Work Hard And Play Hard
The Advance Group takes on Cedar Point! The staff was treated to a fun filled day at Cedar Point complete with a company picnic.
Here’s the One Thing Your Clerical Employees Are Missing at Work
For many clerical employees, work-life balance is a priority. However, if the workplace is overly rigid, achieving that goal can be a challenge, if not impossible. In some cases, this may even drive top talent away from your organization, especially if your competitor is providing the kind of flexibility that will help them craft their ideal lives.
If you aren’t allowing for some flexibility for your clerical employees, here’s why you might want to reconsider.
Attract and Retain Top Talent
Many companies view workplace flexibility as a perk. However, it is becoming increasingly available, and most skilled professionals are aware of its existence. Plus, employees desire these kinds of arrangements, so they often seek them out.
If you provide employees with some flexibility, it can make your company more attractive to job seekers and your current workforce. This can help with both recruitment and retention, increasing your odds of being able to secure top talent and keep them on board.
Increased Productivity
When your staff feels that their lives are in balance, they are usually happier. In most cases, a happy workforce is more satisfied and engaged, and that can boost overall productivity.
Providing flexibility gives employees the ability to adjust their lives in ways that help them flourish personally and professionally. It makes handling matters outside the officer easier, allowing them to keep their personal obligations in order, while simultaneously decreasing their stress levels.
Plus, it shows the company recognizes how busy the lives of most of their workers are and that they are willing to work with everyone to make work-life balance a possibility.
What Flexible Work Arrangements Should You Offer?
In the end, every company is different. That means what works for your competitor might not suit your environment, and that’s OK. However, an alternative may be entirely manageable, or at least worth exploring.
Flexible work arrangements come in all shapes and sizes. For example, some companies have telecommuting options, letting their clerical workers perform certain tasks from home. Others allow employees to start earlier or later in the day, giving workers the ability to slightly shift their schedules to fit their lives best.
Compressed work weeks can also be an option. Four 10-hour days allow your employees to have a weekday off, while a 9/5/4 accomplishes a similar goal, but they only have a weekday off every other week.
When you offer flexible work arrangements, that doesn’t mean you don’t have control. You can set mandatory core business hours to ensure everyone is on-site during specific portions of the day and make sure telecommuting days or compressed workweeks are staggered, guaranteeing someone is always in the office.
Ultimately, there’s a lot you can do to add a degree of flexibility to your workplace, so consider testing a few options to see which ones are right for you and your clerical employees. If you would like assistance exploring your options, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members today and see how our expertise can benefit you.
Want to Drive a Forklift? Here’s How to Get Certified
For some, the idea of driving a forklift is enticing. After all, it can be fun to be at the helm of a large piece of machinery, and you can help companies manage a variety of operations, particularly in the areas of shipping and receiving.
Businesses don’t just want their forklift drivers to be certified; it’s often required by law. This ensures their employees are properly trained on the equipment, fully understand any safety concerns, and can operate the forklift based on OSHA standards.
If you want to drive a forklift, here’s what you need to know about getting certified.
Prepare in Advance
People who have never had a chance to operate a forklift can prepare for their training and certification in advance by taking advantage of free videos by the National Safety Council. These virtual reality experiences allow you to see what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat while the accompanying information highlights relevant points on operation and safety.
If you’ve never sat in a forklift before, these videos can be a great place to start. You’ll get an overview on the controls and experience the vantage point of the driver. In the full 3D experience, you can even virtually control the video, allowing you to make choices and interact with the forklift, giving you a solid baseline for your formal training.
Take Formal Training
When you want to learn how to operate a forklift, formal training is a must. Most OSHA-compliant programs focus on hands-on learning, teaching you how to safely move with and without loads, how to handle special situations, and a variety of other safety considerations.
In most cases, in-person training lasts one to two days, depending on the program.
Anyone who wants to drive a forklift can benefit from these experiences. The National Safety Council has trainers that can teach new operators at a variety of NSC training centers and even onsite at certain employers.
