5 Tips to Boost Your Job Search

5 tips to boost your job search

 

5 Tips to Boost  Your Job Search

The dreaded job search – you spend hours each day applying for jobs with no end in sight. You haven’t received any interview offers or even a phone call . But don’t give up. You’re not alone. According to Jobvite it takes over 6 weeks to find a new job. (time varies depending on your industry.) If you’re in a job search rut, or just beginning to look, here are some great tips to boost your job search.

  1. Set Up Job Alerts
    If you want your application to even be considered, you need to be one of the first few applicants. Job postings that have over 50+ applicants and/or over a month old are not worth wasting your time over. The likelihood your application being considered decreases significantly. That’s why it’s important to create job alerts. By doing this, you are setting yourself up to be one of the first applicants for a job posting and increase your chance of getting your resume looked at.
  2. Make LinkedIn a Priority
    If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, create one. LinkedIn is heavily used by recruiters and HR departments to source people for job openings. Join groups within the realm you work, connect with people who hold similar interests, and follow different companies that you’d be interested in working for. You can start by following APR on LinkedIn.
  3. Perfect Your Resume
    When was the last time you updated your resume? Take some time and update it. Lose the objective statement and write a 2-3 sentence overview about why you would be a good fit for the position. Instead of writing a task list, write about your successes at the company. Did you streamline a process that saved the company time and money or did you exceed your sale quota? Think in terms of accomplishments, not job tasks.
  4. Work with a Recruiter
    Staffing agencies are a great way to find unique opportunities.  Recruiters are presented with hundreds of job opportunities to fill for their clients weekly. Find a recruiter who hires in your realm of work and let them know you’re looking for new opportunities.
  5. Let your friends know
    Referrals are one of the best ways to get in with a company. Rather it be through social networking or meeting with friends, be sure to let them know your searching for a job.

The ABC’s of a Successful First Day

The ABC’s of a successful first day

Congratulations, you got the job! The job search is over. After applying for countless amount of jobs and interviewing so much it’s become second nature, you are almost over that mountain peak of finding and successfully keeping a new job. The last hurdle is your first day of work. Here are some simple “ABC’s” to help you have a successful first day.

  1. Ask questions
    A lot of information is given to you on your first day of work. You might not remember everything, but make sure to understand it. Not knowing the answers and trying to get through your first day can add stress to your first day. Asking questions will also help you engage conversation with others and start building relationships.
  2. Be prepared
    This might be obvious, but there is A LOT that goes into making sure you are prepared. Here are a few tips to make sure you are prepared:

    1. Get a good night’s rest
    2. Set out your outfit for the morning
    3. Make sure you have gas in your car
    4. Get to work early
    5. Bring a pen and notebook to take note
  3. Come with an open mind
    The only thing that is constant is change. Showing flexibility and open your mind when talking with your fellow colleges.
  4. Demonstrate Confidence
    You were selected for a reason. Relax, be confident, and exude enthusiasm.

Have a first day tip to add? Comment below!

APR’s Fresh Start Program

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By: Vanessa Chavez – HR Assistant

APR Consulting, Inc.’s Wellness Program is proud to announce that they have begun their amazing new program called Fresh Start Program. This program is all about inspiring employees to tackle their bad habits such as drinking, smoking, overeating, or any other bad habits that could affect their health. Quitting a bad habit is never easy, and doing it alone seems almost impossible.

With this program employees will receive support from their peers and APR, resources, advice, and group or individual meetings to make sure employees do not lose faith in themselves. At the end of the program all participants will be rewarded with a healthy lunch paid by APR.

The Fresh Start Program is yearlong in order to give employees plenty of time to experiment with different approaches to quitting their bad habit. We do not expect employees to give up their bad habit completely on the first day, instead we recommend they take small steps, and assign themselves reachable goals each month. No one is perfect, but we do know APR employees are tough enough to accomplish great things. We should all feel inspired to take the necessary steps to better health, and APR believes you can do it too.

