Do I Need a Cover Letter to Get Hired?

Job searching continues to evolve, and what was once a best practice may no longer be relevant. Cover letters are debatable in 2022, with some recruiters and hiring managers who use them to heavily influence their decisions, while others may barely glance at them. Since there are no clear cut rules, you can use these factors to determine if you need a cover letter to get hired:

It’s Clearly Listed as a Requirement

First and foremost, carefully review the job posting instructions to decide if a cover letter is listed as a requirement. If so, it is essential to submit one – even if your resume is outstanding, many hiring managers will not be willing to give a chance to a candidate who fails to follow instructions or lacks clear attention to detail.

You Are Directly Reaching Out

When you are not applying directly via an online application system, it is necessary to write a cover letter. For example, if you are reaching out to a hiring manager because you were given a personal recommendation from a contact in your network, it would be beneficial to include a cover letter with that information to help get your resume a closer look.

Additional Context is Needed

Your resume often doesn’t provide all the necessary details regarding your professional circumstances. If additional context is needed, such as if you are returning to the workforce and have gaps in employment, changing careers, or applying for a higher level position than you’ve held in the past, a cover letter is an ideal opportunity for you to tell your story.

You Want a Chance to Stand Out

Your resume has a limited capacity for highlighting your qualifications and accomplishments. When you want a chance to stand out and explain what makes you the best choice for the role, a cover letter can help with that. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your written communication skills and provide a personal tone that a resume alone cannot.

Explore Your Job Options

Find opportunities that are right for you by working with an experienced staffing agency like PrideStaff Akron. Our team of recruiters can match you with the jobs that are the best match from employers across industries. Search our database of current available jobs to get started.

A Guide to Organizational Skills in the Workplace

How many times have you thought, “I just need to get organized!” when you’re trying to meet a deadline, accomplish a goal, or even complete a simple task?

It’s a good thought – because it’s true!

Well-honed organizational skills enable you to work more efficiently, meet deadlines while producing quality results and, last but not least, maintain your peace of mind in the process. Staying organized can help you achieve greater success in your current job, or do better as you move on to the next phase in your career.

That’s all well and good, but how do you get there?

Here are some tips for mastering organizational skills at work:

Declutter your workspace.

Start with what’s literally right in front of you. It will be much easier to organize everything else if you’re not staring down at a messy, overly cluttered work area. An organized space improves your mindset and productivity by eliminating the stress and extra time involved in trying to find the things you need.

Organize your digital life.

There are two areas involved in organizing digitally: your individual computer usage and shared resources.

Properly label and store files and emails in different folders, arrange frequently used apps front and center on your desktop, and bookmark links you visit often.
Consider using digital project management tools to manage your team’s tasks and projects.

Step up your planning skills.

Start by reverse engineering whatever you’re trying to plan. If you’re mapping out a big project, begin with the end goal in mind and then brainstorm the steps needed to accomplish it. Then, arrange them in a logical order and set deadlines and timelines for each one.

If this feels overwhelming, trust your instinct. This will allow you to get started instead of wasting time second guessing things. You can always – and likely will – make adjustments as you go along.

Focus on time management.

Proper time management enables you to focus on activities that will deliver the most impact. Two things to hone in on are prioritizing and scheduling. Start by writing a to do list. Then, prioritize the tasks on it based on deadlines and expectations. Set aside blocks of time on your calendar to work on each item.

Become a master communicator.

Clear, ongoing two-way communication will help you and your team members save time going back and forth trying to understand one another. In turn, this will effectively streamline workflow.

Be an active listener. Listen not to immediately respond to what someone is saying, but to understand. Summarize the points they make and ask open-ended clarifying questions. When the time comes to chime in, be sure you’ve given sufficient thought to what you want to say first and then, be as direct as possible. This is especially important in keeping plans and projects on track.

Whether it’s getting better organized in your current role or setting yourself up for success as you find your next great career opportunity, PrideStaff Modesto can help. In business for more than three decades in the Central Valley, we’re your career resource, networker and coach, all rolled into one. Among the areas we specialize in are administration, warehousing, manufacturing, skilled labor, and finance and accounting. Reach out to us today to learn more.

8 Quick Tips for Giving Productivity a Boost at Work

Work harder or work smarter? At this point, you just want your people to get the work done. Yet, after two years in a global pandemic and stress being a big factor in everyone’s life, how can you do this while maintaining healthy morale, too? Here are some steps to incorporate:

#1: Make goals clear.

