Indianapolis Careers

Picture yourself in this scenario:

You just got back to your computer and are anxiously trying to get into your e-mail to see if you've received feedback yet from the company you interviewed with last week.  As soon as you login the company's e-mail address instantly jumps out at you and you cannot click on the message fast enough to see what it says.  You begin reading the words, "We enjoyed meeting with you and learning about your career path...."  You then read a little further and you see, "...but at this time we have decided to pursue other avenues."  You're not just devastated, you are mad.  You can't understand why they didn't pick you.  This is natural...we all want to understand why weren't picked for something we were so excited about.  However, it is important that you not let the situation get you so down that you lose your confidence. Instead use this as a learning opportunity.   Below, I have outlined for you some of the Do's and Don'ts of how to respond after receiving a rejection letter or phone call. 

• DON'T instantly pick up the phone and call the hiring manager to demand an explanation for not being selected for the job opening.
   
• DON'T call all of your friends and tell them what a bad company XYZ company is because they didn't hire you for your dream job.
   
• DON'T try to replay the entire interview back in your head and analyze every answer you provided.
   
• DO ask politely for further feedback on your interview.  Even if the company decided not to fill the position they may still be able to provide you with valuable feedback that you can transfer to future interviews as you continue your Indianapolis job search.
   
• DO ask where other candidates more closely hit the mark and you maybe fell a little short.  Maybe it is the computer skills needed for the position and you can easily take a couple of online courses to improve your skills and knowledge.  Maybe other candidates had a certification that you do not, but have been contemplating going after.  Not only will this help you further develop yourself for future opportunities, but it will also give you an idea of hiring trends in your industry. 
   
• DO write down the good answers that you provided to  questions, along with those that you could have worded a little differently.  This will help in your preparation for your next interview.  Also, if you are working with an Indianapolis staffing firm, ask them if you can run some answers past them to get more feedback. 

Rejection is never easy to deal with, especially when it pertains to your next career move.  However, the way in which you respond to that rejection is what will set you apart in future interviews. 

 

I am a natural born cynic.  No, I take that back...I am sure I was not born that way, but my environment and experiences over time have shaped my outlook on life to be a little bit more on the "verify" side of Ronald Reagan's signature phrase "Trust but Verify".  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not one to actively seek out the bad in all situations.  Quite the opposite, actually.  I am typically very upbeat and easygoing.  My friends consider me fun to be around. (You might want to verify that one).  Over time, however, I have moved away from blind trust and "taking your word for it" when navigating through day to day situations. 



This is actually a very good trait to have and I am not just telling you that because of my own awareness of my level of cynicism.  It is important to weigh your options and ask specific (and sometimes many) questions before you simply accept things for what they appear to be.  This is something many of us do when making big decisions like buying a house or a car.  I challenge you to "pause" regularly to consider your options or to "verify" the facts with any transaction that has an impact on your life, your year, your day or even the moment if it is important enough. 

For example, when you meet someone for the first time, you don't know if they will have an impact (good or bad) on your life in some way.  Take a moment to learn about them, peel back the layers of the onion and genuinely be interested in something about them before you pass judgment.  A wise man (my dad) once told me that very rarely is something exactly what it appears to be.  Perhaps that was my first lesson in "trust but verify" but it has served me well.

Take your Indianapolis job search, for another example.  This impacts you significantly.  It is very necessary to have a job and the process of finding a job (particularly of late) can be overwhelming.  So what do we do?  We move as quickly as we can through the process of identifying and applying to Indianapolis job openings and away we go.  I challenge you that this is the perfect time to pause, even though the situation of not having a job or being in the wrong job makes it very hard to consider moving more slowly.  The "trust but verify" approach here will serve you well.  I promise.

Instead of the scatter approach to your job search, take the time to filter your options to those that you "trust" are the best match for you.  Rely on your personal and professional networks to educate you on current hiring trends in your field of interest and to offer you insights to the good, bad and ugly of the local marketplace and in your chosen career track.
Once you have your list, it is time to verify.  Do your research on the company, the industry and the specifics around the position.  The first two are easy to do with all of the research options at your virtual fingertips.  The position details will take some more work.  Engage in social media outlets that connect you to others who work in the industry, for that company or in a similar role.  If the opportunity to interview presents itself, use that initial engagement to verify that your understanding of the position match the expectations of the supervisor or the company.

Once you advance in the interview process, it is time to verify the cultural fit.  A  big shiny building with cutting edge technology might have nothing within the structure of the building to support what is important to you.  Going with your gut has it's place and time and but nothing can take the place of asking questions in different ways to get to the answer you are really looking for.  Just be prepared that the risk is that it might not be the answer you want.  Most of the time we don't dig deeper because we fear that our perception will be shattered for a reality that we no longer want or like.  Better now than later, I say.

Verifying can be uncomfortable, even in the most basic of situations.  I was shopping in a local jeans establishment the other day and when the clerk rang up my total it sounded a little high for me.  I mentioned that and the clerk brushed my concern aside.  I paid, left and still felt something was not quite right.  I looked in my bag and compared my purchases with the receipt and discovered that I had been charged for the same pair of jeans THREE times.  I went back to have it corrected and was surprised when there was no apology for the error, only the comment "I am so glad you caught that".  The only thing "Lucky" about that experience was that I trusted for a moment and then verified.

I encourage you to do the same. 

At That's Good HR, Inc. we are acutely aware of the need to trust your choice in Indianapolis recruiters.  The job search process is not the place to trust until you verify.  Once you do your verification, your chances that you will have the right guidance and support throughout your process increase exponentially.

This post was written and published around this time last year. We felt like it was useful for many and therefore we have pulled it out, dusted it off and republished as a quick reminder and guide to all of the students out there who are anxiously looking forward to the upcoming holidays and the brief respite they may bring from your studies.

