Employment in Fresno, California

Fresno is a medium-sized city in Central California. With a population of just over 500,000 people, Fresno is the fifth largest city in California (and the largest inland city in the state). It’s known as the financial, industrial, trade, and commercial capital of the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Fresno is located approximately 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 170 miles south of Sacramento. Universities/four year colleges located in the area include California State University, Fresno; University of California, San Francisco (Medical Education Program); and DeVry University.

Fast Facts:

Population (City of Fresno): 509, 039
Population (Fresno County): 947, 895
Population Density: 4,097.9 people per square mile
Average time to travel to work (minutes): 21.7
Homeownership rate: 55%
Median household income: $46, 903

Largest Employers in Fresno, California
Looking for work in the Fresno area? Here are just a few of the largest employers in the region.

Community Medical Centers
Employees: 6000
The largest and most comprehensive medical center in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno’s regional hospital system employs thousands of local residents.

Saint Agnes Medical Center
Employees: 2,800
Saint Agnes Medical Center is 436-bed, state-of-the-art Medical Center and medical school campus that features advanced equipment and facilities and the expertise of top-ranked physicians and staff. Over two thousand local residents are currently employed there.

Kaiser Permanente
Employees: 2,160
Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California and operating out of nine states. Currently, Kaiser Permanente has 8.9 million health plan members, 167,300 employees, 14,600 physicians, 37 medical centers, and 611 medical offices. Over 2000 professionals are employed in the Fresno area.

If you would like to hear about any open positions from the companies above contact PrideStaff Fresno today! We are more than happy to help you with any questions you may have during your job search!

Employees’ Demand for Workplace Flexibility Continues to Grow

Recent research supports a premise that’s long been acknowledged by employees across virtually all industries – probably since the first time a worker kissed his kids goodbye and left the family farm to work outside his home: We need more flexibility and work/life balance.

It’s not limited to working parents versus singles or dual-income-with-no-children couples. It’s not centered on any one age group or level of professional experience – though millennial workers have expressed a heightened priority for more flexibility. It’s pretty much across the board. And really, is anyone surprised to hear this?

Now more than ever, employers need to respond to the needs of their workforces when it comes to giving them the balance they need. Consider these statistics:

Close to three-quarters (73 percent) of working adults agree that flexibility is one of the most important factors they consider when deciding whether to join a particular company. This is up from 61 percent a year ago.
An overwhelming 80 percent emphasize that flexible scheduling is just as important for people without children.
Among young millennial workers, 59 percent would opt to be temporary employees or consultants rather than settle into a full-time job, in order to ensure flexibility. More than half said they would leave a job if it wasn’t flexible enough.

And perhaps the most telling statistic of all:

Almost half (45 percent) of employees surveyed said they would be willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary for more flexibility. This number has stayed consistent for the past three years.

The Good, the Bad and the Future
It’s clear that today’s employees are more ready than ever to abandon the traditional 9-to-5 workday. They are led by younger members of the workforce, 58 percent of whom are seeking positions where they can work from home, at least occasionally.

On a positive note, 70 percent of working adults feel their company would accommodate them if they requested flex time for family, health, or personal work preference reasons. And 75 percent said they already have “at least a little” schedule flexibility – up from 68 percent a year ago.
The bad news: 50 percent of employees believe asking for flexible work options would hurt their chances at career advancement.

So, if companies are willing to provide flexible options and a majority of employees want them, why should asking for them hinder a person’s career? Especially when it comes to younger individuals who represent the future of an organization. Millennial workers will comprise 46 percent of the U.S. workforce by 2020, so they are clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Benefits of Offering Flexibility
If you haven’t done so already, start by taking these steps towards more flexibility – and a happier, more fulfilled workforce:

Give employees control over their time. Within reason, let them alter their schedules to address personal matters.
Implement telecommuting. Allow employees to work from home part of the time.

Employers who take the lead in offering flexible work hours will attract and retain more top talent. It’s a no-brainer. Flexibility is what workers want – and increased employee satisfaction is directly related to enhanced engagement, productivity, and profitability.