If you’re not clear about what you expect from your team, they’re going to spin their wheels and fall short. Be clear about what you need and when you need it.

#2: Put a limit on meetings.

Meetings can be major time-wasters and productivity killers. While necessary, you can still work to limit them and only invite those who truly need to be there.

#3: Discourage too much multi-tasking.

Multi-tasking leads to mistakes and less work done over time. Encourage your staff instead to focus on one task at a time.

#4: Create time for breaks.

Your employees might skip breaks during the day, which can lead to burnout and stress. Avoid this by creating formal break times when you tell everyone to step away and take a breather.

#5: Get your team outside.

One of the best ways to re-energize your team, so they feel ready to tackle their next task is to head outside for your next team meeting. Also, encourage them to go outside for walks during breaks and lunchtime.

#6: Make your office inviting.

Think low lighting, comfortable furniture, and a break room stocked with healthy snacks. When your office is more inviting, your employees will enjoy coming to work each day and get more done during their time in the office.

#7: Offer autonomy.

Give your people more autonomy to make decisions, so they don’t have to wait around for you. This shows them you trust them, which will make them feel empowered.

#8: Incentivize your team.

When employees are rewarded, they’ll feel valued and more loyal to the team. Not only that, but it will motivate their co-workers.

Is a lack of manpower a part of your productivity problem?

Let PrideStaff help. We’re one of Tempe’s top staffing agencies and can connect you with skilled and dependable people, whether for full-time openings or temporary or temp-to-hire jobs. Simply contact us today.

Change This One Thing in Your Recruitment Process to Attract More Talent

A tight labor market means you need to use every tool to find and recruit the best talent. There are lots of strategies that can improve your ability to attract top employees. That said, one factor can single-handedly push your hiring efforts to the next level: effective employer branding.

In the modern economy, marketing has become a key part of every aspect of business. As such, recruitment and branding have converged, making it necessary to consider your reputation with candidates and employees.

The statistics tell the story. One study found that 75% of active job seekers report increased interest in applying for positions at firms that actively manage their employer brand. Meanwhile, a bad perception can turn away high-value candidates. A separate data set showed that 67% of men and 86% of women would avoid companies with sketchy reputations.

Given these figures, it’s clear how a strong brand can help your recruiting efforts. Here are some of the specific benefits you’ll receive from upgrading your reputation, as well as steps you can take to change this one aspect of your recruitment process, enhancing your ability to attract more talent:

The Benefits of a Strong Employer Brand

An investment in employer branding can have outsized impact on recruiting. This happens because the strategy offers several improvements at once. Here are some of the benefits you receive from a well-run campaign:

More Applicants

As we’ve seen, a bad reputation will make high-value candidates skip applying for your open jobs. By maintaining a strong brand, you avoid losing these potential superstar employees. At the same time, becoming a well-respected employer will spark interest from some candidates without you even having to advertise. They will seek you out.

Easier to Hire

You make contact with an ideal candidate. After a detailed hiring process, you decide to make an offer. What goes into their decision whether to accept or reject the position?

Employer brand plays a key role. Even with a competitive salary and good benefits, top recruits will want to know that working for you will provide a good experience. A stellar reputation for taking care of employees will help close the deal.

Increased Enthusiasm

Even after your new hire has accepted the role, a strong employee brand offers benefits. They will go into their new position with added excitement, knowing they are joining a first-rate operation. This will help with onboarding and training, as well as build a strong foundation for a long relationship.

Better Retention

The steps you take to build a strong employer brand will also help you keep your top talent. Every incremental improvement you make will provide benefits for your current staff. Meanwhile, a good reputation will make your employees proud to be part of your organization — a crucial basis for long-term team building.

How to Improve Your Employer Brand

Now that you understand why a strong employer brand is so important, it’s time to look at ways to encourage a stellar reputation. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Build a Great Culture: An inclusive, innovative, nurturing, and high-performance culture will drive your reputation within the industry and beyond.
Conduct Exit Interviews: Gather the data you need to make improvements to your employer brand. Departing employees represent a major source of information.
Foster Relationships with Former Employees: Increase your chances of getting strong reviews by keeping good relations with your one-time team members.
Get the Word Out: Any brand requires a marketing effort. Use resources like social media, your website, and news outlets to raise awareness of the value you provide as an employer.

