Ready to connect? As you start on the path to creating one of the best LinkedIn profiles out there, be sure to think big: How can you jump-start a conversation? How are you promoting your brand – your skills, expertise, and even your personality? But how to update your LinkedIn profile to be an authentic and engaging version of yourself isn’t just a one-step process.

Read on for our LinkedIn profile best practices.

1. Remember: You are more than your resume

Of course, your summary and job experience are absolutely essential, but this is also the time to let your personality shine. The best LinkedIn profiles also have a personal tagline, engaging photo, and a summary that doubles as your digital elevator pitch.

2. Your skills = Your keywords

When you look at “People also viewed” or “Who viewed your profile,” what comes up? Is it related to your career and interests? If it doesn’t, try changing up the wording in your skills section. It allows LinkedIn to better understand who you are and lets others in your industry find you easier.

3. Post often. Post smart.

Fewer than a third of users post at least once a month. Regularly posting means you’re regularly popping up on your Connections’ feeds. Stay away from bragging about yourself or your company – and instead share new insights you’ve learned from an article or virtual webinar. Or, post and ask your network for advice and insights.

4. Be social on your social

What you like, share, or comment on is visible to your network, so be purposeful in your interactions. Make sure to congratulate others on their latest successes or anniversaries, let someone know when you’re visiting their area – and in general, just try to share once or twice every time you log in.

5. Find your groups

When you join LinkedIn groups that reflect your interests, make sure to do some research on the group itself. What are the tone and the conversation like? Start by commenting on others’ posts and asking questions. (Avoid self-promotion!) As you become one of the “regulars,” you can slowly reach out to individuals and build 1:1 connections.

6. Ask for recommendations

You know which colleagues, clients, or managers can truly articulate your skills and work ethic. When you reach out for a LinkedIn recommendation, ask them to focus on the traits that made you stand out. Be sure to focus on the few who can give you a quality (and specific) recommendation

7. Showcase yourself

LinkedIn can be about more than sharing your accomplishments and awards (though it is great for that). Share your interests and association memberships with your network. Also, connect your website to your profile: It’s a simple way to enhance your profile (and your Google search results).  

8. Make connections

Don’t just start sending requests out into the void. First of all, LinkedIn can mark your messages as spam and restrict your ability to send notes. Second, you want to find people who match up with your interests and send them a relevant, personal message.

Modeling your account after the best LinkedIn profiles takes some work. Still, it pays off the more time you dedicate to it – whether you’re actively looking for new career opportunities or just want to keep your options open. If you need more job search help or are ready to make a change, start with Adecco. We’re looking to connect candidates across the country with the right job for their success.

The post How to update your LinkedIn profile for 2024 appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

For nearly two decades, Microsoft Office has allowed job candidates the option to save files as PDF versions, meaning an increasing number of resumes in that format.

At Adecco, we’ve seen our share of resumes and have received an increase in resumes in JPG and PNG as well.

Below are four key reasons to always send your resume as a Word document (.doc or .docx) to ensure you don’t unintentionally hinder your job search.

Why should your resume be in Word format?

1. PDF or image files often don’t translate to applicant tracking systems. Recruiting systems may accept all types of resumes, but many do not “parse” or translate files other than Word files completely. Pieces of your resume could be lost completely.

2. PDF and image files cannot be edited. Recruiters often need to change your resume prior to sending it to a client to add the staffing company’s logo, format it the way the client requires, or remove your contact information.

3. Almost all recruiters and hiring managers have Microsoft Office. If you don’t have Word software at home, consider sending your resume from another computer. If you don’t have alternative resources, an RTF (rich text file) is generally the best choice to ensure compatibility. 

4. Avoid using resume templates, tables, or unusual column formatting. When a recruiter copies or downloads a version of your resume, it can cause formatting errors. However, resume templates and tables are often difficult to edit. While some recruiters may take the time to reformat your entire resume – others will move on to another candidate whose resume is easy to edit.

How to format a resume in Word

• Insert a header. Don’t take up needed space with contact information – insert a header instead. Go to the “Insert” tab in Word, and choose the type of header you like best.
• Use bold headings. Draw the eye to the key sections of your resume by using the “bold” feature. Common headings can include “Education,” “Experience,” and “Skills.”
• Print out your resume before applying. This will help you see if your resume is laid out neatly. Clean up messy formatting mistakes and make sure the text is easy to read.

Let us help you find a job

Searching for a job can be stressful. We get it – and would love to help make it easier. Our recruiters work with top companies across the country, and we’re committed to matching the right job with the right candidate.

