Berks & Beyond Blog

Are you completely prepared for your next interview?

If you answered “Yes,” you definitely need to hear about this article.

According to a recent CBS MoneyWatch article by Robert Pagliarini, the typical job seeker is woefully unprepared for his next interview – and doesn’t even know it.  Despite conducting his research, rehearsing answers to tough interview questions and perfecting his 30-second “personal sales pitch,” the average job hunter commonly overlooks one critical element – psychological tells.

So, what’s a psychological tell?  Simply put, it’s the hidden tendencies, issues and mental roadblocks an individual inadvertently exposes during an interview.  Stemming from cognitive distortions – the limiting or weak habits of thinking that prevent someone from seeing things as they really are – psychological tells can undermine personal growth and success.  Ultimately, negative psychological tells can cost a candidate the job.

When you head into your next interview, make sure you’re fully prepared.  Appear confident and project a positive attitude by avoiding these cognitive distortions that lead to negative psychological tells:

1. Fallacy of Fairness:  Do you feel angry and frustrated because you think you know what’s fair, but life and other people won’t agree with you?  If so, it can cause you to sound like a whiny complainer:  “I worked hard for my last employer for three years – and I still got laid off.”  The reality?  The employer may have been forced to downsize because of the economy.
2. Filtering:  Do you see the world through a special filter that highlights negative details and filters out the positive ones?  If so, it can portray you as an inherently pessimistic person:  “When my last company went out of business, it was a disaster.  I should’ve jumped ship before being taken down with it.”  The reality?  The company may have gone out of business, but you should also point out the positive things you took away from an otherwise negative experience.
3. External Control Fallacy:  Do you view your behavior and success as something that is beyond your control (i.e., generated by something outside yourself)?  If so, it can make you sound like a helpless victim of fate and circumstance:  “I wanted to go back and get my degree, but there was nothing I could do.”  The reality?  Nobody wants to hire someone who believes he has no responsibility for his own life choices.
4. Always Being Right:  Will you go to any length to demonstrate why you’re right?  If so, it can portray you as single-minded and lacking mental flexibility:  “Even though we lost the account, there is nothing I would have done differently.”  The reality?  You should admit your mistakes, instead of minimizing them or suggesting you don’t make any.  None of us is perfect, and a smart employer will not hire someone who claims to be.

Want to learn more?  Follow this link to the full article.

The truth is, it can be difficult to recognize these cognitive distortions (and the psychological tells they lead to) in ourselves.  But without knowing it, we all communicate our deep psychological beliefs, attitudes and weaknesses every time we open our mouths.  The trick is to learn how to control the messages we send when interviewing.

So if you suspect mental roadblocks like these my be hindering you in an interview situation, ask a trusted friend for his honest opinion.  Try to determine where your negative or faulty thinking stems from, and then practice more positive approaches to explaining career difficulties.  Bottom line, it’s better to identify and correct your thinking now than miss out on job opportunities down the road.

As a leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania employment agency, Berks & Beyond can help you sharpen your interview skills and ultimately land a great temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire position with leading employers in Berks County and beyond.  Contact a Recruiter today to learn more or Search Jobs in Southern and Central Pennsylvania.

Fact:  the best time to find a job is while you still have a job.

Unfortunately, however, a large portion of the job-hunting population is unemployed – and has been for awhile.  For these job seekers, jobless discrimination is a major, and seemingly unfair, obstacle on the path to employment.

Despite numerous EEO laws and safeguards, some employers ignore the résumés sent to them by job seekers who aren’t working.  These employers believe that requiring that a candidate be gainfully employed is just “smart business” – helping them control the flood of applications and filter out “damaged goods” before spending valuable time and resources on screening and interviewing.

If you’re unemployed and looking for work, it’s hard to see the logic in these hiring practices.