A high-value employer brand will let you attract the best talent. A top recruiter, like PrideStaff, can also help. You’ll find the perfect candidates for each of your open positions.

Contact PrideStaff today to learn more.

How to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

These are the words of none other than Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company and chief developer of the assembly line technique of mass production. Ford, of all people throughout history, certainly knew the importance and value of teamwork within an organization. Have you ever seen an assembly line succeed without it??

But sometimes, it’s just not that simple. Even among the most talented and skilled employees, there may be a natural tendency to focus more on individual than team tasks. How can you get your teams thinking and working as collective units?

It takes more than a simple ask or weekly staff meeting reminder for the essence of teamwork to truly “click.”

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Build diverse teams.

When you form a team, focus on assembling as diverse a group as possible. With more perspectives comes greater innovation and more effective decision making.

While a group of like-minded people with similar backgrounds may get along famously, think about the bigger picture: Will they challenge one another to tackle a project from all angles? Often, if each team member has unique opinions and beliefs, the result is more outstanding work that reflects greater creativity.

Set SMART team goals.

A successful team needs effective goals that they can strive toward together. When setting team goals, use the SMART approach: Make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Unless they have something clear and concrete to work towards, how can any group work well together?

Reward team efforts.

It’s important to reward both individual and team milestones and successes. The good feelings associated with being acknowledged for a job well done are inherent to human nature. Members of a team are more likely to help one another if they know they will be rewarded for their colleagues’ good performance. And when you dole out individual awards, make exemplary teamwork one of the criteria.

Keep communication lines open.

Clear and frequent communication helps ensure that all team members stay on the same page. It also builds trust, which is the foundation of all good teamwork.

Foster a culture where ongoing two-way communication is the norm. This starts with you, as a leader, mastering communication skills including active listening, handling confrontation, and conflict resolution. Like mastering any valuable skill, it takes work and practice. But in time, it becomes second nature – and the ROI will be well worth the effort.

Lead by example.

As a leader, you need to regularly demonstrate the style and behaviors you expect from your team members. Involve them in the work that you do and, without micromanaging, get involved with theirs. Offer them support and encouragement and get to know how they work. If necessary, roll up your sleeves and jump in to help them achieve desired results.

Set an example for everyone else to follow.

For additional teamwork ideas and resources, turn to the PrideStaff Modesto team of staffing and talent management specialists. We can help you build and develop your winning teams and keep all your HR and business goals on track. Contact us today to learn more.

Is GPA Important When Applying to Jobs?

You’re searching for a new job, and you’re not sure if you need to include your GPA on your resume. If you excelled academically in school, you might be eager to find a way to work this in, but if not, you’d prefer to keep this number to yourself.

The truth is, companies seeking hiring support in Las Vegas are typically only interested in a candidate’s GPA if it’s their first job out of school. This can serve as an indicator for the passion and drive you’ll bring to the position since there isn’t much else to work with.

However, if you have a few years of work experience under your belt, it’s unlikely employers will ask — or even care — about your GPA. If you are in a place right now where you might need to share this key academic metric, don’t fret if yours isn’t the best.

For starters, you can break your GPA up into two parts — overall and major — if your school required everyone to take required core classes that you didn’t excel in. You can also give a more well-rounded glimpse of what you have to offer by focusing on these other areas.

Beyond the GPA: Four Ways New Grads Can Boost Their Resume

Internship Experience

For a recent graduate, internships are akin to professional experience. Whether you were paid for your work or simply earned college credits is irrelevant, because employers are only interested in what you learned in the position. Share key responsibilities and accomplishments as you would with any standard job.

Extracurricular Activities

Everyone doesn’t take the initiative to get involved in their school, but you did. Whether you played a club sport or wrote for the school newspaper, employers want to know what recent grads were up to in school. Taking part in an activity can allow you to gain valuable soft skills like teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Employers understand this, so they value candidates who really did something.

Side Projects

You learned a lot in school, and you did something with that knowledge before you even graduated. Whether you created an app or led a successful fundraiser for a cause close to your heart, employers will be interested in side projects you completed as a student. This is a great way to showcase your job-related skills and motivation levels.

Find the Great New Job You Deserve

Ready to take the next step in your career? PrideStaff Las Vegas wants to help. Contact us to get started!

You Don’t Need Luck to Find Great Talent – You Need PrideStaff!

