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 three reasons why you should always show up early to work.

 

1. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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.

Eight Tips to Follow On The Road to a Promotion

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Do you have your sights set firmly on your future? If you’re a highly motivated employee and you are driven to succeed, then this means advancing to higher positions within your field. Directly marching into your boss’ office and asking for a promotion is a bold step, but you can take a few mini-steps to help you get there. When working towards—and asking for—a promotion, it can help to follow a few robust strategies.

1. Have a clear understanding of what you want-

A vague goal such as get promoted might not fit into your long-term career plans. Figure out what precisely you wish to accomplish, and create a career plan that will help you get there.

2. Work on one thing at a time-

Big goals are best accomplished in baby steps. Work with your boss to break your plan for advancement into smaller steps, and ask for support to help you achieve them.

3. Review your career plan with your boss every six months-

This will help ensure you’re on track. You’ll be able to check off the critical skills you’ve achieved to advance.

4. Find a need and fill it-

Perhaps you know you’d like to advance within your company, but you’re not sure what position you’d want to promote to. Often, jobs are created to fill company needs. If you notice a hole in a process or a role that might help your department, suggest to your boss that it’s something you’d like to work on. Your motivation and insight are both significant steps toward a future promotion.

5. Let your boss know how your promotion can help the company-

As with any kind of sale, you’ll need to sell benefits rather than features. When discussing your plans with your boss, it can be helpful to explain how your higher position will aid the company, not just you.

6. Don’t try too hard-

Sucking up to your boss can be overwhelming to him or her, as well as annoying to your coworkers. And this can hurt the synergy within your team. It’s possible to be a hard worker without disrupting the balance within your department.

7. Don’t lose sight of your day-to-day-

Yes, it’s good to have goals. But don’t let them rob you of the motivation to accomplish your daily tasks. Your hard work is what is going to get you promoted, so work on doing the best you can at your current job while keeping an eye on your future.

8. Always be proud of your accomplishments-

If you’re motivated to achieve more, you should be proud of your drive to succeed. Hard workers like you are the people who companies want to hire. Stick with your career plan, and you will be destined for great things!

Need a job or job change? 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.

Don’t Think Details Matter in an Interview? Think Again

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If you’re interviewing for jobs, you likely have been told the “correct” answers you should give so as not to mess anything up for yourself. However, you might want to rethink some of that advice if you want to stand out in your interviewer’s mind. Here’s how to avoid giving vague interview answers:

Disguising a Strength as a Weakness-

Everyone knows that they’re “supposed to” disguise a strength as a weakness. However, everyone does this, so this answer is no longer relevant! To stand out, try giving a weakness you used to have; you can combat the negative stigma by telling them how you overcame it. This will show that you are honest, self-aware, and willing to try hard to fix your mistakes.

Not Being Specific about the Company-

If you aren’t specific enough about why you want to work at that company, you are hurting yourself in your interview. It’s easy enough to go into an interview and tell the interviewer that you want to work at that job because you want to make the world a better place. It’s harder (but much more impressive) to tell the interviewer that you want to work at that job because you admire the C.E.O. for the work she did while in Africa two years ago. Being specific about the job shows that you care.

Selling Yourself Short-

Don’t be vague about your skills, interests, or work history. Doing so means that you are selling yourself short, which is never good in an interview. You want to be specific with examples about what you are good at, because you may find that your interviewer is interested in using you for multiple skills.

If you are looking for a new job opportunity, whether short-term or long-term, contact Award Staffing. 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!

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