Here’s Why You Should Consider Forgoing Unemployment Benefits for a Steady Job

If you are currently unemployed, you are far from alone – approximately 860,000 Americans are unemployed, according to September figures from the U.S. Department of Labor. Many unemployed workers may financially be in a better position with their unemployment payment than their paychecks; however, passing on a job because of this is short-sighted and could hurt your career in the long run. Here’s why you should consider forgoing unemployment benefits for a steady job: 

The State of the Job Market 

With an increase in unemployment comes a significant increase in competition for jobs; therefore, your job search may take longer than you anticipate. If you hold off on looking and applying for jobs indefinitely, you may struggle to find one quickly when you do resume your job search. Putting in the effort to get back into the workforce as soon as you can will benefit your future self more so than the short term financial surplus of unemployment benefits.  

Benefits Have a Limited Duration 

Unlike a steady job, unemployment benefits have a limited duration and will eventually run out. In theory, it may seem like a more valuable use of your time to stay home, especially if your unemployment benefits are higher than your typical paychecks. However, being employed will empower you to support yourself indefinitely without worrying about an end date.  

Resume Gaps 

If you wait until your benefits are set to run out to start looking for a job, you may find hiring managers hesitant to pick someone who is long-term unemployed over another candidate who stayed active in the workforce. Having gaps on your resume is understandable, especially considering the current circumstances, but the bigger and longer the gaps are, the more concerned hiring managers will be about your work ethic.  

Keeps Your Skills Sharp  

A major factor that can hurt your job prospects after extended unemployment is your skills becoming outdated. Even if you can’t land a steady job in your field, taking on temporary employment or even volunteer work will keep your skills sharp and give you recent experience on your resume as you pursue your long term job goals.  

Find Your Next Great Opportunity with PrideStaff 

Are you ready to look for new opportunities? Work with PrideStaff Akron for your job search. We can help you find the openings that are the best fit for you and align with your career goals. Search our available jobs to learn more.   

4 Things HR Leaders Have Learned During the Shutdown

As hard as it is to believe, October marks the seventh month of the Covid-19 shutdown, with no real end in sight. Rather than the full business and lifestyle “reopening” that was originally envisioned, the world is adjusting to a new normal, marked by both challenges and opportunities as the shift is made to a different way of living and working.

We’ve all learned a lot during this surreal year. For HR leaders, this means:

1. An increased sensitivity to employees’ emotional well-being.

Leaders have an important role in establishing order and direction in times of crisis. Your own sense of calm and focus will help ease the anxiety of others.

• Provide resources such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to help people cope and manage stress. Let employees know you will check in with them regularly to see how they’re doing. Convey that your company will prioritize their health, safety, and peace of mind, and clearly explain any policy or other business changes.

2. Bolstering team members as they make financial ends meet.

The shutdown has resulted in unprecedented numbers of laid-off employees, furloughed or working reduced or unpredictable hours. For many, especially those who already may have lived paycheck to paycheck, it’s become a frightening challenge to make ends meet.

• Promote financial wellness. No one can truly succeed if they are facing hardship. This kind of stress never turns off. It affects everything in their life, inside and outside work.

3. Embracing and fast-tracking new technology.

Your company may already have had remote workers – and the tools they needed – before coronavirus struck. Now, it’s become necessary to embrace digital technology. While this hasn’t been easy for everyone, it will likely be one positive takeaway from the current crisis.

• A key HR solution is virtual recruiting. Technology is readily available to help minimize exposure while still attracting top talent. This includes video interviewing software – which allows you to connect in seconds and increase productivity due to its ease and flexibility – and more.

4. Raising communications to a new level.

Working with your communications team and senior leadership, determine the tone, frequency, and media platforms to reach both your remote and on-site employees.

• Build trust and a sense of mutual purpose for the future. As you communicate, make employees the focus of your messages. In addition to speaking decisively on business developments, reassure people, and address their emotions directly. People will have experienced different levels of trauma and loss in recent months. Acknowledging and sensitively addressing them helps them to build resilience.

To become the best HR leader possible as you move forward in today’s new world, learn from the best: the staffing and talent management experts at PrideStaff Modesto. We’ve been supporting Modesto and Stanislaus County businesses for more than 30 years, with customer loyalty in the top 2 percent in the entire staffing industry. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you and your company.

Is It Ever Too Late to Get a Good Job?

