6 Tips to Help Improve Your Job Security

According to the U.S. Labor Department, the number of first-time filers for unemployment benefits rose more than expected in early August – signaling that employers are still tightening their belts and the job market is still highly uncertain.

Obviously, there’s not much that can be done if your company closes its door; but if your employer is still making it work, there are steps you can take to demonstrate your value and help ensure you don’t receive a pink slip. Here’s a look:

1. Be Professional

This might sound like a no-brainer, but now is not the time to be late to work, miss a big deadline, or point the finger of blame if a mistake is made. Keep it professional always.

2. Take On More Work

Volunteer to take on added responsibilities, even if you’re already busy. You could take a big weight off your boss’s shoulders and truly set yourself apart from your peers.

3. Promote Your Accomplishments

Keep a log of your accomplishments that you can use when it comes time for your performance appraisal. But don’t just update your boss on them once a year; if you accomplish an important milestone or get great feedback from a customer, let your boss know. That said, don’t brag about your achievements to anyone who will listen.

4. Learn a New Skill

Being skilled in what you do is important; but it’s also important to broaden your skill set and acquire new knowledge. If your company does experience layoffs, then those with the broadest skill set – who can perform many valuable tasks – will likely be kept on.

5. Stay In-the-Know

Join an industry group and read trade publications. Make sure you’re well versed on current and emerging industry issues. Not only will you be able to offer valuable information and recommendations to your employer, but also you’ll make yourself stand out in the process.

6. Keep a Positive Attitude

Employers want people who are more givers, than takers. They want people who are seriously committed to making a positive impact and who will go the extra mile, without being asked. What they don’t want are people who are obstructionists or who whine about every project or assignment.

With the above tips, hopefully you can improve your job security and hang onto your job. If not, and you’re one of the millions of Americans who has been laid off, Murray Resources can help. As one of Houston’s leading employment agencies, we work with many of the city’s top employers, including Fortune 500 firms, financial services firms, legal and medical practices, as well as dozens of other small to mid-sized employers. And we can help you locate the jobs that best match your skills and interests.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.

How to Exit Your Houston Job Gracefully

Whether you’re looking for a new job in Houston or you’ve already landed one, it’s important that you leave your old position gracefully. You never know who you will cross paths with again during the course of your career and you don’t want to burn any bridges. With that said, here are some tips for a smooth exit:

Think of a brief explanation.

People will want to know why you’re leaving, so you’ll want to think of a brief, yet positive, explanation. For instance, you got a new job in Houston that’s a great opportunity to advance your career or learn something new. The trick is to be honest, without being brutal.

Write a resignation letter.

In your letter, thank your employer for the opportunities you’ve had during your tenure there. Also, be clear about the fact that you are leaving and give the date of your final day at work.

Give at least 2 weeks notice.

Two weeks is the standard amount; however, your company may require additional time, so you’ll want to consult with your employee handbook first.

Complete your work.

Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean you get to slack off in your last days on the job. To ensure a smooth transition for your boss and co-workers, make sure you finish up outstanding projects and leave detailed instructions about any tasks you handle.

Help with the hiring process.

Nobody knows your position better than you do. So offer to help your boss find a replacement and train that person once he or she is hired.

Leave a positive trail.

You know the saying “If you don’t have anything nice to say…”? This is especially true when it comes to your career. Whether there is a co-worker you don’t get along with or a boss you’ve butted heads with, keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, your words could come back to haunt you.

Keep in touch.

It’s a small world and you never know who could play a role in your career in the future. So be sure to give your new contact information to key relationships at your company before you leave. You may even want to send a note or email to those you developed a good relationship with, telling them how much you enjoyed working with them. Even after you’ve left, try to maintain a positive and professional relationship.

And if you’d like to exit your Houston job, but first need help finding a new one, please contact Murray Resources. As an experienced employment agency, we work with many of Houston’s top employers and can place you in a position that’s a great match for your skills and personality.

Do You Know Which Houston Jobs Match Your Personality Best?

As a Houston employment agency, we know that people are most productive, motivated, and happiest when they’re in a position that’s a great match for their personality. As a result, they are more successful too.

So what type of personality are you – and which jobs in Houston would you excel in?

Using John Holland’s theory of career choice, we’ve outlined six personality types below, careers that are a good fit for them, and the different work environments in which each one thrives.

Personality type #1: Artistic:
These are the artists of the world – so highly creative, independent, and original. They are also unorganized and take an unstructured approach to work. Examples of jobs that are a fit for the artistic personality are graphic designer, musician, writer, and actor.

