These Open Jobs Can Pay for Your Holiday Expenses

While the holiday season is usually an exciting time, it can also be expensive. Many people want to spend money on gifts, parties, and even trips, and that can all add up. 

Luckily, by securing a position now, you can have the cash you need right when you need it. If you are looking for a job that can help you cover your holiday expenses, here are a few great options that are available today. 

Assembly 

If you are mechanically inclined, proficient with a tape measurer, a strong problem solver, and can think on your feet, this assembly position might be right for you. This first-shift opportunity is located in Waterville, Ohio. The selected candidate will assemble custom-built heat-treating equipment using a variety of tools. You’ll also need to follow a blueprint and measure and cut material based on the stated specifications during the performance of your duties.  

Administrative Assistant 

A leader in the wealth management sector is looking for an administrative assistant with experience in the world of finance. The chosen job seeker will be a primary point of contact for company employees looking to adjust their benefits packages and serve as a lead person on the operations team. Strong computer skills, including Excel, are a must. Additionally, exceptional phone etiquette, strong attention to detail, and great proofreading skills are also essential. 

Customer Service Representative 

If you have prior customer service experience and strong communication skills, this customer service representative opportunity might be an ideal fit. The primary duties include answering phones, processing orders, data entry, and discussing pricing and product details with customers. Candidates need to be comfortable with Microsoft Office to qualify for this day–shift opportunity at this manufacturing company.  

Janitorial 

If you’re a job seeker who prefers to work on second shift, this janitorial position could be a great option. You’ll spend your time cleaning common areas, including break rooms and bathrooms. Along with sweeping and mopping, you’ll also need to operate a floor scrubber. If you don’t have previous experience with a floor scrubber, this company is willing to consider candidates who are eager to learn this helpful skill on the job. 

Machine Maintenance 

A food production facility is looking for machine maintenance candidates for this second or third shift opportunity. The selected person will assist with daily equipment, building, and facilities maintenance. They will also be responsible for following daily, weekly, and monthly preventative maintenance schedules while working in the position. Knowledge of machinery is a must. Additionally, previous experience with hand tools, fabrication, and welding it also essential. 

All of these job opportunities are available today, allowing the selected candidates to bring in some income before the holidays. If you’d like to find out more about these or our other open positions, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable recruiters today and see how our services can benefit you.   

 

 

Manage Your Workplace Stress Before It Ruins Your Holiday Season

Fall is underway, and that means the winter holidays are on the horizon. For many professionals, the holiday season is a time for rest, relaxation, and fun with friends and family. But, if your workplace stress is out of control, it can feel like a burden, hindering your ability to enjoy it. 

Luckily, if you work to manage your stress now, you can nip it in the bud before the holidays arrive. If you aren’t sure how to begin, here are some tips that can help you manage your workplace stress before it ruins your holiday season. 

Pinpoint Your Internal Stressors 

If you want to manage your stress, figuring out which internal stressors are in play can be beneficial. It allows you to understand how your mentality may be responsible for your rising stress levels, enabling you to focus on methods for quelling them. 

There can be a variety of internal stressors that a person may face. Negative self-talk, unrealistic expectations, and perfectionism are examples that are fairly common. All of those can increase anxiety, so it’s important to understand which ones may be involved. 

Figure Out the External Stressors 

External stressors are factors that are typically difficult to control. For example, your workload might have you overburdened, you might be plagued by a lack of resources, or you could be struggling with a difficult work-related relationship. 

There are also personal external stressors that can factor into the equation. Financial difficulties, health issues, or family trouble are examples of personal external stressors. 

Face Your Fears 

Often, fear plays a big role when it comes to stress. In order to reduce your anxiety, you need to examine each of your stressors. Next, picture the worst-case scenario involving that stressor. This allows you to define the source of your anxiety, making it easier to take action to correct the situation. 

For example, if you are worried about creating a perfect presentation, consider what would happen if your presentation wasn’t perfect. Imagine how that scenario plays out and see if it is truly as bad as you fear. 

Often, the consequences of a worst-case scenario aren’t as bad as they may seem on the surface. Alternatively, the worst-case scenario might be so outlandish and unlikely that you’ll realize it isn’t reasonable to assume it will occur. In either case, you are giving context to your fears, allowing you to face them and come up with paths for moving forward. 

