Tag Job Seeker

The past few years brought many changes to the staffing industry. The Great Resignation and the multi-layered effects of the pandemic led to significant changes in the hiring process and workplace dynamics. Now that much of the turmoil has eased, perspectives have changed and “Boomerang Employees” are the next big thing in 2023. Many workers who left their jobs behind are looking at them with fresh appreciation. Former employees want to come home to their old jobs.

“The Big Regret”

These “Boomerang Employees” are part of a new movement dubbed the “Big Regret.” Many workers moved from their old jobs to new ones during the Great Resignation. Some completely changed careers, while others left the formal workforce and began working freelance. For the most part, workers who switched jobs were happy with the results, with 60% seeing an increase in their earnings.

For others, however, the switch did not work out as they had hoped and planned. According to a 2022 survey, 41% of employees felt they quit their former job too quickly. Forty-three percent felt they were better off in their former positions, and 62% admitted that their previous job was better than their current one.

As “job boomeranging” becomes the new hiring trend, are there any advantages to hiring former employees?

Hiring Boomerang Employees

With many companies striving to find top talent, employers are softening toward rehiring former employees. As former employees, these “boomerangs” are considered less risky than a new hire. Based on their former employment, you know their skills and experience. They likely have positive relationships with other employees and mesh well with your workplace culture.

Former employees learn quickly if their new position isn’t a good fit for them. Don’t be surprised if they get in touch with you or the hiring team not long after leaving. If the parting was cordial, they might be able to return.

Conclusion

The hiring industry experienced many changes over the past few years. As things settle down, many employees are looking to return to the jobs they left behind. For businesses, it’s an excellent opportunity to bring quality talent back into the fold.

If you need help building your team this year, let ABBTECH lend a hand!

The job market is more competitive than ever. To stay in a strong position to compete for your dream job, you have to be marketable. Making yourself a more marketable applicant means making yourself so valuable that your current employer wants to keep you, and prospective employers will do anything to get you.

If you’re in the market for a new job in the new year, you must commit to being more marketable. This means expanding your skills and your knowledge to stay current and competitive. Not sure where to start? Use these tips to start improving your marketability.

1. Enrich Your Knowledge

Commit to learning and improving continually. Even if the knowledge isn’t relevant in your current job, you need to be up to date on all the latest developments in your industry. You can gain new knowledge and skills through online courses and seminars, distance learning, continuing education (CE) courses in-house, and even by reading industry publications.

2. Upgrade Your Skills

The first measure of marketability is your skillset. Keep your skills current and relevant by attending workshops, pursuing certificates and CE credits, and attending informational and training conferences and events. Review your skillset and look for gaps that need addressing. Developing your technical and soft skills will help you diversify and advance in your career.

3. Expand Your Network

Your network of professional contacts is among the most useful job search tools you have. Join professional associations or organizations to establish more connections and build on your current ones. Attend events and conferences to interact with your peers. Participate in online discussions and online groups related to your profession and stay up to date on the latest news and developments.

Networking is also the ideal way to connect with professionals in your field that could provide guidance and mentorship along the way.

4. Build Your Personal Brand

When you market yourself to prospective employers, you are essentially selling yourself. You must build a strong, consistent personal brand to present to future employers. Update your resume with your current and relevant skills and training. Update your resume on LinkedIn and any professional sites as well. Have a professional headshot taken for your profiles.

Depending on your industry, having a portfolio of your best work available for review is essential. It’s an easy way to show future employers the quality of your work and the value you place on it. Attach your portfolio to your professional sites as well so future employers see what you can do.

Conclusion

Improving your marketability takes commitment and effort. You must build a solid brand for yourself, learn and acquire new skills, and expand your network. The fruits of that effort, however, are well worth it and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

If you’re ready to find your next job in the new year, consider searching with ABBTECH today!

If you’ve been working toward a promotion at work, you may wonder if you can improve your chances of getting it in 2023. Earning a promotion raises your position in a company, as well as increasing your salary, benefits, and sense of accomplishment. Below are 3 tips to help you earn a promotion this year.

When you’re ready for a promotion, the key is catching your employer’s attention. While your job performance, knowledge, experience, and skills are essential, they may not be enough. If you are ready to earn that promotion you’ve been working towards, follow these helpful tips to increase your chances.

Get Yourself Noticed to Help Earn a Promotion

You know you deserve a promotion, but does your employer? Even if you’ve been working towards a promotion for years, your employer may not know you’re interested. You need to put yourself in a visible position and show your employer why you deserve to be promoted.

Demonstrate your leadership skills and the positive contributions you make to the company. Look for opportunities when you can showcase your knowledge, abilities, and accomplishments. Performance reviews and staff meetings are great opportunities to shine your light.