Contact the recruitment experts at PrideStaff for more tips on building your workforce for future success.

Writing a Cover Letter that Stands Out

As an introduction to your resume, your cover letter should be a distinctive piece that immediately sets the tone and helps you stand out among the competition.

Since hiring managers spend an average of just 10 seconds reviewing each cover letter they receive, how do you best make this happen?

Personalize It
Instead of cutting and pasting phrases from your resume or the job posting, use your cover letter to show your creativity, personality, and interest in the position.

Focus on the company and its needs. Then, demonstrate how you can help meet them.
Customize it to the corporate culture. No two companies are alike. It’s important to strike the right tone in your cover letter. Is the culture more formal or casual? If you know, you can reflect it. If you’re not sure, err on the side of being a bit more formal.
Address it to the current hiring manager. Do a Google search and find a name. This shows your initiative in learning more about the company and its team.

Make it Concise
When it comes to the most effective cover letters, less is more.

In a recent survey of hiring managers, 44 percent agreed that half a page is the ideal cover letter length. Only 12 percent expected to see a full page.
Three paragraphs is a good guideline. The first is introductory, the second includes a brief summary of your qualifications as they relate to the position, and the third is your wrap-up.
Your summary paragraph should include two or three qualities the company wants in a candidate. Support these with specific examples of how you’ve successfully applied these skills.

Make it Compelling
Craft a strong opening and then tell your success story.

Start with a bold statement that catches the reader’s eye. Stay away from – yawn – standard lines like “Attached is my resume in response to your job posting for a sales manager. “ Instead, say something like, “Are you seeking a results-oriented sales pro with proven success in leading teams to exceed quotas?”
Include statistics to back up your statements. Instead of “adept at social media,” say “led social media campaign that generated 300,000 followers in one month and increased revenue by 5 percent.”

Format It
With today’s technology, make sure that your cover letter is accessible and easily readable.

Include keywords. Increasingly, employers are using applicant tracking systems to review resumes and cover letters. If you include the right keywords, yours will have a better chance of being selected.
Send it as a PDF. Virtually every computer can open this format without a file conversion. Conversions are less than ideal because often, recipients simply don’t bother to do them. They also can lead to formatting errors.

Finish It Strong
Make every word count, right down to your signature.

Conclude by saying when and how you’ll get in touch. Indicate your plan for following up with the employer.
Proofread, proofread, proofread! Do it thoroughly yourself and then have someone else do it as well. There is absolutely no room for error on your cover letter.

A professional career coach can partner with you to perfect your cover letter and resume – and strategize and execute your successful career search. Contact the team at PrideStaff Fresno to learn more.

Become a Better Boss by Becoming a Better Leader

There’s a distinct difference between a manager and a leader. But you can be both. In fact, leadership is an essential quality as demands for instant results and higher performance standards have become the norm in today’s competitive business environment.

So how do you become not just a boss, but a leader?

The answer lies in building relationships with your employees. Leadership has less to do with what you do for yourself and everything to do with what you do to help others succeed. Healthy employer/employee relationships establish good will, engender confidence, foster trust and build healthy cultures. Here’s how to make it happen:

Embrace the Challenges of Leadership
A hallmark of leadership is genuine concern for the people who work for you and a sincere commitment to working with them for the success of your business.

Be a motivator. People do good work for the pay, the prestige or the recognition. They also work effectively because they’re in sync with their leader. To motivate others, determine what they want from their lives and careers and how you can help give it to them. Great leaders focus on helping others become better. They want their own legacy to be directly related to the success of their team and the organization they serve.
Constantly build your interpersonal skills. The ability to relate well to others, and vice versa, is critical in earning trust and building a foundation of respect.

Be a Lifelong Learner
Always keep learning and evolving. Expose yourself to new ideas. Discover what works for you – and put those ideas into practice.

Never rely on quick fixes or gimmicks to overcome challenges. Constantly develop and implement practice methods that facilitate productivity and enhance results for the long term.

You’re only as Good as Your Team
In order to be productive, people need to acknowledge that they’re part of something larger. You’d be hard pressed to identify very many business achievements that were accomplished by a person acting solo. Sure, every team member plays a unique role, but it’s the group synergy that brings them to fruition. And building that team is your job as a leader.

