What Can You Do to Incorporate Contract Workers into Your Corporate Culture?

Hiring contractors is a great way to fill open positions quickly and secure some high-quality employees for various projects. However, contract workers are often faced with the challenge of getting settled into an organization that also has many full-time workers. Since contract workers may only be with the company for few months or a year, they may not feel like they are part of the team and full-time workers may treat them differently.

Use the following tips to incorporate contract workers into your corporate culture.

Make an Effort to Make Workers Feel Welcome

Take the time to meet contractors on the first day to learn more about them. Introduce them to the team and take them out to lunch. You want to treat your workers like they are employees so they can get settled in quickly. Encourage some casual conversation to ease the anxiety some contractors may feel during their first few days. Announce the new contractors before they arrive so employees are aware who they will be working with in the near future.

Introduce Contractors in Person

Even if many of your contractors work remotely or offsite, it’s important that you introduce contractors in person. A face-to-face meeting or introduction can help get workers acclimated with each other and encourage workers to develop a good working relationship.

Outline Responsibilities

The induction process needs to help contractors understand their role in full, and also the responsibilities of their colleagues and team. Take the time to outline these responsibilities or host a meeting so the new recruits are well aware of their job duties.

Encourage an Atmosphere of Collaboration

You want your contractors to be able to contribute value even though they are only with you in the short term. Make sure they are equipped with the tools they need to get the job done and have access to resources and employee contacts who they may be collaborating with on various projects.

Encouraging contract workers to be a part of the organization will involve extra effort to make your workers feel welcome, and outlining responsibilities so everybody understands their role. If you need help finding high-quality financial candidates for contract positions, consider working with an award-winning financial staffing agency and contact Casey Accounting & Finance Resources.

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What Does the Financial Recruiter Want to See on Your Resume?

When you’re applying for accounting and finance jobs in the area, you’ll need to make sure you highlight all of your skills and certifications clearly in your resume. Many financial recruiters review resumes in great detail and even use programs to find certain keywords and phrases. If you aren’t including these words in your resume and making a strong case about your experience, you may get overlooked.

Here are three factors a financial recruiter wants to see on your resume.

Tech Skills

Many accountants, financial analysts and other financial professionals use the latest software programs and computer systems to manage data. You need to be up-to-date on the latest software programs and earn any relevant certifications. Consider taking online courses to catch up if you have been out of the workforce for a while. Make sure to list your tech skills and skill levels so the employer has an accurate idea of your exact capabilities.

Soft Skills

Many people don’t think accounting and finance jobs require many soft skills since the bulk of time spent at the office will be in front of a computer and managing data. However, today’s most successful accounting and finance professionals have good interpersonal skills and solid knowledge about the business world. Make sure you’re listing examples of leadership skills, a customer service background, and your ability to solve problems or stay organized under pressure.

Certifications

Any certifications, diplomas or other awards need to be listed on your resume. Make sure to highlight any notable events surrounding these awards, such as a company president’s award, so that you stand out from the crowd.

Making sure a recruiter sees examples of skills and certifications on your resume is a priority, but you also need to make sure you’re including any specific details about how your skills made an impact on the organization. If you have any data or statistics former companies have shared with you about a project you worked on where you were able to apply yourself, make sure to disclose that on your resume or cover letter.

Need help with your job search? Consider working with one of the top accounting and finance staffing agencies and contact Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. This award-winning team of financial recruiters has your dream job waiting.

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Quiet Personality? Loud Workplace? Here’s How to Be Successful

If you’re an introvert by nature and prefer to work alone, finding the right fit in the modern workplace can be a challenge. People who are quiet, reserved, and introspective may seem like they don’t get along with others, but that is usually far from the truth. These types tend to thrive when they have their own space but can do well in a group setting with some self awareness and self confidence.

Use the following tips to be successful in the workplace if you are an introvert.

Be Prepared for Meetings

If the idea of being singled out in a meeting or having to give a presentation makes you nervous, make sure you’re prepared. Review documents and materials that will help you give an intelligent response if you do end up getting asked a question during the meeting. Ask for an agenda from the meeting organizer so you know what to expect. Being well prepared for meetings can make it easier for you to get through those few hours with minimal stress and anxiety.