Continue to learn and broaden your knowledge and skills through educational courses and programs. If your company sponsors opportunities to learn, take advantage of them. Constantly seeking improvement and growth increases your value as an employee and improves your chances of promotion recommendation.

To Help Earn a Promotion – Pay Attention

Look at the promotion history of your company and your team. What achievements, habits, or personality traits helped other employees earn promotions? Understanding the skills and experience that helped others succeed will guide you in your pursuit of advancement.

Talk to Your Employer

Want to know exactly how to get promoted at work? Talk to your employer. They are the best source of information about the promotion process. Plus, they can provide you with valuable feedback on your performance and what you need to do to move forward.

When you talk to your employer or supervisor, make your case for promotion. Be professional and include your current responsibilities and achievements. Show them how your work has benefited the company; include specific examples. Be specific when you let them know you are interested in promotion and follow their suggestions to increase your chances of success.

Conclusion

When you’re ready to go after that promotion at work, having effective strategies and goals keeps you motivated. Focus on professional improvement and get noticed for all the right reasons so you can achieve your career goals in the new year.

If you are ready to advance your career in the new year, consider searching with ABBTECH today!

As more industries return to their pre-pandemic state, we can expect 2023 to be a year full of opportunity and innovation in the labor market. In this blog, we’ll discuss several of the recruiting trends that we expect to see in the new year. Below are 5 recruiting trends we expect to see in 2023.

1. Continued Remote Work/ Hybrid Work

Work-from-home and hybrid working arrangements will continue to form a productive part of businesses. Candidates will be seeking opportunities for more flexible work hours and arrangements. Work-life balance and mental health have become worker priorities, so offering flexibility in time and location for work continues to have strong appeal.

2. Retention is a Primary Focus for Recruiting

As companies fight to continue growing as recession looms, many are shifting focus to retaining their employees. Why? Because they know that when the market disruptions resolve and the economy begins to improve, they need to be prepared. Increasing growth efforts will be much more difficult if they lay off employees now and have to replace them later.

Managers will focus on retaining their current staff, such as internal career mobility paths. These paths provided employees with ways to pursue a promotion. The potential for promotion is a valuable enticement for employees to remain with the company and build a career there.

3. DEI Enhancement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become vital to a company’s brand and culture. DEI initiatives vary from business to business, but these practices prove a real enticement during the entire recruitment process. Inclusive language in job descriptions, unconscious bias training for hiring managers, and diverse interview panels are all ways you can enhance your recruitment process.

4. Great Resignation Workers Return

Many of the workers who left during the Great Resignation regret quitting and will be actively looking for jobs in the new year. While this won’t alleviate the talent shortage issues facing HR managers and recruiting firms, it will infuse more qualified job seekers into the labor market.

5. Recruitment Process Revision

The competition within the job market for top talent is stiff. The hiring process is often where candidates are lost. Applicants tend to accept job offers that suit their needs on the spot. The slow rate of review and response in some hiring systems can mean missing out on the ideal person for the role.

Many businesses are focusing their efforts on revising and streamlining the recruitment process. The goal? To attract more top talent, get them through the process quickly and smoothly, and retain them once they are hired.

Conclusion

These 5 recruiting trends we expect to see in 2023 are hopeful. While some old trends will continue into the new year, fresh takes will also be in demand. Whether old trends or new, the goal is the same: recruit and retain the best talent out there.

If you need help building the team you need in 2023, turn to ABBTECH today!

Finding entry-level employment in any industry can be difficult, especially in the tech industry. With hot software development positions rising, standing out among more experienced competition can be tough. Tips on how to stand out as an entry-level developer are below.

So, how can you stand out as an entry-level developer with so much competition? Read on for valuable tips to get noticed and land your dream job.

Tips to Help Your Stand Out and Get Hired as an Entry-Level Developer

Let’s look at some top tips to help you stand out as you pursue an entry-level development position.

Build Up Your Skill Set

Being successful as a developer requires constant learning and practice. Many recruiters require you to demonstrate your abilities with tests or assessments, so building your skill set is vital. Learn independently and expand your awareness of new tools, tech languages, and frameworks.

Build Your Portfolio

When your experience is limited, your portfolio can get you in the door. Your portfolio is the place to demonstrate your skills and interests. Your portfolio is an easy way to show employers what you can do and how well you can do it.

Remember to keep your portfolio up to date and ensure that any sample links are easy to access. Also, include projects you worked on individually and as part of a team.

Update Your Resume

The best way to prepare your resume for successful submission is to focus on what you’re including. Try looking at job descriptions for the development roles you’re interested in. You’ll soon notice a pattern among posts and can focus on the most relevant information. For non-tech work history, list first what experience could be potentially useful in a tech role. Also, consider a separate section for significant personal projects to demonstrate your real-world experience.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Make it simple for employers to learn about you from your LinkedIn page. It should be as robust as your resume, if not more so. You can make your profile work for you in the job search. Use your “About” section to present yourself as a prospective candidate. This is a great chance to state who you are, what you can do, and why you care about development work.

