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Advance Can Help You Remain On Top in a Competitive Employee Market

Raza Rauf on August 8, 2022

Today, the labor market is incredibly tight. There simply aren’t enough skilled candidates to go around, and companies are facing stiff competition for competitors to secure those that are available.

When recruitment gets more difficult, it isn’t just a challenge to find the right talent for your team. Recruiting also takes far more time and energy, pulling you away from other critical responsibilities. Plus, your recruitment costs typically rise, often far beyond what you initially budgeted.

As a result, some employers may feel that they have little choice but to alter their expectations and hire candidates that aren’t a great fit simply as a means of filling a vacancy. However, that isn’t your only option. By partnering with The Advance Group, you can access top talent and speed up recruitment, allowing you to remain on top in a competitive market. If you’re wondering how The Advance Group can help, here’s what you need to know.

Knowledgeable Recruiters That Spend Time Getting to Know Your Company

At The Advance Group, our recruiters know that finding the best candidate for your open positions requires more than a list of must-have skills. Every job is nuanced, requiring a specific mix of capabilities and traits. A new hire also needs to align with your company’s culture to ensure they’ll mesh with the team dynamic and company mentality.

The Advance Group goes the extra mile to learn all of the details that play a role in a successful hire. Our team will get to know not just the job but your company as a whole. They’ll dig into your company mission and values, learn about the personalities that mesh with your organization, and ask questions that can lead to the highest quality match possible.

With this strategy, The Advanced Group can find candidates with genuine potential to thrive. As a result, you’ll get better fits, increasing the overall odds of success.

Carefully Cultivated Talent Pool Brimming with Active and Passive Job Seekers

As a leading staffing firm in the area, The Advance Group is a go-to resource for job seekers of all kinds. Along with active job seekers, our recruiters remain in touch with passive candidates that are open to new career-boosting opportunities. Every relationship is carefully cultivated, ensuring that when a suitable job comes available, the job seekers in the talent pool will answer our call.

The Advance Group also spends time vetting every job seeker in our talent pool. We learn the ins and outs of their skills and experience, as well as the type of culture that’s the best match. As a result, when a client company has an urgent need, our recruiters are able to find right-fit candidates in far less time.

Recruitment Expertise That Makes Finding In-Demand Skills Easier

As experienced recruiters, The Advance Group can find in-demand professionals easier, even if they aren’t currently a part of our talent pool. Our team knows where to look to find candidates with specific skills. Additionally, our recruiters are adept at making strong connections quickly, ensuring the candidate experience is exceptional every step of the way.

Ultimately, our team can find right-fit candidates faster. Plus, while we handle recruitment, you can focus on other responsibilities, allowing you to handle tasks that keep your company running.

If you’re ready to experience the difference first-hand, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

Get Your Career Off On the Right Foot with a Temp-to-Hire Role

Raza Rauf on August 5, 2022

When you’re starting a new career, it might seem like opportunities are hard to find. Many employers want candidates with experience when they’re filling permanent positions, even if the role is generally considered entry-level. For those taking their first steps into the workforce, professionals returning after taking a break from their career, or anyone interested in a career change, this can be incredibly frustrating.

Fortunately, there is a solution. By choosing a temp-to-hire job, you can start your career off on the right foot with greater ease. If you’re wondering why you should consider a temp-to-hire role, here’s what you need to know.

Find a New Job Faster with Temp-to-Hire

When you need a new job, it’s common to face certain obstacles. If you have little work experience, you may struggle to find an employer that’s willing to take a chance on you if they’re filling a permanent position. Similarly, if you’re switching careers, connecting with a company that is open to bringing you on board can be challenging, especially if you commonly face off against candidates with experience in that industry.

With temp-to-hire, companies are typically more willing to take a chance on a candidate if they seem to have potential. The hiring arrangement comes with significantly less risk on their end, making them more open-minded when it comes to unconventional candidates. That works in your favor, increasing the odds that you can secure a job in your preferred industry quickly.

Make Lasting Connections While Building Skills

In a temp-to-hire job, employers often know that a degree of training is typically essential. This allows candidates to benefit from skill-building opportunities. Along with learning how a particular company operates, you’ll usually get exposed to skill areas that you may not have encountered previously in your career.

Additionally, you get a chance to connect with a wide range of professionals at your new workplace. Along with expanding your network, you can benefit from their expertise, giving you new tools and relationships that can serve you well moving forward.