Learn to De-Stress in Any Situation

Anxiety and tension can make your work days a little more stressful. If you have a hard time relaxing and staying focused at work, take the time to de-stress using natural methods and techniques. Take deep breaths before a meeting, make sure you get to work early so you aren’t getting anxious about being late to the office, and try and stay focused in the middle of workplace conflicts. If you work in a very loud work environment, use headphones or take breaks when things get stressful, so you don’t feel too stressed out all day long.

Be Confident in Your Abilities

Be confident in your strengths and continue to build your skill set, nurturing your talents and appreciating the unique qualities you bring to the table. People will see results no matter what your personality type may be — you don’t necessarily have to be the loudest or most visible person in the office to do a great job. Stay focused on what you do best, don’t feel threatened or intimidated by colleagues, and do what you can to contribute at your best level.

Get Connected

You don’t have to struggle all by yourself in an office setting. Build an alliance of people who have similar personality traits as you, so that you can spend time together and develop camaraderie with your co-workers. Share an encouraging word with other introverted co-workers and build trust. Make a sincere effort to get to know people and don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. Your friend will be able to support you during meetings and may even put in a good word for you when you are looking for a promotion.

If you need help navigating the modern workplace or are looking for career opportunities in the accounting and finance field, talk to some of the top financial recruiters in Chicago by contacting Casey Accounting & Finance Resources today.

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Prevent Buyer’s Remorse! How to Make Sure You Have a Smooth Transition into Your New Job

Changing jobs can be a stressful time in your life, and you want to make sure you are taking steps to make the transition just a little easier. Being careful about how you conduct yourself during those last few weeks on the job is important because you want to make sure you are leaving on a good note, and ensure you are in the mindset to take on your next opportunity. Whether you’ve been with the company for a few months or a few years, here are some things you can do to make your transition to the new job much smoother.

Share the news with contacts on your last day of the old job.

Your colleagues may already know you are leaving, but you will want to wait to share any updates on social media or LinkedIn until your final days on the job. Make sure to notify people and make changes before you start your actual job, so you aren’t worried about getting updates, notifications and emails all day long on your first few days at the job. You need to be focused and show you are dedicated to the new job 100 percent — so email and social media interruptions need to be kept at a minimum.

Don’t talk poorly about your former employer.

If you had a hard time with your previous boss or weren’t happy with the job, it’s tempting to speak poorly about the old boss. Make sure you are not going out of your way to talk badly about them with colleagues, your future boss, or anybody else that may be connected with the company. You don’t want to be known as the person who ended up badmouthing the boss just because of a bad working relationship. There are always two sides to the story, and you don’t want to burn any bridges.

Be friendly.

It can be intimidating to meet new co-workers and get acquainted with new people in your department or company. You will need some time to learn about your new role and get adjusted to the new work environment. Make it a priority to be friendly to people during this time, so that you can make some new connections. Stay positive even when you feel anxious or stressed about the job so you can develop a solid network of contacts.

Take notes.

Take notes during meetings and just jot down key things you learned during the day, so you can keep yourself organized and on track. Taking notes will help you settle in that much faster, and have some things to study as you get acquainted.

Be ready to participate.

The new company has hired you to contribute and your role may involve active participation in meetings, brainstorming sessions and other group activities where you will need to speak up. Be confident in your decision to be there and don’t be afraid to do your part and come ready to participate.

Transitioning to a new job can be stressful, but there are several things you can do to make the change more manageable. If you need help with your job search or career advice, consider working with a top financial staffing firm in Chicago, Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. Contact us today!

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4 Tips to Help You Negotiate the Best Salary

You’ve worked hard to secure that job offer and may be eager to sign the agreement and get started. However, it’s important not to miss the important step of negotiating a suitable salary for all the hard work you will be committing to in the upcoming months or years. Your salary requirements may be the deal breaker for many companies and you’ll want to avoid some common mistake when negotiating your wages.

