Month: August 2021

A Beginner’s Guide to Working from Home

Working from home may seem like the dream at first. From avoiding that stressful daily commute to ditching the office outfit for some yoga pants, there are many benefits for employees who have the opportunity to work from home. However, there are certainly some drawbacks. For example, you may start to feel disconnected from your co-workers who you only see on video conferences, or your productivity could go down as you focus more on household chores rather than your work.

In this guide, we will spell out what it means to work from home and provide tips on how to be even more productive than you were in the office. We will also discuss what kind of jobs are perfect for working from home and how to find a legitimate work-from-home position.

• Set up in a quiet area where distractions are limited: If possible, devote a specific room to your workplace – preferably one with a door. You don’t want to set up in a living room, kitchen, or any other high traffic area in the home unless you know there won’t be many people around.
• Turn off all the distractions: Just because you can turn on a movie or tv show when you work at home doesn’t mean you should. The same goes for social media and online shopping, as all these will likely affect your productivity. Try to turn these off. If the temptation is too much, there are browser tools that block sites you want to prevent yourself from visiting. A calming music playlist may be a good idea, though!
• Act like you’re going into the office: Although we did mention yoga pants, many people who work from home say that wearing clothes they would wear in the office, setting the alarm, and doing other things they used to do when working onsite really helped them adapt. You still have a commute. It’s just a little shorter now.
• Stick to a regular schedule: If you took lunch at 12 every day when you worked in the office, you should try to take lunch around the same time now. Sticking to a routine while working from home will help you treat those eight hours as a job – because it is.
• Make sure everyone at home has the same game plan: If you cannot work completely alone, it’s important to communicate your expectations with anyone who will be home at the same time as you. Ask them to respect your space because you may be home, but you’re also at work.
• Stick to quick meals or meal prep for breakfast and lunch: It might be tempting to prepare a complex meal since you have access to a whole kitchen and not just a microwave, but you may only have a half-hour or hour for lunch. Eat a quick meal and take a walk instead for energy and some quality time outside.
• Working from home doesn’t mean you’re on call: Just because you don’t enter or leave the office every day doesn’t mean you should work all hours of the day. Separate work time from leisure time to ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance. We would encourage you to pick a definitive time to end the workday to maintain boundaries between your personal life and work life.
• Avoid doing chores during work time: It might be tempting to throw that load of laundry in the washer or vacuum because things look to be a little messy. However, one chore tends to lead to more, which can affect your overall productivity. Leave the chores for when you’re off the clock, so you’re not spending time and energy on things not related to work.
• Make a plan ahead of time: Commit to a schedule ahead of time. It’ll make your life so much easier and help you adapt if things change. As you work remotely longer, assess when you’re productive so you can schedule more complex tasks during those times when you’re at your best.

How Can I Find a Work-from-Home Job?

One question we often hear from candidates is whether work-from-home job offers are legitimate. While it’s true that there are some bad apples who run scams, most of the time, a job posted on a reputable job board or by a staffing agency will be real. There are many benefits for employers to hire remote workers, so many do offer work-from-home opportunities.

Your Checklist for Finding a Work-from-Home Job

• Have a clear understanding of what kind of position you want and whether it can be remote.
• Search for companies on our job search and legitimate job boards.
• Research companies that post jobs that interest you. Glassdoor and Indeed are useful resources to help you learn more about the company.
• Submit a resume, cover letter, and other documents tailored to the responsibilities of the position.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry employs remote workers in a wide variety of roles and sectors. Some of the most common remote positions include billing specialists, schedulers, insurance agents, patient advocates, and medical coders. As telemedicine becomes more accepted by patients, registered nurses and even doctors may find opportunities to work outside of the office. The healthcare industry is expected to grow 14 percent by 2028, and many new positions, both full-time and part-time, will present remote opportunities.

Education

From part-time tutoring to course curriculum development, there have never been more opportunities to work in education and never have to step foot in a classroom. Time and budget constraints have caused more people to look at online options that offer more flexibility and affordability. Teachers and tutors can reach students anywhere in the world, and online schools and course marketplaces are popping up as demand increases. This means more remote opportunities for education professionals.

