Stepping Back, to Step in New

When was the last time you stepped back to really look at YOU?

I'm sure you know what you look like, eyes, hair, facial features, but when is the last time that you really took time to look at what you bring to the table in a business setting.

It's a given that we all want to believe that we are the best choice for any position, but is this really a true statement?  Do you really believe this?  More so, can you sell this to a potential employer?

As the 2011 year comes to an end and we start looking towards 2012, get in front of a mirror, and ask yourself some very important questions to figure out who you are, and why someone should hire you.   Doing this will not only get you to better know what you can (and cant) do, it will give you a chance to practice your sales pitch.  If you don't buy it, then no one else will either.

Some sample questions:
Why should someone hire you over another applicant? What skills do you have (hard or soft)?  Are they (really) up to par? What makes you different than anyone else applying for the same position? Will your references speak favorably about you?

While there are so many questions that can be asked, start with basic ones and be truthful in your answers.  Even though it may be tough to hear (especially coming from you), it gives you something to work with...and we can all benefit from the self-improvement homework.

So my recommendation to you is, grab a mirror and a quiet room.  Figure out who you are, what makes you different and then build on your special traits.

Selling you in any atmosphere (business or personal) is about the most important thing you will do - help someone want to buy what you're selling.

Good luck!

It's the Fourth Quarter, are you ready?

2011 is almost done and gone, what have you done for you lately?

As we move towards the Fourth Quarter, the end of the year, it's time to re-evaluate where you are in your life plan.  How often do you review this plan? Are you meeting your smaller goals as you work towards the big picture of your life? When is the last time you actually looked at that chapter in your YOU Book?

Talk is simple and cheap, but the reality of life can be cut-throat. Are you ready to face the facts of your life and where it's headed?

If you're unhappy with your situation, it's time to saddle up and make changes so that you move forward, not continue to stand in the same place or worse move at a snails pace.

It's time to look beyond the immediate wants you may have and work for the basic needs to secure the future of you and your family.  It all starts with you and how you choose to do your business.

There are many organizations to help in your quest for a better future, they are all in your reach if you step towards them and put all you have into bettering your skills and hone in on what expertise you have.  Every industry is looking to hire that perfect employee, why shouldn't they hire you?

Take the time to take a long hard look in the mirror.  See the package that you present to other people.  Look at you from head to toe, review your skills (soft and hard). It may be time to make a full-hearted change so that others see the best that you have to offer.  But remember, any changes you make to self should be from the heart, and real.  People (good HR people) can easily read through nonsense and putting on an act to get a job only hurts you in the long run.

Good Luck!

Self-Sabotage

So you "think" you're ready to find a job.  You've pumped yourself up for the interview as this is a no-brainer and you are more than qualified for the job. Yesterday you felt prepared, but today, something just doesn't feel quite right? So you brush it off thinking "it's all in my mind".

You open the door of the interviewers office and immediately freeze! What happened?  What changed?  You decide it's too late to turn and run, your mind isn't working as you want it too, in a moments thought you realize you're not really ready (or want) to work.

A lot of times, the fear of succeeding can take over leaving the subconscious mind to choose between deeply rooted emotions and logic.  When this happens, emotions usually win leaving the mind to figure out how to get out of the situation.  What comes next is called, self-sabotage. For every question the interviewer gives, your responses are short with no detail. You've lost the ability to focus and effectively communicate how you've gained the skills needed to perform this job.  What's worse, you've lost the ability to sell you!  So sitting in an office where you feel you don't belong, you try your hardest to just get it over with so you can go back to your comfort zone of the couch, Jerry Springer and soggy cereal.

For any employer to hire you, first you need to believe in yourself and the skills that you have accumulated over your working career.  You then need to learn how to sell that product (which is you).

Where do you start?  First you need to figure out who you are, and how your skills should be marketed to best sell you for any job.  Bottom line, why should someone take a chance in hiring you rather than someone else?  If you find some of your hard skills are lacking, find a free class, go to the library or dust off your computer and work on making your skills a great selling point for you.  If it's your soft skills that need a touch-up, try an etiquette (manor) class.