Demonstrate how working as a team benefits everyone involved. Each employee must clearly understand what the overall success of the business means to them, as well as how they play a part in driving results.
Partner with your employees. Work alongside them to simultaneously meet objectives and help them grow in their roles.
Whenever possible, offer employees more responsibility. Provide team members with support and resources – without micromanaging.
Establish two-way trust. Create an environment where people are encouraged to speak out, without threat of reprimand. Then employees can celebrate as a team when things are going well and feel confident to express ideas, opinions and suggestions.

Push the Envelope
Think ahead, calculate what’s around the next corner, and identify opportunities that others don’t see.

Be fearless. Embark upon new things and challenge the status quo – within reason.
Be authentic and genuine. Sustainable leadership is not an act. Sincerity has limitless power and comes from knowing who you are and what you want to represent. The most powerful leaders make you feel as if they are speaking directly to you.

Need more ideas on building your team and leadership potential? Read our related Human Relations articles or contact the expert Fresno recruiters at PrideStaff Fresno today.

Should You Accept an Internship after Graduation?

If you’re preparing to graduate from college, don’t eliminate a post-graduate internship from your options or fall to the myth that internships are for current students only. Companies all over the world are seeking recent grads to add to their teams. Internships offer not only experience, but in many cases, pay and benefits, networking opportunities, and a foot in the door for a possible direct hire position.

Start Repaying Those Loans
Glassdoor recently listed 25 companies whose interns earn more each year than the median household income in the U.S. This translates to annualized salaries averaging about $53,000. The list is tech heavy. It also has a bend toward oil and energy companies. Here are some examples of intern salaries per month:

Palantir (#1): $7,012
V.M. Ware (#2): $6,966
Twitter (#3): $6,791
LinkedIn (#4): $6,230
Facebook (#5): $6,213
Microsoft (#6): $6,138
ExxonMobil (#8): $5,972
Chevron (#13): $5,424
ConocoPhillips (#15): $5,357
Schlumberger (#25): $4,634

Not surprisingly, there were a number of overlaps between Glassdoor’s list of companies with top intern earnings and the list of best companies to intern with. (Yes, kids, it really is about more than money.) Common denominator employer included Facebook, Microsoft, ExxonMobil, Schlumberger and more.

Disney and the NCAA are two more top options for paid internships following your college graduation.

Disney and its affiliates, including Marvel and ESPN, offer internship opportunities in areas ranging from biotechnology to communications. Perks include company-sponsored housing and – wait for it – complimentary theme park tickets!
The NCAA Post Graduate Internship program provides invaluable experience for those interested in careers in intercollegiate athletics. Benefits include 10 days’ annual leave and health and dental insurance.

Additional Benefits
If you’re not already convinced, consider these benefits to a post-graduate internship:

It’s a great experience and resume builder. The earlier in your career that you add solid, relevant work experience to your resume, the more attractive you are to potential employers.
You begin or grow your professional network. Even if the company doesn’t hire you at the end of your internship, chances are you’ll emerge with a more robust list of people within your profession who can help you succeed. Internships are a great opportunity to start making a name for yourself within a particular industry or company.
You may find a mentor. Professional mentors are a great asset to your future. Often, interns develop relationships with senior, more connected individuals who offer priceless advice and guidance in the years to come.
You can make a better career choice. An internship is a chance to try out a job, company or industry in a real-world setting. This can be invaluable in deciding if you’re on the right track in pursuing this line of employment. If so, great. And if not, no harm done.

When all is said and done, between the additional experience you gain and the networking opportunities you glean, an internship could be the best way to land your dream job and launch your successful career.

A professional career coach can partner with you as you develop your post-graduation career strategy. To learn more, read our related posts or contact the expert recruiting team at PrideStaff Fresno today.

Increase Office Productivity by Taking a Break

Did you know that Albert Einstein is thought to have conceived the theory of relativity while he was out riding his bicycle?

