well for your success in landing an interview. Before you hit “send”:

Complete a spelling and grammar check.
Send a test message. Send the email to yourself first, to see how the formatting works.

At PrideStaff Modesto, our team of experienced recruiters loves to help candidates build their opportunities and find great jobs, both temporary and direct hire, within our extensive client network. Whether you need help with your resume and application process, interviewing, networking or other related skills, we can help. Contact us today to learn more.

4 Tips for Fighting Turnover in 2017

As one of the leading staffing agencies in Tempe, PrideStaff knows that many employees across the country – from Tallahassee to Tempe – will be setting the same New Year’s resolution at the end of this year: to find a new job. In fact, according to recent reports by both Gallup and Indeed, respectively 51% and 58% of U.S. adults are regularly looking for new jobs while still being gainfully employed.

While some turnover at your company can be a good thing, a lot of it at once can cause big issues in 2017. So how can you keep your employees happy, on target – and off the job market in the year ahead?

Here are a few tips to help you in the process:

#1: Be a good listener.

It sounds so easy, but being a good listener with your employees can benefit your company in many ways. For instance, it sets that tone that you value what your employees have to say. It also helps to creates a culture where they feel comfortable coming to you with issues and concerns, along with new ideas for innovation.

#2: Create more possibilities for your people.

Your employees want to learn new skills, obtain different knowledge, be inspired and get engaged. Give them the opportunities to do so through continued learning and advancement possibilities. If your people don’t think they’re ever going to move up, then eventually they will move out…to your competitors.

#3: Praise them often.

One of the biggest reason people quit is because they don’t feel appreciated. They work hard, deliver great results, and yet you never acknowledge their contributions. But praise is the most affordable and easiest way to keep your employees happy, motivated, and feeling good about the work they’re doing. Take it a step further and offer a rewards system that top performers can take advantage of when they meet certain milestones.

#4: Promote a culture of balance.

It may sound counterintuitive. But when employees are encouraged to take vacation days and breaks throughout the workday, then they’ll actually be more productive. Not only that, but they’ll be more satisfied on the job and more loyal to boot. Sure, there will be times when employees need to put in more hours to get a hot project with a tight deadline done. However, it shouldn’t become the norm around your office.

There are so many reasons why employees quit, so can’t ever completely fight turnover. But follow the tips above to ensure your company is a great place to work – one that few employees want to leave.

Experienced turnover recently at your company? Need help filling an important position?

Call PrideStaff. As one of the leading staffing agencies in Tempe, we have the knowledge, experience and proven processes in place to help you recruit and hire qualified, dependable candidates for your team – and fill your talent gap. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

Why Passive Job Seeking is Good for Your Career

We always talk about active job seeking, but what about passive job seeking? The truth is passive job seeking can actually help improve your professional path.

It keeps you current.

In simple terms, if you don’t look for something, you won’t find it. That’s not to say you should remain unsatisfied with your current job, always looking for the greener grass, but it doesn’t hurt to stay on top of trends and growth in your industry. When you keep abreast of job opportunities, it may encourage you to learn something new if you see that companies are looking for a certain skill. Adding to your own skill set can either help you move up at your current job or make yourself more appealing to another company.

It allows you to connect with staffing agencies.

Even if you’re simply keeping your options open, working with a staffing agency such as PrideStaff lets you stay on top of potential opportunities, including ones you wouldn’t find simply by looking on job websites because staffing agencies have relationships not only with their clients (i.e., you), but also with companies looking for quality employees. Those companies will often let staffing agencies know when positions open up before posting them to the public, and you never know when an opportunity may crop up in your field that would put you on the next step in your career path.

It helps you prepare for the unexpected.

Sometimes companies take bad turns and realize they have to downsize. If you have continued to passively search for other positions, you’ll already have a plan in place should the need arise. It’s a smart move to keep your resume updated and your LinkedIn profile current so you don’t have to start from square one. And if you’ve spent time networking as you search, you can speak with one of your connections about possible opportunities, sometimes even something better than you had previously.

Consider passive job seeking as a sort of Scout motto: Always be prepared. Keeping your eye out for new jobs will help you keep your own skills sharp and be ready for whatever may crop up. And working with PrideStaff will only help that search.

Start Hiring Better Employees in 2017 with These Tips!

