Are You Working Too Much? Here Are Some Telltale Signs

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Has it occurred to you that you might be working too much? You may have the nagging feeling that you are starting to get burned out or just not as enthusiastic about your job as you used to be. It’s not uncommon for people to feel this way, especially if they’ve been on the job for a number of years. On top of that, a lot of people are overwhelmed by the extra duties that they’ve been tasked with as a result of recession layoffs.

It’s never a good idea to feel like this for very long. Something has to give. Here’s how to determine if you are working too much, and what steps you need to take to regain work-life balance.

Examine your work habits

Are you the kind of person who typically takes on extra projects or works extra hours to get the job done? If so, then you might be a workaholic. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can contribute to a loss of productivity over time from being overwhelmed. Also, consider some of your other habits such as how you manage your time and projects. Do you have a good system? Or do you simply take on things as they are thrown at you? Your work habits can dictate how well you are able to handle work and priorities. It may be time to come up with a better system.

Check your health

Do you often experience colds or feelings of being run down? Or perhaps you feel stressed a lot? These can be the telltale signs that you are working too much and that you need to find a better way of handling things. Consider making a trip to your doctor’s office to rule out any medical problems that may be contributing to extra tiredness or stress. Then, schedule some much-needed time off. While you are away from the office, think about some ways that you can delegate a few tasks to others .

Think about your attitude

Are you starting to dread going to work each day? This can also be a sign that you are working too much and that you need some change. A job that is fulfilling is something that you should look forward to . If you find yourself dragging in the mornings on your way to work you might want to think about a change of career or a reduction in the work that you do . Ask your manager about bringing on a temporary employee to help you get caught up or to reallocate some of your responsibilities to another employee.

Regain work-life balance with a brand new career. Click here to browse our open positions in Michigan and Ohio today!

 

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How to Land an Entry-Level HR Career

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Ready to take on the world of people management? Human resources is perhaps one of the most rewarding and challenging career paths out there today. Every day, human resource practitioners are making big decisions that impact the organizations that they work for. Human resources professionals are tasked with making sure their organizations are compliant with employment laws and updates that affect the bottom line.

If you believe you have what it takes to walk the line between employees and the best interest of the business, then here are some tips for landing an entry-level HR job.

Get the right training.

It is absolutely vital to your career in HR to get the right training and education. Enroll in an accredited Human Resource Management program through a local university or college. Human resources is an ever-changing industry, therefore it is important that you get the correct information and instruction so that you can be highly knowledgeable about this field. Consider that as an HR professional you will be tasked with ongoing learning throughout your career.

Develop your leadership skills.

Human resources professionals are more than just payroll clerks and benefits administrators. They are skilled professionals who are leaders in terms of workplace policies and improvements. Take the time to learn how to be a solid leader before you look for an entry level job, because you will be tasked with proving your worth to other leaders in the real business world.

Consider HR certification.

It is always a good idea to pursue additional training and certification in human resources. The Society for Human Resource Management has guidelines for what every HR pro should be studying.

Try recruiting as an entry point.

Recruitment can be a great way to get involved with human resource efforts. This very vital role can help you to learn quickly how to be effective managing people, understanding employment rules and regulations, and getting the most from human capital in any organization.

Accept temp-to-perm HR opportunities.

Be open to working in temp-to-perm jobs in human resources. This can fast track you into a more permanent entry or mid-level role. Staffing agencies that have recruitment and HR jobs often look for people who have potential and then put them through additional training and even college to learn more.

Looking to land an entry-level HR career? Click here to browse our open job opportunities in Michigan and Ohio, or contact us today!

 

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How to Create a Better Workforce for Top Millennial Talent

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As we mentioned in a previous post, millennials are the largest generation of employees who are making an impact on the workforce today. Most recent figures put them at 53.5 million strong, and they have even outpaced the baby boomers (Pew Research, 2016). Therefore, any employer that wants to attract the best talent in the coming years needs to find ways to appeal to millennials.

At the same time, we are in a talent crisis as baby boomers are leaving in droves for retirement, at the rate of 10,000 per day, and the unemployment rate is also down – meaning less available talent looking for work.

How can a company create a better workforce for top millennials to keep them on board, get them trained well, and away from the competition?

Provide rewarding work experiences.

Millennials need instant gratification. They are used to this because of the environment in which they grew up. Everything is within reach of a mobile device these days, so if they are not feeling excited about the work they do, they are probably searching for something else.

Instill the value of loyalty.

Make the idea of loyalty a part of your core corporate culture. How? Provide a unique environment with plenty of millennial-friendly perks that they cannot get elsewhere. Use strong branding and messaging to create cheerleader employees. This is effective at attracting new candidates too. When they see how happy your employees are, they want in.

Give them a chance to learn.

