Job Hunter’s Guide to Contacting Companies You Want to Work For

Change of Tactics for 2022

A job hunter’s guide to faster employment in this job market is different NOW and has to have unique practices compared to pre-pandemic.

Job hunter's guide post-pandemic

Searching for a job often means looking for who is hiring. You contact others in your network and browse through employment listings. However, you could also turn the process around and start looking at where you want to work regardless of any current vacancy.

Exploring these kinds of passive openings has advantages for you and your potential employer because you’re targeting opportunities where you would excel. Find out how to identify organizations where you want to work, and how to communicate with them, using these strategies.

Job Hunter’s Guide – Learning About Your Preferred Companies

Job hunter's guide

  1. Browse online. Gather information from the company website and LinkedIn. Introduce yourself on social media and strike up conversations. Check out GlassDoor to find out what current and former employees have to say.
  2. Read the news. Local press and industry publications can also be revealing. Maybe your potential employer sponsors community programs or lost half its sales revenue.
  3. Seek referrals. Ask around to see if you have contacts who know employees at the companies you’re researching. Personal introductions make it much easier to set up initial meetings.
  4. Attend events. Networking sessions and business conferences are an efficient way to access lots of information and individual perspectives. Check calendar listings for upcoming events.
  5. Volunteer your services. Do you want an inside look at the kind of work you’re contemplating? Maybe you can intern or volunteer at the organization or a similar operation.
  6. Identify decision makers. Find out who you need to talk with. Calling the CEO directly could be the best route for senior positions. Otherwise, you’ll probably start out with hiring managers and department heads.
Job Hunter’s Guide – Reaching Out to Your Preferred Companies

Consider your contribution. Put the focus on what you can do for the company instead of talking about what you want. Talk about how you can add value and help them reach their goals. Be as specific as possible and hold off on sending your resume for now.

Hone your pitch. You’ll need to capture their attention quickly once you make contact. Rehearse your pitch until you can deliver it in about 15 to 20 seconds.

Send an email. Your first communication will usually be an email. Craft a subject line that will pique their interest. Say you want to talk about their marketing campaign or their accounting needs.

Ask to meet. Follow up with a request for a brief meeting. It’s often easier to reach people if you call early in the morning or late in the day in the middle of the week. Be sure to leave no more than one or two voice mails so they won’t feel harassed.

Build your qualifications. If you succeed at arranging a meeting, listen closely. Find out what would make you a more attractive candidate and work on those skills. Brush up on your high school Spanish or strengthen your social media presence.

Stay in touch. Remember that you’re making progress even if your preferred company is unable to hire you immediately. Check in occasionally to let them know you’re still interested.

Be patient. Landing your dream job can take time. If one prospect fails to respond, move on to other options. Cultivate a strong support network that will encourage you and give you constructive feedback. Believe in yourself and think positively about your future.

New Job Hunter’s Guide Benefits

Finding a position you love will enhance your quality of life, and probably make your new employer glad you joined them. Make contacting companies you want to work for a central strategy in your job hunter’s guide.

Job hunter's guide begins with proper resources

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5 Questions to Decide If a Job Change Is A Good Idea

Change is synonymous with living and working. It may come to you out of the blue and take you by surprise. Other times you know it’s coming, and you have time to prepare.

Yet thinking about a job change, career change, or switching employers even though change may be your choice, it still may feel scary and overwhelming. You may find yourself wondering: should I make the change or not?

To help you out, we put together a list of five questions to determine if a situation is something you should change. These questions are designed to make you feel more in control of your decision. Compass bearing north toward new direction

They can help you decide which situations you should change, and which aren’t worth your time or effort.

Let’s get started.

1.Will it Give Me Greater Satisfaction?

The first question you have to ask yourself before committing to any type of job change is: will this change give my employment greater meaning? Will it make me feel more satisfied?

To answer that question, you should know what it is you want from working. One way to do that is to create a vision board for the employment side of your life.