Do you have a bad habit you’re looking to quit? Follow us Facebook and Twitter for some Fresh Start tips to help you along your journey. Let’s Start Fresh. #FreshStart

5 Tips to Keep You Happy at Work

We all have those moments at work where we are on the fine line losing it and jumping on the crazy train.  Regardless if you have an office job or a more hands on type of position, here are 5 tips that could help keep you happy even at your most stressful moments.

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1. Nadi Shodhana or “Alternate Nostril Breathing”.

You might look a little crazy doing this breathing exercise known as Nadi Shodhana or “Alternate Nostril Breathing”.  This breathing technique is primarily used in yoga but would be great for you to use when you need to focus or energize.

Just simply hold the right thumb over the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril. At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with the ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril. Continue the pattern, inhaling through the right nostril, closing it off with the right thumb, and exhaling through the left nostril.

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2. Organize your work space

When’s the last time you went through your drawers or your mound of pens? The majority of them are probably dried out or don’t work. (You’re a pen hoarder and you know it!) Take some time out of your day and go organize and clean your work space. The act of cleaning your desk or work area can help create a sense of purpose and can increase your productivity and quality of your work.

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3. Step away from that daunting task

If you have been staring at a computer screen all day or working on a tedious task, step away! Go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, or make small talk with a co-worker. Stepping away from the task can clear your mind and might even give you a new perspective on the problem. “Stanford researchers found that walking boosts creative inspiration. They examined creativity levels of people while they walked versus while they sat. A person’s creative output increased by an average of 60 percent when walking.” -http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/april/walking-vs-sitting-042414.html

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4. The early bird gets the worm

Getting to work with time to spare is refreshing. You aren’t rushing around trying to get things started for the day. You can enjoy that cup of coffee, slowly ease in to your work and start the day with a head start. You’ll also score points with your boss.

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5. Create a task list

Before you start checking your email, write down your tasks and projects for the day. Writing them down will keep it fresh on your mind, organized, and as you complete a task, mark it off.  At the end of the day, review your list. Not only will you see all the tasks you completed, but you will also feel a sense of purpose. Even if you only complete one major task for the day, that’s still better than feeling unorganized and chaotic.

Have you tried any of these tips? How do you keep happy at work?

A Recruiter’s Perspective – Part 2

Last month we introduced “Recruiter’s Perspective – Part 1”, where we sat three of our top recruiters in on a roundtable discussion and asked them career centered questions. This is part 2 of the round table discussion.

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Question 1: As a recruiter who represents candidates, what are your expectations of the candidate once you’ve mutually decided to work together in pursuit of an assignment?

“Be reliable and dependable. Show up to the interview on time and keep your recruiter in the loop as to what is going on. For instance, if you’re sent on an interview, call us after and let us know how it went. We want to know that you’re interested.” – Irene

 “If something changes with your job status, let us know. We want to support you however we can.” – Michelle

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Question 2: What advice do you have for candidates who have to answer the interview question: “Tell me about yourself?”

 “This is your sales pitch about yourself as to why my client should hire you. This is your time to shine. Don’t tell me about what you like to do on the weekends. Keep it brief and professional.” – Irene

“Keep it professional and specific to the job you’re interviewing for. If the job requires someone proficient in Excel, explain to me how you can meet up to that requirement.”– Michelle

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Question 3: Of the hundreds of positions you’ve filled over the years, please describe one or two really successful placements that stand out the most in your memory and why.

“I once had a candidate who previously worked for a nail salon and was hired for a temporary 2 week filing job. The two week position turned into 2 years, and then permanent!”  – Irene

“I was trying to find someone for a temporary 3 month position. I received a phone call from a lady who was retired and looking for work. I described to her the 3 month position and while she was hesitant at first, she went in for the interview and got the job. She ended up working for them for 3 years!” – Jackie

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Question 4: What do you like most about recruiting?

“We get the chance to help people find their next career. It’s different every day and it keeps you on your toes.” – Michelle

“I love that I get the opportunity to help people. Trying to find the right people for the right position is like a treasure hunt.” – Irene

“There is never a dull moment. It’s rewarding when you see a candidate go from temporary to permanent.” – Jackie

Do you have a question for our recruiters? Email your question to [email protected] and it might get featured on the next Recruiter’s Perspective.