Provisional Blog

As one of the top employment firms in the Northwest, we know that searching for a job is hard work. And it’s no surprise that candidates make a lot of mistakes during the process. Some are subtle, while others are glaring – and can have a negative impact on a candidate’s ability to get hired.

So what are they? And how can you avoid them? Here’s a look 6:

Mistake #1. You immediately discount imperfect positions.

This is where if they job description doesn’t sound completely ideal, then you immediately disregard it. However, look at the big picture. For instance, if the company posting the job has a terrific reputation as a generous employer, then it could be a huge boon to your career to get your foot in the door there – even if the position is less than perfect. Just look at Carly Fiorinia, former CEO of Hewlitt-Packard. She started her business career as a secretary, even though she had an undergraduate degree from Stanford.

Mistake #2. You ignore Northwest temporary jobs.

The same goes for temporary jobs in the Northwest. If it’s with a great employer, and you’re not doing anything at the moment other then sending out resumes and sitting by your phone, then it can’t hurt to take on some temp work.

Mistake #3. You don’t check your references.

Only give out references after you’ve spoken with them and let them know a company representative will be contacting them. Also, while it’s ok to offer one reference from a colleague, also offer two or more from managers as well. Colleagues don’t hold as much weight with employers as managers do.

Mistake #4. You use your work email on your resume.

If you’re looking for a job, and you’re still employed, don’t use your work email. This sends the message that you have no problem using an employer’s systems or equipment for personal use. In other words, it says you’re dishonest.

Mistake #5. You don’t research yourself online.

A potential employer is most likely going to Google or Bing you. So do it first, and deal with any negative information before applying for Northwest jobs. Clean up where you can, set your social media profiles to private, and if there’s something negative about you that you didn’t post, ask the person who posted it to take it down. If they refuse, contact the company directly.

Mistake #6. You think it’s all about you.

Your job search is about you to a certain degree. After all, you want to find a rewarding and well-paying job you enjoy. However, it’s also about the employer and what you can do for them if they hire you. So when applying for Northwest jobs, focus on how you can help an employer streamline processes, save money, or enjoy some other kind of valuable benefit.

And if you’d like some more help finding a new job, give us a call. As one of the top employment firms in the Northwest, we work with leading organizations throughout the region and can give you access to a variety of opportunities. Search for Northwest jobs now.

Whether you need to expand your job search to get ahead, or simply want to make a move to a new city, finding a job in a location different from your current one can be a challenge. Even though it’s not ideal, it can certainly be done. Here’s how:

1. Research possible locations.

If you know you really need to move in order to get a good job, don’t just randomly select a location. Put some thought into it. Just because a city has a lot of opportunity in one area or industry, doesn’t mean it has a lot of opportunity in your field. So do some research ahead of time and select cities where you think you can truly advance your career.

2. Reach out to your network.

Once you know the areas you’re interested in, then reach out to anyone you know who lives in those cities. Not only will they be able to offer you plenty of tips and advice on the economy there, as well as the top employers, but they can also keep their eyes open for any job leads.

3. Let employers know you will pay relocation costs.

Some employers do pay for relocation costs if you have skills that are highly specialized or in high demand. However, if you don’t, then prospective employers will only see dollar signs when they look at your resume. So be upfront about the fact that you will not only pay for the cost to relocate, but also pay for travel costs if you score an interview.

4. Get a local phone number.

If you have one particular city you know you want to move to, get a new cell phone for that area with a local number. Prospective employers will be more willing to call you as a result.

5. Include your target move date on your resume.

Employers are always wary of hiring people outside the area. They’re fearful you’ll change your mind at the last minute. To assuage those fears, include a target move date if you have one. That way, they will know you’re serious about moving.

6. Register with local employment agencies.

Employment agencies can be especially helpful if you’re conducting a job search from afar. They can offer you a lot of valuable insight into the local job market, as well as information about job opportunities that may not be advertised.

And if you’re hoping to move to Spokane, Washington, give us a call. Since 1994, Provisional has placed over 6,000 direct-hire professionals in jobs in Spokane, Washington – and we can help you too. Contact us today to learn more.

As one of Coeur d’Alene’s top employment agencies, we know that there are some people in this world that actually look forward to performance reviews. These are the same people who enjoy going to the dentist and proofreading Chinese food menus.

However, if you’re like most people, you fall into the former category, not the latter – and prepping for a performance review can be stressful.

But rather than dreading your review, look at it an opportunity to improve performance and strengthen your position within the company. Here’s how:

Keep an open mind.

Even if you’ve done a great job, you’re not perfect. Therefore, your boss will probably have some constructive feedback to offer you. If he or she does, take it with an open mind. Don’t get defensive and dismissive. Instead, view it as an opportunity to shore up your weaknesses and build on your successes in the future.

Prove your worth.