If you are a current college student it's probably your first week of holiday break and you are literally brain dead after cramming for final presentations, projects and exams.  So you are at home in your sweats, propped up on the couch and your plan for the next 3-4 weeks is to be a couch potato while watching old episodes of "Jersey Shore" and to keep tabs on what your friends are doing all break through Facebook.  Believe me, that sounds awesome...and I don't blame you for taking some time for yourself after a hectic semester.  However, I would urge you to at least spend a little bit of your break focusing on your future career.  In a time when internships and entry level jobs are scarce and your competition is getting more fierce, you have to be able to set yourself apart to employers.  I have compiled a short list of items that you could do during break to make yourself more aware of current hiring trends and what Indianapolis job openings may be available after graduation. 

1.  Review the logs on file through the career center websites that list types positions held by alumnus in your field of study.  Write down a few of the top positions that are of interest to you and do some research in order to get a better feel for where your strengths and interests would be best suited. 

2. Schedule an informational interview.  Talk to your friends and family to see if anyone can help you get an informal, informational interview with a company that has positions similar to the ones on which you have targeted your search.   

3. Job shadow: This is very similar to the informational interview but a little more in depth.  This is a great way to really see "A day in the life of______".  There is no better way to figure out if a position is fit for you than to actually see the work first hand. 

4. Give your resume some TLC and spend some time beefing it up a little bit.  A good way to start is by translating your educational experince into relevant "work" experience.  Add any organizational involvement onto your resume and detail out any skills that are utilized in the work you perform for those organizations.  (If you aren't involved with any organizations, you better get involved quickly!)  I would also recommend having a few HR Professionals or headhunters review it so that you can get the perspectives of a few different people within various industries.  These conversations might also lead to potential Indianapolis job openings!

Again, I know it's not that exciting to think about doing "work" on your break, but if you spend this little bit of time and effort on preparing yourself for your job/internship search, the results will definitely pay off.  At That's Good HR, working with new grads and college students is one of our favorite things to do so if you are seeking career advice, summer or seasonal work be sure to give us a ring!

Have you said those words recently?  I know I have!  Whether its sharing an app that tracks my exercise for the week or discussing the new CareerBuilder app which gives Indianapolis employers and recruiters a chance to review resumes on their smart phones, we are all talking about our smart phones.  It seems that every company is coming out with an app for something!  With the new technology it seems that we can't do anything without our smart phone in our hand...let's face it according to this survey taken by Career-Builder, we are using our phones everywhere...and I do mean everywhere! 

The beauty of the smart phone is that most of us can stay connected and take care of any issues that arise at any time without actually being in the office.  But what happens when we are in the office?  If you are like most, you are not only getting your work email on your phone but also your personal email, Facebook and LinkedIn updates, Tweets and text messages from friends and family that don't talk to you much any more because of the hustle and bustle of daily life.  So the question arises, how do we resist the urge to look on our smart phone at that hilarious status update your best friend just posted on Facebook while sitting in a boring meeting with your boss and co-workers?  Or maybe CareerBuilder just sent you a notice about a new job in Indianapolis that got posted today that is just the job you have been looking for?  No one will know what you are looking at, right??  The truth is they may not know for sure but once doubt is created it's very difficult to overcome!  The last thing you want is your boss to think you are playing on Facebook or looking for a new job on your smart phone...especially if they are footing the bill (partially or completely).  So while smart phones may make it easier to find a job than ever before, follow these tips to make sure your smart phone doesn't land you in the unemployment line!   

• Keep your phone in your desk drawer, purse or pants pocket to avoid the temptation to pick it up and play with it.  Chances are once you pick it up and start one thing, you will be on it for 15 minutes without even blinking an eye!  Trust me, I've done that one before!

• Let's face it - life happens and sometimes you have sick kids (or parents) to worry about so if you are expecting an important call or text message give your boss a heads up.  They will appreciate your honesty and this should eliminate any doubt that might be created if they catch you on your phone (talking or texting) during work hours. Just don't take advantage of this tactic.

• Use your lunch hour to catch up on your smart phone via social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and text your family/friends back about where to have dinner that night at that time.  The wonderful thing about smart phones is you can use them anywhere, so while you are waiting in line for your lunch or munching down by yourself you can get your daily mental check out without being tied to your computer. Just don't slow down the drive through lines at the local fast food restaurant so you can finish a call!

• Take direction from upper management and follow cell phone usage policies put in place by your employer.  Most policies are outdated and still only include personal calls but with smart phones the policy could include anything from checking personal email, looking at Twitter updates or even checking out www.thatsgoodhr.com for a new job in Indianapolis!  If you aren't sure about the policy then ask HR or management before picking up your phone the next time the green light is flashing with an update you just 'have' to know about.

• Last but not least... if it is brought to your attention that you are using your smart phone to an extent that your employer is not happy or comfortable with, correct it immediately!  The worst thing you can do is to become defensive.  Employers will doubt your sincerity about correcting the excessive smart phone usage if you don't own up to your mistake and promise to take corrective action immediately. 

Don't let your smart phone make you look stupid...use common sense and while at work, make sure you are working. Your long and successful career will thank you.

I was recently contacted by Ed Wenck with WIBC to give our company's viewpoint on the current "pulse" of the Indianapolis job market.  Wow...what a tough question to answer.  This is literally the million dollar question that we get asked every day.  I knew I couldn't respond with, "It depends", but that is honestly what I wanted to say.  The current hiring trends and overall health of the Indianapolis job market vary greatly based on industry and functional area.  I prefaced my comments to Ed by saying that my viewpoint is exclusive to what we see, hear, and experience through our clients and candidates.  Although not all-inclusive, I do feel like we interact with a variety of industries and functional areas to give a sound response. 

In summary, we feel as though things are still continuing to improve...especially when compared to the job market this time last year.  The majority of the Indianapolis direct hire job openings that are coming through our doors are in accounting, finance, human resources and operations.   On the contract side of our business, there seems to be a good mix of accounting and administrative/customer service opportunities.  The majority of the Indianapolis job openings (and really Indiana as a whole) seem to be focused in the following industries: manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and financial services/public accounting.  However, there isn't a consistent theme on the level of positions that are opening up.  One month we might have mostly mid level type positions and the next month we have mostly senior level positions, and then the cycles continues.  Because of this, it does make it difficult to predict the market to that degree.  The job market and one's abillity to make a career move is still going to be a matter of timing.  And unfortunately one statistic that isn't changing is the speed in which companies are getting through their hiring proces.  But, this post is focused on the positive aspect of the job market, so I'm going to move on and not dwell on that last comment.   So although we still can't predict the market as well as we might've been able to a couple of years ago, we're definitely gaining momentum and that's a great start!

