Advance Staffing - The Advance Group

Looking for a Career in IT? Now Is the Right Time!

HMG Success on August 12, 2016

Technology. It’s in almost every environment; work, home, school, and play. Technology continues to grow and change, creating new ways to accomplish tasks big and small in the most sophisticated office buildings and the largest production facilities.

It can be said with a particular level of certainty that technology is here to stay, which makes this an excellent time to start a career in the field of information technology (IT). Whether you are interested in creating new products and programs, securing networks from outside intrusion, or assisting users with getting the most out of their technological resources, IT is where the work is.

Diversity in the Sector

Long gone are the days where IT was a simple category on its own. Today, there are a variety of specialties, often with additional subspecialties within them, which require different knowledge bases and skill sets to perform the associated duties successfully. Larger IT departments may have database administrators, information security analysts, network architects, software developers, and computer programmers.

As voice and messaging technologies interconnect with network technology, newer hybrids are being created in the areas of voice over IP (VoIP) and unified messaging. The proliferation of mobile devices, including interest in the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) movement has increased the need for specialized support.

With all of the potential careers in the field, it is likely you can find one, or a few, that interest you personally.

Diversity in the Work Environment

Today, computers are common place in almost every type of business. Whether you are working for the federal, state or local government, a large corporate entity, or a small business, you will likely use a computer during the day. Even restaurants have seen increases in the use of networking technologies as the option to use tablets at customer tables has increased.

With the widespread use comes opportunities in every arena. Whether you are interested in working for a large tech firm or would prefer to consult for multiple small businesses, IT skills are necessary in all walks of life.

This also makes skills highly transferrable, as IT skills can be applied in a large number of environments in almost every city across the country. Not only does this help in terms of career advancement, it also means you are never completely stuck working in one business, one city, or even one state. Your career can travel with you wherever you choose to go.

Competitive Pay and Benefits

Many IT professions are expected to have faster than average growth within the U.S. and unemployment rates in the sector are generally low. This makes the demand for skilled IT professional rise as businesses compete for the best talent. Along with the increase in demand comes higher rates of pay and solid benefits.

It is not uncommon, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for an IT professional to earn well above $80,000 per year. Additionally, most IT professional work full-time, so they often have access to additional benefits such as medical and retirement options.

Starting Your Next Career

Whether you are considering a new career in IT, or are interested in taking your current IT career in a different direction, the specialists at Advance Staffing Solutions can help guide you along with way. Contact us today and see where your career can take you.

How Can Hiring Temp Workers Improve Your Workplace?

HMG Success on August 8, 2016

Are there times when you wish you had one more set of hands around the workplace?

Maybe an employee is on extended leave, or your business experiences seasonal fluctuations in demand? Maybe there is a large project looming and it will be difficult to integrate these duties amongst the other day-to-day tasks that must be completed?

No matter the reason, the answer is the same.

Hiring temp workers allows your business to bring in an employee when you need them, without the hassles involved in hiring an employee on your own. If you aren’t sure this is the right move for your business, consider these other benefits of hiring temp workers.

Temps Have Competitive Skills

A temporary employee can be just as skilled and experienced as your other employees. Staffing firms are just as rigorous in determining if an applicant’s skills match your needs as you would be. All applicants go through interviews and screening processes to ensure they meet the same level of standard as the business with which they work.

Temporary workers may be college educated in their field of expertise and may hold significant on-the-job experience. Just because a worker is temporary doesn’t mean they are not the type of employee you would hire yourself.

No HR Burden

Not only does a temporary not need to be put through your hiring and onboarding processes, they will not ever be on your official payroll. Temporary workers are employees of the staffing office for which they work. This means that you will never bear the burden of payroll processing, unemployment insurance, or any other cost traditionally associated with managing personnel. Instead, the staffing firm will handle all of those requirements while all you have to worry about is paying an invoice.

Here When You Need Them, and Not When You Don’t

As a business, you have few specific time obligations to the temporary worker. If a project is completed ahead of schedule, you can end the assignment early. If the need continues past the original end date, you may be able to continue working with the same temporary employee you have been, or you can choose to work with a different temporary worker if your needs shift.

Can’t Live Without Them? You Can Hire Them!

