Treat your job search as if it were literally your job. The best way to go about looking for and applying for a new position is to devote time and energy into the process. Set aside time each day that you can devote to searching and applying for positions and responding to network connections. This will allow you to stay focused on your end goal of landing a new career rather than getting distracted along the way.

Self-reflection, as hard as it can be, is important to growing in your career. Focusing on what your true strengths are will enable you to narrow in on the positions that you are truly qualified for and interested in. Be honest with yourself  to determine what skill sets you might be lacking in so that you can steer clear of applying to positions that are heavy in those areas. The key to self reflection is to ensure you are applying for positions that you would truly be a good fit for in terms of personality and ability.

No matter what, stay determined! If you are starting to fill discouraged at the lack of interviews you’ve received, don’t give up. Reach out to your network connections and continue to constantly put your name out there. Never stop applying for jobs that you feel you are good fit for. Not finding positions of interest? Reach out to local Recruiters in the area to try and get your foot in the door that way. This can easily be accomplished by making connections on LinkedIn and other networking sites. Tenacity and drive are extremely important in landing that job interview and if you can prove your worth to a Recruiter, they will go the extra mile on your behalf.

Although, these concepts may sound simple, in reality the process of locating, applying for and landing a job can be difficult. You will face rejection or you might get ignored or simply forgotten about somewhere in the application process. Your main goal is to ensure that the drive and initiative you portray in your job search comes across when you inevitably get in front the Hiring Manager / Recruiter. Do the leg work and watch it pay off when your future employee is finally able to see your true worth!

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, and Trillium Technical. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2017 and 2018 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

• Networking is key! Networking doesn’t just have to be reserved for networking events or conferences. Everywhere you go, there could be the potential of making a connection with other professionals or opening up a conversation that can lead to future prospects. By increasing your reach through networking, you may be made aware of new openings or opportunities before they are even made public. This could, in turn, put you at an overwhelming advantage simply by giving you first dibs on making an impact during the interview.
• Use proper grammar and triple check your application materials for errors. We are all human and do make grammatical errors and typos from time to time. However, the time to do this is not when you’re trying to impress a hiring manager. Improper grammar or typos throughout a resume or application can be a read flag to any employer and can instantly cause trepidation on the hiring manager’s side. The answer is simple, take your time in filling out paperwork and speak clearly and concisely when responding to questions. If you take your time and put together a well thought answer or response, you can prevent being disqualified even before the interview is over.
• Always, always, always tailor all application materials to the company or position you are applying for. Hiring managers are used to seeing the same generic resume or cover letter, ones that candidates are obviously using for a variety of opportunities. You want to stand out! The resume and cover letter are the first step in grabbing attention. Once you have the hiring manager in front of your for that long awaited interview, make sure to explain why you are qualified but why you and your skill sets are perfect for THEIR opening. Research the company and go into that interview not only prepared to answer the question “So what do you know about this company?” but go into detail on why your specific skill set makes sense for the role.
• No Brainer Alert! DO NOT ARRIVE LATE or TOO EARLY for an interview! One of the worst faux pas’ candidate’s can fall victim to is either showing up late or too early for an interview. Either can result in the same thing, aggravating the person who you are trying to impress. For many hiring managers, there is a specific reason they choose the day and time for an interview; they are busy and are trying to fit in interviews when possible. If you show up late or too early, this can put the hiring manager in a tough spot. This is especially true if they move another engagement to make up for your lack of punctuality. Also, it can be just plain rude to show up late to a scheduled meeting, regardless of the type; so just don’t do it.
• As awkward as it can feel, be prepared to discuss pay and salary at the interview. The key here is to do your research and find out what others are making in similar positions in your area. Think about what salary you would personally feel comfortable with in accepting a new role. Combine the two and come to terms with a reasonable pay range that you can back up if pay negotiations come up.
• DO NOT LIE. I hate to use all CAPS and I hope this goes without saying but lying, whether on your resume, application or in person, is not acceptable. You have to remember that you are not the only one doing research here. Your prospective employer will also be doing their due diligence for all applicants when going through the hiring process. Plain and simple, if you lie before, during or after the interview, the hiring manager will most likely find out the truth regardless. It just isn’t worth it.
• Follow-up post interview. There is most certainly a fine line in following up after an interview. No one wants to become annoying or considered desperate to a hiring manager. Typically, a quick email or phone call within a week following your interview will suffice. Remember, that you were most likely not the only candidate that was interviewed, so practicing patience is very important. Sending a quick thank you via email can not only show the prospective employer that you’re still interested but it also shows initiative.