Now is a time to stay strong.  Here is some sound advice for beating jobless discrimination – before it beats you:

• Forgive yourself – and move on.  Losing a job is nothing unusual, especially these days.  Mergers, cost-cutting measures and total shutdowns have forced countless people out of their jobs over the past few years.  Whatever your reason for being unemployed, you need a positive mindset to tackle what may be a tough job search.  The best thing you can do is forgive yourself for being out of work, and then move on.
• If you’ve only been out of work for a short time (a few weeks or months), invest a lot of time and energy into networking and informational interviews.  This will help you get past the initial human resources screening that would eliminate you from consideration.  Use networking as a tool to demonstrate your willingness to work hard, and your drive to find a job may overcome the bias against you as a person out of work.
• Ignore the verbiage in job posts that suggests an employer intends to discriminate based on recent employment status.  Just because the discriminatory language is present in a job listing doesn’t mean you have to adhere to the request!  If your job skills and experience are a good fit for the posting, by all means apply for that position – regardless of your employment situation.
• Consider adjusting your résumé.  If you’ve been out of work for awhile, you may want to switch from a chronological to functional résumé format.  This will allow you to lead with your skills and qualifications, outside the context of your employment history.  Additionally, you may want to omit dates from your employment history section.  Once your skills have an employer’s attention, he can inquire about the dates.
• Solidify references from previous employer(s).  When you’re unemployed, a strong endorsement from an employer – even one who let you go – may outweigh the length of your unemployment.

Temporary and Contract Work – Your Best Bet for Beating Jobless Discrimination

Looking for a sure-fire way to overcome your jobless stigma?  Go to work for a staffing service like Berks & Beyond – as soon as possible!  It’s easiest to find a job while you’re working, so stack the deck in your favor.  Beyond merely changing your employment status, temporary and contract work can help you:

• Earn valuable income – at a time when you really need it.
• Keep your spirits up – by being productive and engaged.
• Build your résumé and keep your skills sharp – the variety inherent in temporary assignments presents you with new challenges, allowing you to grow and gain experience.
• Find direct employment – if you prove yourself on the job, your temporary or contract position may convert to a direct opportunity.  Additionally, while you’re on assignment, Berks & Beyond can actively search for direct positions that match your skills, experience and interests.

Contact your local Berks & Beyond office today to learn more about jobs in Reading, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pottstown, York and Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

From the Berks & Beyond Pottstown, PA office:

“While working on assignment for Berks & Beyond, I have enjoyed working on a wide variety of projects.  It is a great place to work and I’m happy that you are flexible with my hours, giving me time to travel to Ohio to see my family when possible.  

I have never been to an employment agency other than yours, and I find the people very pleasant and friendly.  I am happy to be a part of the Berks & Beyond team.”

–Karl Snyder

At Berks & Beyond, we offer our employees freedom, flexibility and a wide variety of job opportunities with Central and Southern Pennsylvania’s best employers.  We truly listen to your needs, provide the follow-up you expect and pride ourselves in matching you with the right position.  Contact a Berks & Beyond Recruiter today, and jump start your job search in 2012!

From your handshake to your knowledge of the potential employer, everything you do and say is scrutinized by an interviewer – from the instant he lays eyes on you.

Are you doing everything you can to create a positive first impression?

Fair or unfair, an interviewer sizes up you and your abilities within the first few minutes of meeting you.  In fact, the more experienced he is, the more likely he is to draw conclusions about you based on limited information.  So whether you call them hunches, first impressions or simple intuition, an interviewer’s snap decisions are critical to the success of your job search.  To land the job you want, use these tips to make a great first impression:

Do your homework. Spend a good amount of time before the interview date researching the employer.  Their company website is a great place to start.  Don’t just skim through the information – really read it.  Find out everything you can about the organization’s history, mission, lines of business and key personnel.

Next, Google the company and find out what others have written or said about them.  Check newspapers, business magazines or other reputable sources to further educate yourself.  When you finally head into your interview, you’ll have an additional level of knowledge and confidence that will shine through – and keep from looking like a “deer in the headlights” if the interviewer asks you to tell him what you know about the company.

Remember that actions speak louder than words. The nonverbal cues you send from the moment you walk into an interview are scrutinized.  Pay careful attention to your posture, handshake and eye contact to create a positive first impression.

Come prepared. Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes.  What would you think of a candidate who had to ask for a pen, or who rifled through a cluttered briefcase to dig out a wrinkled résumé?  Have a crisp copy of your résumé and references, a pen and notepad for notes, and your portfolio (if applicable) organized and ready to go.  Doing so will allow you to hit the ground running and immediately focus on the interviewer.