In cases where you can’t imagine operating without the temp workers, they may be eligible to become a full-time employee. If you both feel it is a good fit, and all proper processes are followed per your contingent staffing agreements, then you can bring them on to your payroll as a new employee.

Want More Information About How Temporary Workers Can Help Your Business?

Here at Advance Staffing Solutions, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you figure out all of the ways temporary workers may benefit your business. Contact us today!

Hiring Remote Employees? Don’t Forget to Ask Them These 5 Questions!

HMG Success on August 5, 2016

While most interview questions remain the same from position to position, there are unique conditions that apply to applicants for remote employees. In order to better assess the candidate’s ability to successfully work as a remote employee, be sure to cover these five questions before you make a hiring decision.

“Can we discuss the position over a video conference?”

When hiring for a remote position, it may be helpful to complete the interview face-to-face, especially if attending video conferences will be a requirement for the position. Not only will this give you an opportunity to interact with a candidate in a more natural way, it will also provide insight into their workspace, communication style and basic technical ability.

“Can you describe your work environment?”

This functions as an opener to assess whether remote employees are properly setup to accomplish the tasks necessary to work successfully. For example, if the remote employee is going to be responsible for a large volume of calls, it may be necessary that they have a dedicated home office that prevents extraneous noise from coming through on the call.

It also gives you the opportunity to find out other pertinent information, such as the speed of their internet connection, current access to required software, and if they have a dedicated phone line.

“If a technical issue arises, how would you go about addressing it?”

Since a remote employee will be responsible for troubleshooting equipment and network connectivity, understanding how they would approach these tasks is critical. While high-level technical ability is not always necessary, being capable of handling common issues is imperative to their success. If there are no technical support resources offered through your company, or if the remote worker will be performing the majority of their duties outside of traditional support hours, this is even more imperative.

“How do you plan on arranging your day to meet the requirements of the job?”

While not all remote employees will need to clock in and out as specific times, it is important to understand the timeframe in which the candidate intends to perform their assignments. This allows you to evaluate their availability, ensuring it includes times when they need to be available for contact. Additionally, it provides insights into other obligations they may also need to meet that could cause conflict.

While someone responsible for compiling a report may be able to complete the work at any time, it may not be efficient if you cannot reach them during core business hours to communicate changes. Not only can this cause frustration for you, it can lead to wasted time and money if the employee continues working with the wrong priorities or inaccurate information.

“Have you ever worked remotely for another company?”
This question allows you to find out if they have served a similar function under similar circumstances. While previous experience working remotely may not be required, it can provide insights into how they have previously prioritized work and handled deadlines when not under direct supervision.

It also allows for follow-up questions to determine if they are currently working remotely for another company, and, if so, whether they intend to stay with that company as well. While holding two positions is not inherently wrong, conflicting priorities between multiple employers may arise.

Would you like more information?

If you are looking for insights into remote hiring, or assistance locating your next employee, the experts at Advance Staffing Solutions offer free advice to clients and candidates. Reach out today!

4 Tips for Creating a Stronger Welding Resume

HMG Success on August 1, 2016

Your welding resume reflects what you have to offer to an employer. When poorly designed, your resume may be tossed aside with little consideration. To ensure your welding resume gets the attention it deserves, take a look at the following tips.

Start with a Strong Summary

The summary section provides recruiters with a quick introduction to what you have to offer, so make sure that it is concise and informative in nature. Treat it like a headline, or billboard, used to entice the reader to want to know more.

Make Your Qualifications Stand Out

Include a section on your welding resume to highlight which skills you bring to the table, using bullet points to bring attention to your qualifications. List relevant hard skills, such as specific welding techniques, and soft skills, such as supervisory experience.

Match your applicable skills to those listed in the job posting. This can help your resume make it through automated screening processes and quickly establishes why you are a good fit for the position.

However, be sure to avoid listing skills that are often considered a given, or those that have little meaning, such as:

Hard Worker
Punctual
Familiarity with Welding Equipment and/or Safety Gear

These banalities are unnecessary and take up valuable space that could be used to address more important information.

