How to Have a Proactive Interview this Spring

Are you ready for your job interview? Whether this is your first interview or you have had dozens of them before, you need to be well prepared and proactive. Getting chosen for an interview is a great first step, but it doesn’t guarantee you the job.

The next process is preparing for and going through the interview stage. During this time, you should be proactive and take the initiative, in order to stand out and give the interviewer a reason to consider you above others.

Get the Details Right

Being proactive with your interviews starts before you even have the interview. You should always call or email ahead of time to verify the interview details. This means confirming your interview date and time, making sure you have the interview person’s name and contact information, and that you can arrive on time.

If you have a car, drive to the company before the interview to make sure you get there without getting lost. If you usually take public transportation, ask for a ride on the day of the interview so you don’t risk not having proper transportation.

Ask Intelligent Questions

Not only should you be answering questions in the right manner, but asking questions as well. This is one of the best ways to be proactive during your interview. Think of intelligent and insightful questions to ask the company. It shows you have more interest in the company, and that is isn’t just a “job.”

When the interviewer ask if you have any questions, be sure to have a few lined up in wait. Avoid questions about benefits or salary. Instead, ask questions about the company itself.

Show Your Interest in the Company

To further show interest in the company you may be working for, request a tour of the facilities. Even a small office has several areas to be shown. This is great incentive toward showing your honest interest in their establishment.

While on the tour, ask questions about their products or services, or even offer your own insight into what you have learned so far about their company. Researching them beforehand gives you the upper hand when you go on your tour.

Send a Thank-you letter

You should always send a thank-you letter within 48 hours of your interview. It can be a professionally-worded email sent to the person who interviewed you, or a handwritten note send to their offices.

Now that you know how to be proactive, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to be noticed and recognized as someone willing to go the extra mile. While these may seem like small things, every detail and initiative you take, is one step closer to the job you want.

 

8 Interview Questions to Always be Prepared For | Job Search Tips

When it comes to getting the job, interview preparation is everything. Having a good picture of what the hiring company is about, and being able to confidently answer the questions thrown at you by the recruiter and management team can help you to stand out as the preferred candidate. Yet, how do you prepare to answer questions without sounding too rehearsed? The answer lies in being able to understand the most common interview questions and then developing an answer that sounds natural.

Here are some interview questions you always want to be prepared for as you get geared up for your next interview.

Tell me more about…YOU? This is generally an ice-breaker question that gives the recruiter a “picture” of who you are. Develop a brief elevator pitch that tells your story in 30-seconds or less. Start with where you are from, how you got into the industry, and where you’d like to see yourself in a year.

Why do you want to work here? When asked this, the recruiter is looking for what you know about the company and how this ties into your career goals. You may want to talk about your skill sets and how the company offers challenging assignments that are relating to these skills.

How do you handle difficult situations? Having the ability to manage difficult people and situations is a plus in most hiring managers’ eyes. Give a clear example of a past challenge that you were able to solve as an indication of the problem solving skills.

Why did you leave (or want to leave) your last job? This can be a somewhat uncomfortable question, but the key is to be honest…with tact. If you were let go, simply indicate that the company did not offer you the career opportunities you had expected.

What are your strengths/weaknesses? This is a common question that many recruiters lean on. Just give some relevant examples of your top three strengths and one weakness. Play up your strengths.

What would your previous employers say about you? When a potential employer asks this question, they may be either cross-tracking employment verification or hoping you’ll provide more information so they can skip this step. Acknowledge the question and then provide some reference letters to review.

Can you give me the salary you are looking for? While awkward, this question needs a good answer. Determine general salary ranges for the assignment you are applying for by visiting Payscale.com and O*Net to look them up in advance, then give a salary range instead of a specific number.

Why should we hire you? If you’ve gotten to the final round of interview questions, or have been invited back for more interviews, you’ll be asked this very bold question at some point. Be sure to focus on your background, your strengths, and your skills as they relate to the assignment and the company objectives to “sell” yourself to the hiring manager.

For support with your career search, consider the benefits of registering with a proactive staffing agency like Advance Temporary Staffing Solutions. You can get access to a wide range of temporary and contract assignments, and you’ll get plenty of interviewing practice too.