Evaluate a Job Before Accepting a Permanent Offer

Finally, accepting a temp-to-hire job gives you the unique ability to try out a position before you commit to a permanent job. This is akin to companies using temp-to-hire roles to conduct working interviews. You’ll get a chance to try out the position first-hand, allowing you to ensure your skills are a fit and that you find the job fulfilling. Plus, you have a chance to see if you mesh with the company’s culture, allowing you to assess various intangibles that are difficult to evaluate any other way.

While the goal of a temp-to-hire job is usually to secure a permanent position, you aren’t required to accept. If the role isn’t a match, you can complete the assignment and move on to another opportunity, giving you a chance to genuinely find the best fit possible.

If you’re ready to explore temp-to-hire opportunities with leading employers in the area, the staff at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us to find out more about the benefits of temp-to-hire and explore our current openings.

Is Your Workplace Taking Part in Michigan’s Mobility Workforce?

Raza Rauf on August 1, 2022

In Michigan, the mobility industry is thriving. Whether it’s building smarter roads, creating leading transportation solutions, or crafting affordable EVs, Michigan is working to lead the way.

While a substantial part of the Michigan workforce is focused on mobility – with approximately one in five jobs being a part of the sector – presence alone isn’t enough to become a global leader. Instead, it’s creating a diverse, highly skilled workforce that can set the state apart. With this intangible advantage, Michigan can secure an edge.

As an employer, you have a unique opportunity to play a significant role in Michigan’s mobility workforce. Here’s what you need to know.

The Benefit of Offering Competitive Compensation

The mobility industry requires a slew of highly-developed skillsets. From technology professionals to advanced manufacturing specialists, securing talent with expertise is essential.

Often, the clearest way to attract the right kind of talent is through competitive compensation. Having well-paying jobs has been a classic path toward manufacturing success. Along with improving hiring and recruiting, it signals to candidates that roles in this sector are viable career options. Since interest in industrial jobs has declined over recent decades, this strategy can bring in a fresh generation of skilled professionals, increasing the industry’s odds of success.

Embrace the Power of Training

Michigan is actively working to ensure the workforce of today can meet the demands of tomorrow. Through programs like the Michigan Revolution for Electrification of Vehicles (MiREV), the state aims to assist companies in building job training academies designed to help organizations cultivate a skilled workforce.

However, even without the presence of state-sponsored programs, employers can still capture the benefits of offering training. When you’re open to this approach, you have the opportunity to hire candidates based on their potential, allowing you to mold your ideal employee.

Support Green Initiatives at Every Level

In many ways, the future of mobility is green. Whether that’s advancements in EV technology, low-impact infrastructure development, or anything else, being a part of that movement is beneficial to companies.

How you’ll want to approach this varies depending on your company’s products, services, and position. If you’re actively a part of the mobility industry, embracing green solutions and technologies can help future-proof your business. If you’re in another sector, going green internally lets you play a part in this revolution.

Choose a Hiring Partner Like the Advance Group That Supports Your Goals

Today, hiring is far more challenging than in years past, particularly if you’re targeting in-demand skillsets. By choosing a staffing partner that understands the nuances of the local labor market and will spend the time to learn about your culture and goals, you’ll get exceptional candidates with greater ease.

Plus, partnering with a recruitment agency allows you to achieve higher hiring efficiency. You’ll have a team of knowledgeable recruiters by your side, along with access to their well-developed talent pool.

If you need hiring assistance to ensure your company remains competitive, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us to learn more about our services today.

These 3 Phrases Could Backfire in Your Next Interview

Raza Rauf on July 29, 2022

Most candidates know that job searches are challenging but assume that little errors aren’t usually a big deal. While that can undoubtedly be true for little stumbles, not all mistakes will get ignored by the hiring manager.

In most cases, it wouldn’t seem like a simple sentence could cause you to miss out on a job opportunity. However, if you use specific phrases during your interview, that’s exactly what can happen.

Even seemingly small mistakes can have a major impact during a meeting with a hiring manager. That’s why it’s critical to avoid statements that might backfire. If you’re preparing for an interview, here are three phrases you don’t want to use.