Take confidence in what you have to offer and use a little common sense and you’ll be well on your way to that next big opportunity!

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Application Time: How important Is It?

• The longer it takes for an applicant to fill out an application, the less likely they are to finish, not rocket science. In fact 19% of those surveyed stated that if the application is estimated to take longer than 10 minutes, they will not complete it.
• It was also determined that whereas access to a mobile application would be easy and convenient, it is not necessarily a deal breaker if this isn’t an option for an applicant. Only 10% said they wouldn’t apply at all if a mobile app wasn’t available.

After the Application Is Submitted:

• The #1 complaint from applicants is being left in the dark after an application is submitted. 48% of those surveyed sited this as their number one frustration. This was followed by length of application process and the application not parsing properly into the user’s profile.
• 76% of employees stated that email is the preferred method for employers to follow up post-application. Even with the advent of new technology such as texting (only 18% preferred), email has consistently been the easiest and most preferred method.
• Across the board (all genders and ages 79+%), whether it is through email, phone or text, employees want more communication at the beginning and through the entirety of the application process. Prospective employees not only expect to hear something within 1-2 weeks of submitting the application, but also expect a clear timeline from the company with which they applied.

After the Job Offer is Made:

• On average, after an employee has received a job offer (and accepted the offer), over 50% will continue to look for other jobs while they are going through the pre-screening and background check process.
• More importantly, 41% of employees stated that they are only willing to wait up to 10 days after an offer is made for these pre-screening processes to conclude. This number drops drastically to only 22% after the 10 day threshold.
• According to the employers surveyed, a staggering 86% of them have had a candidate walk away after the offer had been made and accepted.

What Can Be Done? 

• This is simple. Create an engaging and interactive on-boarding process. In fact, 72% of employees stated that if they have a positive on-boarding experience within the first 60 days, they will not only stay with the company but will actively refer friends or colleagues.
• On-boarding doesn’t end once the employee is hired. Continual involvement and engagement during the first few months of an employee’s start is critical. Almost 1 in 5 employees stated they want some sort of feedback monthly or even more often during their first few months of employment. In addition, over half stated that the HR department should also touch base during their first year of employment.

Bottom line is that whether you are making the hiring decision or are the one accepting an offer, increased transparency with the on-boarding and overall hiring process is imperative for both Employers and Employees to have a harmonious experience. The end result would be higher retention rates, lower turnover rates and in the end, lower recruiting costs.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 98 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Simply put, Recruiters are trying to get you a job. Their repeated phone calls are for one purpose, to fill the orders presented to them by local companies. Today, a majority of companies are starting to turn to staffing companies to source for their internal openings for the simple reason of saving time. If you are thinking about jumping back into the job market or are thinking about changing careers, a Recruiter can be one of your best resources. Check out a few key reasons to make sure you take that call:

• They are the first line of contact with a potential future employer. If you do not make it past the first interview with the Recruiter, your chances of landing that job are slim to none.
• Networking is extremely important. In today’s job market, it’s all about who you know. If you are not a good fit for the position you applied for, they know of other opportunities in your area.
• The Recruiter was assigned to the job opening and is entrusted by the client to find the right fit. This in and of itself adds to your credibility when your resume is presented to the client. The Recruiter knows who you are and is aware of your skill set. You would only be contacted by the Recruiter if they felt you were a good fit for the position.
• The best part is, working with a Recruiter is a FREE service for job seekers.

Recruiters are, in essence, Human Resources people who track down potential employees for their clients. Equipped with only a rough job description and their knowledge of the industry, they dive headfirst into resumes to find the perfect candidate for each position. Who knows, it could even be you! What are you waiting for?! Be prepared for your next great opportunity to come through a phone call!