Getting Certified
After completing the training, you are typically ready for the certification test. In most cases, the exam has two parts: A written portion and a practical driving test.
Ultimately, the process is not unlike getting a regular driver’s license for the first time. You need to pass the written exam to prove you understand various points on operating the forklift and safety issues.
Once you pass, you take part in a practical driving test, giving you a chance to demonstrate you have the proper skills to drive a forklift properly. You’ll be presented with a series of tasks and simply need to complete them based on OSHA standards.
If you participate in formal training, the certification process is usually included at the end, so you don’t typically have to make separate arrangements to complete this critical step.
Ultimately, getting certified to operate a forklift can be an excellent move to help propel your career forward. If you’d like to know more, or want to find an open forklift job, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your needs today and see how our services can benefit you.
You Don’t Have to Always Be the “Ideal” Employee to Land the Job
When you discover that your dream job is available, it can feel a lot like winning the lottery. But, that sense of excitement can quickly shift to feelings of doubt if you aren’t sure that you’re the ideal candidate for the position, and you may not land the job.
Many companies add long lists of requirements to the job announcements and, if you don’t have every single one, you might assume getting the position is impossible. However, checking off every box isn’t always necessary, especially if you can showcase that you could excel in the role.
If you want to try and land the job of your dreams, even if you aren’t sure you’re the ideal candidate, here are some tips for increasing your odds of success.
Look Beyond the Skills List
While having certain hard skills may be a necessity, much of what makes a person an ideal employee doesn’t fall into that category. Cultural fit and soft skills play a big role in a worker’s success, so figuring out what the company is actually looking for is a must.
Having the majority of the requirements met is just part of the equation, and falling a little short in this area doesn’t mean you aren’t a contender. Research the company online and thoroughly read the announcement to discover other key information, such as whether they may be willing to train the right candidate and if the environment is otherwise a match.
Target Your Resume
When you submit your resume, you need to make it clear you can provide value to the hiring manager and the company. Showcase your relevant skills and experiences, quantifying the information whenever possible, and focus on the positive.
If you can demonstrate that you meet most of the requirements and have potential, it is still possible that you’ll land an interview. It’s important to realize a significant portion of the applicants likely don’t have every skill or experience listed in the job posting, so working to make your resume stand out can be enough to score a meeting with the hiring manager.
Articulate Your Willingness to Learn
For companies open to training a great candidate, letting the hiring manager know you are willing and excited to learn the missing skills is a must. Typically, this needs to be addressed in your cover letter, and you need to clearly articulate you are open to putting in the time and energy necessary to get up to speed.
Another approach is to start learning these new skills now. You can research the topics online, enroll in a class, head to a seminar, or choose a self-paced online course to showyou are working on adding more to your repertoire. Then, mention your efforts in your cover letter, letting the hiring manager know you are already taking the next steps. This demonstrates your passion, which can help you stand out from the crowd.
Ultimately, applying for the job can be a smart move, even if you don’t match up on every requirement. Also, if you aren’t selected, you can still use the experience to motivate yourself to acquire new skills and experiences, so you can have a better chance of getting the job next time. That way, when it comes open again, you’ll be ready.
If you would like to know more or are seeking new employment opportunities, the staff at The Advance Group can help you land the job of your dreams. Contact us to speak with one of our team members today and see how our expertise can benefit you.
Congratulations To All Three Branches!
Congratulations to all three of our branches for achieving their second quarter goals! They were all able to enjoy a massage in our offices! Thanks to Anna at Massage Bliss!!
3 Hidden Expenses of Hiring on Your Own
When you hire on your own, you are responsible for all costs associated with the activity. This includes paying for advertising, software to handle screening, the time required to review applications, and even website management expenses.
While many of the costs of hiring are easy to recognize, others may fly under the radar. Here are three hidden expenses of hiring on your own that you may not have noticed before.