Get Talking 

Many people avoid discussing their stress with family members or friends. However, by keeping the struggle inside, you are internalizing the situation, which can make you feel alone. Additionally, you aren’t giving your support system a chance to help, and that isn’t ideal. 

While you don’t need to dwell on your stresses, consider having a conversation with a trusted confidante. That way, you can get your thoughts off your chest. Plus, they may be able to offer you assistance or advice to make the situation more manageable, or at least to make you feel less alone. 

If your stress is affecting your daily life, it may even be beneficial to speak with a professional. They can help you work through your stress and create an action plan, allowing you to move forward. 

Ultimately, getting a handle on your stress is always a good idea, and the techniques above can make a difference. If you’d like to find out more, the staff at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our team members today and see how our stress management expertise can benefit you.  

 

 

Don’t Be Nervous for Your Interview!

Even the most experienced professionals can experience some interview jitters. After all, you are probably excited about the prospect of landing the role and, at the same time, worried you won’t make the best impression. That would make anyone nervous. 

While having some anxiety about your upcoming interview is normal, you want to make sure your nerves don’t impact your performance. By taking the right steps, you can be more comfortable and confident when you meet with the hiring manager, increasing the odds you’ll excel during the interview. 

If you want to make sure you aren’t nervous about your next interview, here are some tips that can help. 

Spend Time Preparing 

Often, interview nerves stem from the fear you won’t be able to answer a question well during the interview. Luckily, you can decrease the odds you’ll draw a blank by spending some time preparing before the big day. 

Ahead of your interview, take a few moments to review the job ad. Read the entire announcement and make a note of the must-haves that are on the list. Since you will likely face questions regarding those points, you’ll know what answers to practice in advance. 

Additionally, do some research into the company. Learn about its products or services. Review the company’s mission and values statements. Peruse its social media accounts to find out about recent achievement and innovations while also getting glimpses into the company’s culture. 

All of this allows you to anticipate what you may encounter during your interview, giving you the details you need to know to prepare beforehand and feel confident about what you’ll bring to the table. 

Gather Your Things 

If you want to keep your nerves at bay, make sure the morning of your interview will run smoothly. The night before the big day, gather everything you’ll need when you wake up. Select your outfit and set it out. Plan out your breakfast and pack your bag. Review your route to the interview location. Double-check your interview time and any other arrival instructions. 

The goal is to streamline your morning, so handle everything you can the night before. That way, once you wake up, you won’t have to run around gathering your things or making decisions, allowing you to effectively be on autopilot.  

Stay Positive 

A positive attitude can go a long way when you need to calm your nerves. Remember, the hiring manager isn’t trying to trick you. In fact, they want you to succeed, so keep that in mind when you meet them. 

Additionally, before you walk into the meeting, take a moment and remind yourself of your strengths. If the hiring manager wasn’t intrigued by your resume, they wouldn’t have brought you in, so consider what you bring to the table and use that to keep you in the right frame of mind. 

Ultimately, being a bit nervous is normal. But, by following the tips above, you can keep it under control. If you’d like to learn more about how to reduce your interview anxiety, the staff at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our interview expertise can benefit you or browse our open jobs online. 

 

 

Happy 29th Anniversary, Stacey Bigelow, Founder of The Advance Group

To celebrate Stacey Bigelow’s 29th year with The Advance Group, we sat down with her for a Q & A session. Here are a few highlights to enjoy:

Q: What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
A: Outside of my husband and daughters, I was given the gift of opportunity.  I am blessed!

Q: What quote do you live by?
A: “Work hard, play hard!”  I believe that life is short, I work hard to play hard!

Q: What brings you the greatest joy?
A: Being on a deserted beach in the Caribbean as the tide goes out with my family.  I have so many wonderful memories of our fun adventures and discoveries at the beach.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
A: Don’t wait for the perfect moment, create it!

Stacey is the founder of The Advance Group.  Happy Anniversary, Stacey!

Team Greene Machine at the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure

Team Greene Machine and The Advance Group came together yesterday morning to participate for the 5th consecutive year in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. Team Greene Machine was formed to honor the memory of our late co-worker and friend, Lisa Greene.

 

 

When Does Your Company Need to Partner with a Recruiter?