Sales and Marketing

Sales is about direct communication with customers and persuading them that they need your product to fulfill a specific need. While you certainly need to be knowledgeable of your products and services, an excellent communicator, and self-motivated, the one thing you don’t need is an onsite office. Many salespeople telecommute and contact customers over the phone, via email, or in-person at the customer’s location.

Marketing managers, copywriters, web designers, videographers, and lead generation specialists are responsible for developing branding and getting the right message to the right audience. They typically work in front of their computers and may use design programs, like Photoshop or Illustrator, or analytics and inbound tools, like Google Analytics or Hubspot. These roles can easily be performed from home as well through RDP and cloud-based software.

Administration

You don’t have to be in an office to run it. Many administrative assistants work online to schedule meetings and appointments, speak to vendors, manage an executive’s schedule, oversee projects, handle HR tasks, and more. As long as you are relatively fluent with certain software and technologies and have excellent interpersonal skills, there are remote opportunities available for companies of all sizes and industries. The most common administrative positions you will find include administrative assistant, office manager, and executive assistant positions.

Web, Software, and Information Technology

You can find a web, software, or IT job outside of Silicon Valley. Many companies recognize they are limiting the talent pool when they just look at candidates from the coasts. Increasingly, web, software, and IT jobs are being performed remotely by computer-savvy professionals from anywhere across the globe. The most current opportunities include web maintenance, IT support, computer programming, and systems engineering positions. This is a fast-growing industry, but you will need to have experience or a degree in a relevant field.

In addition to that, workers working from home for the very first time should keep in mind that remote work is different work. You may have to pay close attention to what you’re doing and provide documentation, so your employers know how productive you are. Set expectations with your employer so you know what is expected of you and what they should expect in your new setup.

You may even start to feel isolated or alone, which is not uncommon. Be sure to stay in communication with your co-workers and take breaks, so it’s not just you and your computer screen all day. If you can’t go out to interact with other humans, try videoconferencing and have a ten-minute standup with your co-workers as you would if you were in the office.

The coronavirus pandemic will not be the last natural or humanmade disaster our country will experience. Still, technology and employers’ policies will enable workers to complete their work from the safety of their homes. It may take some time to adjust, but, hopefully, these tips can help you if you are working remotely or pursuing a remote position in the near future.

And always remember, if you need help finding a job or getting a better understanding of what you’ll need to stand out as a candidate, our experienced professional staffing team is ready to take your call.

Jobs that Are in High Demand in 2020

Although we are only a third through 2020, it’s proven to be one of the tumultuous years to date. At the start of the year, the unemployment rate in the United States was 3.6%. Three months later, 20 million people have lost their jobs as the world learns to cope with the spread of COVID-19. Yes, it is an unprecedented time in our country, but one that we will overcome. For individuals that have been laid off, recent graduates, or those looking to re-enter the workforce, there are still plenty of opportunities. Many jobs have emerged and are now in demand because of the pandemic.

Here’s a closer look at what those opportunities are, where you can find them, and how you can put yourself in the best position to find a job that is pandemic and recession-proof.

• Keep applying to the job that best matches your skills, experience, and qualifications.
• Assess your resume, cover letter, and overall job search to see if you can make improvements.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter. Be as specific as possible to the needs of the position.
• If you need income fast, consider applying for gig work to build up your resume and bolster your income. There are apps available that may help you find work fast.

We would also encourage you to continue to visit our website where you will find the latest job postings from companies looking to hire right now. Our team can help place you into a position that best suits your skills and desired goals.

What Jobs Are Always in Demand?

Many of the most in-demand jobs are in fields that will continue to grow now and into the foreseeable future. Although COVID-19 will certainly impact some industries, there will still be a demand for people with experience in healthcare, transportation, warehousing, customer service, and IT.