1. Company Career Websites
Many job seekers still turn to company career websites for information about available jobs and what the company has to offer its employees. While most businesses have a website already, adding and/or maintaining a career segment does come with a cost.
Keeping the content optimized can be a challenge, particularly as search engine algorithms change on a semi-regular basis. Using proper SEO tactics may require assistance from a specialist, necessitating a new hire or the services of a consultant. Adjusting the page to meet today’s standards, particularly when it comes to mobile platform compatibility, and that the content remains fresh usually means having a web developer available. And, if you want to have a section dedicated to internal opportunities for current employees, you’ve added another layer of complexity.
Ultimately, having a company career website is a smart move, but it’s important to understand it comes with a cost.
2. Social Media Advertising
While adding a post that discusses a vacancy won’t cost you a dime, actively promoting that post comes with a price tag. Social media ads and sponsored posts give you the ability to spread the word about your open position with greater ease. You can even target users, like those in a particular physical location or with specific personal interests, to help track down an ideal candidate.
Typically, individual ads are very affordable. But, depending on the number of positions you are looking to fill and how difficult the skill set is to find, the costs quickly mount. If you aren’t budgeting for these costs and controlling the amount you want to spend on these ads, you may discover you are sending more money out the door than you intended.
3. Candidate Management Software
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions can both be used to help keep tabs on candidates, handle initial screening, and even send out automated email updates to job seekers. But, as with any other piece of software, these require a financial investment, and high-quality solutions often come with a significant price tag.
While having an ATS or CRM can increase hiring efficiency, making them a valuable resource, it’s important to fully budget for their cost. If you are going to embrace a new solution or add services to your current system, make sure to look for hidden expenses, like implementation fees, that can increase the initial price, as well as any monthly service costs.
Even though the three areas above represent expenses, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good investments. However, you may find other arrangements more cost-effective, including partnering with a staffing firm for your hiring needs.
If you would like to learn more about how a staffing agency can help you keep your expenses low, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our skilled team members today and see how our services can make hiring more affordable.
Taking an Internship This Summer? Here’s How to Excel!
Internships are valuable opportunities. They provide students and newly minted professionals with a chance to hone their skills and gain real-world experience over the course of a few months.
But, if you want to make the most out of your internship, it’s wise to not leave things to fate. While this may be your first time in a professional environment, that doesn’t mean you can’t excel in the role. If you want to take your summer internship to the next level, here’s what you need to do.
Identify Core Goals
Most interns have at least one goal in mind before they walk through the door on their first day, and that’s typically to gain valuable experience. However, an internship can help you achieve much more, particularly if you identify other potential objectives in advance.
For example, are their specific skills you want to learn that can help you professionally? Are you looking for a mentor that you can remain in contact with after the internship is done? Is getting a permanent position something you’d want to explore?
By identifying your core goals, you create objectives to work toward, helping you guide your experience in the most beneficial direction possible.
Treat It Like a Working Interview
Internships provide more than an opportunity to get your feet wet in a particular field. In some cases, they can also lead to long-term positions, giving you a chance to start your career with the same company. However, if you want this option to be available, then you need to treat your internship as more than a learning opportunity.
By treating your internship like a working interview, you’ll remain on your best behavior. Ultimately, it keeps you in the mindset that all of your activities and choices are being assessed to see whether you may be a good fit for a permanent position. This makes it easier to maintain a positive attitude and showcase your excitement for the opportunity as you know you only have a short time to make a lasting impression.
Additionally, it is a chance for you to evaluate the workplace and role, as well. You can determine whether you enjoy working with the company, if the culture meets your needs, and if the duties capture your interest.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Since an internship is a learning experience, questions naturally come with the territory. The company doesn’t expect you to know everything, so don’t hesitate to speak up if you need additional information.
By asking questions, you are being proactive, ensuring you have what you need to succeed. Additionally, it can show you have a curious nature and a willingness to learn, both of which can be viewed as positives by the organization.
