About the Research

The data is based on two surveys conducted by organizational psychologists at the London Business School and the University of North Carolina of 146 MBA students and 208 job seekers. In it, researchers asked participants to rate responses to statements such as:

• “It’s important for an employer to see me as I see myself, even if it means bringing people to recognize my limitations;”
• And “I like to be myself rather than trying to act like someone I’m not.”

The research found that those people who were more candid about their strengths and skills – along with their limitations – ended up in jobs they were better suited for.

So What Does This Mean for You in Your Job Search?

As one of the leading employment firms in the Northwest, Provisional knows that these findings may be counter-intuitive to what you have been told in the past: that you need to create a solely positive – and sometimes inaccurate – image in order to land a job. However, doing so can backfire if you get hired and can’t deliver on the skills and abilities you promised during an interview.

That said, you shouldn’t bring up every career failure, mistake, or setback you’ve ever endured. Or worse yet, badmouth a former boss, employer, or colleague. You can be both candid and professional without hurting your chances of getting hired. Just be honest and go with your gut. If the job requires a certain skill and you know you don’t have it, don’t pretend that you do.

Want Some More Tips & Advice for Your Job Search?

Let us know. As one of the leading employment firms in the Northwest, Provisional has been placing professionals with great companies for over 20 years.

Experience the Provisional difference today!

Job postings that ask for salary histories can seem a little invasive. It kind of feels like going on a first date with someone who asks to see your monthly bank statement before drinks are even served. As a result, you might be tempted to ignore the request altogether.

Unfortunately, though, doing so is a mistake. In fact, hiring managers have very specific reasons for asking about salary history – and when you submit an application without including yours (only if they request it), you’re basically telling them that you can’t follow directions.

So why do hiring managers want to know about past salaries?

Reason #1. You might be wary about offering your salary history because you don’t want to make the same amount as you did in your last Northwest job…you want to make more. This is normal. Hiring managers expect candidates to want a raise. They just need to make sure it’s reasonable and within the parameters of what they are prepared to offer a new hire.

Reason #2. In addition, hiring managers also want to see that your salary has been increasing gradually over the years. If it hasn’t been, or it’s dropped drastically without a good explanation (like you cut your hours back for a few years when you had small children at home), it’s a sign of a problem.

And what can you do to ensure you negotiate the best salary for your next job?

• Do your homework. It’s possible that in your last Northwest job, you made below fair market value. If you suspect that’s the case, then do some research to determine how much you should have been making. Then offer these numbers up as a benchmark during the salary negotiation process.
• Factor in benefits. When negotiating your salary, don’t forget to factor in benefits. For example, perhaps a prospective employer is offering you a bigger salary, but less total compensation than your last position. If that’s the case, then use that as leverage to negotiate an even bigger salary or more benefits.
• Don’t exaggerate. You might be tempted to inflate the salary history of your past Northwest jobs…but don’t do it. Potential employers can request W-2s from a former employer before finalizing a compensation package for you – and if you get caught in a lie, then you could lose out big time.

If you’d like additional assistance with your search for Northwest jobs, let us know. As one of the top employment agencies in the area, we’ve placed over 6,000 direct hire professionals with local companies since 1994. And we’d like to help place you too! Learn more now.

This is a big time saver for employers receiving hundreds or thousands of resumes for a single opening. However, as one of the top employment firms in Spokane, Washington, we know if you’re a job candidate, it can seem like you’re submitting your resume into a big black hole of uncertainty.

So what can do to make sure you make it past the tracking system, so a set of human eyes sees your resume?

The single best way is to make sure you’re applying for jobs in Spokane, Washington that you are actually qualified for. You’d be surprised at how many completely unqualified candidates apply to jobs online because “hey, you never know” and then become miffed when they never hear back.

If you are qualified, here are some additional tips to make sure you don’t get scanned out of the running by tracking software:

• Use keywords from the job description. For instance, if you’re applying for a retail management position, make sure your resume includes keywords like “retail” and “manage.”
• Use keywords from the company’s website. Are there certain words the company uses on their website to describe their mission, vision, and/or values? If so, try to include those in your resume. For instance, if their website states the company is committed to supporting the community through fundraising and volunteer work and you’ve done volunteer work in the past, then include that information in your resume.
• Keep the format of your resume simple and clear. That means no fancy fonts or cluttered type. Otherwise, you might confuse the tracking system.
• Don’t ever lie. Some scammers have gotten their resumes through tracking systems by including certain false credentials and keywords in white type. But most recruiters and hiring managers are aware of these tricks and you’ll only hurt your reputation if you get caught lying or doing something unethical.

And keep in mind that while the tips above can help you get past the first round of cuts, the very best way to ensure your resume gets in front of a human – and you land a job interview – is through a referral from an existing company employee or mutual colleague.

If you’d like some additional help finding out about jobs in Spokane, Washington, give us a call. As one of the city’s top employment firms, we can connect you with some of the leading employers and opportunities in the area.

Are you one of them? If you are, or you’re not sure, here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

Take full advantage of core benefits.