If you have the ability to go back to school and get a degree, some of the most in-demand jobs for 2020 are also the highest paying. You may be able to qualify with an associate degree if you can show that you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the role.

Here are some of the most in-demand jobs for 2020, according to Glassdoor:

What Are the Top Jobs in Demand in Your State?

Depending on the size, location, and the economy in your state, you may be more likely or less likely to find opportunities in your field. If you are looking for a career in your state, here are the most in-demand jobs based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

While these are the most in-demand jobs in every state, they are by no means the only sought after jobs.

As we have learned over the past few months, things can change very quickly, which is why we encourage you to reach out to our experienced staffing coordinators if you are in need of a job. You might find something that stays in-demand and keeps you employed now and long into the future.

What Are the Steps to Successfully Change Careers?

Are you in the process of switching careers? You are certainly not alone. Labor experts say that the average person will change careers five to seven times. If you are younger, you are more likely to change careers as you learn more about your skills and interests and how they match up to the current job market. However, seasoned professionals switch careers as well due to a wide variety of circumstances.

These are all feelings and concerns that you should consider and assess as you determine whether it’s time to move on. In some cases, a career change might not be necessary, and all you need is a change in responsibility or discussion with your manager about career progression. In other cases, though, a career change is exactly what you need.

So, how ready are you to change careers?

Review your skills, qualifications, and experience

If you dream of being a personal trainer or nutritionist but your background is in accounting, you’re going to need to do some work before you’re ready to change careers. You may need to go back to school part-time or full-time, earn certifications, or get volunteer experience before you can be seen as a promising candidate for hiring managers.

As you look at potential careers, we would encourage you to look at job post descriptions to get a better understanding of what companies are looking for in candidates. This will help you determine what you need to make the transition. If you need to go back to school or spend considerable time learning a new craft, you will need to consult your family on possible sacrifices to see if they are manageable.

Consider ways to get your foot in the door

Ask ten people how they got the job they’re working in, and we guarantee you that most of the answers will be different. Looking for listings on job boards and posting application after application is one way, but it very rarely works. Many successful candidates get the job offer because they networked well, started as an intern, or figured out how to stand out among other candidates. Here are some ways people get their foot in the door:

• Set up a job shadow: Your high school guidance counselors or college career office can be great resources to find people who will allow you to shadow what they do daily. Job shadowing is a great way to see firsthand what someone does in your desired field. You can see if your skills match up to the responsibilities of the position and get a feel for whether this is something you could see yourself doing. Here is a good resource that shows how job shadowing works and how  you set up an appointment.
• Ask to take on additional responsibilities: If you are still employed, one way to acquire new skills and experience is by speaking with your manager and indicating you would like to try different tasks. Many companies offer in-house training to identify talent and retain high-quality employees so take advantage of these programs if available. You will learn new skills, which will help you decide to move on or seek a new role within the company.
• Volunteer or freelance: Expand your portfolio or beef up your resume by taking on volunteer or freelance opportunities. If you belong to a church or any other organization, chances are they are in need of unpaid help to support their organization. These opportunities are a great way to build up your skills and test your interest before applying for jobs in a new field.
• Speak with a staffing agency representative: Staffing agencies, like J&J Staffing, offer job seekers opportunities to get placed fast in new roles. They work closely with companies to identify candidates that will be a good fit for the role. If you have been recently laid off, we encourage you to seek out an agency that can help you find a job in a new field. We update our job listings every day with new opportunities in a wide variety of industries.

Make a pitch

The concept of “above-the-fold” content goes back to the days of the newspaper where the most important stories of the day were placed on the top of the page so they could be seen when the newspaper pages were folded in half and sold at newsstands. You should include your most important information at the top of your resume where it is most likely to be read. In addition to your contact information, you should include a few short sentences that offer a brief introduction about yourself and why you would be great for the role. You will list your qualifications and experience below the top section, but the pitch is a great way to provide a quick overview of why you fit.

If you are thinking about a second career, these are high-paying jobs and offer low entry requirements. What you decide to do is up to you. Be honest with yourself on what you like and don’t like about your job, determine what trade-offs you’re willing to make as you seek a new career, and get a better understanding of the job market and what jobs will be growing ten years from now.

