Worst Interview Mistakes (and How You Can Recover!)

HMG Success on April 9, 2018

Let’s face facts; everyone makes a mistake from time to time. But, when that misstep happens in an interview, it can be particularly disheartening, sending your confidence through the floor and firmly putting you on the defensive.

But, even the worst interview mistakes can be recoverable, as long as you know what to do to mitigate any damage. To help you do just that, here are some of the most common interview missteps and what you can do to fix them.

Coming Up Blank

Interviews are high-pressure situations. And, when you’re under stress, instead of the answer to a question quickly popping to mind, you might draw a blank.

Brain freezes happen, so this isn’t inherently a problem if you react quickly. Start by asking the interview to clarify the question, if a particular part had you stumped, or even request a second to consider your response. Asking for a little time doesn’t necessarily signal a problem as some hiring managers interpret is as you simply wanting to think before you speak.

If you have a partial answer, share it. If that doesn’t get your thoughts moving, be honest that you’re coming up short. Then, ask if you can return to the question later or provide an overview of how you would go use your relevant skills to find the answer if the question is related to an on-the-job task or procedure.

Not Silencing Your Phone

Having your phone ring during an interview is jarring, and isn’t going to go over well with the interviewer. If this happens, you need to act fast. Silence the incoming call, then quickly power off your phone. Apologize for the interruption and then refocus on the task at hand.

Not Preparing Any Questions

While asking questions at the end of an interview may seem optional from your perspective, in the eyes of the hiring manager, it isn’t.

Ideally, you want always to have well-researched questions ready that relate specifically to the position or the company, showing the interviewer you are genuinely interested in the opportunity. But, if you don’t have any ready, you shouldn’t default to bypassing this crucial step.

Instead, have a few basic questions in your back pocket that work for nearly any interview. For example, ask the hiring manager, “Do you have any concerns that would prevent me from being seen as a top candidate for the position?” works for almost any scenario and gives you a chance to respond to points that could keep them from extending an offer.

“What do you like most about working here?” gives you information about the company’s culture, and it isn’t a topic usually covered in the bulk of the interview.

Having a few questions available that always work can save your interview, so consider adding the two above to your repertoire, just in case.

By following the tips above, you can recover from some of the worst interview mistakes, giving you a chance to move forward and potentially secure the job.

If you would like to learn more about avoiding interview mistakes or are seeking new opportunities, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our professional recruiters today and see how our services can benefit you.

Are You Ready for New Hires to Start?

HMG Success on September 11, 2017

Now that you’ve selected your new employee, it may feel as though the hard part is done. While adding a member to your team is certainly a relief, you can’t expect them to come in their first day and hit the ground running. If you don’t provide suitable guidance to new hires, they’ll often feel lost, and that doesn’t lead to great productivity. Instead, by using a thorough onboarding process, you can set them up for greater success, provide them with support, and ensure they are productive as quickly as possible.

Here are some tips to get you started on creating an effective onboarding process.

Preparation Is Key

If you want a smooth onboarding experience, you want to start planning for it before you have a candidate selected. Ideally, you should start preparing as soon as you start working to fill the position, as this ensures you have a suitable amount of time to get things in order. It takes the pressure off of the managers as they don’t have to throw something together at the last minute. Additionally, it gives them an opportunity to assess how to integrate the onboarding tasks into their current workload, ensuring they are appropriately available when the new hire comes in on their first day.

Think Big

Often, determining what the new employee needs to know within their department is relatively easy, but onboarding traditionally goes well beyond a single section. You need to consider how the position interacts with other departments, as well as what core areas should be universally reviewed. Typically, everyone needs an introduction to key personnel in human resources or tech support, so include these in the onboarding process as well.

Ask for Input

If you’re looking for a solid source of information, other recent hires can provide important feedback. They can let you know what was missing from their onboarding process, allowing you to fill in these gaps for future hires. Additionally, they can let you know what went especially well, giving you the ability to keep those steps in place unchanged.

Generally, this approach can provide powerful insights, especially in areas that many employees see as common knowledge. For example, most new hires have questions about basics, like dress codes and lunch schedules, that might not be automatically included in the onboarding process by managers who’ve been with the company for a while. By providing these details, you give new hires a chance to get their footing faster, and improve the overall process.

