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Want to Improve Your Career? Try These Simple, Cheap or Free Classes!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

January_2016_Classes

 

Let’s consider the job profile of a salesperson. As an effective salesperson and one who is very well versed with the product or service being sold, he or she would have some catchphrases and some really convincing arguments. Over time, these would get stale and people will no longer respond positively to the same sales pitch. The respite will be new sales pitches, new methods of convincing and a redefined approach to sales. Unless one is an amazing salesperson, one can only learn of new ways through coaching or professional training.
The same reality applies to everyone. Managers will run out of anecdotes, rhetoric and inspiring stories to motivate their teams if they don’t keep honing their skills and expanding their knowledge base. Technicians will be stuck with old mantras and would not get exposed to new secrets to get things done. These realities make ongoing learning, enhancing skills and knowledge imperative for any and sundry. Only then can anyone improve their career. Doing what you are doing now will only get you to a certain platform. Beyond that, you need to transform and better yourself.

If you wish to improve your career, then you should consider some of these simple but helpful, free or cheap classes.

If you need some tips to develop your career or increase your prospects, then you can use Lynda, which is a course on career development. You can opt for Udemy which helps you to build your personal brand. Muse University can help you to get that ever elusive promotion. Eat Your Career will also offer you strategies that can assist you to climb up the corporate ladder.

  • If you wish to improve your communication or get better at public speaking then you can opt for CreativeLive, Mediabistro, Lynda and Udemy. You would get to learn the art and science of public speaking. You can get better with your audiovisual presentations. You would also learn the various body postures, swag and overall attitude that you should develop to improve your career.
  • Depending on your expertise or specialization, you may opt for some design classes like Skillshare, Lynda and CreatorUp. From web design to using design in branding, you would learn a lot through these courses.
  • There are many such courses, including some on entrepreneurship, management, marketing and productivity that can help you to get better at your job and you can improve your career, either at the same company or in another organization.

Need help finding a better career today? Click here to browse through our latest open jobs!

 

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Monroe Open Registration-Saturday, January 16th

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Saturday January 16th 8am-10am
Are you looking for a career change, but can’t make it in to our office Monday-Friday? Come take advantage of our 1st open registration on Saturday!
We are looking for:

  • All Shifts General Labor $9+
  • 2nd Shift Production Supervisor $18+
  • 2nd shift Maintenance $18+
  • Machine Builder $18+
  • Welders $12+
• Diploma/GED
• Work History within the last 12 months
***Please bring 2 forms of ID***
Advance Staffing Solutions-Monroe
35 E. Front Street
Monroe, MI 48161

Start Being Confident in Your Career This Year!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

January_2016_Confident

 

Do you struggle with confidence in your career? You are not alone. Some people are naturally confident. Some people are shy. There are many who doubt themselves or perhaps are shaky in specific circumstances. Whatever the reason for your lack of confidence, you need to work on it. If you want to make steadfast progress in your career, you need to be confident.

Here is how you can start being confident in your career this year:

Stop doubting yourself.

While there will be people trying to outdo you and even downplay you, the worst thing you can do to yourself is indulge in negative self-talk. Stop questioning your abilities and stop wondering if you will fail. Confidence stems from positivity. And positivity stems from developing the right mindset or thought process to develop strong perceptions about yourself. When you don’t trust or believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

Decide what your strengths are.

You need to figure out your strengths and play accordingly. If you follow a sport and are a fan of a certain sportsperson then you should observe how he or she tries to play to their strengths. Every person in the world has certain shortcomings. However, confident people smartly conceal their weaknesses and work on their strengths.

Build on your achievements.

Accomplishments and talents are the foundation of confidence. The more talented you are and the more accomplishments you have, the more confident you can be. Remind yourself of everything that you have done well in your profession. Consider the skills you have. Work on your skills to get better. Sign up for temporary jobs, and take some courses that will help you to develop a new skill. Learning and developing new skills or knowledge can be a real boost to your confidence.

Mingle with other successful people.

Try to associate yourself with colleagues who can make positive contributions to your career. When you team up with people who would want to put you down, you are inviting them to cause a dent in your confidence. While you should appreciate others and yourself, others too have to appreciate what you have or do. Appreciation from fellow workers or people you look up to will always be a confidence booster.

Remember to focus on the nice things in your life and be happy. You would be amazed at what a smile can do to your confidence and what kind of an impact it has on others.