 

Effective vs. Ineffective Methods – How to Approach Your Job Search

At the beginning of the Great Recession, when the tides turned for the job market, suddenly there were more candidates for jobs than there were jobs available. The small business market got hit the worst. For the first time in a very long time, it became a buyer’s market.

Despite improvements and signs of recovery on the horizon this year, it seems the changes of yesterday have forever changed the way hiring is conducted. That is why it’s so important to avoid using outdated and ineffective methods and tools to assist in your job search.

As a job seeker, here are the most effective and ineffective ways to conduct a job search, to help you make the most of your efforts to land a great job.

Sending Resumes

  • Ineffective Method: Sending out a single, stock resume to all jobs you apply for. While it is the simplest solution when there are so many jobs available, it’s not the most effective use of your five-second resume “pitch” to get the attention of potential employers.
  • Effective Method: Instead of sending out a standard, one-size-fits-all resume to companies interested in hiring you, consider making a few changes that personalize and customize the resume before sending it each time. It doesn’t take a major investment of time and it can provide a great return on investment for your job search efforts.

Applying for Jobs

  • Ineffective Method: The simple way to apply for jobs, with most businesses, is through mass job boards or company websites. The bad news for job seekers is that this puts them competing with the other thousands of candidates in need of a job who have seen, and responded to, the same advertisements.
  • Effective Method: Invest a little time to find out who the hiring manager for the company happens to be and send a personalized resume complete with cover letter to that person. It shows ingenuity on your part and ensures the right eyes find your resume so that it isn’t lost in the shuffle of so many others. Contact local staffing agencies and get support with finding assignments in the organizations you want to work with. Connect with hiring companies using social networks.

If these methods are so ineffective, why is it that people are still using them by the thousands? The answer comes down to a few primary factors.

1) Not so blissful ignorance – Until recently, this is the way people were taught in business school, and beyond, to conduct job searches. The problem is that these methods were perfected in a different world when it comes to businesses hiring employees.

2)  The path of least resistance – Most people today will opt for the simple solution every time – even if they know it’s not the right one. In their minds, they are at least accomplishing something in an effort to find employment.

3)  They haven’t evolved to the new job search reality – some people are simply old school with their job search. They haven’t faced facts and really come to terms with the fact that the job search process has changed forever.

Keep these things in mind as you conduct your job search and you should have few problems securing the job you want.

For access to a wide range of temporary and contract employment opportunities in the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan areas, be sure to visit Advance Staffing Solutions’ career portal today.

Reasons Why You Lose Job Opportunities | Candidate Advice

As a job seeker, you may have spent months trying to find the perfect job, but you’ve yet to get a decent offer. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a limited work history, lack of credentials or just not being in the right place at the right time. However, sometimes it comes down to the ways in which you approach the job search and interview process that could be sabotaging your success. You may not even realize this and it’s not entirely your fault at all.

To boost your ability to land a great job, here are some of the top reasons why you lose job opportunities – avoid them at all costs!

  • Ineffective Cover Letter – While some recruiters have done away with the cover letter, many others are requiring them to weed out less desirable candidates. However, make sure you actually take the time to write a meaningful cover letter. Skip the “form letter” and write a compelling and personal cover letter than gives the hiring manager a glimpse into who you are and what you bring to the table.
  • Unreachable References – One of the most frustrating aspects of being a recruiter is not being able to get in touch with candidate’s past work and personal references. Make sure you are providing the most up-to-date and responsive references and their accurate contact information on your application so that you will get called back for an interview.
  • Bad Resume Format – A bad resume can make even the best candidate look terrible to a hiring manager. Poor formats, misspelled words, and dates that don’t make sense are the reasons why a recruiter may toss yours into the nearest trash bin. Be sure your resume is easy to read, correct and in a friendly format.
  • Lack of Credentials – Take the time to carefully read each job description before applying. Note that the educational level and any industry certifications are generally necessary for consideration. If you want to go after more jobs in your chosen industry you may want to head back to school to obtain those credentials.
  • Poor Professionalism – Your appearance and behavior during interviews is critical to success. Arriving late, not dressed in business attire, forgetting to bring a pen, or using inadequate communication skills can hurt your chances of getting hired.

