If you’re interested in a new job or career change, the beginning of the new year is a great time to accomplish it. For many, January and February are considered the best months for getting hired. According to multiple job sources from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—and hiring companies like Monster and Indeed—January and February boast the largest numbers of open jobs and for applications. There are a few reasons why the new year is a great time for getting hired. Many organizations receive budget dollars for the year at the beginning of the year, so they’re eager to bring new hires on board at that time. Also, due to holiday travel, many companies that need help may put it off until the new year begins. And finally, many people—and organizations—are ready to take on new tasks and goals in the new year. The beginning of the new year is a great time to start that new job, or new career!

Once you’ve gotten that big interview and the hiring manager asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” Keep in mind, the job interview isn’t just about the employer finding out if you’re qualified for the new role, it’s also your opportunity to find out if the position is the right fit for you. You don’t want to waste your time pursuing a job that’s not right for you. You don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time either. To make sure that doesn’t happen, it’s important for you to ask the right questions during your interview. Great questions to ask your potential employer include inquiries about the company’s culture, the initial projects you would be working on, opportunities for professional development, and what goals the company has for the position. You also want to make sure that you show a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company throughout the interview. Remember, the goal is to find out if the new role is the right fit for you, and you can’t do that without asking the right questions!

Some experts say that almost half of hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing a resume. If that’s true, then your resume should be an attention-grabber. It should stand out, and it should quickly showcase your skills and qualifications. Your resume should include your accomplishments from previous positions. It should include a list of your skills and talents. It should include degrees or certificates that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas. It should also include any notable awards or honors you’ve received. To ensure it’s well prepared, examine your qualifications and make sure to match them with the requirements of your desired job. Once you’ve added your information, you want to make sure your resume is formatted properly. To achieve this, your resume should be readable, and it should easily showcase your skills and qualifications. Your resume should also clearly display your contact information so that hiring managers can easily find it. Don’t forget this important step. Oh, and one more important thing to remember, always select a font that's legible and professional!

After landing a great job the focus usually shifts to getting promoted and advancing in your job. To accomplish this, you need to focus on a few important things. When you first land the new job, focus on learning the skills needed to do the job very well. To achieve this, you might have to invest in training courses or certifications. After a few years of demonstrated success in the position, seek higher roles internally or externally. Remember, performance is key for advancement. Keep in mind that to advance you must bring value to a company. If a company doesn’t see your value, they won’t be motivated to promote you. If they can easily see your value, they’ll be highly motivated to keep you and put you in a role where your value can be used more often. Once you find that you’re bringing a lot of value to a company, you’ll notice that your opportunities to do more at that company will increase. Soon you might be asked to train a new employee, or you might get an opportunity to be a team leader. Remember, career advancement is a gradual process, but it’s worth it to move up in your job and reach your career goals.

In a constantly evolving job market, staying ahead of the curve is a top priority for job seekers. Employers are continually updating their expectations to meet new company goals and challenges, especially in administrative and clerical roles. To stand out from others, it’s crucial to understand the most sought-after skills and try to effectively display them on your resume. Here are the top skills employers are looking for. With the non-stop advancements in technology, skills in various software tools are a must for administrative and clerical roles. Most employers are seeking candidates who are comfortable using products like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. They also seek candidates who are skilled in project management tools and CRM systems. These tools are a must for customer relationship management. Being familiar with IT troubleshooting can also give you an advantage over your competition. On top of these skills, it’s important to have great communication skills. Administrative and clerical roles are often the first point of contact within an organization. You’ll also need to have the ability to adapt to change and handle unexpected situations. This is a necessary skill in today’s fast-paced work environments.

When sending your resume to a staffing agency you’ll notice they usually request that you send it to them in a Word document. They do this because they usually don’t want to show your personal contact information when submitting your resume to their client. For this reason, sending a PDF can discourage the recruiter because they might not be able to edit your resume easily. Also, keep in mind that PDF or image files don’t normally translate to applicant tracking systems, that means pieces of your resume could get lost. Another thing to remember is that almost all recruiters and hiring managers use Microsoft Office. Also, try to avoid using resume templates, tables or unusual formatting. When a recruiter or agency downloads a version of your resume, it can cause errors with the formatting, and templates and tables can be difficult to edit. Some agencies may take the time to adjust the formatting errors and others will simply move on to another candidate whose resume doesn’t need adjusting.

A trade job is usually defined as a career that requires special training and skills but not necessarily from a four-year college degree. In April 2024, it was reported that the demand for skilled trade workers was clearly outpacing the supply. The shortage is expected to continue for the next ten years. Some of the reasons for it include an aging workforce and a lack of young people entering the field. Many think there has been a shortage of skilled trades people in the US for at least 6 or 7 years, they think it's even longer in hot markets like CA, NY, TX and FL. Many people also predict that trade jobs may be among some of the last ones to be automated, so that means job security! Even though trade jobs sometimes get a bad reputation because of low wages, many jobs in the industry pay very well. Welders, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and other trade workers are in high demand and that means vacant, well-paying jobs! Many skilled trades careers also offer a high degree of independence. This can be great for people who prefer to work independently, and a person can move on to have their own business! Skilled trades are in high demand across many industries, and the demand is only growing, that means making a career in a trade would be an intelligent choice!

Many times temp jobs get looked at negatively. Some people claim they’re a waste of time, and that people should only focus on applying for full time jobs with full time benefits. Is that true, are there any benefits from getting a temp job, and can someone build a career from them? Of course, it's ideal to apply for a full time job with full time benefits if that's what you need but that doesn't mean you should rule out temp jobs to reach your long-term job goals. Temp jobs can be ideal when you need a short term or second job, or if you want to check out a possible new career. Temp jobs are also great for people who need valuable work experience at the beginning of their work careers. Keep in mind, most "temporary jobs" aren't temporary unless the company decides they don't want to keep you. Often these companies want permanent employees, you just need to make sure you get through the "probation period." Once the company finds out that you’re the right fit for the position, you usually stay at the job. Many temp and staffing agencies also offer health insurance and other benefits. Temp to hire jobs can sometimes lead to a temporary job only, but it can also lead to great, long-term career!

Trying to fill a position within your company can sometimes become an overwhelming task. For many reasons your company can benefit from outsourcing for talent Staffing agencies have access to large numbers of job seekers actively seeking work. They also have established screening methods to identify those who are the best fit for the job. They also have an internal candidate database. This can save your company lots of hiring time and resources and increase your chances of finding the right candidate. Finding candidates on your own can cost your company valuable time from having to look through hundreds of resumes and sometimes still not finding the right people that meet the requirements. Remember, hiring new talent is the main priority of a staffing agency. Where you might only have an hour or two a day to recruit, staffing agencies do it full-time! Using a staffing agency can also improve employee retention rate. Both temporary placements and temporary to permanent placements can alleviate heavy workloads placed on full-time employees. By avoiding burnout, many employees choose to stay with your business.