Personality type #2: Realistic:
These people generally like hands-on tasks and have a high mechanical aptitude. They are also pragmatic, stable, and logical. They typically excel in jobs that are more tool-oriented, such as IT, engineering, agriculture, and architecture.

Personality type #3: Social:
These people are nurturing and like activities that involve helping others. They have a high level of compassion, and are also cooperative and friendly. Careers that are a good fit for this personality include teacher, customer service representative, doctor, nurse, and therapist.

Personality type #4: Investigative:
These people are both intellectual and analytical. They are thinkers and like working with theories and information. They are also independent and curious. Positions in which this personality thrives include lawyer, professor, economist, mathematician, and pharmacist.

Personality type #5: Enterprising:
These are the people who are not afraid to take a risk. They are also highly competitive. They have strong leadership skills and are good at persuading people. Positions that are a good fit for an enterprising personality are real estate agent, salesperson, marketing executive, management, and public relations.

Personality type #6: Conventional:
These people are detail oriented and highly organized. They also value routine and structure. They are both precise and practical, and operate best when they have clear instructions to follow. Jobs that are a good fit for a conventional personality include proofreader, banker, accountant, and clerk.

Were you able to determine which personality type you are? Whether you have a conventional personality or an investigative one, please contact Murray Resources if you need help finding a job that’s a fit for you. As an experienced Houston employment agency, we can give you access to a variety of rewarding Houston jobs.

5 Tips for to Re-entering the Houston Job Market

Whether you’ve taken some time off from searching for a new job, or you stayed home for a few years to raise your kids, the prospect of re-entering the Houston job market can seem a bit…well…overwhelming. But have no fear. Follow these tips to help make the plunge easier and get hired faster.

Tip #1: Be upfront about your employment gap.

It can be tempting to gloss over those five years you spent as a stay-at-home mom. But not including details about your employment gap is a mistake. First of all, it causes the prospective employer to make assumptions about what you’ve been doing. In addition, you’re missing out on an opportunity to position the gap as a positive. For instance, “As a result of my five years as a stay-at-home mom, I’ve learned to multi-task with ease.” You get the picture. So be sure to include the details of your employment gap – whether in your cover letter or on your resume.

Tip #2: Don’t forget to include community involvement on your resume.

Some people seem to think that if you don’t get paid for a job, it doesn’t count. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Community involvement is a valuable component of any resume. And who knows? The hiring manager may be involved in a similar activity, which will allow the two of you to connect on a personal level.

So whether you sit on a museum board, are a member of the PTA, or volunteer at your local library, be sure to include the details of any community involvement or volunteer activities on your resume.

Tip #3: Be honest in your interview.

When hiring managers see a gap in employment, they are automatically curious. So don’t be surprised if they ask you about it during your interview. Whatever you do, don’t fabricate the facts – just be honest about the situation.

Tip #4: Make sure your skills are current.

Haven’t used a computer in a while? Then it’s time to update your skills. Take a class at your community college or enroll in a career training course. Most employers don’t want to have to train new hires, and are therefore more likely to offer the position to someone who has the right skills.

Tip #5: Focus on the bigger picture.

The fact of the matter is that if you’ve been out of the Houston job market for a while, you may very well have a harder time finding a new job when compared to someone who never left. But don’t get discouraged! While you might need to take a job that’s a step down from your last position, think about the big picture and how this move will help you reach your ultimate career goal.

In the process of re-entering the Houston job market?

Please contact Murray Resources. As a leading employment agency, we can give you access to a variety of job opportunities with top Houston employers – whether you’re looking for a position in accounting, administration, or management. We can also work with you to craft a strong cover letter and resume, and help you to position your employment gap in a positive light. Contact us today. We can help.

Inspiring Talent During Tough Economic Times

One day the pundits say the economy is getting better, the next day it’s getting worse. So whom do you believe? No one really knows. But for the employees who work at your Houston company, this constant uncertainty breeds fear. What’s worse is that if your firm has experienced layoffs in the recent past, then you are more likely to lose top performers in the near future.

Why is that?

Because when a company suffers layoffs, many times, top performers become demoralized and overworked – and eventually leave in search of greener pastures. Don’t let this happen!

So how can you retain and inspire your hard working team? Here are some steps to follow:

Be open.
When times get tough, people tend to draw their own conclusions if they don’t have any other information to go on. Even if you have some bad news to share, it’s better to be forthcoming than to withhold the information.

Involve employees in creating solutions.
It’s time to rally the troops and enlist them in developing solutions. Have a meeting about the biggest challenges your company faces over the next year and invite employees to develop some solutions.

