Perfect Resumes for Manufacturing Jobs

Is it possible to write the perfect resume — even for a manufacturing job in Ohio or Michigan? We certainly think so, but it all depends on who you talk to and who is going to read the resume. Everyone has their opinions about resumes, including what should and should not be included on them. This means that a perfect resume for one employer will not be a perfect resume for another employer. Do not let this get you down when writing yours for manufacturing jobs or else you will have trouble succeeding.

Sell Your Personal Brand

With all types of resumes, you need to sell your personal brand as much as possible. Your brand needs to be at the top of the resume and in the form of a one-to-three sentence statement. It absolutely must show to potential employers what it is you have done in your manufacturing career. When they read what you have done, they will be able to envision what you can do for their company if you are hired.

Use Manufacturing Keywords

A manufacturing resume must include keywords associated to the industry or to the jobs you have worked throughout your career. You need to include them naturally, not just thrown into the content, so they flow with the sentence being read. This will take a little bit of research on your part if you have never done this before, so be sure you set aside enough time to make sure that this is done correctly prior to writing the resume.

Relevant Work Experience

No matter what industry you are writing a resume for, it must have your relevant work experience on it. The tip here is not to simply list your previous jobs, but to provide stories from those jobs of your success. Underneath each job, be sure to mention something that you had a hand in while at the company that improved things. This can be a goal met, a new policy implemented or a new record set.

Core Competencies

Something that can be done on a manufacturing resume that is a little different from a regular resume is listing your core competencies at the top of your resume. These competencies let the potential employer know what you have been responsible for while on the job. For example, you could list regulatory compliance, site safety and budgeting and cost reduction in this section. This section is not on typical resumes, so it will surely grab the attention of the human resource managers reading your resume.
In an effort to write a perfect manufacturing resume, be sure that you focus on the strong points in your career. Also, make sure that your resume has a statement at the very top that sets you apart from all the other candidates for the job. If you can do this, you should have no trouble securing a manufacturing job interview in Michigan or Ohio. Advance Temporary can help you get closer to your ideal manufacturing job in Detroit, Sylvania or Toledo.

What You Need to Know BEFORE Interviewing

As you prepare for your next job interview, there are a few things you should keep in mind before setting foot on the company’s property. Never arrive for a job interview unprepared. You are only wasting your time and the time of the interviewer. You also will find it difficult to secure the job offer.

Rememeber, the more prepared you are for an interview, the more likely it is that you will be offered the job. Follow these tips and you will find success in your next job interview.

Always Review Your Resume

The very first thing you need to do is review your resume. Even if you just went on an interview last month, check your resume again. The reason you might not have been offered that job is something on your resume. Read it out loud, read it backwards and have someone else read it to find any and all mistakes. Make sure that there are no jobs missing from your timeline either.

Study the Company

Never walk into an interview without having some knowledge about the company – such as their founding, their leadership, and their clients. When you perform research on the company you will be able to impress the interviewer in multiple facets. When the interviewer asks you questions about the company, and you answer promptly and with confidence, you will prove to the interviewer how well you can perform research and that you definitely want to work at this company.

Create a List of Questions

A job interview is not supposed to be an interrogation of the candidate. It should be an open conversation between two or more people. In order to make sure this is an open conversation you can prepare a list of questions prior to the interview. The questions should be in response to statements made by the interviewer showing that you have strong critical thinking skills as well as the ability to think on your feet. Even though you might have created the list beforehand, the interviewer will still be impressed with your preparation.

Rehearse the Interview

There is nothing wrong with rehearsing how the interview will take place prior to it occurring. Since interviews do not follow a script, you should write one and work off of that at home. Write down the most common interview questions you have come across during your career and practice answering those questions. By rehearsing these answers you will be able to speak confidently during the actual interview and feel a little more relaxed.
There is plenty for you to do prior to a job interview. Just be sure that you do some sort of preparation prior to sitting down with an interviewer so you put yourself ahead of the game. For access to great part time and full time, temp to hire jobs in Detroit and surrounding areas, be sure to visit the career portal at Advance Temporary Staffing.

Hiring Millennials: Risky or Rewarding?

