PRSG? News Volume 6

Welcome to the sixth edition of PRSG??News - a monthly newsletter compiled by the team at PRSG??to keep you up to date on what's happening in the job market, provide career advice, and share?#hotjobs. With over 60 years of combined placement and hiring experience, we will share original thoughts, as well as industry data and available opportunities for you to take the next step in your career.

In this month's edition you will find:

1. #Macroeconomic?Employment Update
2. #hotjobalert
3. #PreciseAdvice?- Timely Topics:?How to Lose a Job in 10 Days
4. #PreciseAdvice?– Job Search Series:?The Thank You Letter
5. #PreciseAdvice?– Hiring Manager Series: Blending Your Workforce
6. #PreciseAdvice?– So You Got Laid Off... Now What?
7. Internal Milestones

The labor report is out for June! Unemployment is down and payroll totals continue to rise. Check out the latest #economic update.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/07/jobs-report-june-2023-.html

Learn more at?https://www.prsgllc.com/find-a-job.

Temporary

Payroll Specialist – Hybrid, Pittsburgh, PA

Permanent

Treasury Analyst – On-site, Butler, PA

A/P Associate (Team Lead) – Hybrid, Washington, PA

Financial Analyst – Hybrid, Washington, PA

Senior Accountant – On-site, Canonsburg, PA

Senior Internal Auditor – On-site, Canonsburg, PA

Internal Audit Associate – REMOTE

HR Generalist, Total Rewards – Hybrid, Pittsburgh, PA

Senior IT Auditor – Hybrid, Pittsburgh, PA

Accounting Clerk – On-site, Beaver Falls, PA

Financial Analyst – Hybrid, Kittaning, PA

Senior Plant Accountant - Hybrid, Greensboro, NC

Senior Cost Analyst – Hybrid, Pittsburgh, PA

Accountant I – Hybrid, Pittsburgh, PA

Tax Supervisor – Hybrid, Coudersport, PA

While most people strive to build successful careers and maintain stable employment, there are certain behaviors and actions that can lead to the exact opposite outcome. In this week’s Timely Topic Series, we are exploring some (unfortunately) common pitfalls and share a tongue-in-cheek guide on how to lose a job in just 10 days.

Remember, this article is meant to be humorous and should not be taken seriously as career advice.

Day 1: Arrive Late and Disheveled

First impressions matter, so why not start your journey to job loss by consistently arriving late and looking unkempt? Tardiness shows a lack of commitment and respect for your employer's time, while an unkempt appearance sends the message that you don't take your job seriously. Arrive late every day, and you'll be well on your way to termination.

Day 2: Be Insubordinate and Argumentative

To quickly alienate your colleagues and superiors, adopt an insubordinate attitude. Disregard instructions, question authority, and engage in heated arguments whenever possible. Remember, nothing screams "I don't value teamwork" like undermining your colleagues and openly challenging your boss.

Day 3: Embrace Procrastination

Why complete tasks in a timely manner when you can procrastinate? Deliberately delay your assignments, miss deadlines, and avoid taking initiative. Your colleagues will appreciate your lack of productivity and your employer will surely recognize your talent for avoiding work.

Day 4: Exhibit Poor Communication Skills

Effective communication is crucial in any workplace. To sabotage your job, master the art of poor communication. Fail to respond to emails, ignore important phone calls, and provide vague or incomplete information whenever possible. Remember, clarity and responsiveness are for overachievers!

Day 5: Spread Office Gossip

Nothing undermines a healthy work environment like spreading office gossip. Make it your mission to share juicy rumors and engage in idle chitchat that has nothing to do with work. Be sure to alienate your colleagues and create a toxic atmosphere that everyone will come to resent.

Day 6: Embrace Social Media During Work Hours

What better way to lose your job than by spending excessive time on social media platforms? Engage in constant scrolling, liking, and commenting, making sure to keep your work-related tasks on the back burner. Your employer will surely appreciate your dedication to cat videos and memes.

Day 7: Show a Lack of Initiative

Avoid taking on any additional responsibilities or showing any initiative to improve your skills or contribute beyond the bare minimum. By demonstrating a lack of ambition, you'll quickly convince your employer that you are not worth investing in or promoting.

Day 8: Exhibit Poor Etiquette

To expedite your exit from the company, it's essential to display poor etiquette. Chew gum loudly, use offensive language, disregard personal boundaries, and practice bad hygiene. Your coworkers will be counting down the days until you're gone.

Day 9: Neglect Professional Development

To truly sabotage your career, neglect any opportunities for professional growth. Refuse to attend training sessions, skip industry conferences, and show disinterest in acquiring new skills. This way, you can ensure your skillset becomes obsolete, making it easier for your employer to let you go.