John Trougakos, assistant professor of management at the University of Toronto, is one of many experts who contend that workers need to reenergize by taking regular breaks from mental tasks. Mental concentration, Trougakos notes, is similar to muscle in that it becomes fatigued after long periods of sustained use.

Why We Need Breaks
It’s important to detach from your work in order to recharge your internal resources. Recent studies show that taking breaks helps increase overall productivity and mental acuity, reduce fatigue levels, and boost alertness.

The average American works 9.3 hours a day, often without a defined break. Only about one-third report that they leave their work area to take a lunch break. The rest either grab something to eat at their work station or simply don’t eat at all.
Just one “micro-break” of 30 seconds to five minutes improves mental sharpness by an average of 13 percent. If you work for extended hours at a computer, a simple 15-second break every 10 minutes cuts fatigue by a full 50 percent.
In a study of employees who suffered from wrist, hand and forearm discomfort, a five-minute break every hour effectively eliminated their pain.
Taking regular breaks of 1.5 minutes increases worker productivity by 6.45 percent. When that time frame is upped to a full two minutes, productivity improves by 11.15 percent.

Making it Happen
As the statistics indicate, it’s easier said than done for most people to take breaks from the pressure of their work. But there are ways to make taking a breather part of your daily routine.

Set your priorities. Make a to-do list, with the most important tasks at the top. Check them off as you complete them – and include taking a break after a certain point.
Avoid interruptions. Politely decline requests to stop and chat or otherwise be disturbed when you’re “in the zone.” Let those well-meaning colleagues know when you plan to take five and ask them to save their news till then.

You don’t need to plan for what to do during your down time. After all, that’s the whole point of taking a break. But it’s interesting to note that:

Web browsing can be highly refreshing. Those who spend time every day surfing the Web are 9 percent more productive than their colleagues.
Meditation works. This doesn’t mean you have to light candles, cross our legs and hum. You simply need to take a conscious step to thoroughly relax. Deep breathing and stretching can be done right at your work station.
How about a power nap? Medical studies have shown that a 15 to 20-minute nap helps you channel energy and refocus. An afternoon nap of that duration provides more rest overall than sleeping in an extra 20 minutes.

When it comes to productivity and concentration, everyone has a different capacity. But in general, taking a break is a boost for health, morale, energy and productivity.

Contact the team at PrideStaff Fresno for additional resources to help you and your employees optimize performance and ultimately, business results.

Does Your Resume Need a Summary?

Should your resume start off with a summary paragraph?

In a single word: No.

Studies show that you have about six seconds to make an initial impression with your resume. It’s like flipping through a magazine and deciding which articles to read. You’re much more likely to grab and hold a recruiter’s attention with strong words and a simple, powerful format versus a long narrative at the top of the page.

Your resume will be scanned in a Z pattern: across the top, down across the page, and then over. So don’t waste the valuable space at the top with a long, “padded” summary statement.

Keep it Simple
Simple and powerful are not mutually exclusive, especially when it comes to your resume. The key is to know the purpose of your resume and tailor it specifically to the job on the table.

Your objective is to pique the interest of a potential employer by using power words – think quality over quantity – to demonstrate how hiring you would add immediate value and impact to their organization. Your resume is a sales tool to promote yourself, with a focus on how you stand out above the competition.

A recent survey asked 18 hiring managers what they looked for on resumes. Eleven of the 18 said their first priority was skills and experience that met the needs outlined in the job description. Then, most respondents looked for candidates’ achievements.
Use specific examples to showcase your career accomplishments. Include numbers to show value-added results. For example, rather than say that you “implemented a new hire training program,” state that you “led the implementation of a new hire program that resulted in shortening training time frames by five full days.”

Power It Up
Imagine the person who sees your resume for the first time. They’ve been tasked to review possibly hundreds of others along with yours. So unless your resume stands out, chances are it will end up being shredded or deleted. Ouch!