Arrange Your Work Experience and Education

If you have experience working in the welding field, list your work experience before your education, especially if it is substantial. If you have been a professional welder for some time, and the most recent position was in the welding field, list your work experience chronologically. If the most recent position was in an unrelated field, consider listing your work history based on the relevance to the position. This brings attention to the work you have completed that will be of the greatest interest to recruiters.

For those looking to enter the welding field, list your education first to demonstrate your credentials. The education you list can include degrees achieved, such as an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology, or various industry-specific certifications or completed training programs. This allows recruiters to see that you do have formal training before reviewing work experience that is not related to the field.

Confirm Your Contact Information is Correct

While adding contact information seems simple, it is critical that it is listed correctly. Confirm your name, email address and phone number are accurate, as these are the most likely ways a recruiter will contact you. Don’t label your phone number or email address, as the format used is recognizable on its own.

If you are interested in finding a new position, the professionals at Advance Staffing Solutions are here to help. No matter your experience level, they can help match you to job opportunities throughout the area. Contact us today!

3 Tips for Un-Complicating Your Job Search

HMG Success on May 25, 2016

Is your job search starting to get you very stressed out? Are you overwhelmed by all the different things that you need to keep track of and do in order to get a job? You are not alone. Many people feel frustrated over the job search process – particularly if it takes months to land even one interview.

However, there are some things you can do to streamline and simplify things so that you are staying on track and making the best use of your time. Here are some ways to un-complicate your job search.

1. Decide what type of job you want.

Believe it or not this can be a very difficult thing for some people. This is especially true if you had put certain types of jobs in the past and you think that you can only do those types of jobs. But what you need to understand is that you have a broad gamut of skills that would be valuable to a potential employer. Take the time to participate in a few career personality tests which can be taken online and identify the top-three career choices for your particular talents.

2. Clean up your image.

Some people think you should start with your resume but we think that you should start with your public profiles. 95 percent of all recruiters are looking through candidate profiles on their social networks before they even pick up the phone to call them for an interview. Make sure that you clean up your profiles, remove any questionable content, and put your best foot forward with a professional headshot photo and information about your career.

3. Work with a career coach.

You don’t have to go it alone with a job search! There are skilled professionals out there ready and willing to help you along the way. Contact your local staffing agency and find out if you can get support there for your job search. Consider hiring a certified career coach in your area of expertise to guide you along the way. Get support by joining a job network where you can learn of new job opportunities and talk to others about your journey.

The above three steps will set you on the right path in very little time at all. Be sure to check out the new job openings available at Advance Staffing Solutions, and reach out to us any time you need help with your job search — from resumes to interviews, we’re here to help you!

Underqualified Candidates Can Be a Valuable Company Asset

HMG Success on February 19, 2016

Very often, hiring managers are faced with the decision of what to do with great candidates who have the right personality and fit for a company, but lack certain qualifications of a job. It’s a shame, because they could have potential in the company’s future.

Have you ever wondered if an underqualified candidate could be a valuable asset to the company? Here are some reasons why.

Not every company has the budget for “superstar” candidates.

In the startup or rapid growth phases of companies, the funds may be limited in terms of offering a superstar candidate enough to convince them to join the company. Therefore, hiring an underqualified candidate at a slightly lower salary may make better sense. This person can be developed into an outstanding employee and over time can get a promotion to a higher earning bracket.

Underqualified candidates often make the most loyal employees.

It’s hard finding loyal employees nowadays. Especially with the younger generations, candidates are prone to skipping from job-to-job within a year or two. When you give an underqualified candidate an opportunity, they will generally be more loyal to the company. This grateful attitude will also help the company to develop the person into a future leader because of the need to prove themselves.

People can learn if they have the right qualities to begin with.

It’s really hard to say if there is such a thing as a perfect candidate. However, when you give an underqualified candidate a chance, they have the ability to learn new skills that will enable them to excel in the job. Focus on some of the more important traits that the candidate has; such as a positive personality, a track record with former employers, and their ability and desire to learn new things.

Refer underqualified candidates to partner companies.

You may not be able to give an underqualified candidate a career right now. This is ok. But do not dismiss this candidate. Instead, refer an underqualified candidate to a partner company or to an area of staffing agency that you work with. The candidate will appreciate a chance to be introduced to another opportunity, and you will not lose track of them. Who knows? The candidate may be the perfect fit in the future for your business.

