Why Great Candidates Aren’t Applying to Your Jobs

Raza Rauf on March 4, 2019

Hiring is one of the most crucial parts of operating a company. Without the right employees, the business may struggle or fail to thrive, harming productivity and profitability.

Figuring out how to attract high-quality candidates can feel like a challenge, especially if your job postings aren’t garnering the expected level of attention and you don’t know why. Luckily, some simple fixes could help you land great job seekers. Here’s what you need to know.

Ineffective Job Posts

Your vacancy announcements play a critical role in the hiring process. If the job description is vague or, in contrast, is a laundry list of requirements, top talent may just pass you by. Similarly, if the post only discusses what they can do for you, and not what you can offer them, genuinely skilled professionals aren’t going to be interested.

Instead of listing a ton of must-have skills and highly restrictive experience requirements alone, work to sell the job as an opportunity. Discuss exciting upcoming projects, chances to learn and grow professionally, or anything else about the role that is legitimately enticing.

Also, highlight why your company is a great employer. Showcase your amazing culture or admirable mission. Just make sure to pepper it all with keywords job seekers may use to find positions, and you are all set.

Long Application Process

Let’s get one thing straight; highly skilled professionals aren’t going to go through a lengthy application process. If you request a resume, then make them put that information into an application, then ask them to answer multiple essay questions, most top talent are going to bail out well before the submit button even appears.

The application part of the process is not the time to learn every detail about the candidate. Instead, you simply need to find out who has potential in this employee-driven job market, so keep your application process short and simple.

Limited Reach

Not long ago, job seekers flocked to major job boards to find available positions. Today, that just isn’t the case. Instead, they use niche job boards, scan social media, and reach out to their network. That means, if your job posting is only on your company recruitment page or one major job board, a ton of candidates don’t even know you are hiring.

If you aren’t getting the ideal response from your job postings, then branch out. Find niche job boards and list your opportunity, post about the job on social media, and ask your employees for referrals. This gives you access to a larger talent pool by increasing visibility, making it easier to find the highly skilled professionals you need to succeed.

By following the tips above, you can find amazing candidates with greater ease. If you are looking for great candidates for your vacant positions, the professionals at The Advance Group can connect you with skilled job seekers quickly and efficiently. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive and flexible hiring services and see how our recruiting expertise can benefit you.

Take This Advice Home from Work

Raza Rauf on February 25, 2019

In some cases, career advice can actually apply to more than your job. When viewed through the right lens, it can actually be great guidance for life in general, allowing you to derive more value from the information.

Whether you are looking to improve your professional or personal life, here is some advice that can apply in either case.

Clear Communication Is Necessary for Relationships

When it comes to your personal and professional relationships, clear communication really is the key. Miscommunications can lead to serious hardships, so strive to avoid being vague or ambiguous when you speak with anyone in your life. Similarly, don’t withhold critical details if you have the ability to share them.

By communicating with confidence and being direct and open during discussions, you can make sure you are well understood. Then, just make sure to give everyone else involved in the conversation your full attention when they speak, and you can improve nearly any relationship, both inside and out of the office.

No One Is Prepared for Every Possibility

At some point, life will throw you a curveball; it’s just the way it is. No matter how far ahead you plan or how organized you are, you are going to have to wing it occasionally.

However, when this occurs, don’t get down on yourself. No one is prepared for every possibility all of the time. Being ready for everything just isn’t realistic, so don’t hold yourself to that standard.

Ultimately, life is unpredictable by nature, and you won’t always know what you’re doing. And that’s okay. Give yourself a break and do the best you can.

Just Because You Receive Advice, Doesn’t Mean You Have to Follow It

While being open to feedback is a must if you want to improve professionally or personally, you aren’t required to implement every piece of advice you get. Each person you encounter is going to have a different perspective, and there’s a reasonable chance they don’t understand the full picture.

All you actually need to do is consider what they have to say. If their advice doesn’t align with your goals, preferences or reality, you can set it aside if that feels like the best call for you.