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are on the rise. These software-based platforms screen resumes electronically, looking for keywords. Be sure to populate your resume with verbiage from the job description or posting. (By the way, real live hiring managers will look for pretty much the same thing.)
This bullet point is about bullet points! Bullets can make your resume more organized and interesting. In addition to holding the recruiter’s eye, properly structuring your words and details illustrates your strong organizational skills.
Make sure it’s well written. The focus must be on your key skills and accomplishments as they pertain to the position. Perfect spelling and grammar are non-negotiable. In addition to using your computer spell check, reread your resume a few times and have one or two trusted friends or colleagues do the same.
Keep it professional. Your resume is a business document. It’s not a place for gimmicks, photos, or funny email addresses. Create a separate email for your job search if necessary.

Contact the career coaches at PrideStaff for more tips on perfecting your resume – and optimizing the results of your job search.

Kick Start 2014 with these Job Search Tips

The world is gearing up for the Olympics –and who doesn’t love the pride, passion and Cinderella stories that emerge as athletes break records, scale new heights and enter uncharted territory in achieving lifelong aspirations?

Okay, so that’s just a little bit dramatic. But what better time than now to think about jump starting your job search in 2014? How can you go for the gold and make yourself stand above the others when it comes to being a superstar candidate?

Refresh Your Plan
There’s no time like the present to reevaluate your short and long-term career goals.

Make a list of companies you might want to work for, titles you might like to hold and skills you’d like to add to your list of core competencies.
Update your resume. You should be doing this on a regular basis anyway. Now is an opportune time to ensure it’s relevant to any new opportunities you may pursue in 2014.
Find job boards in your area of expertise. Create a button on your browser that lets you quickly search an organized folder of sites you’ve created.
Reset your pay and benefit requirements. Be sure they align with your work/life balance.
Reenergize your networks. Let key people know you’re job hunting and ask them for leads. Reactivate your involvement in professional organizations. Participate in conferences and workshops.

Define What You Really Want to Do
If you love what you do, it’s not work. Figure out what you truly enjoy and which career path would be the best fit with your interests, experiences and personality.

List what you’ve enjoyed most about your current or past jobs. Jot down things you would have changed if you could. Once you determine what you want and why, you’ll build the motivation and confidence to forge ahead.
Consider what you’re passionate about and like to do in your free time. How great would it be to do what you love – every day? Be open minded and there’s a greater possibility that a career or business idea will result.

Do One Thing Every Day
It’s unrealistic to think you’ll spend all your waking hours on your job search. Instead, set a realistic goal of doing at least one thing every day towards making a change. This will help you build momentum and stay motivated.

Make a new contact.
Search a job site.
Research a company.
Send a resume.

Manage Your Time
Hone in on your search when you’re at your best – and make the most of downtime as well.

Use high-energy time to network and make follow-up calls.
During periods of lower energy or enthusiasm, research potential employers, prepare for interviews and organize your materials.
Use downtime to create positive routines. Exercise. Prepare and enjoy healthy meals. Socialize with friends and family. Gain a new skill, hobby or interest. Have fun! In the long run, you’ll be more balanced, relaxed and energized.

Trust the process, be persistent and patient – and visualize yourself on that podium earning a perfect 10 from the judges.

For additional guidance in regenerating your job search this year, read our related posts or contact the team at PrideStaff Fresno today.

Unconventional Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at the Office

The holiday season is upon us. Traditionally, along with the holly berries, tinsel and Chipmunks singing goofy carols comes the office party.

But maybe it’s time to start some new traditions – ones that build camaraderie, collaboration and good will. After all, isn’t that what this time of year is all about?

Keeping it Real
In recent years, trends have moved away from the stereotypical after-hours cocktail extravaganza, as there is less tolerance for antics related to alcohol overindulgence and related career-damaging episodes, or worse. And while the economy is on the upswing, staff resources and budgets remain tight, so it’s likely you need to take a more conservative approach to your annual holiday fete. Here are some ideas that can keep the season bright and keep the celebrating real – and meaningful to everyone involved.

