Berks & Beyond Blog

Your résumé is a critical job-hunting tool.  It’s primary purpose is to help potential employers understand the unique blend of accomplishments, experience and education that make you the ideal choice for their job openings.

On its own, your résumé will not get you the job; it is a marketing tool to get you in the employer’s door.  Still, the type of résumé format you choose can rule you in or out of consideration for an available position.  Here are the most common types, courtesy of About.com:

• Chronological.  This type of résumé starts by listing your work history, beginning with your most recent position and working backward.  Employers prefer this type of résumé because it’s easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them.
• Functional.  This résumé type highlights your skills and experience, as opposed to your work history.
• Combination or Hybrid.  The combination résumé lists your skills and experience first, but also includes your work history, listed in reverse chronological order.  It allows you to highlight your relevant skills, but also provide the chronological work history many employers prefer.
• Targeted.  A targeted résumé is highly customized and specifically highlights your experience and skills that are relevant to the individual job for which you are applying.

So what kind of résumé format is right for you?  The answer is: it depends.  Consider the following questions to decide which type of résumé will help you put your best foot forward:

• Do you have significant gaps in your work history? If so, a functional résumé may be best, because it focuses on your abilities – not the chronological timeline of your employment history.  One caveat:  many internet job boards will not accept this format.
• Are you changing direction in your career? Again, a functional résumé may be the right choice.  It allows you to present the skills and experience you possess that will transfer well into a different line of employment.
• Have you been promoted several times or taken jobs with increasing responsibility? A chronological résumé is well-suited to showcasing your growth and career advancement over time.
• Are your qualifications and experience a great match for the available position? In this case, a targeted résumé is the way to go.  While it requires significantly more work to create a new résumé specifically tailored to the available job, it’s usually well worth the effort.  The targeted résumé will highlight the ways in which you are a perfect match for the job and help you stand out from the crowd.
• Still not sure which way to go? While the majority of employers tend to prefer the chronological format (because it’s easy to read and clearly presents your job history over time) the best modern résumés are combination or hybrid.  This résumé format provides the best of both worlds – a paragraph or list that summarizes your main areas of accomplishment and experience, as well as a detailed reverse-chronology work history with information about your achievements in each position.

If you’re looking for jobs in Central and Southern Pennsylvania and could use some advice on preparing your résumé, give Berks & Beyond a call.  Whether you’re searching for temporary employment, a permanent position or some extra money on the weekend, Berks & Beyond has the career opportunities you need!

School is winding down and the weather is heating up.  It’s hard to believe, but summer’s just around the corner!

If you’re looking for a job in Carlisle, Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown or York – or anywhere else in Central or Southern Pennsylvania – it’s time to contact Berks & Beyond.

During the summer, many employers scramble to fill vacancies, complete special projects and staff for their busy season.  They rely on our temporary and contract staffing services to help them accomplish these goals.

So whether you want to:

• earn money during the summer months;
• obtain flexible employment that fits your schedule;
• build your résumé and learn new skills;
• or get your foot in the door with Pennsylvania’s leading employers;

Berks & Beyond has opportunities that fit your schedule, desired environment and salary requirements.  In most cases, employers plan their summer staffing needs in advance – now is the time to register with us!

Applying is quick and simple.  The best way to send us your résumé is to select a job from our listings, or you can contact a recruiter online (if you are not applying for a specific position).  Either way, please know that our services are provided to you at no cost.  New opportunities arrive daily, so check our Pennsylvania job listings frequently.

If you’re interested in something more than a “summer gig,” temporary work is also a great way to find direct employment.  According to the American Staffing Association:

• 88% of staffing employees say that temporary or contract work made them more employable.
• 77% of staffing employees say it’s a good way to obtain a permanent job.
• 80% of staffing clients say staffing firms offer a good way to find people who can become permanent employees.

So whether you need a short-term assignment, or are searching for a more permanent work arrangement, Berks & Beyond can provide the perfect opportunity for you.

At Berks & Beyond, we respect and value our temporary employees!  As it turns out, they feel the same way about us.  Here’s what a few of our temporaries have to say about their experiences working with us:

From the Berks & Beyond Pottstown office:

“I am so happy with working with Berks and Beyond and I have NO desire to leave (even being on a temp-to-hire assignment).  I have the best employers at Berks and Beyond.  They have always taken care of me, even when I was down and out – they found me work very quickly.  I couldn’t ask for a more caring and understanding employer.”

–Tony Iannini

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From the Berks & Beyond Allentown office:

“I, Kindalyn Phelps, just wanted to thank Berks and Beyond for being a great place to work for.  When I didn’t have a job you employed me the same day I went in.  When I got layed off you found me a job that day or the next.  So thanks for being the best place I have ever worked for ”

–Kindalyn Phelps

Kindalyn is Allentown’s Employee of the Month for April!  She has an excellent attitude and is always willing to help wherever she is needed.  Find out more about her background and work ethic on Berks & Beyond’s Facebook fan page.

