Jobs

Your Top Virtual Job Interview Tips (Including How to Nail the First Impression)

Zoom Video Conferencing (or Skype, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams..the options are endless)..Before the pandemic, some people had never heard of or used Zoom. Consider it the new normal now. This part of the candidate interview process is not going to go away any time soon, and will likely be here to stay.

We’re still living in a pandemic. But the hiring must go on—fingers crossed—which means many of us will be subjected to virtual job interviews. It’s just one more aspect of remote work, right? Wrong. On the contrary, an interview conducted via video call requires just as much effort as an in-person one, if not more, especially if you want your virtual “conversation” to go smoothly. We asked a handful of experts to share their advice for the best ways to prep.

Check out what the people at the website PureWow said on the topic:

New Year. New Job. Tips for Landing a New Gig in 2021

Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are over, this is the perfect time to refresh your job search and make plans to hit the ground running.

Check out these tips from The Muse on how to make sure 2021 is the year you get HIRED.

How to Work from Home, the RIGHT Way

If you’re like most people in the world right now, you have had to make the transition from an office setting to your home office/kitchen/bedroom/closet -- like it or not (if you are not, please do so IMMEDIATELY. Let’s flatten that curve!)

As an Insurance Recruiter based in Dallas with my company headquartered in the Northeast, I have been 100% working from home for the last several years-and as a result have become quite efficient at working in a home office setting. But, it wasn’t always that way… When I first started working remotely, I thought “this going to be great!” Well guess what? It WASN'T completely great. In fact, working remotely can be quite isolating, as and you are either working non-stop, or are constantly fighting the urge to binge-watch the entire series of “The Office”.

Either way, I’d like to share some words of wisdom on how to make the transition easier:

Hobson Associates' Jennifer Millea talks about ‘Women in Business Navigating Changing Times’

Hobson Associates Senior Staffing Associate Jennifer Millea recently participated in the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce's ‘Women In Business Alliance’ lunch in Cheshire, CT.  The Alliance is comprised of women business leaders and professionals in the local community who gather to share their professional experiences and collaborate on local opportunities. This month's theme was "The Changing Workplace" and Jennifer, along with other local business professionals, did presentations for the group. Jennifer's topic was focused on staffing and hiring trends in the workplace.

Advantages of a Dog-friendly Workplace

For most people, having dogs in the workplace seems like something out of a dream. These days, however, more and more offices are going to the dogs. While it’s not always feasible due to allergies or regulatory concerns, companies have come to realize the many benefits of adopting a dog-friendly workplace.

Not to miss out on the fun and benefits-Hobson Associates has recently instituted  "Dog in the Office Fridays" with a rotating schedule of one puppy guest at Hobson's headquarters office each Friday 

 According to animal health services company LifeLearn, here are 8 advantages of a dog-friendly workplace.

What’s More Valuable-a Degree or Job Experience?

I remember taking my last collegiate final at the University of Hartford. I literally walked out of my Entrepreneurial Studies classroom with a smile that was far from scholarly, giving an overtly jubilant high-five to the nearest bystander.

Yet as I would soon discover, there was a lot more than that kid I didn’t know (and still don’t!)

“Go to college,” your high school teachers would say,“get a degree,” they continued, “get a job,” they promised…

More than 65% of high-schoolers who graduated will go to college that following fall semester. One thing I still don't understand is the societal norms that emphasize and push high school students into college. Realistically speaking, a piece of paper isn’t going to pick-a-lock that’s going to open the door that is opportunity. So, what separates you from everyone else in America who is graduating in 2018 and about to enter the workforce?

5 Factors Impacting Hiring Trends in 2018

Glassdoor recently revealed five trends in the job market that will disrupt the way organizations attract, hire and retain employees in 2018, as well as the biggest job trends that impacted 2017 – from the power of whistleblowers to the demand for informed candidates. The list of major 2018 disruptions, include the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), on HR and finance; the sectors that are driving job creation; and how mobile is changing the way people find and apply for jobs.

“The U.S. economy experienced a landmark year, despite two major hurricanes and political challenges in Washington, D.C.  – 1.9 million new jobs were added in 11 months and stock markets reached an all-time record high. The nation’s unemployment rate plummeted to a 17-year low, fueling a talent war in tech, healthcare, e-commerce and professional services,” said Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor’s chief economist. “Although the nation’s labor market is strong heading into 2018, average wages for many remain stubbornly flat and a stark divide remains in who benefits from continued job growth, with tech skills earning a premium and many other jobs facing significant changes with the rise of AI and automation.”

Here are the trends you should keep your eye on in 2018:

One of the Most Difficult Hires You’ll Make

Your company is growing, and your needs are expanding. You need to create a role you have never needed before. Sometimes these new positions are nothing more than a similar role with a different title, designed to appeal to the egos of potential applicants. But other times there is a lot more involved. You are bringing in someone to take on responsibilities that no one else in your company has experience in. Where do you start?

As a recruiter who works with companies in many industries at all job levels, I can impart some wisdom from my own experiences placing professionals in growing organizations. Hiring is challenging enough, especially today, so let’s consider a few important factors in making your new role as attractive as possible:

2017 Job Forecast: Half of US Employers to Hire Temp Workers

A recent report from Staffing Industry Advisors SIA shows that the demand for temporary labor will remain strong this year as employers strive to have more flexibility in their staff levels. For their 2017 job forecast, CareerBuilder surveyed 2,392 hiring managers and human resource professionals at the end of 2016. The results found 51% of employers plan to hire temporary or contract workers in 2017, up from 47% in last year’s survey.

Perks You Didn’t Know Millennials Would Love

Are your benefit packages attracting Millennials? How can you be sure? These are questions many employers ask these days, including Glassdoor. To find out what benefits Millennials really care about, we asked our own employees. The answers may surprise you, but one thing is for certain: benefits can make or break whether a candidate wants to work for you.