Step Up Your Design Engineer LinkedIn Profile with This Trick!

HMG Success on January 27, 2017

Your LinkedIn profile serves as an extension of your resume; it includes additional information that you cannot generally work into a one- or two-page document. But is your profile living up to its potential? If you want to be seen as a top design engineer in your field, then you need to make sure your profile summary is on point. Take the time to review your summary’s content and use these tricks to help you stand out from the crowd.

The “Why” of Your Work

We are all motivated by something and giving light to your reasoning can make for a compelling introduction. Consider the parts of your job that keep you moving forward and encourage you to delve even deeper into your chosen specialty as a design engineer. Maybe you enjoy taking business ideas and using them to create more advanced, efficient structures, equipment, machines, or systems. Or perhaps you enjoy creating something on paper or via computer-aided design (CAD) software and seeing the representation become a reality.

Expressing the driving force behind your pursuit can help demonstrate your passion for the field in a meaningful way.

How You Do What You Do

Everyone has different skills and traits that differentiate themselves from other design engineers. Include a few sentences that provide insight regarding how you do what you do. This allows recruiters and hiring managers to visualize how you function in a work environment.

If you aren’t sure how to phrase these statements, treat it like you are answering the unasked question that is on every hiring manager or recruiter’s mind: how are you a solution to their business problem? Every position within an organization represents a problem that needed to be solved. By describing how you can provide answers to their unspoken challenges, you can clear one hurdle on the path to new employment.

Say it with Numbers

When it comes to your design engineer LinkedIn profile, and your resume, something nothing speaks louder than numbers. Quantifying your accomplishments gives much-needed context to your experience.

Isn’t this the kind of information that belongs in the Experience section of your profile? Yes, it is. But if you have particularly powerful metrics to provide, there is no reason you can’t include them here as well.

Your profile summary needs to hook potentially interested recruiters and hiring managers, so don’t be afraid to list a key accomplishment or two here to help encourage them to continue through the rest of your profile.

Include Contact Information

If someone wants to contact you regarding a possible opportunity, don’t make them hunt for your contact information. Instead, include your email address, and possibly your phone number, in a prominent place.

You may choose to close your summary with your contact information, though you can also place it closer to the top. Experiment with the location and see if one area of another yields better results.

For those concerned about leaving contact information so publicly available, consider setting up an alternate email address and phone number (an internet-based phone number can work well) solely to list on your profile. Just make sure to check it regularly for messages, or set up forwarding to an account you already check regularly.

If you are ready to find your next job, and you want skilled employment professionals by your side, The Advance Group is here to provide the guidance and connections you need. Contact us and see what opportunities may be available for design engineers in your field.

When is it Appropriate to Let Your Staff Work from Home?

HMG Success on January 23, 2017

Technology has made it possible for more workers to complete their job duties regardless of where they are located. And with these advances comes the ability to work from home. But the big question for many managers is simple; when is it appropriate to let your staff work from home?

The trick is if your business supports the use of mobile technology, many of your employees are already. The checking of email through smartphones or taking a company laptop home over the weekend essentially create a work-from-home concept within the workplace even if the process isn’t official.

So, if you are interested in determining a more official approach to work from home opportunities, here are some points to consider.

Assigned Job Duties

The biggest factor regarding whether working remotely should be an option for your staff involves the duties that are assigned. Some positions lend themselves well to working from anywhere. Often, these are jobs that require limited or no in-person contact with customers, and the majority of the work is performed on a computer.

Remote desktop connections, softphones, and other technological capabilities mean that an employee can essentially have full access to all of their resources even from the comfort of their own home. They can receive business phone calls without having to use a separate line and can access networked systems as long as they have an internet connection.

Collaborative or Independent

Certain positions are more collaborative in nature than others. While improvements in communication options, like IM and video conferencing, can make collaboration between remote employees easier, certain tasks are better managed with everyone in the same space. This is especially true when tools or resources are not necessarily accessible online.

Employees that work independently are often simpler to transition to a work-from-home paradigm. However, you also need to consider the amount of supervision the employee may require. Even if work is completed without the direct input of coworkers, if a high level of involvement on the part of the employee’s manager is required, a remote workplace may not be ideal. Workers that complete their tasks at an appropriate quality without a lot of supervision will likely perform similarly when working remotely.