It seems like the millennials have taken over the workforce these days. These are the folks who were born right as the Internet was shaping into the powerful resource it is today. As a result, they tend to embrace technology. They also have different views when it comes to their work styles, and defining roles in the workplace. For some companies, this can be a blessing, while for others this can be very difficult to get accustomed to.

Here, we will discuss the risks and rewards of hiring millennials at your company.

The Risks of Hiring Millenials

As with any hire, there will be risks when you hire millennials. Even though there are risks, they are not strong enough to deter you from hiring a millennial for your office. One of the main risks associated with hiring a millennial is that they are less likely to display loyalty to your company. This means that gone are the days of having someone work at the same place for 20 or more years, or even until retirement age.

The loyalty factor is one of the most glaring risks associated with hiring millennials today. We are not saying that every single millennial will have trouble being loyal, it is just that the majority of them will tend to move from one job to the next. They will want to gain as much experience and exposure as possible, which is why changing jobs is common.

The Rewards of Hiring Millenials

The rewards of hiring a millennial far outweigh the risks and they will surely improve your company. Millennials love to be coached. They have grown up with all their lives. They will want it at work too. This means that if you have managers who love to provide guidance and teach, then millennials will be the perfect hire at your company.

Millennials will want to have as much fun at work as possible. Just because it is called work, it does not have to be boring or dreadful. A group of millennials will want to contribute their ideas and be rewarded for performing to the best of their ability. This can turn your office into an exciting place to be each day and can improve your corporate culture.

Millennials will find it extremely easy to work in teams. They love to collaborate and that really is all they know from their years of education. When putting millennials in groups, make sure that they the deadlines are provided and that they know what the business boundaries are with each project.

As you can see, the rewards outweigh the risks when determining whether or not to hire millennials for your company. Take the time to meet with them, hear their ideas, and let them make major contributions to your organization. You will be pleased with the outcome. Ready to hire your own Millenial workforce? Talk to Advance Staffing Solutions in Detroit today!

Increase Employee Productivity through Trust

Finding new methods to increase employee productivity in today’s fast-paced, technology-lasden world can be very difficult. Companies are looking for new ideas on a daily basis, but we think we have the ultimate solution; use trust. When you trust your employees, they are more likely to be productive because they will know how much you value their work and input around the office.

Talk about Business Operations

An excellent way to build trust in the workplace is to talk openly and honestly about the company’s business operations. This will show employees that you want them to know how the company is doing in terms of clients, revenue, and other important aspects. When companies hide information about the company, such as its quarterly profits, then employees become suspicious about how well the company is doing and productivity could decrease immensely.

Show Consistency with Employee Policies

When it comes to employee relations and policies, you need to be fair and consistent as much as possible. Companies that show favoritism to one group of employees over another will see employee productivity drop quickly. A company must enforce its employee policies on a consistent basis, whether this includes suspending employees or reprimanding them for wrongdoings, it needs to be universal across the entire workforce. You will also need to be objective when it comes to dealing with employees because every situation will be different. This can be very difficult to do, but it must be done when building trust in the workplace.

Offer Strong Communication

A strong line of communication must be open at the company all the time. This includes an open exchange of ideas, constructive criticism, positive reinforcement and a forum for employees to discuss problems openly. All of these items are highly valued within a company or organization, which is why they are important and play a major role in the productivity of employees. Communication needs to be available for all of your employees, not just a select few. The more methods of communication available for employees, the more comfortable and trusting they will be of your company.

Set Employees Up for Success

Another excellent way to increase productivity using trust is to set your employees up for success in the workplace. This includes providing them with resources, tools and learning opportunities that are necessary for them to perform their job duties. When you offer employees training courses or reimbursement for education, they know that the company trusts them to learn more about the industry and take what they have learned back to the office.
When companies create a culture of trust, the productivity in the office will increase almost instantly. Employees who know they are trusted by the higher-ups will do everything possible to be successful in their position.

Make Your Summer Temp Job a Career

Every year, hundreds of thousands of adults turn to summer employment opportunities to gain on-the-job experience, while earning much-needed extra cash. However, a summer job doesn’t have to end with the final summer breeze. Instead, you can take advantage of a seasonal opportunity and turn it into a full-time career path. Summer jobs are the perfect time to earn new skills, make important professional connections, and propel your career to greatness.

If you follow the tips outlined in this article you will be able to transform just about any summer temp job into a long-term career.