Manage the Pacing

While there might be a lot of information to cover, you don’t want to risk overwhelming the new employee by throwing it at them all at once. Instead, consider if there are logical divisions in the information, and see if things can be divided to make everything more manageable.

Begin by identifying what details can be provided in advance of their first day. This can include the above-mentioned dress code information as well as things like where to park and where to meet their manager on the first day.

Then, prioritize the other information based on what needs to be addressed on day one, like computer password policies and team introductions, and then schedule out accordingly.

By creating an effective onboarding process, you’re helping the new hire get started in a more efficient manner. This can make them more productive quickly and ensures they are comfortable in their new workplace.

If you’re interested in more tips about successful onboarding or are seeking candidates for a vacancy, The Advance Group can help. Contact us today to discuss your needs with a member of our skilled recruitment team.

What Are Light Industrial Employees REALLY Looking for in Their Jobs?

HMG Success on June 30, 2017

Everyone knows that light industrial employees are looking for a competitive salary, but pay isn’t the only thing that workers need to be satisfied with their employer. In fact, many employees value the company’s reputation and culture along with doing work that has a greater meaning or purpose.

This means businesses need to learn about what motivates their employees, such as their values and strengths, and work to keep their teams engaged to keep top talent on the payroll. To see if your company is bringing everything it can to the table, here are some insights regarding what light industrial employees are really looking for in their jobs.

Foundations of a Great Workplace

Employees are often looking for companies where the core mission aligns with their personal values and belief systems. Additionally, workers want to apply their skills to help organizations reach goals that they can get behind. Feeling as though their contribution makes a difference to more than just the bottom line is a powerful motivator, and can help employees stay engaged on the job.

Typically, workers also want opportunities to grow their skills and advance up the ranks. This includes being offered challenges that help them grow as well as formal training options to gain further their experience. Companies that support career development are highly sought after as most workers are interested in taking their career to the next level and not simply stay in their current job.

Company Culture

An employer’s brand and corporate culture also play heavily into a worker’s decision to accept a position and remain in an organization’s employ. Often, workplaces that give employees a chance to grow their skills and experiment with new technologies are favored amongst top candidates, as the workplace is seen as supportive of their larger goals.

Additionally, workers like seeing their employers participate on social media sites, like Twitter and LinkedIn, as it gives them insight into the organization and shows the business is keeping up with the times.

Improved Recruitment Outcomes

By understanding that employees are looking for more than just a simple paycheck, companies position themselves to attract a higher quality candidate. This makes it easier to locate top talent for vacancies and can improve overall retention by creating a workplace where employees can thrive and forward their careers.

It is important to realize that even applicants with the right skills may not be the best choice for filling a position. Finding workers that share similar values and priorities can help ensure they fit well into the environment as a whole, improving long-term success.

Ultimately, your employees are representatives of your company, so focusing on creating the right culture and opportunities while hiring for the best fit creates a more satisfied group of workers. And happy employees will reflect positively on your company.

If you are looking for new light industrial talent to join your team, the recruitment professionals at The Advance Group can help you find the best candidates available. Contact us to see how our services can work for you.

Stay Positive in Your Job Search with These Tips

HMG Success on June 26, 2017

Searching for a job is rarely on anyone’s list of favorite things to do, but sometimes it has to be done. Whether you are currently unemployed or are looking to take your career in a new direction, managing frustration with the process and fears about the results can take a toll, making it difficult to stay positive as you move along.

But allowing negative feelings to take a hold can harm your job search efforts, making it harder to find the right opportunities and make it through the hiring process. While finding ways to stay upbeat may feel like a serious challenge on its own, there are actually plenty of ways to help you keep a smile on your face while you find your next position. Here are some tips for staying positive in your job search so that you can keep pushing until you find the right job for you.

Have a Plan

Many people say that you should treat a job search just like a job, and creating a strategic plan can help you do just that. Before you get too deep into web searches and job boards, take the time to consider your goals and what it will take to accomplish them. Then, create a schedule to help you focus your efforts and give yourself an outline of how to proceed.