Don’t forget to detail your skills, add your certifications and achievements, and help employers get a feel for you and your tech interests under the “Interests” section.

Grow Your Professional Network

Your network connection may be the key to your next entry-level development role. Ensure you foster those connections with current and former coworkers, managers, and other professionals. The more people within the industry you connect with and stay connected with, the more likely you are to discover new jobs and get hired.

Our team is ready to lend a hand if you’re currently searching for your first developer role!

Employees are leaving the workforce at an alarming rate, and the hiring struggle will likely continue. Now is the time to nail down your hiring needs. The sooner you create a solid hiring plan and implement it, the sooner you’ll fill those job openings.

Anticipate Your Hiring Needs

Calculate how many positions you need to fill during the first quarter. Remember to consider your budget when you determine your hiring needs. Even if the job roles do not need to be filled immediately, start recruiting as soon as possible. Keep your candidate pools filled with potential applicants in mind.

Talk with Your Recruitment Partners

Meet with your internal and external recruitment partners and discuss your hiring needs. Talk about the candidate qualification you need and any niche roles that require filling. Also, discuss networks, skills, and strategies your recruitment team has at hand to maximize the talent search.

Focus on Your Brand Identity

Take a step back and look at your company’s brand identity, including your recruitment process. Consider what makes you unique and why job seekers want to join the company. Also, join your recruitment team and go through your employer reviews. See what issues others have had with your company and how you can address those issues.

Promote Your Available Positions

Work with your recruitment team to promote your available roles to job seekers. Focus on what candidates look for in an employer and develop compelling messaging to attract job seekers. Use your company website, social media, and other channels and platforms to reach candidates.

Move Quickly

The best talent is most likely receiving multiple job offers. You’ll need to make fast decisions during the hiring process and keep candidates engaged through ongoing communication and feedback. Keeping them informed throughout the process and answering their questions promptly will help keep them interested.

Evaluate Your Hiring Process

Your hiring process should be constantly evaluated. Review the rate of applicants, what area receives the most and which the least, and when candidates are most likely to “ghost” during the hiring process. Then, you can take this information and modify your hiring process as needed.

If you need help creating your all-star team, request a consultation with ABBTECH!

Now is the perfect time to evaluate your career progress over the past year. Did you achieve your professional goals? What new goals will you work towards throughout the coming year?

This blog will explain everything you need to set tangible, attainable professional goals. We’ll also look at some great examples of professional goals that you can work towards.

What ARE Professional Development Goals?

“Where do you see yourself and your career in five or ten years?” Professional goals are essentially the answer to that question. Professional goals, or career development goals, are active steps you can take to stimulate growth and advancement in your chosen career. Good professional goals offer a clear vision for your career path and the skills you need to succeed.

Good professional goals may be short or long-term, showing progress and setting measurable milestones along the way.

5 Professional Work Goals

Here are five ideas for professional development that will help you achieve your professional goals:

1. Take a Course to Sharpen Your Skills. Learning goals are a big boost for personal and career development. Choose something that interests you, that boosts your skills and knowledge for your career, and follow through.

2. Learn New Tools. Set a goal to learn new software or skills to expand your ability and flexibility within your job.

3. Improve Your Communication Skills. From meetings to presentations, communication is important in the modern workforce. Research different presentation styles and take public speaking to improve your ability to speak clearly and communicate your ideas.

4. Build Your Network. Building your network means being intentional about connecting with peers in your career industry. Networking may be challenging, especially if you are an introvert. Set small goals and keep track of your progress. You could attend a conference, a local meetup, or join a professional organization with regular activities and events.

5. Become a Business Owner. Starting a small business is very different from taking on a new job. Building a business is a long-term goal and a long-term commitment. It requires a lot of hard work daily and determination to take on a leadership role.

Today, it is easier than ever to set up an e-commerce business. Don’t forget to set some goals for your new business!

Conclusion

Professional goals help you focus on where you want to be in your career. They clarify the steps to take to reach your short- and long-term goals and give you the roadmap for success.

Is a new job in the new year a goal of yours? Search our open positions today!

Showing appreciation to your employees is easy when everyone is in-office. What if your team is remote? How can you show your employees how valued and appreciated they are when they are miles (or even countries) apart? Employee appreciation ideas for your remote team to follow.

If you’re eager to show your remote team your appreciation and gratitude, we have a few ideas! Let’s look at some great (and affordable) employee appreciation ideas perfect for your remote team.

Affordable Remote Employee Appreciation Ideas

Employee Recognition

Sometimes the simplest gesture is the most rewarding. You can show appreciation to your remote employees by appreciating them publicly. Send a personal “Thank You” note to each of them and thank them for all they’ve contributed over the past year. Be specific, too.