Do Not Quit Your Day Job, Yet

The first thing you need to do is keep your day job (if you are currently employed full-time elsewhere). If you work a summer temp job to bring in extra cash because you are a teacher and have the summer months off, you should definitely not quit your day job. Even if you work a summer job at night to supplement daytime income, do not quit that job either. You want to keep the money flowing while you examine your full-time summer options. Aside from the income, you need to figure out how to acquire health insurance, if you need coverage.

Browse Your Options

You do not want to limit your options when it comes to finding a temp summer job that can turn into full-time, permanent work. Consider working a different summer temp job each year to see what is best for you. One summer you can work as a retail manager while another summer you can work as a surfing instructor, if this is a hobby of yours. Just because you have worked your entire career in the banking industry, it does not mean that you have to continue to do so in the summer.

Employ Your Creativity

When trying to turn a summer temp job into a full-time job, be sure to use your creativity as much as possible. Think about your dream job; is it within reach? Can it really be done? If so, why not give it a shot one summer? Spend time thinking about some of the most interesting jobs you would like to work and go from there. If your dream job is within reach, figure out how much money you can generate from it, what the schedule would look like and work your other job around it.

Work Special Projects

Depending on when your summer job begins, it might last anywhere from one month to three months, so you need to make an impression as quickly as possible. This can be done by taking on special projects every now and then. Make sure those projects can be completed prior to the end of your temp work so you make a lasting impression on the management and ownership. Any special projects you complete can be included on your resume, which will help you impress potential employers.

If you are able to take all of these tips and put them to good use, you will find yourself turning a temporary summer job into a permanent, full-time position. Look to Advance Staffing Solutions in the Toledo Ohio and Detroit Michigan areas for part time and full time summer jobs.

Looking for jobs in Toledo OH? How a Toledo Staffing Firm Can Help!

As you sit in front of your computer and read this post, you might have another tab open in your Internet browser that has a big name job board loaded on it. Not finding many jobs for the Toledo Ohio market there, are you?

Let’s face it: sifting through the millions of job postings on various boards can be time consuming, frustrating and disappointing. Instead of spending your time searching endlessly for a job in Toledo Ohio, take the time to work with a Toledo staffing firm.

Benefits of a Staffing Firm

A staffing firm in Toledo, OH will be able to save you time, energy and a lot of hassle during a job search. You do not have to pay a cent out of your own wallet either. How is that for efficient and affordable? The staffing firm will be paid by the company that hires you as a temporary, or temp-to-perm hire. Some of the benefits of a staffing firm in Toledo include the following:

  • A staffing firm will schedule interviews with potential employers for those looking for a job. They will also be the point of contact between the job seekers and the employers during the entire process.
  • Staffing firms will make it a point to ensure that the job seeker is prepared for an interview by offering advice, resume help and help writing a cover letter.
  • A job seeker will have more time on their hands when working with a staffing firm because he or she no longer has to spend hours on end searching for open jobs. The staffing firm will ask the seeker what he or she wants to do in their career and contact them when jobs matching their interest and expertise become available.

Experts in the Industry

When you are looking for a job in Toledo, OH, a staffing firm will be able to provide you with expertise in the industry in which you work. You can sign with a firm that has expertise in the technology industry if those are the jobs you have worked in the past and the education you received. There are recruiters who work in each firm that have expertise in almost every industry and they are paired with job seekers based on the industry in which they wish to work.

Staffing Firms Learn Who You Are

Working with a staffing firm in Toledo means that those at the firm will get to know you as a person and a professional. This helps them find you the best job possible within your search. They will learn your work history, your skills and your experience so they can talk you up to potential employers as soon as jobs become available. The best firms in Toledo will spend time on the phone with you and in-person prior to scheduling you for an interview so they can get to know you.

Ready to take your job search to a new and better level? Get in touch with Advance Staffing Resources in Toledo, OH and find out why were are one of the top staffing agencies in the area. We have plenty of temp to perm jobs, flexible work hours, and benefits to offer the best candidates out there.

How Much Does it Cost to Work with a Michigan Temp Agency?

Working with a Michigan temp agency can be very beneficial for any organization looking to fill vacant jobs. Temp agencies help companies recruit and hire temporary workers on an ongoing basis, making it easier to keep jobs filled. Temp workers are very helpful to companies because they might be able to perform some services that current employees do not have or can work just enough hours where the company does not have them counted against their employment numbers for the Affordable Care Act.

