Provisional Blog

As a new manager, you have a lot on your plate. Not only are you managing a team of different personalities, but there are tight budgets, hot deadlines and customer issues to deal with. How can you get control, develop a strong team, and achieve your goals?

You first need to build trust between you and your team members. When you do, they’ll work harder and smarter for you. Not only that, but they’ll be more comfortable coming to you with issues and concerns that you can address before they escalate.

That said, building trust isn’t something that happens overnight. Instead, you need to take the right steps over time in order to leverage its power. As a leading staffing service in the Northwest, Provisional can help you get there with these simple yet essential tips:

Set a good example.

If you’re late to meetings, but chide an employee for running behind, it makes you look like hypocrite. Instead, make sure you’re setting an example for the types of behaviors, habits and attitudes you expect. 

Be clear about goals.

One issue that undermines trust building is when employees aren’t clear about your expectations for them. This muddies the water and leads to disengagement. To avoid this, meet individually with staff members and as a group to discuss goals and deadlines. This will ensure everyone knows what they’re supposed to do and where their work fits into the big picture. 

Keep an open door policy.

Communication is key when it comes to building trust. That’s why you should commit to an open door policy and encourage employees to come talk to you about issues and challenges. You should also be up and around, regularly walking the office or the floor and checking in on your staff. This will help you to better stay on top of progress and identify areas that need your attention.

Spend time getting to know your staff.

You’re not trying to become best friends. However, you are trying to learn about their unique personality, what motivates them, and what their expectations are for you as their boss. As a result, you’ll create closer bonds and form a stronger team. 

Give praise and credit.

Don’t ever take the credit for work that was a team effort. Instead, always be lavish with praise and recognition. Your employees will feel valued and will therefore be more loyal as a result. 

Building a team takes time. However, when you follow the steps above, you can ensure that trust becomes a part of its foundation. 

Need help hiring employees you can trust?

Call Provisional. As a leading staffing service in the Northwest, we know where to recruit and how to vet top candidates, all so you get dependable new hires you can trust.

When it comes to your LinkedIn profile, your photo makes a big difference. In fact, if you don’t have one, you’re going to come off as spammy and phony to recruiters and hiring managers. Not only that, but according to LinkedIn statistics, those with a photo get 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests.

Even if you do have one, if it’s not professional-looking, then they’ll also think twice about considering you for a new opportunity. You won’t come off as a credible, quality candidate they want to hire.

So short of spending an arm and a leg on a professional photographer, what can you do to improve your online profile? Here are some quick tips to help you:

Avoid the selfie.

It’s an all-too-common type of image across social media. And it’s fine for your personal Facebook page or the family photo album. But avoid a selfie shot for your LinkedIn profile if you want to come across as a mature professional. 

Use a headshot.

Don’t post a family photo of you at the beach. Or crop one that has you featured in a way where you look blurry or off-center. Instead, get a simple headshot taken from a friend or family member, where you’re posed in a place with plenty of light.

Dress professionally.

You don’t need to be in a business suit or dressed overly formal. However, you want to present a professional image and if you’re wearing a bathing suit sitting poolside, for instance, that’s not going to happen. So make sure you look polished in whatever picture you post. 

Keep the background simple.

Wherever your picture is taken, just make sure it’s in a place without a busy background. If it is, then it will distract from the overall professional image you’re trying to project. Instead, choose something simple and neutral to serve as the backdrop. 

Want professional assistance with your LinkedIn profile or your job search?

At Provisional, we can help with every aspect of it. We’ll give you guidance on your resume, LinkedIn profile, interview answers and all other aspects of your job search. This will help you find a new job in Spokane, one you’ll love, faster. Search our jobs now. 

70%. That’s how many respondents to a Workplace Health Survey by Mental Health America said they were looking for a new job or thinking about making a move. That’s a lot of people and translates into high turnover for many companies.

While some turnover is expected or even a positive, too much of it can have a negative impact on your company. For instance, morale, productivity and profits can all take a hit. So how can you protect your organization from too much and retain your top staff in the process? Here are five tips to help you: 

1. Recognize.

According to the survey above, a lack of recognition is one of the key reasons why employees quit. So now’s the time to turn things around. While you shouldn’t offer unwarranted praise, make sure you recognize employees for both consistent performance, as well as going the extra mile.

2. Advancement.

Top employees want to get ahead in their careers. If your company doesn’t offer the opportunity to do so, then they’re going to try to move upward elsewhere. However, promoting internal employees is a win-win for you. You’ll better retain them, all while lowering the chance of making a hiring mistake. 

