The Importance of Calling When You’re Running Late

We’re all guilty of accidentally sleeping in on occasion, and then there are the circumstances beyond our control: bad traffic, icy roads, sick kids, getting sick from said sick kids. One thing’s for sure, though: if you’re going to be late or are unable to come to work, you should give your supervisor a heads up.

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Setting Yourself Up for Success in the First 90 Days

Congratulations – you got the job! You’re excited, relieved to have survived the interview, and are looking forward to bringing home those paychecks. The first 90 days in any new job is a training period where you’ll learn the nuances of your new employer, familiarize yourself with your new role and responsibilities, and generally acclimate to your new home away from home. Here are some do’s and don’ts to set yourself up for success in those first 90 days in your new job.

Show up every day on time

Common sense tells us that this is a no-brainer, right? And yet, we can’t drill this point home enough. They’re paying you to be there, and they want to pay you for a full shift, not 3/4 of a shift. Obviously, if you’re severely ill, that cannot be avoided and is completely understood, but the first 90 days are not a good time to call in sick because of March Madness. Remember that they’re keeping a close eye on you at the beginning, so it’s important to exceed expectations and remind them you’re a good hire.

Smell nice

Seriously! Be mindful of your hygiene, especially if you work in close proximity with others. Don’t be known as the smelly one! Take regular showers, use deodorant (especially in the summer), brush your teeth, and wear freshly laundered clothes that don’t smell like last night’s dinner. Conversely, don’t be the person who smells like they bathed in a tub of strong cologne or perfume. A little goes a long way!

Don’t use your cell phone

Most companies have cell phone policies that you should adhere to. They want you to be focused on your job, not checking out every few minutes to answer your phone or text. If you find yourself in the midst of a family emergency, notify your supervisor and ask if it’s okay to make a call.

Be engaged

You can’t impress your supervisors with all your hard work if you’re taking frequent, long breaks! Be present so you can show you’re focused on your job and eager for more opportunities and responsibility.

Be safe

Your company relies on workers who follow the rules and make safe decisions. They’re protecting you and themselves—from lawsuits, higher insurance premiums, and even safety violations. Show that you’re a team player by recognizing the importance of maintaining a safe workplace. Wear earplugs, protective eye wear, and/or whatever your company requires. Protect yourself, your co-workers, and your company. Safety looks good on ya!

Be friendly and helpful

Build relationships with those around you. Have lunch or take a coffee break with them. Develop a reputation of being trustworthy, hardworking, and reliable. Follow through on commitments, show initiative, and offer to help out when you can. Be the “go to” person that co-workers grow to depend upon.

Be polite and respectful

As you make friends, remember you’re at work and you’re a professional. Don’t tell inappropriate jokes (even if your coworkers are). Keep your language and behavior clean and respectful!

Be ready to learn

There are lots of moving parts in any organization, so familiarize yourself with as much as you can. Understand the whole business, what each department does and how they work together. If you understand the bigger picture, you’ll become a valued decision maker regardless of your title.

How to Address Being Previously Fired During an Interview

If you’ve been fired from a job in the past, welcome to the club. If you feel like you’ve been walking around with a scarlet letter on your back, it might help knowing that It happens more frequently than you realize. It doesn’t mean that only ‘bad’ people get fired, either. But it sure can make you dread future job interviews, as you’ll inevitably be asked why you left your last job. We promise there’s no need to panic or lose sleep over it! WSI staffing coordinators share their advice and help walk you through it.

Be Honest

Honesty is always, always, always the best policy. Corporate layoffs and downsizing are understandable and out of anyone’s control. But what if you were let go for reasons within your control? Owning up to it shows your maturity and that’s something that any employer can appreciate. Simply admitting that you goofed and made some mistakes will suffice. Employers know there’s no such thing as the perfect employee or the perfect work history, and odds are, they’ve been in your shoes at some point in their career, too. So be truthful – we promise we can handle it.

Share What You’ve Learned

You did it – you ripped the band-aid off and told them out loud that you were fired and the floor didn’t open and swallow you up! Phew! (Feel better?) Now that the cat’s out of the bag, employers are most interested in what lessons you learned from the experience. Here are some solid examples:

“I learned to manage my time better through prioritization and asking for help if I’m falling behind.”

“After the shock wore off, it gave me a chance to step back and realize that I really wasn’t happy doing that line of work anyways.”

“I realized my communication skills needed some fine-tuning, and have been more aware of how I come across and how I interact with others.”

Whatever your answer, keep it short and sweet, and never bad-mouth your former employer.

