Provisional Blog

So how can you tell if it’s time to move on from your current Seattle job? Here are some signs to look for:

1. Your job is beginning to impact your health.

You’re so stressed about work that you’re suffering from symptoms such as:

• Weight gain or loss
• Frequent illness
• Sleeplessness
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue

2. You feel bored and uninspired.

Everyone goes through natural cycles in their jobs where they may feel motivated and excited one week, and uninspired the next. However, if you feel consistently bored and unchallenged, you may have outgrown your position.

3. Your job is interfering with your family responsibilities.

Most companies, nowadays, understand that employees who lead balanced lives are ultimately happier and more productive. However, if your employer is not among this group, then it may be time to move on.

4. Your potential for advancement seems limited.

Your company’s management may have pigeon-holed you as an expert in one area, though you know your skill set exceeds that area. It’s therefore up to you to convince them that you can take on new tasks and responsibilities. If they’re not open to the idea, then you may want to start looking for a new job.

5. You keep thinking about changing jobs.

If the thought of changing jobs is always on your mind, then it’s time to start asking yourself some questions, such as:

• What don’t I like about my current job?
• Has something happened in my work environment that is causing my unhappiness, such as a change in management or industry downturn?
• Are there any steps I can take to make things better?

LinkedIn offers a variety of advantages to job seekers. It provides invaluable networking opportunities, it’s a great way to promote your skills, and you can even search for jobs in Seattle, Spokane, and throughout the Northwest.

So if you’ve never used LinkedIn before, here are 7 tips for getting started:

Tip #1: Create a profile.

Your LinkedIn profile is similar to an online resume. On it, you can list your employment history, education, and other skills and qualifications. When creating your profile, make sure you include keywords – like “Seattle accountant” – so that prospective employers can find you easily. Also, if you have a professional looking headshot, consider uploading that as well to your profile.

Tip #2: Develop a network.

The larger your network, the more potential opportunities you’ll have access to. With that said, don’t try to connect with everyone out there. Keep it simple and connect only with those professionals that you already know and trust.

Tip #3: Reach out.

Contact the people within your network to let them know you’re searching for a job in Seattle. Many job openings aren’t advertised to the general public, so you may find some interesting opportunities this way.

Tip #4: Ask for recommendations.

Recommendations are like testimonials. They can truly position you in the best possible light and are therefore invaluable. Ask a variety of your contacts – former bosses, colleagues, and subordinates – for recommendations for your LinkedIn profile.

Tip #5: Use the “Find Jobs” section.

In the “Find Jobs” section, you can search for Seattle jobs that may interest you using a title, company name, and other keywords.

Tip #6: Get involved.

LinkedIn has a section entitled “Answers.” Here you can post questions you may have about your job search or about your professional field. You can also respond to questions other LinkedIn users may have. Doing so will not only increase your visibility among potential Seattle employers, but it will also help you build your credibility.

Tip #7: Check company profile pages.

Many Seattle employers have their own profile pages on LinkedIn. So if you have a company in mind that you’d like to work for, see if they have a page on LinkedIn. If they do, check out their “New Hires” section. If you notice a lot of new people have recently joined the company, then that company may still be hiring.

Also, review the company’s list of current employees. You may know someone on the list and be able to make a connection. Ask them the scoop on getting hired at the company and to forward your resume to the hiring manager. A hiring manager is more likely to review a resume that comes from someone he or she already knows.

Searching for a new Seattle job can be both challenging and discouraging. Therefore, you have to use every tool available to you – including social media – in order to get positive results. And if you’d like some additional help in finding a job in Seattle, or anywhere in the Northwest, please don’t hesitate to contact Provisional. As a leading Seattle employment firm, we can give you access to a variety of exciting and rewarding job opportunities.

After your job interview, all you have to do is sit back and wait for the telephone to ring, right? If that’s what you think, then you’re sadly mistaken. The period after a job interview is critical – and can truly set you apart from the other Coeur d’Alene job candidates, if you handle it right.

Here are some action steps you should take after the interview:

Action Step #1: Make notes.