Hourly Temp Workers

When a temp agency places hourly temporary workers with your company you will be paying the agency that placed them with you a fee. For the most part, you will be paying that worker by the hour, so you also pay the agency in Michigan by the hour. For example, if your hourly worker is paid $10 USD per hour, you might be paying the temp agency a percentage rate slightly higher than the hourly rate paid to the worker.

Now, keep in mind that you only have to pay the temp agency when the employee actually performs work for your company. On average, a markup for salary can range from 15 to 30 percent of the worker’s hourly wage. This more than makes up for the benefits of working with a temp agency. Consider these factors:

  • The temp agency does all the recruiting, screening, assessments and background checks.
  • The agency manages areas such as benefits, payroll, overtime, and bonuses.
  • The agency is partnered with your company to ensure that the temp employee performs well on the job.

Temp to Perm Employees

Many temporary employees can find themselves being offered permanent, full-time employment at their companies after being placed by a temp agency. When this happens, the temp agency will charge the hiring company a fee that comes from the employee’s starting salary. The fee will be in the range of 25 to 75 percent of the employee’s starting salary. In this scenario, the company will need to pay the temp agency whether or not the employee winds up working out for the company. This means that temp agencies will need to scrutinize their candidates a lot more so they provide companies with top talent that will stay with the company for the long haul.

Executive Searches

Temp agencies in Michigan are also able to provide companies with executive searches. This is an easier way for companies to bring in new vice presidents, presidents and financial officers for various departments throughout the company. You can sign a retainer fee with the temp agency, which could be a portion of the fee you will pay the agency when they find an executive to work at your company. For the most part, the retainer fee will be half of the expected fee.

Working with a temp agency in the state of Michigan is beneficial to companies of all sizes. Many temp agencies will have set rates to help companies fill open positions, but will be open to working with companies when it comes to negotiating rates. As a company, all you need to do is ask what their lowest rates are and what services you will get for those rates.

4 Things to Remember When Negotiating Your Salary

Negotiating a salary after being offered a new job (or during performance review/promotion time) can be scary for some people, especially if they have never had to do this in the past. This should be a process that is satisfying, especially since you were offered a new position at a different company or a promotion at your current employer. If you follow the advice we have in this post, you will find it easy to negotiate a salary with your new or current employer.

#1 Provide a Hard Number

When you reach the negotiation stage of a new job offer, be sure you provide the hiring manager or human resource executive with a hard number. You never want to give a range for expected salary. This allows the employer to take the lower end of the range all the time, no matter how skilled or talented you are. When you offer a salary range, you are giving the company too much leverage in the negotiation process. When you stick with the hard number, you have decent control of the negotiations. Come up with an amount you can live with, then tack on $5K more.

#2 Give Precise Numbers

During the negotiation process, make sure you provide the employer with precise numbers instead of rounding off the figure. When you tell a hiring manager precise numbers instead of rounded numbers you display confidence in yourself and that you understand what the value of the position is at the company. This shows the hiring manager that you are committed to accepting the job and that you want to make the most of your career.

#3 Employers Don’t Like Negotiating

After receiving a job offer, you are asked to come into the office to discuss the salary. You are nervous and dreading the negotiation because you do not want to make a bad impression and lose out on the position, but you also do not want to leave money on the table. Well, you should know that employers do not like negotiating either. Try to make the process more of a persuasive discussion than a battle for who can win.

#4 Remember Money Isn’t the Sole Factor

One of the most important tips in negotiating salary is that money should not always be the lone factor in the process. Employees want more than money from their employers. They also want health benefits, stock options, flexible schedules, a 401k, paid time-off and other perks. During the negotiations, you can ask the employer for telecommuting options, paid-for training, flex-time and much more. All of these can help items can help you negotiate a salary that helps you earn a living while also enjoying life.
When you use the four tips discussed in this post during salary negotiations, you will find that the process will be much easier to deal with for both you and the employer.

Advance Staffing Solutions, a great source of Detroit MI Jobs, can support your goals of being a better manager and retaining the bedt employees. Find out more by visiting our website today. 

Are you a Leader or a Boss on the Floor?

