6 Etiquette Tips When Networking Online

As an experienced recruitment firm in Houston, Texas, we know that networking is one of the most effective ways to find a new job. And with social media and online job sites and forums, there are plenty of opportunities to get yourself out there. However, just because you’re online, doesn’t mean that your manners should go out the window. Here are some tips to help ensure you maintain a professional image when engaging in online networking:

1. Listen first.

It’s tempting to offer your two cents in many online situations. But, especially when joining a new industry forum or online group, “listen” first and get to know the dynamics. Otherwise, other members will begin to resent you if you dominate every conversation the second after you join. Before you do “talk,” read recent discussions so you’re not bringing up topics or questions that have already been discussed.

2. Don’t respond to negative posts in a negative way.

When someone posts something negative that you disagree with, it’s easy to fire back with your own harsh remarks. But refrain from doing so. If they’re making comments that you know to be false, then present them with the facts in a polite manner. If they’re simply ranting, then ignore them. After all, you have a reputation to uphold.

3. Be respectful.

Behave online as you would offline. Don’t disrespect anyone, don’t trash talk, and don’t be intolerant and mean-spirited in any way. And remember, the comments you make online could come back to haunt you in your job search.

4. Be helpful.

Look for ways to help others. Respond to their questions and comments with your own expertise.

5. Don’t get too comfortable.

Even if you become very comfortable with an online group, it’s still a public forum. How you act and what you say could therefore impact your ability to get hired in the future.

6. Build relationships.

Don’t make a connection with someone and then immediately ask for job leads. Instead, get to know that person and build a relationship. If they have a relationship with you, they’ll be much more open to your requests for job search help.

If you’d like professional assistance finding a new job, give us a call. As an experienced recruitment firm in Houston, Texas, we can help you locate opportunities that are the best matches for your skills and interests. In addition, many of the positions we work on are not available through other recruiting firms, so we’re able to provide you with access to jobs that you will not find elsewhere. Contact us today to get started.

5 Tips for Working With Houston Recruiters

Working with a Houston recruiter certainly makes sense if you’re trying to advance your career with a new job. They can offer you plenty of insight into different opportunities and company cultures…and may be able to give you access to jobs that aren’t advertised.

That said, there’s a right way to approach working with a Houston recruiter and a wrong way. Here are some tips to help ensure you get the most out of your relationship:

1. Keep your job.

That’s right. Even if you’re ready to jump ship, keep your existing job (if you have one) until you’ve secured a new position. The fact of the matter is that employers are more likely to hire those that are employed.

2. Be open.

If you have specific goals or requirements in mind, such as you won’t travel, then be upfront about them with your recruiter. That way, they’ll be able to find opportunities that are a good match for your skills and your lifestyle.

3. Continue to search for jobs on your own.

Just because you’re working with a recruiter doesn’t mean you should stop working at finding a new job. So continue to network and search for new leads. Remember, two heads are better than one!

4. Communicate in a professional manner.

It’s certainly understandable if you’re anxious to find a new job. However, don’t let your anxiety show by constantly emailing, calling, and texting your recruiter. If you haven’t heard from them in a while, then a call or email is certainly appropriate. By hourly texts are not.

5. Be flexible.

While you may have certain requirements in mind for a new job, the working world has changed a bit in recent years. Gone are the days when employers predominately hired full time. Today, they’re mixing it up with contract, temporary, and part-time staff. So be open to new possibilities.

And if you’d like to work with some of Houston’s top recruiters, let us know. For over 23 years, Murray Resources has been connecting candidates with many of the city’s best employers – including leaders in the energy industry, Fortune 500 firms, financial services firms, legal and medical practices, as well as dozens of dynamic small to mid-sized employers. And we may be able to help you too!

Contact us today to get started or read more about working with Houston recruiters.

Are Your Employees Engaged at Work?

Consider these statistics:

• According to the Harvard Business Review, those employees who feel engaged at work demonstrated 16% better overall performance as reported by their managers.