Are you fully funding your retirement plan? Are you taking advantage of company stock purchases? If you’re not, then you could be losing thousands of dollars and perhaps even delaying your retirement. To avoid this, be sure to maximize company matching benefits, for instance, and also increase your savings contribution to the maximum allowable contribution.

Another major core benefit to think about is your health insurance plan. You may be on auto-pilot when it comes to your plan, renewing it year after year, without reviewing it. However, your needs may have changed significantly since you joined the company and you could be losing money or leaving benefits on the table by choosing the same plan year after year. So make sure when it’s time for open enrollment, that you review and understand all of your options.

Don’t forget about free benefits.

Does your company offer free tuition, legal or financial services, adoption services, day care, or other programs or services typically offered as part of an employee assistance program? If they do, and you’re not taking advantage of those services, you could be spending thousands of extra dollars on services each year that you could get for free, or at a discounted rate, through your employer. To avoid doing so in the future, ask your HR department for a full list of company subsidized benefits and services. Sometimes employees don’t even realize all the benefits they have access to.

Understand all other benefits.

Whether or not to participate in voluntary benefits depends on your unique situation. For instance, you may have access to dental insurance through work. If you’re a single person in good health, then paying cash for dental care may actually cost you less. However, if you have three young children and a spouse to support, then purchasing dental care benefits could actually save you a ton of money in the long run. But, as one of the leading employment firms in the Northwest, we know it’s important to first understand all your benefits so you can make the wisest decision for you and your family.

It is, according to research by Leadership IQ, a research and leadership training institute. In a study tracking 20,000 new hires, they found that 46% failed within the first 19 months. Even more surprisingly was that 89% of the time the failure was due to attitude, while only 11% of the time it was due to lack of skill. Attitudinal deficits ranged from low levels of emotional intelligence to lack of coach-ability (the ability to seek out and learn from feedback).

The lesson here?

As one of the leading employment firms in the Northwest, we know that companies are searching for people who are the best fit – in terms of both skills and personality. As a result, you must go beyond showcasing your ability and experience, and also display the right attitude to get hired. Here are some quick tips to help you:

• Don’t include negative statements in your cover letter or resume. For instance, don’t vent about your frustrating job search or ponder whether your resume will end up in a recruiting black hole. Or worse, don’t belittle a previous employer. Be polite and professional. And remember, people want to work with others who are easy to get along with, not those who are difficult and high maintenance.
• Don’t nitpick the rules. If the hiring manager is telling you about the company dress code during an interview, don’t respond with “I don’t do dress codes.” If you do, you will be perceived as someone who can’t follow the rules and will have a hard time interacting with peers who have divergent opinions.
• Show some enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm, or lack of, will show during your interview. So be positive and energetic. Also, demonstrate your passion for the company or position by doing some research ahead of time and discussing how your skills and background can help meet their needs. On the other hand, sighing and looking at your watch constantly will indicate to the hiring manager that you’re not really that interested.
• Ask for an outside perspective. If you’re not sure whether you’re displaying a negative attitude, ask a friend or family member for an outside perspective. Also ask them to review your cover letter and resume. You might simply think you’re being honest and realistic, while others perceive you as being more negative.

If you’d like some additional help with interview prep or your job search, let us know. As one of the leading employment firms in the Northwest, we have the knowledge, experience, and industry connections to help you find terrific job leads and prepare for your interviews so you can land a position that’s right for you. Contact us today to learn more.

Explain the gap in your cover letter.

Don’t let a glaring gap in your employment history do all the talking to a potential employer. Offer an explanation for it in your cover letter. It doesn’t need to be long. Just state that you were out of work for whatever reason and that you are eager to return to the workforce. However, if the gap in your employment happened ages ago, don’t even mention it.

But don’t stop there.

Also include your explanation under the “Employment” section on your resume. The reason? Cover letters don’t always get passed along with resumes to key decision makers.

Tell the truth.

Whatever the reason for your gap, be honest. If you’re dishonest on your resume, you’ll probably live to regret it. It’s easy for employers to verify your work history and if you put inaccurate information on your resume, they can find out in just a phone call.

However, that said, it’s also easy to de-emphasize the amount of time between jobs without lying. One way is by including years of employment, rather than months and years. For instance, there’s a difference between being employed somewhere between “2009 – 2010” and being employed there between “November 2009 – January 2010.”

Focus on what you have been doing.

Don’t focus too much on why you were out of work. Instead, talk about the new skills you acquired thanks to your time off. For instance, if you’ve been home with your children, have you done any volunteer work, like with the school PTA? If you were laid off, have you been spending some of your time freelancing, consulting, or volunteering?

All of these experiences are work and can be included on your resume to fill any gaps. Even if you simply enrolled in a class to expand or sharpen your skill set, it gives you a good answer to tell employers when they inevitably ask what you’ve been doing during your hiatus from work.

Also, keep in mind that employers may be more understanding about your gap given the recent economic conditions. So don’t be too hard on yourself and try to focus on the positive during your interview.

If you need some additional help with your job search, let us know. As one of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s top employment agencies, we can give you access to rewarding job opportunities with the area’s leading employers. Get started now.

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.

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.

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.

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!