Landing the best candidates may feel like it’s the luck of the draw, especially with so much competition for employees right now. To increase your chances of success, you need a strategy, along with the support needed to make it a reality. Learn more about how PrideStaff can help you with talent acquisition:

Recruitment Expertise

If you don’t tend to hire consistently, you may not know where to start when it comes to objectively evaluating prospective candidates. Talent acquisition is our main focus at PrideStaff, and we have a team of experts that have extensive experience in recruitment. We can utilize our expertise to effectively review candidates for indicators of a successful fit – plus, we know what red flags to watch out for in order to avoid bad hires.

Expansive Network

Another major benefit to teaming up with PrideStaff for your talent acquisition needs is that you can take advantage of our existing database of prospective candidates. It can be time-consuming to develop and maintain a pipeline of talent from which to mine when it comes time to hire. Instead, you can utilize our expansive network of vetted, qualified professionals instead of starting from scratch each time you have an opening to fill.

Dedicated Time

Landing the best candidates isn’t a matter of luck; it’s about the effort that is put in. However, if you already have a heavy workload, it can be difficult to also juggle additional recruitment endeavors. PrideStaff can dedicate the time needed to advertise openings, reach out to prospects, evaluate resumes, and more, so you get the most high-quality candidates without having to take time away from your already busy work schedule.

Shared Goal

When you work with PrideStaff for your recruitment, you can feel confident that you will be provided great talent. We won’t just find you any old candidates – we are on your team. We have a shared goal of you getting a candidate who fits all of your needs, both in terms of qualifications and overall cultural fit, and that you are completely satisfied with our services.

Partner with Us for Recruitment

Find top talent to join your team with PrideStaff Akron. Our experienced team of staffing experts will work with you to understand your needs, and provide you with qualified candidates. Contact us for more information on how PrideStaff Akron can help you with your staffing needs.

How to Write a Resume That Gets into Human Hands

When you’re working on your resume, you’re likely doing so with the hiring manager in mind. But did you know many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) first to screen resumes?

These essentially help organizations use certain keywords and other parameters to filter out weak resumes and focus on the best-fit ones. Those are then forwarded on to the hiring manager.

So, how can you optimize your resume, so it makes it into the hands of the hiring manager? Here are 6 tips to follow:

Tip #1: Identify the best keywords to use.

Look to the company’s job description to identify the keywords that are most useful to include. Then sprinkle them into your resume in an organic way. In other words, don’t over-use them, which can make your resume sound awkward. Remember, if it gets into the hands of a hiring manager, you still want it to be reader-friendly.

Tip #2: Skip the header and foot area.

If you usually put your name and contact information in the header of the document, avoid doing so in the future. ATS software doesn’t always recognize the text in these areas. As a result, it might have a hard time scanning your resume, which could impact its fate. Simply skip this area and put all your text in the main area of the document.

Tip #3: Don’t include graphics.

ATS software also has a hard time with charts, graphs, and other visuals that are embedded within the document. If these are important to communicate to a hiring manager, then create an online portfolio and share the link on your resume.

Tip #4: Stick to simple bullet points.

Don’t use arrows or other, more elaborate bullet designs. Instead, stick with the tried-and-true classic bullet point – the solid circle. Otherwise, your resume might not be compatible with a company’s ATS software.

Tip #5: Send the right file format.

In most cases, candidates send resumes in PDF format. However, for ATS software, a Word document or a plain text file is typically best. If you are asked to send a PDF, then follow those instructions. However, if you’re given an option, send a .doc, .docx, or plain text file instead.

Tip #6: Keep the format clear.

Less is more when it comes to your resume. So don’t use an unusual format or ornate design in order to stand out. Instead, simply follow a reverse chronological template and keep your resume clear and simple.

Need more tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume?

If you’re looking to get hired but you’re not hearing back from potential employers, it might be because of your resume. At PrideStaff, we can help with every aspect of your hunt, including polishing your resume. Simply contact us today and let us help you get your foot in the door at your next great opportunity.

How Long Should My Executive Search Take?

Generally speaking, a company will take about three months to make an executive hire. Typically, this includes a preliminary process of about two months preparing a shortlist of candidates, followed by another month or so of making a final decision.

From your point of view, that means even a successful process could involve months of back-and-forth with a prospective employer. That can point to much longer timeline for you. Most experts predict that you can often expect to spend eight months to a year finding your next executive assignment.