You can include your beliefs and your core values. Don’t forget to add those aspirations you had for yourself when you were younger but forgot about when you got older or took a different job path.

Even if some seem too unusual, at least you have a reminder of all the things that bring satisfaction into what you do to make a living. Plus, seeing your hopes in detail will help you focus your energy on what matters.

2. Can it Help Me Reach My Goals?

Now that you know what it is about work that fulfills you, it’s time to look at your career goals. Start by making a list of all the realistic goals you want to achieve. Then, divide them into three categories: short-term, medium, and long-term goals.

The final step is to take action. This may force you to step out of your comfort zone, but if that’s what it takes to make a change for the better, why not? All it takes is a positive attitude, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of self-interest.

Also, remember that your goals themselves may change. So, it’s important to stay flexible, especially when you’re setting new goals.

3. Is This Something I Want?

We’re programmed to try and always please as many people as we can. It can be exhausting. Plus, it takes up a large portion of your day wondering if this person likes what you’re doing or that person is satisfied with your work.

If you’re going to change any work aspect, make sure it’s for you and not to please other people. After all, it’s your situation. No one is going to live it for you.

Another thing you should remember is that the only person you should compare yourself to is you. There’ll always be someone who’s better than you or is more successful or seems to be more satisfied with their situation than you.

The best thing to do is to focus on your progress. Be proud of how much you’ve achieved so far in your career and direct your energy on where you’re going next.

4. Will It Improve My Life?

Maybe you’re thinking of changing your job within your present company or even moving to a different city to take a job offer or explore better opportunities. Change can also come on a smaller scale. You could be thinking of asking for a raise or changing your work shift or changing your days off.

Whatever it is, think about all the ways it can improve the quality of your life. Any type of change you pursue must make your situation easier, less stressful, or more enjoyable.

5. Am I Letting Fear Hold Me Back?

Being afraid is natural, but letting fear control you isn’t. We’re all afraid of failing, of uncertainty, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Yet, there’s one thing that differentiates successful people; they don’t let their fears control their choices. They learn how to face whatever it is that’s giving those butterflies in their stomachs. Then, they take a deep breath and jump in.

Whether it’s fear of public speaking or fear of a new supervisor, you must build some courage and go through with it, no matter what the outcome is. Once you’re done, you’ll come out the other side a stronger, more experienced individual.

Conclusion

Everyone goes through a wide array of changes over time. You can either join in and embrace all the good that change has to offer, or you can stay behind.

If you choose the latter, you’ll always be standing on the sidelines, always discontent, never fulfilled – always wondering about the path not taken. It was Gail Sheehy who said it best, “If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”

So, take a deep breath and take the plunge. Who knows? You might even come to enjoy the ride!

Flexicrew Support

Flexicrew identifies job opportunities for workers and talks them through the best job that matches their goals and their backgrounds.  Contact us Today to gain our support.

How to Dress to Ace a Warehouse Interview and Move up the Ladder

How to Dress When Interviewing for a Warehouse Position

One of the factors which determines whether a particular candidate is selected for a job at the warehouse, is the way he or she dresses for the interview. When the job applicant enters the room, the clothes s/he wears will be one of the factors which affect the first impression which is created. Usually a recruiter is interested in hiring a candidate who will ensure that he creates a positive first impression. Hence the candidate should be extremely careful in dressing the right way while attending any interview. The candidate should dress well, to create the right impression on the interviewers.

man answering warehouse interviewing questions

Guidelines

Though warehouse employees can wear jeans with boots after they are selected, it is advisable to do some research before choosing the interview clothes. The candidate should find out who is interviewing him, and adopt a similar dressing style or improve it. Usually staff from the Human Resources department or the warehouse manager interview the candidate and dress in business casual clothes. Hence male candidates can wear shirts with pants. Women may wear a dress or skirt with blouse or a pant-suit.

The candidate should consider himself an administrator or supervisor and wear well ironed and cleaned clothes. This will boost the confidence of the job applicant, and also the interviewers will have more confidence in a well dressed candidate.