Finding a job can be a challenge, but with the right effort and attention to details, you can land a great assignment by working with a local staffing agency, like Advance Staffing Solutions. You will be able to browse through hundreds of new jobs and be matched to the best fitting assignments by a caring recruiter.

Optimizing Your New LinkedIn Profile | Update Alert

Just when you thought you were getting used to LinkedIn’s career and social network system, they decided to do yet another upgrade to make user profiles even smarter. Have you taken the time to update your profile yet? If you are a job seeker, now is a good time to sign into your LinkedIn account and start making some simple updates that can help you attract more hiring agencies this year.

Let’s get started with the things you need to do now to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

Improve your image. One of the first things you will want to do to maximize your LinkedIn profile is to update both your photo and your description. Upload a professional, high resolution image. Create a powerful personal headline to inspire others to contact you, in 100 words or less.

Add a list of highlighted achievements. In addition to a standard resume format, LinkedIn now also provides a summary section where you can create content that highlights your main achievements and talents. Make sure you list a few of your top skills, achievements, and a good description to let others know you are an expert.

Update your work history. Take a moment to browse through your work history and update it with any additional assignments or volunteer work you’ve completed this year. Then republish it, an action that will send an update out to your networks.

Add new educational information. Additionally, now is the time to include any new learning initiatives you are engaged in or plan to attend this year. Update with the name of any colleges or universities you will attend, or certificate programs you are taking.

Ask for endorsements and testimonials. Take the time to write testimonials for others in your network and then ask them to do the same for you. To save time, LinkedIn now also offers one-click endorsement panels where you can perform a similar task and have others rank you on your knowledge.

Link your professional blog or portfolio. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have your RSS set up to keep your blog or your portfolio connected to your LinkedIn profile to take advantage of the new content feed. Your new posts will appear in the reading list for your followers.

Join new LinkedIn groups. There have been a great number of new industry and recruiting groups to get engaged in LinkedIn connections. In addition, companies now also post company pages, which you can follow and add to your groups. These companies very often post unadvertised job openings directly onto their LinkedIn profiles.

 Try connecting with Advance Temporary Staffing Solutions on our very own LinkedIn company page, for updates on new assignments in Ohio and Michigan!

Manufacturing Resume Details for Success in Your Job Search

Looking for a job in manufacturing and figure you don’t need a resume to get your foot in the door? Think again!  Today’s manufacturing companies have become just as competitive as other industries, so as a job seeker you need to put your best foot forward with a well-written manufacturing resume. With a resume for a manufacturing assignment, the devil is in the details.

Styling Details of a Manufacturing Resume

Writing a resume that’s geared towards the manufacturing sector is about the style, rather than just substance. This is essentially so that hiring managers can learn why they need to hire you right from the first time they review your resume. The style details of your resume should include the following elements.

Complete Contact Information

Make the job of the manufacturing recruiter an easier one by providing your full name and contact information at the start of the resume. Include at least two phone numbers and your email address for ease in communicating career opportunities with you.

Summary of Qualifications

Most recruiters spend less than a minute reviewing each applicant’s resume, therefore you need to make this count by putting your summary of qualifications summary at the top of your resume, under your name and contact information. This tells them at a glance if you are a person who is eligible for the assignments they have to fill.

Bulleted List of Skills and Credentials

In manufacturing, as in other career fields, there will be specific skills that you will need to have in order to work in certain types of industrial roles. This can include not only skills, but credentials like certifications and training that applies to the work you do. Make sure you list these, up to 7 of them, in a bulleted list directly under your summary of qualifications.

Achievements in Manufacturing

Hiring managers like to see that you have gone over and beyond the routine duties of past assignments. Instead of writing dull descriptions of your job duties, create a list of your actual achievements. You may want to include things that indicate you are mindful of working efficiently and meeting deadlines, as well as managing your tasks and working to high quality standards.

Employment History

For a manufacturing resume, most recruiters will only want to see the jobs that you have worked in that are relevant to the tasks you will be doing in a new assignment. Go back no longer than 12 years, and include references for each job to make it easier for the hiring manager to verify your employment background.

Finding a manufacturing job can be made easier by working directly with a staffing agency specializing in this industry. Prepare your best resume and get ready for exciting opportunities in the growing manufacturing sector with a contract assignment from Advance Staffing Solutions in Michigan and Ohio.