Avoid common interview mistakes. To succeed in your job search, you need to back up your skills and experience with a first impression that leaves no doubt that you’re the right person for the job.  Arrogance and sloppy attire are mistakes you simply cannot afford to make.  Be confident, but make sure you’re not cocky.  Overconfidence could be misconstrued as indifference – suggesting you could take or leave a job offer.  Similarly, you should dress for interview success.  Failure to do so could convey that you don’t really care about the job opportunity enough to dress appropriately.

Ask only relevant questions. Show the interviewer that you’ve done your homework by preparing a few questions pertinent to the job or the company (use the research you’ve conducted to help you generate ideas).  If they’re answered during the course of the interview, don’t feel pressured to make up new ones on the spot.  Throw-away questions won’t impress an interviewer – they’ll only end the conversation on a down note.

Thank the interviewer. Expressing thanks is one of those “pivotal moments” an interviewer may hang his hat on.  So without fail, thank the interviewer for his time both at the beginning and the end of your conversation.  Tell him that you’re excited about the opportunity.  Positive emotion and good manners go a long way toward creating a lasting favorable impression.

Ask for the job. Good salespeople ask for the sale; good job seekers should ask for the job.  Beyond thanking the interviewer, say, “I would really love to work here.”  This sounds simple, but so many candidates fail to do it!

Land Your Dream Job with Berks & Beyond

As a leading staffing service in central and southern Pennsylvania, we match job seekers like you with rewarding employment opportunities every day.  Contact Berks & Beyond today to learn about temporary and direct hire employment opportunities for Pennsylvania job seekers.

The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks and enjoy both family and friends.

Unfortunately, the holidays can also make you want to tear your hair out by the roots.

The reality is, most of us are over-scheduled, over-worked and overwhelmed.  And while this season is meant to instill feelings of love and cheer, the increased expectations and financial strain of the holidays can overshadow the joy we should be experiencing.

This year, make a commitment to handling stress – before it handles you.  Use these tips to proactively identify and manage your stress levels during the holidays, and hopefully enjoy yourself a little bit more.

Identify the Causes

Stress increases during the holidays for any number of reasons.  Here are some of its prime culprits:

• Excess. During the holidays, we tend to eat, drink and spend too much.  Parties, gift-giving, stores filled with sales, decadent desserts and cocktails – they all tempt us to overindulge and then leave us with lasting consequences (e.g., debt, weight gain, headaches and worse).
• Extended visits. While spending time with family during the holidays can be a wonderful thing, it can also cause an overdose of togetherness.  Everyone needs his space during stressful times, and extended visits can leave you with little or no time to decompress and recharge.
• Social isolation. On the other side of the spectrum, loneliness can be just as much of a problem.  For those who don’t have family to visit, the holidays can exacerbate feelings of isolation.

Keep it Manageable

One of the only good things about holiday stress is that you can plan ahead to manage it – before it becomes overwhelming.  Use these common-sense tips to keep your stress at a healthy level this season:

• Realize that you can’t do it all. You are not a super hero and nobody should expect you to be.  Take the pressure off of yourself and avoid the trap of setting unrealistic expectations this season.
• Evaluate your priorities. What are the most important things to you and your family during the holidays – spending time with family?  Sharing a special meal?  Shopping together?  Giving gifts?  Sending cards?  Decide which activities and traditions offer the most positive impact, and then eliminate the extraneous ones.  If you focus on a few favorite pursuits and really enjoy them, you won’t miss the rest.
• Exercise regularly. Nothing provides immediate, reliable relief from anxiety like a good workout.  You don’t have to run a marathon to feel the benefits of exercise, but you do have to engage in it regularly.  Whether you lift weights, walk, bike, use the Wii or take classes like yoga or kickboxing, make exercise a priority this season.  In addition to relieving stress and boosting your mood, it will also help you keep those extra pounds at bay during a time when you’ll be taking in more calories.
• Set a schedule. Put your plans on paper (or into your scheduling app) to see how realistic they truly are.  Be sure to allow time and flexibility for additional shopping trips, driving, exercise, unexpected visits and good old-fashioned “down time.”  If your planner looks too full, you probably need to re-examine your priorities.
• Plan for togetherness and alone time. When dealing with difficult relatives, it’s okay to set limits on what you are willing to do.  On the other hand, if you anticipate loneliness, it’s smart to invite a group of friends to your home.  The key in both cases is to plan ahead, so you have both the togetherness and space you need.
• Eat smart. During the holidays, we’re bombarded with a parade of delicious food, tempting treats and a seemingly endless supply of cocktails.  If you want to look and feel your best this holiday season, plan ahead.  Be aware of your triggers for overindulging, keep healthy foods in your refrigerator as much as possible and practice moderation.
• Make balance a priority. For most of us, work doesn’t stop during the holidays.  Use these suggestions to maintain a healthy work/life balance through this season – and all year long.