Millennial talent places a high value on learning through nontraditional means. This is because they are smarter about college loan debt and don’t want to get stuck paying for this like their parents did. Bring learning and development opportunities to your employees, to both encourage participation and skill building. This enables your organization to create a structured advancement plan that’s linked to learning.

Set up a mentorship program.

Younger employees generally enjoy learning from more seasoned ones, mostly because they want to have these higher-level jobs sooner. Match your leaders and mentors with millennials and watch them blossom. If you hire temp-to-perm employees, give them a chance to work under the guidance of a team lead for a time until they prove their worth.

These ideas are just the start! Partner with a staffing agency like Advance Staffing Solutions to support long-term millennial talent placement and that company goals are met as the youngest generation revolutionizes the world of work.

 

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5 Tips for a Stress-Free First Week at Your New Temp Job

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A new temp job can be an exciting experience, especially if it’s the first time you’ve been employed in a while. But, just like anything else, it can also be a little nerve-wracking because one never knows what to expect. The first week can be especially brutal because you will be encountering new people, new processes, and new tasks. Feeling stressed yet?

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Here are some survival tips for a stress-free first week at your new temp job.

1. Get into a good sleep and waking routine.

Your body and mind will thank you as you adjust to a new working schedule. Set a schedule for bedtime and for waking up, and keep it consistent during the workweek. If at all possible, get to bed a little earlier the first few days and leave earlier so you are not stressed out on the way to the new temp job.

2. Bring your lunch.

It can be challenging to find places to eat while on a temp job, so bring a healthy lunch with you each day, While you are at it, bring some healthy snack items with you too until your body adjusts to your new schedule. Fruit, granola bars, and yogurt can all be healthy, easy go-to options.

3. Be prepared.

During your first week, think ahead and bring a notebook, a pen, and a light sweater for your time at the new job. You will be glad to have these items for taking notes and staying comfortable in the new work environment. Ask your temp staffing agent if you should bring anything else that the company requires.

4. Research the team.

If you know a little about the people you may be working with at the new temp job, look them up and connect on LinkedIn ahead of time. Be sure to clean up your social media profiles too, because people will be checking you out there.

5. Practice your introduction.

Along with figuring out where the bathrooms and copy room are during the first week, the impression you make on every new person you meet counts. Take the time to develop a quick 10-second introduction for yourself, and be sure to shake hands and use eye contact so that others see what a professional you are.

By following the above tips, you will be successful in your first week in a new temp job. If you need help finding a new temp job or a more permanent career, click to check out our current open positions.

 

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Sick of Searching For Jobs? Use These Tips to Shorten Your Search!

Sick of Searching For Jobs

 

After weeks, and even months of trying to find a job, you are practically at your wits end. Searching for jobs is exhausting in and of itself, and then there are the long applications, the waiting to hear back from hiring managers, and the long pauses in between interviews. The entire experience is highly frustrating at best.

Is there anything you can do to speed up the job search? You betcha! Read on to learn some tips to shorten the job search and make it from point A (unemployed) to point B (a new job) with your sanity intact.

1. Use technology to your advantage.

The good news is that there are many technological tools that can speed up any job search. Most job boards offer automated job leads, there are apps that allow job seekers to create short introductory videos to share with recruiters, and social media makes it easy to send information to hiring companies with one click. Take the time to familiarize yourself with some of this technology and start using it to streamline your job search efforts.

2. Get your friends and family on board.

Imagine having a team of people helping you find a job? This can drastically speed things up because you are not going it alone. Let your friends, family, colleagues, college instructors, pastor, even your dentist know you are looking for a job. Very often, it’s more about who you know than what you know that can help you land a great job.

3. Take on temporary work.

While you are searching for work, why not fast track things by getting registered for work as a temporary employee? You can earn money while you learn new skills and if you do a good job, there’s a chance that you can get offered a permanent job at the end of your contract. Very often, companies only do their hiring through staffing agencies, so you’ll be in the right place at the right time for a job offer.

4. Head to job fairs.

The community is filled with events that can help speed up a job search process. Check with local workforce centers and find out about upcoming job fairs. Visit staffing agencies like Advance Staffing Solutions that are represented at these events, as they normally have a number of immediate placement opportunities. If you are a recent college grad, your campus career center can be another way to speed up the job search process.

When searching for a job, use short, but focused time periods to get a lot accomplished. This will help you get a job sooner and more efficiently. And partner with Advance Staffing Solutions! We can bring new job opportunities straight to you.