Today’s most talented professionals have their choice of job opportunities, with employers vying for their attention and services. You need innovative ways to sell potential hires on the unique benefits of joining your team – before your competition beats you to them.

Develop a Winning Candidate Experience

Your candidate experience should be no different than your best customer experience. It all begins with a strong talent brand. Every single touch point – from job postings and your application process to follow through including communication with rejected candidates – makes a lasting impression. Consider these recent research findings:

Forty-two percent of applicants in one study who had a negative candidate experience said they would never apply at a company again.
Seventy-eight percent said they would share their bad experience with others in their personal network. Of these, 34 percent said they would use social media for this purpose.

Done right, the candidate experience can be the differentiator for top talent to choose your company over your competitors. Even unsuccessful applicants can become your advocates and continue to engage with your brand. But, a negative experience can not only damage your brand, but also hurt your company’s bottom line.

Make your hiring process easy and intuitive. For example, no candidate wants to spend hours completing an online application by filling in information that you can easily glean from their resume. Remember, candidates are customers, too, and they take that customer experience expectation into consideration when applying for jobs.
Stay in touch. Nearly half of all candidates surveyed said they never received an update on the status of their applications. Offer transparency and guidance before, during and after the application. Explain your time line to candidates. If they’re not short listed to move forward in the process, communicate to them ASAP so they can move on to other opportunities.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Look beyond candidates’ resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Consider their overall social media presence. Be sure you’re tracking the right sites to find and assess talent that may otherwise be off your radar.

Build relationships. Engaging with passive as well as active candidates is critical to your success. These individuals are at the top of their fields and you need to bond with them at the earliest possible stage.
Maximize your company’s social presence. Beyond posting jobs and interacting with candidates, you can solidify your image via strong content and conversations to spread the good word about working for your organization. Encourage your current employees – who are your best brand ambassadors – to use their own social sites to spread the word. Everything posted should showcase your company mission, which helps to attract like-minded talent. A great company mission aligns with candidates’ own personal values.

The right recruitment partner is key to making your hiring process the best it can be in 2017 and beyond. For cutting-edge success in meeting your talent management goals in the New Year, read our related posts or contact PrideStaff Modesto today. We’re here to help make it happen!

The Top Three Resources For Job Seekers from 2016

There’s no better time for a fresh start than a new year. Now that 2017 is almost here, you need to start working on finding a job that makes you happy. Whether you’re currently unemployed or simply discontent in your current role, you’re far too talented to settle for anything less than a fulfilling opportunity you’re truly excited about.

Helping talented professionals like you find great jobs is what we do at PrideStaff Las Vegas. From connecting you with leading local employers searching for candidates that match your qualifications to providing helpful resources for you to access online, we aim to be a one-stop destination for your job search.

Top 3 Job Seeker Resources From 2016

These three posts were our most popular pieces of job-seeker advice in 2016. We’re pleased to offer content so many people found helpful. If you haven’t already read them, take a few minutes to do so now.

5 Customer Service Job Interview Questions to Expect

Customer service professionals are often the only human contact clients have with a company, so employers know hiring right is crucial. If you want to ace a customer service job interview, you have to know what questions to anticipate and have strong answers prepared. This post covers five questions you should expect to be asked and tips to formulate a great response.

3 Ways a Short-Term Temporary Job Can Help You Advance Your Personal Life

If you’re like many job seekers, full-time, direct hire positions are the only opportunities on your radar. However, opening your mind to a short-term temporary gig can be an incredible move for both your personal and professional life. Temporary work offers many advantages that can help change your life for the better, so learn why you should consider it.

How Can Becoming a Temp in Las Vegas Positively Advance Your Career?

It’s taken a few years to bounce back, but the Las Vegas economy is finally on the upswing. If you’ve been holding on to a job you tolerate just to pay the bills, now is the time to start exploring your career horizons. Working as a temp can help you climb up the ladder much faster than the traditional route, so learn the benefits of this type of employment.

Get the Job You Really Want

Stop wasting your talents on a job that doesn’t make you happy. PrideStaff Las Vegas is committed to helping hardworking, skilled professionals like you find rewarding opportunities.