Track Your Accomplishments
As you progress through your internship, make sure to track your accomplishments as they happen. Take notes about the achievement, quantifying details when appropriate, and save the summaries in a safe place. This allows you to reference your notes when updating your resume or discussing a possible permanent position and why you are a great candidate.
Ultimately, internships are excellent opportunities that can assist you as you move your career forward. If you are interested in learning more or are seeking a new job, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your career goals today and see how our services can benefit you.
Want to Improve Retention Rates? Read This Advice!
Improving your retention rates comes with a range of benefits. First, it means you won’t need to recruit as often, since fewer vacancies occur. Second, it can keep your costs down in key areas like recruitment and training. Finally, it creates peace of mind when high turnover is a thing of the past.
Making progress in an area like retention doesn’t happen by accident. It requires dedication and a willingness to take a hard look at company operations. While some level of turnover is unavoidable, specific actions on the part of management can drive top performers away. Correcting these issues can make a significant difference, allowing you to keep your best and brightest on staff.
If you are ready to improve retention rates in your company, here are some areas to examine.
Poor Management Styles
As the old adage goes, people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. Many top performers will quit a job if they don’t agree with their supervisor’s management style.
Poor leadership often results in tension. At times, this is because expectations or directions are unclear. In others, a sense of being micromanaged can leave professionals frustrated, particularly if they are highly experienced and capable of working with a bit of autonomy.
Providing managers with a suitable amount of training can help make sure issues don’t arise. It also benefits new leaders in your organization, teaching them the value of empowering their workers and ensuring they aren’t overloaded.
Negative Attitudes
Having a negative attitude can wreak havoc on morale. Employees may feel underappreciated, unsupported, or that the deck is stacked against them, particularly if none of their accomplishments are recognized, or conversations with their supervisor are overloaded with undue criticism.
Similarly, leaders who take credit for the work of their team can drag workers down. Failing to address legitimate concerns also demonstrates a lack of caring, which drives employees away.
Teams need to feel like management is invested in their success, and that requires more than pointing out problems with their performance, especially if the employee performs well in their role. Otherwise, workers will likely seek out greener pastures.
Not Following the Rules
If it appears managers aren’t subject to the same standards as employees, discontent is often a side effect. Employees need to know the rules apply equally to everyone or the company’s culture will be harmed.
Similarly, blatant favoritism can take a toll. Treating certain workers differently than others, whether positive or negative, creates imbalance and uncertainty, and that is damaging to morale.
Having a single standard in regards to behavior and performance is a must. This provides a sense of consistency and makes it easier for employees to gauge management’s expectations. Additionally, it ensures that favoritism doesn’t harm the workplace, creating an environment where everyone is on equal footing.
By making sure leaders in your company are creating a consistent and supportive environment, you can improve retention rates. If you’d like to know more, the experienced team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your retention goals today and see how our expertise can benefit you.
You Graduated – Now It’s Time to Get to Work!
After long nights of studying, countless research papers, and more tests than you likely care to remember, you did it; you graduated! Receiving your degree is a major accomplishment and one that certainly should be celebrated. But, it also singles a significant transition in your life as you begin to take your first big step into the workforce.
Now that you’ve got your diploma in hand, it’s time to dominate the job market and get to work. If you’re ready to get started, here’s what you need to do.
Put Your Internships to Work
If you completed an internship or two while earning your degree, now is the time to leverage that experience. Make sure to display them prominently on your resume as this lets hiring managers know that you aren’t starting at ground-level in professional workplaces.
Record the experience on your resume as you would any form of paid employment. Highlight your accomplishments, note the skills you used and acquired, and showcase why you would make a great employee once you get to work.
Start Making Connections
The last thing you want to do after earning a degree is let it gather dust. Instead, now is the perfect time to put yourself out there and begin networking your heart out. You can also look for volunteer opportunities that let you leverage your skills while you search for long-term employment in your field, helping you gain additional experience and hit the ground running.
Plus, as you start making connections by networking or volunteering, you can improve your elevator pitch and communication skills. All of these interactions could be valuable, so treat them like the opportunities they are to get the most out of your time before you land a job.