3. Flexibility.

Today’s employees not only want a more flexible work schedule, they expect it. It’s easier than ever to offer this option thanks to technology. So consider options like telecommuting, flexible scheduling, and work sharing. This is an in-demand benefit that will help you to not only keep your core team, but attract top candidates in the future.

4. Culture.

You want your people to love coming to work each day. One way to achieve that is by focusing on creating a positive culture. This includes nipping conflict in the bud immediately, opening the door to regular communication, encouraging staff to share ideas and opinions, and treating your people like what they are: your most important asset.  

5. Challenge.

Your staff wants to feel like their work matters and makes an impact. They also want assignments that are challenging and rewarding. So make sure you’re regularly meeting with them on an individual basis so you can identify what motivates them and ways to best challenge them at work, helping them reach their potential in the process.

Looking for professional help hiring and retaining employees?

Look no further Provisional. As one of the top staffing agencies in the Northwest, we know what it takes to recruit and retain the high-quality people you need. Get started now with a call to our team.

Is your job search taking longer than expected? Are you tired of getting rejected or hearing nothing at all from hiring managers? It might be time to bring in the professionals in the form of a recruiter from one of Spokane, Washington’s employment agencies. When you do, you can take advantage of a few key benefits:

#1: Help with resume writing, interview preparation and more.

When you work with a recruiter, they’ll be able to learn about your skills, background and strengths, all so they can help you improve your resume. They’ll also work with you to better prepare for interviews, so you’re more confident walking into a hiring manager’s office. 

#2: Access to hidden jobs. 

Many times, employers work with recruiters to fill job openings that aren’t advertised to the public. When you also partner with a recruiter, you’ll be able to gain access to these opportunities, giving you a leg up over the competition.

#3: Learn more about potential employers.

When recruiters are hired to fill job openings for a particular company on a regular basis, they’ll have a better sense of the culture, leadership, mission and vision. They’ll be able to impart this knowledge to you, so you have more insight into the employer and what it would be like to work there. 

#4: Find a new job faster.

The job hunt takes a lot of time and energy. In fact, sometimes it can feel like a full-time position. However, when you work with a recruiter, it will not only be an easier process, but a faster one too. It’s their job to know which employers are hiring and how to match you with the right opportunities. 

#5: Get connected with the right-fit position.

Just because you have the skills to perform a certain job doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. But when you work with a recruiter, you can rest easy that you’ll be connected to opportunities that best align with your background and abilities, as well as a culture you’ll blend well with. 

Ready to work with professional recruiters to find your next job?

Call Provisional. As one of Spokane Washington’s top employment agencies, we can connect you with great jobs at leading employers. Search our jobs now.

Gone are the days when you published a job ad, screened a bunch of resumes and made calls for interviews. Instead, in today’s market, with low unemployment, you need to entice candidates to work for you. This is especially true if you’re filling roles in high-demand fields, like technology. 

So how do you go about doing that? By building a strong employer brand. When you have a reputation in the local market as a top employer, the best candidates will be far more likely to apply to positions at your company. Not only that, but you’ll:

• Find good fit candidates faster, leading to lower hiring costs.
• Retain your best team members easier since they’ll experience more job satisfaction.
• Happy employees will also be more likely to refer those in their network to a job with you.
• Experience increased offer-to-acceptance ratios.

In order to achieve these outcomes, though, you have to identify what makes your company a special place to work. You can do that by talking with your existing employees first. When you find out their opinions on what attracted them to work for your company, as well as what they like best about it, you’ll know how to position your organization in job postings and throughout the interview process. 

To best solicit feedback, you can simply create a questionnaire that asks about:

• Their experience during the hiring process, including what they liked and areas that could use improvement. 
• Why they chose your company over other opportunities and what made it different or stood out to them.
• What they like most about being a part of the team and areas they would change.
• What the company’s mission and vision are. 
• What makes the company a unique place to work.

Once you understand how employees view your company, both as candidates and as existing staff, you’ll have more insight into fashioning your employer brand.  You can then promote it throughout your website, marketing materials, social media and during the hiring process.

Need more help with your recruiting efforts?

Turn to the team at Provisional. As one of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s leading staffing services firms, we can connect you with top candidates for your job openings. You’ll be able to fill positions faster, with less stress.