Regardless of what skills you need to improve on, whether it's minor adjustments or a major overhaul, stay positive on your quest and find others who will encourage you.

Good luck!


(Lisa and Angela collaborated effort)

Are you a Do or a Don't?

When we first start dating someone, we go out of our way to look our best, act our best and do everything possible to present ourselves in the best possible light. The same thing should hold true when job hunting, whether for a temporary or permanent position. It’s your job to find a job (yes, it is a job) and you just never know who you are going to run into who can refer you to a possible job. You should always go out of your way to look your best and be prepared to discuss a possible job with everyone you meet.

If you look polished and sharp people you meet whether friend or acquaintance will be more likely to refer you to a job lead. So here is a brief “Do’s & Don’t List: It’s Tough Love Time”

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      Do remember that piercings and tats can be a statement, but it is a personal one.  Is it appropriate for the job in which you are applying? Too much jewelry can become an unnecessary distraction. Rule #1: When in doubt, do without.

·        
            Don’t forget about personal hygiene.  It’s always a nice touch to walk in clean, prepared and not smelling of cigarettes or flowery/musky perfumes.  Your interviewer may be allergic to what you have on.

·      
            Do remember to check the mirror before you set out on your journey.  Do you look like you’re going to the club or to a possible interview?  Rule #2: Dress for the part you want.

·      
          Don’t overdo the make-up.  It’s another distracting feature that takes away from focusing on you.  This is inclusive of bright over powering colors (face and hair).  

·      
            Do remember to be polite to everyone you meet in the office.  Everyone in the office has something that you don’t have…a job. Rule #3: A first impression of you may be the last one you get to make.

This list could go on and on.  If you’d like more tips, please subscribe to our blog, or shoot us an email. 

We’re always here to help.

Small fish in a smaller bowl

If you've ever felt like you're a small fish in a tiny bowl that keeps getting smaller and smaller, maybe it's time you jumped into a bigger bowl.

Times are rough right now, but they will eventually get better.  Where will you be when things change?  It's time to stop limiting yourself and your opportunities and move towards the future.

It's easy to play the self pity-party game, but you won't win doing this.  NOW is the time for you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.  Make yourself ready for the future before you jump and miss the bowl.


If in your quest for something new and better you find your skills are lacking, look at getting training (free if possible) to better learn and master your skills, or even add new ones to your resume.  In today's society, you have to become the change that you want to see.  No one will lead you to a new, bigger bowl, you have to find it, and work to get yourself where you want to be.

Everyone has choices, and even though the choices may not always be pleasant, they are nonetheless choices. The choice before you now is to stay where you are in life, or do something to change the status quo.

How Could They Fire YOU?

What? I'm....fired? In today's day and age, those are tough words to hear, especially if you thought you were irreplaceable, and the best thing (ok... second best) to happen to that company.  If you were "all that and a box of chocolate", then why... or even better, how could they let you go?
Before we blame the company for firing, maybe that first step should be to look at ourselves for the answers to the problem(s).  As I employ a lot of people, I also let them go, 85% of the time, it's due to something the did, not the company. 

While many states have an "At Will" consent meaning either they can relieve you of your duties or you can quit without reason, many times there are factors that lead to one being fired. This article will address "Soft Skills" and some easily correctable situations:
1. Tardiness:  This is a huge factor for many employers.  Even though you may come in 5 or 10 minutes here or there, you're being paid to be there when you're not.  If you're 10 minutes late everyday for a week, that's almost an hour of missed work.  Time is money and making money is valuable.  Easy Fix:  Get a good nights rest, set your alarm clock at a reasonable hour and get up when it goes off playing with the snooze button just delays the inevitable and won't help you in the long run.
2. Telephone Usage: We all make/receive personal calls from time-to-time.  However, you should avoid personal calls unless it is an emergency. Making plans for Friday night does not count as an emergency and can wait until you get home.  Because companies are cutting costs, they are monitoring your usage of the phone. Easy Fix:  Tell people not to call you unless it is an emergency.
3. Computer Usage: We live in the age of technology.  At work, we are supplied with computers and Internet service.  A lot of people fail to realize, that when you use a computer at your work place, everything you send is kept on the companies hard drive.  Easy Fix: Remember that the computer is company property, they have the right to see what you're doing. Personal emails should be done on personal time.
4. Interactions with co-workers or boss:  We all have bad days, but do you take it out on those you work with?  Snapish remarks, attitudes and fowl language are always a no no in the work place. Doing the Dr Jeckle/Mr Hyde is not the persona you want to show at work.  Easy Fix: While it's ok to have an "off day" remember not to take it out on those you work with.
These are only a few issues that can lead to dismissal from a job.  There are other factors to also consider, like work ethic, performance, etc.  The bottom line is, before blaming the employer for firing you for no reason, take a look at your behavior, how you interacted, and your soft skills.  Can some of the blame be shifted to you?

