How to Guide: Job Searching Online

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In the past, job seekers only needed to turn to the classified ads in their local newspaper to find a job. Or maybe just talk to a friend or neighbor to see if they knew of any open positions with a local company. Those methods are no longer the best way to find a job in today’s digital-heavy and technology driven work. It’s not as easy anymore and it’s way more competitive. Job searching online can be a complex network of hoops and challenges for any job seeker.

From online job boards to digital networking, there are so many tools job seekers not only need to use, but need to use well. Knowing where to start your job searching online is the first step for the modern job seeker, but it doesn’t end there. Here are a few tips for job searching online:

Define Your Job

What kind of job are you looking for? Do you want a full-time, part time, or temporary job? When you know the kind of job you’re looking for and you know your skillset, then you can begin to narrow down the jobs you’re right for.

Target Specific Companies/Industries

Have you ever dreamed of working at a specific company? Maybe there isn’t a dream company, but there is a dream industry. Either way, make a list and begin following these companies/industries on your social media accounts. Conduct your own research to find out what the work environment is like, what the culture is like, and what kind of people typically get hired.

Refine Your Resume and Interview Skills

Don’t send out your resume without looking it over. Did you tailor it for the job you’re applying to? Your resume is a company’s first glimpse of who you are, so make sure you show them the best version. Further, the interview literally makes or breaks your chances of getting the job, so practice with professionals to brush up on your interviewing skills.

Establish Your Brand

As a job seeker you have a personal brand. For many, this personal brand is haphazard and all over the place. Depending on the jobs you are applying for, this can really hurt your chances. One thing to consider, when it comes to your personal brand is social media. Make sure if your profiles are public that you are being professional while showing off your personality. Don’t over-share and work to represent yourself as an expert.

Create Genuine Connections

For many, networking can be a challenge. It seems there are rules to how you should network, but if you are genuine about creating connections and relationships, then networking becomes easy and fun. Focus on how you can help others rather than how they can help you and you’ll find that others want to help you.

Follow Up (Always)

Whether it’s after an interview, a networking event, or someone helping you practice your interview skills, be sure to follow up. Send an email or pick up the phone; just make sure to thank someone for taking the time to speak with your or help you out.

Do you have any advice for modern job seekers looking for opportunities online? What has been your best/worst experience? Leave your stories and suggestions in the comments section below!

4 Ways to Keep Employees Productive in the Winter

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For many organizations and companies, the winter months are the busiest. With holiday shopping and budgets resetting, this is a great time to add new employees and hire seasonal help, but there is one common problem many face: winter slow down. It can be incredibly difficult for anyone to stay productive in the winter, but keeping your employees productive can be just as difficult.

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Staying Productive in the Winter

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It’s certainly no secret that when winter hits most of us just want to hibernate. There is less sunlight and the days can just be downright dreary. For most, those things can make staying productive in the winter rather difficult. In order to stay productive during the cold days of winter, you may want to try a few of these things:

Stay Active

When you’re at work it can be difficult to stay active, but by doing this you can keep energy levels up, help yourself stay in a better mood, and stay healthy. Obviously you can’t take a break in the middle of the day to run a 5K, but you can get up from your desk, stretch, walk to the water cooler, or even do a quick cubicle workout. When you stay active, you stay productive.

Keep Warm

Depending on where you sit in the office, it could be hard to stay warm during the winter. Whether you’re next to window or far from the heat vent, staying warm just may not be an option. However, staying warm is necessary for staying productive. When you’re cold, you’ll lose motivation to stay busy. So, how do you keep warm? One way to keep warm is to stay active (as mentioned above), but you can also wear heavier clothing or layers, bring in a small space heater, or even ask to switch seats.

Watch What You Eat

Because it’s cold out, you probably want to eat heavy and warm meals, but often these types of meals are filled with sugars and carbohydrates. These foods aren’t necessarily bad, but too much of them will make you groggy and just want to nap. When this happens, you’ll be less motivated to stay focused and get your work done. Instead of eating heavy meals at work, pack well-balanced meals and opt for a cup of tea rather than that sugary snack.

Make Plans

What kind of plans? Well, that’s really up to you. Having plans at the end of a work day or work week can help provide the motivation you need to stay focused and accomplish the tasks you have that day or week. But, also have plans for your life (i.e. goals) can really help you make it through the winter and stay productive. These types of plans provide motivation to stay active, be social, accomplish things, and provide you with a list of things to do.

How do you stay productive during the winter months? We’d love to hear your stories and suggestions in the comments section below!