If you are interested in having an Indianapolis Recruiter assist with managing your career, please contact of one our recruiters here at That's Good HR.  We can be your extra eyes and ears on the job market and make you aware of  positions that are opening up that might not ever make it to the job boards.  We can also be your advisor on new positions and help you through the process of weighing the opportunity against your key criteria in making a change.

P.S. Yahoo! Finance posted an article entitled "5 Places With Good Jobs And Cheap Housing".... and Indy made the list!  How exciting!  As the article mentions, our state has a very strong job outlook and low cost of living that makes it enticing to keep our top talent within state lines. 

I know it is not news to anyone that it is HOT outside. The temps are rising, but it does not appear that hiring trends are following the lead of the weather. This week we have some news from the Secretary of Labor about how to work in excessive heat and some "cooling off" labor market updates from SHRM and Careerbuilder. Do you know some horrible bosses? We have some tips that might sound familiar. The good news is that according to a recent story in the IBJ, State officials say Indiana is flush with cash reserves because of an improving economy and deep budget cuts made over the past year. Stay cool out there!
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Paycheck pickup...make sure you understand the laws: Can an organization require employees to pick up their paychecks only at specific times and dates? Can the company require employees to sign up for direct deposit? Review this article focusing on the laws govern such actions. (HRE online)

2011 Mid-Year Job Forecast from Careerbuilder: CareerBuilder just released their interesting job expectations for the remainder of 2011. The report highlights some very encouraging figures for the U.S. job market. (recruiter.com)

Looking for the perfect Employee? Be Specific About What you Want: Detailed Job Descriptions are critical in finding the perfect employee (Net-temps.com)

As the Temps rise, hiring Cools in the US.: U.S. manufacturers and service-sector companies will add jobs at a lower rate in July 2011 than in July 2010, and HR professionals are still struggling to recruit workers for key positions. (SHRM.org)

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on excessive heat across the country: (Dept of Labor)

Sure signs that you Might Be a Horrible Boss: From the results of a recent survey of over 200 business professionals, here are the top twelve body language behaviors of less-than-ideal bosses. (Forbes)

Make sure your wellness incentives are rewarding the right behaviors: Forgetting the golden rule and rewarding wrong people are among the top four reasons Sykes lists for why employee wellness incentives fail. (Benefit News)

Employees want caring over cash: According to a recent survey conducted by Monster.com and Unum, the top-rated item on would-be employees’ wish lists is a company “that truly cares about the well-being of its employees.”

Local IT consultancy plans to add 200 jobs: An Indianapolis-based information technology consultancy plans to lease additional office space on the city’s north-east side to make way for a planned addition of 200 workers by 2015.

Working the mobile way is becoming business as usual: “Nearly one third of small-business owners tell us that they check their mobile device before they brush their teeth in the morning, which really signals the growing importance of mobile devices for conducting business today.” (portfolio.com)

Interesting Stats on Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses By Occupation: There were 1,238,490 cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. (recruiter.com)

I am not an actively social person. I am fortunate to have married a man who is equally private about his life so together we live a fairly introverted and quiet life. I like it this way because for the most part, I am not interested in the opinions of others when it comes to things that I feel are personal (child-rearing, religion, politics, money, etc). That said, I came to the realization over the weekend that even for those of us who run away to the country most weekends, we cannot escape the importance of community. You cannot and should not expect to "do it all" on your own, particularly when there are others available and interested in helping you in a way that makes your life a little better.

This really became clear to me over the July 4th weekend on a number of fronts.

• At That's Good HR, we like to have fun. In the spirit of originality in our quest for fun, two of our staff members decided to celebrate Christmas in July. They planned and executed an entire day dedicated to traveling around Indianapolis and spreading some July 4th cheer to our local client community. Without our loyal Indianapolis staffing customers, where would we be? This is a community of people call us for much more than simply need us to provide a service. They call us just to talk, to check in and to see how we are doing. They provide us with referrals to other customers and they are not afraid to tell us when we need to do something better.

• My husband has been searching for a boat to buy for over a year. This weekend he finally found what he was looking for and just in time for a perfect boating weekend. As we spent much of the weekend on the lake with a boat that we were still learning how to use, the importance of the boating community became clear. Boaters are wonderful people. Your ticket to entry is a boat. After that, anyone is willing to help you along in your quest to become an active and competent participant in this community. We had a number of little glitches along the way this weekend and there was always someone there willing to offer help. As I idled by the loading dock waiting for my husband to bring down the trailer, I observed the dynamics of boaters loading and unloading and the constant activity of strangers helping each other as challenges presented themselves.

• My neighbor is working on a website dedicated to supporting the cancer community. It is unique in many ways and as this site prepares to launch, testing of the site usability and functionality is in full swing. As we were talking about this project over the weekend, I was amazed to hear about all of the people who have experienced cancer in any way (patient, survivor, caregiver) who are so willing to participate in helping others in the cancer community. I have not personally had experience with cancer, thankfully, but if I ever do, it was heartwarming to hear that I would not be alone in my journey.

It was a thoughtful weekend for me as I believe that we can take for granted the strength of the communities that surround us. Typically I think about networks and support as it relates to Indianapolis staffing and HR as this is where my focus is day to day. These are important communities to engage as they will carry you through good times and bad in your career so take good care of the relationships you have within these communities. Don't forget to look around and recognize other communities that can help to make your life better in many ways big and small.