Despite low unemployment, there are many candidates out there looking for the same kinds of jobs in the Spokane area as you. How are you going to stand out among them, so you get a call for an interview? The best way to do that is by customizing your resume.

When you do, that simply means you’re not sending in the exact same resume for every position you’re applying to. Instead, you’re editing it for each opportunity, so it best speaks to that particular hiring manager. Not only will this make you look like a better prepared candidate, but a better fit one to. 

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some steps to take to tailor your resume:

Focus on your summary of qualifications.

In today’s world, you should be including a summary of qualifications at the top of your resume instead of an objective. This is simply a bullet list of your biggest strengths and best accomplishments. However, what you choose to include, as well as the order you list them in, should certainly change depending on the employer. 

Connect your tasks to specific outcomes.

Hiring managers don’t simply want to know what you were responsible for. They also want to understand the outcomes you achieved. So wherever possible, illustrate your background through specific examples and stories, quantifying them wherever possible. Also make sure you’re focusing on the accomplishments that make the most sense for the employer. 

Highlight the most relevant strengths and abilities. 

Each position comes with a unique set of requirements. Make sure that the skills and abilities you focus on in your resume are aligned with each opportunity. For instance, for one position, collaboration might be key, while for another, knowing a certain software program is critical. It’s up to you to read through the posting to identify the company’s specific hiring needs and then discuss how you can meet them thanks to your unique background. 

Include keywords.

While you’re editing your resume, make sure you’re also including keywords from the job posting. When you do, it will have a better chance of making it through the applicant tracking system, so you get a call for an interview.

Searching for a new job can be tricky. If you’d like help with the process, turn to Provisional. As one of the leading employment agencies in Spokane, we can help with every aspect of it, from tips and advice on your resume to access to hidden jobs with leading local employers. Contact us today to get started. 

When it comes to your late-night workers, you need to ensure they’re able to fulfill orders and get them out the door. But if they’re tired and lacking motivation, this is tricky to do. The good news is that by encouraging them to practice better habits, you can help them to boost their overall health and their quality of life, as well. Here’s a look at a few tips to get started:

Keep healthy snacks on hand.

Treat your employees by stocking the lunchroom with healthy snacks, including water, juice, fruits, nuts and vegetables. This will not only keep their energy up, but also help them to remain more productive.

Give workers more flexible breaks.

While it might sound counter-productive, encouraging your workers to take plenty of breaks throughout the night is important to their overall ability to get their work done. After a break, they’ll return to work refresh and recharged, ready to tackle more without getting tired and burned out.

Implement a wellness program.

In order to maximize employee wellness, institute a program that helps workers deal with the night shift and the potential adverse conditions that come along with it. Also, educate them on how to overcome them, such as by eating nutritiously, getting plenty of rest before their shift, drinking water during it, and exercising on their time off. Schedule regular sessions that periodically remind your team of these important to-do’s.

Put safety measures into practice.

Especially during the night shift, it’s important to keep safety in mind and create conditions that keep people alert. For instance, make sure the area where your staff is working is well-lit and free from clutter. You should also keep the room temperature in mind. Keeping the room too warm, for example, can lead to sleepiness.

Keep workers in the loop.

Since they’re not in the office or building during standard business hours, night-time workers might not stay in the know about important company happenings. But for them to be as motivated and productive as possible, it’s important to keep them connected and in regular contact with other team members. One way to do that is by scheduling company leaders to come in regularly to discuss the business and hear about challenges or areas of concern the employees are having.

Night work can often be tricky for both businesses and workers. However, when you follow the tips above, you’ll go a long way in keeping your team healthier and on track.

Need help adding to your team?

As one of Spokane’s top staffing agencies, Provisional has access to highly skilled and hard-working people to fill a variety of roles. Simply contact our team today to learn more or get started.

Maybe you two lack chemistry or got off on the wrong foot to start. Or perhaps you feel under-appreciated and overworked. Whatever the case, you don’t have a great relationship with your boss and it’s straining your life, both at work and at home. What can you do short of getting a new job? Here are some tips to help you deal with this delicate situation:

Put yourself in their shoes.

It’s easy to get annoyed with your boss if they don’t follow through or seem to take you for granted. But take a step back and put yourself in their shoes. For instance, what would it be like to manage a team of so many different personalities? When you understand their priorities and the pressures they’re under, it’s easier to empathize. 

Get clarification.

If part of the issue is lack of clarification about your work or your goals, then schedule a time to sit down with your boss. Ask them questions about what they expect from you and make sure you understand what they’re asking. This will not only ensure you’re on the same page, but any issues or obstacles to success are brought out into the open and discussed. 

