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Employment

Ron Stokes

2011-04-01 13:55:00

Question:I am a small business owner and I am struggling to hire people who want more than just a paycheck. Are there good employee’s out there?

Answer: The basic answer to your question is: yes, there are good employee’s out there. I speak with many employers who struggle to make the right hiring decision. Although making the right decision is a detailed and strategic process, I believe three core characteristics must be present in every employee. First, the employee must be dedicated. As we work to build our respective businesses, we must surround ourselves with co-workers who will bring the same level of commitment as we do. We have all witnessed the negative impact one uncommitted employee can have on the workplace. Second, a new employee must be intelligent. The level of sheer intelligence can be relative to the position but it cannot be lower than the requirements of the position. It is unfair and unrealistic to believe staff members will be successful in a position in which they do not have the capacity to succeed. Third, the said intelligent employee must be willing to learn. We have all worked with that one person who is oozing with potential yet is clearly not willing to put in the work to be anything other than an average employee. I believe if you give me a person with these three characteristics I could do almost anything with them. These are the employees in which strong companies are built upon. If you desire growth and improvement within your company, these three core characteristics are an excellent place to start. All the best,

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Employment

Ron Stokes

2011-03-01 10:15:00

Question: How can I gain an edge on the competition when looking for a job?

Answer: There are many ways a person can gain an edge on their competition. A significant part of my service is breaking down which areas each of my customers need to improve in order to maximize their chances of getting the job they want. While I am very specific regarding the “how to’s” with my customers, I am going to provide a list of ways you can gain an edge in today’s employment market. 1.Know what types of jobs you are looking for. 2.Utilize all job listing sources. 3.Check for new jobs every couple of days. 4.Make contact with employers who are a natural fit for your skills. 5.Don’t get discouraged. 6.Fill out all applications neatly and completely. 7.Always provide a resume. 8.Dress to impress every time you are visiting that employer. 9.Spend some time putting yourself in the employers shoes. 10.If there is something negative about your past, be up front and honest. Remember, when looking for a job you have to remain consistent, be prompt and always stay positive. Keeping these 10 tips in mind will aid you in the search for your new job. When in doubt, reach out to an employment consultant to help get you going in the right direction to nail down your next position.

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Employment

Ron Stokes

2011-02-01 13:36:00

Question:I believe I am well qualified and very capable, however, no matter how many jobs I apply for I always get passed up for another applicant. Why won’t they hire me?

Answer: Let me start by telling you, you are not alone! Many people are experiencing the same struggles with finding gainful employment. Though maximizing your opportunities for getting hired requires a thorough process, I am going to provide some of the secrets I share with my clients. Secret #1: Always bring your “A Game.” Gone are days when you can apply for a position and plan on an interview because you have some experience in a given field. When working with my clients, I refer to the job market as “A Buyer’s Market.” This means employers are able to pick and choose who they want to consider, interview and hire. What does this mean to you? If you don’t bring your “A Game” to every step of the process you are likely to be left out of consideration. Secret #2: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare Many people do little preparation because they are not sure how they should be preparing. The first step in preparation is identifying all resources available for finding a job. Employment agencies, KansasWorks, employment consultants, job classifieds, online job listing sights and so on. Did you know approximately 30% of all available jobs are listed in the newspaper? Which means if this is the only place you are looking, you are missing opportunities’. The key to preparation is knowing who can help you and where to look for available jobs. Secret #3: Top notch Resume and Cover Letter. A proper and strategic resume and cover letter are very important for making a great first impression. If they are not well formatted, have poor grammar, or do not include information the employer needs you likely will not make it past the first round of consideration. What if the job you are applying for does not ask for a resume for cover letter? Submit a resume with your application anyway. Show the employer you will bring something extra to the job!