The Top Three Resources for Managers in Las Vegas

The holiday season is officially in full swing. In a matter of weeks, we’ll bid farewell to 2016 and welcome the new year. January is a time for fresh starts, so it’s time to start setting goals and making plans for your company to shine in 2017.

At PrideStaff Las Vegas, we aim to be your number one resource for top quality talent and HR advice. Each month, we devote blog posts aimed at common questions and concerns faced by managers like you. Working in a leadership role isn’t easy, but feel confident in knowing our team has your back.

Out of all the HR content we shared this year, these three subjects were the most popular. If you haven’t already done so, pull up a chair and take a look at these posts.

PrideStaff Las Vegas to Provide Employee Support to MGM Resorts International

In February, we were excited to announce that PrideStaff Las Vegas was selected as one of four vendors to manage various positions at MGM Resorts International’s Mandalay Bay Events Center, the MGM Grand Garden and the new T-Mobile Arena. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with one of the area’s largest employers.

What Makes PrideStaff Las Vegas One of the Best Employment Agencies in Las Vegas?

There’s number of fantastic employment agencies in Clark County, and we truly believe PrideStaff Las Vegas is one of them. This year, we were humbled to receive the designation of 2016 Nevada Veteran Owned Business of the Year. Our Owner/Strategic-Partner Bob Daniel served in the Air Force for four years, which he believes shaped him into the successful businessman he is today. In short, the staffing firm you choose can make or break your search, and we have the connections, discipline and drive to keep working until we help you find the right fit.

Medical Marijuana and the Workplace…Understanding Your Legal Rights as an Employer in Las Vegas

Medical marijuana has been legal in Nevada since 2013, so it’s important to know how this factors into your workplace. As an employer, you want the best for your team, clients and company, so you need to know the facts surrounding medical marijuana and your responsibilities as an employer. This post covered three key facts you need to know about working Nevada residents’ right to use medical marijuana into your company policies.

Choose the Best Candidate Every Time

The new year is on the horizon — and it’s going to be your company’s best yet! Partner with PrideStaff Las Vegas to fill every open position on your team with the right candidates, to get 2017 off to a strong start. Contact us today to discuss your needs.

Keeping Your People – & Your Productivity – On Target During the Holidays

As one of Phoenix’s top temporary staffing agencies, PrideStaff knows that the holidays are a time of great joy – and great stress – for many of your employees. As a result, as a manager, it can be a challenge keeping everyone motivated and on task through the end of the year. But year’s end is also a crucial time for many businesses. You therefore can’t afford to have employees who are dawdling or performing work in a perfunctory manner. How do you balance it all?

Here are a few tips to help you keep your team’s momentum high during the season, while still encouraging some holiday down time:

Remember, you set the tone.
If your employees see you taking long lunches and leaving early every day, they’re going to slack off. If you want strong productivity during December, then it’s up to you to set a good example. When you’re striving to make things happen, your employees are far more likely to follow suit.

Challenge your employees.
Set specific goals and challenges for your employees throughout the month leading up to the holidays. When they have a high bar in place – one that’s reachable – they’ll be more motivated to achieve. Speaking of goal setting, this is also the ideal time to sit down with each employee and talk about performance over the past year, as well as setting new goals for the year ahead.

Encourage your team to take time off.
Americans are notorious for not taking their allotted vacation days. In fact, according to one travel website, 42% of workers in 2014 didn’t take any vacation days at all. This is a recipe for stress and burnout. It’s imperative for your people to take time off throughout the year, but they may especially want to do so during the holidays to travel and spend time with family. So don’t deter them; be flexible and accommodating so they can take the time they need to recharge.

Create a festive, grateful atmosphere.
Host a holiday party for employees, either during office hours or after work. Allow employees to get into the spirit of the season by decorating their workspace. Also provide small tokens of your appreciation to your staff during the holidays. This should not be a time when employees feel pressured to buy a big, expensive gift for the boss. Rather, appreciation should be shown from the top down.

The holiday season is naturally a time of the year that’s harder to stay on task and focused. But by following the tips above, you can encourage your employees to produce great work and still enjoy the season.

Do you need help filling in skill gaps during the holidays due to time off?