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From the Berks & Beyond Reading office:

“Thank you for your help in getting me a job I really like.  I want to work and Berks & Beyond has found me jobs in the areas I have been looking for.  I appreciate everything Berks & Beyond has done.  I want a good future and only Berks & Beyond can make that happen.”

–Oscar Castillo

At Berks & Beyond, we promise to match you with a great job – one that matches your skills, experience, and most importantly, your interests.  We’ll use a very specialized tool to help you find the right job – our ears!  It may seem a bit odd in the staffing industry today, but we’ll actually take the time to listen to you when you register with us.

In fact, we’ll spend a lot of time learning about your skills, experience and work preferences. We’ll ask you about your goals and interests, and based on what we hear, we will do our best to refer you to the jobs that you will enjoy most.

Finally, some good news in the job market.  Across the country, a growing number of employees are quitting their jobs.

Why is this such a good sign?

According to a recent survey of recruiters, 28 percent of the job openings employers had in January were due to employee resignations – up from 21 percent in July of 2011.  To boot, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced in February that the number of workers quitting has been on a steady incline since its low point in December of 2009:

Life Inc. Graphic: Quits and layoffs and discharges

This is actually a sign that the labor market is improving.  During a  recession, people are inclined to hold onto their jobs, because employment prospects are so dim.

Conversely, an increase in “quits” is a sign of returning economic optimism.  Those who are dissatisfied with their current work situation are becoming more confident about their job prospects – so much so that they’re willing to leave their current job to search full-time.

Admittedly, unemployment rates are still high.  Walking away from a job that’s paying the bills always carries some risk.  But if you’re underemployed, in a dead-end job or otherwise unhappy with your current work situation, Berks & Beyond can help.

As a leading staffing service in Central & Southern Pennsylvania, we have a wide variety of office and clerical jobs, light industrial jobs, accounting and finance jobs, engineering jobs (and more) available in Reading, Carlisle, Allentown, Pottstown, York and Harrisburg.

When you register with us, we can help you conduct a confidential search for the perfect direct employment opportunity.  We work for you, allowing you to stay employed during your job hunt.  Best of all, our services are free!  Contact a Berks & Beyond recruiter today to learn more.

Berks and Beyond’s 2012 Open Enrollment for Field Employees Runs April 4^th – May 3^rd

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to announce its annual open enrollment for health benefits offerings to temporary employees.   The leading Central and Southern Pennsylvania staffing service is holding open enrollment now through May 3, 2012, for their comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Special low group rates
• Single and family coverage
• Dental and Vision plan options
• Coverage for doctors’ visits
• Inpatient benefits
• No pre-existing condition limitations
• No health questions asked
• No waiting period on medical benefits

While offering health benefits is not mandatory, Berks and Beyond goes beyond the call of duty to create a win-win situation for everyone involved.  For staffing clients, benefits are a perk that helps Berks and Beyond attract the best and brightest talent.

On the flip side, health benefits come at time when Berks & Beyond field employees need them most. “Offering medical benefits to our employees gives them peace of mind that their families are covered and protected, be it routine or unexpected,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “Due to the economic downturn, many former full-time employees find themselves working temporary or temp-to-perm jobs again, usually without benefits.  That’s not the case with Berks and Beyond employees.  Our employees are offered health benefits with no waiting period.  We are finding that by offering these benefits, we are able to attract a more diversified and skilled work force.  Berks and Beyond has had this program in place for over a year, and it has been a positive experience for everyone involved.”

In addition to health benefits, Berks and Beyond also offers Direct Deposit, to simplify banking and ensure field employees are paid in a timely manner.  New enrollment employees should contact their Branch Managers for more information.

“Life is 10% what happens to you
and 90% how you react to it.”

–Charles R. Swindoll

A positive attitude is critical to success in both your personal and professional lives.  But unfortunately, as things go wrong throughout your day, it’s easy to let negative thoughts overtake the positive ones.