• In addition, engaged employees are 32% more committed to the organization and 46% more satisfied in their jobs.

• Moreover, they reported fewer doctor’s visits and missed work less often, resulting in health care savings.

So what exactly constitutes an employee feeling “engaged”?

Harvard Business Review identified two components:

1. Vitality – Feeling alive and passionate. Employers can create vitality by making workers feel like what they do makes a difference.

2. Learning – Learning new skills and knowledge. This in turn can result in employees becoming “experts” in certain areas and gaining more confidence through that status.

With that said, here are some keys to help your employees become more engaged at work:

Encourage employee ownership:

Encourage employees to offer feedback. Allow employees to take ownership over their jobs, rather than micro-managing their every movement. Give them control over their work environment and work decisions. Create a program that rewards employees who develop ideas that help your company to better meet customer needs, streamline production, or reduce operating expenses.

Reward loyalty:

Nothing against paperweights or gold pens, but those kinds of gifts for employee loyalty are extremely impersonal. Instead, consider going the extra mile; write a letter to a loyal employee thanking them for their hard work. Give them a gift certificate to the best restaurant in town or tickets to see their favorite band play. When rewarding loyalty, take into account the actual employee; don’t just offer boilerplate items.

Develop policies employees can be proud of:

For instance, adopt a local non-profit organization and commit to holding various fundraisers (like dress down days where employees donate money to dress down) throughout the year to benefit your adopted non-profit.

Set the tone:

Employees won’t stay engaged for very long if you’re saying one thing, and doing another. So if you espouse certain values and policies, then you must also live those values and policies through your actions. Otherwise, you’ll lose credibility among your employees.

The bottom line is that truly engaged employees can have a significantly positive impact on your business. But first you need to invest some time and energy to get there.

And if you need some help adding to your team of engaged employees, let us know. As Houston’s leading executive recruiters, Murray Resources is committed to helping Houston employers connect with talented individuals who are capable of making an immediate impact. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more.

Is Your Resume Being Ignored By Houston Employers?

Send out dozens of resumes for job openings – only to be completely ignored by prospective employers? You could be applying for the wrong jobs in Houston, Texas, or your resume might be getting in the way of your chances. If it’s the latter, here are some tips to help make sure your resume stands out – and gets noticed.

Ditch your old resume.

If you’re really not getting any results from your resume, then it’s time to ditch it. Start over from scratch. It’s a new year – and it’s time for a new resume.

Try a different format.

The most common format of a resume is chronological – in other words, your work history is listed starting from your most recent position and goes backward from there.

Some other resume formats to try include:

1. Functional – A functional resume focuses on your experience and skills, instead of on your chronological work history.
2. Combination – A combination resume lists your skills and experience first, and then your employment history after. It’s a combination of a functional and chronological resume.
3. Targeted – A targeted resume is customized so that it highlights the specific skills and experience you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. It takes longer to write, but can be more effective.

Get rid of the vague phrases and clichés.

Don’t say things like “goal oriented” and “team player,” unless you have a specific example or accomplishment you can list to back up these claims.

Show employers what’s in it for them.

Don’t just list the duties you are or were responsible for in your current or past jobs in Houston, Texas. Also demonstrate what specific results you achieved in those positions. It’s even better if you can put a number on it – such as “increased sales by 5%.”

Explain the gaps.

Unexplained employment gaps are a big red flag for employers – so explain yours. If you left the workforce for several years to care for children, or if you were laid off due to the economy, then explain that in your cover letter. Don’t just hope the employer won’t notice. They will. Trust us.

Put it away.

That’s right. Take your resume and stick it in a drawer or file it away for a couple of days. Then come back and take a look at it with fresh eyes. You’ll be shocked at all the inconsistencies and errors you missed the first time around.

And if you’d like help improving your resume – or finding jobs in Houston, Texas, give us a call. Our clients are always looking for talented individuals for a wide variety of permanent, temporary, temp-to-hire, and contract positions.