From all of us at Berks & Beyond, we wish you a happy, healthy and stress-free holiday season!

Bored?

If you’re working in an entry-level job, you just might be.

Fact: Lots of jobs are tedious, repetitive and even downright boring – but we all have to start somewhere.  Unfortunately, that “somewhere” can be an entry level job that is neither highly challenging nor exciting.

Another fact: If you want to get ahead in your career, you need to carry out your responsibilities (no matter how uninteresting they are) to the best of your ability.

So how do you stay focused and productive in an entry level job?  Turn things around by using these tips to win the boredom battle:

Take a power break. When boredom threatens to overwhelm you, fight back by using your breaks intelligently.  Though you may be tempted to surf the Internet or play solitaire, use your time more contructively.  Clean up your desk, invite a colleague for a cup of coffee to discuss a new idea, or brainstorm a list of ways to improve your department.  The more intelligently you use your break time, the sooner you’ll move on to a more challenging job.

Change your outlook – literally. One of the easiest ways to freshen your perspective on the job is by asking your supervisor for a new desk, office or cube to call home.  If you can’t change your location, see if you can change how your desk is oriented.  Even a small change can brighten your outlook and renew your enthusiasm for your work.

Tell your supervisor. While it’s unadvisable to whine about how boring your job is, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask your manager for more work.  If you are working in a direct position, tell your boss that you are ready for more responsibility.  He may appreciate your honesty and efficiency and reward you with a more challenging set of tasks.  He may also allow you to trade duties with colleagues, so you both get a break from the monotony.

If you are working with Berks & Beyond on a temporary or contract assignment, speak directly with your staffing supervisor.  He can look for future assignments that build on the experience you’re gaining.

Volunteer for tasks unrelated to your job. Offer to help plan the company office party or sign-up for another social committee.  You’ll not only keep yourself busy, you’ll also network, show-off your organizational skills and establish your reputation as a team player and natural leader.

Take initiative. If you’ve finished your work and need something to do, take a look around the office and see what needs to be done.  Ask co-workers if they could use a hand.  Find out what’s on your supervisor’s To Do list (it’s probably a long one) and see if you could tackle a project for him.  Don’t wait for challenge to come to you.  Be proactive.  Demonstrate your willingness to work and desire for challenge, and chances are you will be rewarded.

Stay positive and give your best effort. Remember, nearly everyone has been in your shoes at one point or another.  Yes, your work may be menial now, but try to make the most of the opportunities it presents you to help develop your skills, increase your knowledge base and build your network.  If you always give your best effort and focus on staying positive, you can effectively keep boredom at bay.

Looking for more variety, responsibility or challenge?  Give Berks & Beyond a call.

Working as a temporary employee provides constant variety.  As a Berks & Beyond employee, we can provide you with a wide range of temporary assignments with Central and Southern Pennsylvania’s best employers – delivering the opportunity and challenge you desire.  If you’re bored in your work and could use a change, give us a call today.

Every year, Berks & Beyond works with thousands of Pennsylvania job seekers to help them find the right work opportunities.  Whether it’s in a temporary, temp-to-hire or direct hire capacity, we truly listen to our candidates’ needs and match them to the right jobs.

But don’t just take our word for it!  Here are a few recent testimonials from satisfied candidates and employees who have had great experiences with us:

Berks & Beyond Reading Office

“Berks & Beyond is awesome – can’t describe it any better than that!  I had another company call me last night with a permanent job, but turned it down because Berks & Beyond has been very loyal to me and they have never let me down, so how could I let Berks & Beyond down by taking another job?  I don’t like you guys, I love you guys!”