Footwear

The candidate will want to look smart and give an impression that he understands warehouse functioning. The choice of shoes can affect the impression that is created. The shoes should be comfortable, fashionable and functional to create the impression that the candidate is capable, rational and intelligent. The shoes should protect the feet in the warehouse, so that the candidate does not face any safety problem if he is given a tour of the warehouse.

Hairstyle

Businesses wish to hire hardworking and honest employees for their warehouse, and this is the impression that a candidate should make. Whatever the hairstyle selected, there should no hair on the face, and it should be a clean style. If makeup for women or after-shave lotion for men is used, it should be understated and conservative. The applicant should not let his appearance adversely affect the impression s/he creates on the interviewer. The candidate should remember that the environment in a warehouse is different from a party.

What to Avoid

The candidate should not wear anything which will interfere or distract the interviewer from communicating with him. Hence the candidate should avoid chewing gum, wearing bling, band pins, clothes which are too loose, flip flops or shorts. The interviewer should have a positive impression that the candidate is is sincere and reliable work, who complete all the tasks which are assigned to him. To maximize the chances of getting a job offer, the interviewer should feel that the candidate will flourish in the company.

Conclusion

The clothes which a candidate wears are a reflection of his personality, and wearing the right clothes can greatly improve the possibility that a person will be selected for the warehouse job.

Flexicrew Advantage

Flexicrew specializes in connecting jobseekers to their best job opportunities.  Check out our job board Today to find the best job for you.  Then contact us for the right support.

Desperately Looking For Employment Read This Job Advice

Introduction Looking for Employment

Many people find the job search process to be frustrating. There are lots of things you can do to help you find the job you need and get hired more quickly. The tips in this article can really help you reduce your anxiety and find that job.

Read on…

Man looking for a job

Preparing Your Job Search

Spread the word among all your friends and family that you are looking for a job – many companies value employee referrals highly, so ask your acquaintances if they know of any potential job openings that you might be a candidate for. Many people will be glad to help if they can!

Always make sure that the job that you are applying for is feasible from a location perspective. Often, you may want to just take the first job that is available to you, but you do not want to drive 100 miles to get to and from your job each day.

Showcase your writing skills and creative abilities with a comprehensive, interesting portfolio. Even if you are not pursuing a career in writing or marketing, communication skills are critical in any profession. Your portfolio should include a variety of written documents, such as press releases, business reports, research findings and executive summaries. These demonstrate that you can communicate with others in a professional environment and formal context.

Make a name for yourself! In a job market bleeding qualified candidates, self-branding goes a long way in helping you to stand out from the crowd. Self-promotion and developing your personal brand is not a matter of ego. Instead, it is an opportunity to showcase your best ideas, initiative and creativity. Never exaggerate or falsify your best attributes, but do not be afraid to set your modesty aside.

Looking for Employment – The Job Interview

Do your best to maintain eye contact during your job interview with the interviewer. Do not try to stare them down, but keep eye contact as much as possible. This shows the interviewer that you are paying attention and that you show interest in what they have to say. Practice with a friend before your interview and keep eye contact in mind.

When answering questions on an interview, stay as direct and concise as possible. The interviewer will know if you do not understand something so try not to beat around the bush. Clear answers will show that you know what you are talking about and not making up answers on the spot.

Remember that when you are at a job interview that you need to keep everything you say positive. Never speak badly of previous employers. This never reflects badly on your previous employer, it only reflects badly on you. If you do not have something good to say, then try to switch the subject.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read this article, you should have much more of a handle on how to find a job. Practice the tips you just read until you feel confident about them. You are sure to wow interviewers and land the job of your dreams if you follow our advice.

For additional job advice, check out Flexicrew website today!

How to Find the Best Staffing Agency for Your 2020 Needs

Employers who decide to outsource for temporary employees are looking for the highest caliber people. The challenge then becomes how to find the best staffing agency. According to recent economic and business news in January 2020, employers are slowly beginning to hire contingent workers rather than permanent employees.  That diminishes their risk if they should face an economic slowdown.