Organize a virtual event to recognize employee contributions throughout the year. Individual and team achievements can be rewarded with certificates and awards.

Buy Them Lunch

Who doesn’t love good food? If a company gathering for lunch or dinner isn’t possible, consider gift cards for a restaurant or for a popular food delivery service such as Grubhub. You can gift lunch, dinner, or an allowance for coffee in the new year.

Wellness Package

The 2020 pandemic taught us that health should always be a top priority. Employee wellness has become a major focus for most companies as we become more wellness conscious. A wellness package is a wonderful way to show your remote employees your appreciation and let them know their health matters to you. You could offer virtual employees a variety of wellness bonuses and perks, such as healthy meal subscriptions, fitness app subscriptions, spa or massage gift certificates, or gift cards for healthy snack baskets.

Paid Time Off

How about a vacation? Times are stressful, and many remote employees would benefit from some extra time off. Adequate rest minimizes burnout and allows employees to work at their best. Consider gifting remote employees a week off or a time allowance for vacation.

Career Development

Just because employees are working from home doesn’t mean professional development should be on hold. Encourage your employees to grow professionally by offering online learning opportunities. There are many online schools and websites that provide a variety of courses to expand skillsets and stimulate career growth.

Conclusion

Working from home can be lonely, and the distance from coworkers and managers makes it difficult to see and feel validation and appreciation in your job. Making the effort to recognize and reward your remote employees will encourage and support them. It will also foster company loyalty and pride in their role and their work. With some simple gestures of gratitude and affordable gifts, you can help your employees feel appreciated and focused on their personal growth and company growth.

If you’re searching for more people to add to your remote team, let our team at ABBTECH lend you a hand!

You’ve been searching for the right job for a while and finally received an offer. Congratulations! Before you accept that offer, though, there are some things to consider. Here are five questions you should consider asking before accepting a job offer.

1. What is the exact start date of the Job?

Two weeks’ notice is the standard when notifying your current employer that you’re leaving your position. So, if a potential employer wants you to begin immediately without sufficient time to provide notice, it might be a red flag regarding the company’s culture and flexibility. On the other hand, reluctance to give a start date may also signal internal problems in the company. Be sure to get verbal and written confirmation of the agreed start date.

2. What should I expect with the onboarding process?

Onboarding varies from company to company, so ask your prospective employer about their process and what you can expect. Training, tools, materials, and personal guidance or mentoring should all be explained thoroughly.

3. Who will be reaching out to me on the first day?

The first day can be anxious, but knowing who will reach out to you first gives you an idea of what to expect. It also allows you to look up the HR or management person on a professional platform such as LinkedIn and better understand their role within the company.

4. Can we explore a slightly higher starting salary?

Most companies are open to negotiating the starting salary for a position, so this is an essential question to ask. Come prepared with research regarding the pay range for the job, including factors such as geographic area and experience.

5. Will I receive benefits immediately?

Ask when required and optional benefits go into effect. While required benefits, such as Social Security and workers’ compensation, go into effect on the first day, other benefits, such as health insurance, may not. Find out when they go into effect and information about premiums and deductibles so that your coverage doesn’t lapse.

Benefits comprise nearly half of a position’s compensation package, so it is essential to understand your benefits and when you can access them.

Conclusion

Accepting a job offer is a serious and important decision. With these questions to consider before accepting a job offer, things should go more smoothly. Asking the right questions, starting with the ones listed above, ensures that the position is the right job for you.

If this job doesn’t work out, don’t worry! Explore our open positions down below.

We all understand what it means to be “employed” or “unemployed” because you either have a job or you don’t. “Underemployment,” however, is more complex and far more common than you might think.

The Center for Law and Social Policy estimates that 4 out of 10 part-time workers are currently underemployed, meaning you have a job, but in some way, you are working below your capacity.

Think you are underemployed but not sure? Read on for a closer look at 3 signs you are underemployed and what you should do.

Your Wages are Too Low

It’s true; some jobs do not pay a high wage. However, you may be underemployed if you think your role would typically pay more. Do your research and check out websites that track average salaries to understand better what you should be paid for the job you do. Remember to consider location when calculating your salary range. Job salaries differ from state to state and from place to place within a state.

If you find that your wages are below the market rate for your role, talk to management. If adjusting your salary isn’t possible, consider applying for positions that offer a higher wage.

You’re Overqualified

In some cases, this is obvious. If you hold a graduate degree, but the position requires only a high school diploma, you’re likely underemployed. Now, it’s not a problem for you if you’re happy in a role considered underemployment on paper. However, if you have learned and acquired skills and experience and have no opportunity to showcase them in your position, you no doubt feel underemployed.