Refine Your Resume Often
Consider your resume to be a living document that is always under construction. Target the content to every job you apply to and tweak the details as you figure out what works and what doesn’t.
The more you review your resume, the easier it will be to create a quality document. You’ll be more adept at quantifying your experience, highlighting what you have to offer, and speaking about your skills.
Be Realistic
It’s important to remember that landing your dream job straight out of college isn’t probably going to happen. Your first position is simply a stepping stone, letting you put your skills to work while you gain experience and increase the size of your network.
By avoiding unrealistic expectations, you can find a job that can help you take valuable steps towards your long-term goals, including having that dream job one day. If you aren’t realistic, you may turn down excellent opportunities in hopes of landing a role that never comes around.
Work With a Recruiter
If you want help during your job search, working with a reputable staffing firm can be a great way to start. These recruitment professionals are well-connected in the community and often partner with coveted employers for all their hiring needs.
If you are seeking new opportunities, the professionals at The Advance Group can connect you with leading employers throughout the area. Contact us to discuss your goals today and see how our services make it easy to get your career started on the right foot and get to work today.
Start Volunteering This Summer to Boost Your Resume
When you want to catch a hiring manager’s attention, having relevant experience on your resume is often a must. But, if you are a recent graduate looking for their first position, working to shift into a different field, or are rejoining the workforce after a hiatus, you may be limited when it comes to applicable experience.
Luckily, there is something you can do. By seeking out volunteering positions this summer, you can boost your resume. Not only can this help you land a coveted spot, but it also helps ensure your skills are current and fresh. If you are ready to start volunteering this summer, here’s how to get started.
Locate the Right Organizations
Every organization that uses volunteers has different needs. By understanding which skills they could use to help them meet their objectives, you can locate potential opportunities that can also boost your resume.
Look for groups that could benefit from your skill set or could help you gain experience in the right areas. Don’t restrict your search to organizations that are advertising volunteer positions, as many would happily take a volunteer, even if they don’t announce the opportunities.
Prepare an Elevator Speech
In many ways, landing a volunteer position isn’t unlike getting any other job. You’ll need to speak with the individual who oversees the organization’s volunteering, and pitch why you would make a great addition to the team.
Drive the conversation by discussing applicable skills as well as how your accomplishments can help the organization excel. Then, ask if they have space for a volunteer in an area that can benefit your career.
The idea is to make a connection with the volunteer manager to create a mutually beneficial situation. They get a hardworking professional to assist with their objectives, and you gain valuable experience in key areas, creating a win-win.
If space is available, you may be asked to submit an application or resume, just as you would for any other job, so make sure to have the right information gathered and documents at the ready.
Then, if you get the position, strive to excel and learn as much as possible along the way. This ensures that you make a positive impression, which can lead to strong professional references, and that everyone derives value from the arrangement.
Boost Your Resume
Once you’ve worked in the volunteer role for a while, add the details to your resume just as you would with a paid job. Provide information on the organization, discuss your accomplishments, and cover your relevant skills.
In most cases, hiring managers view volunteer work positively, particularly if it provided you with valuable experience that can help you become a top performer in their company. Additionally, references from a volunteer role can be used when you apply for a new job, so don’t discount this option when you seek a paying opportunity.
If you are interested in learning more about how volunteering experience can boost your resume, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your career goals with one of our skilled team members today and see how our services can benefit you.
Keep Your Michigan Workplace Engaged This Summer With These Tips
When it comes to managing productivity, summer can be one of the most challenging periods. Many employees begin heading out on vacations, or are at least planning them, and it isn’t uncommon for thoughts about spending time out of the office to dominate the workplace, especially on beautiful summer days.
During the summer, focusing on engagement is a must. This can help keep morale and productivity high, ensuring the company can meet its goals and that your workforce is happy. If you need to keep your Michigan workplace engaged this summer, here are some tips that can help.