 

Today, companies are contending with a candidate-driven job market. Competition for top talent is fierce, making it harder to locate high-quality professionals quickly. As a result, many businesses turn to recruiters to help them find the right people for their vacant positions.

However, figuring out whether partnering with a recruitment agency is the best move for your company isn’t always easy. With that in mind, here are a few signs it could be the right decision for your organization.

You Need to Hire Faster

The hiring process at most companies is very time consuming. Often, several managers or departments need to coordinate their activities to start recruiting, including agreeing on job descriptions, posting vacancy announcements, reaching a consensus regarding the salary, and working the new hire into the budget.

Then, the candidate screening process is also cumbersome. Reviewing incoming resumes to find strong matches and coordinating interviews takes a lot of energy, particularly if you don’t get great applicants right away.

When you partner with a recruitment agency, you can speed up your hiring process. Recruiters focus their careers on finding the right candidates and have access to large talent pools automatically. This is a significant advantage when you need to hire fast.

You Aren’t Finding Quality Matches

By partnering with a recruiter, you can improve the quality of your candidates. A recruitment agency will work closely with you to understand the nuances of the role and your company’s culture. This allows them to get a holistic picture of what the perfect candidate is, making sure that they are referring job seekers based on their ability to excel in the job and your environment.

Recruitment agencies also maintain large candidate databases filled with professionals who could potentially meet your needs, including many who have been prescreened. Additionally, they have vast professional networks, an asset they can tap whenever the need arises.

Plus, they are experts in recruitment. If a recruiter doesn’t have an ideal match available, they know where to look and how to proceed to ensure the right kind of talent learns about your opportunity. Essentially, a recruitment agency is diligent about finding you the perfect match, and they know what resources will yield the best results.

Your Candidate Experience Isn’t Ideal

In a candidate-driven job market, your candidate experience matters. Skilled professionals won’t tolerate slow processes, overly lengthy applications, poor communication, or other issues when companies are competing for their attention.

When you partner with a recruiter, you gain access to a streamlined process designed to keep the candidate engaged. Recruiters understand what candidates need during the hiring process and are able to ensure the experience is professional and meets job seeker expectations.

Ultimately, partnering with a recruiter can be an excellent move, particularly if your company is struggling to find the candidates it needs to thrive. If you would like to know more, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our skilled recruiters today and see how our hiring expertise can benefit you.

 

 

Nervous for Your New Job? Try This!

 

Regardless of where you are in your career, starting a new job is a bit scary. You only have general insights into what the role entails, may not know any of your soon-to-be co-workers, and are about to venture into an unfamiliar environment. Nearly everyone would be nervous in that scenario.

Luckily, there are things you can do to ease your anxieties before your first day. Here are some tips to get you started.

Review the Information You Have

Before you head in on your first day, take a moment to reflect on what you do know and review the information you have available. Reread the job description, think about what you learned during the interview, and do some online searches to refresh your memory about the company.

Not only will you refamiliarize yourself with what’s to come, but you’ll also be reminded of why you accepted the role in the first place. This can help you switch from nervousness to excitement.

Remove Some of the Pressure

It is easy to assume that a new employer is going to expect you to excel on day one. However, in reality, nearly every company understands there is a learning curve, and they aren’t going to fault you just because you don’t know everything immediately.

Additionally, your new manager is anticipating you will be unsure at times and you’ll need guidance or the ability to ask questions. Generally, they are also expecting you to make small errors as you get your footing, and will be there to support you as you strive to get on the right track. Starting a new job is a learning process, and your boss knows that. As long as you are accountable for your actions and act professionally, you will likely get the benefit of the doubt during your first few days.

Know That the Nervousness Wears Off

You are only going to have your first day at this job once. With each passing day, you’ll become more comfortable and familiar with your environment and any expectations the company may have. As you learn more about the position, your team, and the workplace, these initial feelings of nervousness will naturally fade, often faster than you would expect.

As long as you are on your best behavior, act professionally at all times, are accountable for your actions, and are striving to improve, you should be all set. Plus, by focusing on those areas, you are more likely to make a good impression, something else that encourages people to give you the benefit of the doubt as you learn the ropes.