Write down the details of how the interview went. Also, write down some of the positive areas you can reinforce in your thank you note.

Action Step #2: Send a thank you note.

Many times, candidates don’t think they need to send a note if the interview went well. But that’s simply not true. The post interview thank you note provides you with an opportunity to thank the hiring manager (a little apple polishing never hurt!) and to reiterate why you’d be a good fit for the position. If you don’t send a thank you note, you’ll miss out on this additional opportunity to sell yourself.

With that said, when writing a thank you note, make sure it’s short a sweet. Hiring managers are busy people and a long and windy note will annoy them.

Action Step #3: Alert your references.

Contact any references you gave to the hiring manager. Give your references some information about the particular job and the company. You may even want to ask your references to contact you once the hiring manager gets in touch with them to find out how the conversation went. If a reference is contacted, make sure you send along a thank you note letting them know how much you appreciate their time and support.

Action Step #4: Follow up, but don’t harass.

If the hiring manager doesn’t get back to you within the specified time period, it’s perfectly acceptable to contact them in order to inquire about the status of your application. Simply thank them again for the opportunity to interview and then ask when a decision will likely be made. Be professional, though. Don’t flood the hiring manager with voice mails and emails.

Action Step #5: Continue your job search.

Even if you think you’re a shoo in for the position, keep looking. You never know when a better job opportunity could come along. Plus, you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket until you’ve actually been extended the offer.

If you’d like more interview tips, or need help finding a job, please contact Provisional. As a leading employment agency serving Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and the Northwest, we can offer you access to a variety of rewarding job opportunities in accounting, healthcare, legal, technical, and office fields.

Contact Provisional today to learn more.

When you started your Spokane job, it seemed ideal – you were happy, motivated, and inspired. But now the honeymoon is over and you’re just not satisfied. Workdays seem longer and weekends seem to go by faster. So what can you do to reignite your career passion and improve your job satisfaction? Here are five quick tips:

Tip #1: Pinpoint the problem.

Why exactly are you unhappy at work? Are you having problems with a co-worker or your boss? Are you unhappy about working conditions or your salary? Once you pinpoint the problem, you’ll have a better idea how to deal with it.

Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to ask.

Is there an easy fix to whatever is bothering you at work? If yes, then ask for it! What are you waiting for?! Nobody at work is a mind reader and so taking that first step is up to you.

Tip #3: Stay positive.

Ever hear about the power of positive thinking? Changing your attitude about your Spokane job won’t make things better overnight. However, developing a more optimistic point of view (i.e. the glass is half full) and reversing negative self talk patterns can go a long way in making you feel more productive and less stressed at work.

Tip #4: Maintain balance in your life.

When all you do is work, work, work, it’s only natural that your stress level is going to increase and you’re going to be unhappier as a result. It’s time to assess your situation and determine which areas you don’t have enough time for, such as family/relationships, hobbies, and exercise. Now create a priorities list and take action so that your lifestyle better reflects your interests and becomes more balanced.

Tip #5: Re-evaluate your goals.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled at work, perhaps your goals and your job requirements are out of alignment. It’s time to figure out what your career goals are and how you see yourself getting there. For instance:

• Are you in field you want to stay in for the next 5, 10, or 20 years?
• If not, what would you rather be doing?
• Where do you want to be, career wise, in the next 5, 10, 20 years?

The answers to these questions should give you a general idea of what you want out of your work life. And if you want to make a major change, now is the time to do it.

Job satisfaction isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. And the bottom line is that it’s up to you to make that journey. If you’re not happy at work, there are actions you can take now to help you become more satisfied. However, if you’re completely in the wrong job at the wrong company, it may be time for a change. If so, we can help. As a leading employment agency in Spokane, WA, Provisional can give you access to a variety of exciting job opportunities in Spokane. If you’d like to learn more about us, simply visit our website or contact Provisional online.

As a Seattle staffing firm, we’ve seen how bad communication can exact a toll on a company or business relationship – from miscommunication to missed deadlines to creating a negative atmosphere.