It’s OK to Change Course

Sometimes, the idea of something is more attractive than the reality. Once you give the activity a whirl, it becomes clear it doesn’t align with your interests. And, when that happens, it’s OK to let it go.

There is nothing wrong with changing course on occasion. If you tried something and you don’t love it, feel free to leave it behind. Similarly, if you used to enjoy something but you don’t anymore, setting it aside might be a smart move.

Ultimately, we only have so much time in work and life, so making sure you can pursue the stuff you enjoy and limit things you don’t is just smart. If you’d like to learn more about advice that can apply to both your personal and professional life, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruiters today and see how our career management expertise can benefit you, or browse our newest job openings on your own time.

There’s a New Safety Priority at Your Workplace

Raza Rauf on February 22, 2019

If your work environment is loud, noise-induced hearing loss is a possibility. Companies across the country are striving to limit these risks by providing employees with suitable amounts of protection and working to reduce high decibel levels.

One OSHA report shows organizations have had to pay out around $1.5 million in damages for failing to provide sufficient noise protection equipment to their staff. Workers’ compensation claims focused on hearing loss also come in about $250 million each year, showing just how costly neglecting noise levels can be for businesses.

How Much Noise Is Too Much?

When sound intensity is measured, it is done in decibels (dBA). The unprotected ear can only tolerate extended exposure to noise that is at 85 decibels or lower. Once you cross the 85 dBA threshold, permanent hearing loss can occur.

However, many workers aren’t required to wear hearing protection when in noisy environments or when they are around loud equipment. In some cases, companies mandate protection should be used, but fail to provide sufficient options. In others, the businesses don’t properly enforce procedures.

At times, the issue is an underestimation of the sound intensity associated with specific equipment. For example, some would be surprised to hear that a nail gun can emit sounds reaching 100 dBA, and being exposed to one for just 30 minutes could result in permanent damage.

What Can Companies Do to Protect Workers?

First and foremost, companies need to educate their staff regarding the risks associated with noise exposure and the potential for hearing loss. Let your employees know which pieces of equipment can cause damage and how quickly it can occur.

Next, develop procedures and protocols for both operating and being in the vicinity of noisy equipment. Include clear guidelines that list which equipment must be worn and when, ensuring everyone understands the requirements for every scenario.

Then, make protective gear highly accessible to your staff. Make sure all of the options are readily available and that all provided equipment is in good repair and working order. Ideally, you want more than you need on hand. That way, as pieces breakdown, you have replacements at the ready and can order new equipment to keep your supply up.

Finally, create a noise-monitoring program that can keep tabs on your environment and your employees. Track the decibels when multiple pieces of equipment are in use in one area or whenever a new piece of equipment is added to the environment, even as a replacement for something that was already available. If your reports show that adjustments to the protection procedures are necessary, make them as quickly as possible and distribute the information to your staff.

It’s important to remember that, once an employee suffers hearing loss, those changes are permanent. By taking action today, you can help keep your workers safe, ensuring they don’t enter into or work in noisy environments unprotected.

If you would like to learn more about protecting your employees, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members today and see how our workplace safety expertise can benefit you.

How to Find New Michigan Jobs Today

Raza Rauf on February 18, 2019

When you need to find a job quickly, it’s hard to figure out where to start. While scanning large-scale national job boards is a tried-and-true approach for learning about opportunities, it isn’t always the speediest way to go. Luckily, there are alternatives that can provide you with faster results. If you want to find new Michigan jobs today, here are some tips that will help you on your journey.

Make Social Media Work for You

Social media is more than a way to connect with friends and family; you can also find out about employers and their current vacant Michigan jobs. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can all be exceptional resources, allowing you to learn about new job postings and companies that are hiring.

When you prepare to use social media in your job search, take a few moments to make sure your profile reflects well on you as a professional. Remove any pictures or posts that might not be appropriate, and add some details to highlight your skills and background.