That can certainly feel like a long time. But remember: it’s more important to discover an enticing opportunity than grab the first position you can find. Still, you want to take whatever steps you can to streamline the process and get your career back on the fast-track.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the challenges you face as you launch your executive job search and what you can do to accelerate the process of finding your ideal executive position:

Things the Might Slow Your Executive Search in Bend, OR and Beyond

To understand how to accelerate your job search, first you should look at the situation from the company’s point of view. Why do executive search processes take so long in the first place?

The key reason derives from the fact that firms need to match the right executive candidate with their needs and culture. This isn’t always easy. In addition, adding a person to a key role represents a crucial decision with wide-reaching implications. No wonder companies take their time to make a choice.

However, there are some elements that can slow the search even more than normal. As you begin discussions with potential employers, keep in mind what they might be facing internally. Here are a few factors that can slow an executive search from a company’s point of view:

Structural Bottlenecks: Does the company have a single CEO making a decision or does it have to go through a hiring committee? Sometimes the organization itself comes with built-in roadblocks.
Internal Disagreement: Different voices in upper management might have disparate visions of what skills to emphasize. A lack of consensus can stall the process.
Lack of Suitable Candidates: A company can have very specific requirements for an executive position. As such, the firm might have trouble finding a short list of potential hires.

Speed Up Your Search With Bend’s Top Executive Recruiters

Given the challenges of matching you with the perfect executive role, how can you break through the bottlenecks to find that ideal position? Here are a few steps you can take to speed up your executive search.

Build a Brand: Make sure everyone in the industry knows what an asset you’d make. By fostering a strong reputation, you ensure that other organizations will clamor for your help once you’re ready for your next challenge.

Aggressively Tap Your Network: Reach out to your contacts when it’s time to find a new role. The right connection can fast-track a new position.

Make Yourself Visible: Don’t let people forget about you, even if you don’t have a full-time position at the current moment. Look for ways to attend conferences and industry events, staying on decision-makers’ radars.

Stay Flexible: Compliment a traditional executive search with innovative methods of finding a new position. Consider options like taking consulting assignments to build relationships with strong organizations. At the same time, look for support alternatives, like a staffing agency, to enhance your search.

A top recruiter, like PrideStaff, can speed your search for a new executive position. They can connect you with companies seeking your exact talents and background.

Contact PrideStaff today to learn more.

What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Leadership and Hard Work

You’re seeking candidates interested in Las Vegas jobs hiring now — and you want the best. Like many employers, you might be solely focused on professional experience, but that doesn’t always allow you to find the best fit.

Seeking out Veterans can benefit your entire staff because the unique experience they gained serving in the military perfectly translates to the professional world. Whether they’ve recently transitioned back to civilian life or stepped away from their respective branch decades ago, the lessons they learned are instilled in them forever.

Here’s a look at what Veterans can teach your employees about leadership and hard work.

Four Lessons Veterans Can Teach Your Team

Stress Management Matters

Serving in the military can be one of the most stressful jobs out there. However, members of the armed forces are trained to stay calm and collected under pressure.

Therefore, it’s unlikely something like a tight deadline or an unexpected surge in business will leave them rattled. This will allow them to serve as a role model to your team, teaching them techniques to manage stress and deal with any anxiety they’re feeling in a positive manner.

Dress to Impress

There’s no place for sloppy attire in the military. Veterans know part of being a leader is taking the time to present yourself in a professional manner.

You can always count on them to come to work with a freshly pressed shirt, polished shoes, and a tidy haircut. The rest of your team will notice their dedication to looking their best and it will inspire them to do the same.

Give Everyone a Voice

A Veteran might be in a leadership position, but that doesn’t mean it’s their way or the highway. Those who have served in the armed forces understand the importance of listening to everyone on the team because different people offer different perspectives that can be valuable. They know when everyone is allowed to weigh in, there’s a better chance of coming up with a solution that covers all the bases.

Think Before You Act

Acting impulsively in the military is a great way to be killed or otherwise put your unit in danger. Therefore, your Veterans will encourage the rest of your team to really think through their options and formulate a plan before taking action. This can help with everything from dealing with difficult customers to handling supply chain challenges.

Find the Best Person for the Job

Need to fill an open position on your team? PrideStaff Las Vegas is here to connect you with top talent ready to get to work. Contact us today to discuss a partnership!