Before you decide what to do in this situation, ask yourself: Am I happy in this role? If you are, there’s nothing to fix. If you aren’t, it’s time to look for jobs that better match your skills and qualifications. Take the time to refresh your resume and update your professional profiles. Identify the best keywords to generate job leads in your job searches.

Not Enough Hours

When it comes to hourly work, it’s simple: the more hours you work, the more money you make. Employers may restrict the number of available hours for various reasons, including not wanting to provide benefits or simply not having enough work. You may be underemployed if you have to work multiple jobs to pay your bills.

Have you discovered signs you are underemployed? Before you hunt for a job with more available hours, check with your employer to see if you can move to full-time or work less desirable (and often higher-paying) shifts like nights or weekends. If these options aren’t open, start hunting for a role that provides the hours you need.

If you’re ready to explore your next opportunity, get in touch with our team at ABBTECH!

The world radically changed over the last few years. As a result, employee priorities have shifted. And many employees now look to their employers to create an employee positive culture that is safe, inclusive, productive, and satisfying.

The Whole Personnel Experience

So, what do employees look for now? What attracts them to a job and company, and more importantly, what makes them want to stay? Let’s look at some key areas you can address within your company culture to create a more satisfying whole employee experience for all.

Purposeful Work

Employees who find purpose and meaning in their work are two times more likely to stay in a job and express satisfaction in it. When employees genuinely understand why the tasks they do every day are important, why a particular project or duty matters in the scope of their career, and how their role in the company impacts the company and beyond, it creates a strong sense of fulfillment.

Flexibility & Work-Life Balance

Even before the pandemic put work-life balance in focus, flexibility was a critical criterion for employees. Though we have made the journey back to our offices entirely or in a hybrid fashion, flexibility is still important to workers.

Social & Supportive Cultures

We spend a considerable amount of time in the workplace, which can significantly impact our mental health. Creating a supportive environment where employees and management interact positively and feel safe and included begins with management but ultimately is everyone’s responsibility.

Career Development/ Training

Opportunities for career growth are also priorities for employees and an integral part of strong, positive company culture. Continuing education classes, tuition reimbursement, and mentoring programs are all steps you can take to provide employees with the tools, training, and opportunities to advance in their profession and within the company.

Health & Wellness Programs

Employee Health and Wellness programs are another essential element of a strong company culture that prioritizes employee needs. Your employees are not simply workers; they are assets that play a vital role in the company. Investing in your employees’ mental and physical health and well-being sets them up to do well at work. It directly affects their productivity and the subsequent profits of the company. Employee priorities have shifted as well, and many employees now look to their employers to create a workplace culture that is safe, inclusive, productive, and satisfying for them. Create a company culture with your employee’s priorities in mind.

If you want to build your dream team this year, get in touch with ABBTECH today!

While many software development opportunities are available, the competition is fierce unless you stand out from the crowd. The best way to stand out from the crowd when going after a software development position is to be a great software developer. Here are 5 qualities that make good developers GREAT.

If you want to be known as a great software developer and increase your chances of landing your dream job, some vital qualities make.

1. A Positive Attitude

Great developers don’t let their egos get in the way. They bring a positive attitude to every project and task, bringing their best every day. A great developer takes pride in their work but never lets it get in the way of receiving constructive criticism. Even when faced with an urgent deadline, a great developer will step up and get the product ready as soon as possible because they genuinely care about its success.

2. Excellent Communication Skills

To be a great developer, you have to be a great communicator. It is crucial to understand problems, break them down quickly, and transparently propose proactive solutions. Great developers process information quickly and know the right questions to ask when they need clarification or more information.

3. Self-Management

A great developer can self-start and often have taught themselves new languages and technologies out of personal interest. When confronted with a situation to which they don’t have an answer, a great developer will pursue the resources and people necessary to discover the solution. Great developers are also reliable, managing their time and completing tasks on schedule and as desired.

4. Deep and Broad Technical Experience

A great developer has worked competently with several technologies and is an expert on several. Diverse industry experience, cognitive abilities, and familiarity with standards and best practices are all hallmarks of a great developer.

5. Big-Picture Focus

Great developers do not simply focus on the task in front of them. They want to know that the feature they are programming is high-value and how it will impact the system and the user’s experience. Their abilities and experience help them see this big-picture view, and they are more than willing to speak up about changes that could compromise the software. Put these 5 qualities that make good developers great to use. Ready to search for a new developer role? Explore our career opportunities today!

Many employers struggle to keep positions filled in today’s competitive job market. The more extended positions remain unfilled, the more it hurts your company’s bottom line and negatively impacts employee morale. Find out How much does it affect your company bottom line to not fill that role. Find out the cost of a vacant position.

The Financial Impact

Calculating the actual cost of employee vacancies is complex and time-consuming. A study by Dr. John Sullivan, a well-known author, international speaker, and advisor to Fortune 500 and Silicon Valley companies, sets the cost of a vacancy in the thousands of dollars per day. In some key roles, a single vacancy costs the company upwards of $7,000 daily. Some engineering positions could be as high as $20,000 a day.