Then, you can search posts to see if there are any Michigan jobs you want to pursue. Plus, you can tap your own professional network to see if they have any information that could help you secure a coveted role. Together, those activities make social media incredibly powerful, so make sure to include it in your job search.

However, you might even be able to do more. Though sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, you can sometimes even apply for jobs using your profile. If you are looking to run an efficient job search, it’s an excellent option.

Connect With a Staffing Firm

Local staffing firms are exceptional resources when you are looking for a new opportunity. By connecting with The Advance Group, we can help you find your ideal role with a leading Michigan employer quickly and efficiently thanks to our extensive connections in the community. Plus, we know about Michigan jobs that aren’t advertised anywhere else, ensuring you have access to the most exciting positions available.

You can also find out about the vacancies they are filling by heading online. Check out The Advance Group’s job listings to see if any positions interest you or complete an online application to make sure your information is ready when the right role comes along. In either case, you can accelerate your job search, ensuring you can land a new job in Michigan as quickly as possible.

Sign Up for Job Alerts With The Advance Group

If you want to make sure you don’t miss a single opportunity in Michigan, signing up for job alerts with The Advance Group can ensure you always stay informed. You can craft your ideal job search, save the information, and have details about new jobs sent to you automatically. Then, with a simple click, you can check out the job ad and apply.

With job alerts from The Advance Group, you never have to worry about missing out on your dream Michigan jobs. If you’d like to learn more about what The Advance Group can do for you, including taking your job search to the next level, contact us today.

Stop Making Your Employees Feel “Stuck” in Meetings

Raza Rauf on February 15, 2019

If you ask your team about their favorite part of their workday, essentially no one is going to say meetings. More often than not, these gatherings aren’t very productive. Instead, they are merely interruptions, disrupting the flow of your employees’ days.

Plus, most workers have no choice but to attend. Even if the meeting ultimately has nothing to do with them, if they were asked to be there, they are stuck until its over. What a time-waster!

Luckily, there are things you can do to make sure you hold better meetings. Here’s how to get started.

Limit Your Invites

When you are trying to decide who to invite to a meeting, keep the list as short as possible. If anyone feels the discussion isn’t relevant to them or that they can’t provide any useful input that isn’t covered by someone else, you are essentially wasting their time.

Plus, large groups can be hard to keep on track and productive. If there are too many people, participants may begin shouting over one another just trying to be heard while others are tuning out.

Keep the meeting small and only invite participants who can truly provide value to the conversation or derive value from the experience. Otherwise, just update anyone who is affected by what is discussed after the fact.

Manage Your Timing

At work, time is an asset. To make sure your meetings are proceeding efficiently, you need to schedule them at the right time and for the proper duration.

First, avoid selecting meetings times first thing in the morning (when many people are still getting their footing) or during the last hour of the day (when everyone would rather be wrapping things up so they can head home). Instead, consider starting times between 10:00 am and 11:00 am, ensuring everyone can finish up and then go to lunch.

Second, don’t schedule the meeting for an hour if you only need 30 minutes. Often, people default to an hour to give themselves some breathing room. But, if you just have a few points to cover, keeping the meeting to 30 minutes can create a sense of urgency, making it easier to stop tangents in their tracks and promote focus.

Have an Agenda

Before the meeting, send out a formal agenda to all participants. This lets everyone know what will be covered, giving them a chance to prepare if the need arises.

Additionally, a formal agenda acts as a strong barrier against tangents and individuals who attempt to hijack the meeting to discuss other matters. If a point isn’t on the agenda, you can stop the conversation, refer people to the agenda, and get everyone back on track. If someone protests, let them know that this meeting is for a specific purpose and recommend that a follow-up or separate meeting be scheduled to discuss that point if that is necessary.

By using the tips above, you can make sure your meetings are efficient and productive. If you’d like to know more, the skilled team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members today and see how our workplace productivity expertise can benefit you.

Would AI Be Impressed by Your Application?

