Job Search Confidence Is Vital to Find a Work in MN

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If you’ve been searching for a new job in Minnesota for some time, it’s often difficult to keep your job searching spirits high. Receiving job rejections can significantly damage your self-esteem, making it more difficult to remain positive about the quality of your resume or your interviewing ability.

The best thing that you can do is to stay confident. Without confidence in your job search, hiring managers may doubt your capabilities, even if your application demonstrations that you have the right combination of skills and experiences to be great in a new job. Here are a few ways how to get start your Minnesota job search with confidence.

Reflect on What You Are Good At-

During your job search, it’s easy to lose focus on your ultimate goals. You tend to focus on the responses you’ve received from companies based on your applications and interviews, ultimately use those experiences as a gauge of your job worth.

Thinking like this means that you are disregarding your previous job successes – destroying your self-esteem. If you are feeling down throughout your job search, take a moment to reflect on your past job achievements, including your work accomplishments and praises. By doing this, you will rid of any defeating thoughts about your job skills and abilities, allowing you to be more confident while job searching.

Wear the Right Clothes-

Believe it or not, the clothes you wear can have a significant impact on your confidence. Nearly every person has an outfit that leaves them feeling like a million dollars, and that they can accomplish anything. If you’re preparing for an interview, select clothing options that make you feel confident. That feeling will carry over as you interview with the hiring manager.

A thing to think about is to make sure your clothes are comfortable. Even the best looking outfits won’t help you radiate confidence if you are not comfortable during the interview. Be mindful of how you feel throughout the interview, if you find yourself crabbing and pulling at the material or feel that your movement is restricted think about choosing something else to wear next time.

Everyone Makes Mistakes-

At some point throughout your job search, you’ll make a mistake. Maybe you forget to send a required document, miss a typo in your resume, or forget an application deadline. Whatever the mistake is, it’s essential to move forward. The key is to consider the error as a learning experience for which you can take action to avoid in the future.

Continually reflecting on a mistake will destroy your confidence, making an occasional error is going to happen. Learn from it and use the experience to help make sure that you do better the next time around.

Even though maintaining confidence throughout toy job search, with some dedication and diligence, you can succeed.

If you are looking for a new job opportunity, the Minneapolis – St Paul-based hiring teams at Award Staffing can help you find work with Minnesota’s leading employers. Contact us today speak with one of our team members to learn more about our current job openings in the Twin Cities.

How Successful Minnesotan’s Use Their Lunch Breaks

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Most employees don’t utilize their lunch breaks effectively. Many people find the time slipping by them as they essentially “wait” to return to work. While you don’t have to make all of your lunch breaks productive, it is best if you can assign purpose and meaning to them. Here’s how to use your lunch break effectively.

Take Time to Relax-

You don’t always have to be on-the-go. If you want to use your lunch break to relax, that’s a perfectly reasonable way to do so. Try to make your relaxation as intentional and mindful as possible. That means that you tell yourself that lunch is for relaxing. When you do so, you will become much more appreciative of the time and activities you are doing. When you return to work, you will be that much more productive because you will have keen mental clarity.

Try Exercising-

If you are too tired to squeeze in the gym before or after work, use your lunch break to exercise. If you have an hour lunch and there’s a nearby gym, you could always lift weights or do some cardio for a half hour and then take a quick shower. If you’re on the 30-minute plan and there aren’t facilities nearby, you could take a walk or a run around your building area. As long as it gets your heart rate up and moving, it counts.

Work on Personal Development-

You likely have other hobbies or passions that you’re pursuing alongside your job. Use your lunch break to work on your personal development. If you like drawing, take some time to do a few sketches before you head back to work. Read a book or link to a teaching web about your passion. Being intentional about personal growth always pays off over time You will find that your days and weeks will be much more productive if you use your lunch breaks effectively.

Are you searching for a new job opportunity in Minnesota, Contact Award Staffing. We will be able to help you find a job that will give you the time you need during the day to be productive and effective.

