employer Archives - Lone Star Staffing Solutions

06Jan

Attract Employers with New Skills

A popular New Year’s resolution is to find increased success in your career. Whether that means looking for a new job, aiming for a promotion, or pivoting into a completely different industry, there are many ways to attract your dream employer.

One of the best strategies to develop into a “top candidate” is by continuing to learn new skills. To get started, begin by trying one of these four steps toward personal growth while gaining the knowledge that will help you stand out from the competition.

Take a Class

There are many in-person and virtual class options to help you learn new skills. While it’s always beneficial to brush up on the requirements of your current position, exploring a new capability can broaden your horizons. Even if you aren’t seeking new employment, the ongoing dedication to lifelong learning will demonstrate to your current employer that you want to make yourself more of an asset. A quick search online can return many potential opportunities, or check with your manager to see if there are any company-sponsored classes where you can take advantage of learning that’s already in place.

Attend a Seminar

Get a Certification

If you are looking to jump into a new industry, certifications can help propel your career. Pursuing a relevant certification will show your existing, or potential employer that you have specific skills, even if you don’t necessarily have years of experience in that area. There are hundreds of certification options, depending on what you would like to learn, that can be completed in a day or could take many months. Make sure to do your research on the company offering the certification to make sure that it is legitimate and well respected in your field.

Find a Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteering allows you to learn new skills while also giving back to your community. Talk about a win-win! Numerous organizations are happy to trade education for your time and willingness to support their mission. Becoming a board member for a non-profit or helping to plan a local fundraising event are great ways to grow the “skills” section of your resume while seeking a new opportunity.

After learning a new skill, Lone Star Staffing Solutions can help you find an employer that values your growing talents.

We specialize in understanding the unique needs of employees and employers by facilitating connections that are beneficial for everyone.

Contact our team today and achieve your resolutions early by finding your perfect employment fit!

02Sep

How Social Media Affects Your Career Growth

Are you currently seeking a new job or advance into a leadership position within the organization you work for now?

If either of the above scenarios is you or could be you in the future, it’s time to make sure your social media profiles match the persona you are presenting to future and current employers.

You’re thinking, “What I do on my personal time shouldn’t make a difference as long as I’m doing a great job at work, or my experience and skills meet all of the requirements .”

Yes, your time is yours, but it’s open to the public when you post on social media. Even if your profiles are private, someone in your network could share.

Did you know that many employers utilize social media to prescreen candidates in the process of hiring? And that your current employer is most likely checking even though you’re already a part of their team? They want to know their employees are not doing anything to jeopardize their online reputation or behaving in a manner that does not align with the company culture.

Misuse of social media could have severe repercussions and harm your chances for new opportunities or future advancement within the company you currently serve.

For example, if you go out with friends and decide that belly shots or getting captured on video in a nasty brawl are funny, then think twice.

Remember, even if you aren’t the one posting, it’s still out there.

They could misinterpret something someone posted about you or a controversial view you’re sharing.

When organizations scan your social media, it isn’t necessarily to find something negative about you but to get a snapshot of your personality. Culture has become even more of a factor when hiring, as employers realize the importance of a cohesive atmosphere where diverse people can come together to work toward a common goal. And, it helps if they respect and like each other as it makes for a more productive environment.

Not sure what is appropriate and what could pass for “normal” sharing? To follow are some suggestions on what NOT to post.

Revealing photos or sexual videos
Criminal behavior
Negative remarks about a former or current employer
Sharing confidential information about an employer (past or present)
Discriminatory remarks related to gender, religion, race, etc.
Photos or comments about drugs and drinking

Other telltale signs that it wouldn’t be a good fit:

If currently employed, you call in sick, and then they see images of you at Disney World.
Poor grammar on social media can indicate what they expect as far as your communication skills.
Too many posts. Why does that matter? If you have a history of constantly posting, then it suggests you would be spending a portion of your workday keeping up with social media versus managing your responsibilities.

Take some of the following steps to a more positive social media presence:

DON’T ERASE YOUR PROFILES

If they cannot find you, they’ll feel you’re hiding something as it’s rare that someone doesn’t exist on social media.

CLEAN UP YOUR EXISTING POSTS

If there’s something inappropriate, delete that post. If it’s on someone else’s channel and it’s a real negative, politely ask the person who posted it if they can either “untag” you or remove it altogether.
Include content that aligns with the persona you are representing in your career.
Add your skills and history, so they match with your resume. This advice is primarily for LinkedIn as that’s a dedicated professional channel.

It’s OK to be “social,” but be mindful of what you’re putting out there. Many co-workers connect on social media, so have fun, but before posting, ask yourself what employers would think about what you’re about to share.

Tag: employer