Submit your resume now.

Is an Employee Defrauding Your Company?

You may think that it can’t happen to your company. But you may want to think again.

In fact, according to the Global Fraud Study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, on average, American businesses lose 7% of their annual revenue due to internal fraud. Small businesses are especially susceptible to fraud because they typically have fewer internal controls in place and fewer employees keeping an eye on the books.

What’s worse is that the biggest perpetrators are generally the most trusted employees — people with access to company credit cards, pre-signed checks, and confidential financial data.

So if you’re a small business, what can you do to protect your company from employee fraud? Here are some safeguards to consider:

Safeguard #1: Segregate accounting duties.

This means assigning accounting functions between multiple employees. If you’re a smaller company with only one accounting person, than the owner should take a more hands-on approach to accounting, including signing all checks, inspecting invoices, and reviewing credit card statements.

Safeguard #2: Check inventory.

If you are company with inventory, then you need to have a system of checks and balances in place. For instance, hire a third party vendor or tap an employee that works outside the departments handling inventory to conduct random inventory counts.

Safeguard #3: Conduct fraud awareness training.

Be clear with employees that your company has zero tolerance for employee theft of any sort. Educate your employees on the cost of fraud and how it can directly impact their financial future.

Safeguard #4: Develop a whistleblower policy.

Many times, co-workers are the ones to reveal instances of fraud; but sometimes they are hesitant to do so out of fear of retaliation. So set up a system in which employees can report theft or fraud anonymously.

Safeguard #5: Set a good example.

If managers are taking extra long lunches and going out on the company dime to expensive restaurants, then they are creating a culture where spending company money on luxury items is perceived as normal.

Safeguard #6: Look for signs of stress.

Monitoring behavior is important to detecting employees who could be susceptible to committing fraud. So be alert to employees who seem stressed out or disgruntled, or those who have indicated that they are having financial difficulties.

Safeguard #7: Use rigorous screening processes when hiring.

One of the best ways to prevent employee fraud is to hire honest employees in the first place. When you hire, use tools such as background checks, references, and verifications of past employment and education. You can also run credit checks on candidates (with their consent) as individuals with financial difficulties are more prone to fraud.

And if you need help optimizing your hiring process, let us know. As one of the top staffing services firms in Houston, Texas, we know where to look to find talented candidates. We also know how to properly screen, interview, test, and verify so you don’t make a hiring mistake. Contact us today to get started.

What You Need to Know About Reverse Mentoring

Mentoring programs have been around for ages. And, as one of the top staffing firms in Houston, Texas, we know there are many benefits to pairing a younger employee with a veteran who can teach them the ropes or help them expand their skill set.

However, reverse mentoring is an approach that puts a bit of a different twist on the traditional mentoring program. With it, upper management players are paired with younger workers so that the senior staff members can learn more about a variety of topics; for instance:

Technology.

The younger generations in the workplace are those that have grown up in the computer age. They don’t remember what life was like before computers and are typically the most tech-savvy in the workforce. Older workers may be able to gain important knowledge about technology and how they can leverage its power to increase productivity.

Diversity.

Today’s young workforce is more comfortable with a diverse workforce than any other generation before them. They value diversity more than most and may be able to offer some unique insight if your organization is looking to enhance its diversity efforts.

Specific subject matter expertise.

We are living in the information age and there certainly is no shortage of it. With that, though, can come an inability to keep up – even for the most veteran staff member. However, younger employees, who are just out of school, may be able to share some of the newest and emerging trends in the industry, helping senior staff members stay up to date on the latest advancements.

That said, your more advanced employees may not be as open to the idea as you hope. If they’re not, don’t force it. As one of the top staffing firms in Houston, Texas, we know that for the program to work, both parties need to come into it with open minds, willing to learn knew things from each other.

7 Resume “No-No’s” When Applying For Houston Jobs

You probably already know this, but we’re going to say it anyway:

There are a lot of unemployed people out there.