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

HMG Success on January 19, 2016

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

Examples off the wall interview questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Hire the Best of December’s New Grads

HMG Success on January 8, 2016

New grads don’t have a uniform approach to seeking jobs. Some grads would prefer to work for large companies while some would be happy enough if they get a job. Usually, the best grads will be selective and they wouldn’t have to reach out to many companies because the companies will reach out to them. If you want to hire the best of December’s new grads, then you must have a strategy. You cannot expect the best grads to walk in for interviews, unless your company is a brand that is high on the list of preferred organizations to work for.

Here are a few strategies that can help you to hire the best of December’s new grads:

Roll out an internship program for undergrads. This is the best policy to hire talent at affordable wages or stipends. You would be able to assess the potential of undergrads. There are many grads who have otherwise done well in their exams and may have some accolades from their colleges or universities but whether or not they are ready for the jobs being offered is a different context altogether. By having interns and then hiring them when they graduate, you would know exactly who you are hiring, what their strengths and weaknesses are. Grads too would prefer this as they can have some continuity in their career. There is an increasing difference between educated youth and those who are educated and ready for the professional challenges.
Campus placements or onsite job interviews are instrumental if you wish to hire the best of December’s new grads. Every year, major companies fan out across the length and breadth of the country and try to tap the best talent in respective niches. As a company, you must target the relevant universities and conduct campus placements. You can work with the career center at a college or some students associations to facilitate such arrangements. You can conduct job fairs at colleges to generate some interest.
There are many staffing agencies or recruitment companies that specialize in hiring graduates. You can contract such recruitment firms that will send you a select collection of resumes of new grads who have the potential to work in the specific jobs you have to offer. These recruitment firms know exactly where to source the best grads from and will tick the checkboxes or criteria you have. Advance Staffing Solutions keeps a pulse on the top graduates and helps them find matching careers in the fields of their choice.

Need help hiring new grads, or any new candidates? Contact Advance Staffing Solutions today and let us place your next superstar employee tomorrow.

Scared of December New Grads? Make Sure That You’re Not Discriminating on Age

HMG Success on December 22, 2015

This is the time of year when a whole group of new college grads will begin looking for work. With an influx of new graduates in the job market, it is important that employers are aware of ways that they can avoid discriminating based on age. Age discrimination in the workplace is something that you want to shy away from at all costs. People are staying in the workforce longer, and this can be difficult to deal with. The type of industry that your business is in will have a major influence on the amount of ageism that exists.

What is Ageism?

In order to make sure that you are not discriminating based on age, it is important that you are aware of what ageism really means. Ageism is essentially age discrimination and can be seen in the workplace in a number of different ways. If the decision to hire or not hire an employee is based on age, this is an example of ageism in the workplace. Age is not something that should be relevant in the workplace. There are a number of reasons why a business might benefit from making age a factor, but this is not something that should play a role in the hiring process.

Avoid Ageism

It is important that all businesses are aware of the ways in which they can avoid ageism in the workplace. This means that businesses need to be aware of all local and national ageism laws that are in place. Being knowledgeable is always the first step. It is important that you are not hiring people who you shouldn’t be. This might not seem plausible, but it is much more common than you might realize. There is a minimum age requirement and you need to be sure that you are always following this law. It is important that you always ask for proof of age before your hire potential employees.

Advertising

It is also important to be aware of the role that advertising has in the age of potential employees that come applying for jobs. The way in which you choose to advertise your business can play a big role in the age of applicants that you see. This means that the way you advertise jobs could make it look like your business has an age discrimination issue, when it really simply gets one type of applicant.

Can You Become a Respected Leader Overnight?

HMG Success on October 29, 2015

Do you dream of being an industry expert and someone who others look up to for leadership? If so, it won’t happen overnight. These things can take time. But there are some ways to fast-track your way to success. Here’s how to become a respected leader in your career.

Become a subject matter expert

Everyone is good at something, but the better you are at your job and the more knowledgeable you become, the more others will look to you for direction. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the processes and products that help you do your job, the industry updates and trends, and the people who make your industry great.