While you often can’t control what happens to you each day, you can control how you view these events and respond to them.  These suggestions will help you maintain a healthy attitude and respond constructively – even on those difficult days:

1. Surround yourself with positive messages.  Read a positive book.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be a motivational “self-help” book, just one with an uplifting theme.  If you don’t have the time to read as often as you’d like, try a podcast or audio book.  These allow you to hear positive messages while you clean your house, exercise or commute.
2. Wake up a little earlier.  Beginning your day feeling harried and rushed can start things off on the wrong note.  So give yourself an extra 15 minutes in the morning to get a head start on the day.  You can spend the time as you like – reading, meditating, getting a few things done around the house – without interruption.  Those extra minutes will help you feel more relaxed and focused, instead of feeling like you’re playing “beat the clock.”
3. Realize that not everything will go as you planned.  It’s great to have a plan for your day, but it’s also important to be flexible when things don’t go according to that plan.  Nothing in life is absolutely perfect.  To maintain a positive attitude, accept the notion that you’ll face obstacles (some large, some small) almost every day.  Be willing to adapt your plan when things go wrong and move back toward what’s most important to you.
4. Spend time with positive people.  Charles Swindoll also said, “I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.“  Friends do make life more fun – especially when they’re upbeat.  Think about it.  The people around you impact how you view yourself, your circumstances and life in general.  So surround yourself with positive people and you’ll be more positive, too.
5. Get some exercise.  Spring is finally here – why not get outside and take a walk?  The fresh air, sunlight and exercise can do wonders to relieve stress and lift your mood.  Exercise is also a powerful antidote to anxiety and depression.  Even when you don’t have time for a 30-minute workout, find small ways to add in a little exercise.  Take the stairs, take a 10-minute walk at lunch or even do sit-ups during commercial breaks while you’re watching TV.  Every minute you spend moving your body is a minute spent bolstering your attitude.
6. Do something nice for someone else.  Like exercise, altruism also naturally releases endorphins (your brain’s “feel good” chemicals).  So find a small way to brighten someone’s day.  The kindness you show will come back to you twofold.
7. Make leisure time a priority.  Do things for the simple reason that it feels good to do them.  Have lunch with a friend, go to a funny movie, listen to your favorite music or spend time pursuing a hobby.  Doing something fun is not indulgent – it’s an emotional and mental health necessity!

At Berks & Beyond, we’re thankful to have a team of inspiring and upbeat employees with positive, can-do attitudes.  If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend and spread a little positivity today!

Q:  What are behavioral interview questions?

A:  Behavioral questions are designed to reveal more than just skills or experience.  They operate on the premise that understanding past behavior is the best way to predict future success.  Questions may be casually inserted into a typical interview, or you may be formally required to answer a set list.

Behavioral interview questions will require you to describe situations from your past, as well as your feelings and observations about them.  Depending upon your answers, the interviewer may have follow-up probing questions.  The interviewer will look for evidence of desired behavioral traits in your responses, to assess your proficiency in certain job-related areas.

Q:  What are some examples of behavioral interview questions?

A:  Unlike standard questions, which are designed to gain more information about your skills and experience, behavioral questions focus on revealing behavioral traits.  Here are a few examples:

“What is the most creative idea you’ve implemented to solve a problem?”

“Can you describe a time when you tried to persuade another person to do something that he was not very willing to do?”

“What is the most difficult project you’ve worked on – and how did it help you develop professionally?”

Q:  How can I perform well in a behavioral interview?

A:  As with all interview questions, preparing for behavioral questions is essential to success.  While you cannot predict the specific questions you will be asked, you can use these tips to ace your next behavioral interview – no matter what type of job you’re seeking:

• Learn about the company.  Do your homework before the interview to learn about the company, its core values and the available position.  Use the job description to determine the most essential behaviors needed to succeed in the position, then research potential behavioral interview questions that are associated with these traits.
• Create your behavioral interview arsenal.  Create a list of key accomplishments that exemplify the traits necessary to succeed in the available position.  If you lack work experience, draw upon your school experiences (challenging courses/tests, group projects, research papers, etc.).  Select experiences that reflect well on you, even if the outcome of the situation itself was not favorable.  With a bit of work, you can develop a repertoire of a small number of workplace experiences that you can use to answer a wide range of behavioral questions.
• Flesh out each experience.  Make sure each of your examples has a beginning, middle and end.  Experts recommend using the STAR technique to communicate your ideas logically and concisely:  the beginning should describe a Situation you were in or the Task you needed to accomplish; the middle should recount the Action that you took; the end should review the measurable Results you achieved.
• Practice with a friend.  Behavioral interviews can be grueling.  Boost your confidence by rehearsing your workplace stories ahead of time with a friend or relative.  Aim for vivid, concise answers that are one to three minutes long.

Looking for more interview help?  Searching for jobs in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, York or Carlisle?  Berks & Beyond is here to help.  As one of Southern Pennsylvania’s largest staffing companies, we can help you take the next step in your career.

Your résumé says a lot about you to a potential employer.

Are you confident yours is saying the right things?

If not, don’t worry – you’re not alone.  Many candidates are unsure about the quality of their résumés, or need assistance in improving content.  In fact, each year, Berks & Beyond Recruiters answer literally thousands of résumé questions.

We want to help you make the best possible first impression on a potential employer.  So take advantage of our experience!  Use our answers to these common questions to create a polished, powerful résumé:

How long should my résumé be?