How Minnesota Workers Stay Organized at Their Job

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Organization is one of the most important skills you can develop as an employee. If you are organized, you will be more productive, proactive, and responsible for everyday duties. Employers place high-value employees who are organized because they are dependable. Consider the following tips for organization at work:

Make a Task List-

Every day, make a task list with what you need to accomplish that day. This list can be in your head, but many people find it helpful to write their daily tasks down so they can see what still needs to be done toward the end of the day.

Create Specific Goals-

It’s hard to stay organized and caught up with your tasks when you are expected to accomplish several lofty goals in a constrained period. Create specific goals for what you need to do so you can manage your time more effectively and be realistic about what you can accomplish.

Check in with Yourself Throughout the Day-

It’s easy to be distracted from whatever task you are completing, which can often lead to reduced productivity and time management. Check in with yourself throughout the day to remain organized and on track to achieving all of your tasks. This could be a mental check-in every few hours, or it could be a peek at your task list to make sure you are not straying too far from what needs to be done.

Prepare for the Next Day Before Leaving-

No matter how eager you are to get home at the end of a long day’s work, always prepare for the next day before you leave. This will prevent you from having to remember what you did the previous day when you arrive at work in the morning. This simple task will take you five minutes at the end of each day but will save you hours throughout your week. Organization can mean the difference between mediocre and excellent. It will gain you recognition and respect among your coworkers and from your supervisors.

In search of a new job opportunity in the Minneapolis – St Paul areas, Contact Award Staffing. We will connect you with a job that matches your needs, skills, and organizational abilities.

How Minnesota Workers Lose Jobs Due To Social Media

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Social media is a necessary evil that has transcended into all areas of both professional and personal life. When used in the right way, social media is a great tool that can help you connect with significant people in your life. However, there are social media blunders that could cost you your job:

Posting Inappropriate Pictures-

You’ve gone out for a night with your friends, and somehow inappropriate pictures have surfaced on your social media profiles. While this does happen from time to time, you need to make an effort to monitor your social media profiles to make sure nothing inappropriate happens without your permission. If you are posting a picture of underage drinking, this could cause you to lose your job because it’s illegal.

Commenting with Inappropriate Language-

If you post inappropriate language frequently on social media, this could put your job at risk. The reason is that employers don’t want a bad reflection on their company. Many times, if you’re publicly associated with the company, this can be the sole reason you’re fired or let go in conjunction with using inappropriate language.

Posting Negative Comments About Your Job-

Some people take to social media to complain about their job. This is a bad practice, because not only can other people see it, but your employers can also see it. Why would your employers want to keep a negative employee around, especially if they know they hate their job? If you do need to complain about your job, do it in a private atmosphere with trusted friends or family instead. If you are mindful of the way you use social media, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a job that wants to continue employing you on a regular basis.

If you are in need of a job to apply for, contact Award Staffing. We have a whole list of new job opportunities for which you would be a good fit for through taking your experiences and skills into account.

Ever Showed Up to Work Early? Here’s Why You Should

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It’s no secret that is showing up to work early is a good thing. You’ve probably heard it countless times from people giving you advice about interviews or other obligations. But really, why is it so important? Here’s why you should always show up early to work.

You Won’t Start Your Shift Stressed-

If you’re rushing to work, your energy is going to carry over into your shift, and you’ll be stressed out the rest of the day. If you give yourself an extra ten to fifteen minutes to chill and decompress before your shift, you’ll find that it’ll have a profound impact on your day and how you feel at the end of it.

Your Supervisors Will Notice-

If you are showing up early regularly, you better believe that your supervisors are going to notice. This diligence could result in receiving more attention, being offered more responsibilities, or even earning a promotion. Either way, these are all great things to have a supervisor consider you for in the workplace.

You Can Help Others-

If you show up early to work, there’s no telling what might need to be done at that exact time. But, the chances are pretty good that someone else in your office or workplace will need some help. By arriving early, you’ll have the luxury of being able to offer them that and start your shift on time.

If you’re an early bird who needs a new job, contact Award Staffing. We will be able to highlight your responsibility and sense of employee pride to prospective employers, finding you a new job opportunity where you can put these tips to good use.