Come Prepared for Your First Day

A few minutes spent preparing for your first day can make a significant difference. Start by selecting your attire the night before. Next, gather any items you may need to take with you. For example, having a notepad and pen ensures you can write important things down as you start in your new workplace, giving you an easy way to guarantee you won’t forget something critical.

Planning your morning routine can also help make sure the beginning of your first day runs smoothly. Consider how much time you need to get ready and make certain decisions in advance, such as what you’ll have for breakfast. That way, you’ll be able to head out the door on time without much struggle.

Ultimately, all of the tips above can help you feel less nervous on your first day. If you’d like to know more, the skilled staff at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our experienced team members today and see how our expertise can benefit you in your Michigan or Ohio job search.

 

 

The Advance Group’s Southgate Branch Staffing Stars!

Molly, Stephanie, Donna and Tyler from our Southgate office wanted to say thank you to these Staffing Stars!

  • John Cogan– John has been on the same assignment for The Advance Group for over 4 years!  In that time, John has consistently proven to be a reliable employee and taken on overtime hours when available.  He has also shown a willingness to learn new skills and accept different tasks, this has helped him advance his career with The Advance Group! Thank You John for your continued hard work!
  • Adam Thomas- For National Staffing Employee Week, The Advance Group would like to highlight Adam Thomas. Adam has great attendance and motivation, always willing to learn new things and do whatever is needed to get the job done! Thanks to Adam’s dedication he was recently hired in with his current employer. We appreciate Adam’s hard work and wish him the best with his future endeavors!
  • Steve Butt- The Advance Group wishes to express gratitude to Steve Butt for his hard work and dedication. When Steve came to The Advance Group, he was eager to get to work and was placed on assignment right away. Since he’s been employed by The Advance Group, he’s proven to be an outstanding employee. He is striving to be hired in at his current job site and we wish him all the best!
  • Miguel Hernandez- Miguel Hernandez is one of our employees we wanted to acknowledge for National Staffing Employee Week. Miguel has worked at the same company for over 10 months! While he has been on assignment he has had excellent attendance and has referred great candidates. We appreciate Miguel’s hard work and referrals!

 

 

The Advance Group’s Sylvania Branch Staffing Stars!

  • Mark Sharples has been working as a Quality Manager since May of 2018 through the Sylvania office, he is Dan’s Staffing Star this year.  He has had great attendance and has been doing a stellar job working for the same customer in a fast paced, high stress environment.
  • This is Nick’s first NSEW celebration since joining the Sylvania team.  He nominated David Skrepenski as his Staffing Star.  David began working for a new client of ours this summer, he took to the job quickly and has been excelling in all of the roles he asked to learn. From skid building, to steel stacking and machine operating. David’s performance has been noticed by his supervisors!  David works hard, is eager to learn, and can be relied on! Nice work David!

 

 

Happy 1st Anniversary, Kaydee Forgette!

To celebrate Kaydee Forgette’s 1st year with The Advance Group, we sat down with her for a Q & A session. Here are a few highlights to enjoy:

Q: What brings you the greatest joy?
A: I would have to say my family brings me my greatest joy.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: My favorite movie is Dirty Dancing.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: In my spare time, I like to go to car shows, hang out with my family, go to concerts and sporting events.

Kaydee is a Staffing Coordinator with The Advance Group’s Sylvania branch.  Happy Anniversary, Kaydee!

The Advance Group’s Sylvania Branch Staffing Stars!

  • Niki from our Sylvania team recommended Mitchell Pakulski as her Staffing Star this year.  He has been at our client for almost a year.  During that time frame, he has only asked for half a day off for a funeral. His attendance and overall attitude has been superb.  He also referred his stepdaughter for a job as well.
  • Andrea from our Sylvania team feels Gary Lewis should be recognized as a 2019 Staffing Star.  He has been employed with us for almost 1.5 years. He is there every day and has great attendance! Gary never complains and is always up willing to do whatever job is asked of him. He has been a great employee and we appreciate all his hard work and dedication!
  • Kaydee from our Sylvania team thinks Sean Cole should be a Staffing Star this year.  He has been with The Advance Group since 2014, placed on 2 different assignments with Advance. Due to his great work ethic, great attendance and positive attitude both companies have given him the option to be hired in with the company.  Sean is someone that his supervisors can count on to get the job done!