So what are some of the worst communication habits out there to avoid? Here are six:

1. Contacting others only when you need something.
Whether you need a reference, a job, ideas, or help with a project, it’s never a good idea to only connect with someone when you need something. Why? Because you’re leaving the person on the other end feeling used and abused.

2. Failure to say thank you.
If someone did you a favor – such as got you a job interview or gave you some good business advice – make sure to follow up with a thank you call, email, or note.

3. Not returning phone calls or emails.
This is probably one of the most inconsiderate communication habits. If you’re guilty of it, then it’s time to break this bad habit. One way to do it is by creating a policy giving yourself two business days to return all calls and emails.

4. Not listening.
Failure to listen can cause some expensive mistakes in the workplace, including lost opportunities, lower productivity, and unhappy customers.

5. Lying.
The truth may occasionally hurt, but lies tend to be far more destructive.

6. Complaining.
Pointing out flaws for the sake of problem solving is one thing. Chronic complaining and negativity is another – and can have a dampening effect on the whole organization.

Fortunately, these and other nasty communication habits can be averted or changed by cultivating more positive habits. If you’re guilty of one or more of these bad communication habits, then it’s time to commit yourself to speaking honestly and treating others more courteously.

At Accountingpros, we work with some of Spokane’s most respected organizations–matching highly skilled talent with great accounting jobs in Spokane and beyond.

We offer a variety of rewarding career options including:

• Temporary Accounting Jobs in Spokane
• Temporary-to-Hire Accounting Jobs in Spokane
• Full-time Accounting Jobs in Spokane
• CPA Jobs in Spokane
• Bookkeeper Jobs in Spokane
• And much more

To discover more visit our website and search for open accounting jobs today!

Whether you were out of work due to unemployment, or you voluntarily left the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom, or to follow a lifelong dream, re-entering the Seattle job market can seem overwhelming. But there are steps you can take to shorten the time it takes to get hired.

#1: Be honest.
When a prospective employer asks you about your employment gap, be honest with them. Telling them you took time off to raise your kids or to pursue a goal is better than being vague or trying to hide or fabricate facts.

#2: Include details about your employment gap.
Many candidates don’t include what they’ve been doing for the time they’ve been out of the workforce. This is a mistake because you’re letting the prospective employer take a guess at what you’ve been up to – which is never a good idea. Either in your cover letter, or on your resume, be sure to state the reason for the employment gap and what you’ve been doing during it, i.e. consulting, fundraising for your child’s school, or volunteering.

#3: Keep your skills current.
If you’ve let your computer skills fall by the wayside, then take a quick refresher course at your local community college. Prospective employers are more inclined to hire someone with up-to-date computer skills, rather than someone they have to train.

#4: Be realistic.
If you’ve been out of the Seattle job market for an extended period of time, don’t expect to jump back in with a terrific position that pays more than your last job. When compared with someone who hasn’t left the workforce, you may need to take a little step back in your career progression in order to move forward and get a job. So focus on the bigger picture.

If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, and are looking for a new job, then please contact Provisional. As a premier Northwest employment agency, we work with employers throughout Seattle – and can give you access to a variety of job opportunities. We can also help you position yourself, and your employment gap, in the best possible light so you’re able to land the job you want.

The relationship you have with your boss can be critical to your success at work. Here are some steps you can take to develop a positive and supportive relationship:

Be consistent.
Relationships are built on trust and if you don’t do what you say you’re going to do, then your boss won’t trust you. Meet deadlines and inform your boss about projects, mistakes, or interactions that will impact him or her.

Be positive.
Try to maintain a pleasant attitude – even when you’re boss is upset or under pressure.

Go the extra distance.
Don’t just do your job and stop there. Identify your boss’s areas of weakness or greatest challenges and ask what you can do to help – even if it’s outside the scope of your job.

Compliment your boss (but don’t kiss up).
If your boss came up with a great idea for a new product or process that you admire, compliment him or her on it. Make him or her feel valued. After all, who doesn’t like positive feedback?

Understand your boss’s work style.
What does your boss value in an employee? Frequent communication, independent workers, requests in writing? Your boss’s preferences are important, so the better you understand them, the better you will work with him or her.