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, and Trillium Techs. With approximately 90 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a 2015 winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information, please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

Your cover letter should make you stand out. In order to do that you need to get the reader’s attention. This is your opportunity to convince the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. For example, give specific examples of your own accomplishments that relate to the position you’re applying for. Cover letters also demonstrate your writing skills, so make sure everything is grammatically correct and spelled right. Do not use the same cover letter for each position you apply for. In order to tailor the cover letter to each specific position, do research about the company to prove you are truly interested in joining their team.

However, not every position you apply for requires a cover letter. If the company doesn’t ask for one, provide one anyway. This shows true initiative and that you are willing to put in more effort than your peers. The key factor to remember is that you are not the only person applying to an opening. Any opportunity that is available to push ahead of your peers, should be taken. This includes providing a professional cover and concise cover letter. Summarized tips to remember are below:

• Give specific examples of accomplishments that may pertain to the job you are applying for.
• Do research about the company to ensure that what is stated in your cover letter jives with the company’s ideals and mission.
• DO NOT make the cover letter about why you want the job, but rather focus on how you can help the company.
• Keep the cover letter short and concise. The typical hiring manager will only glance at a cover letter for a few seconds so make sure there is as much bang for your buck with as little words as possible.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The majority of us aren’t likely to have an electronic copy of our resume on our mobile device that is easily available to upload. However, applying with a resume gives you some major advantages against those who manually fill in their information. How? Simple. Your resume should be loaded with keywords and skills that are far more likely to get you spotted in an employer’s search than manual entry. Most companies search based on keywords, the more you have the better.

So how do you get the benefit of your resume without having a copy on your mobile device? There are a number of places online to store your resume that you can access while using a mobile device. Some of the more popular include: LinkedIn, Google Drive, and DropBox. Many online application processes will give you the option to apply using your resume through these avenues. If you choose to apply using your LinkedIn profile, be sure that the profile is current, professionally completed, and includes enough detail and keywords to truly showcase your abilities.

Those employers who do not employ a search system that allows them to identify qualified candidates by searching keywords, often prefer to view resumes as opposed to sifting through work history in a manual entry system. If you are actively seeking a new career opportunity, now is a great time to upload your resume to cloud based storage. Being able to quickly apply from a mobile device immediately when locating a position that is attractive to you, will increase your odds of beating other candidates to the punch.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Today’s employment market is a candidate driven market allowing candidates more flexibility and potential job offers than they’ve had in the past 10 years. With the rebound from the 2009 recession, the market has changed from being saturated with talent who was under or unemployed, to a discernible talent shortage in most industries. Employers are struggling to attract and maintain talent in roles ranging from General Labor to Professionals. Undoubtedly, in addition to the strain on your operations the longer a vacancy exists the more costly it becomes both financially and towards workplace productivity.

How can you decrease your time to fill? Here are a few ways to increase your quality of candidate while decreasing your time to fill:

• Utilize your networks. The more people that are aware that your opening exists, the more likely you are to drive applicant traffic. Social networks, industry organizations, and your own staff can all work to help boost exposure to your position.
• Build a referral program. If you don’t already have a competitive referral program you’re behind the times. Referrals often produce a higher level of candidate and a longer length of employment than a traditional hire.
• Get in touch with passive candidates. Passive candidates are far less likely to be receiving multiple offers, have jumpy work history, or be lacking in skill sets. While it takes a little more digging to locate a passive candidate, the job offer process often times moves at a faster pace.
• Partner with a staffing firm. Most staffing firms do not require an exclusive agreement or any financial obligation unless you choose to hire a candidate that they present. Often times they have access to a number of candidates in confidential job searches who are not posting resumes online or applying to job postings. In addition, they are experts at locating those hard to find passive candidates.
• Be open to negotiations. Could paying a nominal amount more seal the deal before your candidate accepts an offer with your competitor? Absolutely. Be open to negotiating remote employment, pay rates, and even relocation. While initially some of these financial decisions may seem unsettling, the costs of a long term job vacancy will quickly outweigh an additional $5,000 relocation package for the right candidate.
• Be proactive. Don’t wait for a vacancy to arise before recruiting to fill it. You should constantly be working to attract talent for your key positions. This will allow you to upgrade talent in areas that you need to and give you a pool of candidates to contact when an opening arises unexpectedly.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

In a 2014 survey by American Staffing Association, nearly 90% of temporary and contract employees said that staffing work made them more employable.