Have that holiday party – but tone it down.
Consider an in-house catered lunch or a potluck, where everyone signs up to bring a favorite dish and the company provides drinks, snacks, music and small gift items. Close the office for half a day for the occasion. Organize games that promote collaboration. Make it fun with a theme, such as Ugly Holiday Sweaters or better yet, Multicultural Holiday Gala. This avoids the December dilemma, where the overwhelming focus is on Christmas, at the expense of those team members who don’t celebrate the traditional Christian holiday.
Invite the family.
Not just the office family, but their loved ones as well. Have a casual party where spouses, domestic partners and children are invited. (One less night to pay a sitter during the costliest time of the year? How great is that?!) Family-friendly activities are key, so consider Wii games, shuffleboard, and billiards or foosball competitions.
Involve your employees in the planning.
This way, you ensure that your event is consistent with and respectful of their traditions. For instance, as noted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, there’s nothing wrong with trees, garland and reindeer, but it’s good practice to also include symbols of observances such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Your employee planning team can make this happen in a way where everyone’s traditions are represented and respected.
It’s better to give.
Instead of having a party, consider donating to a charity in your employees’ name. Select an organization that your team members support or that is identified in your corporate philanthropic plan. Collect clothing, toys, food, or household items in a common area, where everyone can enjoy watching the pile grow. Then, make arrangements for a group to deliver them. Or, arrange for a team project through Habitat for Humanity or a similar organization. Paint a house, visit a children’s hospital, or arrange a party for residents at a skilled nursing facility. Last but not least, create care packages for the Armed Forces, to send holiday cheer to those serving our country far from home this season.

With just a little creative planning and out-of-the-gift-box thinking, this season really can be the most wonderful time of the year for your employees and your company.

The expert team at PrideStaff Fresno has a wealth of tips for year-round morale and business-building success. Read our related posts or give us a call today. Happy Holidays!

Ace Your Next Phone Interview

If you land a phone interview, pat yourself on the back and celebrate … and never underestimate the importance of this key step on your career path. It means you’ve survived the first critical cut in the hiring process.

As noted by Paul Bailo, author of The Essential Phone Interview Handbook, a phone interview is similar to a first date: “If you don’t get through it successfully, you won’t get married.”

After your back is sufficiently patted, make sure you’re as prepared as possible for your telephone interview.

Research the Company
Do your homework and find out:

What the company does and what it’s known for. What innovations has it realized? Where does it stack up against its competitors? What current challenges does it face? This will help you build your knowledge base and be perceived as interested and enthusiastic.
Who your interviewer(s) is (are). As part of your research of the company, find out as much as you can about your interviewer(s) by using resources like Google and LinkedIn. Determine their job titles, areas of expertise, and professional passions.

Find the Right Location
Just because your interview will take place at home or in a similar “informal” setting doesn’t mean that interruptions like noisy pets, children, doorbells, call waiting or washing machines beeping because the load is done are acceptable.

Make sure your interview area is professional and have copies of the job description and your resume readily available. This will help you provide succinct, quality responses.
Use a land line. The last thing you need is a signal problem, an audio blip or battery issues on your smartphone. If you must use a mobile device, make sure your location has a strong signal.

Think Before You Answer
A good rule of thumb is to wait about three seconds before you respond to an interview question. This helps you prepare a quality response and avoid rambling or blurting out something less intelligent.

Prepare your voice. Exercise it ahead of time by practicing different tones and pitches. If necessary, soothe your throat with a spoon of honey or a cough drop, before your interview. And have a glass of water on hand, but sip it discreetly and only as needed.
Cheat a little! This is perhaps the greatest advantage to a phone interview: You can have notes and your resume in front of you and the company website open on your laptop. It’s like an open book or take-home test!

Make it Personal
Like a face-to-face interview, this is a dialogue between you and your prospective employer to determine whether the two of you will make a successful and productive match. Make it work to your advantage by:

Addressing your interviewer(s) by name. If you’re not sure how to pronounce a name, ask up front and then clarify.
Connecting with your interviewer(s) and then developing a conversation. For example, if you have something in common – an alma mater, a previous employer or a hobby – mention and capitalize on it.
Saying thank you. Do this verbally at the end of the call, and then follow up with an email.

Need additional guidance on interviewing or other aspects of your successful job search? Read our related posts or contact the expert team at PrideStaff Fresno today.