Know that actions speak louder than words.
Your employees are going to begin to doubt your credibility if you keep telling them that things are looking up, but then operate as if the sky is falling.

Meet with employees one-on-one.
Review the current situation with each employee individually and lay out the challenges and opportunities you see for them ahead. Also be sure to clearly outline your expectations of them. If you see layoffs in the future, let your employees know specifically what they can do to help offset them.

Provide market pay.
While it may not seem like a good time to be handing out raises, you may run into big problems if you’re under-compensating your employees. Honestly evaluate your pay and benefits to make sure you’re offering a competitive package – particularly to your top performers.

Celebrate successes.
Make sure that you celebrate important milestones with your employees. Doing so will create an environment of positive reinforcement.

During times of crisis, true leaders emerge. It may seem easier to sit back and let events take their course. But, in the process, your team may fall apart. Now is the time to step up, inspire, and re-energize your team!

If you have any questions about managing employees during tough times, please contact Murray Resources. As a leading employment agency serving Houston, TX, Murray Resources can help you develop a retention plan for inspiring and retaining your top talent. Contact Murray Resources today to learn more.

Inspiring Talent During Tough Economic Times

One day the pundits say the economy is getting better, the next day it’s getting worse. So whom do you believe? No one really knows. But for the employees who work at your Houston company, this constant uncertainty breeds fear. What’s worse is that if your firm has experienced layoffs in the recent past, then you are more likely to lose top performers in the near future.

Why is that?

Because when a company suffers layoffs, many times, top performers become demoralized and overworked – and eventually leave in search of greener pastures. Don’t let this happen!

So how can you retain and inspire your hard working team? Here are some steps to follow:

Be open.
When times get tough, people tend to draw their own conclusions if they don’t have any other information to go on. Even if you have some bad news to share, it’s better to be forthcoming than to withhold the information.

Involve employees in creating solutions.
It’s time to rally the troops and enlist them in developing solutions. Have a meeting about the biggest challenges your company faces over the next year and invite employees to develop some solutions.

Know that actions speak louder than words.
Your employees are going to begin to doubt your credibility if you keep telling them that things are looking up, but then operate as if the sky is falling.

Meet with employees one-on-one.
Review the current situation with each employee individually and lay out the challenges and opportunities you see for them ahead. Also be sure to clearly outline your expectations of them. If you see layoffs in the future, let your employees know specifically what they can do to help offset them.

Provide market pay.
While it may not seem like a good time to be handing out raises, you may run into big problems if you’re under-compensating your employees. Honestly evaluate your pay and benefits to make sure you’re offering a competitive package – particularly to your top performers.

Celebrate successes.
Make sure that you celebrate important milestones with your employees. Doing so will create an environment of positive reinforcement.

During times of crisis, true leaders emerge. It may seem easier to sit back and let events take their course. But, in the process, your team may fall apart. Now is the time to step up, inspire, and re-energize your team!

If you have any questions about managing employees during tough times, please contact Murray Resources. As a leading employment agency serving Houston, TX, Murray Resources can help you develop a retention plan for inspiring and retaining your top talent. Contact Murray Resources today to learn more.

Management Best Practices: Providing Constructive Feedback

The job of every manager is to provide their employees with the tools they need to be successful and thrive. One of the best things you can do as a manager, is provide your employees with honest, constructive feedback. Developing proficiency in this area is essential to building good relationships with and motivating your team. To help get you started, here are four tips for providing feedback the right way:

1. Be proactive. Nip issues in the bud and avoid messy interpersonal tangles that result from neglected communication. If you meet with employees regularly to give feedback, it conveys, “Your success is important to me, so I want to be accessible to you.”
2. Be specific. Although it’s not easy to provide negative feedback, it’s important to be as clear as possible by giving specific examples that illustrate your point. Instead of saying, “Your attitude is bad,” say, “When you miss deadlines, then cross your arms and look away when I discuss it with you, it gives me the impression that you don’t care about the quality of your work. Can you help me understand this behavior better?”
3. Develop a progress plan. Be clear about the specific changes in behavior that you expect in a specific period of time, and follow up as scheduled.
4. Link employees’ performance to organizational goals. Reinforce the value of your employees’ contributions by giving specific examples of how their work and positive behaviors serve the organization and its customers.

If you’re looking for more great ideas to spark performance in your team please give Murray Resources a call. As Houston’s leading Staffing and Recruiting Agency we can help ensure you get the best return on your human capital investment.