Align yourself with other leaders

As soon as you can, associate yourself with other thought leaders and become one of the pack. Attend industry association meetings and networking groups in the local business community. Network on social media groups. Elevate yourself through credentials and partnerships. Most of all, gain a mentor who you will be like someday.

Demonstrate leadership ability

If you want to be seen as a leader, then you must act like one. Find ways to stand out among your peers at work. Rise up to challenges and take on new responsibilities. Take the time to teach others what you know, when they ask. Demonstrate that you have what it takes to be a leader on your team. Learn to be a powerful speaker and presenter. Think about ways to solve problems and make your boss and co-workers look good.

Think beyond the four walls of your workplace

True leaders have a strong sense of community and the impact they are having on the rest of the world. Find a cause you believe in and support it. Volunteer once in a while and see how good it makes you feel and how you stand up for something good. The world needs more leaders, and it’s time to take your place.

By using the above methods, you can elevate yourself to leadership status in very little time. Be strategic and consistent with how you present yourself.

Why Resilience Is a Sought-After Job Skill

HMG Success on October 27, 2015

If you’ve spent a long time searching for a job, you know how important resilience is as a personality trait. Being able to hang in there and bend as things change can also help you in any career you choose. In fact, this is a trait that is often sought after by hiring companies. Learn how demonstrating resilience can support your journey towards a wonderful job and career, and how to develop this trait.

Waiting is just a part of being an adult

Being resilient is a trait that adults develop over time and experience. If you can be patient, wait for the right moment, and bounce back when things don’t go the way you expect, you are most likely a well-adjusted adult. This is a good sign. Be ready to talk about circumstances where you were able to demonstrate resilience on a job.

Resilience is a trait all leaders have

Think about some of the leaders of industry you’ve heard or read about: The one character trait they’ve all had was the ability to be resilient in the face of the impossible. Want some inspiration? Read about Richard Branson, the Founder and CEO of Virgin Airlines, or Henry Ford, the Founder of Ford Motors. They failed over and over again, but eventually they found amazing success.

Employers are looking for loyal employees

Another reason to develop and demonstrate resilience as a work trait is that employers want to hire people for the long term. They invest much in recruitment costs and efforts, therefore if they can keep an employee on board for a while, they’ve earned a nice return on this investment. Resilience shows you have what it takes to stick it out, even when things become a challenge.

Make sure you highlight and explain key examples of times when you have been resilient. And also be prepared to show this on your resume. Being resilient also means keeping up with your job search and treating it like a job, taking on temp assignments, and staying active in the business world.

What To Say to Your Workforce, Instead of “I Don’t Know!”

HMG Success on October 8, 2015

There are times in a manager’s career when a lack of enough information may leave no other answer but “I don’t know” to subordinates. However, this is not a good phrase to use because it takes away from the management role. How? Employees need strong leadership, so a wishy washy answer that implies the leader is really not in control of the situation leaves them feeling confused and worried. In order to maintain your status as a leader, you need some other ways of expressing yourself without saying you don’t know. Here are some other things you can say.

“This is what I know, and I will have more information for you soon.”

When employees know that an immediate supervisor has their best interests in mind, they are often good with this kind of response. It shows that you are going to share what you know (and maybe share some managers-only information) and that you are going to update them as soon as possible. This conveys you have things under control and they will be the first to hear when anything new develops.

“I’m not the right person to ask about this, let’s find out who can answer your question.”

As a manager, you will never have all the information and you may not always be the go-to expert on a particular subject. This is OK. Employees are simply following the chain of command when they ask a manager about something. It’s up to you to direct them to the right resources and experts in the company for more clarity on some subjects. For example, if an employee has a benefits-related question, you will use this phrase and then walk them over to the human resource office for more support.

“I hear your concern, so give me an opportunity to get the right answer for you.”

Being a good listener and using reflective phrases like this can go a long way towards fostering good relationships with subordinates. By stating that you hear what the employee is saying, you acknowledge their concern and want to do something to help them. However, if you don’t have the right answer, which is reasonable, you are asking the employee to trust in you as a manager to get the correct information for them – something they can respect.

Use the above phrases to demonstrate your ability to lead others, without leaving them scratching their heads.