If you’re being fully honest, looking at jobs hiring in Las Vegas, NV makes you a little depressed. The job you’re currently in doesn’t fulfill you, but you feel like you’ve passed the point where you can start fresh.

The good news is, it’s never late to get the job you really want. If you believe in yourself and are willing to put in the work, you can make all of your career goals a reality. Here’s some advice to get you started.

Four Tips to Finally Get the Job You Deserve

Identify Your Skills Gaps

You probably don’t have all the required skills needed to land your ideal job just yet, and that’s okay. What’s important is having the ability to identify areas you need to work on, and the drive to make it happen.

Meeting the requirements for the job you want might involve something big that will take time — i.e., going back to school — or it could be much simpler — i.e., volunteering for a few new projects at work to learn new skills — but whatever it takes, you’re worth it.

Start Networking

Being well-connected can get you far in your career. If your network doesn’t contain many — or any — professionals in the type of field you want to get into, it’s time to make new contacts. Join a professional association, find a mentor, seek introductory interviews and use social media to connect with people who can help you get ahead.

Work With a Recruiter

Managing a job search on your own can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. Working with a recruiter who specializes in your target industry can help you get ahead. They’ll help you get the experience needed to become a competitive candidate, so you can land the type of job you’ve been wanting for years.

Stop Being Afraid to Fail

Making a big career move can feel intimidating, but you’ve got this. Confidence is the key to success in life, so you have to believe in yourself. Accept the fact that you’re going to encounter roadblocks along the way, and vow to learn from them. Staying in your comfort zone might be easiest, but it won’t bring you the career fulfillment you’re craving.

Get Your Dream Job

You’ve been waiting far too long, so it’s time to finally get the great job you deserve! PrideStaff Las Vegas is here to guide your search every step of the way, so contact us today to build a brighter future.

Does Motivation Make Up For Experience? Why You Should Hire Talent with Potential

Experience acts as a kind of shortcut. An employee comes in with a level of competence, which they can then apply on your behalf. To some extent, they are ready to work from Day One.

That’s certainly appealing, but experience can also fall short.

A person with all the outward qualifications can still become a disappointing employee. A lack of motivation or the absence of higher-level inherent talent can limit a worker’s upside. In some cases, it’s better to hire a candidate with potential, letting motivation make up for the absence of experience.

Some Traits Can’t Be Taught

In sports, it’s often known as a person’s “motor.” Is the player constantly moving, looking for places to contribute? Do they care about achieving the top level of performance? Are they dynamic and self-motivated?

For a person with a high motor, the answer to each of these questions will be a hard “yes.”

The same dynamic comes into play in the workplace. Think of it this way: many skills are just a matter of education. Sure, some people might pick up tasks faster than others. But with enough work and training, any employee can reach a basic level of competence.

Other traits are different. They come more from innate talent than from education and practice. Skills like leadership and motivation largely come from within. For these skills, you are better off finding workers who already embody them, rather than trying to instill them after hiring.

In effect, you can give any individual the experience they need to thrive at your company. As long as you’re willing to invest in training and take a longer-term approach, you can bring them up to speed. But you can’t instill motivation and other similar traits. Those come from the candidates themselves.

How to Spot Potential

Knowing that you want to find someone with a strong motor is a relatively simple matter. Given the choice, you’d obviously rather have the self-starting candidate than the one who needs constant nudging. However, internal drive is often hard to spot during a typical recruiting process.

That said, there are signs you can identify during the hiring process. Here are a few steps you can take:

Look for Signs of an Overachiever

Don’t just target fundamental qualifications. Look for resume line-items that point to extra effort. Target candidates who show they can go above and beyond the basic tasks of a position.

Also, focus on applicants who show progress within organizations, scoring promotions during their tenure at previous companies. This shows a high level of motivation and ambition.

Craft Targeted Interview Questions

Use the interview as an opportunity to learn about your candidates’ motivation. Create questions that specifically target that area. Try asking things like, “How do you stay motivated?” and “Have you ever conceived of a project on your own that you eventually successfully finished?”

Promote from Within

For higher-level positions, don’t gamble that an outside candidates will have the motivation you’re looking for. Instead, go with a safe bet. Identify current staff members who have consistently shown they have the internal motor you need. Then, groom them for the next tier of responsibility.

Emphasize Culture

During the hiring process, make culture an explicit selling point. Let candidates know that you value motivation and other inherent abilities. The applicants that respond to this line of discussion will likely fit the mold you are looking for.