Issues of Fairness

The option to work remotely is highly coveted by many employees. That means that providing the option selectively might lead to some internal issues of resentment or perceived favoritism if not all internal employees performing the same or similar duties are given the option. This often requires that entire workgroups be examined at the same time. And, if not everyone can be counted upon to perform well from an alternative worksite, it may be wise not to offer the option at all.

Create Firm Guidelines and Expectations

One of the biggest points of fear regarding the support of work-from-home opportunities centers on the perceived loss of control over an employee’s activities. However, these concerns can be alleviated through the creation of clearly defined policies, procedures, and expectations.

Having communication standards to keep all pertinent information flowing freely and to ensure that all key management personnel are properly informed are critical to the program’s success. Just as attendance and productivity standards are set for employees working onsite, the same approach can create a remote worker policy that defines how and when work should be done.

With strong guidelines, you can open your hiring opportunities to skilled individuals outside of your primary location. This can provide access to the new talent you may otherwise have deemed inaccessible.

If you are interested in finding new employees for remote or onsite opportunities, The Advance Group can provide you access to new candidates who have the skills you need. Contact us today and see how we can help you hire the right workers for new remote opportunities.

How to Hang On to Your Top Employees

HMG Success on January 9, 2017

If you talk about disruptive situations in the workplace, the unexpected departure of a talented employee is bound to be mentioned. Often, it can feel like enough of a challenge to locate top candidates for your open positions, but finding great people is only part of the battle. Once you find the right person, you need to encourage them to stay.

Sometimes, an employee leaving has nothing to do with your company. For example, they may have received an offer that was simply too go to refuse, or they might have to relocate to an area that puts their current workplace outside of a reasonable commuting distance.

However, good employees also leave because of shortcomings in the company. If exiting employees aren’t willing to provide an authentic reason regarding their decision, then it is hard to determine a course of action to prevent similar exits in the future. One of the least obvious reasons top workers leave an organization is an environment that promotes mediocrity. Truly driven employees won’t be attracted to complacency, making a swift exit the logical choice.

If you want to do everything you can to keep these top performers working with your business, consider these factors that do fall within your control.

Equal Treatment Isn’t Always Fair

Many companies work hard to treat all employees the same. Often, this is touted as a fundamental of a strong workplace, but it can actually drive away your top performers. Being treated equally even when your performance is exceptional makes these talented members of your workforce feel unappreciated. They may perceive it as a way to marginalize their efforts.

But what is the alternative to treating everyone as equals? Treating them fairly.

It is perfectly acceptable to acknowledge the contributions of top performers as long as the attention given to all employees is seen as fair. Performance-based raises are an obvious choice, but there are non-monetary rewards that can also do the job depending on what each employee values.

Individual Employee Values

Not every worker is motivated by the same rewards. For some, money talks, but others appreciate flexible scheduling options, more vacation days, or tuition assistance over a bigger paycheck. Some would even enjoy additional responsibilities or the ability to pick their own projects based on what interests them most. To ensure you are customizing your approach based on the preferences of your best employees, you must find out what they value in a workplace and act accordingly.

Career Advancement

Those with the most talent often develop a plan regarding how they see their career progressing. If you want to keep them interested in maintaining their employment, then you need to see how your company can help them reach their goals.

Skilled workers who feel they have reached a dead-end in their current job will leave for advancement opportunities that fit into their career plan. Instead of them looking outside the organization for new positions, create an internal resource that will help them get there with your organization. Mentoring, training and job shadowing can help employees see the potential that exists in your business, and filling promotional opportunities from within can also contribute to building loyalty over the long-term.

So take a moment to consider how your organization can keep your top performers engaged and optimistic about their future there, and you will likely see fewer people heading for the door.

However, if you do need to fill vacancies from outside of your business, The Advance Group can help you find top candidates that have the potential to turn into some of your greatest assets. Contact us today and see what we can do for you.

Already Stressing Out in 2017? Try Doing This

HMG Success on January 6, 2017

Stress related to your career is practically a fact of life. Some people quietly stew in their discontent, while others wear the “difficulty” associated with their line of work as a badge of honor. But whether you are losing sleep to impress or because you feel you have no choice but to put in the extra hours, there’s one simple fact you must remember; it’s only a job.