Stay Positive

One thing’s for sure: your skills and experience are exactly what your next employer is looking for. Remain confident and repeat after us: “Being fired was simply a speed bump in my career…a learning experience…a challenging situation I was able to overcome.”  Remember to mention that you’re excited for a new opportunity that better matches your skill set and career aspirations.

Have a Stellar Resume and References

Your career won’t end just because you got fired; often it’s a minor blip in your work history. So show us the bigger picture with a strong resume that details all of work experience, skills, and accomplishments. Gather two or three references from people who can vouch for your work ethic and personality, and give them a heads-up so they’re not caught off guard when potential employers come a-callin’. Tell them about the job you’re applying for and remind them of some of your skills and experiences that make you a qualified candidate.

Practice Your Response

As silly and unnatural as it feels, it does help to script out a solid answer and rehearse it beforehand. Grab a friend or stand in front of a mirror and practice it out loud until you can say it without stumbling over any words. Don’t forget to maintain eye contact with your interviewer and end it with a smile.

What to Bring to an Interview to Be Prepared

The more prepared for an interview you are, the better you’ll do. If you’re confident, knowing you’ve done your homework and have everything you need, you’ll shine through the whole interview. Here’s what you need to bring to an interview.

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Why Am I Not Hearing Back from Hiring Managers?

Nothing is more frustrating than applying for a job, nailing the interview, and then…waiting. And waiting. And hearing nothing. After a few weeks, you might start to feel that radio silence is the sound of a door closing. And if you were excited about the job, this can be particularly demoralizing. But sometimes there’s a very good reason no one has followed up – even if it’s not the reason you were hoping for. Here are three reasons you may not have heard back from the hiring manager:

1. They chose another candidate

You were qualified (after all, you were given the chance to interview), but someone else was more qualified. Or maybe they were a better culture fit. A recruiter or hiring manager likely has the best intentions on shooting you a quick email or phone call to follow up post-interview, it just doesn’t always happen. One thing that can’t hurt is to follow up with your interviewer to thank them for their time, reiterate your interest in the role, and provide them with your contact information. That way, it reminds them that you’re waiting for an answer either way.

2. Multiple decision makers

Sometimes, especially for higher-level management roles, multiple people in an organization need to meet with and approve candidates before an official offer is made. This can result in multiple internal meetings to discuss candidates, and even more than one interview. The more people who are involved, the harder it can be to work around conflicting schedules which can prolong the process. Again, the hiring manager is ideally keeping in touch and communicating throughout the process, but it may not always happen.

3. Just clearing up the details

Sometimes you’re the candidate of choice, but they’re still ironing out the details of your hire. How much can they offer you? What will your benefits package look like? Or maybe they’re still deciding how to proceed for the final round of interviews. Depending on the job you’ve interviewed for, they might be generating a take-home assignment for you to work on to distinguish you from another leading candidate.

For more helpful information on jobs, careers, and everything in between, visit our blog!

6 Reasons to Take Temp Work While Looking for Full-Time Positions

We understand that job searches can be frustrating! Depending on the job market and your target industry, it might take some time before you find exactly what you’re looking for. In the meantime, why not consider taking a temporary position? Here are six reasons why a temp job is a great idea.

Staffing agencies have good jobs to fill

Employers are looking for temporary or part-time workers to fill voids in their companies. Staffing agencies are more adept at knowing those types of openings, so it helps if you contact a staffing coordinator that can match you with the style of work you’d like to do with the skills you already have.

Cash in your pocket

The longer you go without work, the more bills and expenses will pile up. A temporary gig will help keep your bills paid, and is also a great way to prevent you from having to explain a lengthy gap on your resume during any future interviews. Think about it: hiring managers and future bosses will be impressed you were willing to stay employed at the same time you worked hard to find a full-time job.

You stay motivated

One of the hardest and perhaps most underrated parts of searching for work is the sense of restlessness and hopelessness you might feel. Employment helps to break that cycle. You keep your momentum going, and you add stability, routine and a sense of purpose to your life.

You try out a variety of skills

It’s great if you can temp in your ideal industry! Think of all the new skills and responsibilities you’re exposing yourself to! Most of these skills might be transferable to different fields, but if not, your diverse experience will be really impressive to your future employers. Or at least, great conversation topics.

They’re a great way to network

You never know who you might meet in the context of your temporary job. Maybe you meet a hiring manager at another company, or a co-worker refers you to a cousin who’s about to launch a startup and is looking to hire. If nothing else, you’ll leave with some solid references from individuals who were impressed by your diligence and enthusiasm.