Contact the leading recruiters at PrideStaff today for more information.

Are Remote Employees as Productive as In-Office Employees?

The COVID-19 pandemic has become widely considered as a comprehensive experiment in remote work on a larger scale, as many companies have transitioned their employees to working from home as a safety measure. A major concern for managers may be that employees won’t be productive without supervision – however, fortunately this isn’t typically the case. In fact, according to a May/June survey from Harvard Business Review, remote work has resulted in 9% more time performing high priority tasks (such as directly interacting with customers/clients) and 12% less time wasted in large meetings. Learn more about how remote employees can be as productive, if not more, than in-office employees: 

Reduced Commute

Since remote employees don’t have to commute to the workplace, they have more time available to get work done. Plus, commuting can be a stressful start to the day, especially dealing with traffic or public transit delays, so it can take employees time to transition into a productive mindset. Eliminating the inconvenience of the commute allows workers the ability to dive right into their tasks for the day.  

Fewer Distractions  

It may seem like there are more distractions while working from home, but the workplace actually comes with a great deal of interruptions throughout the day that can impact productivity. Examples include colleagues popping by unannounced to ask for assistance with seemingly urgent yet low impact tasks and extended water cooler small talk. Working in the office can disrupt employees when they are in a state of flow and be in a more reactive state, rather than proactively focusing on work that truly matters.  

Lower Rate of Illness 

Remote workers tend to be healthier than in-office workers, which improves their productivity. Since they aren’t around a lot of people throughout the day, they are less likely to catch viruses and require sick time off. Plus, remote workers may have more time to move and get steps in and eat better because of the saved time due to their lack of commute, which can boost their immune systems.  

Higher Job Satisfaction 

The more that employees enjoy their jobs, the more productive they are because they are engaged with their work and truly want to perform above and beyond. Work-life balance is a major factor in job satisfaction, and remote workers generally enjoy the flexibility that comes with not being in the office. Plus, they can create a work environment that is most personally conducive to their productivity and comfort.  

We Can Help You Find Qualified Candidates

Attract qualified prospective candidates for your available positions by working with experienced staffing firm PrideStaff Akron. Our recruiting experts will evaluate candidates to match you with the prospects that fit your needs. Contact us to learn more about our services.  

5 Tips to Make Sure Your Employees Feel Appreciated

One of the best ways to attract and retain the best employees is to treat them well, so they feel valued. Research by the American Psychological Association has shown that when people experience gratitude from their manager, they are more productive. And, teams perform tasks better when their members believe that their colleagues respect and appreciate them.

Here are five tips:

1. Communicate often.

Get to know your employees as individuals and regularly take time to talk to them. Create routines based on two-way communication. Ask about their day, their families, and their interests. If you’re pressed for time, even a simple “good morning” or “how are you?” is very meaningful, as long as its genuine and from the heart.

• Encourage employees to share stories with you about what they’re doing or working on. Make them feel “known” by you. This benefits you as well as you stay on top of what’s going on.

2. Provide effective feedback.

Regularly give employees both positive and negative feedback. Clearly separate the two. Avoid the “sandwich technique” of stuffing negative feedback between two layers of positive feedback. This confuses people. Those who most need developmental feedback tend to hear only the positive things said, while those who have performed well remember only the negative comments.

3. Offer growth opportunities.

Employees want to know what the future holds for their career – and if they can find what they need at your company. It’s up to you to provide that reassurance.

• Make sure managers take the time to discuss growth potential and provide opportunities and “stretch” assignments. People will interpret this as evidence they are valued.
• Consistently find new ways to challenge employees. This may mean developing new projects specifically for their talents or just being more aware of what each individual does best and assigning tasks accordingly.

4. Work/life balance is more important than ever.

Offering employees the freedom to decide when to work, as long as the desired results are delivered, has always been an important sign of trust and appreciation. But, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s taken on a whole new level of importance. Especially at this time, give special awareness to people’s need to achieve balance and juggle myriad demands on their time and energy.

5. Be authentic.

Appreciation and recognition must be specific and genuine; otherwise, they backfire.

• Be sure to recognize each employee as an individual. Single them out and reward them according to their specific accomplishments, with something the rest of their team doesn’t necessarily get. Of course, look for opportunities to recognize all team members. But individually acknowledging employees sends the message loudly and clearly: they really make a difference to you.