This means your business might consider hiring temporary staff. Be sure you avoid unnecessary pressure by getting an early start with this process. Give your company enough time to choose an agency that is the ideal fit. By doing so, you will be more likely to find the best employees.

Picture Best Staffing Agency

What actions should employers take to find the ideal staffing agency?

Aligning Desired Criteria with the Real World

Employers have a need to contain pay rates to their desired levels. On the other hand, there may be a need for experience that normally would exceed the maximum pay scale. This is a typical situation that demands clear dialogue between the employer and the staffing agency. The agency understands market conditions and trends and has a responsibility to inform the employer that an adjustment needs to be made.

The maximum pay rate has to be raised to attract the candidates with the commensurate experience. Or, the desired experience has to be lowered to meet the original pay scale. Higher quality agencies will inform employers of conflicts between their ideal criteria and real world expectations and help set an appropriate balance.

Customer service is important with all staffing companies. The only way to find out how a company performs is to give them a test drive. This is where it pays for employers to start their search for an agency as early as possible. The reason for this is employers can call and get a feeling about the person they may be working with. Any questions should be answered professionally and from a base of knowledge.

Higher Quality Candidates with Specialized Staffing Agencies

Employers should be cautious with any agency that seems to be a one-size-fits-all staffing firm. If the employer has a need for a specialized technical area, then search for staffing agencies that cater to that specialized  field. This form of staffing specialization produces greater knowledge of what employers need. The result will be candidates who are screened better. The agency will know exactly what to look for and will know how to drill down into candidate experience, knowledge, and skills.

Long-term Strategies to Identify High Quality Third-Party Agencies

Any employer who anticipates using temporary staffing firms as a long term solution can use more strategies when choosing the best. Here is a good example of how this approach can produce good results. Some agencies will take additional time to determine the ideal candidates for a client. Others are not as conscientious and will send as many candidates as possible. Unfortunately, employers really have no way of knowing which type of agency uses the first approach or the second.

The way for any employer to get a solid idea about an agency may be to use several firms and judge the quality of the candidates. This is a more drawn-out process which is why this is a good option for long-term, strategic planning.

Find the Best Staffing Agency for Your 2020 Needs

Finding the best staffing agency for your needs in 2020 will be challenging if you have never used temp staffing services. However, you can minimize risks by becoming informed, starting your search as early as possible, and taking a calculated yet measured approach.  During this hectic time, Flexicrew has the perfect solution for your requirements.  Contact one of our professional Account Managers Today!

Flexicrew Staffing has secured ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® award 6 different times indicating that they provide exceptionally high levels of service to their staffing clients and job seekers.

 

Congratulations Michael Clark – Flexicrew Tennessee Employee of the Year 2019

Dedication, Commitment and Flexibility Lead to Advancement

CHATTANOOGA, TN, Sept. 18, 2019 – Flexicrew Staffing, a leader in the industrial staffing industry, selected from its over 2,000 temporary staff to choose Employee of the Year for Tennessee.

Michael Clark – Shipping Receiving Clerk

Clark is a dedicated employee who has a great attitude and has shown lots of flexibility when it comes to his work schedule.  When we first started working with him he interviewed with a client who loved Clark, but ended up filling the position in-house.  He had a positive attitude as we restarted the interview process.  He is now nearing the completion of his temporary assignment and will be hired permanently soon.

About the Award

The purpose of this annual award is to recognize an outstanding employee in each Flexicrew Staffing branch with the following attributes:

Responsibility – Temporary staffer is punctual, works hard, and exhibits dedication to tasks and on- time completion.

Cooperative – Displays courtesy with an agreeable attitude toward coworkers and supervisors. Good communication skills and willing to help others.

Creativity – Temporary employee goes above-and-beyond to get the job done, holds self to a high standard, and tries to learn different aspects of the client operation to improve the work.

Safety – Follows safety requirements and leads others by example in safety in the workplace.

