Midwest Professional Staffing

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LinkedIn Networking!

LinkedIn Networking Event
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Our very own Rachael Mikel sporting a
"bowtie" for fun along with Danny Beyer.
May is Hamburger Month!
Making a Great First Impression!

Getting off to a Good Start by Making a Great First Impression!

It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.

With every new encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person's impression of you is formed. These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for all the relationships that follows.

So, whether they are in your career or social life, it's important to know how to create a good first impression. This article provides some useful tips to help you do this.

Be on Time

Someone you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your "good excuse" for running late. Plan to arrive a few minutes early. And allow flexibility for possible delays in traffic or taking a wrong turn. Arriving early is much better that arriving late, hands down, and is the first step in creating a great first impression.

Be Yourself, Be at Ease

If you are feeling uncomfortable and on edge, this can make the other person ill at ease and that's a sure way to create the wrong impression. If you are calm and confident, so the other person will feel more at ease, and so have a solid foundation for making that first impression a good one.

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Dress for Success Everytime You Interview!

Going to a temp agency is essentially a job interview. All of the pomp and circumstance of a traditional interview will likely be employed. Do yourself a favor and dress to impress. I've seen people show up in flip flops and jeans thinking that since they aren't technically going to work at the agency they didn't really need to impress the people they met there. Many temp agencies are looking to place people in corporate environments where business attire is the norm. As a result they want to know you can dress the part. Showing up under dressed will likely convey that either you do not own a professional wardrobe or that you didn't care enough to be polished.

Ladies should wear a dress or a suit. Now is not the time to break out your new low cut skin-tight dress and heels. The suit should be black or another dark color and can be highlighted by a pop of color in the camisole. If wearing separates (a blazer and pants that were not sold as a suit) do not try to match the colors. Even blacks can come in various hues. Instead, opt for a black pant or skirt and a pop of color in the blazer. Red is a power color and makes a great separates blazer. Just make sure it is a great fit and stay in the modest and professional range of styles.

Modest and professional attire also means wearing closed toe shoes, no cleavage, and skirts to the knee. Closed toe shoes are a must unless you live in a very warm climate year round in which case a modest open toe is acceptable. Even if wearing a dress, a blazer is always a good idea for a job interview. Again, in warmer climates it just may not be very practical, but if you don't do a blazer a very structured dress like a sheath that covers the shoulders is preferable. Shorts are never allowed. Today there are gorgeous short suits made by some of the top designers but no matter how nice the suit, it isn't right for an interview. Once you have the job you may be able to pull it off, but shorts are not good for the first impression.

For gentlemen a suit is required. Do not show up in your nicest ironed jeans with shirt and tie. That is too informal. A suit and tie is a professional staple and are always preferred for an interview regardless of the type of position for which you are applying. Just like with the ladies, dark suits are best. Do yourself a favor and leave the sharkskin grey or the super fly purple at home. Suits should be tailored to fit. And no, baggy pants are not acceptable. Your tie should be a solid color or if there is a pattern it should be elegant and simple. And don't forget to make sure your shoes are shined. Nothing ruins a look more than scuffed, dingy shoes.
Tough Love Tips for College Seniors Entering the Job Market
I thought this article is fitting with college graduations this month. This article is by Hannah Morgan is a speaker and author providing no-nonsense career advice; she guides job seekers and helps them navigate today's treacherous job search terrain. Hannah shares information about the latest trends, such as reputation management, social networking strategies, and other effective search techniques on her blog, Career Sherpa. April 10, 2013 RSS Feed Print Hannah Morgan

Graduation is a time for celebration! It also induces stress resulting from uncertainty about which career path to embark on, the pressure to land an enviable job, and even the fear of living at home without a job.

The good news is that this year's graduates are predicted to fare better than those graduating in previous years have. According to a recent Job Outlook survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers plan to hire 13 percent more new college graduates than they did last year from the Class of '12. The bad news is we are still in a competitive job market. It is going to require more work and effort to land that first job out of college. Spraying and praying your résumé all over isn't enough.

The real world's first lesson. Time is scarce. Between taking final exams, writing papers, and enjoying your last days with your campus friends, it may not seem possible to cram anything else into your schedule. Welcome to the real world where time is limited and your first priority is having an income. You will find a way to create and launch your campaign for a job. What other choice is there?

If you haven't looked for a job before, then it is fair to say you don't know how the game is played. In the remaining time on campus, seek out job-search workshops, read current books by respected authors, and talk to recent graduates who have secured jobs to learn how they beat the odds. Learn the art and science of interviewing, learn how to build an online reputation and how to network. These are valuable life skills that will always need development and updating.

For complete article click here.

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