–Walter Marrero

Berks & Beyond Allentown Office

“I applied with Berks & Beyond in August of 2011.  I explained my situation to them as I was in the process of trying to relocate to the Allentown area.  In order to do this I needed to find a job here first.  Within a month Berks & Beyond had me interviewing and placed in a temporary to permanent position.  The staff was courteous and helpful; they answered any questions I had.  I am happy to say I truly enjoy the position in which they placed me.  Berks & Beyond was an instrumental tool in my job search.  I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a position to use Berks & Beyond. “

–Joseph Zapotoski

Berks & Beyond Carlisle Office

“Berks & Beyond listened to my needs and was able to match my skills to a position that was right for me.  All together, my experience with Berks & Beyond has been great. I would definitely return to Berks & Beyond if I ever needed their help finding another position!”

–Holly Corman

Berks & Beyond Reading Office

“I heard horror stories about temp agencies, but I’m glad I checked out your listing for a machine cleaner.  From you at Berks and Beyond, to the security guards and of course Sweet Street, everyone have been so nice to me.  The first few days everyone that I contacted showed me the way.   Thanks, Dana, for helping me out.”

–Arnaldo Berrios

To succeed in any new job or assignment, you must do more than merely perform your job duties well.  You need to learn how to navigate the sometimes tricky waters of a new culture, including a whole host of “unknowns,” such as:

• Will the work environment be fast paced or laid back?
• Will you mesh well with your new co-workers?
• What will your supervisor think of you?
• How will you fit in?

Use this list of suggestions to thrive on the job by fitting in from day one:

• Observe. From the moment you walk in the door, pay attention to others – how they interact, dress, maintain their workspaces, etc.  By simply observing, you can learn a lot about how the company operates on a daily basis.  Find out who the most successful team members are and take your cues from them.
• Be flexible. Be open to changing the ways you approach tasks, communicate with others and structure your work day.  The company probably has well-established ways of getting things done and expects you to conform to their standards.
• Be courteous and respectful. One of the best ways to win over new co-workers and supervisors is by using good business etiquette.  Treat everyone with respect by being considerate of others’ workloads and meeting your commitments on time.  If you are working in close quarters or open spaces with others:  use a quiet tone when speaking; keep your cell phone off or on vibrate; keep socializing to a minimum.  Remember that everyone has work to do, including you.
• Dress for success. Your clothes influence the way your manager and co-workers perceive you.  While on the job, avoid fashions that are too trendy, revealing or casual.  Make a good impression by dressing appropriately for your position, or one notch above.
• Beware of office politics. Office politics are part of the interactive process of working together toward individual, team and company goals.  While on a short-term assignment, the best choice is to steer clear of these dynamics.  If you’re on a long-term assignment, or have accepted a direct position, however, you need to learn to cope with them.  Learn how to compliment and not criticize; disagree without being disrespectful; stay above gossip by not spreading rumors.  Establish a reputation as a hard working, positive employee who is not a part of the rumor mill, and you’ll be off to a good start.

Find a Great Fit with Berks & Beyond

If you’re looking for a job or temporary assignment in Central or Southern Pennsylvania, we invite you meet in-person with one of Berks & Beyond’s staffing professionals.   Together, we can discuss what type of job works best for you, the environment you like, your strengths and your salary requirements.

With years of award-winning staffing experience, Berks & Beyond knows that a good fit means more than matching skills.  To find the right opportunity for you, we will start by listening to you!  Then, we’ll carefully match your career goals, experience, talents and strengths with the company’s culture and the skill and talent requirements of the job.  Contact us today and find a great fit with Berks & Beyond.

If you’re looking for a full-time job, there are two things you shouldn’t do:

1. Don’t let disappointing employment figures and talks of a double-dip recession dishearten you.
2. Don’t rule out temporary or contract assignments.

In a tough economy, temporary and contract positions offer a viable path to direct employment.  Why?  More and more, employers are using contingent workers as a way to get more done while keeping costs under control until the economy picks back up.