Raza Rauf on February 11, 2019

AI is increasingly becoming part of everyday life, entering into facets that many wouldn’t have expected just a decade ago. Over recent years, it has become a staple in the recruitment process, largely as a means of screening resumes and applications to identify candidates or to source professionals for vacant roles.

Essentially, hiring managers can skip long days spent scouring for the ideal job seeker. Instead, they can allow AI to do the legwork for them. Plus, as the natural language processing capabilities of AI increase, the technology may only become more ingrained in hiring.

As a result, job seekers need to consider exactly how an AI sees their application and what hallmarks make you seem like a valuable candidate. If you are wondering whether your resume will impress an AI system, here’s what you need to know.

Consider Your Keywords

When an AI scans a resume, one of the main things it looks for is keywords. Usually, the hiring manager identifies must-haves skills and aligns them with specific phrases, allowing the AI to sort through applications and determine which candidates bring them to the table.

As you complete an application, make sure the right keywords are represented. When in doubt, review the vacancy announcement and use the exact phrases listed when discussing your skills. Often, the AI will be programmed to look for those precise words, so use them as they are written when possible.

Additionally, if the vacancy announcement lists a couple of skills as priorities, consider listing them more than once on your resume. For example, highlight them in your professional summary and touch on them again in your work history. While you don’t want to keyword jam, having the most important ones repeated at least once on your resume could be beneficial.

Use Simple Resume Formatting

While AIs are becoming more competent, they aren’t perfect. If you go overboard on the formatting, the AI may have trouble scanning your resume to find critical information. For example, many AIs that screen resumes can’t extract much meaning from images, only text. This means pictures aren’t going to help you land the job, and a PDF resume may be entirely unreadable, depending on the system.

If you are getting ready to submit a resume, keep the formatting simple. Use text changes, like increasing the font size and making the words bold, to separate headings from contents. When you add bullet points, keep them bullets themselves simple, like the basic black dots. Also, opt for a very readable font, like Calibri or Arial.

By following the tips above, you can increase the odds that AI will be impressed by your resume. If you would like to learn more about how technology impacts the recruitment process, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your questions with one of our skilled recruiters today, or click to browse our newest open jobs.

Are Your Career Goals Too Broad?

Raza Rauf on February 8, 2019

Nearly everyone has particularly lofty career goals that sit in the back of their mind. Maybe you want to start your own company or switch to a different career field. Maybe you are hoping to further your education, giving you the ability to progress more quickly?

While having large career goals isn’t inherently a problem, if they’re too broad, you are going to struggle. The lack of focus makes figuring out how to begin challenging, and defining success may be similarly difficult. As a result, you may find yourself paralyzed; unable to take action because you can’t figure out what steps you need to take.

Luckily, nearly any career goals, no matter how broad initially, can be morphed into something manageable. If you aren’t sure how to begin, here are some tips to help you on your journey.

Define Everything You Can

A poorly defined goal isn’t going to provoke action. When the target is ambiguous, it is hard to imagine what success looks like, more or less making your goal unactionable.

If your goal is too broad, you need to tighten it up. For example, instead of the vague objective of furthering your education, identify the exact degree you want to earn. Instead of just knowing you want to start a company, figure out your niche, industry, product, or service. If your goal is to transition to a different career field, switch it up by identifying your ideal role.

The idea is to develop your goal as much as possible, filling in relevant details that make it actionable. Once you have a clear target, figuring out how to proceed with your career goals is simpler.

Work Backwards to Find the Steps

When you try to break down a goal by starting where you are now and looking forward, it usually isn’t easy. You may seem incredibly far away from your objective, leading you to feel defeated before you even begin.

However, by working backward, you limit the odds that you’ll experience that sensation. Plus, it may make identifying critical steps easier.

Picture your goal and then consider what needs to come right before that. Once you have that step identified, figure out what has to occur immediately before that. Then, continue that process until you get to where you are today. Now you have a practical roadmap for reaching your goal.