The intention of the plan is to give yourself something to refer to when times get tough and to help you see how far you’ve come. It also serves as a reminder as to why you are putting in the work, which can keep you motivated when times get tough.

Practice Self-Care

To get through a challenging job search, you need to make sure you are taking the right steps to care for yourself. Activities like eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all at least as important now as they were before, if not more so. Otherwise, you may find yourself fighting fatigue, exhaustion, or even depression.

Regardless of how strenuous your job search is, it is always wise to make time to practice self-care. If you aren’t sure where to fit it in or are afraid you’ll get distracted by your other tasks, add these activities to your calendar and treat them like any other important appointment. That way, you won’t forget simply because time got away from you.

Send Thanks

Whenever you are contacted about an opportunity, score an interview, or finish a meeting with a hiring manager, always take the time to send a thank you note. Offering thanks can leave a good impression with those who may ultimately offer you a position, but it can also make you feel good too. Giving thanks is shown to brighten our moods, so never hesitate to do so whenever the chance arises.

If you are interested in working with professionals to help your job search move forward more smoothly, The Advance Group can help you explore your options. Contact us today and see how our services can make your next job search something to smile about.

Yes, You Can Recover from a Big Mistake at Work

HMG Success on June 23, 2017

Making a mistake at work can be frustrating and even embarrassing. Some errors have limited repercussions, possibly leading to a simple correction, while others carry more weight. However, it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes from time to time, and it is possible to recover with a level of grace and professionals. To help you navigate your way whenever you take a misstep, here are some tips for handling the situation well.

1. Start with an Apology

No matter the cause of the mistake, it is always important to apologize. This shows you acknowledge the error and take responsibility to any hardship it may have caused, no matter how minute. Often, trying to defend or fight it will make you come off worse than simply owning the situation as it is, so stepping up will normally yield better results.

2. Don’t Place Blame

Even if other people were involved in the mistake, it is always better to leave blame out of the conversation. Instead, admit to your part in the error and take responsibility. If anyone else was involved, leave it to them to come forward or for their part to be discovered by members of the leadership team.

3. Learn for Next Time

Once you admit to (and apologize for) the mistake, it is vital you take steps to avoid repeating it in the future. This means you need to review how the error happened and determine what needs to happen to prevent it in the future. If you aren’t certain of actions you can take on your own or if you need additional guidance, make sure to reach out to either your manager or another co-worker who has the skills or knowledge to lead you forward.

4. Speak with Your Manager

After you make a mistake, it is common to worry about how your manager views you as a member of the team. Often, setting aside some time to discuss the mistake and how you would handle things differently in the future can alleviate their concerns while also giving you feedback to help you improve. This also ensures nothing is left unsaid that could lead to issues in the future, so handling this as soon as possible is often the best course of action.

5. Reevaluate Your Skills

If you find yourself making mistakes on a frequent basis, then it might be time to reevaluate your skills and determine if you either need additional training or to pursue different career opportunities. At times, an error occurs when our skill set isn’t as strong as we believe but can be remedied by taking additional classes. However, if the misstep is due to being in a position beyond your experience, it can make sense to consider other employment options.

Even if you have strong skills, that doesn’t mean every job will be a great fit even if it is in the right field. If you are interested in exploring new opportunities, The Advance Group can help you find the new options. Contact us today and see what jobs may be open in your field.

Turn Your Workplace into a “Best Place to Work”

HMG Success on June 19, 2017

Most companies are familiar with the “Best Places to Work” list created by the site Glassdoor. Those who make the list often have their pick of top talent, making them models that many businesses strive to follow. But what separates a good company from a great one? And what truly makes some organizations the best? To help you see how these top companies differentiate themselves from the competition, and what you can do to improve your workplace, here are some key areas that define the greats.

Cultivate Passion

Most of the best places to work have one thing in common: passionate employees. These workers and managers operate with a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity and are typically more open to change than those who feel less strongly about their work.

Cultivating passion means creating a culture that encourages exploration and one that is open to taking new avenues when the right opportunity presents itself. While not every idea will turn into something helpful, making sure workers have the space to consider new possibilities and formulate new ideas can help keep the level of passion high.