  1. I’m Not Sure What Your Company Does

Whether the hiring manager asks a question referencing the company’s products or services or you get a chance to ask some questions near the end of an interview, saying you don’t know what the company does will backfire. The same goes for implying that you aren’t sure about its offerings, even if you don’t admit it outright.

Saying you don’t know what the company does – directly or indirectly – shows you didn’t tackle some very basic research before you came into the meeting. As a result, it makes you seem disinterested or lazy, at a minimum.

  1. I’ll Stick Around for a Few Years

Regardless of whether a job or workplace seems like an excellent long-term fit, putting a time limit on your stay is never a wise move. It suggests that there’s something about the position, company, or culture that you don’t find appealing and that you’d likely move on as soon as you got the chance.

Whether you’re asked to discuss how long you envision staying with the company or where you see yourself in five years, always make it seem like sticking with this employer is part of your plan. That makes you seem like a better investment, increasing the odds that you’ll move forward in the hiring process.

  1. No, I Don’t Have Any Questions

At the end of an interview, the hiring manager typically asks if you have any questions. While it may seem like saying, “No, I don’t have any questions” isn’t a bad idea – or might work in your favor by showing you did your research and paid attention – that isn’t actually the case.

When you don’t ask questions, it can make you seem disinterested in the job. It implies that you aren’t curious about the nuances of the role or workplace, so the hiring manager may assume that you wouldn’t want the position at that point.

By asking intelligent questions, you’re demonstrating enthusiasm for the opportunity. Plus, it gives you a chance to ensure that a job is legitimately a good fit, allowing you to make smarter career decisions. Since that’s the case, it’s always best to have a few questions at the ready.

If you’d like to learn more about interview missteps that could cost you a job and how to avoid them, the staff at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

HAPPY 11TH ANNIVERSARY, LINDA CUBBERLY!

Raza Rauf on July 28, 2022

To celebrate Linda Cubberly’s 11th year with The Advance Group, we sat down with her for a Q & A session. Here are a few highlights to enjoy:

Q: What brings you the greatest joy? 

A: Family time and traveling- it’s best when they are combined!

Q: What are the last three items you purchased on your credit card? 

A: Cliq portable chairs, screen protectors for my phone, and a porta potty for the Faster Horses Festival!

Q:  Where’s your favorite place to eat? 

A: My favorite is Mancy’s Steakhouse, but I love trying new places.

Linda is the Director of Staffing Operations in our Corporate office.  Happy Anniversary, Linda!

Is Now the Time to Upskill…or Replace…Employees?

Raza Rauf on July 25, 2022

If your company is battling against a skill gap, you typically have two choices. First, you can upskill your workforce to boost its capabilities, allowing you to actively close gaps that you encounter. Second, you could replace workers with professionals that have the newly required skills.

Which approach is best may depend on your company’s unique situation. If you’re wondering whether upskilling or replacing employees is the better option, here’s what you need to consider.

When Upskilling Is the Better Choice

More often than not, upskilling is going to be the best strategy for several reasons. First, it’s a chance to curate your ideal workforce. You can add the skills you require as soon as the need is on the horizon, allowing you to prepare for upcoming projects, embrace emerging innovations, or otherwise stay ahead of the curve.

Second, upskilling typically boosts engagement, particularly among your top performers. It introduces healthy challenges. Plus, it shows that you care about the growth and development of your workforce, which can boost loyalty, improve retention, and even ease recruitment.

Finally, upskilling will have a better impact on morale than the alternative. When you start replacing workers instead of training them to meet your needs, it makes every employee feels as if they’re at risk. That can breed distrust, resentment, and frustration, often leading to more turnover. Comparatively, upskilling shows that you’re willing to invest in your workforce, a move that improves morale and reduces turnover.

When Replacing Is the Better Bet

While upskilling is typically the better option, there are times when replacing employees is the right choice. If you have a worker who’s resistant to change and isn’t interested in training, they aren’t an ideal target for upskilling. As a result, a termination and replacement may be the only option you have if you need new skills in that position.

At times, replacing an employee could also allow you to acquire several new skills all at once. If a job is shifting to the point where it functionally requires a completely refreshed skillset, hiring someone from outside the organization may be the fastest way to make that happen.

Similarly, if the cost of training a particular skill is far higher than hiring someone with the needed capabilities, replacing an employee could be the more cost-effective option. While this is rare, it can happen with specific highly specialized capabilities where training opportunities are minimal.