Before your performance review, put together a summary of accomplishments and goals you’ve met throughout the year. Give specific, concrete examples of how you’ve contributed in a positive way to your company. Toot your own horn a little bit. Your boss may not know about every piece of positive client feedback you’ve gotten, or an instance when you put out a fire with some quick thinking, so now’s the time to show how you’ve gone above and beyond.

Demonstrate growth.

If in your last performance review, your boss pointed out a weak spot, then be prepared to show how you’ve overcome it throughout the course of the year.

Be proactive.

If you know areas where you need to improve, then develop a plan for how to overcome those issues and meet expectations before you go into the meeting. Your boss will be impressed with your proactive nature and likely relieved that you’re already aware of your weaknesses.

Avoid nasty surprises.

As one of Coeur d’Alene’s top employment agencies, we know there’s nothing worse than going into a performance review thinking it will be a positive experience, and then walking away stunned due to all the negative feedback your boss gave you.

To avoid this kind of situation, seek input from your boss throughout the year. Check in with him or her periodically; offer a status report on your progress and ask for thoughts or feedback. Use that as a guide to address – and hopefully overcome – any shortcomings before your performance review.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. You’ve probably got a lot to do from shopping to decorating to baking – and it might be temping to press the pause button on your job search until the holidays are over. But this time of the year is actually a prime time for finding new jobs in Spokane, Washington. Here’s why:

1. There’s less competition.

Many people stop looking for jobs in Spokane, Washington during the holidays because they’re too busy or don’t want to deal with the stress of the job search during the holidays. As a result, there’s less competition.

2. There are plenty of networking opportunities.

If you’re like most, you’ll be attending your fair share of parties. These are great opportunities for networking. Obviously, your first order of business at a holiday party is to socialize and have fun – not grill your family members, friends or neighbors about job leads – but keeping your job search in mind could result in some valuable connections being made. So be sure to bring business cards with your contact information to all the parties you attend.

3. Hiring managers are working on next year’s budget.

The end of the year is a great time to get in front of hiring managers. They’re likely finishing up the hiring budget for next year and once the New Year arrives, may have funds available to make new hires. In addition, hiring managers sometimes have to fill openings early in the year or face losing the money altogether that’s set aside for the position.

4. Hiring managers need to exhaust this year’s budget.

On the other hand, some companies have money left over that they must spend before the end of the year. Hiring managers may also want to make a hiring decision before the end of the year so they can begin the New Year full staffed.

5. Take advantage of the end-of-year giving mood.

For much of the year, hiring managers are trying to stem the tide of resumes and job hunters that come their way. At the end of the year, though, that tide has typically thinned and some may be in a more giving mood – making it a perfect time for you to reach out to them.

If you’re a job seeker in search of jobs in Spokane, Washington, give us a call. We work with some of the leading employers in Spokane, and the Northwest, and can give you access to a variety of rewarding opportunities. Contact us today!

When we look at the world around us, it’s easy to focus on the negative. Between a stagnant job market and high food and gas prices, there’s a lot of uncertainty and stress out there.

But as one of the top Northwest staffing agencies, we’re actually quite optimistic about the future.

We see the many challenges we’re facing as opportunities, rather than problems. We still have a variety of clients who come to us every day in search of help with recruiting and hiring. Likewise, we have a multitude of job candidates who walk through our doors each week, in search of help finding a rewarding job opportunity.

While things certainly have changed – more and more companies are looking for more strategic and flexible staffing options, for instance – the more they stay the same. In 2011, companies still need to find good employees, and job candidates still want to land good jobs.

And when they come to us to help with those challenges, we are always grateful.

As one of the top Northwest staffing agencies, we love what we do and we are passionate about it. Whether it’s filling a last-minute temporary administrative need, sourcing skilled professionals for a mission critical position, or locating job openings that fit our candidates’ backgrounds and lives, we are committed to getting the job done and exceeding expectations.

So to our clients and candidates, we just want to say “thank you.”

Thank you for turning to us when you need help hiring or finding work, thank you to being open to our suggestions and recommendations, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to do what we love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Confucius said: “Choose a job you’ll love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” But can doing what you love have a dark side?

If you spend all your time at work, and little time doing or thinking about anything else, then the answer could very well be “yes.”

And if that’s the case for you, you’re certainly not alone. As one of the leading staffing and employment firms in Spokane, Washington, we know that in today’s economy, more and more Americans are becoming workaholics. This is due to many different factors, one obviously being that they feel pressured to do more with less – including work more hours and take on more responsibility – at their companies.

However, some people would be workaholics regardless of the state of the economy. And while they may climb the corporate ladder faster, they could also burn out quicker and hurt their careers in the process.

So are you a workaholic, or just a hard worker? Here are some signs of workaholism.