They can lead to permanent positions

Your goal should be to make yourself indispensable to your temporary co-workers with a positive, eager attitude and the willingness to take on additional responsibilities. Most companies even use temp positions as a way to test out potential employees, so put your best foot forward so you can earn that long-term full-time job you’ve been looking for!

For more information on how to land your dream job, check out our blog at https://www.wsitalent.com/category/blog/

Are You Prepared for Your First Day on the Job?

Congratulations on your new job! You can never be too prepared for your first day; the better prepared you are, the more comfortable and composed you’ll be. Here are four ways to prepare for your new job.

 

Be on time

In fact, be early. Fifteen to thirty minutes early. This gives you a cushion in case traffic is worse than you expected. Or you spill orange juice down your shirt 2 minutes before you leave the house. Or something else unforeseen happens to make you late. But if you plan for it, you’ll still be on time! And if you’re early, then you have a few extra minutes to compose yourself—calm, cool, collected—before the day begins.

Get to know your co-workers

You’re about to spend a lot of time with these people, so get to know them! You’ll surely be bombarded with lots of introductions, so be ready with a few sentences explaining who you are, where you’re from and what your new job is. Repeat people’s names to yourself as you meet them so you don’t forget them. Say “yes” if someone offers to take you to lunch, especially if it’s your boss—this is great bonding time!

Pay attention

Here’s where your listening and observing skills come in to play. Learn exactly what your responsibilities are, both written and verbal. Your co-workers can teach you those unwritten workplace rules, what the best forms of communication are, and what’s appropriate and what’s not.

Show your full potential

Show you’re a hard worker, good listener, and are eager to get the job done right. Remember that people are observing you, so demonstrate your enthusiasm and your positive attitude.

For more information on job searching and employment and everything in between, check out our blog: https://www.wsitalent.com/category/blog/

Do You Know What a Good Benefits Package Looks Like?

So you’ve landed your first “big girl” or “big-boy” job – congratulations! Exploring the details of your benefits package is one of the most adult things you can do, so air-five: you’re #adulting! But do you know how to navigate your benefits package? The type of benefits you receive probably depends on the size of your company. There are a few benefits that are pretty standard across the board no matter who you work for, and then there are some extras you may or may not want depending on your situation. Most employers understand the better benefits they offer, the happier employees will be! Here’s a breakdown of common benefits.

Health insurance

If you work for the government or a large company, you’ll likely receive a better benefits package than your startup-employed friends. However, health insurance is usually pretty standard. Some health insurance plans even include all forms of wellness programs, from weight loss management to exercise to stress relief to substance abuse issues. Adult tip: pay attention to deductibles (how much you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in), co-pays, and in-network providers vs. out-of-network as these can vary widely from plan to plan.

Paid time off 

These typically include sick days, vacation days, holidays, personal days, volunteer days, and bereavement leave. Some employers are just using the all-encompassing term “paid time off” to let their employees decide how to use their time away from work. Adult tip: it can vary by company how many hours new employees start off with, so be sure to know if your paid time off is accrued by the total number of hours worked or given in one lump sum at the beginning of each year. Also, know whether sick time is offered in addition to vacation time or if they’re all lumped in together.

Disability insurance

There are two types of disability insurance, and both are pretty expensive for companies to provide. Short-term disability insurance guarantees an employee will receive a percentage of income if they can’t work due to an injury or illness. Long-term disability insurance provides the same protection if you can’t work for a longer period of time, generally three to six months, and usually cuts off after a defined number of years. Typically, 50-70 percent of your salary is covered. These are good benefits to have because you never know what life will throw at you (or that neighbor baseball prodigy kid with a killer arm)! Adult tip: if these insurances are offered by your new employer, be sure to know if one (or both) are offered at no charge to you or if you need to pay toward the premium yourself.

Dental and vision insurance

Dental plans are more common and usually include both preventative check-ups and emergency procedures—like those pesky root canals. But vision plans are important to a lot of people, too—especially if you’re the type that frequently misplaces your glasses. Adult tip: as with medical insurance, pay attention to deductibles, co-pays, and in-network providers vs. out-of-network as these can vary widely from plan to plan.

Life insurance

Most employees expect a life insurance policy to be included in a benefits package, particularly if they have a family. You hope you never have to use it, but it’s good to have just in case the unthinkable happens.Many companies offer life insurance coverage that equals 1X or 2X your annual salary at no cost to you – but is it enough to help cover expenses if you were to die tomorrow?  Adult tip: if your employer offers optional additional life insurance, it’s usually very affordable and only costs a few extra dollars each pay period. Well worth the peace of mind, no?