Soft skills. Do you have what it takes?

No one really thinks of soft skills as a skill, but maybe we should.  Let me ask this question.  If you were to go to a new dentist’s office, and he/she walks in with no teeth at all, would you let them work on your mouth? How about if you were going to get an exam and the doctor walks in with a full gold/diamond mouth grill and greets you with a (Lil’ Jon) “Heyyyyy” how far are you going to let him/her get with examining you? The honest answer to both questions, probably not very far.

Let's start off by answering the question, "What are soft skills?" Soft skills are characteristics that a person brings to the table not only in the interview, but in the job as well.  They can be daily interactions with co-workers, common sense decisions, dress, communication skills, and responsibility level just to name a few.  While many people have the "hard skills" necessary for a job, they can easily be lacking in soft skills.

It takes time to learn and develop soft-skills because they must become a mind-set, almost second nature.  Things that can help are:  1. Empathy- the ability to recognize, understand and share feelings of someone else and not put them or the situation down. 2. Team work - the ability to work hand-in-hand with others to achieve a stated goal. 3. Communication- Communication is key, and doing it effectively with others without ensuing arguments is huge! 4. The ability to teach- sharing the information that you have learned over time regardless of if it's in the work setting or life can help someone else become better.  In the work place, remember, you can't be promoted if you can’t be replaced. 5. Appropriate dress and good manners- it's 2011, the fad is rings in every possible place on your face/body and tats up and down your arms, neck and face.  As colorful and cool as it may seem, would it be appropriate for you if you were a lawyer?

Soft skills are just as important, if not more as hard skills.  Soft skills are what can potentially get you in the door to show off your hard skills or what you can do.  But without the ability to communicate, understand, look, smell and play the part, you probably won’t get the part for which you are applying.
Good Luck!

Put Your Best Foot Forward When Temping

Put Your Best Foot Forward When Temping

Applying at a temporary agency should be treated like any other job application. On occasion people arrive at the office dressed in street attire that leaves an impression that you don’t take your job search very seriously, let alone yourself. First impressions do last and in the office when we are sitting and discussing new job applicants we either remember you by your resume or by how you dress.

Appropriate dress

We recommend that if you are coming in for an interview for an advertised position dress to impress with suit/shirt/tie or skirt/dress slacks. It does help you get your foot in the door because if you make a good impression with First Choice then you’ll be thought of as our First Choice when a client calls for a temp.  If asked if you treat your temp job like a permenant job the answer should be a resounding “yes”. With unemployment numbers expected to continue to rise, it’s time to take a serious look at working with a temp agency.

Consider your image
You should constantly strive to look professional even if you are just going to the agency for an initial interview. If you arrive looking like you are just there to “hang out”, you may find that the agency will be concerned on how you show up for the first day at the client’s office. As a result you may not get as many placements as you would like (if any).

Make an impression on the agency interview day
Treat your interview at the agency as if you were going directly to the employer. Consider the temporary agency the chance to make a good first impression. Keep in mind that agencies get paid on who they send to the employer. If their relationship with the employer is potentially damaged due to your lack of professionalism, agencies will no longer try to find work for you. Remember, they work to get paid too. Bring a fresh copy of your resume with you to the interview, two forms of ID and pre prepared to take a skills test for typing and Microsoft Word.. If you send in an electronic resume as a response to a job ad, be sure to bring a print version as well. You will also want to bring along two forms of identification.