How to Get Ready for Your New Job in the Twin Cities

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If you’ve recently graduated from high school or college, now may be the time for you to get your first job. If you’ve never had a job before, there are quite a few things you need to do in preparation. Not only do you need to make yourself employable, but you also need to take several steps to make sure that you’re ready.

Get Your Resume Ready-

Before you apply to jobs, you will need to get your resume ready. This means that you will need to take the time to format it and update everything regarding your past work experiences and education. If you need help, make sure you have someone look over the resume to spot any mistakes or errors.

Secure Your References-

Before you start applying for jobs, you need to secure professional references. The easiest way to do this is to ask people you trust, such as former coaches, teachers, or other professionals. Let them know that they should be expecting a call from any future employers so that they aren’t caught off guard and can speak professionally to your character.

Clear Your Schedule-

Make sure you clear your schedule! You’re going to need enough time to apply for jobs, attend interviews, and start working! If you’re not used to working full-time (or even part-time), this part of the job-seeking process will likely be an adjustment for you.

Award Staffing is here to help you.  We will be able to guide you through the job seeking process and recommend you for several different jobs opportunities for which you are a good fit. Contact us today. Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.

How to Find the Perfect Job in Minnesota

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Whether you are new in the employment field or wanting to make a career change, choosing the best career path for you can often be a challenge. There are many factors to take into account before you decide. Following these tips will help ensure that your choice not only results in rewarding work but also brings overall career well-being and happiness.

Determine Your Skillset-

Every person has a unique set of skills, with some skills stronger than other skills. In other words, “What are you good at?” In order to assess this, think about specific tasks or skills that come easily to you. What types of activities do your friends and family ask for your help? Though this might be hard to conceptualize at first, the more you think about it, the more you will be able to formulate some thoughts behind this.

Analyze Your Interests-

Often, what you’re good at and what you’re interested in are two very different things. You might be good at math and science, but you’re passionate about fashion and music. When you’re figuring out what your interests are, think about how you spend your time when you aren’t making money and when you don’t have anything else to do. Often, these reflect your true interests.

Brainstorm Ways Your Skillsets and Interests Intersect-

The perfect career for you lies at the intersection of your skillsets and your interests. It’s a good idea to make a side-by-side list of your skillsets and interests so you can start to compare and contrast them. When you see both of these next to each other, you will start generating more ideas of how they can be combined to help you transition into your perfect career option.

Make an Action Plan-

If you are truly serious about finding the perfect career for you, it’s time to make an action plan. This can be as simple as writing down a list of ideas or goals that you would like to accomplish or as complicated as signing up for an educational program. Whatever you decide to, make sure that you neatly organize your goals, and then stick to them in order to achieve the best possible results.

If you want to make the switch to find your next job opportunity, contact Award Staffing. We can help you assess your unique skill set and interests to help you figure out the career path of your choice. Once you decide on that career path, we will be able to match you up with relevant employers who can help you fulfill those goals. check our When Work Works blog.

Ever Wonder How Long You Should Be at a Job?

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Have you ever wondered how long you should be a job before you start looking for a new one? The real answer is that there is no “right” length of time. It is all contingent on where you are in your life and career. Here you should think about when deciding how long you should be at your current job.

Are You Bored-

Are you being challenged in work current job? Do you believe that your skills are being utilized to their fullest potential? If you answered “no” – then maybe it’s time to start searching for a new job. On the other hand, if you are comfortable with your current job, you should consider having a conversation with your boss about your feelings of leaving. This may open up opportunities that provide you with more responsibilities for growth or even a promotion.

Don’t Ruin Work Relationships-

A key goal of leaving your current job is to choose a time to go that doesn’t burn bridges with current co-workers or the company. Though your boss might not be happy with you moving on to another job, you want to make sure that you go at a time that will preserve your existing relationships. In the business world, your professional network is what will get you ahead in life, be sure not to ruin that relationship. By taking the time to make sure that you have a solid handle on preserving your current work relationships, you should be fine to leave your current job.