Retirement plan

Most employers will offer and contribute to a 401K or an IRA. Some will even set up a pension plan, meaning they’ll pay for your retirement and it won’t be dependent on the ups and downs of the stock market. Pensions are expensive for companies to fund, though, so they’re increasingly rare (if your new employer offers one – pat yourself on the back and take advantage of it!) Many employers provide a company match up to a certain percentage, which is basically extra free money toward your retirement. Adult tip: Familiarize yourself with the employer match (if any), and if possible, contribute at least as much as they match. Many retirement plans also offer tools on their website to help you forecast different contribution scenarios.

Healthcare flexible spending accounts (FSA)

These accounts are becoming more common as out-of-pocket costs go up. They allow the employee to determine how to allocate money towards co-payments, deductibles, and other healthcare costs. You can choose how much money to deduct from each paycheck (pre-tax) to be put in your FSA, which can then be used to pay for the aforementioned qualified medical expenses. Probably not something you think about if you’re single and healthy, but an FSA is a big deal if you have health concerns or a dependent family member with a health issue. Adult tip: If you have a health insurance deductible, it’s wise to consider setting a weekly FSA deduction to cover the deductible amount.

 

How to Use Social Media to Your Advantage While Job Searching

Changing jobs is tough, but social media is a great way to find jobs and connect with hiring professionals. You can alert people of your search, sift through hundreds of postings, and access more advice. Here are some tips to make sure you’re using Facebook Jobs, Indeed, and Google effectively while job-hunting.

Use Facebook to Spread The Word

Let people know you’re looking for a job! Most people have several hundred “friends” on Facebook, so ask them for help. Go ahead and say, “I’m looking for new opportunities!” Be specific and tell them what type of job you’re looking for. Even if your friends don’t know of any positions available right now, your name will come to mind when an opening pops up.

And if you’re worried about your current boss finding out that you’re job seeking, don’t make it a public post. Instead, private message people you know might be able to help out. Make sure your profile is updated and describes what you do so that anyone can check and get a mini-preview of what your resume might look like. And although you can always adjust your privacy settings, be careful that you’re not broadcasting things you wouldn’t want a hiring manager to see.

Facebook Jobs

Any company with a Facebook page can now publish a job posting just as they would any type of status update, and here at WSI we’ve seen a lot of activity by doing so. The post will appear under the “jobs” section, which you can link to from the left-hand menu on our homepage.

wsi facebook jobs

 

As you scroll through, you can quickly click “apply now” when you see something you like. Before you send the application that includes your name and any work and education history, you can edit the information and add a short cover letter if you like.

Indeed

Indeed.com collects jobs from employer sites, job boards, newspaper websites, and other online classifieds and sorts them into a giant database. Its search capabilities are powerful enough that you can find exactly what you want, even search specific job titles or specific employer at the same time you’re searching for a preferred location, even by zip code. And if you’re not that picky, you can also search something broader, like “part-time bookkeeper” or “maintain confidential records.” WSI lists many of their current roles on Indeed, and you can even sign up for alerts whenever we post a new one. 

Google Job Search

New to the job search landscape is Google, where you can simply type what kind of job you’re looking for in their search bar. Google serves as an aggregate job search listing, meaning they scour the internet and pull results from multiple websites, including company pages, staffing and recruiters, and job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn. Before you search for jobs on Google, you need to know the job you want and make sure you’re searching the most commonly used job title. Likewise, search the specific location and other qualifying descriptions. The more precise and accurate your search, the better matched your results will be. Here, we searched “factory jobs Kalamazoo” and this is what showed up:

WSI

Shameless plug; of course we had to list our own website! Our job listings are updated constantly, and the advantage of applying directly from our site is being able to create an account with all of your information so that WSI staffing coordinators receive an automatic alert whenever your perfect job match appears.

Reviews are helpful…until they’re not

As you do your due diligence and research companies on Google, Facebook, Glassdoor, or Indeed, a high rating is important and helps separate the best from the rest. Read the feedback carefully and pay attention to what themes emerge. If you read positive review after positive review, then they’re probably a pretty accurate reflection of the company. While no company is 100% perfect (we are human, after all!) and negative experiences are par for the course for any organization, it’s worth noting that a disgruntled employee might be just that—someone angry about some grievance, real or imagined. A good rule of thumb is if the majority of reviews are positive, then you’ve probably found yourself a pretty solid company.