Job and Identity

Many people tie their profession to their identity as a person. While what you do for a living is a key part of your day-to-day, it isn’t necessarily what your life should be about. Even if you enjoy what you do, and find your daily work meaningful, a job is predominately a means to an end. It pays the bills and gives you an opportunity to explore what you are passionate about, even if your passions lie outside of the workplace.

Doing your job should not lead to suffering in other areas of your life. Devoting too much time to your career and not enough time to things that are meaningful to you may result in burnout or worse.

Taking a Break

If your work is dominating every waking moment of your day, and the number of waking moments begins to significantly dig into your non-waking moments, then you might want to schedule some time off. Putting all of your energy into your work often cannot be sustained long-term. That means, for the sake of your sanity, it is important to break away from time to time.

But what if your workplace can’t survive without you? The trick is, unless you are a one-person operation, it can survive without you. Work will go on; tasks will be completed. Even if you are self-employed, scheduling some time for yourself is critical to keep the fires burning.

Giving ourselves permission to pursue something other than work keeps us revitalized. You will be able to be more productive over the long-term if you give yourself the chance to put work down and do something you enjoy. It is also necessary to maintain your relationships with family and friends, as well as your physical health, and if your constant state of being on the clock is harming those areas of your life, you might want to step away for a few days.

Not Romanticizing Stress

Many people have the habit of romanticizing their stress, treating it like a status symbol instead of the burden it can be. To help you move past your stress, you need to understand that the damage being done does not compensate for the potential to humblebrag about the challenges of your life.

Looking at stress through rose-colored glasses such as these is often an attempt to express one’s value or level of importance. Some people function under the notion that the more stress you have, the more important you must be. But stress and importance, or even success, do not always go hand-in-hand.

Occasional workplace stress is normal, but if it is dominating your daily existence, it might be time to explore new opportunities. If you are interested in finding a new position that allows you to keep stress in its proper place, the professionals at The Advance Group can help you explore your options. Contact us today and see if a better work-life balance is on the horizon in 2017.

Want to Start Down a New Career Path? Use This Advice

HMG Success on December 30, 2016

Deciding to take you career in an entirely new direction is a big step. Not only is there substantial work involved, but it can also be hard to admit that you changed your mind about the future of your working life. Some people feel guilty for wanting to try something different, even when it is the right thing to do. However, there is no need to hark on yourself for following a dream.

At some point in life, we all change our minds. And our careers are not excluded from this possibility. Just because you want to go in a new direction doesn’t mean that your other efforts were a mistake. Instead, consider them a learning experience that allows you to understand better what you do want to do, or at least what you want to do next.

To help make the transition smoother, here is some advice to get you started.

Decide What You Want

Concluding that you need a change is only the beginning of your journey; you need to know where that journey will lead. It doesn’t make sense to plan to exit your career when you have no idea where you will go next. Use the idea of moving on to motivate you to explore where you ultimately want to end up.

If you need some help picking a new field, consider trying career assessment tests. There are a wide variety available, and many can be accessed through a multitude of online portals. Feel free to try a few out and see if certain themes appear as these may indicate which options you should consider most.

Assess Your Skills

Once you know what you want to do, you need to make sure that you can actually do it. Begin by examining your current skills and how they translate into your new career plan. Some skills are fairly universal, such as basic computer skills, and will transition over nicely. Soft skills are also valuable in any field, so your experience in those areas should serve you well in the future.

After determining which skills you already possess, it is time to look at the ones you are missing. Then you can create a plan to cover any skill gaps that may hold you back from pursuing your new career.

Lean on Your Network

Besides needing support for the transition, your network may be able to connect you to new opportunities that match your intended destination. Many people find jobs through the people they know or the people in their extended network. Keep those closest to you, personally and professionally, in the loop as much as possible, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize your current position.

Having other people keeping an eye out for you is likely to be beneficial. Even if you find new opportunities on your own, you will have the emotional support available to take on the new challenges you have decided to take on.

If you need help seeing where your skills can take you, or what opportunities are available in your new field, Advance Staffing Solutions has the expertise to help you explore your options. Contact us today and see what the future can hold.

Say Goodbye to Your Bad Job Before the New Year

HMG Success on December 26, 2016

Nothing inspires change like the new year. And, if you have been stuck in a bad situation, it may feel like the perfect time to pursue other opportunities. Whether you are accepting a new position or are choosing to make finding a new position your full-time job, it is important to leave your current job in the right manner.