Support Growth

Employees want to work for businesses that will help them progress in their professional lives, either through informal arrangements or formal programs. Companies that give workers a chance to learn new skills, interact with emerging technologies, and work together in new ways help employees advance their understanding of their field and keeps them feeling challenged.

Often, top performers need this kind of workplace to thrive, as it keeps them engaged and gives them new opportunities to grow. Without them, your best and brightest likely won’t stick around if a better offer comes around.

Offer Recognition

Another must-do to be considered a great employer is to recognize employees for a job well done. Anything from a sincere thank you from a manager to a full employee appreciation event can do the trick, as long as workers are shown that their input is valued by the company overall.

Some organizations make the mistake of treating employees like assets and not people. By acknowledging their efforts, you show that you understand the company wouldn’t be where it is today without workers like them.

Offer Competitive Salaries

While compensation alone doesn’t make a company a best place to work, not remaining competitive is a sure way to find yourself off of that list. Businesses need to keep pace with their competitors in regards to salary and benefits. Failing to do so may lead top talent to simply pass you by and your current employees to leave once a better opportunity becomes available.

Now, you don’t have to outdo other companies in the area of compensation. Instead, just make sure you are within the norms for your location and the type of work being performed.

If you are interested in learning more about what make a company a great place to work or are looking to hire new members for your team, let the professionals at The Advance Group put their hiring expertise to work for you. Contact us today and see how our services can help your business reach new heights.

Setback at Work? No Problem! Here’s How to Recover

HMG Success on June 16, 2017

At some point in almost everyone’s career, there will be a setback. It could be as simple as not performing well during an interview or as dramatic as being unexpectedly laid off. Regardless of the situation, facing career challenges is part of the norm, so it is critical to find ways to manage these struggles when they occur. And much of addressing setbacks properly has to do with reframing how you view the situation in the first place.

If you want to change your mindset to make recovering from a setback easier, here are some tips to get you started.

Identify Your Current Thoughts

The first step involves evaluating how you currently see the situation at hand. This process requires you to step back and consider whether you are viewing the events realistically or if they are colored by negative emotions you may be feeling.

For example, after a poor interview performance, it is easy to think that you will never get another opportunity like it again. However, the truth is that new jobs become available on a daily basis, so it is unlikely that is your last chance to secure a new position.

Try the Opposite Perspective On for Size

Once you’ve identified your negative thoughts or feelings on a matter, take the time to see it from the opposite viewpoint. Instead of seeing a missed opportunity or failure, consider if the outcome is actually a success.

This approach isn’t about complete accuracy; it is intended to get you thinking about the situation in a new way and allowing your mind to make new connections. Often, focusing on the counter to your original mindset helps you bridge the gap between the two and will enable you to find a sense of balance.

Pick the Mindset You Prefer

After you’ve assessed the situation from opposing perspectives, choose which mindset you’d rather have and move forward. Much of how we react to a perceived setback is based on our chosen mindset, and perspectives can be changed at any time. That means you can opt to see the outcome as positive regardless of what happened.

For example, using the interview example from before, you can decide to see it as a learning opportunity that will help you perform better next time, or might consider if you’re less than stellar performance was due to the fact that something about the job wasn’t actually right for you. Then, simply identify what you can do to manage things better the next time around and head on to the next challenge.

The important thing to remember about mindsets is they are never completely accurate. So, choose the perspective that is most beneficial to you and allows you to move forward confidently.

If you are looking for new opportunities to move your career forward, the recruiters at The Advance Group can help you see everything your area has to offer. Contact us to discuss your goals today.

How Positive Is Your Office Culture?

HMG Success on June 12, 2017

The idea of maintaining a positive office culture is often referenced for its ability to attract strong candidates and retain employees. But understanding where your company falls on the scale of negative to positive isn’t easy, especially because the idea isn’t always well defined.

Typically, a company’s culture includes a mix of the beliefs, values, traditions, and rituals within the organization, and often develops over a significant period of time. It is often seen as critical for ensuring employee satisfaction and directly impacts productivity amongst those working in the office.

So, what does a positive culture look like? Here are some key criteria to help you see if yours fits the bill.