Another banner week for umbrella sales in Indianapolis. Some good information in the news this week to keep close for a rainy day when those HR issues come to knock on your door. Someone wants a raise? Someone telling you to pay them overtime for working on their Blackberry at night? Trying to make some sense of "reasonable accommodation? Good employees leaving? Difficult employees staying? Read on for some great HR tips in this week's news update. We would love to talk to you more about these and other employment related issues!
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Did you know that one in three of your workers on their way out the door?  Yes, it is true, according a recent study conducted by Mercer LLC. What can you do about it? (Bloomberg News)

Understanding the psychology behind the 'Difficult' Employee: A new study finds that about one in five workers have a personality disorder that negatively impacts their career. (hreonline)

Someone asking for a raise? Maybe they are asking because they think it is the only way to get one. How to Handle a Raise Request (Harvard Business Review)

Confused about what constitutes a reasonable accommodation for disabled employees Under ADA? A panel of experts met at the EEOC to discuss the use of leave from work as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. (tlnt.com)

Working on a social media policy and have no idea where to start? There are some great tips in this ebook from Blogging4jobs.com.

Pay attention to what the Fair Labor Association is doing to strengthen its standards for recruitment. The new Code of Conduct requires companies to establish human resource management policies and procedures along the entire factory employment lifecycle, from recruitment and hiring to terms and conditions of employment, administration of compensation, work rules and discipline, and termination and retrenchment. (Recruiter.com)

What to do when the DOL makes an unannounced visit: The unannounced on-site visit is a common tactic employed by Wage & Hour Division investigators, particularly when dealing with small employers who may not fully understand their legal rights. (wagehourinsights)

Be sure to get a handle on the use of BlackBerry Devices and Smart Phones Off-the-Clock: As these devices become more affordable, more nonexempt employees are receiving them from employers, raising Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour concerns. (shrm.org)

US Labor Department announces $48.7 million to fund re-employment, eligibility assessments for unemployment insurance in 37 states and D.C. (dol.gov)

What the Wal-Mart court decision could mean to employers: The Supreme Court threw out a sweeping sex-discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc., ruling Monday that the 1.6 million women allegedly victimized had too little in common to form a single class of plaintiffs. (WSJ)

Insights on state immigration law proceedings: A federal judge grilled an attorney for the state of Indiana on Monday about the state's new immigration law, questioning how police would enforce the law and saying one of its provisions conflicts with federal law. (iBJ)

Back in May I posted a blog about taking your mother's advice that was in response to an article from http://hrpeople.monster.com.   The same site had a similar article about the life lessons we learn from Dad that can also be applied to our careers.  Since we just celebrated Father's Day this past weekend, I thought it was appropriate to also honor our fathers and the advice they give us by sharing this article. 

When reading through this article, the 3 quotes that hit home the most with me were the following:

• "No pain.  No gain."  Wise words from Benjamin Franklin that we still use today.  Throughout our professional career, we are all going to have to do things that are painful for some reason or another.  However, it's important to remember that doing these painful things will usually end in some sort of personal and/or professional gain.  If you ask anyone in an executive position, they are going to tell you that they endured a great amount of pain in order to excel in the early stages of their careers and "move up the corporate ladder" to get to the position they're in.  And don't forget, how you handle the "pain" in any professional situation will serve as a gauge to your manager as to how you would handle tough, stressful situations in the future.  Don't let a little pain keep you from the potential of substantial gain in the future.  
• "A little dirt never hurt anyone."    Growing up on a farm made this statement all the more true for me.  However, I am thankful that my parents made me try things that were out of my comfort zone because it forced me to learn what I could handle.  Besides learning how a successful self-employed farmer operates, I learned that I was mentally and physically stronger than I realized.  This really helped me in my first job out of college because I would take on the "junk jobs" that nobody else wanted and it always yielded a positive result in terms of my career.  Granted, I wasn't always jumping for joy during these tasks, but I knew that getting my hands dirty proved that I was willing to take on the not-so-glamorous tasks if that is what the department and the company needed at the time.   This is also helpful advice to remember when you are looking for new Indianapolis job openings.  If you can prove to a company that you are willing to do what it takes - even if that means doing things that are beyond the normal scope of your position - they are going to see you as a strong contributor and know that you are going to have the company's best interests at heart.    

• "It builds character."  This piece of advice is especially important to remember during a performance review or any time that you may be receiving feedback from someone.  Although it's hard to hear when someone thought you could've had a stronger performance, it's important to remember that the feedback is not only going to help you develop as a professional, but as a person as well.  You can use that feedback to continue to develop your capabilities and prove to your manager and your team that you are accountable to your performance and results.  

I'm sure there are several other quotes and words of wisdom that my Dad shared with me that can be used in my professional career.  I am so fortunate to have a Dad that instilled a strong business sense into my brothers and I at a very early age and I still lean on him a lot to this day regarding various life and business decisions.  I would love to hear about any quotes or sayings that your parents may have used that you still refer to today. 

What people say about you can be more important than what you say about yourself. Professional business references are among the most powerful tools you have in your quest for a new job or career change. Your Indianapolis job search must begin with the accumulation of solid references from professionals who can enthusiastically support your skills, experience, capabilities and even more so, your character. No one wants to hire someone who does not have strong support from those who have worked with them before. Getting other people to talk about you (positively) is the best way to convince a hiring manager that you are also a quality individual that will contribute much more to the company than simple work product.

Entry level jobs do not require the same skills and experience as Executive jobs in Indianapolis (or anywhere for that matter), but they DO both require that you have other people who are willing to back up your ability to do the job and do it well. Call any headhunter or staffing firm in Indianapolis for help in your job search and one of the first things they will request from you are professional references. That said, before you call your local recruiter for help with your Indianapolis job search, you should check their references as well. A little research online can go a long way in finding out what people are saying (or not saying) about you or others.