As tempting as it may be to just drop your letter of resignation at the door and not look back, it may hurt your career to do so. To help you leave your current employer with grace and poise, consider these tips to handle the situation right.

Give Appropriate Notice

Unless your dream job starts tomorrow, giving two weeks’ notice is customary. Not only does this give your current employer a chance to determine who will handle your job duties in the interim, but it is also the polite thing to do. Leaving your current employer in the lurch will not reflect well on you, and you may need to rely on your (soon-to-be-former) supervisor and co-workers for references.

Give everyone a chance to develop an exit plan that doesn’t make things unnecessarily complicated on those you are leaving behind. If a full two weeks isn’t an option, then give as much notice as possible.

Tell Your Manager First

The first person who should be informed regarding your intent to move on is your manager or supervisor. While this can be a hard discussion, this isn’t the kind of news they should get via the rumor mill. Even if your relationship is strained, or they are the reason you are moving on, it will reflect better on you to address the situation head-on.

However, you don’t have to divulge every secret regarding your new plan for your career. Just be sure to cover at least the basics by expressing your intent to resign, as well as the last day you intend to be on the payroll. Any other details can be included at your discretion, as long as you don’t plan on providing others in your workplace any more information than you are willing to share here.

Help With Your Replacement

Whether someone is already working for the company will be assuming your duties or a new employee will be brought in, be open to working with them to show them the ropes. Give them all of the information they need to perform the tasks successfully, and leave out any negative comments or gossip regarding why you are going. Until you leave, consider yourself the personal mentor of the person who is stepping into your shoes. Do everything you can to leave them in the best position from which they can succeed.

Express Appreciation

Regardless of the challenges you faced in the workplace, there are likely a few people who added to your career in a positive way. If you have coworkers, supervisors, managers, or mentors who truly made a difference in your life, make sure to thank them for all they’ve done. A little appreciation now can go a long way if your paths cross in the future.

If you are ready to leave your bad job behind for greener pastures, Advance Staffing Solutions can help you find new opportunities. Contact us today and see what jobs are currently available.

Motivation Low Around the Holiday Season? Use These Tips for an Instant Boost!

HMG Success on December 23, 2016

The holiday season has us pulled in all different directions. Preparing for family gatherings, budgeting for holiday shopping and the general demands surrounding the season can be overwhelming by themselves. Add the stress of the year-end activities at most workplaces, and it can be hard to keep yourself motivated to accomplish everything that needs to be done.

Set Reasonable Goals

Motivation can dwindle when it feels like the work is just piling up. However, you can make all of your responsibilities seem more manageable by dividing tasks into small specific goals. Whether the activities relate to work or your personal life, split each task into subtasks that can be completed in less than half an hour. That way, instead of trying to motivate yourself for the entire project, you just have to manage the motivation for a single task.

You can make yourself a list, set appointments on your calendar or use whatever method works for you. Then focus on the small task at hand until it is complete. Once you are done, check it off of your list and move on to the next. Just repeat the process, and you’ll reach the end before you know it.

The same process can also combat decision fatigue by spacing out the major decisions that have to be made.

Manage Your Health

When the pace of the holiday season has us scrambling, it is easy to neglect your own health. Besides the plethora of sweets and other seasonal food trappings, it is easy to put off workouts and even sleep. All of this can leave you tired and worn out. Making an effort to look after your health helps keep your energy levels up. You’ll be better equipped to manage the day when you provide yourself with the proper nutrition and take the time to exercise.

Additionally, make sure relaxation is part of your schedule. Whether it is participating in a hobby, watching your favorite holiday movie or kicking back with a book and some hot apple cider, taking time for yourself will help you recharge before the next challenge.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects many adults in the U.S. Symptoms are similar to those suffering from depression, including difficulty sleeping and a general sense of fatigue. The primary cause of SAD is simply a lack of sunlight. It’s dark later into the morning and earlier at night. This excess darkness can affect you in a negative way and make finding motivation more difficult.

The easiest way to combat SAD is to enjoy some time outdoors. While the cold weather may make this seem unappealing, it can actually provide significant benefits. Consider taking a brisk walk outside during your lunch break. Not only will this provide some needed outdoor time, but it also acts as a form of exercise. If you want to experience even more benefits, bring a friend along for a chat. Then you can get the social connection you need while you work towards a more motivated you.