Don’t Leave with Unfinished Business-

Timing is critical. If you are leaving at a time in which your company is traditionally busy, you will be hampering your co-workers from getting their job done promptly. If you think you might go to a new job soon, talk to your boss about the best time for you to leave. Even though they will prefer if you don’t move on, they most likely will be able to give you a window of time in which your departure wouldn’t affect your work co-workers ability to perform their job.

What is Happening With The Job Market –

The job market is continuously changing and affected by a variety of factors that aren’t in your control. Dependent on your financial state, you may or may not be able to take time off between jobs. If this is the case, you will most likely want to wait and leave your job until the job market has a lot of job opportunities.

Do you think that it is time to leave your current job? If so Contact Award Staffing. We will be able to match you up with interviews in your area so you can get the job opportunity you want. We have offices located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota to help you with your job search today! Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.

Everyone Makes Mistakes! Learn From Them

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It’s no secret that mistakes happen to everyone. While some mistakes can be disastrous and upsetting, it’s never an entirely lost cause if you can learn something from the situation. Here are some of our most excellent tips about how you can learn from your mistakes and turn your misfortune into a valuable learning opportunity:

Reflect on What Went Wrong-

What went wrong? Many mistakes can be attributed to a choice or action that could have been prevented. Take a few minutes to reflect on what actually happened, so you’re clear about the decisions you made (or didn’t make) that led to that conclusion or unfortunate circumstance.

Make Necessary Changes-

Once you’re very clear on what went wrong, you should know what would need to be done to prevent that particular mistake from happening again. If there’s anything you still can do or fix, go ahead and make those necessary changes. If it’s too late, make a written note of what changes you should prepare for next time. It’s important to write it down as opposed to merely thinking about it, as this will help you to remember what you learned.

Make Amends from That Mistake-

If anyone or anything else was negatively affected as a result of your mistake, you would need to make amends from that mistake. This can be as simple as writing an apology or as involved as meeting with the involved parties to see how you can help alleviate any stresses associated with your mistake. Though it’ll be hard, you ultimately need to own up to your mistake and promise that it won’t happen again.

Forgive Yourself-

Most importantly, you do need to forgive yourself. You’re only human, and we all make mistakes. You learned this time, and you’ll do everything in your power to prevent it from happening next time.

If you are looking for a short-term or long-term job opportunity, contact Award Staffing to help you with your job search. Our team of hiring professional located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota are here to help you find you your next new job!

Criticism Sucks! Three Ways to Be Better at It

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If you’re in a managerial position, you may find yourself in the situation in which you need to give constructive criticism to employees. While constructive criticism is immensely helpful in guiding your employees to perform tasks the way you want, it can often be hard to deliver. Consider these tips on how to give constructive criticism.

1. Start the Interaction with a Compliment-

The whole point of constructive criticism is that you want your employee to change or modify their behavior to achieve a different result. It’s hard for a person to be receptive to any suggestion if they are on the defense, which is why you need to start the interaction with a compliment. Doing so will let the employee know you value them and their talents, which will make them that much more receptive to the criticism you’re about to deliver.

2. Deliver the Criticism as an Observation-

Delivering criticism as an observation as opposed to an accusation will keep the employee in the right frame of mind to be receptive to it. For example, there is a vast difference in tone if you say, “I noticed that you missed a few deadlines,” as opposed to “You never meet your deadlines.” Framing the criticism as an observation also shows that you care and have noticed it happening at least once, which makes them feel less accused and more part of a team.

3. Give a Helpful Suggestion-

If you don’t suggest a remedy or two about how to fix the issue, you’re not delivering constructive criticism – you’re just offering criticism. Take some time to come up with a few possible solutions before talking to the individual. This will make them feel like they have camaraderie with you and your conversation is less of a scolding and more of collaboration.

If you are looking for a job, whether it a short-term or long-term job opportunity, contact Award Staffing. Our team of hiring professional located in Bloomington, Chaska, Crystal, Delano, Maplewood, and Ramsey Minnesota to help you with your job search today! Want to learn more career tips and tricks – check our When Work Works blog.