Call the experts at PrideStaff. As one of Phoenix’s top temporary staffing agencies, we have the knowledge, proven processes, and candidate network to help you fill temporary positions fast with qualified, dependable people. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

Keep Your Team Motivated During the Holidays With These Tips

The holidays bring on as much stress as they do joy for many of us, and when that’s coupled with the necessity to finish out the end of the year and meet those last few goals, your workforce may become distracted and run down. However, you can beat the holiday office blues with a few simple strategies.

Give them a final goal.

When you end the year with a significant milestone or project, it can really excite and motivate everyone. Make sure they have plenty of advance notice and planning time: You want employees to view this as something motivating to accomplish, not a last-minute millstone hanging around their necks to incur added stress. Have it be a goal that everyone can come together to work on and celebrate once finished (and make a big deal about the celebration, acknowledging everyone’s hard work and dedication) as a great way to move into the new year.

Encourage time off.

This may sound counterintuitive at an incredibly busy time of year…but allowing flexibility with schedules means more satisfied employees with less burnout. That, in turn, will have employees more ready and focused when they’re at work rather than worrying about getting holiday chores accomplished or seeing their child in a holiday performance. Your employees give a lot to the company during the rest of the year; it’s more than fair that you allow time off here and there at this time…although it’s certainly fair as well that you have them plan as far in advance as possible to keep on top of everything.

Keep it positive.

While not everyone celebrates Christmas, it’s usually a festive time of year, and that goes beyond personal beliefs. So you might want to have a plate of cookies in the break room, encourage dress-down days or have an Ugly Sweater contest, and celebrate small successes. If it looks as though employees have become too stressed, take note and give them an extended lunch…that you bring in. And remember to celebrate successes large and small, especially as you get closer to reaching that goal.

If you want to keep employees motivated during the holidays, pay attention to their needs and help them find a balance between work and play, encouraging the most positive versions of both. If you want to find the best employees for any time of year, visit PrideStaff.

Want to Climb the Ladder in 2017? Use These Tips!

Will 2017 be the year you move up the career ladder and land your next great job? How can you ensure that you get on the right rung to success?

Never Stop Networking

Face-to-face networking remains one of the most successful job search techniques. The best opportunities are part of the “hidden job market” that you can access only via effective networking.

Attend events, join professional organizations – and get involved. Find and take advantage of every chance to meet people in businesses and fields that interest you. Volunteer for committees and boards, contribute articles and make presentations. Check out the list of contacts you have built. Continue to cultivate it and then see if anyone may be able to help you reach your career goals.

Maximize Your Social Media Presence

Your LinkedIn profile must be up to date and impactful – and your overall social media presence needs to be professional, compelling and clear of any red flags that may pose barriers to your career growth.

Use LinkedIn to both job search and build your network. Join and participate in relevant groups. Establish a growing web of connections with whom you can easily follow up. Ask around and put the word out that you are in the market for a new job.
Purge your platforms. Now is the time to assess all your social media sites – and those of your friends, who may mention, tag or post information about you. Never doubt for a minute that prospective employers will Google you and find whatever out there is associated with your name. Be sure that any content that may be even remotely misinterpreted is cleaned up or removed.
Join or start a job search group. Utilizing the talents and resources of a group of people is a proven technique for solving problems and making progress. Find online groups that can help with your specific needs. Benefit from brainstorming, support and feedback.

More Ideas

A positive attitude, a high level of motivation, and the ability to create an effective marketing plan are all part of the formula to successful career growth in the New Year.

Keep your chin up. Own your search, and remember that you are not alone in your situation. Take the necessary steps to present yourself to hiring managers in the best possible light.
It takes self discipline. Set aside some time every day to send out resumes, set up informational interviews, and take other steps to find a new position. Job seeking is a skill that needs to be practiced on a regular basis, just like golf or playing the piano.
Create a personal marketing plan. Make a list of target organizations and industries that you want to work for. Then, you can channel your efforts into a focused search. Research what a company does and the specific expectations of a position. This will be a tremendous help when you land an interview.
Evaluate your skills and qualifications. Assessing your own abilities and how you apply them to your chosen field will help you to identify your strengths – as well as areas in need of improvement. Be honest with yourself as you conduct this evaluation – even though it may be difficult. Ask a trusted friend or career counselor to provide an objective opinion.

The PrideStaff Modesto team can help as you look to a great new career opportunity in 2017. We have a long and successful track record of matching the best candidates with the right jobs. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.