 

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Can You Answer This “Off-the-Wall” Interview Question?

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

January_2016_Off-the-Wall

Going into any interview, it’ expected that you will be asked a series of common interview questions. Things like: “what are your weaknesses”, “why should we hire you”, “why do you want to work here”, “what are your goals”, “why did you leave your past job”, “what can you do for us that other candidates can’t”, “what are three positive things your last boss would say about you”, “what salary are you seeking” and technical questions relevant for the job or to your profile. But, as a smart job seeker, you can also expect and plan for some of the more unusual interview question you may be asked.

Examples off the wall interview questions

There are many odd questions that some interviewers like to pose. You may be asked what would you do if you were the one survivor in a plane crash, what’s your favorite 90s jam, if you woke up and had 2,000 unread emails and could only answer 300 of them how would you choose which ones to answer, who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Batman, if you had a machine that produced $100 dollars for life what would you be willing to pay for it today, what did you have for breakfast, describe the color yellow to somebody who’s blind, if you were asked to unload a 747 full of jelly beans what would you do, and how many people flew out of Chicago last year, among others.

While preparing for a job interview, you need to be ready to face all kinds of odds. Every question being asked has a specific reason and you need to focus on that. The trick is not to answer the question “correctly” but to use it to your advantage, so you can present a certain trait of yours while answering.

For instance, here is an off the wall interview question that can be quite puzzling but it is extremely simple to answer.

“If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?”

Many job seekers get perplexed and they start imagining Superman, Batman, Iron man, Spiderman, Hulk and Thor or perhaps the more realistic Hawk Eye. The question doesn’t pertain to fictional superheroes but real life superheroes. The question basically pertains to the most special quality you have. Tony Stark may be infamous for his idiosyncrasies but he is Iron Man and it is the suit that makes him the superhero, of course along with his grasp of technology.

If you were a superhero, your superpower has to be your biggest strength. For some people it could be enthusiasm while for some it could be curiosity. For some, it could be knowledge and for others it could be experience. Anything that you think is your most important attribute or strength is the answer.

Want help preparing for your next interview, or need help even finding an interview? Contact the staffing pros at Advance Staffing Solutions today!

 

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How to Perform Meaningful Employee Evaluations This Year

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

January_2016_evaluations

Each year, thousands of HR practitioners and managers are faced with the task of conducting annual employee evaluations. This is a task most often used to measure each employee’s effectiveness on the job, a factor that increases productivity and company revenues. But the biggest complaint about employee evaluations is that they don’t have any real meaning for employees … other than to stress them out.

How can the company conduct employee evaluations in such a way as to increase the meaning behind them so that employees can experience the positive results of their efforts and focus on real goals for the coming year? Here are some tips from Advance Staffing Solutions that may help.

Establish the “what’s in it for me?” factor for employees.

When employees understand – without a shadow of a doubt – that their efforts will produce positive outcomes for their work status, salary, and future, this makes the job of conducting evals much more meaningful. Use a system for connecting pay for performance, recognition for achieving more, and rewards for top-performing employees.

Make the evaluation fair and simple to administer.

An employee evaluation system does not have to be complex. In fact, it’s better to maintain a simple rating system of one to five for rating employees on their performance. Give the employees a chance to self-evaluate before having a meeting to go over things, then adjust ratings accordingly. This puts performance into greater perspective for employees.

Set reasonable, but challenging goals for the year.

Allow employees to set goals for improving their work performance, which will make the evaluation process go smoother. Let employees know you are there to support their goals, and they can choose whatever direction they want to go in their careers. Make goals attainable, in a certain time frame, and challenging enough so they won’t lose motivation.

Design employee development programs around skill growth.

The very purpose of employee evaluations is to identify gaps in the skills of employees and then take steps to fill those gaps with development and learning programs on the job. Make sure your company is prepared to address these gaps with a combination of onsite training programs and offsite learning opportunities.

We hope that the above tips will help make your employee evaluations smoother and more positive for your organization.

 

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Football Party Event

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Tyler, Tara, Renee, Jordan, and Donna recently attended the Football Party event sponsored by Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, and Monroe Chamber! Advance Staffing Solutions is a proud member of both chambers and enjoy the opportunity to network with other community businesses.