The access to information about most everything and anyone on the Internet is something to be very conscious of but not afraid of. Use this mechanism to your advantage in your career search. How? First you have to manage your online brand by checking out what comes up when you search on yourself. If nothing comes up, that can be as worrisome as if your late night inebriated tweets come up. If you don't exist in the vast universe of the Internet and you are looking for a sales or business development job or a management position that requires deep expertise in a particular area, you have some work to do on your online brand. Complete that LinkedIn profile and connect with professionals who know you well and start building that list of recommendations and referrals. Clean up your Facebook page to ensure that when stumbled upon, it is not in direct conflict with the image you are working hard to create.

So, as you are preparing for you Indianapolis job search, before you send that resume or plan your attire for your interview, get a handle on what people are saying about you and how you plan to manage it. Gather those great references and complete your online professional profiles by adding references. Then get out there and share it.

Writing a resume can bring on challenges whether you are just starting your Indianapolis job search or if you have many years of work experience. When you have a long work history it is hard to know what to include and what to leave out. It may have been years since the last time you needed to even worry about a resume. Resume etiquette has changed, and it is important to change along with it.

At That's Good HR, we are constantly reading the most recent and relevant material out there that applies to the staffing industry and the Indianapolis job market. I recently came across an article on http://jobs.aol.com/ that gave helpful tips for updating your resume to remain relevant in the eyes of the recruiter. Here are some of the key items I would like to share with you.

1. Always include your e-mail address to your resume. If there is no e-mail address listed on your resume, it will be more than difficult for an employer to contact you quickly, so they may just pass you up in favor of the next candidate who listed an e-mail address.

2. Include links to social media profiles. Many believe that social media will eventually surpass or replace e-mail. Be current by creating a LinkedIn profile http://www.linkedin.com and displaying the URL within your contact information.

3. Don’t make your years of experience the focal point of your top summary. Eliminate phrases such as “over 30 years of experience” or “seasoned professional.” If you have had a 30 year career but the last 10 years have been in a specific industry or function, focus on that rather than the total number of years.

4. Consolidate early experience. Account for early work experience to keep the chronology consistent and transparent, but abbreviate this experience when possible. You can include a section called “additional experience” and provide an overview of your earlier jobs.

5. List current technical skills if relevant. If you are proficient in Excel or some other programs that is important to your job, list it on your resume. It is always helpful to list technical skills that are relevant near the beginning of a resume.

6. Eliminate old phrases. Avoid phrases on the resume such as “references available upon request.” Employers know that if they want you to provide references they can ask you for them. Other outdated phrases include “responsible for,” “duties included,” and “out of the box thinker.” Instead use action verbs such as: Revised, Directed, Interpreted, Adjusted, Evaluated, Exceeded, Managed, etc.

7. Use an updated resume format. When everyone used a typewriter to create their resume, it was a lot easier to put the dates of employment for each position on the far left. But now with computers, putting the dates to the far right is a more updated strategy and placing dates to the right allows better use of the space on the page. When it comes to dates of employment it is not only important to include the year but always the months. For example, January 2000 – January 2005. Also, choose an updated font such as Arial, Arial Narrow, Times New Roman, or Tahoma. Overall, strive for readability.

Ask others to critique your resume and reword as needed to ensure clarity. Use adequate spacing and emphasis (using bold and caps) to enhance readability. Don’t try to cram too much information onto one page. Emphasize accomplishments; quantify them when possible. It is important to be able to defend what you write. People’s backgrounds vary widely, so you should format and organize your resume in a manner which best presents your skills and supports your career focus.

Good luck!

In this kind of low-stability job market there are two big questions:  How do you achieve job security in your current position?  And how do you get to take advantage of the next big career opportunity?  In the book titled "When the Little Things Count… and They Always Count", the answer is the same for both questions (Pachter, Barbara 2006).  You have to develop your Employment Quotient (EQ).  Your EQ consists of all the little things you need to pay attention to in order to have both job security and also exciting career opportunities—from your on the job attitude to your time management skills and how you handle criticism. 

    If you come to work on time every day and never call in sick that means you have some good work habits, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a high EQ.  You have to pay attention to many details.  People who do pay attention to their EQs are the ones who look at creating job security and opportunities as part of their jobs.  These are people who take an active, enthusiastic role in their career development.  They may not be the CEO of their companies.  But they are the CEOs of their own careers.  EQ means that you do the best job you can for your employer and you know your skills, you know your profession, you know what you want and how to go about achieving it.

Here is how to become the CEO of you, according to Barbara Patcher:

• Be positive.  If you expect the best, anticipate the best, you are more likely to get the best. 

• Set goals.  You should be able to answer these questions:  Where do you want to be career-wise in six months?  One year?  Five years?  Make sure your goals are realistic and that you periodically reevaluate and readjust them.

• Continue learning.  Even if you are really busy, take time to take advantage of training, seminars, books, and other learning tools – your career advancement or continued employability may depend upon acquiring new skills.

• Be proactive.  If you see an area of yourself that needs improvement or a situation that needs to be corrected, take action!

• Stay up to date with technology.  People who make an effort to keep up with it are the ones who make themselves valuable to their organizations.

• Find role models.  Role models include people you know personally or only by reputation.  You learn from them by interacting or watching/reading about them.  Identify areas that you want to develop and find people who do or have done that. 

• Find a mentor.  The difference between a mentor and a role model is that a mentor takes an active role in your career development.  Find a person who is in a position that you aspire to be in or with qualities and skills you would like to have.

• Stay informed of trends in your field.  Talk to your colleagues.  Read journals and newsletters in your field. 

• Speak well of yourself.  Don’t put yourself down.  Why make yourself look bad?

• Keep your work area neat and clean.  There is perception that you are disorganized if you work with piles of paper and files all around you.  A sloppy work area gives others the impression that you may not only be disorganized but also have a distracted mind.

• Stay challenged.  Boredom drains your energy and can promote negative thinking.  If your job has gotten dull and predictable, ask your supervisor for new responsibilities or a project. 

• Finally, ask for feedback. Ask what you can do better.  See if there are new assignments you can take on. 

    If you follow all or any of these pointers, I believe you will feel in more control of your career and will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to.  My favorite out of all of them is number one— if you expect the best, anticipate the best, you are more likely to get the best! If you need help or support in your Indianapolis job search or in navagating the job opportunities landscape, give us a call at That's Good HR. We can provide insight and guidance on how to put your best foot forward in your job search.