Focus on the positive. 

Remember that your boss is human. They’re going to make mistakes and you’re not always going to agree with the decisions they make. But if that’s all you’re focused on, then it will cause a strain in your relationship. Instead, keep in mind their positive attributes and what you do like and respect about them. 

Get to know them more personally.

For instance, ask them what they did over the weekend or how their kids are doing. The goal here isn’t to become best friends with them, but to forge a stronger and closer relationship that benefits you both. 

Know when it’s time to move on.

If you have a relationship with your boss that’s toxic in nature, then it’s likely not salvageable and time to move on. If that’s the case, connect with the team at Provisional. As one of Spokane’s top employment agencies, we know who’s hiring and can help you make your next career move. Find out how by contacting us today.

As one of Spokane’s leading staffing agencies, we know that it’s often the case that many companies can’t find the people they need with the right skill set. This can be due to a true lack of talent in the employment market. Or it can also be caused by the company’s approach to recruiting and hiring. To ensure it’s not the latter for you, here are a few tips to follow:

Tip #1: Make sure job descriptions are hitting the mark.

These are the first thing that job candidates will see about your company and you want to make the best impression possible. To do so, make sure you’re going beyond listing out all the qualifications you’re looking for and also discuss what makes your company a unique place to work. Also, focus on keeping the post clear and concise, using it more as a marketing document and less of a technical guidebook.

Tip #2: Keep the application process simple and straightforward.

Nothing turns a job candidate off faster than a complicated application process, or one that requires them to invest hours into it. Instead, focus on making yours seamless and easy. Keep in mind too that you don’t need to find out every aspect of a job candidate’s background through it. You’re simply trying to ascertain whether they’d be a reasonably good match. You can investigate and vet further during the screening and interviewing process.

Tip #3: Be transparent about what the job entails, as well as salary and benefits.

Don’t try to paint a too-rosy picture for job candidates you’re trying to hire. If they accept and find out the position isn’t what they thought it would be, you’ll be dealing with high turnover. Instead, be clear and informative during the interview process, explaining the perks and benefits, as well as the challenges and pitfalls.

Tip #4: Treat each candidate well and keep them in the loop.

Throughout the hiring process, make sure every candidate is treated in a way where they feel respected. Keep them in the loop and inform them immediately if they didn’t get the job. When you take this approach, even if they get rejected, the candidate experience overall will be a positive one and they’ll be more likely to apply again in the future when a better-fit role arises.

Need expert help attracting top candidates to your team?

Call Provisional. As one of Spokane’s leading staffing agencies, we can help you source, screen and hire the talented people you need for a wide range of positions. Find out how with a call to our team.

When it comes to finding your next great job, you need a resume that’s polished and professional. But if you’re not an expert resume writer, this can be a tough task to tackle. Where do you begin and how do you stand out in a sea of other resumes? Here are some simple tips to put to use today:

Write it like a marketing document.

Too many candidates approach resume writing like they’re authoring a career autobiography. But keep in mind you only have a few seconds to grab the hiring manager’s attention. To do that, you need to keep your resume clear, concise and compelling, focusing on your track record of success and not on every job you’ve held since high school.

Get rid of the objective statement.

This will simply make your resume look dated. Instead, include a Summary of Qualifications at the top that lists out your key strengths and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job.

Use keywords.

Another important aspect for today’s resumes is using keywords throughout it. Many companies employ Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which filter resumes based on keywords from job postings. So review the language in the posting again and make a list of keywords that make sense to include in your resume.

Create it in a clear format.

Beyond writing a clear resume, you also need to format it in a way that makes it easy to scan. When you do this, you should include the most relevant information front and center, as well as use bullet points and bold face in order to call out important aspects of your career background. Also, make sure to include enough white space so your resume doesn’t look cramped.

Include the right contact information.

On your resume, you don’t necessarily need to include your mailing address any longer since most communications happen via email. Therefore, simply include your phone and email address, as well as a relevant LinkedIn URL where hiring managers can learn more about you.

When you follow the tips above, not only will you make the task of reading your resume easier for hiring managers, but you’ll also increase your odds of getting a call for an interview.

Need more help finding your next job?

Call the experts at Provisional. As one of Spokane’s top employment agencies, we can connect you with rewarding opportunities with the area’s leading companies. Contact us today or search our jobs in Spokane now.