Tips for Managing a Remote Work Staff

We have listed some of the benefits of a remote workforce. Still, there are some challenges some companies will have to overcome to manage remote teams and ensure productivity and sustained morale successfully. This article will focus mainly on small business owners and managers who may be leading remote teams for the very first time, but it will also touch on best practices for making the most out of your remote environment to stay productive.

Rethink how you measure productivity

Flexibility is going to be a significant component of how to manage remote teams successfully. Workers now at home may have distractions or interruptions that could affect how they could get work done. A team member may be no less productive, but how and when they get work done may be different now that they are home full-time.

While determining how to manage your remote employees, be sure to discuss with team members one-on-one or as a group any issues they may have with processes in a remote environment to come up with solutions that enhance output or communications. Productivity tools can help you identify who is adjusting to remote work well and who may need additional help.

Provide team members with the necessary technology

As we said in the introduction to this guide, many companies were allowing employees to work remotely part-time or full-time because of emerging technology that facilitates more vital collaboration. Email and phone may work in a pinch, but they are not enough to replace on-site communication and cooperation.

Collaboration software allows team members to work on documents together in real-time, video conference, text chat, set up meetings, and more. There are so many platforms out there, so if you don’t have these tools already, it may be something for your leadership team to review.

Additionally, make sure everyone has an excellent remote setup, including compliant hardware and a good internet connection, to ensure they can perform their job effectively. You should speak with your IT team to determine what is needed for performance and security.

Tips for Hiring Remote Employees

Whether your organization plans to go back to the office when there is a vaccine or if remote work will be a permanent staffing structure, you will always need talented team members to help your organization grow and thrive in any business climate. Things might be a little different now, but you must do some tried-and-true things to find the right people for your organization.

• If you can, conduct the interview remotely. Even if your company is back in the office, it’s probably a good idea right now to schedule remote interviews for at least the first few steps of the hiring process to ensure the safety of you, your employees, and the candidates.
• Create more digital materials. Now is the perfect time to update your Careers page, add a chatbot to your website, and create other digital materials that help answer questions about your company and available jobs, so candidates know what to expect and how to convey their relevant skills and experience best.
• Invest in your hiring tools. Just as you should invest in technology to enhance collaboration within your team, it’s a good idea to consider investing in high-quality remote interviewing technology that facilitates interviews and assessments, enhances scheduling, and provides ongoing support.
• Set up a consistent process. It’s essential to coordinate with your hiring team and ensure everyone is on the same page and committed to the hiring process. Write out steps and interview questions in advance, so there’s less risk of spontaneity or instances of unprofessionalism that may affect the interview and the candidates’ feelings of your company.
• Consider hiring professionals. If you don’t have the time or resources to find high-quality talent effectively, it’s okay. There are professional staffing organizations out there that specialize in helping companies find candidates that are not only experienced but are a good fit for the company. Outsourcing staffing services may free you to address other business issues that are impacting your organization.

Tips for Acing a Job Interview

This article will go over the basics of interviewing and explain how you should prepare for a video interview, which is becoming more common because of the pandemic and greater acceptance of remote work.

Are you ready to get started?

• Be respectful and confident when you meet anyone in the organization, including those interviewing you. The idea is to treat everyone as if they are the hiring manager making the final decision.
• When you are being interviewed, remain composed and project confidence through your body language. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to ask for clarification or admit you don’t know rather than not being truthful.
• Be focused and straightforward as you tie their questions back to your achievements and skills. If you have practice answers and done your research, this should hopefully be easy.

How to prepare for a video conference interview

Check your audio and video equipment. The day before your interview, test your speakers and webcam to make sure everything is in good working order. If something isn’t working, you have some time to fix it before your interview.