Supportive

In most cases, a positive culture makes employees feel supported in the personal and professional lives. This includes promoting a better work/life balance as well as giving them opportunities to learn new skills and develop within their chosen field. Often, companies with strong reputations in these areas formalize programs designed to help workers success, including training and mentorship programs as well as flexible work options and generous paid time off.

Recognition

Employees typically crave recognition for their hard work. Whether it is a simple acknowledgment from their manager or a formal presentation during a larger appreciation event, being recognized for their contributions shows that the company understands the value of their contributions and is willing to take them time to call attention to it.

Businesses that are most successful in this arena often combine formal recognition with casual appreciation. By giving thanks for a job well done right when the work is complete, it provides employees with an immediate boost for facing the next challenge. Larger events demonstrate the businesses willingness to champion their best and brightest, which can be encouraging to the employee as well as the rest of the staff.

Protective

Maintaining a strong company culture can require taking certain steps to protect what has been built. This can include letting workers go if they have a negative influence on their team or the organization as a whole. Ideally, you want employees and managers that can do the work required while also promoting the ideals set forth by the company. So, if a top performer with a poor attitude is bringing down their team or a manager isn’t providing proper training and communication, it can be wise to let them go.

Not every individual is going to fit into every organization, and that’s okay. When it comes time to hire, look for candidates that possess the right mix of base skills as well as the personality to work well in the environment. Often, hard skills can be taught to the right applicant, but it is challenging to get someone to fit into a culture that simply doesn’t match their style.

If you are interested in finding new employees that support a positive office culture, The Advance Group has the expertise to find the right match. Contact us today and see how a strong cultural fit can help everyone succeed.

Your Company Can Avoid Expensive Penalties, Fines and Lawsuits!

HMG Success on June 6, 2017

5 Tips to Improve Communication in Your Light Industrial Workplace

HMG Success on June 1, 2017

When it comes to maintaining a productive workplace, communication is key. Employees want their managers to provide information more effectively and even with a higher frequency. Improving communication in your light industrial workplace doesn’t have to be difficult. To help you get started, here are five tips you can begin using today.

1. Be Clear and Concise

When it comes time to deliver important information, make sure to focus on being clear and concise. This means you need to plan what you are going to say and work to be direct. Make an effort to avoid ambiguous language by keeping the information specific and on point. Additionally, don’t use any acronyms that aren’t commonly understood by all of the light industrial employees to whom you are speaking.

2. Actively Listen

Many people spend the time when another person is talking to plan what they will say next, but that often means you will miss out on potentially critical parts of the conversation. Being an active listener requires you to focus on what the other person is saying, taking in not only the words they are using but their body language as well. And, you need to wait until they have finished covering what they want to say before considering how to respond. This ensures you get the full value of what is being said and that you can contribute in a more meaningful way than if you let your thoughts overshadow the other person’s contributions.

3. Meet Face-to-Face

Whenever the information being presented is difficult, negative, or could bring about a lot of questions, it is always better to say it in person. Not only will you get the benefits of non-verbal communication during the conversation, but you also have the ability to solicit immediate feedback, ensuring everyone understands things as they are and that there isn’t any confusion.

4. Follow-Up in Writing

Ideally, any information provided verbally should be followed up with a recap in writing. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to communication and covering important materials in written and spoken forms gives employees a chance to review the information in a manner that suits them best. Additionally, it will serve as a reference point for future conversations while ensuring everyone has access to the facts, even if they miss the initial meeting.

5. Stay Professional

Regardless of whether the information being covered is positive or negative, it is critical to remain professional at all times. Often, this requires managers to take care when it comes to word choice and to avoid reacting to conversations in an overly emotional way. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to be an automaton when delivering news, just that you can’t let your personal feelings on a matter affect your delivery.

By using the tips above, you can work to improve communication in your light industrial workplace, benefitting both you and your employees. If you are interested in more tips about workplace communication or are looking for a top candidate to join your team, The Advance Group has the expertise to help you move forward. Contact us today and see what our service have to offer your business.

Why You Should NOT Hire That Engineering Candidate

HMG Success on May 26, 2017

Hiring a new employee is a challenge. Often, you have a limited amount of time to assess a candidate before having to make a decision about whether or not to hire them for your engineering position. While most candidates won’t set off any alarm bells along the way, there are some red flags that no hiring manager should ignore. To help you spot which candidates you shouldn’t hire for a job, here are some warning signs that could indicate trouble.