Now, you don’t have to outline every detail. Instead, you merely need to give yourself milestones that represent forward progress. That way, your goal becomes actionable.

Get Started ASAP

Once you have a roadmap ready, it’s time to get started. Pick a single task that moves you toward your first milestone and get it handled. For example, if getting a degree is one of your career goals, this could include researching colleges or completing a FAFSA.

The most important thing is to actually get moving. As you do, you’ll be able to build momentum, ensuring your goal can actually become a reality.

If you would like to learn more about effective goal-setting, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable team members today and see how our career mapping expertise can benefit you. Click here to browse our open jobs on your own time.

How to Tell If Your New Employee Will Last

Raza Rauf on February 4, 2019

When you bring on a new employee, your goal is usually to keep them around as long as possible. After all, each new hire is an investment and the longer they stay on board, the more valuable they can become.

But figuring out exactly is a new employee will last isn’t always easy. Luckily, there are a few signs that suggest they could stick with it for the long-term. Here’s what you want to keep your eye on when evaluating your new hire.

Passion

When a person is passionate about their field or role, they are better equipped to handle challenges. Why? Because they are motivated by their interest, increasing the odds that they will strive to persevere and remain committed during trying times.

Without passion, a small obstacle on the road to success may be enough to send them reeling. Essentially, if their heart isn’t in the work, then they may not be motivated to stick with it or go the extra mile, even when it is necessary.

Proactiveness

A new employee that is proactive on the job is more likely to last. Being willing to go above and beyond or constantly seeking out new opportunities to contribute once their core tasks are done shows they are dedicated to the company and position.

In contrast, someone who isn’t proactive may only do what is absolutely required of them to keep their job. They aren’t seeking out chances to improve their workplace or make a bigger, positive impact, and that could be a signal they won’t last indefinitely.

Capacity

If a new employee doesn’t actually have the capacity to excel in the role, they probably won’t last. This can happen when a job seeker misrepresents their skills or when a hiring manager underestimates what it takes to flourish in the position, leading to a poor hiring decision.

Capacity is usually both mental and physical. The new employee has to be able to handle the nature of the work on all fronts. Otherwise, it’s going to be more challenging than they can likely tolerate.

Attitude

A single employee with a bad attitude can be poisonous to a team. While these kinds of workers may not choose to leave the role, keeping them isn’t always the right move, especially if they are harming morale beyond themselves.

At times, nothing is more valuable than a positive attitude. It ensures the new employee is a pleasure to work with, including from the perspective of customers, managers, and co-workers. Plus, it shows their spirits are high, increasing the odds they are equipped to handle the stresses of the role.

All of the signs above suggest a new hire will last. If you’d like to learn more about evaluating your new hires or are looking for the ideal candidate for a vacant position, the professionals at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to learn more about our services and see how our hiring expertise can benefit you.

Looking for Work as a Welder? Check Out These Openings!

Raza Rauf on February 1, 2019

Welding opportunities are plentiful in Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan. If you are looking for a chance to begin or advance your welding career, consider your search over. Here are a few positions that are available right now.

Entry-Level Welder – Carleton, MI

Entry-level welders looking to gain experience in the field will be excited to hear about this opportunity in Carleton, MI. The company specializes in production welding relating to automotive rack and is looking for new employees to join their team long-term. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 5:00 am to 3:30 pm. However, you need to be flexible regarding the schedule and open to overtime when required.

MIG Welder – Dundee, MI

For welders looking for a chance to learn and grow as professionals, this welder role might be a perfect fit. A manufacturing company is looking to expand their team by hiring a career-minded welder with a strong skill set.

The job includes MIG, TIG, and Arc welding. The ability to read blueprints is necessary, as well as the skills need to weld out of position, operate power tools, and handle thick plate welding. Plus, a willingness to cross-train is a must.

The pay rate is very competitive for this day shift position, making it a great role for the right candidate.