Sometimes a change of pace is all you need to feel motivated again. Luckily, Advance Staffing Solutions is here to help. If you think a new job is a key to feeling more motivated, contact us today and see what jobs are available.

Is It Time For Your Company to Staff Up?

HMG Success on December 19, 2016

The end of the year is traditionally a time for reflection. In a business sense, companies often review budgets and create a plan for the upcoming year. This makes it an ideal time to consider your staffing needs for the future, and begin to staff up.

Recruiting is a vital part of any business strategy, but it can be challenging to decide if now is the right time to bring on new staff members. Whether your company recently added a vacancy or is considering supplementing your current team, here are some signs that now may be the right time to bring on an extra set of hands (or two!) and staff up.

Workload Issues

The biggest sign that it is time to bring on new employees is the simple inability to keep up with the current workload. Often, increasing workloads mean that business has also increased, which it an excellent development. But not being able to keep up with the new business could have repercussions.

While it is common to avoid overstaffing, if your ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks is compromised, that can have an adverse impact on business. Instead of running the risk of disappointing customers or members of management, it may just be time to invest in additional team members to manage the new pace.

Non-Emergent Tasks Take a Backseat

Sometimes you can keep up with the work that brings in the dollars, but other job duties begin to fall by the wayside. While letting non-vital tasks go during a short-term increase in business may be manageable, collecting a year’s worth of filing is a sign of a problem.

There are two ways to conquer a backlog of non-emergent tasks. One, you can hire an employee specifically to manage these tasks or to adjust the workload of others so that all members of the team can handle these duties more efficiently.

Your second option is to bring in a temporary or contract employee to manage these projects until the backlog is cleared. If the increase in business is temporary, as can be the case with seasonal businesses, a temporary employee may be just the ticket to get things back on track.

New Skill Gaps

A change in any business may make a skills gap more apparent. Whether you recently lost a team member that covered a specific subset of duties, or a change in process demands new skills to maintain an active workforce, the sudden appearance that the available skills are not enough is a sign to bring in someone new.

The longer a skills gap exists, the more operations in that area may suffer. Aside from slowing the pace of business, it can also lead to missed business opportunities as people scramble for a solution. Bringing in someone with those abilities lets you cover the gap immediately. They may also be able to cross-train co-workers, helping to prevent a similar situation in the future.

You’re Ready for New Ideas

Even the most competent team may become stagnant with time. Once everyone is familiar with the duties and has been using the same skills over the long-term, it may seem that new ideas are few and far between. Sometimes just bringing in a new set of eyes means you will have a source for ideas that current employees may not see.

When business is stable, and you have the room in your budget to bring in someone new, then they might be just the jumpstart you need to get things moving forward again.

If you think now is the right time to bring on someone new, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need to find the best fit for all of your permanent and temporary employment needs. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and let us help you staff up your workplace.

Resolve to Solve Employee Conflict Before the New Year

HMG Success on December 16, 2016

Employee conflict in the workplace can have significant damaging effects on your business. Not only can it make the environment more challenging to be in, but it can also hurt productivity, attendance, and profitability. The longer a workplace remains in a toxic state, the more difficult it is to reverse course.

By resolving to solve employee conflict issues as soon as possible, you can get your business back on track in time for the New Year. To help you take advantage of this perfect time to start anew, here are some tips to make workplace conflict a thing of the past.

Lead by Example

Your employees will not respect your position on employee conflict if you are unable to adhere to your own principles. Conflict management can be mitigated by setting a proper example of what is and is not acceptable. Don’t hold employees to standards that you are not willing to maintain yourself.

Act Early

It is easier to manage workplace conflicts when they are addressed early. The longer an issue is allowed to fester, the more entrenched it can become in your business’ culture. Over time, a problem between two people will grow to involve more employees. As word of the issue spreads, some employees will naturally choose sides, expanding the issue into other areas.

As tension mounts, you may find some of your employees choosing to leave the company instead of tolerating the situation. Many of your top talents can find work with other businesses in your industry and may exercise that ability if the workplace becomes unbearable.

