Get Better Prepared for Your First Day on the Job With These 4 Tips

You’ve got a new job! Congratulations. It’s an exciting time.

First days are exciting. It’s important to be prepared and do a great job to impress your new employers.

Here are some tips on how you can be better prepared.

1) Know Your Route to Work

Don’t wait for the first day to figure out how to get to work! That increases the chances of delays — and means you might either be late to your first day or very stressed when you get there. Neither will make a good first impression.

If you’re driving, do a practice run to see how long it takes you. Drive at least several days before at the same time as you’ll be driving to work. Why? Because if there is heavy traffic or construction on the roads during those hours, you want to know that! You may need to give yourself more time than a map indicates to get there. You don’t want to find out the first day.

If you’re taking a bus or other public transportation, do a practice run at the same time you’ll be catching public transportation. Again, you want to trouble-shoot potential problems that could make you late. Does the bus show up when it should? Can you find where you catch it?

2) Be on Time

Showing up on time is probably the most important thing on the first day of a new job. Why? Because the company sees it as a sign of how reliable and responsible you’re going to be. Whatever happens, you don’t want to be late.

In addition to knowing your route to work, get everything else you’ll need ready the day before. Lay your clothes out. Make sure they are clean and pressed.

If you’re going to be taking a lunch, get it ready the night before.

Set your alarm in plenty of time to get ready. Give yourself a buffer so that if there are any hitches, they don’t make you late.

Plan to be to work at least 15 minutes early. It makes you look organized and on top of the situation.

3) Make Sure You Have Your Work Supplies/Required Tools for the Job

If you’ve been told to bring any supplies or tools, be sure you have them before the first day on the job. Get them in plenty of time before the new job. Don’t wait until the day before, as they might not be available.

Be sure to pack them and bring them. Write yourself a note and stick it on the refrigerator or other place you know you’ll see it so you don’t forget.

4) Report to the Right Person

The person you’re reporting to needs to know you are there. Don’t just tell the first person you see.

Get the name of your report from your staffing agency. Make sure you find that person and let them know you’re here, on time, and ready to work.

A Staffing Agency Can Help You Find a New Job

If you’re looking for a new job, we can help. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really.

Contact us today for our employment agencies in Mesquite, Texas and other locations.

How Do You Turn a Part-Time Job into a Full-Time Job?

If you’ve been hired for a part-time job, you may want it to turn into a full-time position. After all, if you work full-time you make more and potentially have benefits.

That might work for your employees too. If they have full-time positions available, it can be more convenient for them to hire someone who already works for them.

But you have to show you’re right for a full-time position.

How do you turn a part-time job into a full-time job? Here are 3 tips.

1) Be as Professional as Possible

From your first day onward, be as professional as possible on the job.

What does that mean? Well, it means a number of things. Always be on time to work. Always be reliable when asked to do a job. Complete it in the way you’ve been told. If you can’t finish, let your manager know why.

Do a great job! Don’t just do an average level of work. Strive for very high quality.

If you have down time, let your manager know that too. Ask for more work if you don’t have anything to do. That’s shows initiative, which is very important to companies in hiring full-time people.

If you’re asked to do something new, be positive and obliging.

Be pleasant to everyone, managers, coworkers, and people in other departments. Be known as agreeable and nice.

Never complain about work conditions or people you work with.

2) Work Hard

Companies love workers who work hard. Do your job reliably and promptly. Don’t loaf around. Don’t take extra breaks.

Don’t socialize with coworkers when you should be working. Socialize during breaks or after hours, but don’t let it interfere with work flow.

Get to work on time. Don’t leave early.

3) Learn New Skills on the Job

If you’re asked to learn new skills on the job, be very positive about the opportunity. That’s a way to grow on the job, and maybe to grow into full-time work.

If you see an opportunity to learn new skills, let your supervisor know you are willing to do it.

If you don’t understand a new skill, let your supervisor know so it can be explained.

Job Hunting? Let Us Help You

If you’re looking for part-time or full-time work, we have opportunities! Let us help you find a new job today.

Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. 

Contact us today for our employment agencies in DeSoto, Texas and other locations.

Top 5 Ways to Stay Safe on The Job

Safety on the job is very important. It’s easy to assume that all jobs are safe. However, if you’re working near manufacturing equipment, moving equipment such as forklifts or on floors where something might be spilled, for example, you need to take some safety precautions. And those are just three examples.

Here are the top 5 ways to stay safe on the job.

1) Stay aware of your surroundings

Be aware of your surroundings. If a situation seems like it might be unsafe, report it to your supervisor. If it looks like a specific area has become unsafe, don’t do anything that would make it more so! Say that heavy boxes have been stacked carelessly, for example. Don’t be the person who throws the last box on a stack in a way that will make the whole stack topple. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

2) Wear safe clothing

If you’ve been told to wear specific clothing for safety reasons, by all means do it! Employers may ask that you always wear shirts and t-shirts tucked in, for example, because loose clothing can catch on items you work with or near. Other commonly worn safety clothes are shoes or boots heavy enough to protect your feet in case something is dropped on them, with soles that won’t skid.

3) Wear appropriate safety gear

Safety gear is slightly different from clothing, although it can be something you wear. It might be something the company requires you to buy or issues to fulfill safety regulations. Earplugs, for example, might be required to protect your hearing. Hard hats are something required. Brightly colored yellow or orange safety jackets might ensure that you can be seen on a warehouse or factory floor.

4) Keep areas clean and clear

Work areas that are dirty or have debris around can be dangerous. It’s important to keep areas clean and clear. Boxes and paper, for example, can cause accidents and even fires if they come too close to electrical equipment.

5) Report unsafe conditions

While companies should be aware of unsafe conditions, supervisors can’t be everywhere. If an unsafe condition develops where you can see it, be sure to report it to your supervisor. This can include everything from someone unintentionally putting supplies or equipment in front of a fire exit or items spilled on the warehouse or factory floor. Fire exits need to be accessible to everyone at all times.

Are you looking for a job?

We can help. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. 

Contact us today for our employment agencies in DeSoto, Texas and other locations.

How to Get the Job When There Are a Ton of Other Applicants

If you’re looking for a job, it can be easy to get discouraged when if you know there are a ton of other applicants. You might wonder if a company will even look at your application.

But remember, companies need people to do their work. If you can do the work, you’re valuable to them. The trick is making sure they know your value.

Here’s 3 ways you can show them how valuable you are.

1) Have a great application/resume

If the job has an application form to be filled out, be sure to fill it out completely. Why? Because a surprisingly number of people don’t. Be as neat as possible. Many employers see how workers apply as the first test of how they work. If you do a complete and thorough job, it indicates you’ll likely be a complete and thorough employee, who can follow directions.

If the job posting asks for a resume, send one in. Have a friend or family member help you proofread, so it’s accurate. Here, too, the company will see the completeness and accuracy of a resume as a sign of how you’ll be on the job.

2) Make a good first impression at the interview

 If you’re called in to interview, be sure to make a good first impression. Here, too, many employees see the interview as a trial run for the job. It’s not that you’re doing the same tasks, of course. It’s that they see it as a sign you can behave appropriately and know the rules.

So: dress neatly for the interview, with shirts tucked in and no t-shirts or jeans. Make you’re your clothes are clean a few days before the interview. Press your clothes the night before. Shine your shoes.

Be sure you’re on time for the interview — aim to get there about 15 minutes early. Be sure to know the route so you don’t get lost or can’t make it on time. Being late can torpedo your chances of being hired.

Turn your phone off so you’re not distracted during the interview.

Be polite and respectful to the interviewer. Answer all questions thoroughly.

3) Show why you want to work for the company

Most companies like to know if a potential employee has reasons for wanting to work with them. Do you have friends or family who work there, for example? Do they speak well of the company? If so, be sure to point that out during the interview.

If you especially want to do the work as a career, point that out as well. Many companies want people who will stay and be promoted.

If You’re Job Hunting, Let Us Help

If you’re looking for a job, we can help. Search our open positions.

Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. 

Contact us today for our employment agencies in Richardson, Texas and other locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

How Should You Dress for an Appointment With a Staffing Agency?

If you’ve got an appointment with a staffing agency, you might be wondering what you should wear.

Treat an appointment with a staffing agency as a job interview at a company. The staffing agency is the group you want to hire you to begin work. You want to dress as you would for a job interview.

That often means dressing differently than you would at work. If you’re a forklift driver, for example, you and the other drivers might dress in jeans and a t-shirt. It’s okay to be grimy. If you’re looking for warehouse work, they might tell you to show up in your most comfortable jeans and a t-shirt too, or provide a jacket.

What to Wear

Neither are okay for an interview. You don’t have the job yet. You aren’t working on the floor of a plant or warehouse, or out in the open. The rule of thumb in job interviews is to dress slightly better than you would at work.

Generally, men should wear slacks and a tucked-in shirt. Women should wear a dress or skirt and tucked-in blouse.

Remember grooming, of course. Shower before an interview. Make sure your nails are clean. Look at the clothes you plan to wear a few days before the appointment. Are they clean, or do they need to be washed or dry cleaned? If so, you have time to bring them up to par. Are they free of wrinkles? If not, be sure to iron them before the interview.

Shine your shoes and make sure they are clean.

Letting the Agency See You at Your Best

Why do you have to dress this way? Well, people who are interviewing folks for jobs want to see them at their best. They also want to see that the people they are interviewing know what to do on an interview. It’s a way of figuring out whether the person is savvy and can adapt to different situations.

Being savvy and adapting to different situations is good in all job situations, so they want to see if you can do that. Show them you can!

Looking for a Job? Let a Staffing Agency Help

If you’re looking for a job, let a staffing agency help. We can provide advice on getting a job and have openings using your skills.

Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really.

 Contact us today for our employment agencies in Mesquite, Texas and other locations.

4 Tips To Help You Nail First Impressions at Interviews

When you have a job interview, first impressions are huge. If you show up late with coffee spilled across your shirt, you may have lost the job before you even open your mouth. Why? Because the staffing agency and hiring manager are evaluating you for the job at every minute of an interview. They will assume that the way you act on a job interview is the way you will act on the job.

How to Make a Good First Impression

So how do you make sure your first impression is top notch? Follow these tips.

Tip #1: Get to the interview 15 minutes early

You want to make sure you have time to comb your hair and relax. Frankly, it’s a good idea to drive to the interview place a few days before so you know how long it takes you.

Give yourself a buffer zone of one-half hour more than it takes you so there’s no chance of your being late.

Tip #2: Make sure your clothes are clean and shoes shined

Sometimes we can think are clothes are clean and shoes shined and then…we pull them out of the closet the morning of the interview and find they’re not!

The solution is to look at your clothes a few days before. If a button needs to be fixed or laundry done, you’ll have time to do it.

Tip #3: Proofread your resume

Errors in spelling and formatting in a resume are bad news in an interview. They give the impression that you can’t pay attention to detail. Do a spell check on your resume. Have a family member or friend read it too.

Bring a copy with you in a folder. If you have to fill out an application, it’s handy to have.

Tip #4: Turn off your cell phone during the interview

Never, never answer or talk or text on your cell phone during the interview. First, it’s rude. Your interview deserves your time and attention in the interview process. Even if it’s something important, like a baby-sitter, call them after the interview.

Second, it can give your interviewer the impression that you’ll be talking on the phone during work hours. Employers want you to pay attention to the job at hand.

Looking for a Job? Let a Stride Staffing Help

If you’re looking for a job, let a staffing agency help. We can provide advice on getting a job and have openings using your skills. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today for our employment agencies in Mesquite, Texas and other locations.

Don’t Be Just Another Warm Body At Work

When you’re hired by an employer, you need to care about the company enough to do a good job. Companies don’t need just another warm body to fill its order and make its warehouse run smoothly. They need to care. So, how do you show that you’re not just another warm body at work, but worth your salt every day?

1) Get to Work on Time

A great employee will always be at work a few minutes early, and ready to start work when the shift begins. You see, it’s normal to want to chat a bit before work or sip your coffee. But doing that at work, once the shift starts, hurts the company’s productivity. It means less business gets done than should.

2) Be Extremely Responsible

Always give work your all. Do everything to the best of your ability. If you see something not working, say so. Maybe a forklift driver accidentally delivered material to the wrong part of the warehouse. If you see some products where they shouldn’t be, say so. It will help the issue get solved.

3) Work Hard

A good work ethic is a great thing. Commit to getting your work done at a good pace. Never slack off 10 minutes before quitting time. Do what needs to be done; don’t leave it for the next guy or gal.

4) Be a Good Team Player

People who get along with their colleagues are invaluable to a company. If a team on a shift doesn’t get along, it can create unnecessary conflicts. Make a point to get along with people, both at the staffing agency and the client company.

If someone is difficult and you absolutely can’t get along with them, be professional. Don’t argue or fight with them.

5) You need to meet the company’s goals

Companies have goals. A great employee will embrace them and meet them. Are you working as a forklift driver in a new building? Think of the contribution to the city the building will make. Think of all the people who will be working in it. Be proud of your contribution!

If You’re Job Hunting in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, We Can Help

Are you looking for a great job? We can help. We place people in light industrial jobs all over North Texas. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really.  Contact us today for our employment agencies in Richardson, Texas and other locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

How to Deal with Conflict at Work the Right Way

Conflicts at work happen enough that it’s a good idea to know how to handle them when they come up. It could be anything from a coworker filling the refrigerator with some special diet ingredients so no one else has space to a supervisor being overly demanding and not understanding that you can’t get everything done all at once.

But what is the right way to handle conflict at work? Here are 4 tips.

1. Talk to the staffing agency

First, remember that you are a Stride Staffing Employee. When you accept an assignment with a Stride Staffing Client Company, it doesn’t mean you work for them.   While the Client Supervisor will direct your work activities you are ultimately our employee, and we care about your success!

So if you see a conflict at work, it’s ok to speak with the Client Supervisor but you should always report the incident to Stride right away. Call us at Stride. We can help you figure out a solution.

2. Represent the staffing agency well

It may be easy to get frustrated at work. But remember that all work situations have frustrating moments. Don’t just get angry and quit.

When Stride Staffing hires you, we depend on you to represent us well. Dealing with frustrating situations calmly and approaching the right people – at the staffing agency and the Client Supervisor – is all part of that.

If you are frustrated or challenged at work, you should consider the reason why you took on the opportunity.  Becoming a permanent employee with a Stride Client Company is the ultimate goal so focus on those things that can be fixed and work with your recruiters toward a solution.

3. Don’t get emotional

Conflict can make everyone angry, stressed, or even tearful. Don’t get emotional! It’s never a good idea in work situations.  If you are emotional, deal with the situation at another time. Never choose an upsetting moment to make your case.

Again, you need to discuss a fix the situation with the staffing agency.  We are here to listen, support, and coach you to success!

4. Pick and choose your battles

If your workplace has multiple conflicts, it’s not likely you can resolve all of them. You need to pick the most important first.  You should consider which policies, practices, or behaviors are affecting you personally.

Think over what is most important if you have several different conflict areas.  At the end of the day our goal to help you be successful so if you just need to talk with a caring professional who has your best interest in mind please call us first!

If You’re Job Hunting, We Can Help

Some conflicts may be difficult to resolve. One solution is to find a new job. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really.  Contact us today for staffing agencies in Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite, DeSoto, and Richardson or search for a job here.

Avoid These All Too Common Interview Mistakes

For most people, job interviews don’t happen that often. If you’re just starting to look, you may feel that the last one was ages ago. If you’ve been looking recently, chances are still feel new at it. Interviews just don’t happen often enough for people to get experienced at it!

As you interview, you want to avoid mistakes that are all too common. Here are the top 4 to stay away from.

1) Getting there late

Always get to an interview about 10 minutes before the time it’s scheduled to start. Lateness may lose you the job. Employers assume that the way you act on an interview is the way you act all the time. They don’t want employees getting in late to work every day.

It’s a good idea not only to plan how you’ll get there, but to take a trial run a few days before hand. That way, you’ll know how long it actually takes, not what your GPS says. Sometimes there’s a big difference.

2) Mistakes on a resume or application

Be sure to double-check all the information you’re putting on a resume or application. It needs to be accurate. You may enter or type “2012” as the starting date of a past job, when really you started in 2014. An employer checking your old employer might think a) you tend to be inaccurate or b) you’re trying to make it seem like you worked there longer than you did. Neither is good.

Double check all the information. Make sure it’s free of typographical errors also. Have a relative or friend read it as a second pair of eyes.

3) Not dressing appropriately

Interviews are different than daily life. Job applicants often need to dress better than what might be expected on the job. It’s a good idea to dress one step better than daily job wear. If you’re not sure about what to wear, ask a human resources representative.

4) Being critical of past supervisors or companies

If you’re asked what you left your past job, or how you felt about the supervisor or company, never, never say negative or critical things. Employers might assume you will do the same to them.

Always stress the positives of the potential new position and what skills you bring. Turn it around so that you say something like “even though Company X went through a lot of challenges in its production department, I learned many skills there that I’m excited to put to work for Your Company.” Then talk about those skills and what you can bring to the job you’re interviewing for.

Are you looking for your next opportunity?

We can help you find the best job for you. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today for staffing agencies in Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite, DeSoto, and Richardson, Texas.

Why Is Following Up to an Interview Essential?

Following up with an employer is one of the essential tasks you need to do as part of your job search process. You should follow up every interview with a polite note stating again that you are very interested in the job and thanking the interviewers for their time. This can either be a letter or e-mail.

They should be sent within 24 hours of the interview, and sending one later the same day is preferable.

But why is it so important? There are 3 reasons.

1) Demonstrate Your Interest in the Position

A nice thank-you note is important to demonstrate your interest in the position. If they are deciding between candidates, the one who sends the thank-you note follow-up may be the one they may choose over the one who doesn’t.

A follow-up also shows that you have the kind of qualities employers look for. You are attentive to detail and, yes, have good follow-up on tasks. A person who follows up on interviewers is the kind of person who will also follow up on every work duty. That can be invaluable.

2) Focus on Key Areas

A follow-up can help you refocus the interviewer on your skills. Something like “as I mentioned in my interview, I was part of a team that drove production up 15% over previous levels” will keep your key qualifications in the minds of busy managers who have many demands on their time.

In addition, you can use the follow-up letter to focus more on areas that you either didn’t have time to cover in the interview (but which seem important) or didn’t realize would be important. If you have experience in software that they mentioned, for example, but that wasn’t specified on your resume, your follow-up can be an opportunity to mention it.

3) Avoid Getting Knocked Out of Consideration

The third reason is very related to the first. It shows good manners and good attention to detail to follow up. But some employers may actually use follow-up notes as a screening tool. If you don’t send one, they may not consider you further, no matter how qualified you are.

It’s a good indication of how much emphasis employers place on detail and the ability to follow up.

Need Help With With the Job Search?

Looking for a job? Let us help review your resume and qualifications. We have job postings and more for busy job-seekers. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today for staffing agencies in Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite, DeSoto, and Richardson, Texas.