TIG Welder – Taylor, MI

If you want to be part of a fast-growing business, this is the opportunity for you. A prototype company is looking for experienced TIG welders to join their second shift (Monday through Friday, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm). The pay rate is highly competitive, and you may have the chance to work with aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

Experienced Welder – Belleville, MI

Are you an experienced welder looking for a new challenge? Do you enjoy working outdoors? If so, this might be the right welder position for you.

A recycling company is looking for welders for the steel scrap yard. Duties include MIG, TIG, Arc, and Stick welding, as well as reading blueprints and project plans, using measuring devices, and even some metal grinding when needed.

This day shift opportunity offers competitive pay and access to overtime, making it incredibly lucrative. Plus, it’s temp-to-hire, meaning you can become a permanent member of the company’s team.

Welding Supervisor – Delta, OH

If you have welding and supervisory experience, a company in Delta, OH, may be looking for someone just like you. The ideal candidate will be able to repair ladles, manufacture lip-ring sections, and complete various other daily tasks while monitoring the activities and workflows of their team. The pay rate is highly competitive, and you can gain access to a robust benefits package, too.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities above, the team at The Advance Group wants to hear from you. Contact us to speak with one of our recruiters today and learn more about these vacancies and many other exciting opportunities in the area.

What Do Great Jobs Have That Yours Doesn’t?

Raza Rauf on January 28, 2019

Not all jobs are created equal. While some come with competitive salaries and robust benefits packages, others offer low wages and only the bare minimum when it comes to other forms of compensation, suggesting the provide anything else at all.

In most cases, great jobs aren’t just going to offer you a paycheck. You’ll also get a variety of benefits to help make your life easier, cover you in an emergency, and plan for your future. If you are wondering what great jobs have to offer that you may not be getting with your current employer, here’s what you need to know.

Medical and Dental

Health insurance benefits are some of the most desirable options around. They make medical and dental appointments more affordable and offer you a level of protection should a health emergency strike.

Retirement Plan

Most people know you can’t rely on Social Security alone to fund a retirement. While you can open an account on your own, having access to a 401(k) plan through your employer is much more convenient, allowing you to save a portion of your paycheck to support your retirement.

Bonuses and Awards

If you recommend a great job seeker for a position and they succeed in the role, shouldn’t you be recognized for your contribution? Companies that offer referral bonuses think so, and they will provide you with cash to show their appreciation.

Similarly, having achievements recognized is incredibly important for companies with great cultures. For example, attendance awards show the company appreciates how reliable you are and wants to take a moment to express their gratitude.

Training and Professional Development

Having access to opportunities that can help you learn and grow allows you to keep moving forward in your career. Leading employers understand the importance of skill improvement, and they will help you by providing training or other professionals development options.

Vacation and Holiday Pay

The best employers understand everyone needs time to relax and recharge. To make that possible, vacation and holiday pay programs make being away from work affordable, ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice part of your paycheck just because you need (or want) to take time off.

If your company doesn’t offer you all of the benefits above, you might not have the greatest job. There are many employers who provide these forms of compensation to show appreciation for the efforts of their staff, so finding one that does can have a significant impact on your life, job satisfaction, and even financial future.

Where Can You Find These Benefits?

At The Advance Group, we believe in offering our candidates comprehensive benefits packages. Once you have been part of our team for the minimum period, you gain access to the offerings above and more.

If you are looking for a great job, the recruiters at The Advance Group want to hear from you. Click here for new open jobs or contact us to learn more about our current openings and benefits, and see how our services can help you find your perfect position.

Performance Management Tips for 2019

Raza Rauf on January 25, 2019

Performance management is a critical business process. When properly used and implemented, it helps keep your employees productive, ensuring everyone has the information they need to succeed.

However, if your performance management process is lacking, you might not be seeing great results. If you want to make sure your approach is on target, here are some performance management tips for 2019.

Update Your Job Descriptions

The job description for each position defines the expectations for the role. It outlines the position’s purpose, duties, and key responsibilities, serving as a guide for what the employee needs to accomplish.