• You think about work all the time.
• You only want to talk “shop,” even at social engagements.
• You take work with you on vacation and to bed.
• You don’t understand people who have priorities other than work.
• You can’t delegate tasks; you must remain in control.
• You live to work.

If these signs sound familiar, then it may be time for a change. Otherwise, if you continue your workaholic ways, then you could put yourself at increased risk for stress and health-related problems.

To help you achieve more balance in your life, you should:

Delegate more.

Workaholics have a hard time delegating because they have issues with control. However, realize that there are other people within your company that are competent and can take on certain tasks if you let them.

Carve out personal time.

You don’t have any issues scheduling work-related meetings and events. So treat your personal time the same way. Schedule it in and stick to setting aside a certain amount of time each week to doing something that is not work related.

Turn off your phone.

With today’s technology, it can be hard to completely disconnect from work. But it’s critically important to do so in order to attain a more balanced life. So commit to turning your cell phone off between certain times and instead, focus on your family or other activities you enjoy.

If part of your workaholism is due to a high-stress job, or an understaffed company, give us a call. As one of the leading staffing and employment firms in Spokane, Washington, we can give you access to the top jobs – and the top job candidates – in and around the city.

When you’re busy working, it’s easy to daydream about time off and all the ways you’d spend it. But if you actually have some time off from the working world – whether it’s due to a layoff or resignation – the last thing you’re probably doing is enjoying it.

Unfortunately, as one of the leading employment agencies in the Northwest, we know that many times unemployed individuals tend to go to one extreme or the other. On the one side, they’ll spend every waking minute on job boards or scouring the classifieds, searching relentlessly for Northwest jobs. On the other hand, they’ll procrastinate, and put off the job search, not wanting to deal with it or face reality. Neither approach is healthy and can cause a lot of stress in the process.

So how can you make the most of your search time, without driving yourself crazy? Here are some tips for spending your time wisely:

1. Create a “work” schedule.

Set a schedule similar to a schedule you’d have at work. Commit 30-40 hours each week to searching for new jobs. But when you’re done for the day, you’re done. Don’t keep going back to the computer every night to search for “just one more” job lead.

2. Set goals.

Set goals for yourself each day, such as the number of new leads to contact or the number of resumes you’re going to send out. That said, your goals shouldn’t be 100% focused on your job search. Now that you have the time, set a personal goal for yourself, as well. Always wanted to take a creative writing course? This is the perfect time to do it. Getting outside of your job search – and your comfort zone – can have a positive impact on your life overall and possibly even your job search directly.

3. Get moving.

Exercise not only benefits you physically, but emotionally and mentally, as well. One of the easiest ways to get moving is to find an activity that you like, whether it’s walking, biking, or basketball. You don’t have to join an expensive gym to reap the benefits of physical activity.

4. Get out there.

Don’t forget to make time for your family, friends, and social life. Now that you’ve got a more flexible schedule, meet up with friends for breakfast or lunch. Make plans to get together on the weekends. Not only will you boost your overall happiness, but you might hear about a new job lead in the process.

5. Keep perspective.

Whatever you do, try and do it with a sense of purpose, not out of stress and fear. This bad economy will eventually be behind us and soon enough you will find a job. And when that happens, you’ll probably be yearning for the days when you had more time on your hands!

If you’d like some assistance in finding a new job, give us a call. As one of the leading employment agencies in the Northwest, we can give you access to a variety of opportunities that may not be advertised elsewhere. Contact us today to learn more.

If you’ve been reading the news at all recently, you know our economy isn’t exactly the healthiest it’s ever been. But, as one of Spokane, Washington’s leading employment agencies, we know that just because the economy is still experiencing a slump, doesn’t mean you should be settling for less salary than what you’re worth.

That said, the thought of asking for a raise can certainly be an intimidating proposition. To help increase your confidence level, here are some tips to follow:

Look around you.

If your company is currently laying off employees, now may not be the best time to ask for a raise. Check back and reassess the situation in 6-12 months.

Be realistic.

What are you worth? If you don’t know, check out websites like Salary.com to see what the average salary is for people in your occupation, location, and with a similar education. You might not be worth as much as you thought – or you could be worth more. You won’t know unless you check, though.

Ask for feedback.

Do you have a couple of co-workers you’re especially comfortable with? If you do, ask them for feedback on how you come across and whether they think you deserve a raise.

Create a brag book.

Well, it doesn’t have to be an entire book. It can just be a list of your most recent – and biggest – accomplishments. Increase sales by 10% last month? Include that on the list. Get some terrific feedback from your biggest client? Put that on your list too. This is ammunition you’ll need to prove to your boss you’re worth more money.

Practice, practice, practice.