Is it just me, or have we become a society that is all about appearances? What is the obsession with doing good only when someone is watching or someone notices? Facebook and Twitter have made it so easy for us to make sure that we are not alone in whatever we do, especially when we do good. It amazes me how many companies make sure that their charitable activities dominate the home page of their websites. Why?

Don't misunderstand, I am not just throwing stones - I am as guilty as the next person. I even pay someone to stand next to me during my workouts to make sure that I go the extra mile. If I am left to my own devices, I will simply stop when I got tired. I am not proud of that fact, but it is the truth. At the same time, I am fiercely private and other than my workouts, I really don't want people in my business. Does that stop me from random posting on Facebook about something that might be going on in my life? Heck no, I have the need to stay connected and this is a venue where I can without having to engage in a long conversation about the details of my life.

So is that it? Is it our need to be connected or is it our need to be validated? Would you volunteer or give to charity if no one else knew about it? How many anonymous good acts do you do? Do you clean the house when no one is coming over? Do you go on a cool vacation just to spend quality time with your family or do you invest in the opportunity just so you can tell others all about it?

Does it really matter? I think it does. I think that those who are happiest and most content in their lives are the ones who go that extra mile at work, help out a friend in need, go on an awesome vacation to get away and take extraordinary care of their loved ones without anyone else ever needing to know about it. My husband is one of those people so I know they exist. I strive to be one of those people too, do you? It is no easy task.

I recently read a blog post by Seth Godin called "self directed effort is the best kind" focused on this concept. He talks about the value of taking your own initiative to do things well, to go above and beyond and to excel only because you want to -  not because someone or something else is forcing you to. I love this idea but have some work of my own to achieve this level of competence. Those I know who are most fulfilled in their lives, personal and professional, exist with a zeal for life and success that is personal and not defendant upon others for approval. These people have a personal brand that is one of quality and hard work - you can just tell, you don't have to be told.

As you embark or continue on your Indianapolis job search or your next career move, don't clam up about your accomplishments - that is not at all what I am saying. When you fashion your resume or talk about your skills and experiences, however, make sure you own them and don't just focus on how others made you what you are today. Take ownership of your experiences and share them in a way that makes it clear that what you do you do for your own personal growth, not just so you can drop a name or tell a story.

Could it be? Is that the sun I saw making a appearance this week? If even for a minute, that is progress. BIG news week and I am going to spare you any stories about Bin Laden, as I am sure you have had your fill. Interesting to note, however, that a lot of other things of note were in the news this week. Here is a quick wrap up of some I found particularly relevent regarding Indianapolis careers, hiring trends, HR and staffing agencies. Enjoy!
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Hiring Starts to Pick Up Pace: According to the WSJ online, so far this year, small businesses have added roughly twice as many workers a month as they did in most of 2010, recent data show. Experts say small employers are cautiously ramping up as they gain confidence that business conditions and loan activity will hold steady or improve.

Are companies hiring the newest graduating class, or aren’t they?  A recent survey from CareerBuilder suggests that recent college grads should try to stay optimistic.  Recruiters might see if this thread of possibility holds strong this spring and summer. Read more at Recruiter.com.

Play Power: How to Turn Around Our Creativity Crisis: The division between work and play is a myth. If America is going to teach its youth to innovate, we need to unite the two. According to Newsweek, the United States is in a creativity crisis. TIME reports that today's students are less tolerant of ambiguity and have an aversion to complexity.

April 2011 Economic Briefing: A summary of the Indianapolis/Marion County economy from DevelopIndy

Fastest Growing Industry Also Well-Paid: Over the next decade, it’s predicted that the most rapid job creation will occur in  the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry.  This field is expected to grow by 83 percent (more than 800,000 jobs) over the 2008–18 decade, which is both the fastest projected rate of growth and the largest expected job gain of all detailed industries.

The Secret of Higher Performance: How integrating employee engagement and strengths boosts both. Great information from Gallup.com.

A Sense of Disclosure: According to CFO.com, new 401(k) rules pose a challenge for small and midsize companies. CFOs at small and midsize companies should monitor new 401(k) plan disclosure requirements. There are several new or forthcoming rules, and one in particular — ERISA Section 404 (a)(5) — could cause headaches.

Spring really is here now...maybe the sun will even come out soon. If at all possible, take a break from all of the stuff you are running around doing, even if that means some things don't get done. I am writing this blog while sitting on the porch at our farm in the country, watching my son hunt for tadpoles.

I am not sure you can even qualify it as hunting. You simply put on your favorite rubber boots, find a great big puddle and scoop them up. When you have gathered enough to satisfy your hunting urge, you pour them all back to continue their metamorphosis. Wouldn't it be nice if all we needed in life to grow and thrive was a muddy puddle? You would not even need to keep it clean.
 

Life these days seems to move at lightening speed and we find ourselves waking up each morning in a panic, already anxious about how in the world we are going to accomplish all of the items on our list. Working for a staffing company in Indianapolis we know that as the job market begins to improve and job opportunities in Indianapolis open up, job seekers and those looking for a career change are feeling like there are not enough hours in the day. You start to feel that the more you do, the more you will get done - but the truth is the more we do, the more we find to do and when the end of the day comes, we all feel defeated. We all run at this pace and teach our kids to run at this pace too until one day we realize that life is passing us by and we are just running from here to there and doing things, but things never all get done so we do more things and then there is no time to enjoy ourselves. No time to step back and look at all of the things we have been doing and enjoy the results.

Now, not everyone is like that. Many people have an inate ability to relax and enjoy life, all the while holding down a great job. My husband is a perfect example and he is the reason that I don't waste my life running around doing things all of the time. His dedication to the outdoors has turned this city girl into a part time country girl and it has become a survival tactic.The upside? It forces me to participate in his love for the outdoors and to truly appreciate a long walk in the woods and these days, stomping in mud puddles.