Too Many Discrepancies

When you speak with a candidate, what they say and what they listed on their resume should generally align. Additionally, they should be able to cover the information regarding their skills and abilities with a reasonable amount of ease.

While a bit of nervousness is to be expected, the experience should feel right when examined as a whole. If something makes you uneasy or just doesn’t appear to add up, it could be a warning sign of trouble ahead if you move forward with a job offer.

Sharing Too Much

Most candidates will try and be thorough when answering questions, but there can come a point when it goes too far. If an applicant begins divulging information that is better left unsaid, then it could indicate a problem. For example, if an interviewee begins giving details regarding why they are unhappy with their current job, and the conversation turns negative or accusatory towards others, it may be a sign that they would speak similarly of their new co-workers if this job doesn’t go perfectly in their eyes.

Complaining About the Process

Interviewing isn’t the most comfortable experience for many, but openly badmouthing the need for this part of the hiring process isn’t an indication of a future stellar employee. While they may think they are perfect for the position, you are the one who ultimately has to decide. So, as long as you are continuing the process with a genuine interest in the candidate, they should be open to being a part of the journey. If they complain about having to interview, then they might not be the right kind of candidate for the job.

Too Much Brevity

While being focused and concise can be a good sign, candidates who are intentionally vague or cliché aren’t really answering the questions. Most applicants will be prepared to share information regarding the experiences, education, and skills, so those who don’t seem to have much to say might actually not have much to offer. One or two answers that seem a bit short might not be a big deal, especially if they fill in the gaps during the rest of the interview, but a habit of short responses might mean the candidate isn’t worth pursuing.

Interviewing isn’t always the easiest tasks, but most qualified candidates will handle the situation with professionalism and enthusiasm. If they don’t, it could be a sign that they aren’t as interested as they claim to be.

If you are looking for a new employee to join your team, The Advance Group can help you identify and screen top candidates for your position. Contact us and see what our services can do for your company today.

Want to Find a Management Position? Use These Tips to Move On Up

HMG Success on May 19, 2017

Every leader has one thing in common, at one point they were in a management position for the first time. But breaking into the leadership ranks isn’t always easy. Often, companies prefer to hire people into these positions who already have management experience, making it hard for those hoping to make a move up.

However, there are certain things you can do to help improve your odds of finding that management position for which you are looking. To help you on your way, here are some tips you can use today.

Become a Top Performer

If you want a chance to lead, then you need to show you can do your current job well. While you don’t have to be the absolute best at your position, you do need to demonstrate competence and reliability. This means you need to give your duties your all, meeting your deadlines and handling your responsibilities. It also doesn’t hurt to keep a positive attitude about your tasks, even if they aren’t your favorite activities to do.

Learn About the Job

Many employees don’t have a full grasp on what their managers actually do during their day. While you might not be able to find out all of the information, learning as much as you can about being part of a leadership team in the company will help you prepare to take the leap. Observe the activities of the managers working around you and take the time to read some books on subjects like management and leadership. And, if you have the opportunity to talk to a manager directly about what they do, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.

Get Involved

Getting a chance to become a manager often requires going above and beyond your standard duties. Leaders are often responsible for significant amounts of planning, so finding opportunities to get involved in this area can help you establish yourself as a management candidate. See if your manager could use a hand organizing information or collecting data for a project or join any internal planning committees within your organization.

If there aren’t any opportunities available in your company, consider looking for volunteer positions with local non-profits. You may have the chance to function in a leadership role with one of these organizations, giving you the experience you need to find a position at your job down the road.

Ask for It

Most people aren’t promoted into management spontaneously. Instead, they apply for positions and ask for opportunities. If you are interested in moving up in your current company, talk to your manager about your goals. Then they will know you are interested and can help you gain the experience you need along the way. And, when a position comes available, they may be more likely to think of you.

If you are interested in management opportunities outside of your current company, The Advance Group can help you explore options in your area. Contact us to speak about your career goals today and see how our services can get you there.