Ways to Approach an Interview Perfectly

After searching for months for a new job, you’ve just received an invitation to interview for a great new assignment with a dream company. So, how do you prepare for what could be the opportunity of a lifetime?

The way in which you approach the interview process can be the difference between being asked back for a second interview and being disqualified from consideration. Have you ever heard the expression “The first impression you make is a lasting one”? This means you need to walk into the interview with the confidence and right approach to the questions you may encounter.

Perfect Approach to Interviewing for the Best Impression

Here are some ways to approach an interview in the most perfect way, to impress the interviewer and make a positive impression the first time.

  • Arrive early and dressed for success. People often make their judgments by the way they see others, and recruiters are no exception to this fact. Therefore, you will want to approach any interview with tact by dressing professionally and conservative for the corporate culture you may be working in. You’ll also want to arrive at least 15-minutes early for the interview so you can appear to be punctual and get acclimated beforehand.
  • Bring a printed copy of your resume and references. Recruiters often see multiple people each day for interviews, especially those who conduct the initial screening sessions. Therefore, you can make their job easier by bringing a copy of your resume and your references with you. In some cases, they may be calling your references before you even leave the building.
  • Provide access to your work portfolio. Today’s hiring managers are more concerned with seeing results than hearing about your former job duties. While you are explaining your achievements, have visual representations of your portfolio in a “show and tell” style.
  • Have a shortlist of questions prepared. During an interview, the company is getting to know more about you. However, very few people use this time to find out more about the company too. Prepare yourself and show more interest in the company as a whole by having a list of at least 3-5 questions relevant to the type of company, projects, clients and work you may be dealing with.
  • Talk in a positive and focused manner. Keep all your answers and comments positive, even when talking about former employers. This bodes favorably with recruiters who are looking for people with positive attitudes and smiles. Keep your conversation going in a focused manner, and find out all you can about the position you may be offered, such as salary, growth opportunities, and corporate objectives.

No interview is 100 percent perfect, but it can be a lot more productive if you understand how to best approach it. Get prepared for interviews by working with the caring experts at Advance Staffing Solutions in Ohio and Michigan.

The Secrets to Being a Great Leader

Every strong company needs a great leader. No matter what position you are in with a company, striving to be a great leader is always a good goal to have. After all, it can provide you with the tools and resources you need to mold employees into what you need them to be, not to mention help you to achieve the goals of the organization. Being a leader can also help you take your career to a higher level. However, most people do not know what goes into being a fantastic leader.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell, Author and Spiritual Leader

What Traits Do Great Leaders Have?

Do you have the traits that good leaders have? In some cases, you may be lacking some of those basic, good-for-your company traits that can help you to take the company further. Do you have these?

  • Are you the type of person to walk past a problem (no matter how big or small) and not do anything about it? Even at the top of the management chain, you can still stop to pick up trash, handle the small quarrel, or deal with the customer concern. Even if someone else can do it, you still should.
  • Do you allow employees to do what they do best without getting involved? In the industrial workplace, for example, do you tell those operating the machinery how to do their job or do you allow them to do what they know best? The best leaders play to the strengths of the employees and understand their weaknesses.
  • Do you do your own work? Are you accountable to the tasks you are supposed to perform? Delegating tasks is one thing. It is definitely something you can do. However, there’s a difference in delegating the organization of a problem and getting up to get your own coffee. Leaders use people where they fit best not to make their own job easier.
  • Do you shine or do you let your company shine? Even in the biggest companies, the worst thing for the company is for a leader to be an “I” leader. In other words, this person is happy to take the spotlight and run with it. A good leader focuses the spotlight on the people who make the company successful.
  • Do you tackle problems fast? Do you jump as quickly as you can for the offer? In other words, great leaders tackle problems right away as soon as there is one. What if your customer’s lose service for hours, how quickly do you react?

All of these factors are critical when it comes to being the best person for the job. However, not every leader realizes that the role he or she plays directly affects the way the company functions. A great leader leads by example. He or she is accountable, hard working and dedicated to making the company shine. Though it may seem cliché, the fact is, a great leader strives to better the employee.