So if you’re searching for jobs in Houston, Texas, then that means you have some stiff competition. And in order to get past the resume screening process, and make it into the interview round, you need to ensure your resume is impeccable.

However, as Houston, Texas recruiters, we know that most candidates include information on their resumes that they shouldn’t. The end result is that the resume distracts the hiring manager rather than entices them to schedule an interview.

To ensure you steer clear of making those same mistakes, here are 7 things to never put on your resume:

1. A cluttered job history.

You may feel compelled to include every detail of every job you’ve ever held. Don’t. Cut out the clutter, like the less-than-important jobs from high school and college, and highlight the information that is highly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

2. Personal information.

You might think that personal information is a no-brainer to leave off your resume. But, as Houston, Texas recruiters, we see things like marital status and social security numbers all too often. Don’t include it; it’s not necessary and it’s illegal for an employer to ask questions about whether you are married, have children, what are your religious affiliation is, etc.

3. Vague objectives.

Get rid of the meaningless and vague objectives, such as “To secure a position that will allow me to utilize my strengths.” Not only does the objective take up a lot of valuable space, but if it’s vague, then it’s not telling the prospective employer anything important about you. If you’re not sure what to write for your objective, then simply skip it.

4. Current business contact information.

Don’t include your phone number or email address at your current job, unless you want prospective employers calling you at work to schedule interviews. Instead include a personal (yet still professional) email address and cell or home phone number.

5. Lies about past Houston jobs.

If you only held your last job for one year, don’t stretch it to two years. With just a quick phone call, a prospective employer can very easily find out your last job title and the dates you worked. And you don’t want to blow a great job opportunity over a silly lie.

6. Sarcasm or jokes.

Unless you’re applying for a job as a comedy writer, skip any form of humor on your resume. Resumes and job interviews aren’t the best outlets to release your sarcastic side because you don’t know the other person and how they will receive it.

7. Negative comments.

Don’t include details about why you hated your last boss, your last job, or your former co-workers. Even if a past boss was a total jerk, complaining about him or her only makes you look bad.

And if you need some help crafting the perfect resume, or finding out about new jobs in Houston, Texas, give us a call. Whether you are looking to move up the corporate ladder, re-enter the workforce, get more experience, or just gain more control over your schedule, Murray Resources can help you locate the position that best matches your skills and interests. Search Houston, Texas jobs now.

Is All You Want For Christmas a New Job in Houston, Texas?

If it is, then don’t stop looking for it during the holiday season. In fact, one of the better times to search for jobs in Houston, Texas is between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Here’s why.

Other job seekers take a break.

Your competition may take a break searching for new jobs in Houston, Texas simply because they’re busy getting ready for the holidays. Many also mistakenly believe that employers are done hiring for the year and that they should wait until after the New Year to continue with their job search.

It’s quieter around most offices.

In many offices, it’s typically quieter around the holidays, as employees, clients, and prospects take some time off. So a hiring manager or decision maker that may not have had time to answer your phone call or email may have some time now to do so.

You can network more.

Holiday parties are a hallmark of the holiday season. This year, though, rather than just attending parties with the goal of having a good time, view them as valuable networking opportunities. So be sure to bring plenty of business cards with you!

Use it or lose it budgets.

Another reason the holidays are a good time to look for new jobs in Houston, Texas is that some companies have a “use it or lose it” budget. That means they have a certain amount of money they have to use up before the end of the year; otherwise, they won’t get the same amount of funding next year.

New projects get launched.

Many organizations use the start of the New Year as a good time to launch new projects. As a result, they may need extra staff immediately in the beginning of the year in order to get projects off the ground and running.

If you’re looking for jobs in Houston, Texas and need some help, let us know. As one of Houston’s leading employment agencies, we work with some of the top employers throughout the area, including leaders in the energy industry, Fortune 500 firms, financial services firms, legal and medical practices, as well as dozens of dynamic small to mid-sized employers. Contact us today if you’re interested in gaining access to exclusive opportunities with these organizations!