Ultimately, both approaches can help companies boost the capabilities of their workforce, but each one may work better in some circumstances while the other is a better fit in different situations. By keeping that in mind, you can develop a strategy that accounts for your company’s unique needs, ensuring you use the best approach every time you need to bring new skills into your workplace.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can cultivate the ideal workforce, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

Looking to Get Paid This Week? Here are 10 Jobs Hiring NOW!

Raza Rauf on July 22, 2022

When you need to find a job fast, you might assume you don’t have many options. However, there are a surprising number of opportunities available, including many that could let you start practicing right away. Here’s a look at ten jobs that are hiring now.

  1. Assembly – Perrysburg, OH

If you’re interested in a light assembly job that comes with three-day weekends all summer long, this could be your perfect option. It’s a Monday through Thursday day shift role mainly involving assembling and gluing products, with some hand tool usage.

  1. CNC Operators – Detroit, MI

With two to three years of CNC experience, you can qualify for this outstanding CNC operator job opportunity. You’ll load and unload parts, perform inspections, handle reworks, and operate a crane or hi-lo as needed.

  1. Custodian – Toledo, OH

If you enjoy independent work on a 2nd shift, this custodial position with an area private school might be right up your alley. The role involves general cleaning and upkeep of classrooms, offices, and exterior spaces. You’ll also assist with event setup and teardown.

  1. Factory Worker – Walbridge, OH

A solar panel manufacturer is looking for factory workers to join their team. You can work seven out of 14 days and still get full-time hours. Plus, voluntary overtime might be available. Along with quality inspection and material loading, duties include assembly, banding, and sorting.

  1. Forklift Operator – Rossford, OH

For anyone who enjoys a fast-paced job and has prior forklift experience, this job could be a match. It’s a 2nd shift position at a local powder coating company, primarily involving material moving, parts stacking, line stocking, and truck loading and unloading.

  1. Lab Technician – Rockwood, MI

An industrial materials company is looking for a lab technician to assist with quality assurance for produced products and incoming raw materials. Along with being a full-time, day shift position, employees are eligible for medical, retirement, and other benefits upon hire.

  1. Material Handler – Metamora, OH

For anyone who wants a general labor job but prefers to work outdoors, this opportunity is for you. You’ll load train cars, operate equipment, perform inspections, handle preventative maintenance, and more, all while working a day shift.

  1. Production Worker – Monroe, MI

If you’re new to the workforce and want to find a job quickly, this production worker position could be a perfect fit. You don’t need experience to land the role, making it a great way to launch a career. Plus, flexible schedules and part-time positions are available.

  1. Warehouse Worker – New Boston, MI

A food distribution center is looking for skilled warehouse workers to join the team full-time. There are multiple positions available, including opportunities on different shifts. The job is straightforward, focusing mainly on loading and unloading shipments, transferring goods, and packaging.

  1. Welder – Delta, OH

A steel mill is looking for an experienced welder. Along with a quick start, this position comes with opportunities to grow and advance. Plus, the job comes with a pay raise after training is complete, as well as a chance to secure benefits.

If you’d like to learn more about these jobs or other opportunities, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Welder-Jobs-in-Delta-OH/7117195

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Warehouse-Jobs-in-New-Boston-MI/7588615

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Production-Worker-Jobs-in-Monroe-MI/7669836

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Material-Handler-Jobs-in-Metamora-OH/7391788

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Lab-Technician-Jobs-in-Rockwood-MI/6653854

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Forklift-Jobs-in-Rossford-OH/736123

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Factory-Worker-Jobs-in-Walbridge-OH/7527458

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Custodian-Jobs-in-Toledo-OH/7669832

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/CNC-Operator-Jobs-in-Detroit-MI/6653883

https://jobs.theadvancegroupjobs.com/jb/Assembly-Jobs-in-Perrysburg-OH/7468896

Servant Leadership Is on the Rise in Michigan!

Raza Rauf on July 18, 2022

In the wake of the pandemic, certain management styles no longer cut it in the eyes of employees. Overly controlling and forceful leaders aren’t just viewed as unpleasant; they’re considered an active hindrance by many professionals that want to thrive in their careers.

Savvy companies understand that meeting employee expectations in this department matters, particularly when the labor market is tight. As a result, servant leadership is on the rise in Michigan, helping area employers stand out from competitors and secure and retain the top performers they need to thrive.