Despite common beliefs, good leaders are made, not born. So too, managers and supervisors are not always perfect for the positions in which they find themselves. Some just might not have the skills or the training to be a strong leader. Therefore, they turn to “old school” methods of putting fear into their subordinates rather than becoming the manager who is effective at leading others.

Leader vs. Boss

Being a leader versus being a boss is very important for the success of your department or company. Leaders will inspire their workers to succeed each day on the job. Bosses will simply delegate work and hand out orders whenever possible.

Are you are leader or a boss at your office? We take a look at that question in this post.

What Makes a Leader?

Many of you might be wondering what the skills and traits are of a good leader. A leader will always be open to learning new things. This means that he or she will always seek out knowledge regarding the industry in which they work as well as the position they hold right now.

A leader will also listen more than they talk. This includes listening to other supervisors, management above them and the workers within their department. When a leader listens, he or she will hear excellent ideas from employees that help to solve problems.

A leader will seek solutions to problems instead of just providing employees with answers to those problems. To go along with that, leaders will also encourage his or her employees instead of just criticizing them. A strong leader knows what it takes to help people improve as much as possible on the job.

Many strong leaders will point out the natural gifts of an employee during and after a project. Pointing out the strengths of an employee will help them understand areas that need improving without feeling like they are being criticized constantly.

What Makes a Boss?

Bosses can be found in companies all across the country today. It is incredibly easy to be a boss today because it does not take much effort at all. Bosses are sometimes in it just for the paycheck and to feel bigger than those working for them. Here are some warning signs that you are a boss and not a leader at work.

A boss will do everything possible to defend his or her own ego instead of showing vulnerability. When a boss refuses to show his or her weak points, it gives employees a bad vision of the manager.

Bosses tend to direct employees instead of coaching them. A boss who tells his or her employees exactly what to do does not help anyone. No one will learn or figure out how to adapt to changes when this occurs, which is why bosses are not good coaches.

Many bosses will employ a ‘me’ attitude at work instead of a ‘team’ attitude. This can cause a ton of friction within a department and even prevent projects from being completed on-time.

Advance Staffing Solutions, a leading Detroit Temp Agency, can support your goals of being a better manager and retaining the bedt employees. Find out more by visiting our website today. 

 

Lean Manufacturing Trends for 2014

Thousands of companies across the country are trying to move towards lean manufacturing in 2014 in order to save money on operating costs and much more. The principles of lean manufacturing have always played a significant role in Michigan’s economy, and will continue to do so this year. Leading companies are employing a lot of different factors to turn their operations into lean ones and we discuss them all here in this post.

Reduction of Budgets

A lot of companies are reducing their budgets in order to go lean or ‘green’ in 2014. This includes laying off employees and cutting costs in other areas of the company. When layoffs are performed, the company saves money not only on salaries, but also the benefits it has to pay to those employees while they are employed. It seems as though recovery is occurring within the manufacturing industry right now.

Improving Processes

Manufacturing companies have also taken to improving their processes that occur on a daily basis. This helps the company improve its use of existing resources so the company does not waste valuable time or money on processes that just do not get the job done anymore in this high-tech world.

Adding a Green Touch to the Company

Companies all over the country, not just in the manufacturing industry, are going green in an effort to save money and go lean. This includes installing light fixtures that have timers or sensors, reducing waste produced by the company, new package design, better travel plans and much more. Going green is an initiative taken on by millions of companies and individuals each year.

Reducing the Company’s Footprint

Another option for lean manufacturing is for the company to reduce its footprint on the environment. This is a part of going green and it involves the company using less resources. On the other side of things, this is primarily concerning the use of less physical space. Companies are employing the use of a better supply chain management system and inventory management system in order to reduce its footprint on the environment.

Technology

The innovations in technology have helped companies move into leaner manufacturing practices. There is software in place now that helps companies monitor processes, supplies, equipment and other aspects of the company. These programs also help to automate and control processes that the company uses on a daily basis. This software can help the company save money in these areas and then put that money to good use in other departments.

When companies move into lean manufacturing, they must put more than one policy into effect in order to be successful.

Advance Staffing Solutions is a premier Detroit MI Temp Agency, giving employers access to temp staff to compete on a global market and maintain len manufacturing processes.  Please feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter for industry news, job leads and featured updates.