In addition to an initial interview, you may be required to take skill tests. If you are interviewing for an administrative position, this may include typing or data entry skills. If you have not typed in awhile, be sure to practice before you go.

After the agency, now what?

Now that you have impressed First Choice with your professional appearance, attitude and skills, your next step is to be sent on an assignment. Chances are, our agency will call you later in the week with an employer to report to. When you take that call, remember to verify the information that we give you including location, hours, amount paid, length of assignment and  parking accommodations if necessary and available. Remember it is not acceptable to arrive late or forget to call if you realized you had another appointment scheduled for that time and need to cancel.

Remember that professionalism, productivity and accuracy are the key to successfully working with any temp agency. You never know if the employer is looking for someone to hire as a permanent employee. If your work is exemplary they may decide to hire you directly from the temp agency contact. Treat your temporary assignment as if it were your permanent job. You will see fantastic results in the end.

www.firstchoiceservice.com
Facebook us: First Choice Service
701 Smithfiled Street, Suite 601
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 261-4130

First Impression, will it be your last?

Somewhere at some point, we've all heard, "Make a good first impression."  Did you ever think that the first impression you make could be the last impression that someone will want to see? 
While the first impression is usually a visual, how you speak and deal with the interviewer over the phone or in person is just as important.  Think about this, when watching TV, what makes you buy one product over another?  What makes you go to McDonald's over Wendy's, or buy a Toyota over Ford?  In a lot of cases, it's the commercial that sways us one way or the other.  In an interview setting, you are the product versus other products and how you sell yourself is no different than how it's done on TV.

When the interviewer starts the conversation, normally they say, "Tell me a little about yourself." This is your "PC" moment. Your time to shine and open the door (or have it closed on you). As an interviewer, 75% of people give the same answer. "I'm hard working, honest, reliable and dependable." Let's be real, if you had all those qualities, you'd be employed, and they would pay you not to leave. So the task becomes breaking it down to a more realistic (and honest) view of who you are.  Even if it's not far from the truth, let your work speak for itself, find words that set you apart from others.

For the interviewer, seeing a more realistic view of what they are purchasing (you) will give them a better sense of what you can do, will do and how you can be used within the company.  With an interesting opening or first impression, it can actually help the interviewer buy into who you are and ask questions that allow you to better showcase your skills.

What am I suggesting?  I suggest that everyone have a PC (Personal Commercial).  This is about ten to fifteen seconds to effectively sell yourself to someone else. What makes you interesting enough to hold someone's attention and want to find out more about you and what you have to offer.  How do you pull it off?  Some easy steps to get you started. 1. What spark quality do you have that will make someone want to hear what you've got to say?  2. What makes you different than the person who was interviewed before you, or after you?  3. What makes you a stand out in your field of expertise?

Putting together a well thought and yes rehearsed PC will take you above the ordinary to become extra-ordinary and memorable.

Facebook - It can hurt you more than you think.

Let's face it.  Now a days, almost everyone has a Facebook (FB) account.  What a great way to keep in contact with friends, family and clients right?  Well, that's not all who is keeping track of you!

In today's market of social media, more and more companies are utilizing FB, Twitter and MySpace for ways of looking into who you are (or portray online).  "So what?" you may say, however, please know that many employers and colleges will look you up, view your pictures as well as your words and form an opinion that may be hard to break.  Harsh reality? Yes, but it's true.

As I flip through endless thousands of pictures of potential employees - there is one who has too little clothing, or the young lady who has a bong hanging out of her mouth. How about the young man who didn't know the camera was on him when he ad all those ladies.... and men hanging on him in the buff.

Not to sound "dated" but, businesses, schools and people do pay attention to detail, even though you may not. If you've been tagged in a pic that is less than flattering, and something you wouldn't want your mother, boss or God to see, un-tag it.  Many people fail to realize, once you put a pic out there... it STAYS out there in cyberspace and can bite you in the butt later in life!  Think Vanessa Williams, Madonna and some other notable people who have been hurt by things they (thoughtlessly) did in their youth. 