Use this employment trend to your advantage.  Work as a temporary to get your foot in the door with an employer and showcase your talents on the job.  When that employer is ready to hire, you will have already completed a “working interview,” and therefore be in a prime position to land the job.

Use these tips to make the most of your temporary or contract assignments, and optimize your chances of turning one into a full-time job:

• Treat the assignment as a permanent job. Whether you are there for a day or a month, give your best effort every time.  Always be cheerful, positive, enthusiastic and conscientious.  Offer to take on more work if you are able.  Make sure that the quality of your work is equal to, or better than, the work of direct employees.
• Temp where you want to work. Accept assignments in line with your career interests.  Use every assignment as an opportunity to learn more about your position and your industry.  When the time comes to hire someone, you’ll be the obvious choice.
• Adopt the company’s culture. If you hope to become a direct employee, act like one from the outset.  Try to blend into the culture you are working in.  Learn employees’ names, figure out what makes the company tick and try to exemplify the company’s values.
• Dress the part. Contingent work is not a license to dress down.  Your appearance, like the quality of your work, should be no different from that of a direct employee.
• Advertise your desire for permanent employment. Make sure your staffing representative and your on-site supervisor know that you want a direct job.  Most temporary and contract positions are designed to end at some point.  So if you want to be considered for a permanent position, you should take it upon yourself to communicate this desire regularly.
• Continually build your skills. Being a temporary or contract employee puts you in a unique position to learn new things.  Use every opportunity to learn new skills, both on the job and through training offered by your staffing service.  While on assignment, seek out mentors and garner insight from experienced employees.  If your current assignment doesn’t ultimately lead to your dream job, you will be positioning yourself properly for one that does.

Looking for more career advice, interviewing tips, temporary employment information or jobs in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, York and Carlisle, PA?  Visit Berks & Beyond’s website today.

Berks & Beyond employees choose temporary work for a variety of reasons.  Some like the extra cash and freedom temporary work provides; others want to gain experience; still others seek a full-time, direct position.

No matter what your reasons are for working as a Berks & Beyond temporary, you can use these six tips to succeed while on assignment:

Prepare yourself. Buy a memo pad to serve as your temporary employment reference book.  Once you accept an assignment, be sure to write down the following details and take them with you the first day:  company address and phone; client supervisor’s name; dress code; hours; name and phone number for your staffing coordinator.  Having this important information available will help ensure you are on-time the first day and get off to a great start.

Display a positive attitude. When you work as a temporary, you are put into unfamiliar situations with people you don’t know.  Make a conscious decision to approach your new work situation constructively.  Choosing to display a positive attitude – even if you’re a bit uncomfortable – can help you manage the stress of your first day.  Your optimism will be appreciated by co-workers and assignment supervisor alike and set the stage for a great working relationship.

Listen. Although you may be accustomed to completing work a certain way, most employers have specific systems and procedures already in place.  When your supervisor gives you your work instructions, pay close attention and take notes (in your memo book).  If any instructions are unclear, be sure to ask for clarification.  Your employer will understand that you are new, and he will respect your attention to detail.

Stay out of office politics. Every company you work for on assignment will have a unique corporate culture.  As a rule of thumb while on assignment, strive to remain neutral, avoid office gossip/politics/arguments, and focus on the job you have to do.  If conflict is making your work difficult, contact your staffing coordinator immediately.

Take initiative. If you finish your work ahead of schedule, ask for something else to do.  You will earn a reputation (with both the staffing service and the employer) as a hard worker.  Remember, productive, proactive temporaries land the best assignments – and are the first to be offered direct employment.

Keep in touch with your staffing coordinator. Check in with him periodically to explain how your assignment is progressing.  If your assignment is nearing completion, let him know so that he can get to work lining up your next one.  Finally, tell him what you liked or didn’t like about the assignment once it’s complete.  The better he understands your areas of strength and work preferences, the better prepared he’ll be to match you with the ideal opportunity.

Get on the Path to Career Success

Find out how Berks & Beyond can match you with the ideal employment opportunity.  With staffing offices in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, Carlisle and York, Pennsylvania, it’s easy to come in and learn more about our services, available jobs and what we can do for you.  Contact a Recruiter to schedule your appointment today.

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