Get familiar with the video conferencing platform in advance. Many of the major video conferencing platforms have similar features. However, it’s still a good idea to explore the platform you will be using during the interview to ensure your equipment is compatible and you have an idea of how to log in, screenshare, and more. Think of it this way. If you are comfortable using the platform, you’ll be more comfortable answering the interview questions and showing why you would be a good fit for the team.

Even if you do your due diligence, there’s a chance the tech will stop working. A tree could fall on your power line, for example, and there’s no preparation for that. It happens to all of us. Ensure your interviewer has a phone number they can reach you at, so you can continue your interview.

Keep your background and attire professional

While remote working does lend itself to more casual attire and working environments, it is essential to show your interviewer that you can still act professionally. We recommend keeping your background as bland as possible by positioning yourself in front of a wall so there is nothing to distract anyone watching you answer your interview questions.

Lighting is crucial as well. If there is too much natural light behind you, it could create a shadow effect. If your environment is too dark, your interviewer may not be able to see you, which, again, could be distracting. Do a test run of your environment around the same time you will be interviewed to see how you will look and make adjustments to your environment and lighting if necessary.

Finally, you must dress the part regarding attire and wear clothing that you would normally wear if you were being interviewed in-person. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wear a suit and tie or blouse and blazer, but it should reflect their dress code. The general rule of thumb is to dress one notch above a company’s dress code during the interview.

Practice and come to the interview prepared

We have talked a lot about some of the most common interview questions and why you must research and practice how you answer them. In a video interview, it might be tempting to keep notes on your desk or another monitor. Having a resume to refer to is one thing, but having notes for every expected question is probably too much.

You’ll be more likely to rely on those notes and not make eye contact, which will make for a bad interview. An interview is a conversation, and each participant acts on body language and cues. Eye contact is crucial in an interview, especially a virtual one. Prepare for the interview and mind your body language to have a natural conversation, even if the setting is a little different from what you’re used to.

If you need help preparing for your upcoming video interview, always know that our staffing experts can help!

Should You Hire Your Temp-Hire for a Permanent Role?

Temp-to-hire placements are becoming more common as employers and candidates seek more flexibility. Companies that have fluctuations in labor demand throughout the year can hire temporary employees when demand is greater. When they find an exceptional candidate or discover that they need to fill a long-term need, they can hire them full-time. Candidates may be open to temp-to-hire placement because it gives them more flexibility to see if they would be a good fit for the company, and the role makes sense for their career planning. They can also take time to build professional relationships with their co-workers.

Willingness to learn new things

Any temporary employee will need to learn new things in their role. Asking questions and accepting feedback is an important part of the process. If someone has a willingness to learn and wants to improve, they may be a good long-term fit. The best employees are sponges. They welcome feedback, listen, and apply what they learned to improve.

Reliability

Showing up is half the battle, right? If an employee calls out often with a new excuse each time, they are likely not going to be a good addition to the team. When someone calls out, it causes disruptions as the team has to scramble to cover for them. Obviously, if an employee is sick or has an emergency, they can and should call out. But they should give you as much notice as possible and not make it a weekly occurrence. Look for temporary employees who show up each day ready to work. They are the ones you will be able to rely on a full-time basis.

Has a Positive Attitude

When evaluating employees, companies should get input from those that work with them to see what they think. Is this someone that comes in with a positive attitude every day and is someone you could work with? Do they face new challenges with a smile on their face or do they complain and make others around them feel bad? Hire the ones who lift morale and bring positivity to the workplace every day.

Goes the Extra Mile

Companies hire temporary employees because they have a pressing labor need. However, there may be downtime. How does someone respond when they have nothing to do? Do they come to their manager and ask if there is anything they need to do? Or do they take out their phones and start browsing their social media? Employees who take initiative and want to help in any way they can without interfering in others’ work can be a tremendous asset to the company.

These are five common characteristics, but there may be more a company may want to consider as they make hiring decisions. Before hiring temporary employees, managers and other appropriate team members should meet to determine how they will evaluate any temporary employees if there is an opportunity to keep them on full-time.

Contact us today to learn more about our staffing services and how we can help you find great talent that will make great additions to your company.