Whether you’re just starting your job search or have been looking for a while, take a look at our open positions. Then let’s get to work.

The post 4 Reasons why recruiters want your resume in Word format appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

It can be easy to miss important information about a candidate during a quick interview.

That’s why more employers are trying unusual approaches to discern candidates’ critical thinking or their ability to handle the unexpected.

However, there’s still one area that employers and hiring managers overlook: intellectual curiosity.

An intellectually curious person has the motivation and desire to learn more. They ask questions about the day-to-day process as well as the big picture.

It’s an invaluable trait to find in a job candidate.

A curious employee can have a great impact on your company. They want a deeper understanding of the task at hand and will not be satisfied with checking items off of a to-do list. 

Hiring managers can learn a great deal about a candidate by asking interview questions that gauge their curiosity. 

Here are just a few you should be asking to gauge their level of curiosity. Be sure to assess their answers, demeanor, and thought process behind each response.

“How do you handle different perspectives?”

A diversity of perspectives is critical for success. It brings a wider pool of resources, skills, and opinions to your decision-making process. 

Intellectually curious individuals are comfortable taking in different points of view, thinking holistically, and applying fresh outlooks, ideas, and creativity to a project.

They pay attention to what’s going on around them and are drawn to anything that strikes them as smart, efficient, or interesting.

Their curiosity commonly leads them to consider the influences of other industries or the way that other professionals work, even if they are unrelated to their own job.

“What is your approach when facing a challenging obstacle?”

Intellectually curious employees are more likely to get excited about a new challenge or project. They take interest in finding smarter ways to solve problems and finish assignments.

Learning how a they would tackle an obstacle gives the interviewer a sense of what knowledge a candidate already knows and what information the candidate knows they need to learn before making a decision.

When given a complicated situation, intellectually curious individuals are more inclined to ask questions and try a new approach to the same – and possibly dated – ways.

“Tell us a time when you took ownership of your work?”

Workers with intellectual curiosity are motivated to dig into their work on a deeper level.

They look for and often find a new or interesting approach to their work. This mentality allows them to take a positive attitude and greater ownership over their own projects – often exceeding expectations or goals.

Having intellectually curious team members can boost your overall company culture and morale.

Employees who take pride in their individual projects and in team assignments have the potential to inspire others around them as well.

Additional questions to gauge intellectual curiosity

When interviewing a candidate, be sure to include a few questions that shed light on their natural learning patterns and interests. These questions might include:

• “What do you do for fun?”
• “What books have you read lately?”
• “How do you learn new things?”
• “How do you strive for self-improvement?”
• “Are you self-taught in any skills?”
• “What interests you the most about this position?”
• “What is your favorite news outlet?”

The key intellectual curiosity indicator

There is one golden rule when it comes to interviewing for intellectual curiosity: The candidate will usually come with a lot of questions.

Look for candidates who ask questions throughout the interview. While nearly every candidate will ask pre-planned ones at the end of the interview, an intellectually curious individual will likely have follow-up questions based on your conversation.

Their natural interest in the conversation, the factors that go into their role, and the way the company works can reflect a deeper curiosity than the typical candidate.

Find the talent you need

Struggling to find the right candidate? Whether you’re looking for specific technical experience or hard-to-quantify soft skills, we can help you recruit and onboard top workers.

Reach out today and let’s talk about your recruiting needs.

The post Character interview questions around curiosity appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

In today’s fast-paced society, speed often trumps courtesy. We’ve become accustomed to countless interruptions each day: expecting (and even welcoming) impromptu visits, text messages, social media alerts, or the rings of a video call during a conversation.

Yet, most of us would agree that being interrupted mid-sentence during a conversation still triggers a pang of irritation. Although interrupting may have become more commonplace, it’s no less rude than it’s always been.

Read on to find out why interrupting can be a career destroyer, why you do it, and how to stop.

Why is interrupting bad for your career?

Think about it this way, how do you feel when you’re interrupted mid-sentence? Most likely, you feel that the person you’re talking to is more concerned with their opinion and doesn’t really care what you have to say.

Their impatience might cause you to feel disrespected, unimportant, or just plain annoyed if you lose your train of thought. People seldom want to work with (or promote) people who make them feel this way.

Nevertheless, interrupting is a shockingly common habit. Hiring managers have often mentioned that though a candidate had a great skillset, they decided against moving them forward in the process.

Why? The candidate had continuously interrupted the hiring manager’s questions or responses during the interview. 

Why do you interrupt?