Without clear and updated job descriptions, you can’t identify critical KPIs, outline expectations, or create goals for the worker. Without these points, effective performance management is incredibly challenging, if not outright impossible.

Take some time to review all of the job descriptions and adjust them if needed. While it may take some time, it is crucial for company and staff success.

Identify Priorities

Once you have the job descriptions updated, find any priority duties or responsibilities for each position. This gives you critical areas of focus as it allows you to determine which potential issues are the most damaging, ensuring managers concentrate on these areas when evaluating performance or providing feedback.

Define Expectations

An employee can’t meet your needs if they don’t know what they are, so defining all expectations regarding their performance is a must. Then, you need to share these details with the worker, ensuring they are well informed regarding what they need to do and what standards they need to meet.

Adopt a Continuous Approach

After the previous steps are complete, adopting a continuous approach to performance management is usually best. Annual or quarterly reviews aren’t always the most effective, as they rely on reviewing missteps with employees long after the incident occurs.

Instead, encourage managers to be active in the process. When they see an employee is struggling or on the wrong path, have them intervene quickly. Similarly, if a worker is performing above expectations, make sure their manager lets them know their efforts are seen and appreciated.

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to abandon formal reviews, especially since they often ensure an employee’s performance is well-documented. Plus, they can create opportunities to reinforce feedback given previously or assess their progress, making them beneficial.

The important part is to stop seeing performance management as being tied to a calendar. Instead, it should be part of the overall culture, empowering managers to provide feedback and guidance at the right moment, even if a formal review isn’t on the horizon.

By following the tips above, you can improve your approach in 2019 and beyond. If you would like to learn more about effective performance management, the skilled team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your company’s goals for 2019 with one of our knowledgeable staff members today and see how our performance management expertise can benefit you.

Stop Expecting This at Work

Raza Rauf on January 21, 2019

Most professionals have certain expectations regarding their work. Being fairly compensated for their efforts is one example of a common expectation, and that one doesn’t tend to be damaging.

However, some employees fall into the trappings of one common misconception, and that can lead to decreasing job satisfaction and even unnecessary job hoping or career changes. If you are wondering which work expectation you should abandon immediately, here’s what the thought that you need to purge from your mind.

Work Should Always Be Fun

At some point, the myth that work should always be fun began to circulate. It is like akin to the adage, “If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life,” or some variant of that common phrase.

If you assume a mindset that your job should provide you with a constant sense of joy, entertainment, or even positive feelings, you will likely never find your “perfect” position. Why? Because no job in the world is fun all of the time.

Every role on the planet comes with stresses and challenges. Hard work can be difficult, even if it is also satisfying. Plus, every position is going to involve at least a few tasks that aren’t inherently fun. They may be tolerable, or even emotionally neutral, but that means they are falling short on the “fun” scale.

What You Should Look for Instead

Expecting your job to always be fun is simply unrealistic. However, that doesn’t it can’t be fun part of the time, just that other feelings should also come into play.

A great job may be satisfying, fulfilling, engaging, rewarding, challenging, or energizing. At times, it will likely be frustrating, stressful, boring, and even annoying, too. The trick isn’t to limit yourself to a single sensation. Instead, focus on finding a role where the positive outweighs the negative; where the difficulties are overshadowed by positives.

Additionally, don’t rely on your job as your sole source of good experiences. Make sure you have some fun in your personal life too, as this can make a less-than-stellar day at work feel less draining. Plus, it removes some of the pressure off of what you need to get emotionally from your career.

Ultimately, no position or career is going to be a good time every hour of every day, and expecting that to happen is only going to leave you dissatisfied. Look for a job that offers a positive mix of experiences and understand that, no matter what path you chose, some of it isn’t going to be a blast. By embracing that mindset, you may actually find yourself happier overall, as you aren’t mistaking normal parts of the employment experience as shortcomings or flaws.

If you would like to know more or are seeking a new position, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to discuss your career aspirations with one of our skilled recruiters today and see how our unique services and expertise can benefit you.