Terrified of asking your boss for a raise? Don’t worry, most people are. But the worst that can happen is your boss says “no.” So prepare yourself for that possibility. Also, to help you feel more at ease, practice exactly what you’re going to say to your boss. Make sure you think about potential objections your boss may have and how you will overcome them. For more on what to say, read our post on one small word that can help you land a promotion.

Keep it short.

While you need to sell yourself and why you deserve a raise, don’t ramble. Make your point and then let your boss respond.

Don’t get emotional.

If you’ve worked really hard and know that other companies are paying employees like you more, it can be tempting to get angry when your boss denies your request. However, it won’t do any good and it can actually harm how your boss perceives you. Instead, ask what you can do to secure a raise in the near future.

But if your boss denies your request because there isn’t room for advancement at the company, it may be time for a career move. And Provisional can help. As one of Spokane, Washington’s leading employment agencies, we can offer you access to a variety of new opportunities that are a better match for your skills, personality, and career goals.

Start your job search now.

As one of the premier employment firms in the Northwest, we certainly understand that the thought of asking your boss for a promotion can be terrifying. After all, in this economy, shouldn’t you be happy to just have a job?

But if you’ve been taking on more and more responsibility at work, are a long-time asset to the company, and feel like you’re ready – and deserve to – move up the company ladder, then by all means go for it.

With that said, getting promoted isn’t as simple as just asking for it. You first need to sell your boss on the idea and why you deserve it. And you can do that by using one small word: Because.

“Because” forces you to think about the actual reasons why you deserve a promotion. It also gives you the facts you need to get your boss on board with it. Your boss isn’t monitoring your every move and so may not know about all your recent successes and accomplishments. It’s up to you to toot your own horn.

For example, rather than just saying “I’ve worked really hard, so feel I deserve a promotion” instead say “I deserve a promotion because I consistently bring in new clients to the company. As a result, sales have increased by 10%.”

To help you prepare for the big “ask,” here are some additional tips:

• Schedule a meeting with your boss and let him or her know you want to discuss your job performance. Don’t just drop by unannounced.
• Write down all of your recent achievements and successes, from a positive comment from a customer to landing a big new client. Bring your list with you to the meeting.
• Research what you’re worth in the job marketplace; also bring those statistics with you to the meeting.
• Besides talking about your past accomplishments, tell your boss how you plan to build on them in the future, and how doing so will benefit your boss and the company as a whole.

If the boss says no to a promotion, inquire why and what you can do to get promoted.

And if there’s simply no room for advancement at your company, and you’re ready to move on, Provisional can help. As one of the premier employment firms in the Northwest, we can help you locate the position that best matches your skills and interests. Search jobs now.

Clearly skills and intelligence are important to succeed in almost any job. Being a team player and getting your work done are also critically important, as well.

But what is really the #1 secret to on-the-job success?

Strong relationships; strong relationships with your co-workers, to be more specific.

Think about it. When you’re in a jam at work, who do you turn to? It’s probably not your boss. When you want to bounce an idea off of someone, where do you go? Again, you’re probably not pounding your boss’s door down to deliver your half-baked idea for process improvements.

Instead, you’re going to seek out help or advice from your co-workers – but first you need to develop a strong relationship with them. Here’s how:

Share what you know.

You and your co-workers come from different backgrounds and bring different experiences and contacts to the table. For instance, perhaps you used to work in another company department and know exactly who Deb down the hall needs talk to about ordering a new software program that will help make her job easier. Share that knowledge with her.

Treat everyone with respect.

This doesn’t mean you have to be a pushover or a “yes” man or woman. It just means that you should treat all your co-workers with respect and dignity. So the next time Mike from Sales has another dumb idea and you want to blurt out, “wow, that was stupid,” hold your tongue; then take a more diplomatic approach.

Go to happy hour.

At the end of a long week, you may simply want to head home rather than go to happy hour with your co-workers. But go anyway. Don’t get drunk and obnoxious. Just try to get to know your co-workers on a more personal level. Not only will you become closer, but you’ll learn about what makes each one tick. As a result, you’ll be able to develop a more productive relationship with them.

Don’t play the blame game.

Though it can be tempting, know that blaming others will simply alienate them and you’ll probably still look like you’re at fault. So own up to mistakes and don’t rat out co-workers, even if they played a small part in the error. Otherwise, you’ll create enemies, not friends.

Do share the glory.

Sharing credit with your co-workers is almost guaranteed to strengthen your workplace relationships. So even if you did most of the work, when your boss is congratulating you, tell him or her you couldn’t have done it without help from Tim in Accounting and Julie in Research for all their number crunching and data gathering.

If you feel like you can’t develop strong relationships with co-workers because you’re in a work environment that’s unhealthy and unproductive, it might be time for a more rewarding opportunity. Provisional can help. As one of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s leading employment firms, we work with some of the top employers in the area and can give you access to opportunities that aren’t always advertised.

Take a look at our most recent hot jobs to get started.