In order to break a bad habit, it’s important to understand the motivations behind your actions. Some of the most common reasons for interrupting include:

• Lack of self-awareness or not realizing when you interrupt others
• Fear of forgetting what you want to say (stemming from impatience, nervousness, or planning what to say next, instead of actively listening)
• Trying to prove expertise to peers or superiors on the topic being discussed
• Need for belonging. You want to join in, but there are no breaks in the conversation. Each time you try to chime in, someone beats you to the punch or one person monopolizes the conversation
• Cooperative interruption, an attempt to relate to the person speaking by making positive affirmations (e.g. “I completely understand!”) or sharing your own story
• Competitive interruption, an attempt to change the topic to further your own agenda or to gain the audience’s attention
• Everyone else interrupts. Interrupting is common in your workgroup or office culture
• Excitement and passion about the topic at hand, which can make it difficult to wait your turn

How do you stop interrupting?

• Carry a small notebook and jot down your thoughts as they occur. Given time, the speaker will often address the point or question naturally during the course of their conversation. If not, writing it removes the fear of forgetting the thought. An added bonus: Taking brief notes during a conversation signals that you’re paying attention.
• Challenge ourselves to stay quiet. Those of us who interrupt are often the “talkers” in a conversation. But, have you ever noticed that people listen most attentively to those who speak infrequently, but with thoughtful consideration? Removing the pressure to contribute to the conversation helps you to focus on what others are saying.
• Enlist a friend or colleague to tip you off if you’re interrupting. Although it’s tempting to hide our weaknesses from others, there’s no shame in admitting to someone you trust that you’re working to improve yourself. Decide on a discreet signal for a colleague to give you if you’re breaking into a conversation.
• Don’t assume a pause is necessarily the end of a discussion. If you’re eager to join a conversation, you may jump in as soon as the person pauses. However, some people pause to make an impact or collect their thoughts. Pay attention to their tone of voice and allow a moment before responding.
• Put a finger over your lips or close your mouth tight as a physical reminder to listen attentively.
• If you accidentally interrupt, quickly apologize and allow the speaker to continue. Simply saying, “I’m sorry, go on” or “Sorry, you weren’t finished” is enough.
• If you must interrupt, do so politely. In some cases, you need to interrupt: such as when you don’t understand, have to leave a meeting that is running over, or a colleague is telling a client incorrect information that could jeopardize a deal. In these cases, try to wait for a pause, and then say, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but…”

Recognize when you should allow others to interrupt you

When you’re working so hard to refrain from interrupting, it can be frustrating when someone interrupts you.

However, if the person is more senior to you, it’s best to stop talking and let them continue. Unless you have an exceptionally close relationship, pointing out the interruption will likely be seen as disrespectful, which can lead to trouble.

…And when you shouldn’t

In cases where the person consistently interrupting you isn’t senior to you, you have a few options. If you continue talking, most people will get the hint.

For times when a less subtle approach is needed, you can hold up your hand to indicate you’re not finished, then say “Wait, I’m not finished” or “I’ll get to that” in a calm tone of voice. If the person is a friend or a direct report, you may want to take them aside and discuss the issue.

Ready to make a change?

Whether you need to find a new (maybe more quiet?) office culture – or you’re looking for a job with more growth opportunities – Adecco has your back.

Check out our library of resources for job seekers, or learn how to rethink your approach to work with our advice on holding more inclusive meetings, rethinking imposter syndrome, and more.

Start looking for jobs in your area today, or explore the perks of working with Adecco.

The post Avoiding a career nosedive: 7 Tips to stop interrupting appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

Times have changed. Job applicants face an interesting challenge: Create a digital resume that is readable not only by humans, but also by the AI technology that processes it.

AI software and applicant tracking systems are being used more often by employers.

With hundreds of resumes being submitted per job opening, this system allows resumes to be kept organized and limited to the best possible matches. When you submit an online job application, a tool called a resume parser extracts information from your resume, transferring it to the correct section of your profile.

When a recruiter or hiring manager is looking for candidates who match a job description, they may rely on searching and matching software. If your resume wasn’t parsed correctly, you may be overlooked even though you’re a match for the open position.

What can you do to make sure your resume is understood correctly? The inclusion of keywords and proper formatting can make all of the difference between your resume being seen by a recruiter or going unnoticed.

How To Format Electronic Resumes

1. Use Microsoft Word to create your resume – never use PDFs.

We’ve explained why in our previous post, 4 Reasons why recruiters want your resume in Word format.

2. Don’t combine two resume sections into one.

Unlike humans, when two sections are combined into one, resume parsing software won’t understand which information belongs to which section. Rather than “Education and Training,” use “Education” and then “Training.”