How to Cope With Disasters at Work When You’re in Charge

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

– Thomas Jefferson

As a manager, you know it’s important to stay calm in the face of disaster. But it’s also easier said than done, especially when you have a lot at stake.

But as one of the leading recruitment firms in Houston, Texas, we know that remaining calm is imperative to your success as an effective leader. Here are some simple techniques you can use that can help ensure you stay cool, calm and collected – even during a workplace catastrophe:

Stop, take a deep breath, and think.

It’s easy to automatically react to a bad situation in a negative way – i.e. yelling at employees, slamming doors, etc…But it’s really not going to amount to much good. Instead, take a deep breath, assess the situation, and determine how you want to respond. Avoid getting too emotional.

Stay objective.

It’s hard to do when you’re the one in charge, but try to look at things objectively. You’ve been presented with a problem and now you need to solve it, regardless of who caused it or what’s at stake. Staying objective, rather than pointing fingers of blame, will help you deal with the problem at hand in a reasonable manner. Later, once the issue is resolved, you can determine what your team needs to do moving forward to avoid similar problems in the future.

Take care of yourself.

It’s easier to deflect stress when you take care of yourself – eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and living a balanced lifestyle. On the other hand, if you’re already stressed to the max, a disaster at work can send you over the edge.

Stay positive.

It’s hard to stay positive in a negative world. But having a positive outlook can actually help you resolve workplace disasters more effectively. Your positive attitude will rub off on your employees and also instill in them a sense of confidence in your abilities. When they feel confident in you, they’ll also go the extra mile to resolve the issue – which helps you in the long run.

And if any of your workplace disasters have to do with staffing issues, give us a call. As one of the top recruitment firms in Houston, Texas, we’ve worked with Houston’s leading organizations to identify their human resource needs, locate top talent, and maximize employee productivity. We can help you too!

Overcoming the 5 Stages of Layoff Grief

As one of the top employment firms in Houston, Texas, we know that being laid off can feel a lot like losing a loved one – from shock and anger to depression and acceptance. Here’s how to cope with the different emotions that come with a layoff and get back on track toward finding a new job:

1. Shock
This isn’t happening to me!

If you had no idea a layoff was coming down the pike, it can certainly be shocking when your boss calls you into their office and says, “We need to talk.” Even if you knew the company wasn’t doing well and that layoffs were an eventuality, you may still react with numb disbelief when it actually happens to you. This all perfectly normal; in fact, this shocked feeling provides some emotional protection from getting overwhelmed.

2. Guilt
Did I do something wrong?

As the shock wears off, you go from thinking “this isn’t happening to me” to “how could this be happening to me?” You start mentally reviewing every project you worked on and each decision you made. You question where you went wrong – or what you “coulda, woulda, shoulda” done to keep your job.

3. Anger
How could they do this to me?

After realizing you did a great job, you feel completely betrayed. You obsess about the fact that your co-worker, who plays computer games all day, didn’t lose his job. You get angry at him, at your boss, and at the entire organization. While it’s normal to feel this way, don’t get stuck in the angry phase; otherwise you won’t be able to move forward.

4. Depression/Anxiety
What if I never find another job?

As a Houston, Texas employment firm, we know that losing your job in this economy is a scary experience. But there are safety nets in place, like unemployment benefits, to help you weather the storm. So take a deep breath, make a list of tasks you need to do (like extend your health insurance through COBRA and sign up for unemployment), and create a plan of action for your job search.

5. Acceptance.
I’m ready to move on.

You realize that losing your job might actually be a blessing wrapped up in really ugly paper. You will find a new job and this awful experience will eventually be a distant memory. In the meantime, enjoy your newfound – and temporary – freedom while it lasts.

And if you need help some help finding a new job, let us know. As one of the top employment firms in Houston, Texas, we know where the great jobs are! Contact us today to get started.