Advance Staffing Solutions has many opportunities to let your leadership abilities shine in your career. Contract and full time management assignments in Ohio and Michigan can help you become the leader you know you can be. Look for great career opportunities on our Advance job site today, and let your leadership grow.

Advise on Using Social Media in an Industrial Job Search

Finding an industrial job can be a challenge. As a job seeker, social media may be the best tool available to you to find the right job. Social media is a method of interacting with others in the employment world in a more social manner than you may be used to. If you are a professional who has focused his or her career on applying for positions through written applications, it may be time to brush off your computer and learn about social media sites.

Where to Start with Social Media Job Searching

If this is the first time you are looking for a job in this manner, you’ll need a few tips to help you to get your foot in the door. Social media sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and dozens of others, allow people to connect with each other online. This can be a great way to find out about others in your industry and where the best industrial jobs are.

As a job seeker, your goal is to connect with those who you may be able to apply with or those who may know about job openings in the industrial field. This could include hiring managers in industrial companies. You can also connect with industrial businesses that you would like to work at directly. The key is to gain as many connection points as possible.

Set Up the Right Social Media Profile

Another step to take is to set up a stellar profile. A profile is like a resume, but on a much less formal manner. It communicates who you are, what your job history is, what you are looking for and who you want to connect with. Every social media account worth belonging to is free to use and set up like this. Make that your goal.

Connect and Interact in a Positive Manner

You do not want to use social network connections as a type of sales platform in which you are trying to sell yourself or your skills. Rather, you want these interactions to be more social. For example, if you hope to land a job with an industrial company, interact with the hiring manager about trends in the industry.

Should You Ask for a Job on Social Networks?

It is a good idea to connect with individuals on a professional level and then to drop a hint that you are looking for a job. It is best to ask for recommendations for positions or to be alerted if a specific type of job opens up. This allows you to ease your way into that interview, instead of appearing “desperate” for employment.

Remember, with industrial jobs, the competition is often fierce. No matter if you are looking for a floor position or upper level management, chances are good you’ll be better able to achieve that interview if you interact with the company socially rather than just turning in an application. Learn more about social media by reading our previous related posts:

6 Ways the Job Search has Changed

Best Ways to Use Social Media for Your Job Search

 

How to Conduct a Job Search with a Criminal Record

Getting a job in this economy is tough for everyone. For people who have a criminal record, it’s tougher still. Even in the best of times, it can be slow going to find the job that will net you that all important second chance. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you find a job and get the new start you’ve been looking for.

Be Honest about Your Past

There is some truth to the saying that honesty is the best policy. It’s better, even if it costs you the job initially, to be honest up front and not get the job than to get it and be fired later on for failing to disclose your criminal record.

Some businesses will not hire anyone with a criminal record while others will, depending on what your former criminal activity involved. Obviously, you’ll have a hard time finding a job dealing with a company’s finances if you were convicted of embezzlement in the past. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find employment in positions that do not require the handling of money and/or finances.

Apply for Jobs You’re Qualified to Perform

As with any job search, it’s important to apply for jobs you have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to perform. If you’re a perfect match for the job, skill-wise, employers will be more inclined to overlook a criminal history and give you a chance.

When you’re applying for jobs where employers would already be taking a chance because you don’t have a history of experience or education in the field, it’s difficult to get them to overlook your record in order to do so.

Have a Positive Attitude

It’s hard when doors keep being slammed in your face, but it’s very important to remain positive as you look for a job. Every interview is a new opportunity. If you’re still dwelling over the negative outcome of your last interview, you’ll have a very difficult time making a good impression in this interview.

Also, it helps the interviewers to see the positive attitude coming from you. It’s one other thing that makes hiring you feel like less of a risk to the employer. The main thing you want to project to potential employers is that you will be an asset to the team. A positive attitude is half the battle in most businesses.

Consider Getting Help for the Job Search Process

There are services in most cities and states that are designed to help people with criminal records get jobs. Whether it’s your first job after being released or you’re looking to change fields and improve your situation, there are resources to help you accomplish your goals. You might also consider vocational rehabilitation services, the Salvation Army, and other resources for assistance in finding employment. Don’t rule out employment agencies as well.