Here’s a look at what servant leadership involves, the benefits it provides, and how you can embrace the servant leadership style in your workplace.

What Is Servant Leadership?

While traditional leadership styles mainly focus on the success of the company, servant leaders adopt an employee-centric view of management. Usually, the strategy involves facilitating growth while being supportive, ensuring employees feel empowered while caring for their well-being.

Empathy plays a big role in servant leadership, as well. Managers actively strive to put themselves in their employees’ shoes, ensuring they know the impact of challenges they face or why they have a particular perspective.

The Benefits of Servant Leadership

Inherently, servant leadership is a very nurturing approach. The concept focuses on how a manager can make things better for their employees, not how workers can serve the company. Often, this leads to very welcoming, inclusive environments.

When servant leadership becomes part of the culture, morale generally rises. Employees feel that management isn’t just working with them but actively supporting them, creating a positive workplace. Plus, innovation may thrive under servant leadership, primarily because workers feel safe enough to take smart risks. Together, this makes the optimal conditions for higher productivity and quality improvements, all while cultivating a workplace that employees genuinely enjoy.

Servant leadership can also make nearly any task more meaningful. Often, servant leaders are more common in values-driven organizations. Plus, managers are more likely to help employees see how their contributions impact broader goals, which leads to higher job satisfaction.

How to Embrace Servant Leadership

Adopting servant leadership principles and incorporating them into your own management style or workplace isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Mainly, it’s about embracing key concepts like employee empowerment while promoting wellness.

Along the way, make tools available that help employees learn and grow, all while doing your part to remove obstacles that hinder their success. Additionally, coaching takes precedent over direct instruction with servant leadership. Similarly, supportive autonomy is typically part of the equation, ensuring employees can take ownership of tasks while knowing that they can receive guidance if it’s needed.

Active listening is also critical in servant leadership. Ultimately, you can meet your workforce’s needs if you don’t understand the challenges they’re facing or their perspective. Through active listening, you can learn a lot about how best to support their success, giving you critical insights that let you become a stronger leader.

If you’d like to learn more about servant leadership, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

Don’t Let Burnout Ruin Your Summer!

Raza Rauf on July 15, 2022

At some point in nearly every person’s career, they’ll experience some degree of burnout. At times, it’s caused by a sense of tedium that can come when a role is no longer exciting. In others, it’s a response to being asked to shoulder far more than a reasonable amount for an extended period, creating an ongoing source of stress that negatively impacts their day-to-day.

Regardless of the trigger, burnout isn’t just an issue at work; it can harm your personal life, too. Since that’s the case, it’s wise to know what burnout involves and how to respond to it, allowing you to take corrective action quicker. If you aren’t sure what to watch out for, here are some tips to help ensure burnout doesn’t ruin your summer.

Understand That There Are Different Types of Burnout

Burnout is a pretty broad category that can describe several unique scenarios. Feeling overwhelmed by your workload to the point of it making you ineffective is a form of burnout. The same is true of being so bored that you can’t stay engaged long enough to do your best work or believing that your job is so meaningless that it isn’t worth the effort.

Ultimately, burnout can manifest in a lot of ways. Plus, it can lead to a range of emotions, including anger, frustration, annoyance, sadness, and depression. By knowing that, you can better assess whether burnout is likely involved, ensuring you don’t ignore an issue because of a misunderstanding about the condition.

Learn the Unconventional Signs of Burnout

In some cases, signs of impending burnout aren’t what you’d expect. While feeling frustrated at work or having regular bouts of the Sunday Blues are typical of someone experiencing burnout, other signs like finding household chores overwhelming or feeling resentful when a family member asks for a bit of your time are, too.

Daydreaming about becoming ill so you can call in sick or have a day to yourself could also signal burnout. The same goes for staying up later than you should to reclaim lost “me time” or skipping activities that you know are beneficial because you simply can’t muster the energy.

By knowing the signs beyond the classics, it’s easier to spot a potential issue before it becomes a catastrophic problem. Then, you can look for possible solutions earlier.

Get Comfortable with Setting Boundaries

In many cases, burnout is exacerbated by this internal belief that saying “no” isn’t an option. This may be a conditioned response based on antiquated ideas about work or family, particularly the notion that those areas of your life should always come before self-care.