Create a plan to manage conflicts as they arise. This can include mediation with supervisors or members of human resources, additional training on conflict management in the workplace, as well as disciplinary actions if necessary. Regardless of the content of the plan, it is important for it to be clearly defined and readily available to those working for your business. Maintaining a standard with clear expectations and consequences can alleviate any confusion regarding what will or won’t be tolerated.

Be Decisive

While a conflict may not resolve overnight, it is appropriate to set clear boundaries and expectations regarding employee behavior. However, you can’t solely rely on these rules if you aren’t willing to follow through with appropriate consequences should they be broken.

Create a disciplinary plan regarding how issues will be addressed if employees are not willing to work with the new program. Give them an opportunity to succeed, but also be willing to make the tough calls should someone repeatedly fail to align with the new workplace standards.

At times, the best course of action – after other corrective measures have been tried – is to release a problem employee from their position. While this may not be an appropriate first step, it can be necessary if an employee repeatedly ignores the new standards and any attempts to correct the behavior.

Again, if managed early, the damage to the rest of the business may be minimal, allowing you to bring in a new employee that promotes an ideal work environment.

If you think now is the right time to bring on someone new, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need to find the best fit for all of your new conflict-free workplace. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and see what they can do for your business.

Hidden Skills to Look For in Marketing Candidates

HMG Success on December 12, 2016

Success in marketing is driven by more than a college education and experience working in the industry. While those can be important, there are numerous other skills that are just as essential, and they are harder to identify. Being able to look beyond the resume for these hidden skills may help you separate the good candidates from the great.

Before you begin recruiting for your marketing position, here are the hidden talents you need to find to uncover the best applicant out there.

Creativity

Marketing is an art; it requires creative thinking and innovation to continuously come up with new ideas for current and future campaigns. Whether the candidate is skilled in the areas of design or concept development, being able to see the product or service in new ways that will appeal to your target demographics is a crucial skill to succeed in the position.

Writing

To create powerful campaigns, marketing employees need to be articulate. Ideal candidates will have a strong grasp of formal and informal writing choices, as well as the ability to adapt the style to the product or service that is being promoted. While writing does involve creativity, it also adheres to certain structural norms. Candidates who do not use proper punctuation or include grammar errors in their materials will not reflect the level of professionalism you may require.

Public Speaking

If you need your marketing employees to pitch ideas to other members of the business or outside customers, then public speaking skills are essential. An ideal marketing candidate will be comfortable speaking to large crowds, as well as handling questions on the fly. They need to be calm under pressure and able to manage the unexpected.

For times when a preset presentation isn’t functioning properly, you need an applicant who can engage the audience and keep them interested, even in the face of technical difficulties.

Negotiation

A surprising amount of business involves negotiations. Marketing employees may need to coordinate budgets and timelines while managing expectations regarding deliverables. When working with outside clients, all of these tasks fall back on negotiating skills.

Work with vendors and suppliers also requires a deal be made. Negotiating helps ensure your business gets the products or services it needs at the best price available. When purchasing en masse, competent negotiators can save your company a notable sum.

Technical

While some technical skills are easy to identify – such as whether a candidate is familiar with a particular program – having a solid relationship with technology in general is actually much more useful. Someone who is tech-oriented understands that changes in that sector can impact their strategies and may require them to learn something new quickly.

Remember, Twitter didn’t exist until 2006, and Facebook was founded in 2004. Both of these mechanisms provided new avenues for marketing efforts, and some companies had the vision to take advantage before others.

Stress Management

Positions in marketing are often high stress. To be successful, a candidate needs to demonstrate that they can manage the pressure effectively, even when caught off-guard. This field of work can have short deadlines, change priorities, and little innate room for error. An employee working under those conditions need to be able to adjust quickly without panicking.

If you are looking for your next marketing candidate, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need to help you locate the best applicants available. Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and see what they can do for your business.

Are You Empowering Your Staff? You Should Be!

HMG Success on December 9, 2016

Empowerment focuses on openly sharing information and power with employees. It is giving your team the opportunity to make decisions and solve problems without having to wait for direction from management. If employees are provided with the skills, resources, opportunity, motivation and authority to act, they will be more likely to contribute in meaningful ways while also experiencing increased job satisfaction.

