Is networking part of your job hunt?

Active job seekers know the value of networking. It is a great way to meet other professionals in your industry and make connections that last for years to come.  As important as networking is, often times making these types of connections can be intimidating. So, whether you have a couple of connections already or are just starting out, here are our top three networking tips to help you get exposure in the job market.  Read the rest of this entry »

Job hunting? Check out the benefits of working with a staffing agency.

In recent years almost every professional field has become more and more competitive, making it difficult and stressful to find a job. Job-hunting certainly takes a lot of time, patience and dedication in order to craft the right messages and deliver them one at a time. But there is no reason to try to do this alone; employment agencies are a great asset for active job seekers. Here are some benefits of choosing employment agencies in your quest to find the right job.

Get a team. Employment agencies act as your representative. Job seekers don’t have to hand out tens or hundreds of resumes and cover letters one at a time or try to get potential interviews alone. At JPS, our staffing managers are always ready and available to represent you in your job search. Read the rest of this entry »

Celebrating 25 Years In Business!

To err is human, but did you know there are certain mistakes an interviewee can make that can hurt their chances of getting the job? We have searched far and wide for the most common interview blunders an interviewee can make. Here are the top five mistakes and how they can be avoided.

Arriving late. We have all heard about this one over and over again, but arriving late is one of the most common interview mistakes interviewees make. The problem is obvious; arriving late to the interview gives the impression of disregard for the interviewer’s time and Read the rest of this entry »

Tips to make the best first impression at a job interview.

Have you struck out on your past couple of interviews? Maybe you haven’t had much experience interviewing? A lot of the times interviewees can get caught up in the excitement of an opportunity and forget about the essentials. In last week’s post we touched on why an employer should take the time to make a good first impression on interviewees, however, most of the pressure can fall on you. Here are some ways to help make the best first impression and land the job.  Read the rest of this entry »

Do you know what steps to take to get hired in 2013?

More and more news outlets are reporting a hiring boom in 2013. Companies are gearing up to hire in the New Year and as the new business cycle starts you can take steps to ensure you get hired for the job. So with all this talk about the workforce changing and hiring rates growing, here are some tips to help you get hired in 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

What are your career goals for 2013?

Every business professional is looking for one thing and one thing only, success in their field of work. Success can be described differently, depending on the individuals’ wants and needs, but at the end of the day, we all have one thing in common: the desire to better ourselves. With 2012 wrapping up, the New Year is the perfect time to start thinking about setting career goals to propel us to the next level. Here are some tips to help you set meaningful career goals in 2013. Read the rest of this entry »

Crafting an Effective Cover Letter

A cover letter is just as important as the resume you hand in as part of your job application.  The cover letter is your chance to sell yourself to your potential employer and give them reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Let’s go through the entire document and review the key areas at the beginning, middle and end of an effective cover letter. Read the rest of this entry »

10 Interview Tips to Get You Hired

If you have become a professional job seeker, then you know that finding the right position can take some time. From the resume and interview process to first impressions and follow up, here are ten tips to help you get you hired once and for all.

Tip 1 – Resume
One of the most important parts of the hiring process is the resume.  Carefully craft your resume so it’s slightly differently for each position you apply to.  This will give you a greater advantage in getting an interview.

Tip 2 – Cover Letter
You are not preparing just any old cover letter or a simple introduction about yourself; you are writing a pitch letter that explains why you are the best candidate for the job. Take advantage of the extra opportunity to sell yourself and highlight some of your skills before the interview. Read the rest of this entry »

“All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them.”
- Walt Disney

Goals are what drive innovation.  Goals propel people to do amazing, extraordinary things.  And goals are what have turned seemingly ordinary individuals into leaders of industry.

So, what’s your goal?

Not sure?  Unhappy with your answer?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  Goal Setting 101 isn’t a popular class at many universities.  It’s not something that many of our young children are taught in elementary school.  But it should be!  Setting goals is the foundation for career success.

Where should you start with setting long-term goals?