Don’t overreact.
There are going to be times when you and your boss disagree. Whatever you do, don’t overreact and storm out or threaten to quit. You need to come to terms with the fact that your boss, is well…your boss and he or she has more authority and power than you do. So get over it.

Let your boss be your guide.
Your boss has a lot to teach you. Appreciate the fact that he or she is in a management role for a reason, most likely because of hard work and successful contributions. So ask lots of questions and take advantage of his or her knowledge.

Have a tip to share about building a good relationship with your boss? Let us know in the comment form below.

As a leading job placement agency in Seattle (and an employer ourselves), we see the same kinds of tired cover letters and resumes over and over again. But in order to land a job you love, you have to set yourself apart from the masses. Here’s how:

1. Stand out.
Rather than submitting the same form cover letter that everyone else is sending in, write something that is uniquely you. Be professional, but at the same time, be bold. Don’t try to blend in or you’ll get lost in the crowd.

2. Look to advertising.
Not sure how to make yourself stand out? Then flip through magazine ads and read your junk mail. What kinds of statements and information grab your attention? Use these power words and power phrases in your cover letter.

3. Use “you,” not “I”.
Unfortunately, many job seekers tend to focus too much on their experience and accomplishments, instead of taking it a step further and discussing how those attributes can help a potential employer. For instance, “My 10 years of experience as a bookkeeper will help to eliminate accounting headaches for you.”

4. Keep it simple.
In today’s day and age, everyone’s on information overload, including potential employers. So, to make life easier for them, keep your cover letter and resume simple. Don’t use words that they’re going to need to look up in a dictionary. Also, keeping it simple means keeping it short. So say what you want to say in the clearest, most concise manner possible.

5. Be passionate.
Oftentimes, cover letters can seem too distant, like the candidate doesn’t really care too much whether they get the job or not. So put some enthusiasm in your letter. You don’t want to go overboard and seem desperate, but at the same time, you want to make an impact.

If you’re trying to refine your resume and cover letter before sending it out, or if you’re already searching for a job opportunity in the Seattle area, Provisional can help. As job placement experts, we can match you with a rewarding opportunity in a field such as healthcare, accounting, legal, office, or technical.

You get up at 5 am. Check your email. Get the kids ready for school. Exercise. Go to work. Put out fires. Skip lunch. Go to meetings. Get home late. Help with homework. And then do it all over again the next day.

Sound familiar? From Seattle to Spokane to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, it seems like we’re all busier than ever and, as a result, it’s becoming harder and harder to juggle personal and professional lives. But there is a better way. Here are some tips for achieving balance in your life:

Determine what really matters to you.

Figure out your priorities by asking yourself some questions:

• If you could focus on one thing in your life and one thing only, what would it be? (Think job, family, friends, faith, hobbies, community service, etc.)
• What would the second thing be?
• The third?

And so on until you have a list of your top five priorities.

Whenever you’re engaged in one of these priorities – whether it’s career, family or personal – focus totally on it. Don’t think about all the laundry that’s piling up at home while you’re trying to prepare for a meeting, or about next week’s performance review when you’re spending time with your kids.

Eliminate unnecessary activities.

Now that you have a concrete list of your priorities, you may realize that you’re spending too much time on unimportant activities – like watching TV or surfing the web. Drop or cut back on the activities that aren’t on your priorities list because they are keeping you away from what matters most.

Take some private time.

You probably wouldn’t skip work because you didn’t have time. Nor would you miss a parent-teacher conference because it got in the way of your schedule. Your private time should be just as protected. Making time for yourself can lead to greater satisfaction and productivity in both your personal life and your work life.

Accept help.

We all need to rely on others at one time or another. Don’t make yourself feel guilty for relying on your spouse, family, co-workers, or friends to help you succeed.

Plan time for fun.

Fun and relaxation are an important part of a well-balanced life. So make time for those hobbies that are important to you, whether it’s working out, going out with friends, or taking a guitar lesson.

Achieving a better work life balance isn’t rocket science. All it takes is some careful planning and focusing on what matters most.

What about you? Has there been anything you’ve done lately to achieve a more balanced life? Please share your thoughts below.