However, setting boundaries isn’t just wise; it’s an outright necessity. No one knows if you’re overtasked, overwhelmed, or overstressed but you. Since that’s the case, you have to get comfortable with setting boundaries for when the need arises.

Often, people will respond kindly to a “no” if you present it properly. At work, you may simply be able to let your manager know that picking up a new task could make sacrificing the quality of your other work a necessity.

Ultimately, setting boundaries makes it easier to achieve balance. As a result, you may have an easier time avoiding burnout, allowing you to be at your best as much as possible. If you’d like to learn more, the staff at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

The World of Work Is Changing. Here’s How an Employer of Choice Can Help Your Business Navigate It!

Raza Rauf on July 11, 2022

Saying that the pandemic impacted the working world feels like a major understatement. Professionals’ perceptions have dramatically changed, altering their expectations in regard to their roles and their employers. Job search trends have also shifted, at times in ways that companies don’t realize.

Adapting to the changing landscape is essential for any employer looking to fill vacancies quickly and efficiently. With that in mind, here’s a look at how the world of work is changing and how an employer of choice can help your company navigate it.

How the World of Work Is Changing

Today, professionals don’t view their jobs the same way as they did pre-pandemic. Often, they’re far more open to shifting between opportunities, particularly while the labor market is in their favor. Professionals simply won’t settle for positions that leave them dissatisfied or wages that don’t align with local industry norms. If they feel undervalued or unchallenged, they’ll seek out a better option elsewhere.

On the job search front, candidates aren’t responding to generic job ads that focus solely on the company. Instead, they want to see compelling employer value propositions, highlights of the company’s culture, and other tidbits that help them determine if the workplace is the right fit for them.

As for hiring processes, lengthy applications and numerous interview rounds aren’t being tolerated to the same level. If you’re asking candidates to provide a resume, fill in the same information on an application, answer several essay questions, and do a quick skills or behavioral screener right at the beginning, an increasing number of job seekers simply won’t finish. Similarly, if you go beyond the typical one to three rounds of interviews – depending on the level of the role – candidate engagement will tumble, and some job seekers may even abandon the process.

On the work front, flexibility isn’t just a nice benefit; it’s outright expected in many fields. Whether that involves alternative schedules, telecommuting, or both, many professionals know they can excel when given a bit of wiggle room. Additionally, gone are any illusions that such arrangements impact their productivity negatively.

Essentially, professionals know that there are opportunities to be had, and they know there’s more to work than a traditional workday at a company’s site. As a result, they’re looking for something far different than in years past, and they won’t stop searching until they find it.

How an Employer of Choice Can Help

When you partner with a staffing firm that’s also an employer of choice, you get an edge in the current market. Along with recruiters that understand the ins and outs of the landscape, you’ll work with recruitment experts that know how to tap top talent. Along with robust candidate databases filled with vetted active and passive job seekers, the recruiters know how to connect with hard-to-find professionals for challenging vacancies.

Plus, highly skilled candidates more readily turn to an employer of choice and trust the judgment of those recruiters. Job seekers know they’re respected and that the agency will treat them right, increasing the odds they’ll accept an offer presented by their recruiter.

Contact The Advance Group

If you need a hiring solution that makes navigating the new world of work easier, the staff at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

5 Things All New Grads Need to Know About Being Part of the Workforce

Raza Rauf on July 8, 2022

As a new graduate, you might think you have all of the knowledge and skills to launch a successful career. However, the working world is far different from what you experience in academia. As a result, you may find yourself suddenly struggling in ways you didn’t expect.

Fortunately, with the right information, it’s possible to increase your odds of success. Here’s a look at five things all new grads need to know about being part of the workforce.

  1. Taking Time to Observe Is Essential

When you start in a new job right after graduating, you might be brimming with ideas about how to integrate emerging technologies or embrace trends to improve your new workplace. While you might assume that your manager would appreciate your enthusiasm as you discuss these revelations, the reality is usually far different.

Trying to change a workplace you haven’t taken the time to get to know won’t typically make a good impression. Best case, it can make you seem naïve. Worst case, you may come across as a disrespectful know-it-all.

Instead of trying to reinvent processes, spend time learning how things work and why the various procedures are in place. You may discover that there’s a reason for the approach.

