Chin up, 2011 is your year for a new career!

The years seem to come and go in the blink of an eye as we go about our busy life. 2010 is over and 2011 is just around the corner. If you are still seeking employment or just looking for a new career path, this may be your year. The job market is starting to look up, and this means job opportunities are out there. DO NOT give up on your search, but be diligent instead. Be unique and creative in your search. Here are some helpful tips for your search.

1. Know thy self. Begin your job search by taking a thorough inventory of your interests, skills, accomplishments, experience, goals, and values. Make a detailed list. The key to a successful job search is to recognize what makes you a unique candidate and to communicate this effectively to a prospective employer, both verbally and in writing.

2. Aim for the right target. Try to match your skills, interests, and values with the right career choice. If one of your goals is to get a larger salary, don’t focus on career paths that traditionally pay low salaries. Conduct research on various fields and local companies within those fields. Learn about different businesses that interest you and target those that are more likely to have open positions.

3. Be assertive and proactive. Don’t wait around for opportunity to come knocking on your door. While cold calling potential employers can be intimidating, it remains a powerful strategy. It’s important to get through the door before your competition.

4. Do some sleuthing. One key to breaking in is understanding the “hidden” job market. Many job openings exist only in the minds of directors, vice presidents, and other company bigwigs, long before the job is finally advertised in newspapers or on the Internet. If you can present yourself as the perfect candidate at this early stage, an employer may snap you up without looking elsewhere.

5. Work the network. Networking should be at the center of your job search strategy. Get the word out to friends, trusted colleagues, and even relatives that you are actively looking for a job, and ask them to keep their eyes and ears open for any opportunities. Expand your network and join professional organizations, sign up for job search newsletters and e-mail blasts, contact former professors and classmates, and participate in Internet discussion boards.

6. Get professional help. Employment agencies come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges; they can be an excellent resource for job leads. Some specialize in very specific occupational areas, and many often have exclusive arrangements with large companies. If you’re interested in the services of an agency, investigate it carefully. Determine what the agency will do for you and how much it will cost.

7. Be temporarily flexible. Temp jobs are a great way to learn skills, gain experience, and earn money while looking for a permanent position. They are also a way to prove your worth and be first in line when a full-time position opens up. Working as a consultant or independent contractor in a company can also eventually lead to steady, full-time employment.

8. Say it clearly. When sending out résumés, catch the prospective employer’s attention with a brief and concise cover letter that clearly spells out how your qualifications match the job requirements. Connect the dots for the reader, and make it obvious why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

9. Keep careful records. Keeping track of the progress of your job search is important. Maintain a detailed record of all the jobs you have applied to, including communications, interviews, referrals, and follow-up actions. This will help you build a network of valuable contacts both for your current job search and for any future ones.

10. Be persistent. Job searching is hard work and there are times when you will be discouraged. Just keep in mind that everyone has been through the same grind at one point. Try to keep a positive attitude, and look at your job hunt as an exciting challenge. Your perfect job is out there somewhere. Good luck!


We hope these tips help you in your 2011 job search! Please visit our website at www.phillipsstaffing.com for a listing of open jobs in your area!

Happy New Year!

Phillips Staffing

Workkeys

Phillips Staffing has been a leader and innovator in the staffing, recruiting, and personnel industries since 1968.

In 2010, we continue that tradition by becoming an authorized WorkKeys Job Profiler. Josh Newton, is now our fully authorized Job Profiler, having received accreditation from the Workkeys ACT training program. This service allows us to show you the tools your organization needs to lower employee turnover and your annual training costs. No longer will your company have to settle for mediocrity when it comes to your employees.

WorkKeys is a foundational skills assessment system, designed to pinpoint the critical needs and requirements for your company’s jobs, which will assist you in hiring future incumbents for the profiled position. These new incumbents will be able to perform the requirements of the profiled position more efficiently. You may ask, “What will these employees have to do in order for your organization to benefit from the job profile findings?” They will need to take the WorkKeys test. Their test results will be compared to the required levels decided on during the profile. These tests can be taken at local Technical Schools and at your local OneStop locations.

What exactly does a Workkeys Profile entail?

Overview:

• Uses a focus group process to gather job task and WorkKeys skill information from job incumbents

• Provides a report with a customized task list and skill levels related to specific work examples

• Provides an EEOC-compliant process that can be used to support hiring, promotion, and training decisions

Methods:

· Uses a focus group format

• Facilitated by an ACT-authorized job profiler

• Produces a tailored list of job tasks based on the contribution of individuals knowledgeable about the job

• Uses expert ratings to determine criticality of the tasks

• Formally links tasks to skills

• Makes qualitative determination of skill levels through group discussion facilitated by a job profiler

Benefits:

• Provides a direct link between the job and the assessments

• Facilitated by an ACT-authorized job profiler

• Encourages buy-in and goodwill from employees

• Provides a detailed, customized report for informed decision making

• Generates a customized task list that can be used to develop training or performance management instruments and other tools

A simple consultation is the first step in taking your company to the next level. We would be happy to assist you in implementing WorkKeys into your organization. Please e-mail or call Josh Newton (864-679-4501, or jnewton@phillipsstaffing.com) with any questions that you may have regarding WorkKeys and our other services

Creating Positive Team Environments

Some of us at some point in our careers have worked for a place where we dreaded getting up in the morning to go to work. However, there are some of us that have had the pleasure of working for a boss/company who makes us feel we can do anything. This pleasure usually stems from a positive team based atmosphere within your work place.

How do you create a team based environment?

There are 4 principles to follow:

1. Recognize and Reward Good Performance

- Giving Compliments
- Smile More
- Saying "Thank You".
- Writing a positive letter to put into someones personnel file.

2. State Your Expectations

- Having a specific job description.
- Setting Goals
- Tell people what you expect from them.
- Specifying deadlines.

3. Show Interest in Your TEAM

- Making eye contact with your employees
- Complimenting the work of others
- Having a good attitude in every situation
- Asking the opinions of others.

4. Create an Encouraging Environment

- Encouraging creativity
- New ideas need to be rewarded
- Flexibility is valued
- Fun and laughter are valued



Remember, team building always ensures increased productivity, competence and increased profit for your organization. The advantages of corporate team building include improved morality and leadership skills, ability to tackle barriers, clearly defined objectives and goals, and better understanding of processes and procedures. The newly achieved team spirit will not allow the team to be let down. The team members will fight obstacles and challenges as one unit and be happy doing it.