 

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Job Fair/Open Registration

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This job fair is being held at Advance Staffing’s Monroe Location:

35 E Front St. Monroe MI 48161

 

  Thursday, February 25th, 2016

  10:00am-3:00pm

 

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 some of the HOT jobs offered in Monroe County:

  • Packaging/Press Operator, Dundee, 1st Shift, $9/hr
  • Skilled Assembly, Monroe/Dundee, 1st, $13-14/hr
  • Silk Screen Printer, Dundee, 1st
  • Medical Biller, Temperance, 1st, $13-$15/hr BOE
  • Warehouse/Delivery Assistant, Monroe, 1st, $10+OT
  • Customer Service, Part-Time, Monroe, $10-12/hr
  • Sales, Part-Time, Monroe, $12-$15/hr
  • Team Leader, Dundee, 1st, $10/hr
  • Shipping/Receiving, Blissfield, 1st, $10/hr
  • Production, Blissfield, 3rd shift, $10/hr
  • Machine Operator, Carleton, 1st, $10+/hr
  • Purchasing Clerk, Dundee, 1st, $12-15/hr
  • HR Assistant, Monroe, 1st, $BOE
  • Actuator Technician, Monroe, 1st, $10/hr
  • FCAW/GMAW welders, Monroe, 1st, $14/hr
  • General Labor, Carleton, 1st/2nd, $9 + OT
  • Press Operators/Production, Monroe, All shift, $9/hr

*Not able to make it to our Open House/Job Fair but would like to be considered for a job opening? No problem! You can either send us your resume at monroejobs@advancestaffingsolutions.com or go to our website and apply online. Recruiters review resumes and applications on a daily basis and will contact you within 48 hours of receiving your information.*

OPEN INTERVIEWS

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

 

 

 

 

Job Search Tips for December New Grads

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

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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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Graduating in December? 10 Tips to Kick Start Your Job Search

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If you’re graduating thіѕ December, you’re рrоbаblу feeling thе pressure аnd stress оf knowing thаt nоw уоu nееd tо tаkе thаt degree аnd figure оut whаt kind оf job уоu саn gеt wіth it. Bеlоw аrе 10 tips tо aid іn уоur decision making process.

  1. Select а Job title
    Thіѕ means уоu nееd tо bе ѕurе оf thе kind оr type оf job уоu аrе lооkіng for. Arе уоu steering іn thе ѕаmе career direction оr dо уоu nееd tо steer tо а whоlе nеw field аnd direction аnd find ѕоmеthіng new? In case уоu аrе making сhаngеѕ tо уоur field, tаkе time tо list activities уоu enjoy dоіng including mental, social аnd physical activities.
  1. Highlight Yоur Skills
    It wіll аlѕо hеlр tо write thе skills уоu possess including education level аnd аnу abilities tо operate machinery. Unique skills аnd уоur areas оf knowledge ѕhоuld nоt bе left behind. Analyze skills аnd interests уоu personally possess аnd thеn determine thе kinds оf jobs thаt wоuld bе mоѕt suitable fоr thе characteristics уоu have. Yоu саn narrow іt dоwn bу targeting аt lеаѕt twо descriptions уоu lіkе holding.
  1. Find open positions
    Local newspapers аrе ѕоmе оf thе bеѕt whеn іt соmеѕ tо finding open positions уоu саn apply for. Write аll thе potential positions dоwn аѕ long аѕ thеу аrе relevant tо уоur job search. Yоu саn аlѕо find thе position frоm job postings оn dіffеrеnt websites аnd уоu саn list thеm down.Anоthеr great option tо hеlр уоu find open positions іѕ tо contact temporary employment agencies like Advance Staffing in Detroit, MI оr еvеn state agencies wіthіn уоur locality.
  1. Prepare Yоur Resume аnd Cover Letter
    Aftеr уоu hаvе prepared а list оf аll openings, уоu саn gо аhеаd tо prepare cover letters bеfоrе thеn sending thеm аlоng wіth а wеll prepared resume tо аll thе potential employers. It іѕ important tо follow thе guidelines gіvеn bу potential employers whеn sending оut thе letters аnd resume tо increase уоur chances оf making it.Thе fіrѕt thіng tо remember іѕ thаt уоur fіrѕt impression wіll mаkе а huge difference аnd іn case оf а job search іt іѕ mаdе thrоugh аn effective resume. Mаkе уоur resume clear аnd precise уеt expressive аnd communicative. Ensure thаt іt іѕ free оf errors аnd full оf key essentials lіkе уоur credibility, уоur worth, уоur skills, аnd уоur years оf experience.
  1. Reach оut tо уоur network
    Lеt уоur friends аnd families (and thеіr friends аnd families) knоw thаt уоu аrе actively lооkіng fоr work, аѕ уоu nеvеr knоw whаt connections thеу mау hаvе оr іf thеу hаvе heard оf аnу vacancies thаt mау suit you. Thе companies thеу work fоr mау еvеn hаvе unadvertised job opportunities thаt оnlу “insiders” knоw аbоut аnd thеу mау bе аblе put а good word іn fоr you.
  1. Learn hоw tо search fоr jobs effectively
    Nowadays, уоu саn find information аbоut аnуthіng online. If уоu аrе nоt ѕurе hоw tо write а cover letter оr а resume, the staffing experts at Advance Staffing Solutions can help you!If іn doubt, аѕk fоr help. Chances аrе thаt nеаrlу еvеrу person уоu knоw whо hаѕ bееn employed аt ѕоmе point іn thеіr life hаѕ рrоbаblу hаd tо write а cover letter аnd resume before, ѕо there’s bound tо bе ѕоmеоnе whо саn lend уоu а hand.
  1. Don’t leave оut уоur work experience
    Aѕ а nеw grad, employers don’t expect tо find аn enormous amount оf work experience оn уоur resume. However, don’t leave thіѕ section empty. If уоu rеаllу don’t hаvе аnу work experience, include аnу unpaid experience, ѕuсh аѕ volunteer experience, tо highlight уоur skills. Kеер іn mind thаt ѕоmеtіmеѕ уоur academic achievements mау nоt bе уоur strongest qualification іn thе business world. Mаnу employers vаluе work experience, еvеn іf thе work іѕ nоt іn уоur field, mоrе thаn уоur academic results
  1. Connect wіth people whо work іn thе field
    If уоu knоw people whо work іn thе field thаt уоu wаnt tо work in, tаkе thеm оut fоr lunch оr coffee аnd аѕk thеm fоr advice. If уоu don’t knоw аnуоnе іn thе field, seek thеm оut оn social media, ѕuсh аѕ LinkedIn аnd Twitter, оr attend industry events. You’ll bе surprised tо knоw hоw mаnу professionals аrе wіllіng tо hеlр аnd thеу mау еvеn bе аblе tо give уоu а recommendation.
  1. Get prepared
    Part оf thе preparations іѕ tо gеt ready fоr thе interviews. Thе preparation ѕhоuld include choosing thе mоѕt suitable outfits аррrорrіаtе fоr thе jobs уоu hаvе applied for. Cosmetic work аnd haircuts ѕhоuld аlѕо bе dоnе іn advance ѕіnсе уоu dо nоt knоw whеn thе potential employers wіll start calling. Sоmе wіll give уоu vеrу short notices аnd уоu muѕt ensure уоu аrе ready.
  1. Look аnd act professional
    Onсе уоu graduate, уоu аrе nоt а college student anymore, ѕо don’t act lіkе one. Aѕ а start, sign uр fоr а professional email address іf уоur current email address lооkѕ ѕоmеthіng lіkе youngriders@email.com. Whеn уоu gо fоr job interviews, leave уоur t-shirt аnd shorts аt home аnd wear ѕоmеthіng mоrе appropriate.