The Business Impact

Beyond the financial impact, employee vacancies also affect engineering, production, marketing, and sales. Many factors go into the calculation of the cost of a vacancy, and the more open spots you have in your employee roster, the more serious these issues become.

Productivity

Departments within a business work closely together to develop and produce products and services. Any disruption in a department adversely affects the others. Understaffing due to employee vacancies lowers the probability of meeting productivity targets, and not meeting those goals also impacts other related departments.

Culture and Brand

Excessive or extended employee vacancies affect your company’s culture and brand image. As you struggle to hire new employees, it may adversely affect the hiring screening process and allow poor performers to slip through the gaps. Once you’ve hired poor-performing employees, you may not be able to secure top performers in the future.

Employee vacancies also send a message to competitors and analysts that your company may weaken, a warning sign that can manifest in increased competitive pressures and stock market issues. This sign of organizational weakness also impacts recruiting, sending a message that your hiring process is vulnerable and inefficient concerning your hiring process.

The Social Impact

Employee vacancies also affect other employees as individuals and as a team. A vacancy may mean picking up extra work and obligations for individual employees. Though functional in the short term, it leads to stress, decreased productivity, and reduced job satisfaction if the situation remains unresolved. 

This overwork and frustration also spread to co-workers and team members, disrupting team cohesiveness and increasing grievances, productivity issues, and absenteeism.

Employee vacancies truly impact your business on many levels. Investing the effort to avoid vacancies and recruit top performers when vacancies occur improves your business on many levels and helps you stay one step ahead of the competition. To fill your open seats, get in touch with the recruiting experts at ABBTECH!

If you are uncertain about your job satisfaction, there is no need to panic. Here are 4 questions to ask yourself when considering job satisfaction. These can help you determine if your current job is the right fit moving forward. 

You want a job that allows you to feel and perform your best. To date, you have been happy with your work. However, you may have concerns about whether you can be satisfied with your job now and in the future.

1. Are you happy with your co-workers?

Your co-workers don’t necessarily have to be your best friends. However, you and your peers should get along well. You and your teammates can work together to help your business thrive.

If you feel comfortable with your co-workers, you may feel good about your job. On the other hand, if your co-workers frequently cause you to feel stressed out about your job, you may want to consider new career opportunities.

2. Do your managers listen to what you have to say?

Ideally, you want open and honest communication with your company’s management team. You should have no trouble coming forward with any concerns or questions. In these instances, managers will take time to listen to you and respond accordingly.

For those who like their company’s management team, you are well equipped for long-term success in your role. Conversely, those who struggle to stay engaged with managers may find it tough to climb the corporate ladder. If you’re in this situation, now may be the time to start a job search.

3. Is your job meaningful?

You want a job that inspires and motivates you to give 100%. Thus far, you have worked hard to do your best. Regardless, you may find yourself feeling worn down and exhausted. In these instances, you may question why you’re working in your current role.

In situations where your job appears to have no meaning, consider why you accepted the role in the first place. Also, write down your career goals. At this point, you may find your current job no longer aligns with your career goals. As such, you may be ready to look elsewhere for work.

4. Do you feel like you’re a part of your company’s culture?

A business’ culture can have far-flung effects on your job satisfaction. If you are a strong cultural fit, you may be more inclined than ever before to stay with a business long into the future. Or, if you are a poor cultural fit, you may feel dissatisfied with your work.

Consider how well you engage with colleagues and your interest in company events and activities. If you typically withdraw from opportunities to connect with others and grow with your company, this is a red flag. In this instance, you may want to find an employer where you are a terrific cultural fit.

Want to Pursue New Career Opportunities in IT?

ABBTECH can help you land an IT job where you can thrive. To get started with us, browse our job board today.

You want your job search to be a success. However, you consistently encounter problems as you seek out your dream job. Below are books to encourage and inspire job seekers.

The job market is tough to navigate, even if you have plenty of industry experience. Thus, adversity is common for today’s job seekers. When faced with adversity during your job search, you may want to change your mindset. To do so, it helps to learn from individuals who have coped with adversity and overcome challenges in a variety of ways.

To learn more about how to overcome adversity in your job search, read a book. In fact, there are many books available that encourage and inspire job seekers. These include:

1. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath

This book is designed to help job seekers develop their natural talents. It features a StrengthsFinder test that you can use to identify your personal and professional strengths. Once you read this book, you’ll be well-equipped to transform weaknesses into strengths and further enhance your existing strengths. Plus, you can gain confidence that can help you put your best foot forward during job interviews.

2. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

In this book, Brown offers insights into what you can do to overcome any past problems. She points out that you are in control of your destiny. In addition, you can learn from your past and do what’s necessary to avoid making the same mistakes twice. As a result, you can rise strong, to the point where you can achieve any personal and professional goals.

3. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Let’s face it — it can be tempting to pursue as much as possible, all the time. Yet, in this book, McKeown argues the pursuit of less may be the most fulfilling option. By pursuing less, you can focus on specific goals. You can live your life to the fullest extent, without compromising your personal health and wellbeing. The result: you can feel your best and get the most out of your time, energy, and resources.

4. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk

You need to promote yourself to stand out from other candidates in a fierce job market. This book offers insights into how you can do just that. Vaynerhuk emphasizes that every person has their own unique story to tell. With the right approach, you can share your story with the world. And you can use your story to make a positive impression on anyone you meet.

Ready to Find a New Job?

The job market offers no guarantees. Conversely, those who feel confident and motivated can find job opportunities with great companies. They can boost their chances of landing their ideal job and building a successful career, too. If you want help during your IT job search, partner with ABBTECH. We are an IT staffing agency that can help you navigate the job market. For more information, get in touch with us today.

You want a job that makes you feel great. However, your job search has been challenging thus far. To date, you have identified red flags with many potential employers. At this point, keep an eye out for green flags to look for in a potential employer.

Green flags are positive signs that a potential employer has what it takes to meet your expectations. These include:

1. Commitment to Communication

The top companies keep the lines of communication open with their employees. They want workers to come forward with any concerns or questions. At the same time, business managers provide workers with feedback. Together, employees at all levels can work together to achieve common goals. The result: the business stands out from its rivals and offers a terrific place to work.  

2. Encourages additional Education

Find out how a potential employer trains and educates its workforce. It often pays to choose a company that prioritizes career advancement. This business tries to upskill its workforce and provide ongoing training. Plus, the company offers opportunities for workers to enroll in college and university classes. In doing so, the company helps its workers gain the skills they need to succeed.

3. Healthy Work-Life Balance

A company that requires its employees to frequently work long hours can put its personnel in danger. In this instance, employees are increasingly prone to exhaustion and burnout. Comparatively, a first-rate business understands the value of a healthy work-life balance. The company ensures its workers receive comprehensive support. And employees are well-equipped to feel and perform their best day after day.

4. Cross-Department Collaboration

Seek out a potential employer that promotes collaboration across departments. This employer wants to avoid departmental silos. Also, it recognizes the value of having all of its workers on the same page. Thus, the employer limits the risk of miscommunications that otherwise can lead to poor work experiences.

5. Ongoing Desire to Improve

Find a company that wants to get better. The best businesses never rest on their laurels. Rather, they innovate and explore opportunities to improve every day. These companies encourage their employees to do the same, too. Therefore, joining a company that drives its employees to give their all can help you realize your full potential.

Identify Your Dream Job

As you conduct your job search, keep your eyes on green flags to look for in a potential employer. This helps you identify signs that a company may be the right fit. Furthermore, you can use green flags to speed up your job search and move closer to accomplishing your career aspirations.

Of course, if you need help during your job search, you can partner with ABBTECH. We’re a professional staffing agency that takes the guesswork out of pursuing new career opportunities. At ABBTECH, our team can help you identify and land your dream job. We’ll learn about you and what you want to achieve in your career. Then, we can put you in contact with top employers in your industry. To get started, browse our job board.

You want job candidates to pursue career opportunities across your business. To achieve your goal, you need to provide the modern employee benefits that job candidates want.

Today’s job seekers demand top-notch benefits. And you must figure out what benefits meet the needs of modern job seekers.

Here are five modern employee benefits that job candidates want.

1. A Positive Work Environment

Modern workers want to feel great about where they work and their peers and superiors. Thus, it pays to prioritize your business culture. That way, you can provide workers with a terrific place to work. Plus, you can set up a work environment where equality, inclusion, and diversity reign supreme.

Evaluate your business culture. Conduct employee questionnaires and surveys to find out how workers feel about your culture. From here, you can modify your work environment. You can next lay the groundwork for a culture that resonates with job candidates and employees.

2. Student Loan Repayment

Job candidates may leave school with substantial student loan debt. You can help these candidates pay off this debt. In doing so, you can stir up interest in your company’s job openings. 

Establish a student loan repayment plan for workers and new hires. The program should be reviewed and updated periodically. This ensures it can consistently meet the needs of your workforce.

3. A Flexible Work Schedule

The days of a standard 9-to-5 work schedule are coming to a close. Instead, employees want the flexibility to work a schedule that allows them to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

If possible, provide job candidates with flexible schedule options. As long as the work gets done on time and on budget, employees can complete tasks at times that work well for them. This is one of the 5 employee benefits that job candidates want.

4. Remote Work Opportunities

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led many businesses to let employees work remotely. It also has opened the door for companies to pursue job candidates from around the world.