 

football party

Job Search Tips for December New Grads

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

January_2016_JobSearch

Congratulations! You are one of the few lucky college students who have made it through and earned your dream degree. After the celebrations are over, it’s time to start taking a hard look at how you will accomplish getting a new job. While you may get a lot of well-meaning advice from friends and family members, there are some sure ways to get a job if you follow the tips from our professional recruitment team.

#1 – Create a great resume and cover letter

Your very first step in the journey to earning a career in the New Year as a December college graduate is to create an outstanding resume and cover letter. There are many resources for finding information and templates for building a quality resume and cover letter set. You are encouraged to visit online and library resources to accomplish this. You will also want to consider reaching out to a professional resume writer and career coach to help you along the way.

#2 – Develop a strong professional brand

The next move you should make as a new college grad is to create a brand new online professional presents for yourself. Ditch your old social media accounts and start from scratch. One good way to accomplish this is to create a free online portfolio of your college assignments, such as your written work and/or any creative or video work that you have developed. Then create brand new social media accounts that link back to your portfolio. Remember, only show off your most professional work that you will be proud to discuss with a potential employer.

#3 – Connect with staffing agencies

The next smart move for your career search as a new grad is to get registered with your local staffing agencies. Why is this important? In many regions companies only hire through temporary staffing agencies. This is a measure used by companies to save on the cost and time of recruitment. Select a staffing agency that is in your particular area of industry. For example, if you are seeking an information technology job then you will reach out to staffing agencies in the IT and technical markets.

#4 – Network online and offline

A great way to speed up your job search is to become very active in networking with others in your industry and in your local area. You will want to become involved with some of the local business associations so that you get a chance to meet leaders and find out about positions before they are advertised. Use social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to learn about brand new openings at companies. Connect with a few mentors in your area of interest and let everyone know that you are looking for a position now that you have graduated.

 

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OPEN INTERVIEWS

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Advance Staffing Solutions

 

Open Interviews: Wednesday, February 3, 2016

12:00pm-4:00pm

South Central Michigan Works!
Lenawee County Human Services Building
1040 S. Winter Street, Suite 1014, Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 266-5627

 

Positions are located in Blissfield and Dundee areas
Starting wage is $10.00-$13.00 per hour

 

Positions Available:

Warehouse, General Labor, Assembly, & Welders
Pre-Register Online @
www.advancestaffingsolutions.com

Any questions contact Malinda Tepe

734-457-0056
malinda@advancestaffingsolutions.com

 

 

 

 

Advance @ Regional Chamber’s Expo

Raza Rauf on October 7, 2026

The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Business to Business Expo featured a black tie with area restaurants and businesses Jan. 29 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.

 

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HIRING EVENT

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

Monroe Service Center

1531 N. Telegraph Rd. Monroe, MI

 

Wednesday, February 10th, 2016

1pm-4pm

 

             Bring 2 valid forms of ID and a resume

Must be at least 18 years of age

Have a Diploma/GED

Verifiable work experience in the last 12 months

Below are just a few of the positions we are accepting applications for: 

  • Press Operator/Packaging, 1st shift, Dundee, $9/hr
  • Press/Production workers, All shifts, Monroe, $9/hr
  • Janitor, 1st shift, Dundee, $9/hr
  • Customer Service/Packaging, All shifts, One week in Feb, $9/hr
  • General Laborers, 1st & 2nd shifts, Carleton, $9/hr + Overtime
  • Skilled Assembly, 1st shift, Dundee, $14+/hr
  • Welders, 1st shift, Carleton and Dundee, $10-$15/hr
  • Warehouse/Forklift/Quality, 1st/2nd shift, Monroe, $10.60/hr
  • Delivery/Warehouse, 1st shift, Monroe, $10-$12/hr
  • Part-Time Sales/Customer Service, Flex schedule, Monroe, $12-14/hr
  • Assemblers, 3rd shift, Monroe, $13/hr
  • Production, 1st/2nd shift, Blissfield, $10/hr
  • MIG Welder (FCAW/GMAW), Monroe, $14/hr
  • Quality Inspector, 1st shift, Blissfield, $10/hr

 

7 Career Tips for Work-at-Home Professionals

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

February_2016_WorkAtHome

Working from a remote location might seem like a dream come true, but it has its own set of challenges that you need to be prepared for. If you have just landed a new work from home job or you have the opportunity to work from home a couple of days a week, there are some things that you need to do to make this a successful experience. This is especially true if you have never worked it work from home before.

Follow the below seven career tips to make your work from home experience a positive and prosperous one.