Need more help landing a career as a new grad? Click here to let Advance Staffing Solutions guide you through the job search process!

 

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We are thankful for our employees!!

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Congratulations Micah Kailimai and Ronald Musial!! They were 2 of many winners from our Thanksgiving drawing. They each took home a $25 gift card, and Advance Staffing Solutions drawstring bag!!  We are very thankful for all of our employees!!

Waiting to Hear Back from a Recruiter? There May Be a Reason Why…

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Imagine a scenario where you are unhappy with your current job, and are contacted by a recruiter who tells you that the company they represent is interested in hiring. They fill your head with a list of job benefits that far outweigh what you are currently receiving, and you naturally say that you are interested in getting involved in the interview process. It may sound like a pipe dream, but this is actually something that happens on a fairly regular basis. It’s all rather exciting, but what do you do when it happens to you and it suddenly seems as though the recruiter has dropped off the face of the earth?

There is always the possibility that you simply didn’t make the cut, or that the needs of the company changed during the interview process.

They may have chosen to go in another direction completely, or they may even have decided that the position that they were trying to fill was not as essential as they had first imagined. It’s also worth noting that it can take as long as six months for the search and interview process to be completed. If you were among the first wave of potential candidates, you could be waiting a long time to hear from the recruiter again.

The job is still up for grabs but is in the negotiation phase for the moment.

Another reason why the recruiter may not have gotten back to you just yet is because they may be in the negotiation phase with another candidate who interviewed first. They will not call and inform you of their decision until that negotiation is complete, as it may end up falling through. If that is what happens, they will either abandon the search, which happens quite often, or they may turn to their second candidate, which may well be you.

While your natural instinct will be to call to find out what is going on to get recruiter updates, this may not be the best approach. Believe it or not, recruiters are very busy people who simply don’t have time to regularly update every person that they contact. When you talk to the recruiter, do all that you can to make a positive impact, as that will make them keep you in mind if this particular opportunity falls through. Most recruiters will eventually call you to make you aware of the final decision made by the company, so just remain patient until that call arrives.

 

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