Use the following tips to help you negotiate the best salary.

1. Be prepared.

Almost every employer will ask what your salary expectations are, and this usually happens during the screening process or the very early stages of the interview. Employers want to screen out candidates that they simply know would not be a good fit for their budget. It’s always a good idea to anticipate this question and be prepared to answer with confidence so you don’t end up getting nervous or suggesting something well below what you deserve. Do some research about the company and similar positions in the area so you have some realistic figures to work with.

2. Don’t lie about your salary history.

Many job seekers make the mistake of stating that they are earning more than they really are so they can get a high offer from an employer. However, this can get you in trouble when the employer checks in with your current employer or requests a recent pay stub of earnings. If you are caught lying or you even manage to start the job and then the company discovered you were lying, you may end up losing the new opportunity entirely.

3. Understand that the company will have salary budgets.

Employers are working with budgets and will try and maximize their human resources at the most effective cost. Even if you are applying for an upper management position, the financial or accounting department or a prestigious position with bonuses and other perks, you can expect the company to work within their compensation framework to bring you on board. This is why you do need to do your homework and find out what the salary would be for your position and go from there. Even if you have never earned that much before, be confident when asking for the salary and see how they respond. Working with a recruiter gives you an advantage because the recruiter will be able to negotiate the best salary for you based upon the company’s budget.

4. Always think about other benefits.

If your prospective employer simply won’t budge on their salary offer — or they are offering a lower salary than you anticipated — consider any other benefits that come with the job. Is the office within a short drive of your home so you don’t have a long commute? Do they offer an onsite fitness center or employee lunches? Do you have extra paid-time-off and extended vacation days? Does your employer offer comprehensive health and life insurance benefits? All of these extra benefits can offset some of the difference in salary expectations.

If you need help on your job search, consider working with a top financial staffing firm in Chicago in Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. We can position you in front of jobs with attractive salaries and benefits. Contact us today!

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10 Tips for End of the Year Hiring

  1. Is your website mobile-friendly? Can candidates find the jobs you are recruiting for while they are on their personal phones? With the smart phone, many people do not even use a laptop anymore, so a responsive website is required when advertising jobs on your website.
  2. Once the candidates can find the jobs, how easy is it for them to apply? Too many pages and forms to fill out and candidates will move on to a more user-friendly job opening!
  3. Have you spruced up your employee referral program? Do your employees know what it is? Share this information with your employees regularly.
  4. Often, interviewing slows down at the end of the year, so it is a perfect time to pick up your interviewing while more candidates are available. This way you can have them on track to start working for you at the first of the year!
  5. Scheduling hassles for interviews when hiring managers are traveling? Thanks to the accessibility of high-speed Internet and video conferencing capabilities, many resources are available to conduct the interviews online, so you don’t miss a beat.
  6. How are your job postings on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter?  Post openings daily to your company’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages, and Tweet 10-12 times a day on Twitter.  Ask people to follow you and like you!  Have the posts link back to your website to increase your SEO.   
  7. Who does the hiring for your company? Are they engaged? Are they excited about working for your company and can share that excitement with potential new hires? Having an employee who is not engaged or excited about the company interview new hires can quickly turn off a potential great hire!
  8. Timing? Don’t let a lot of time go by from the first time you interview the candidate to the second interview. If you like the candidate, move quickly in the interview process. Chances are that you are not the only company who is interested in hiring this person! Make sure the interview process is clearly defined and progresses at a steady pace. Candidates have multiple opportunities under consideration now and an interview process that lags is one that loses top talent to others that expedite the interview process.
  9. Have a hiring manager who “collects” resumes? Explain the job market and low unemployment rate to this hiring manager. It should be a priority to interview candidates as soon as possible or risk losing the great candidates to proactive hiring managers!
  10. Flexible contract workers help to fill in the gaps during the hiring process. Often, these candidates are hired on at the company on a temporary-to-hire basis – once the company and the candidate both see how they can each contribute to each other’s success!

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