I recently read an article titled "Play Power: How to Turn around our creativity Crisis" in which the author, Laura Seargeant Richardson stated:

During my keynote speech at MIT's Sandbox Summit last year, I suggested that "Play is the greatest natural resource in a creative economy." In the future, economies won't be driven by financial capital or even the more narrowly focused scientific capital, but by play capital as well.

Clearly, hunting for tadpoles is good for you and for your kids. So, get up a little earlier than usual. Get that resume updated and ready to send. Contact your local friendly staffing agency, That's Good HR, for some help in your job search and then put on your rubber boots and go outside and play. Find a mud puddle and see if you can find some tadpoles. If even for an hour, it will energize you to get back to work with more vigor than before.

Lots of time to stay inside and read during this stormy, rainy week. Good news from Careerbuilder on the quarterly job forecast, interesting developments with a few key HR legal issues, some advice on employee retention and much more in this week's new roundup. I am interested in any comments anyone might have on some of the items below this week.
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CAREERBUILDER AND USA TODAY’S Q2 2011 JOB FORECAST: The quarterly hiring outlook for the U.S. is the strongest in three years, according to the latest nationwide survey of employers and workers from CareerBuilder and USA TODAY. Nearly three-in-ten employers (28 percent) added full-time, permanent employees in the first quarter of 2011, the highest since the first quarter of 2008. The momentum is expected to continue with the same amount of employers planning to add full-time, permanent jobs in the second quarter.

1099 Repeal Bill Passes Senate: Following months of procedural and political back and forth, stand-alone legislation that would repeal the 1099 tax reporting requirement for businesses included in the Affordable Care Act (or the health care reform law) was signed by President Barack Obama on April 15. More here from the Indianapolis Chamber...

HR Jobs Picking up: Job postings for HR and recruiting positions were up 34 percent year-over-year in March and job-seeker clicks on those ads increased by 51 percent, according to Indeed.com, which aggregates employment ads from a variety of online job boards and company websites. Get more of the story here from Hireonline...

Staffing industry employment rose 7 percent year over year in April and was up 1 percent from the previous month, according to the American Staffing Association’s monthly staffing employment survey, released yesterday. The index stands at 92 for April, up one point from March, the ASA reported. Staffing employment is typically lowest during the first few months of each year and grows throughout the subsequent months. The index measures changes in the number of temporary and contract workers.

Want to Keep Your Employees? Give Them Growth Opportunities : In a global study from consulting firm BlessingWhite, employees revealed they stick with a job because they like the work they do. However, they often leave to advance their career. More from Business News Daily....

Tables turned: Employer wins settlement from EEOC: Good news for employers: A federal judge has slapped down the EEOC for pursuing a bias case the agency knew it couldn’t win.

Supreme Court Rules that Companies Can Ban Class Actions: From Recruiter.com. Think about all the people whom you helped find jobs.  How many of them are for private companies?  Probably the image that you like to conjure in your mind is an image in which workers are able to stand up for themselves.  As of now, things have changed for workers.

Does A Higher Minimum Wage Kill Jobs?: Minimum wage supporters are hoping to prompt at least a few states to act. In Illinois, for example, some lawmakers have been pushing to raise the state minimum wage up to $10.65 in steps over four years. So far, they have not been successful. In fact, no state has voted to increase the minimum wage this year. More from NPR...

Over the past few months, That's Good HR has engaged in an internal effort to collect and share relevant news relating to the staffing industry, the economy and key HR and career issues on a local and national level. This information is collected, summarized and shared with our staff members internally by of our very own TGHR blogger, Karen Seketa. As you engage with our staff here at That's Good HR we hope you find your interactions engaging and intellectually stimulating as we love to talk about what we have learned about Indianapolis careers, hiring trends and key HR topics.

It occurred to me while reviewing this important information that it may be of value to you, our customers as well. No one knows better than I how challenging it can be to carve that time out of your day or week to read or review every single relevant news article that comes your way in the event there is something of value to glean from it. As an industry expert and business owner, I know it is critical for me to be able to speak intelligently with my clients and candidates on these and other topics and having some help sorting through the masses for those kernels of great information is helpful. I hope you too find this information helpful.

I will be circulating a weekly news summary with just a few of the items from our internal update. Don't want to create another resource for you to read that is just too long! Below you will find a sample blog post as the first in this series. I would love to hear your feedback about the posts as we travel together through the information overload era.  Enjoy and come back next week for more news!
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TGHR News for the week of April 15, 2011 - (Summaries of relevent news, links will take you to full articles.)

• Help Wanted: References Fill Jobs And Pockets: Even though millions of Americans are looking for work, many employers say it's too hard to find good help. So, many companies and organizations are encouraging employees to be on the lookout for talent and are offering cash bonuses for referrals that lead to a hire.

• Employers Say Skills Deficit Is a (Big) Problem: It's not breaking news that there is a skills deficit facing Hoosier workers and their employers, but the impact of that deficit is becoming even more problematic for some employers. A new statewide employer survey conducted by Ready Indiana, the Indiana Chamber's workforce development initiative, reinforces that fact and provides more interesting findings.

• Young workers in Indiana still face tough job market: The number of Indiana teens and college students with jobs fell sharply during the recession, and their employment prospects might not improve this year as they battle low turnover and increased competition from older workers.

• From Staffing Industry Analyst Daily news: "Thirty-three percent of human resources professional say they plan to hire in the second quarter of this year, up from 24 percent who said the same a year ago, according to a survey of human resources professionals by the Society for Human Resource Management. Thirty-six percent of survey respondents hired staff in the first quarter of 2011, according to the report. "Even though large-scale hiring isn't yet occurring, confidence in the job market is being buoyed by signs that the economy has entered a recovery mode after a lengthy recession," said Jennifer Schramm workplace trends and forecasting in SHRM's research department. "For some organizations, an improved outlook is resulting in increased expectations of productivity as they boost working hours of existing staff. Others are bringing on temporary staff or are hiring full-time regular employees.“ The survey also found that job losses continue to decline: Just 7 percent of organizations plan to lay off staff in the second quarter. Twelve percent of companies had layoffs in the first quarter of 2011, down from 20 percent a year ago. Managers and professionals were those most affected by layoffs."