Operations Manager Salaries in Michigan. What to Offer Candidates

Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions for a company to make, besides which candidate to hire, is what to offer their candidate of choice in terms of compensation. The state of Michigan is one of the best places to live and work, and many residents enjoy working as operations managers for great companies. These positions are available in many different industries, requiring a broad range of skills and experience. Therefore, offering a fair compensation is vital to successful recruitment.

Before you offer a salary to a potential operations manager candidate in Michigan, here are some things you need to know.

Range of Compensation

Salaries for operations managers working in the state of Michigan range greatly depending on the level of employment and the company where the positions are held.

Glassdoor has reported three operations manager positions in Michigan that have an average annual salary of $73,750. Another great place to work in Michigan as an operations manager is a company called Stryker, a medical supply manufacturing company that has operations managers working in Michigan for an average annual salary of $84,625.

Another excellent annual salary for operations managers in Michigan comes from Best Buy, where managers are making an average of $61,312.

Two of the lower range operations manager salaries in Michigan come from Staples and Old Navy. Managers who work at Staples find themselves earning an annual average salary of just over $41,000. Managers from Old Navy can earn a little over $31,000 per year in their position.

Duties of an Operations Manager

You might be wondering what an operations manager does on a daily basis while at work. Well, we have that information for you in this post. Operations managers are regarded as senior-level management officials within their companies. They are responsible for providing services or overseeing the production of goods.

Operations managers are responsible for analyzing budgets, monitoring reports, reporting to stakeholders, managing employees, reporting to upper management teams and much more. An operations manager must be able to multi-task as much as possible while working in this position. If they cannot, they will find themselves struggling through their daily operations and possibly out of a job.

Some of the best operations managers have worked their way up the chain of their current company, learning each department along the way. This enables the manager to know the ins-and-outs of the company and how it operates on a daily basis. They are able to troubleshoot issues and take care of problems quickly without involving others.

Working as an operations manager in the state of Michigan is a lucrative job if you have the right level of experience and are at the right company.

Looking to hire operations managers in Michigan? Get in touch with Advance Staffing Solutions — a top Detroit MI temp agency.

Please feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter for industry news, job leads and featured updates.

10 Interview Questions That Take into Account Cultural Fit

One of the most important aspects of running a company is having a strong corporate culture. If the culture at your company is positive, your employees will love coming to work each day, will work their hardest to get results, and will recommend the company to clients and potential employees.

Cultural Fit Interview Questions

If the culture is negative, your bottom line will suffer, you will have a high turnover rate and it will be difficult to come to work each day. Here are 10 interview questions that measure the candidate’s fit into your corporate culture.

  1. What is the work environment or work culture in which you are the happiest and most productive?
  2. What are the strongest traits of the best boss you have ever had or wanted to have?
  3. Which management style will help you produce the most and help you give the best effort?
  4. How does a good company encourage its employees to go the extra mile to get the job done right and on-time?
  5. What are the best roles a manager plays in dealing with his or her employees?
  6. Would you ever have a best friend at work? If so, do you think this is appropriate?
  7. What is the most important factor for you that will make you happy and productive in the workplace? Now that you have answered this question, what are the other two factors you thought about mentioning, but did not?
  8. What do you like right now about your work environment?
  9. How would your current co-workers describe your role when working with them on a team project?
  10. What is one scenario when you went out of your way or above-and-beyond to please a customer?

 

Where to Go Now?

This is not an exhaustive list of questions, but just the start for interviewers who are looking to bring in the candidates who match their company’s culture the most. Make a point of having at least one follow-up question to each of these 10 questions so you can really gauge what the candidate has in terms of character and work ethic.

Make sure you also write down the answers provided by the candidate and monitor their body language and reactions to the questions. Should the candidate shrug-off some questions or make noises in response to some questions, you have a problem on your hands and should not move any further with the candidate. Candidates who are always a strong fit in a culture will have no trouble answering these questions.

When it comes down to it, hiring based on cultural fit is very important today. Make sure your company is doing it with every single hire.

Want to learn more? Explore important recruitment and employment topics by reading a few popular posts from Advance Staffing Solutions a premier Detroit MI temp agency. Please feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter for industry news, job leads and featured updates.