For more tips to promote communication and recognition, and strengthen employee relations, contact the workforce development experts at PrideStaff Modesto. Our mission is to deliver the value that matters most to you, just as you seek to deliver it to your team.

Take Advantage of Autumn to Evaluate Your 2021 Career Path

It’s been a stressful year so far with not much time for self-care or evaluation. However, if you want to continue advancing in your career, or make a move to a different industry, now’s a good time to take a step back and take a look at the big picture.

When you tackle this now, you’ll have a better sense of where you want to go in the New Year. You’ll be able to hit the ground running in 2021 and achieve more success. Here are some ways to do that:

Keep calm and organize.

Whether you’re working from home or in the office, you need an environment that feels calm and organized. Otherwise, it’s going to make you anxious, scattered and less productive. So while it might not seem like a big deal, it’s important to take a few minutes to regularly clean up your work area, getting rid of clutter as you do. You’ll feel happier and be more efficient in the space, as a result.

Think about goals for next year.

This is a year when you might be off track completely with your career goals. Now’s a good time to evaluate what you had planned, what still makes sense, and what’s changed. Doing so will provide you with the opportunity to make decisions, so you have a clear path forward in the year ahead.

Pick up the networking pieces.

While networking has certainly fallen by the wayside over the past few months, start considering some new ways to get back into it. Whether it’s finding online industry forums or social media channels, do some research and locate the options that are a fit for your career goals. You’ll be able to start to forge new ties that could lead to different opportunities in the next year.

Take time for self-care.

This might seem like a luxury during the stress of this past year. However, taking care of yourself will have a big impact on your career. You’ll feel better physically and less stressed mentally, and will be able to focus more on what you want to accomplish in the future. So don’t feel guilty about hitting the gym, taking a nap, or taking a step back from technology or personal social media sites. This is crucial to a good work-life balance and better health overall.

Are you looking for a new job in the Phoenix area?

Turn to the career experts at PrideStaff. As one of the top employment agencies in Phoenix, we know who’s hiring, how to get your foot in the door, and can help you polish your resume and interview skills in the process. Whatever industry you work in, we have recruiters who can help you land your next great job! Contact us today to get started.

Who Is Currently Hiring in Las Vegas?

You want to find jobs hiring in North Las Vegas and the surrounding area, but you don’t know where to start. Some companies post listings on job boards, while others focus mostly on referrals. Thankfully, PrideStaff Las Vegas has you covered. As experts in the local job market, we know exactly which companies are hiring, and update our job search page frequently.

Here’s a preview of a few openings currently available in Las Vegas. Visit our website to see all the available jobs in the area.

Licensed Call Center CSR

A North Las Vegas firm is searching for a licensed competitive insurance agent to generate new business. Successful candidates must have excellent customer service skills, a professional appearance and demeanor and be willing to work shifts — including weekends and holidays.

Do note, you’ll need to be licensed in Nevada and have at least two years of related experience for consideration. Click here for more information.

Inventory Specialist Reception

If you have inventory experience, as well as knowledge of durable medical equipment or home medical equipment, a Las Vegas medical company is looking for you. In this role, you’ll be responsible for maintaining the accuracy between physical quantities and warehouse management.

Exceptional multitasking skills, along with strong attention to detail are a must for this job. Successful candidates will also be able to perform simple mathematical calculations, have proficiency in Microsoft applications and be able to thrive as part of a team. Click here for more information.

Accounts Payable Representative

If you’re looking for an accounts payable job, this opening in North Las Vegas could be your perfect fit. Some of the responsibilities associated with the position include entering invoices, mailing checks, opening and distributing inter-company U.S. mail and performing general clerical duties.

Successful candidates need a high school diploma or equivalent and at least two years in the field or a related area. Do note, the job requires availability for variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays. Click here for more information.

Get Hired Now

If you’re in the market for a new job, PrideStaff Las Vegas wants to help you find the perfect fit for your future. Contact us today to start your search!

3 Reasons Snooping on Online Reviews Can Improve Your Job Search

Everything is reviewed on the internet. From Yelp to Trip Advisor to long-winded screeds at the bottom of every Amazon page, the culture of evaluation has become a hallmark of the modern age. This aspect of online culture gives more leverage to consumers. At the same time, it also empowers you as a job seeker…which is why snooping online reviews can improve your job search.