• Seven Secrets to Getting More Done: You can have the greatest attitude, a strong telephone presence, and the best recruiting and client development skills. But if you lack strong work habits, you are destined to failure. Read about the seven tips from this article - click link above for the rest of the article.

You...yes YOU! We have been looking everywhere for you! We know all about you so you might as well come and join our team of qualified, dependable, hard working candidates. 

The news is out - the economy is continuing to recover and staffing firms are a bellweather for what is going on in the market so our business is really starting to look up. What does that mean to you? We are the perfect solution to your job search. All you need to have is a decent resume, a strong skillset, dependablility and good work ethic. We can help you take that killer combination to the next level. As hiring trends improve and Indianapolis job openings increase, it is time to take control of your next career move and we can help!

Not sure if you know this, but That's Good HR is a great company to work with. Of course, this is our blog and I work here so I have to say that, but I have proof from impartial judges. We received recognition as one of the "Best in Staffing" for our dedication to quality service delivery. What does this mean? Read my post on this award to find out. In a nutshell, we take good care of our clients and our candidates, some come on...join us!


Here is how easy it really is:

1. Take a look at our job board
2. Find a position that matches your skills and experience
3. Apply
4. Even better - find a friend that works for us already and have them refer you, we LOVE referrals so much that we pay for them!

Our requirements are clear and simple. Skilled, capable people who are dependable, flexible and hard working. Accounting and Finance, Administrative Support, Receptionists and Customer Service Reps skill sets are among the most needed. Come and see us soon!

Sometimes you just have to walk off the job. Career suicide? Maybe - but if you handle it professionally it could actually be the best thing for your job security. No, I have not lost my mind, but this is the time of year when people do the strangest things. The long, cold, dark winter has kept us down and out for long enough. At the slightest hint of spring, we are ready to jump out of our skin (or worse, out a window). Our creativity is at an all time low and I have proof of this based on the extended writers block I have been experiencing recently. You just need to do something crazy, something outside the box, something spontaneous.

At That's Good HR, we have been experiencing our own Spring Fever and while things do seem to be looking up for Indianapolis staffing and hiring trends, we would like things to improve faster than they are. The frustration of the economy over the past year+ combined with the natural lack of patience that is inherent in all staffing professionals makes anyone want to get up and walk out now and then. Sometimes you really just have to walk away to clear your mind of all of the cobwebs, negative thoughts and general feeling of hopelessness. You have to get it all out there and have the chance to come back to the job refreshed and ready to face the day with some renewed perspective. It is not only a healthy thing to do, it is in the best interest of the company.

Now, I am not talking about a one week hiatus from work just to clear your mind (unless of course is it during your Spring Break or other vacation time). Sometimes is it just a few hours out of a day when you can walk away and practice that primal scream. Everyone needs a chance to find a safe environment where you can purge yourself of all of the negativity that might be building up inside you so you can see things more clearly. Escape, purge and return with a clear mind. It is the right thing to do this time of year so supervisors, encourage it if and when you can. And those of you on the receiving end of said purging, be sure not to take things too seriously, it is just Spring Fever.

As an Indianapolis recruiter for Accounting and Finance professionals, one of the most common complaints I hear is when candidates apply to positions and never hear back.  Many fear technology has hurt their chances of getting an interview to showcase their skill level.  After pondering this over the past week and spending several hours on CareerBuilder sorting through candidates that applied to our Accounting and Finance positions for Indianapolis based companies, I came up with the following tips to help you land in the "To call" pile versus the on the other end of the delete button. 

1.  This may sound insignificant, but first impressions count. Make sure that your name is capitalized in the right places.  It's not a text message so you should capitalize your first and last name.  This means you have to set your account up correctly.  Under account settings you will be able to see how your name appears on the job posting you apply to. 

2. Double check the email address on your account settings as well.  This is the same email that your CareerBuilder updates come to and should also be your login.  Be careful that it's a professional name because that email appears when you apply for a position even if you have the professional one on your resume it does not look good to have "BabyMama123 or Thuglife4ever" as one of the email addresses on your application.  I would also make the suggestion that you go with a national email account versus the home Internet branded one.  If you change from cable/Internet providers then your email address will change again.

3. Apply only to the positions you qualify for!  I know this seems like a no brainer, but if you are applying to 5 different positions within the same company then most likely the same recruiter or HR staff member is looking at those resumes and you lose credibility if you are applying for positions you aren't qualified for.  Or if you are inundating their inbox with your resume daily.

4. Verify that you have updated your most recent work experience under the application portion of CareerBuilder. This shows up as a summary for the person reviewing resumes on the job posting and if it's out of date then they may just delete your application without ever looking the resume because the job title is very different from the position they are recruiting for (and it's your job title from 3 years ago).  Also, pay attention to the dates of employment as employers are paying closer attention to the length of employment or as noted in a previous TGHR blog post the length of unemployment for applicants. 

5. Phone numbers should be up to date!!  I bet I call four resumes a day that only have one number listed and it's been disconnected.  You have to change the number on your account settings as well, not just on your resume.

6. Always answer the screener questions honestly.  It doesn't mean they won't call you if you don't have everything they are looking for but I can tell you that if you exaggerate your skills and experience or your capabilities, it will come out during the phone screen or interview and you will look bad.  I've never brought in an applicant that answered the screener questions inaccurately. It's a matter of integrity. 

7. If you are moving to the area and looking for a job, address this in your cover letter along with the approximate date of arrival.  Answer any concerns they may have about how quickly you can move to the area, whether you looking for an employer to pay for your move or why you want to be in the area. This information lends creditability to the decision.  Otherwise, recruiters just assume you selected the wrong state while doing your search and will delete your application without fully reviewing it. 

Follow these simple steps to help ensure you aren't getting passed over for reasons other than your background isn't what they are seeking at the present time.