While the concept of having a skilled, knowledgeable, and motivated team is easy to appreciate, many in management find it difficult to provide employees with authority to act within certain spheres. Even though keeping employees accountable is also a key factor in team empowerment, the idea of relinquishing any amount of control can be intimidating, especially if you work in a leadership position.

However, by failing to empower your employees in the right way, you are missing out on the benefits both you and they will receive. Before you shy away from giving your team more flexibility regarding how they manage their work, consider these key points.

Anyone Can Have Great Ideas

Your team was hired because they demonstrated the knowledge and aptitude required to perform the job they are assigned. That means they have the expertise necessary to consider options and problem solve in their area. By being open to hearing ideas from anyone working in the group, you may gain insight that otherwise would be missed.

Opportunities to Reprioritize

As a member of management, your responsibilities extend beyond the day-to-day operations of your section. By empowering your team to manage things within their realm, you can direct your attention to more important matters that genuinely require your attention.

A self-sufficient group also needs less direct management, which can also allow you to work strategically on the main objectives.

Positive Reputation

Part of your reputation as a manager is based on how your team feels about working for you. By empowering your team, you will be seen as a manager that helps their employees achieve success by giving them the opportunity to work in a way that suits them. This can make you appear much more attractive to work for than supervisors known for micromanaging, making it easier to attract top talent.

Improved Performance

Maintaining a positive reputation and a happy team environment gives you more opportunities for success. Not only will you be able to find and retain more top talent, but you will also be noticed by other members of your company or outside customers.

If your team feels empowered, they are more likely to remain engaged in their work. The company’s mission can feel more personal when they have a direct hand in outcomes. As their performance improves, you may find yourself with more opportunities to advance your career as well as increase the productivity of the business as a whole.

A More Enjoyable Work Environment

Working with team members who are happy, empowered and motivated automatically makes the workplace a more pleasant place to be. Since many people spend more time with those they work with than their own families, maintaining a positive environment can reap significant dividends.

If you are looking for a new team member or want more information about empowering your employees, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions have the knowledge you need. Contact us today and see what Advance Staffing Solutions can do for your business.

Advance Your Career in 2017 (But Don’t Sacrifice Your Home Life!)

HMG Success on December 5, 2016

With a new year on the horizon, many people take some time to examine their goals for the future. Advancing your career is often an attractive idea, especially if you have some room to move up in your field. However, pursuing new opportunities shouldn’t come at the cost of everything else you have going in your life.

Most professionals feel the pressure to keep moving forward. We are led to believe that our identities are based more on what we do for a living than anything else. But there is a fine line between passionate enthusiasm and the road to professional (and personal) burnout.

Before you dedicate every ounce of energy to advancing your career, here are some tips to make sure that you still come out as you on the other side.

Understand Time is Precious

We are given a finite amount of time to make our way through the world, and only so much energy with which to do so. Dedicating every waking hour to work may help you further your career, but at what cost? If you don’t take time for something other than work, you may find your energy levels depleting quickly. Your performance may suffer, and you might discover that you simply don’t have the ability to keep going.

Taking time to focus on something enjoyable can help you recharge, allowing you to maintain your pace for longer than if you just try to push through the hard days. It is perfectly acceptable (and even recommended) to have something else in your life besides work. Don’t forget that some of your precious moments should be spent on you.

Nurture Your Relationships

Human beings are not solitary creatures by nature. We crave company and connection. If you through every ounce of energy you possess into your work, you may be missing out on events that occur outside of your workplace. The world in which you friends and family exist will change whether you are there to see it or not. And, by missing key moments, you may find yourself out-of-the-loop or even left behind.

Having quality relationships is essential to leading a full life. Don’t let your work take that away from you by over-committing to a plan for career advancement.

Don’t Pigeonhole Yourself

It is easy to become fixated on a particular idea when it comes to advancing your career. Maybe you are chasing a specific job title, position or opportunity with complete disregard to the options that may arise. While having focus can help you succeed, don’t let your world become so small that you don’t notice the chances outside of your initial plan.

By putting limits on how your career should move forward, you are typecasting yourself in your own life. Think about how your skills can be used in different arenas, and don’t be afraid to explore those options too. Don’t let job titles define who you are or where you want to be. You may be surprised by the number of ways you can use your skills to move forward.

If you need help seeing where your skills can take you, Advance Staffing Solutions has the expertise to help you explore your options. Contact us today and see what jobs are available.