Host a Recognition Event
Acknowledging the achievements of your staff can go a long way, especially when you need to boost engagement. It lets your team know their efforts are appreciated and the company recognizes all they do to help everyone achieve success.
Summer is a great time for a recognition event, especially if you have not held one recently. Gather teams together (or the entire company) and show your appreciation.
Give a Mid-Year Rundown
Employees generally want to know how the business is doing, as this can give them a sense of both security and satisfaction, particularly if the first six months were good.
If you haven’t made your workers aware of the status of the company, consider providing a mid-year rundown. Share information about the triumphs and challenges the organization has faced, including relevant details that give context to the situation.
Additionally, make sure to be open to questions if some of the news isn’t great. That way, you can hear the concerns of your workforce and address them, giving them additional confidence in the health of the company.
Have Some Fun
Stress can be the enemy of productivity, even over the short-term. If your employees have been burning the midnight oil to meet goals or simply cover for summer vacation absences, organize some fun activities to help them de-stress.
Team-building activities can be both a great distraction and a wonderful learning opportunity. Plus, they can bring people together, making times of strife easier to manage. While it may take a few hours out of the workday, the rewards often offset the inconvenience.
Provide Work-Life Balance
Offering telecommuting or flexible scheduling options can make a significant difference during the summer, helping your staff achieve greater work-life balance. It gives them a level of freedom that can be incredibly valuable during the summer. Plus, it ensures productivity can remain high as employees will still be fulfilling their duties, even if it is in a nontraditional fashion.
By using the tips above, you can keep your Michigan workplace engaged this summer and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members about your business needs today and see how our expertise can make this summer a great one for your Michigan workplace.
Already Regretting Your College Degree? Don’t Sweat It!
Many students assume that, by the time they have their college degree in hand, they’ll know exactly where they want to take their career. While this is true for some, a surprising number of newly minted college graduates don’t know where they want to go next, and others may even regret getting a degree in a particular field.
After graduation, joining the workforce is typically the next step. But, for those who are now questioning the value of their college degree, this can be an anxiety-inducing time.
Luckily, even if you regret your college degree on some level, you do have options for moving forward. Here’s how to get started.
Make Research Your Ally
The vast majority of degrees create a wide variety of opportunities. At times, this includes career paths that aren’t necessarily obvious, and one of those might be right for you.
Before you discard the value of your degree, research what career options or jobs seek out people just like you. Contact your school’s career center or alumni association for assistance, get online and search job boards using your credentials as criteria, or check out resources like WhatCanIDoWithThisMajor.com to see if it can provide insight.
By digging in with some research, you might find jobs that didn’t initially come to mind when you were earning your degree. And one of them may be the ideal choice for you.
Explore With Internships
Just because you have a degree doesn’t mean you can’t use internships to explore various career paths. Some internships look for new graduates and not current students, so you may be able to find an opportunity that can help you gain experience while you figure out your next steps.
Most internships are short-term by design. This means you can explore a position or industry without any long-term commitments or expectations from your employer. They also let you use your skills in the real-world and may help you discover which tasks interest you the most.
As a bonus, internships can be excellent resume builders, giving you valuable experience you can list on your resume. Plus, they are wonderful networking opportunities, letting you make professional connections and possibly helping you locate a mentor who can guide you.
Consider Working as a Temp
If you need to start bringing in a paycheck and can’t locate a paid internship, consider working in a temporary or contract position. They don’t come with long-term commitments, giving you another method for exploring your options, and also function as learning experiences.
You can complete a series of short-term assignments to try different roles and see where your education can take you. This can provide a substantial amount of peace of mind too, since you’ll clearly be able to see the value in your degree.
Even if you aren’t entirely sure about your college degree, that doesn’t mean you can’t take valuable steps down a career path. If you’re ready to explore opportunities that your degree can help you land, the professionals at The Advance Group can make finding exciting options easy. Contact us to speak with one of our skilled staff members today and see how our services can benefit you.