Have fun, but make sure it's responsible fun. Take pride in who you are, not just your pics but your posts. 

Lisa Raymond 2011

Your Phone Voice Sets The Tone in Your Job Search

It's amazing the power a voice has in determining the response you'll recieve in your job search. I personally answer the phone much of the time in the office and from vocal style I can determine very quickly why the person is calling and how they should be handled. Voices should be memorable in a positive way.

My favorite caller is someone I'll refer to as Xavier. He calls maybe once a week but out of dozens of calls he's easy to remember because of his speech pattern. Although he does have a Barry White quality to his voice, but I digress. He's a perfect example of how a call should be made.

1. He's speaks slowly and clearly annunciating his words.
2. He waits for a response before he continues to speak.
3. His manners are thoughtful and deliberate showing he respects my time and gets straight to the   reason for his call.

For these reasons he gets through to the person he needs to reach. Because of his good phone manners I will go out of my way to be even more helpful to him to the point of physically going to look for his office contact if they don't answer their phone.

Be memorable with good phone etiquette but people will remember poor etiquette just as easily. Here's an bad example call. In a technical meeting yesterday sitting in the head job recruiter's office the phone rang and she picked it up. I could hear the caller on the other end from across the desk. He was loud and demanding and it left a negative expression on the recruiter's face. It was easy to see she was not in the mood to entertain his inquiry because of his poor manners and she will be the one who determines who gets hired.

Remember the person who answers the phone may not be the receptionist gatekeeper that you'll try to get by but the contact with which you need to speak to. Most American companies are small companies and staff members support each other in their work so the chances are good you may be speaking with the very person who would choose to hire you.

When you make calls to perspective employers here's some tips to help you out:
1. Make sure you have pen and paper at hand to take notes.
2. Make sure you are in an area that will not have background noise. That means no barking dogs, kids, radio or tv in the background. And please don't call from the street, car sounds are distracting.
3. Please be brief and to the point. If you need to write your intro down to read while you're speaking to the initial contact then do it if it helps you stay focused on what questions you need to ask.

Once you get the information or are about to be transfered to someone's phone make sure you say thank you for help. Remember acknowledgement goes a long way.

How to dress for an interview

- By Lisa Raymond, 2008

An interview is basically a platform to sell yourself for the job.  Many people talk about first appearances, but very few follow protocol.  Almost everyone wants to be noticed!  But there is a way of carrying it off so that you come out winning, not losing.  These suggestions cover the detailed part of you that employers are looking for.  Taking care of you, and how you look, will reflect on the type of employee you'll be.

Do clean up prior to the interview:  While this seems basic, it sometimes gets over looked.  Take a shower, brush your teeth, etc.  Lack of general basic hygiene can stop an interview before it starts.

Do wear clean, pressed clothes.  Remember you are selling you!  Spotted, dirty, or wrinkled clothes isn't putting your best foot forward.  If you notice wrinkles right before you leave, try squirting a little fabric softener mixed with water on the piece of clothing.

Choose something classy to wear for the interview, earthy warm colors work best and are less distracting.  If you have a loud personality tone it down by wearing a dark suit coat with a "pop" of color for accent.

If your interview is something that you may wear out to a club, you may want to rethink your choice.  If funds are low, look for non-profit organizations who donate clothes in your state.

Do make sure your shoes are neat as well.  No need to buy a new pair, just make easy fixes by removing mud/salt or smudges with polish.  High heels should be kept to a maximum of 1 1/2 inches so that walking in/out is not a distraction.

Be sure that your hands and nails are neat and clean.  While most people over look this detail, interviewers do not.

 Don't over do perfumes or cologne.  While you may enjoy the scent, your interviewer may not, or worse be allergic to it.

Tattoos and piercings are fashion statements that say a lot about you.  While it works in some offices, it does not in others.  Make an attempt to find out if there is protocol about tattoos and piercings and follow it.

Remember to dress for the position that you're applying.

Good luck!