October Associate of the Month

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At Diverse Staffing, we take great pride in our associates and the work they do. Because our associates are so dedicated and productive, we like to take the time to recognize them and their accomplishments. Our Greenwood Recruiting Center launched a new program in August to start recognizing individual associates for their:

  • Attendance records
  • Skills
  • Recognition from clients/placement
  • Time with Diverse Staffing
  • Work performance

Through the Associate of the Month program, Diverse Staffing is able to engage and recognize our most dedicated and talented workers. This month, we’re excited to announce that Pamela Raber received the Associate of the Month award for our Greenwood Recruiting Center. Pamela is a dedicated Diverse Staffing associate who exemplifies excellent work performance and attendance.

When asked about her experience with Diverse Staffing, Pamela said, “Without Diverse Staffing, I’m not sure I would’ve ever had the chance to get my foot in the door with a great company. I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to prove myself and grow with the company.”

We’re glad you’re part of our team, too, Pamela. Keep up the great work!

October Associate of the Month

 

Making a Great Candidate First Impression

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We’ve talked extensively about employee engagement, but what about candidates? How should you be interacting with candidates? While you may not think it’s important, you need to make a great first impression on candidates. When you don’t make a solid first impression, you aren’t going to capture the right candidates.

Without a great first impression, candidates are more likely to turn away from you and choose a different company. By providing a great candidate experience and making that first impression fantastic, you could end up turning candidates into long-term associates or employees.

Get Your Message On Point

From your website to print collateral, candidates are going to read about your company in one form or another. In today’s world, candidates will most likely learn about you from your website, a job posting, an employer review, or a social media site. It can be difficult to manage all of these messages, but it’s crucial to not only have a defined message for candidates, but also a consistent message. Make sure that all of the content you have in various places match your company, your message, and what you offer candidates.

Test Your Processes

If you’re hiring someone, then you have at least one process in place. During the hiring, interviewing, and screening processes, you could be sending candidates away without even knowing it. You need to review and test these processes every few months to see if there is anywhere you can improve on things. When you have a great application process, a solid interview process, and an engaged onboarding process, you can better attract top talent.

Office Setting

We aren’t necessarily talking about the physical location of your office, though having a great location definitely helps. You need to think about the way your office is laid out—what is visible to candidates when they walk in, and how you will greet those candidates. Having an organized office that is inviting to candidates can help you create a great first impression.

Ultimately, first impressions can be the difference between onboarding a new candidate and not. Make sure you’re creating great experiences.

How do you create a great first impression for candidates? Do you have any tips for others? Leave your stories and suggestions in the comments section below!

Why You Need to Know Your Employees

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Depending on what industry you’re in, you may find it difficult to find the right candidates or even to retain your best employees. From salaries, to commute times, all the way to employee engagement, there are several factors for employee retention rates. One way to help keep top talent in your workplace is to know your employees.

While there might be a traditional separation of executives and managers from their employees, there doesn’t need to be. By learning what employees like about their jobs, what they don’t like, what they spend their free time doing, and what their career goals are, you can better connect with them.

Here are three reasons why you need to know your employees and make better connections:

1. Improve Retention Rates

It’s no secret that retention rates can affect the activities of your business. From a loss of productivity to the costs of hiring a new employee, high turnover rates have a huge impact on your business functions. By taking the time to get to know employees, you increase engagement and can better satisfy employee needs. Don’t just say hi to employees. Instead, encourage them to communicate with you on ways to improve the work environment and other innovative ideas they may have. Open and honest communication between managers and employees can go a long way.

2. Accelerate Growth

You could have a star employee and not know it. You could lose that star employee and lose innovation, productivity, and opportunity to grow your company. If an employee isn’t comfortable or feels like they don’t matter at work, then they’ll keep their ideas to themselves. When this happens, it could mean losing out on opportunities to grow, expand, improve processes, and ultimately grow revenue. Instead, talk with your employees, establish communication channels, and put effort into making them understand you are interested in their ideas.

3. Increase Productivity

While it was mentioned earlier, opening up communication channels with your employees and getting to know their needs can increase and improve productivity. By knowing your employees, they are more likely to care about the work they are doing, which will increase their productivity. When productivity increases, oftentimes, profits increase. By taking a few minutes every day or every week to talk to employees, you have the potential to see dramatic rises in productivity.

How do you get to know your employees? What are some of the employee engagement success stories at your companies? Leave your stories and suggestions in the comments section below!