There are jobs out there for you, despite your criminal record. Patience isn’t something you can always afford however. These tips will help improve your odds of getting the job you need regardless of your past.

Need help with your job search? Advance Staffing Solutions gives you access to a wide range of temporary and contract assignments in the Toledo, Ohio and Troy, Michigan areas. Be sure to check out our career portal for more informaton and resources for job seekers.

Correspondence: Say it in Writing

How can you land the engineering job you are after? Not just one to fill in the financial gap or one to get your foot in the door, but that sweet spot in the job you dream of. A good place to start is by creating an effective cover letter that gets attention.

Fine Tuning Your Resume

When it comes to grabbing the attention of employers, you really need to stand out in the crowd. With potentially hundreds of applicants applying for the same job, it is up to you to find the right words to say to get someone to pick out your cover letter and resume than someone else’s. The following tips can help you to use words on paper to convey why you are the best choice for the job.

  • Be enthusiastic. Why are you contacting the employer? What type of work are you looking for? Is there a specific position you are applying for? Be positive and encouraged in your wording.
  • Drop names. Did you learn about the job from an employee or someone else? Tell them about it in the cover letter. Be sure you have approval to mention the individual’s name.
  • Let your resume speak for itself. You do not have to provide a full autobiography of yourself in the cover letter but you should provide some overview of the aspects you believe are more relevant.
  • Do provide relevant experience on your cover letter. Without experience that relates, in some way, to the company’s position, you may not make it beyond that first cut.
  • Keep all negative words and connotations out of the cover letter. Keep it positive without making it some type of praising document. You want to come off as a genuine person with a passion for the position and with the experience for the job.
  • Avoid salary discussion in the cover letter. Some employers want you to provide a required salary, but rather than put down a specific number, offer a range. A salary range and noting that you are flexible, gives the company more opportunity to fit you within their budget.
  • Do include contact information. It could be one of those things you easily forget. Add your email address and telephone number to the cover letter.
  • Be polite and ask for the phone call. In other words, end your cover letter with a statement of thanks as well as a request for an interview. Doing so may spur the reader of the cover letter to pick up that phone.

Overall, employers want to see someone who is skilled and experienced, but also excited and enthusiastic about the position. Be sure your cover letter indicates this information within the first sentences.

Get your engineering career off to a great start by visiting the Advance Temporary staffing website – candidate center.

Considering Relocating? Research is Crucial

Are you willing to relocate for a job? Many employers are asking that specific question. According to a recent career survey, about 32 percent of employers said they were willing to pay new employees to move to where the jobs are. If you are one of those willing to make a move, potentially across the country, you may be enticed by such offers. Before you make the move, or even to find the opportunity to do so, put some time into research.

Looking for a Job?

Are you willing to relocate and want to find employers willing to help you to move? If so, you can do plenty to make that possible.

  • There are various keyword and category searches you can run on job sites that can help you to pinpoint relocation offers.
  • Do check out the areas where you would like to live. Perhaps you heard of a new business opening its doors across country. Do not just look for jobs for your local area, but also know the industry enough to know where the demand is. Then, pinpoint job ads for that area.
  • Ensure you are putting in the time and effort into proving yourself worthy enough for such a transfer. Why should the company pay you to make the move? You will need to show your value.

Though it may sound like a good idea to make such a move, it is also critical to put the time and effort into researching the location before making such a decision. How much do you need to make annually to maintain your living standards in the new city? What is the housing market like where you plan to move? Would a spouse be able to find a job to make it worthwhile to move, if both of you will work? Asking these questions is critical because, ultimately, you need to ensure such a move will be worthwhile to you.

How to Research

It is easy to research this information. You can do so by using the Internet to help you with relocation facts including housing values. You can also tap into the local market in the area you hope to move into. A real estate agent in that big city can probably help you to not only find an affordable home but even provide leads to jobs in the area for a spouse.

The bottom line is to make sure you research both the opportunities for relocation and the location itself before you commit to such a move. It could help you to avoid a costly mistake down the road. Of course, if the right opportunity is out there, knowing where to look to find it will help you to achieve your career goals, too.

Advance Staffing Solutions can help you with your job search! Be sure to check out our listing of new career opportunities in Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan.