Looking for a Job? Consider These Reasons for Working with a Local Staffing Company in the DFW Area

If you’re looking for a job, the smartest move can be working with a local staffing company in the DFW area.

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Here are three reasons why:

1) More Local Jobs

If you’re looking on broad job search sites and plugging in your zip code, you’re getting hits on only the jobs a nationwide search engine knows are out there. But local staffing companies can have a much greater sense of who’s hiring in your town than a general search tool ever could. If you want to work nearby, a local staffing agency will likely have more jobs available for you.

Staffing companies talk to local employers all the time. They work closely with the hiring managers. They are likely the first call the company managers make when they need new people. So, they know about many more jobs open locally.

2) Inside Track on Potential Openings

A local staffing company is also on the inside track to learn of potential openings down the line. You may be looking in July and see no jobs advertised that need your skills. But a staffing agency may know an area company that will be beefing up its staff in August. Those jobs might not be listed yet, because the details are still being finalized. But your contacts at a staffing agency in the DFW area will know of them and can let you know.

3) Regional Strength

Many staffing companies, such as Stride Staffing, have multiple local offices in an area. As a result, they have many jobs not only in your local town but within commuting distance. If no jobs fit your skills in one town, there may be several just down the road a bit.

In addition, having more than one office in the DFW areas means Stride Staffing knows about hiring patterns throughout the region. They can advise you on potential job openings and the economic picture, with advice on salaries and shifts.

Get the Right Job

Getting the right job is important. A staffing company can help, with more local job postings and advice. 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 Garland, Texas, and other locations.

Hacks to Keep You Motivated on the Job

Let’s face it. Even if you love your job there are days where it is tough to stay focused. And if you’re not working at your dream job, daily motivation can be even tougher to come by. Here are some tips to keep you on track on those tough day’s where all you can think about is being at the ballgame with a beer or getting your hands dirty in the garden.

Stay Positive

When you’re having a tough day, remember that every day of work is an opportunity to build skills and earn an income that supports your dreams. Whether you want to have a family, retire early or buy a boat, the harder you work the closer you get to those goals.

Set High Standards

No doubt your boss or the company have quotas or metrics they expect you to reach, but why not reach even higher? “Meets expectations” is not really an assessment to be proud of. It’s up to you to have even higher expectations for yourself. As Jesse Owens says: “It’s extra effort that separates a winner from second place.”

Love Your Work

Even if your current job is not perfect (and really, no job is!) find something to love about it. Do you value the way your coworkers come together when you’ve got a tight deadline? Appreciate that your boss recognizes your abilities and goes out of his way to identify promotion opportunities for you or other ways to develop your talent? Do you feel challenged each day or that you are getting closer to your goals? These are all things you can love about your job.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs

Get Creative

Find new ways to look at your job. Make a game out of hitting your numbers. You can even challenge your coworkers to join in. Create daily or weekly goals for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them.

Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle

Your job is only one part of your life. Don’t look to it for all your personal satisfaction. Start your day with exercise or join a sports team. Your job takes about a third of your day. Make sure the time you spend off the job allows you to unwind, relax and prepare for a great day.

Find the Right Job for You

Finding the best job for you can be very time-consuming. With a staffing company on your side, you have more options and a stronger network. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really.

Contact us today for staffing in Garland, Texas, and our other locations. Or, search for a job near you.

Three Ways to Become the Go-To Employee

The go-to employee! It’s a key and enviable position no matter what industry you work in and no matter what your job description is.

The go-to employee is the one both the boss and the rest of the team turns to in times requiring a cool head. In times requiring peak performance. In times requiring a new path.

The go-to employee is like a most valuable player in sports. And just like most valuable players, being a go-to employee has its rewards. Go-to folks are more likely to get higher raises and better promotions than average employees.

Yes, but how do you become a go-to employee? Here are three ways.

1) Be Cheerful, Flexible and Calm

Both your boss and co-workers need to know they can turn to you with a rush assignment, a sudden problem or just to ask how something should be handled. One way you get to that point of trust and responsibility is to be cheerful, flexible and calm. All the time.

It’s easy to get frustrated at rushes, problems or stuff your boss or Mel in shipping have no idea how to do. Don’t. You need to be approachable and viewed as the person who is always willing to help.

2) Take Responsibility

The go-to employee is the one who can be depended upon to get it done. Whether it’s a sudden inputting of labels no one realized were needed yesterday or packing 150 boxes due tomorrow, be the person who takes responsibility for completion of the task. Not just part of it. You never act as if it’s someone else’s responsibility the issue happened or someone else’s responsibility to get it done.

A go-to employee instills trust in boss and co-workers. If they need to go home or be somewhere else, you are the person who will do it, even if it takes until 11 p.m.

3) Go Above and Beyond

In every assignment you’re given, do more than 100 percent. Those labels no one realized were needed yesterday? See they are printed out and put on. But also come up with a plan to ensure such a crisis never happens again. Do more members of the team need to have access to destinations? Does the database need an upgrade?

If you are given an assignment to assemble components, see if you can come up with a more productive method. Share it with your boss. New and different ways of performing tasks are one of a go-to employee’s jobs.

Land the Right Job

Landing the right job for you is complicated. A staffing company can help, with more job postings and straight talk advice. 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 Garland, Texas, and other locations.

Be an Attractive Job Candidate

You’ve landed the job interview. Now it’s time to present yourself to the hiring manager. You want to show the potential employer your strengths and convince them you’re the ideal candidate for the position. But while managers want to hire people they believe can do the job, they are also looking for workers with whom they can connect because they realize the right candidate must also fit comfortably into their company.

The answer to landing your dream job lies in clicking with potential employers. Remember, hiring managers are not all about work history and experience. They are also human beings and tend to be drawn to people to whom they are attracted. This is not a physical attraction but an interpersonal attraction that makes you more interesting than other candidates.

Here are some attributes—all under your control–which can help build that comfortable feeling between you and the hiring manager.

Be enthusiastic, yet respectful

Hiring managers love candidates who are sincerely upbeat and energetic. If you’re not excited during the interview, how enthusiastic will you be on the job? You don’t have to be bubbly or giddy, but a cheerful candidate makes a positive impression on any interviewer.

On the other hand, don’t let your zeal cause you to forget your manners. Creating a comfortable feeling with the interviewer does not begin with bringing a coffee to the interview or taking one last look at your phone messages after you sit down. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ never go out of style, and giving the interviewer your undivided attention is the best way to form a bond with them.

Let the interviewer know you are intellectually curious and passionate

Intellectual curiosity means you’re looking to continuously learn and better yourself. If you research the company you’re applying to and then ask pertinent questions about them, you’ll be indicating you did your homework to find out how you can best fit there.

Similarly, you demonstrate a passion for the industry when you follow it closely enough to be able to discuss it with the manager. Curiosity and passion are two very appealing attributes that suggest you are not merely satisfied with the status quo and are open to changes and bringing in new ideas.

Show your confident and professional side

Because you are being scrutinized during an interview, it can be one of the most challenging experiences you’ll go through. By looking your interviewer in the eye and answering questions with confidence, you will gain their admiration. Being professional, which includes dressing properly, arriving on time and maintaining appropriate conversation topics, are attributes almost anyone can develop and display. Put some work in practicing for the interview; it will pay hefty dividends.

Find the right job and make your impression

Finding your way through the job market can be a tricky and time-consuming process. When you work with a staffing company, they can add significant value to your job search and your career. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today or search for a new job here.

Use These Tips When Prepping for an Interview

You’ve been invited for a job interview. That’s good news! You’re probably confident you’ll do well because you’re qualified for the position. But while you want to be confident during the interview, don’t let overconfidence keep you from preparing properly. The time you put into prepping for your interview will keep your anxiety at bay and give you a confident demeanor.

So, how exactly do you prep for a job interview? Well, there are a few things you can do to get yourself ready for the challenge. Remember, there will be other competent applicants. Follow these suggestions and give yourself the upper hand.

Arrive with an updated resume

When you update your resume, highlight your skills. Potential employers want to know what expertise you can bring to their company. It makes little sense to include pointless paragraphs about your objectives when your skills and accomplishments are what will get the attention of the hiring manager. Showcase your relevant experience and let them know what distinguishes you from the other candidates.

Dress to impress

No matter what kind of work you’re looking for, don’t dress down for the interview. While it may not be necessary to wear a suit if you’re a candidate for a light industrial job, it’s certainly not inappropriate. And if you’re applying for an executive position, anything but a suit would be inappropriate. If you have any doubts about what to wear, it’s better to err on the side of formality. Rule of thumb for interview clothing: straightforward and classic is safer than complicated and trendy.

Practice, practice, practice

Take the time to practice answering questions you’ll be asked by the hiring manager. You can find sample interview questions and answers on various internet sites. Look them up and start practicing. For better results, practice in front of a mirror so you can see your facial expressions and body language. Then, interview with a friend or family member. Keep practicing until you’re confident this is how you want to present yourself.

 Put Your Best Foot Forward

Looking professional in an interview, arriving prepared and having an attention-grabbing resume are critical components of landing your next job. Much of the work of convincing an employer you’re the best candidate is done by these three elements. Don’t forget them in preparing for the interview, and you’ll set yourself apart from the other candidates.

Find the right job and make your impression

Finding your way through the job market can be a tricky and time-consuming process. When you work with a staffing company, they can add significant value to your job search and your career. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today or search for a new job here.

Advice for Getting off to a Good Start in Your New Job

You already know the importance of first impressions. Now that you have been hired, you are once again going to be faced with trying to look good on your first days with a new employer and co-workers.

You may be somewhat nervous, and if you’re like most people, you tend to make more mistakes when you’re anxious. Your new co-workers and bosses will probably be understanding about your initial jitters. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be under a microscope. They will be making judgments about the type of person you are and whether you take yourself and your job seriously.

Yes, first impressions are important because they often become lasting impressions. You get one chance to make a good first impression.

Here are a few suggestions to help you.

Dress professionally

People make a judgment about you within a few seconds of meeting you, and the way you dress can have a significant impact on that first impression. Those in your new environment could equate appropriately dressed and groomed with efficiency and reliability, while unkempt might indicate you’re disorganized and possibly untrustworthy.

Show up with a good attitude

Everyone’s first impression of you will be bolstered if you arrive at your new job with a positive attitude. Concentrate on showing your enthusiasm for this opportunity to be part of a team that works together to solve problems and get things done. Be sure to listen and absorb during those first days. It’s okay to contribute an opinion; however, do more listening or you could run the risk of being seen as a know-it-all who’s looking for attention.

Ask questions, then show gratitude

Ask questions those first few days on the job. You aren’t expected to know everything, and it’s better to communicate and ask questions than to head off in the wrong direction trying to complete a task.

Show your appreciation to everyone who is helping you learn the ropes during your first days. Giving recognition to those who are helping you to adapt to your new job will go a long way toward making a good first impression.

Find the right job and make your impression

Finding your way through the job market can be a tricky and time-consuming process. When you work with a staffing company, they can add significant value to your job search and your career. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. Contact us today or search for a new job here.

Don’t Love Your Job?

You’ve spent an enjoyable weekend with family or friends. Now it’s early Sunday evening, and that familiar feeling is starting, just like it does every week at this time. It’s the gloom that comes over you because you’re reminded that Monday morning is up next, and you will be returning to your job for another five days of unhappiness.

You’ve been told for years that happiness is a choice, so you’re left to wonder why you can’t be happy at work. After all, this career is what you have worked toward since high school, and now you’ve achieved success and seem to have everything you’ve ever wanted. You reason there must be something wrong with you, but you may be overly self-critical.

A Gallup survey from 2014 reveals that fewer than one in three workers feel engaged at their job. And if the problem of job discontent is so widespread, you probably should ask yourself what you can do to change the situation. How do you join the lucky one-third who expresses satisfaction with their work?

Consider these steps:

Begin with some soul-searching

Ask yourself what’s keeping you in your current rut. Maybe it’s not your career but your boss or the organization that’s the source of your misery. In that case, a change of venue within the same career might be in order.

 If it turns out you no longer want to do that type of work, you must identify a role that would be a better fit.

 Answer a few key questions

  • What am I passionate about?
  • What makes me curious?
  • What would I be doing if money wasn’t a consideration?
  • What kind of work would I be excited to tell my family and friends about?

What you’ll be trying to do is make an educated guess about what kind of work you might enjoy. Once you do that, look for activities or people who can tell you more about these jobs.

Build a network

You might not be aware of the power of a network, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking. Recruiters and hiring managers typically consult their networks before they ever post a job opening, so it stands to reason that building a reliable network is one of the keys to finding career opportunities.

Help others help you

Be ready to talk to others about yourself by developing a short pitch about your passions and strengths. Tell them what kind of role you’re seeking. That way, when something relevant comes up, they’ll have you in mind.

And you don’t have to stick with one narrative. Watch the reactions you get, and if your pitch doesn’t seem to be resonating, redo it.

Need help finding another job?

We can help. Staffing companies have the networks to help you find the right job for you. Stride Staffing’s goal is to build stronger connections between employers and individuals by doing staffing differently. Really. For more information on working with us contact us today  or search for a job.

5 Tips for Writing Your Best Resume

A poorly written and improperly structured resume could eliminate you from consideration for the position you’ve been hoping to land. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have the time to completely read every resume during the first round, so they scan through them. And if your resume is not easy to read and follow, it could be rejected immediately and never make it to round two.

There are different ways to format your resume, and the format you choose will depend on where you are in your career. For instance, if you’re a recent college grad, you will highlight your academic accomplishments. If you have gaps in your employment history, you’ll focus on your skills to draw less attention to those gaps.

Of course, having the right credentials for a job opening is critical. But the importance of creating a resume with a solid structure cannot be minimized. Here are some ideas.

1. Make it readable

Since your resume will likely be scanned the first time, make sure it’s easy to read. Use a standard font—Arial or Helvetica—and stay at 10 or 12 point. Use italic and bold typeface where it’s needed to guide the reader’s eye, and use bullet points to call attention to your qualifications and accomplishments.

2. Choose a format and tailor it to the industry in which you’re applying

The chronological format is the one most people use. It lists a reverse chronology of your work history. In other words, your latest job is first on the list. A functional format lists your skills instead of dates of employment. A combined format lists your skills with your employment history below them.

 3. Choose accomplishments over a job description

Companies are looking for candidates that can help them solve their problems. Show them how you can do that by focusing on how you solved similar problems in your former jobs. Explain to the hiring manager what you did in the job, not just what the job was about. A short job description should be followed by a list of what you accomplished in the job.

 4. Emphasize your work experience

Unless you have recently graduated from college, list your job title, company, and dates of employment under the “Work Experience” section near the top. List your accomplishments and responsibilities for each job using bullet points instead of paragraphs.

List your education at the bottom. If you have previous work experience, you can omit GPA’s and any honors you received since the main thrust of your resume is your work experience, skills, and accomplishments.

5. Have a “Career Summary” instead of “Objectives”

Objectives tend to sound the same: “I’m looking for a challenging position where I can use my skills…” But a Career Summary can grab their attention by telling them what you have already done and how your accomplishments show that you will be able to meet their needs.

Need help with your resume?

Having an attention-grabbing resume is critical to landing your next job. We can help. Contact us today to learn more or search for a job.

Stay Fit! Good Health Can Benefit You and Your Job

We all know we should be exercising and eating right, but it’s often easier to head straight home after work rather than hitting the gym. And, stopping for fast food along the way will save the time and energy required for a healthful meal.

Now, here’s one more item to put on the list of benefits that are derived from staying fit and eating right—it can make you more productive both at home and at work. And if you’re wondering if you must train for a half-marathon to get those benefits, you can relax. You‘ll need to do activities that raise your heart rate, but you won’t have to do any ten-mile runs.

As for eating right, there are many eating plans similar to the Paleo Diet that will set you on the path to good health, especially when they are combined with eight hours of sleep and a commitment to exercise.

Here’s how it can help you and your career.

Exercise can grow your brain

Exercise uses more brain cells than many other activities, and new research has discovered that we can foster the growth of new brain cells during exercise. In other words, the more you use it, the more it grows. So, when you exercise, you’re giving your brain a workout along with your body.

 A good diet helps you to think clearly

If you are skipping meals or eating the wrong foods, you might find it difficult to do your job properly. That’s because the lack of regular healthy meals can be a substantial drain on your brain, making it hard for you to concentrate without becoming distracted. If you deprive your brain of blood glucose and protein by not eating the right foods, you will lose your energy and your ability to think clearly.

Exercise improves your attitude

People who exercise tend to have a positive attitude in all aspects of their lives. Working out gives them a feeling of well-being that translates into higher productivity. They respond energetically to issues as they come up, looking for solutions and coming up with ideas to efficiently complete their tasks. Exercise can also be a powerful antidote to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Being fit can eliminate mental sluggishness

Want to be sharper at work? Get into the habit of exercising. People who exercise regularly are more alert because it has been shown to increase the amount of space in your brain to think about things. So, the next time you’re thinking about skipping a scheduled workout, remember that it can help you think on your feet during your next presentation or help you pay attention during someone else’s boring one.

Are you looking for a new job?

Stride Staffing can help you find a great job.  We work with great companies who are looking to bring awesome people onto their team. Search for a job or contact us to learn more!