About Flexicrew

Flexicrew was recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2015 as the 4th fastest-growing staffing company in the U.S. over a 5-year period.  Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Flexicrew makes use of technology and industry best practices to deliver the most talented and qualified industrial – skilled and unskilled, technical, and professional talent to clients within most major industries. Flexicrew has more than 2,000 contractors currently placed in companies throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.flexicrew.com

 

Flexicrew Selects Corry Adams 2019 Employee of the Year Tucker/Norcross, Georgia

Flexicrew Staffing Employee of the Year Winner – Self-Starter, Go-Getter, All Around Top-Notch Performer

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, September 18, 2019 – Flexicrew Staffing, a leader in the industrial staffing industry, selected from its over 2,000 temporary staff to choose Employee of the Year for Tucker/Norcross, GA.

Mr. Adams attitude and performance has earned him praise and delighted Flexicrew.

Job Assignment – Production Assembler and Packer

Adams has a great personality and interviewed well.  We placed him in a production environment in June and he has done very well.  His client reached out to Flexicrew to discuss Corry.  Having employees like him is what helps make Flexicrew successful.

About the Award

The purpose of this annual award is to recognize an outstanding employee in each Flexicrew Staffing branch with the following attributes:

Responsibility – Temporary staffer is punctual, works hard, and exhibits dedication to tasks and on- time completion.

Cooperative – Displays courtesy with an agreeable attitude toward coworkers and supervisors. Good communication skills and willing to help others.

Creativity – Temporary employee goes above-and-beyond to get the job done, holds self to a high standard, and tries to learn different aspects of the client operation to improve the work.

Safety – Follows safety requirements and leads others by example in safety in the workplace.

About Flexicrew

Flexicrew was recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2015 as the 4th fastest-growing staffing company in the U.S. over a 5-year period.  Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Flexicrew makes use of technology and industry best practices to deliver the most talented and qualified industrial – skilled and unskilled, technical, and professional talent to clients within most major industries. Flexicrew has more than 2,000 contractors currently placed in companies throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.flexicrew.com

 

 

Feliciano Palacios – 2019 Flexicrew Employee of the Year Gainesville, Georgia

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, September 18, 2019 – Flexicrew Staffing, a leader in the industrial staffing industry, selected from its over 2,000 temporary staff to choose Employee of the Year for Gainesville.

Flexicrew is particularly proud of how Mr. Palacios is dedicated and wants to get his assignment done just right.  That reflects in his performance for his client and Flexicrew.

Feliciano Palacios – Fabrication Welder                                                                                             

Mr. Palacios reports to work every day and is willing to go the extra mile.  He is a good worker with great attendance.  He helps our client train other employees when needed.

About the Award

The purpose of this annual award is to recognize an outstanding employee in each Flexicrew Staffing branch with the following attributes:

Responsibility – Temporary staffer is punctual, works hard, and exhibits dedication to tasks and on- time completion.

Cooperative – Displays courtesy with an agreeable attitude toward coworkers and supervisors. Good communication skills and willing to help others.

Creativity – Temporary employee goes above-and-beyond to get the job done, holds self to a high standard, and tries to learn different aspects of the client operation to improve the work.

Safety – Follows safety requirements and leads others by example in safety in the workplace.

About Flexicrew

Flexicrew was recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts in 2015 as the 4th fastest-growing staffing company in the U.S. over a 5-year period.  Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Flexicrew makes use of technology and industry best practices to deliver the most talented and qualified industrial – skilled and unskilled, technical, and professional talent to clients within most major industries. Flexicrew has more than 2,000 contractors currently placed in companies throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.flexicrew.com

 

 

Ask the Flexpert…What Happens if I Delay Seasonal Hiring?

Seasonal hiring temporary staff comes with its own unique challenges.

Employers that pay attention to these recruiting tips avoid seasonal hiring headaches and will optimize their busy business season.

