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