3. Avoid “nesting” jobs if you’ve held several positions at the same company.

Rather than listing multiple positions beneath a company name with dates of employment that encompass all positions, treat each position as a separate job. Make sure to include the company name, location, title, and dates of employment for each position.

4. Be consistent with how you structure jobs.

Each job should include the dates of employment, job title, company name, and company location (city/state), and it should be followed by the dates of employment. The order of these elements should be the same for every job. If you begin one job with the start and end date, ensure you begin the next job with the dates.

5. Include start and end dates for every position.

A resume parser may ignore positions without dates. If you’re still working at a position, use common words such as “Current” or “Present” in place of the end date. Spelling out the month (rather than using the MM/YY abbreviation) will ensure your dates are understood correctly regardless of which country the website is optimized for.

6. Keep formatting simple.

We’ve mentioned this before in our post 10 Tips to create an effective resume and get noticed – it’s also helpful for recruiters. Some resume formatting tips include:

• Don’t store information in columns, tables, templates, headers, footers, or fields.
• Don’t use paragraphs within a single job description. Otherwise, information may be split up that belongs together.
• Don’t use images or fonts that create symbols, like Wingdings. When a resume is parsed, images are translated to text. This means that images will either be ignored, or translated to random letters and numbers that don’t make sense.

7. Contact information should be the first item on your resume.

Use a separate line for each element of your contact information, like you would when writing a letter. Never include all contact information on a single line.

8. Use keywords.

Recruiters often search for keywords and phrases within your resume to filter candidates. Keywords for resumes can be found in the job description of the position you are applying to.

For example, if you are applying for a data-focused position, a good key phrase to have within your resume is “data entry.” Section headers also should be keyword-friendly – a good rule of thumb is to keep it simple. If the parser doesn’t recognize a section header, it may not parse the information at all.

9. End company names with common company-related abbreviations.

Terms like LLC, Inc., Co., and Corp. help AI recognize a word as a company name. Using those words can help ensure that the company name ends up in the right “Work Experience” field in your profile.

10. Include skills within your job descriptions. 

Sophisticated software can determine how many years of experience you have with each skill, by basing it on the dates of your employment. It’s still fine to have a separate section for skills if you want to.

Need some resume help?

To test whether your resume will be readable by automated recruiting software, copy and paste it into a text editor (like Wordpad or TextEdit). It should still be readable, with the information listed in the same order as your original resume.

You can also take advantage of the many free resume tests available online such as ZipJob’s tester, before you apply!

Adecco job seekers have unlimited access to our online job search tool to locate job opportunities that best meet their needs. Once you apply, you’ll be connected with a recruiter, who will help you find the perfect match. 

The post 10 Applicant tracking system resume tips appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

While a strong resume or portfolio can get you one step closer to your dream position, it’s the ensuing interview process that really helps hiring managers and recruiters determine whether or not you are the right fit. Preparing for a job interview usually requires more than simply researching a company’s products or services.

First of all, what do recruiters look for when interviewing candidates? According to Nicholls’s State University, a professional appearance, great communication skills, the right qualifications, and knowledge of the company and industry are key ingredients to a successful interview. Here are some key ingredients to help you stand out from other candidates during — and after — an interview. We have also put together a suite of tools and resources to help job seekers with the recruiting and hiring process.

1. Research the position and the company

Learning as much as you can about the company and position will go a long way during the interview. Interviewers are busy people, and they are often required to go through many resumes and conduct multiple interviews every day. Doing your research beforehand will save both you and your interviewer time during the interview. How long has this company been in business? What do they do or make? What is their mission statement? Do you know anyone who currently works there who could give you pointers as to what they look for in candidates? Almost all of this information can be found online.

2. Practice before the interview

It is common practice for artists to rehearse before an event or concert. This is just as valid for a job interview. Practice makes perfect, as they say. A simple way to get some practice under your belt is to do a mock interview. In order to do this, all you really need is a basic outline of an interview, and a camera. Filming yourself answering questions and talking about yourself, your skills, strengths, and interests, will help tremendously in finding flaws in your answers as well as getting more comfortable with the whole interview process.

3. Dress appropriately

First impressions matter — no secrets there. How you should dress for an interview depends greatly on the industry and the position you are applying for. Dressing appropriately indicates you are taking the opportunity seriously and you care about making a good impression. When in doubt, this article from CNBC mentions that in most industries, dressing appropriately communicates that you have respect for the interviewer. This can go a long way and make you stand out from other candidates.