Seasonal Hiring Plan

You will hear this time and again from experienced hiring managers who have a history of holiday recruiting.  It just makes sense to plan seasonal staffing requirements early and conduct the recruitment process well in advance.  In other words, plan ahead and hire early.

Seasonal hiring later prevents a business from selecting the best available talent.  It especially rules out getting high-skill candidates that have potential for permanent positions.

Some firms in a hiring pinch avoid good HR processes like background checks or drug screens. Big Mistake!  They don’t (or think they don’t) have enough time to conduct this screening which should be a key employment element.

Seasonal Hiring – OJT

Many companies place seasonal hires on the job immediately. They expect  the hires will learn on the job. Oops!  Mistake!  Seasonal hires have neither the time (since they were hired to handle the extra rush) nor the inclination (since they are just short-timers) to learn on the job. Yet, they really need suitable onboarding and training about the company’s products, and operational procedures. So, train your temporary staff in operational aspects and integrate them within the company culture. Without that they are bound to make mistakes, slow down other associates with questions, possibly annoy customers or cost the company time or money.

Overwhelmed with Seasonal Hiring?

Some hiring managers wait too long to scout for temporary help.  They imagine part-time seasonal staff will be available when they start to hire.  Don’t Do That!

Employers who wait too long to begin seasonal hiring or don’t have a plan for how many are needed and for how long generally get overwhelmed around the holidays. They end up with little choice but to meet their staffing requirements with little concern for quality.  Just getting bodies to fill their positions. This often results in a negative business impact.

Thus, a busy season and tight labor market will leave firms with too many open jobs and not enough workers.  Don’t let this be you.


Contact Flexicrew today for more tips or ideas on how to deal with holiday-staffing needs . We can help you to develop your plan and find your staff.

4 Tips to Deal with Worker Shortages

Worker Shortages have Employers Scrambling

 

Recent articles mention skilled worker shortages and call attention to the continuing pressures on employers. Established workforce management methods don’t seem to keep up with rising demand and  competition for truly valued skills.

Our U.S. economy has created new jobs annually since 2009. Even so, there are increasing worker shortages. The need for cost control and efficiency will be part of effective recruitment and contingent staffing strategies. Factors including quality of candidates and workforce retention may combine to make firms increase future wages more quickly.

 

Flexicrew continuously studies market trends.  So, we have broad familiarity with worker shortages.  We see that firms who overcome talent and worker shortages deliberately use four successful staffing strategies.

Successful Staffing Strategies for Employee ShortagesMap of U.S. worker shortage by region

  1. Widen the External Candidate Pool:  Forward-thinking employers define their position requirements with a greater degree of flexibility. That frees them to interview candidates that have the right skill-set regardless of employee type.  In some cases this includes waiving college diplomas in favor of comparable experience.
  2. Examine Internal Employees:  Beyond where to recruit and what kind of employee to look for, effective organizations increasingly examine their current employees. That lets them fill positions quickly, minimize risk of a bad hire and manage changing skills demands. This trend is growing particularly as worker shortages continue.  A winning internal employee approach includes training, skills development and cross-functional partnership. Those steps help overcome workforce shortages. Companies get experienced people for higher-value jobs who already fit the culture and understand the company’s approach.
  3. Pay Hike:  Of course there is another approach to worker shortages – offer higher salaries.  Naturally, that has implications for costs and profits and could lead to competitors following suit.
  4. Adapt to Change:  Talented staffing partners offer more than recruiting positions and selecting candidates.  They apply competence, automated processes and technology to manage shifting staffing requirements.

Forces Driving Workforce Change

At the same time, employers need a thorough grasp of the forces driving future workforce changes. That will help guide operations and HR managers stay aware of dynamics shaping  talent management and staffing strategies where worker shortages exist.

At Flexicrew we understand your continuing pressure to produce results even with severe worker shortages.

Also, we understand the requirement for strategic, flexible workforce management approaches. That lets us help employers quickly and effectively obtain contingent and permanent workers.

Call us if you sometimes have trouble finding enough skilled employees.