  1. Accountability and Dependability Are More Important Than You Expect

In school, it’s normal to get a little bit of leeway in certain areas. For example, you might not see any repercussions for coming into class a little late, or you might be able to get a due date shifted or retest scheduled if you’re unpredictably absent.

When you start working, accountability and dependability are the name of the game. Being late comes with consequences, and even justifiable absences don’t mean clients won’t be upset if something isn’t delivered on time. That’s why it’s essential to have a plan for meeting your commitments, including contingencies to deal with the unexpected.

  1. There’s Far More Routine Once You’re Part of the Workforce

Often, your time in school can feel a bit hectic. While your classes may start and end at specific times, the nature of your assignments, their difficulty, and other aspects of the experience are highly variable. In some cases, that works in your favor, as it keeps things engaging. As a result, a regular job may feel surprisingly dull by comparison.

While most roles do come with challenges, they’re usually far more routine than you initially expected. Exciting projects aren’t usually the bulk of your duties. Instead, you’ll handle certain tasks repeatedly much of the time. By knowing that can be the case, you can keep your expectations reasonable, increasing your odds of job satisfaction.

  1. You’ll Get Feedback, But Not as Much as You Did in School

Feedback is part of the work and education equations. However, while you’re in school, you usually get some insights after every assignment you turn in, generally in the form of grades. At work, you won’t necessarily get feedback every time you complete a task, something that may seem odd to new grads.

  1. General Politeness Has a Major Impact on How You’re Perceived

In the workplace, a little bit of politeness goes a long way. Whether it’s saying “please” and “thank you,” holding doors for someone carrying files, or a quick smile and nod as you pass someone in the hall, those gestures have an impact on your reputation.

In the end, you won’t have time to directly engage with everyone at work right away. Use general politeness to craft a foundation. Then, when you do have a chance to speak with someone new, they’ll already view you in a positive light.

If you’d like to learn more about how new grads can prepare for the workforce, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

Are You Paying Too Little for Ohio Workers?

Raza Rauf on July 4, 2022

In Ohio, many companies are failing to offer wages that allow employees to comfortably manage their financial lives. Among the most common jobs, several don’t come with pay rates that would make sustaining a family of three without food assistance a viable option. Additionally, while select employers did raise pay rates in response to the Great Recession, the increases were small enough that many of the employee gains are being functionally wiped out by inflation.

While employers aren’t responsible for inflation, declining purchasing power does impact the labor market. This is particularly true since many professionals are rethinking their careers in the light of the pandemic. Along with having new expectations of employers, many members of the workforce are changing their career paths, opting for roles with more potential or industries they perceive as safe.

For some Ohio employers, these shifts create new challenges. Suddenly, finding employees to fill vacancies is far more than challenging; it’s seemingly impossible. While it’s easy to argue that higher wages aren’t the only solution, for employers that want to remain productive and secure the best talent, it’s often the best answer.

Determining If You’re Paying Too Little for Ohio Workers

In many cases, it’s reasonably easy to determine if you’re paying too little for Ohio workers. One of the biggest clues is a significant decline in the number of job applicants or accepted offers. Generally, candidates show disproval of salary levels by avoiding opportunities at companies that are known for offering low compensation or rejecting offers they feel are lowball.

Rising turnover is another sign of trouble. When employees feel underpaid, wage-related attrition is a common response. Essentially, workers seek out opportunities as a means of securing their financial future and may exit with surprising speed when they find a suitable alternative.

Finally, research can make spotting pay issues simple. Often, it’s wise to gather data regarding typical salaries for positions similar to your offerings in your area. That allows you to directly compare what you’re offering to local norms, making it easy to determine if you’re behind the curve when it comes to wages.

How to Correct Low Wages and Attract Talent

In many cases, you can use a straightforward process for correcting low wages. Ideally, you want to bump up pay rates – either by a set dollar amount or percentage – quickly to bring salaries in line. While it may seem easier to start with one job category and then move on to another, that isn’t always ideal. There may be issues regarding perceived fairness, something that you can avoid by increasing pay rates simultaneously.

Once you’ve handled the wage increase, attracting talent gets easier, particularly if you openly advertise your salary ranges. Remember, pay is always a factor for candidates, so being open works in your favor. You’ll show that you can meet this critical need, leading to higher interest in your opportunities and a better-quality candidate.

If you need to fill vacant positions or want insights that can help you correct low wages, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us today.

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Are You Paying Too Little for Ohio Workers