A good reputation is crucial in business. An entire PR industry thrives as a result of this fact. In recent years, however, this dynamic has expanded beyond the relationship between consumers and companies. Now, it also influences the interaction between job seekers and potential employers.

This is good news for you. In the old days (of, say, the early 2000s), job seekers didn’t have much information about companies they were applying to. A firm could have high turnover, could have a dysfunctional culture, could burnout employees in high numbers…but no one outside the organization would know. Disgruntled workers quietly left and another batch of enthusiastic dupes applied to replace them.

Things have changed. Sites like Glassdoor make it possible to publicize a toxic workplace. Potential candidates can learn from the experience of previous employees and have a better sense of what working at a company is like.

Still, an argument could be made that job seekers don’t pay enough attention to employer reviews. One survey conducted by Indeed showed that 83% of candidates were influenced by reviews when deciding where to apply. However, the same data indicated that just 46% considered a firm’s reputation when deciding whether to take a final job offer.

It’s good that more than 8 in 10 job seekers use reviews to sift through potential employers. But less than half considering reputation in their job-selection decisions? That suggests that candidates still don’t take employer brand seriously enough.

With that in mind, here are three reasons why snooping online reviews can improve your job search:

Eliminate Toxic Options

Some workplaces are nightmares. However, like a haunted house, this might not be obvious from the outside. The office might look normal. The recruitment process might not give off bad vibes. The dark mojo might not even surface during the onboarding stage. But, eventually, everyone who works there heads for the exits.

Reading reviews can help you avoid these career black holes. Former employees have posted warnings. You just have to heed them.

Prioritize Your Efforts

An effective job search often comes down to resource allocation. You only have so much time to invest in any particular application. As such, you need to know what opportunities to prioritize and which ones you can leave until later.

A quick trip to an employer review site can help you make those power rankings. By scanning the commentary on the site, you can determine which companies deserve your deepest attention.

Let’s You Ask Better Questions

At the end of a typical job interview, you’re usually given a chance to ask some questions. Often, it’s difficult to know what to say. Looking at employer reviews can help you craft meaningful queries. You can pinpoint areas of concern based on previous employees’ reviews. With your questions, you can determine if they present a meaningful problem for you.

Knowledge is key when you’re looking for a job. Employer review sites can provide some information. But if you want to leverage the deepest-possible industry knowledge, turn to a high-powered staffing agency, like PrideStaff.

Contact PrideStaff today to accelerate the advancement of your career.

Are You Promoting Culture in Your Hiring Process?

In today’s uncertain times, a hiring mistake will cost you more than ever. It’s why you need to make sure you’re bringing people on board who are a fit in terms of their skills and personality. Otherwise, it will lead to a mismatch and potentially disastrous results. To avoid this, talk about your company’s culture in an authentic way and promote it. Here’s how:

Get inspired by your team.

Before you start the hiring process, talk to your team about the culture and what they like most about it. They might give you insight and details you hadn’t thought of, but will help you hire candidates who are the right fit for your needs.

Talk about the basics.

When it comes to culture, there are a few essentials candidates will want to know about. This includes your leadership team, expectations about dress code and workplace demands and policies, and details about your company mission and vision. Discussing these will give each candidate a broader sense of what it’s like to work at your company, so they can decide whether it’s a fit for them.

Promote the perks.

If you offer certain opportunities that are unique to your company, discuss them. These include benefits such as telecommuting, flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, mentoring programs, and other opportunities for advancement. The best candidates will have their choice in terms of offers, so you want to stand out with yours.

Be honest about the challenges.

When a candidate asks about what you like “least” at your job or with the company, be honest. Don’t throw anybody under the bus, but don’t give a vague non-answer either. Keep in mind it’s important for candidates to have a clear understanding of your company culture so they can decide if it’s one they want to work in. The more information you can give, the better-fit candidate you’ll eventually hire.

Advertise your culture online.

Even if you’re not actively hiring, it’s important to talk about and promote your company culture online in your social media profiles, through press releases and on the company website. This will give both active and passive candidates a stronger sense of what your culture is like and whether they want to pursue an opportunity with you. In the end, you’ll source better-fit candidates who can hit the ground running with your company.

Do you need help hiring for you culture?

Turn to one of Tempe’s top recruitment firms, PrideStaff. We can help you define your company culture and promote it among candidates, all so you find the right-fit people. Contact us today to get started.