Here are a few tips from the career experts at Josephine’s Personnel Services:

1. Determine what you want.
   Sounds like common sense, but it really is the first step to setting goals.  Some people are looking for an even mix between work/family.  Others only want part-time work so they can focus on raising children.  Still others want to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible.  Pinpointing what you really want is the first step to setting your long-term career goals.

1. Develop a road map.
   Most vacations don’t start by just jumping in the car and driving.  Instead, you begin with a map and directions.  You know what stands in between you and your desired destination, and you have clear direction on how to get there.
   The same is true with your career.  Look at where you want to go and work backwards.  Examine every step and every turn to determine what you need to do to reach your career destination.

1. Find a mentor.
   Mentors can play a very important role in your career success.  They can help keep you on target.  They can help with making connections.  And they can share mistakes they’ve made along the way so that you can learn from them instead of making the same mistakes yourself.To find a mentor, look at your industry.  Who are the biggest influencers?   Who are the leaders?  Learn from them.  Connect with them.  Ask questions.
2. Never stop learning.
   The world is constantly moving.  Technology is always changing.  You will need to adapt and learn new skills.  Invest in yourself and seek out new training opportunities.  These might come in the form of classes, certification courses or simply reading new books.
3. Self-evaluate.
   Finally, make sure you continually self-evaluate.  Take time at least once a year to sit down and recap what’s happened.  Examine the past year and ask yourself if you’re closer to your end goal.  Make sure you stay on target and you continue to move forward.  If you get off track, it’s okay.  But it’s important to recognize that and get back on course quickly!

Bonus tip: Contact Jospehine’s Professional Staffing

As a leading employment agency in Santa Claraand beyond, we have helped thousands of people find truly rewarding careers.  Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your career goals.

It is said that in the professional world, a candidate can have all the experience in the world, but if they can’t write well, they’re not the best candidate for the job.

Writing has become so crucial in so many industries that it’s always best to have a strong foundation of writing before hitting the job-seeking circuit.

Don’t have a lot of published articles in an industry magazine?

These days, it’s almost unnecessary. Social media and blogging have made it so easy for anyone to post content online for all to see. There can be some challenges, situations for what to post and what not to post, and factors to consider when you think about starting up on any social media platform.

What’s the most important issue to face before you start a blog? Privacy.

What are you going to be posting? If you already have a blog, does it contain stuff you wouldn’t necessarily want an employer to read? Are you planning on starting your own technology blog to get ahead in the tech world? It’s best you don’t include posts about your dog, what you had to eat, or how you passed off potty training your child to your spouse. Keep it specific to the industry you are looking to advance in.

Just remember, no matter what you want to write about, if it’s there, they will find it. The Internet isn’t some closed door, behind-the-scenes, hub of all your innermost secrets. In fact, employers know they’ll find you on the Internet and they will look. Do your best to appear professional no matter what.

So you’ve established what you want to write about on your new blog? Here are some tips to remember to be as effective and efficient as possible.

• Whether or not you’re unemployed, always have a copy of your resume listed on the website for easy reference. If someone is looking to your blog for advice, you want to have your experience listed for better credibility.
• Keep up with industry trends and write about them. There’s nothing wrong with gathering ideas from other blogs, so long as you add your own twist and rephrase! (Note: There is a lot wrong with plagiarizing.
• It cannot be reiterated enough as to how much you should keep an eye on what you write. Writing blogs on the Internet can be easily tracked and copied. Be conscious of how you want to portray yourself. A litany of swear words and displays of bigotry or other unsavory traits will be remembered.
• Use social media to amp up the readership of your blog. You can use your personal Twitter handle or you can create another one specific to the blog. Either way you go about it, just remember, you are representing your own personal brand. Conduct yourself the way you want to be seen.
• Follow the basics of social media marketing when you’re on any of the platforms. Remain professional, engage with your audiences, take criticisms in stride, and try to be diplomatic as often as you can stomach it.

For more tips on how to use social media and blogging to promote your own personal brand, please visit the Josephine’s Professional Staffing website.