“I applied for a two week temporary position that began as part time. I was able to learn new skills within the field while continuing my education and was offered a full time position with the organization that has lead to a 10 year career with the same company. Walking through the doors of Trillium Staffing back in May of 2005 was one of the best choices I have ever made.” states Jen H.

In today’s highly competitive job market, additional skills and experience are essential to climbing your career ladder. Many temporary positions allow you to gain needed experience, some offer free training, and room for advancement. In the same survey, 49% of temporary employees stated that staffing employment helped them get their foot in the door for a permanent job.

Looking for other reasons to consider temporary or contract work? Here are a few additional benefits:

• Gain permanent employment
• Obtain work experience in field of study
• Improve or update skills
• Flexible hours or schedule
• Obtain traveling work
• Free training or certifications
• Get a foot in the door at a large organization
• Obtain work while between permanent jobs
• Obtain consulting work

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The average time to fill a position in the U.S. is 25 working days, unless you’re a larger corporation which comes in at an average of 58.1 days. As long as the hiring process can seem on the employer end, from an applicant’s perspective it can seem even longer. For an applicant who is actively entertaining other offers, the time to hire can be the determining factor in their career search.

Reducing your time to hire may be as simple has implementing some changes to how offers are extended or who has the authority to extend them. Most HR departments are juggling several responsibilities that are time sensitive and have to resort to compiling and presenting job offers after other responsibilities are handled. Allowing department managers to present and extend offers to applicants may quickly cut several days, up to a week off of the hiring process. Having a strong idea of what offer you may be comfortable presenting before an interview can allow you the opportunity to compile an offer that could be extended immediately following an interview.

Here are just a few obstacles that can be avoided with a more streamlined hiring process:

• Losing applicants to another offer. Candidates who are juggling multiple opportunities are not likely to decline other offers while waiting several days or weeks for your company to produce an offer, even if it is more competitive. If they do receive other offers while awaiting your decision they are also more likely to counter your initial offer.
• Costly additional travel expenses. If you are working with candidates who are traveling for interviews, the additional expense of bringing them back to your location for a job offer presentation can add up quickly.
• Indecisive candidate response. Many applicants are less likely to decline or counter a job offer in-person than they are by phone or email. By identifying an offer that you are comfortable with and being prepared to offer them the position immediately after concluding the interview you greatly increase your chances of an accepted offer.
• Decrease in productivity and morale. Decreasing the time to fill can have a very positive impact on a departments productivity and morale. The less time you are understaffed, the less burden the entire team fills with the vacancy.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent?Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Look Sharp

Before the interview, select your outfit. Depending on the industry and position, get out your best duds and check them over for spots and wrinkles. Even if the company has a casual environment, you don’t want to look like you slept in your clothes. Above all, dress for confidence. If you feel good, others will respond to you accordingly.

Be on Time

Never arrive late to an interview. Allow extra time to arrive early in the vicinity, allowing for factors like getting lost or traffic. Enter the building 15 minutes before the interview.

Do Your Research

Researching the company before the interview and learning as much as possible about its services, products, customers and competition will give you an edge in understanding and addressing the company’s needs. The more you know about the company and what it stands for, the better chance you have of selling yourself. You also should find out about the company’s culture to gain insight into your potential happiness on the job.

Be Prepared

Bring along a folder containing extra copies of your resume, a copy of your references and paper to take notes. You should also have questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview.

Show Enthusiasm

A firm handshake and plenty of eye contact demonstrate confidence. Speak distinctly in a confident voice, even though you may feel shaky.

Listen

One of the most neglected interviewing skills is listening. Make sure you are not only listening, but also reading between the lines.

Answer the Question Asked

Candidates often don’t think about whether they are actually answering the questions asked by their interviewers. Make sure you understand what is being asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure.

Give Specific Examples

One specific example of your background is worth 50 vague stories. Prepare your stories before the interview. Give examples that highlight your successes and uniqueness. Your past behavior can indicate your future performance.

Ask Questions

Many interviewees don’t ask questions and miss the opportunity to find out valuable information. Your questions indicate your interest in the company or job.

Follow Up

Whether it’s through email or regular mail, the follow-up is one more chance to remind the interviewer of all the valuable traits you bring to the job and company. You don’t want to miss this last chance to market yourself.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.