1. Get your home office set up for productivity

First and foremost, it is important that you set up your home office so that you can be as productive as possible in your new job. You do not want to set up a home office and the area of your home that is high traffic or noisy. You also don’t want to set up a home office in the bedroom. Instead, select a room or area of your home that is not distracting to you and, if possible, has a door so you can close it during work hours.

2. Set clear boundaries with your family

Let your family know what your new working arrangements will be and prepare them because they may not understand your need for quiet during office hours. Don’t allow friends and family to call you during work hours. If you have young children at home, you may want to arrange for childcare. Your spouse or partner should also be on board. This can be a big adjustment for anyone and it is also important that your family understands how working from home may impact your life.

3. Understand and clarify your employer’s expectations

Unlike a regular workplace where you are face-to-face with your manager, in a work-from-home position, you may be working hundreds or thousands of miles away from your supervisor. You may rarely even travel to your work place. This is why it’s important to understand clearly what your employer’s expectations are of you. These are things like work hours, communication, handling clients, technical issues, and procedures. You will also want to work closely with your co-workers so that they understand that you are, in fact, working and available for team collaboration and meetings.

4. Separate your personal and work life

It can be very tempting she get into the habit of working 24/7 when you work from home. That’s because the presence of your work desk in your home is a constant reminder of projects and tasks that need to be completed. However, you never want to get into the habit of working more hours than you would if you worked outside the home. Set a schedule and stick to it. This includes taking regular lunch breaks and bathroom breaks as needed throughout the day. Get up and stretch every so often, and don’t forget to interact with your peers.

5. Create a task management system

When you work from home, very often you will be asked to handle a variety of tasks and projects. This is where your task and project management skills will come into play. Make sure you have an organizational system that helps you stay on track with important tasks, deadlines, and milestones along the way. Use a web-based project management system so that you can share updates with your co-workers and your boss.

6. Don’t disconnect from others

One of the biggest issues with working from home after a while is feeling isolated. It’s very important to stay connected with your co-workers and your peers when you work remotely. Schedule time each day to communicate and interact with others in your company. Join professional associations so that you can continue to network with others in your industry and your region. Make it a point to set up a lunch date at least once a week.

7. Learn to be a better communicator

It’s often unexpected, but working from home can make you feel invisible at times. This is why it is very important to develop above-average communication skills and be proactive about this communication so that you are continually in touch with your peers. Check in with your supervisor at least once a week, if not more frequently. Stay on top of tasks and bring others into your loop as you complete them.

By following the above tips you will be more successful as a work from home professional. If you need more help, or help finding a career that suits your needs, contact Advance Staffing Solutions today!

 

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Need Better Career References? Here’s How to Get Them!

HMG Success on October 7, 2026

February_2016_References

Nearly every job seeker has been faced with the conundrum of not having enough career references. This can happen for a number of reasons. A job seeker may not have many previous jobs, thus the number of references are limited. Or the job seeker may have limited references because former companies have either shut down or former bosses are no longer working there. Very often, references may seem good, but when the time comes to get a response from one — they are MIA. The worst case scenario is when a candidate leaves a job with no reference at all because of a negative experience. How can you get around the need for better or more references?

Here are some tips for getting better job references.

Contact a former co-worker (or two).

Chances are, you had a few good relationships in your previous position. Take the time to reconnect with a few of your co-workers who you believe had a positive experience with you. You can use social network if it seem less awkward. Reach out by phone and/or email to request a professional reference. Return the favor by writing a reference for them.

Ask your staffing agency for support.

When you have worked through a staffing agency in the past, this can be in your favor. Take the time to contact the recruitment agency that you worked with recently and ask them for a professional reference. This can include the type of position(s) that you held, the length of service, and your general performance. Make sure the staffing agency includes the contact person’s name and extension in case the potential employer has a question.

Inquire with a career mentor.

It is a smart practice to line up a professional mentor early in your career. This is someone that is at a higher level than you and whom is well connected. Reach out to your mentor and ask for a reference. If you do not have a career mentor, consider another type of mentor such as a religious leader, college professor, or another professional in your industry. Get this reference in written form.

Use your professional memberships.

Most professionals belong to at least one industry association or business networking group. This is the time to tap into the power of association. Ask several of your colleagues at the professional group to write you a letter of reference. To make things smoother, offer to write the letter of yourself and have them sign off on it. This can be a great way to boost your career and to obtain a better reference.

 

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