4. Play your strengths, tell a story

All of us have strengths — and an interview is the perfect occasion to show your interviewer that you will be a strong asset to their company.”What are your strengths?” is a question that you will inevitably have to answer during an interview. Creating a list of skills and strengths, while useful, might not help your storytelling during an interview. Instead of answering your interviewer with a long and boring list of your strengths and work experience, why not focus on your achievements and tell a story? Interviewers are interested in hearing about situations where you thrive and are able to achieve great results — or show ambition and self-motivation. A good and honest story might be easier to relate to for the person interviewing you.

5. Be prepared for unusual questions

Hiring managers and interviewers are increasingly looking for unusual job interview questions. This is not necessarily meant to trick you, but rather help them understand how you react in unusual and sometimes uncomfortable situations. You should be able to answer the age-old “what makes you the most qualified candidate for this job?” type of questions. But be prepared for some unusual questions, like “If you were an animal, which would you be?” Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer questions. This will not only help you better understand the position, but showing interest and being motivated are personality traits that recruiters and interviewers often look for in a candidate.

6. Always follow up and ask for feedback

Whether you get the position or not, sending a thank you note is always a nice gesture, and it is now considered common practice in most industries. In the event you did not land the job, this is the perfect opportunity to ask for feedback as well. This is how you will improve and perform better at your next job interview. Receiving criticism might not be the most fun experience, but as you get more comfortable with the interview process — and ultimately land your dream job — negative feedback will eventually turn into more positive input from interviewers.

Still have more questions? Find more advice for your job search from Adecco.

The post The 6 Key Ingredients of Every Successful Job Interview appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

This month’s top trends in the world of work include:

1. A shift toward freelance work
2. Deploying technology to fight the Great Resignation
3. Ghosting in the hiring process
4. People’s readiness for the future of work
5. Reinventing company cultures

The post April 2022 Market Burst appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

This month’s top trends in the world of work include:

1. Rethinking pay in the market driven by high inflation
2. Attracting candidates through vacation schemes
3. Increase in work disengagement among women
4. Insight into the “antiwork” movement
5. AI becoming an integral part of recruitment processes

The post March 2022 Market Burst appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

This month’s top trends in the world of work include:

1. Salary transparency takes center stage
2. Tapping overlooked talent to combat candidate shortage
3. Longevity is another angle for a reimagined work environment
4. Jobs on the rise globally
5. Attracting frontline workers

The post February 2022 Market Burst appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.

Based on our own internal data, both direct hire and temporary job growth for industrial truck operators in distribution centers has nearly doubled in some key markets, and hourly pay rates have risen as much as 50%. Furthermore, Indeed recently saw a 6% spike in forklift operator job postings spread out across the country. With package delivery booming, the hiring companies expect certified, safety-minded candidates to fill these roles.

That’s why the Adecco Group Foundation US partnered with our client—a luxury home goods brand—to invest in innovative forklift training. The client had a high demand for forklift drivers and high expectations for their performance. And the candidates had a strong desire for advanced training in order to feel confident as they started their new careers. It made perfect sense to combine our own training acumen with the virtual reality experience.

New Training

Speaking of virtual reality, what a way to train people! Not only is it engaging and enjoyable, it provides a very real—yet not quite real—environment. The client’s Adecco associates sat in a real forklift and used the controls to conduct all sorts of maneuvers in a virtual warehouse. They familiarized themselves with the machine’s nuances and safety measures. And a Raymond employee was on hand the entire time to answer questions and ensure the technology ran smoothly.

Learn more about the training and listen to the impact it made by watching our mini documentary.

New Impact

The associates gained confidence, ramped up quickly, appreciated the investment in their development, increased their earning potential, and added a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification to their resumes. The client increased early retention, maintained productivity, improved inventory management efficiencies, and enhanced workplace safety. A true win-win.

“Totally, it helped me out… it got me ready for the job. The main key is safety. I feel like I’m ready and I can operate a forklift.”

-Armando, Adecco Associate

“I definitely see the excitement in my associates. Being able to tell them that they’ve been hand selected from their leadership (for this training)… it was pretty awesome to see their reactions.”

-Cynthia, Onsite Supervisor at Adecco

It’s success stories like these that continue to push the Foundation forward. Whether it’s certifying forklift drivers, assisting athletes with career transitions, or helping veterans enter the civilian workforce, the march continues on.

Get in touch with your local Adecco team to discuss custom training, onboarding, and HR solutions for your unique workforce needs.

The post Innovation at its Finest: Upskilling Workers with Virtual Reality appeared first on Adecco Staffing, USA Blog.