Establish a permanent remote work team. Seek out quality job candidates who can perform tasks from any location, at any time. These candidates can reap the benefits of a flexible work environment. And they can help your company grow and thrive. 

5. Paid Family Leave

The best companies provide extended family leave. They put family front and center and are willing to do what’s necessary to support employees and their loved ones. Therefore, these companies stand out from the competition. Assess your paid family leave benefits and upgrade them as much as you can. By offering first-rate paid family leave benefits, you can help your employees take care of their families.

Getting a security clearance can increase your opportunity as an IT professional.

A security clearance can help whether you’re looking for a temporary contract position or long-term employment. Acquiring a security clearance can broaden your job opportunities, raise your earning potential, and allow you to gain access to high-profile positions.

What is a Security Clearance?

A security clearance is a status granted to select individuals by the federal government that permits them to access classified information or locations.

In general, security clearances measure whether an individual is a loyal U.S. citizen who is honest, trustworthy, mentally sound, and not involved in criminal activity or foreign intelligence efforts.

Individuals cannot start the security clearance application process on their own. A government agency must sponsor an individual to begin the process.

When Do You Need a Security Clearance?

Federal and state employees, military personnel, and government contractors are some of the kinds of workers who typically receive a clearance to do their jobs.

An active clearance may be required to be considered at all for certain jobs. Many positions require you to obtain one as soon as you have a conditional offer in hand.

What Are the Types of Security Clearances?

There are three tiers of security clearances: confidential, secret, and top secret.

• Confidential security clearances permit access to information that, if disclosed, may cause damage to national security.
• Secret security clearances allow access to information that could cause serious damage.
• Top secret security clearances are the highest level: they permit access to information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to U.S. security.

How Do You Get a Security Clearance?

You will be invited to fill out an application to seek a clearance, once you are sponsored by a government agency.

If the application is accepted, it triggers the investigation stage. Government agents will conduct a background check. This check includes a close examination of current and past relatives, employers, neighbors, friends, and other contacts.

Agents will evaluate the findings for approval and next steps.

Get Cleared for Your Next Job with ABBTECH

Working with ABBTECH can be an easy step in the right direction. ABBTECH can help you gain the clearance you need and access the best employment opportunities possible.

ABBTECH is a staffing agency in the Washington, D.C. area that connects IT personnel to jobs in government and other industries. We are prepared to help you get cleared for your next position.

Phone and virtual interviews have become the go-to way for hiring managers to vet candidates. Considering that 74% of recruiters find video interviews make the hiring process easier, they’re likely here to stay.

By adhering to best practices for remote interviewing, you can impress recruiters and improve your employment opportunities. Use these five tips to keep your interview professional and stress-free.

Prep Your Interview Space

Whether you’re interviewing via phone or Zoom, your environment should have good reception and no distractions. If possible, take the call in a private room where the chance of background noise is minimal.

If your interview is over video, tidy the surrounding area and remove distracting objects from the camera’s view.

Hold a Rehearsal Interview

Prepare yourself by coming up with responses to standard interview questions ahead of time. Common topics to prepare for include employment goals, personal strengths and weaknesses, your ability to work as part of a team, how you overcome challenges in the workplace, and addressing gaps in your resume. You should always plan your interview responses according to the business and type of job for which you are interviewing.

Test your microphone and camera before a video interview so you won’t have to troubleshoot during the call. Position the camera so it is level with your face. If you wear glasses, adjust your lighting to prevent glare.

Practice speaking into the camera, watching your posture and natural mannerisms. You should appear professional and engaged onscreen.

Stay Focused

During the interview, give the hiring manager your full attention. Stay engaged and interested. Try to limit voluntary fidgeting, checking your watch, multi-tasking, and unnecessary background noise. If you’re on a video call, maintain eye contact by looking into the camera.

It’s often difficult to read cues during a virtual interview. You can avoid interrupting by waiting a moment after the interviewer asks a question to make sure they’ve finished speaking.

Be Confident

Speaking with confidence is critical to nailing an interview. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or you’re reentering the workforce after some time away, showing conviction in your abilities leads interviewers to take you seriously as a candidate.

Send a Thank-You Email

Finally, while you should always thank the hiring manager at the end of your interview, it’s a good idea to follow up with an additional thank-you message. This is a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and highlight a few of your key strengths as a match with the position requirements.

Recruitment professionals speak to dozens of candidates each week. Sending a short, courteous email to thank the interviewer for their consideration helps you stand out from the recruitment pool.

Call ABBTECH Today!

ABBTECH places IT professionals in positions with small businesses, startups, and Fortune 500 companies nationwide and has nearly 30 years of experience in staff augmentation services.

Start your job search with ABBTECH today and connect with an experienced recruiter. Once we find a great match for your skill set, our personnel can assist you with every stage of the placement lifecycle.

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