The absolute max is two pages.  But honestly, you should try to keep it to one.  As a guideline, the length of your résumé should be determined by what you’ve accomplished in your career.  If you’re a seasoned veteran, you may need two pages; if you’re fresh out of school, limit yourself to one.

What are résumé keywords, and why are they important?

Résumé keywords are words or phrases you use to describe your skills and experience.  Most often, these terms are specific to your industry (e.g., an administrative job may be associated with keywords like “MS Word,” “word processing,” or “prepare presentations”).

Keywords are important because they can rule you in or out of consideration for an available job.  Recruiters use them to search through résumé databases, business networking sites and web job sites to identify potential job candidates.  The keywords you include in your résumé put your skills into focus for a recruiter and help him determine if you may be right for a job.

Why do I need multiple versions of my résumé?

There are two main reasons to create multiple versions of your résumé.  The first has to do with customization.  Simply put, the better your résumé matches an available position, the more likely you are to get a call for an interview.  So start by developing a “base” résumé that is generic enough to work for a variety of positions.  Then, as you apply for jobs, take your generic résumé and tailor it to match the requirements of each.

The second reason you need multiple versions of your résumé has to do with technology.  Different job sites and employers have different résumé submission requirements, so yours has to be flexible enough to be used in a variety of applications.

Create your “base” résumé in an ASCII text format (using a program like NotePad or WordPad to create this .txt version).  Use your .txt version for all your electronic submissions where you have to “cut and paste” your résumé to submit it.  Why?  A .txt file ensures your résumé will retain its formatting on the receiving end – and look right to the employer.

For printing or attachment purposes, convert your ASCII file to a Microsoft Word version.  Using MS Word, you can easily format margins, fonts, rules, etc. to make your printed copy look clean and professional.

Have a résumé or job-search related question?  Contact a Berks & Beyond Recruiter today.  We’ll listen and help you find the answers you need.  And if you’re looking for great jobs in Reading, Allentown, Pottstown, Harrisburg, York or Carlisle, check out our Job Board.

G2G.  OMG. LOL!!!

Using digital shorthand like this may be fine when you’re texting a friend, but it won’t convey a professional image in the world of work.

Let’s face it.  E-mail is an essential component of your success, whether you’re currently employed or on the job hunt.  As a primary means of communication between you and your current (or potential) employer, your professional digital communications need to follow certain guidelines to be effective.

So before you hit the “Send” button on your next work-related e-mail, be sure you’re following these critical “rules of engagement”:

1. Fill in the “To:” e-mail address last. Wait until you are completely through proofing your e-mail to fill in the recipient’s address.  This will keep you from accidentally sending an e-mail prematurely – and save you from the potential embarrassment of typos or forgotten attachments.
2. Be professional. Skip abbreviations, texting lingo and emoticons.  Mind your manners and follow the basic rules of courtesy you learned while growing up – like using the words “Please” and “Thank you.”  Keep your tone professional at all times, striving to come across as respectful, friendly and approachable.
3. Create a descriptive subject line. Make it easy for your recipient to tell what your e-mail is about; otherwise, it may be overlooked or deleted.
4. Address the recipient by name in the body of the e-mail. It adds a personal and courteous touch to your communication.  Only address someone by his first name if he implies that it’s okay to do so.
5. Avoid the following: USING ALL CAPS (it’s the written equivalent of YELLING!); over-using punctuation!!!!!!; HTML (not everyone can view it); forwarding unsolicited e-mail (not everyone will think it’s cute or funny, and you may wind up offending or annoying someone).
6. Be concise, but thorough. Respect the recipient’s time by getting to the point of your e-mail as quickly as possible.  Additionally, make sure you include all relevant information the recipient needs, to avoid a string of unnecessary additional e-mails.
7. Use office e-mail exclusively for office communications. Work e-mail is official company property.  If you want to e-mail friends or family, use a separate Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail account.  Remember, your IT administrator and/or boss has the right to open work account e-mails at any time.
8. Always use a signature line. Do not assume that the recipient knows who you are.
9. Use your spellchecker, but don’t rely on it. Spellcheckers have their value, but may not catch missed words, incorrect information, etc.  Always proof your e-mail yourself before sending.

A final note to job seekers:
When you are applying for a job via e-mail, follow the instructions given to the letter.  In general, you should copy and paste your cover letter into the body of the e-mail.  If the posting asks you to send your résumé as an attachment, send the file as a .doc (Microsoft Word document) or .pdf (Adobe Acrobat file).  Before sending the e-mail, send yourself a test message to make sure everything displays properly.

Looking for more great career advice?
Visit Berks & Beyond’s Candidate Resource Center.  It contains a wealth of information to help PA job seekers land a great position, maximize on-the-job performance, create a healthy work-life balance and more.  Have a specific question?  Contact a Berks & Beyond Recruiter today.

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.