Day 10: Blame Others for Your Mistakes

Finally, to seal the deal on losing your job, never take responsibility for your own mistakes. Shift blame onto others, make excuses, and avoid accountability at all costs. Your employer will quickly tire of your lack of ownership, leading to your inevitable departure.

We hope you've had a chuckle while reading our humorous guide on how to lose a job in 10 days. It's important to approach your career with dedication, professionalism, and a strong work ethic, and the key to career success lies in dedication, continuous learning, effective communication, and maintaining a positive attitude. So, use this guide as a reminder of what NOT to do, and may your professional journey be filled with achievements, growth, and long-lasting employment!

Julie found her passion and success in recruiting and finds building meaningful relationships and supporting personal growth the most rewarding part of the job.?She began her professional career in sales and management. When she is away from work, you can find her traveling and trying new restaurants or at the latest sporting event in Pittsburgh. Julie and her dog, Dusty, can be seen all over?#Pittsburgh?at their local dog parks or shopping around the city.

By: Melissa Shapiro

After completing a job interview, it is essential to follow up with a thank you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. A well-crafted thank-you note can leave a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer. On the other hand, a poorly written note may lead to elimination from consideration. Here are some tips on how to prepare an effective template to help you be prompt in sending your message of gratitude.

Personalization: If you interviewed with one person, send a note directed to them specifically. If you interviewed with multiple individuals at once in a panel setting, you can send one note to the group, but be sure to address them individually – i.e.?“Dear Peter, Paul, and Mary,”?If you met with multiple individuals back-to-back, you likely had different conversations with each and should write individual messages to each interviewer.

?Gratitude: Begin your note by expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and thanking the interviewer for their time. Emphasize how much you appreciate their consideration.

Highlight your strengths:?Briefly summarize your key qualifications and highlight the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the role. Reinforce the connection between your abilities and the company's needs, showing how you can contribute to their success.

Reference specific details:?Reference specific topics, projects, or challenges discussed during the interview. This demonstrates your engagement and ability to recall important details from the conversation. It also shows that you were actively listening and genuinely interested in the position.

Reiterate your interest:?Clearly state your continued interest in the position and your eagerness to contribute. Showcase your enthusiasm and emphasize why you believe you are the right candidate for the role.

Professional tone:?Keep your tone professional, respectful, and concise. Use proper grammar and punctuation to ensure a polished and well-written note.

Proofread:?Before sending the thank you note, proofread it carefully to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. A mistake-free note reflects your attention to detail. This can be a deal breaker for some if there are errors.

?Most importantly, be prompt! Prepare your template so you can send your thank you note the same day as the interview. All you should need to fill in are a few key details about what you discussed. This will show both your enthusiasm and professionalism. A timely response also ensures that your note is received while your discussion is still fresh in the interviewer's mind. As Ferris Beuller would say, “life moves pretty fast…” In today’s technology age, a handwritten note will take too long to arrive and your penmanship is no longer being evaluated. Send a thank you via email.??

Remember, a thank you note is an opportunity to leave a positive impression and reinforce your qualifications. It demonstrates your professionalism, gratitude, and commitment to the position. By following these tips, you can have a draft email ready before you even set foot in the interview, with only a few lines to complete after you wrap up. You should be able to write a compelling thank you note that sets you apart from other candidates and leaves a lasting impression on the interviewer.

Sample:

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the [position title] at [company/organization name]. It was a pleasure meeting you today, and I wanted to thank you for your time and consideration.

I was truly impressed by [company/organization name]'s commitment to excellence and the positive culture that was evident throughout the interview process. The opportunity to learn more about [insert something specific] and how it contributes to the overall goals of [company/organization name] was both insightful and inspiring.

I want to reiterate my enthusiasm for the position and my belief that my skills and experiences align well with the requirements we discussed during the interview. The conversation further solidified my desire to contribute to the success of [company/organization name] and be a part of such a dedicated team.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you and hope for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of [company/organization name].

?

Sincerely,

?

[Your Name]

Melissa Shapiro has been helping professionals navigate the job search since 2005. She is the Recruiting Director for Precision Recruiting Solutions Group?, a boutique staffing firm placing candidates in accounting, finance, human resources, and other business-related functions on a temporary, temporary-to-hire, and direct-hire basis. She spent 9 years in career management, supporting masters-level business students in full-time, professional, and executive MBA programs, as well as specialized master’s degree programs.?Prior to that, Melissa spent time in the financial services and retail sectors. Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Finance, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and an MBA.

By: Debbie Kriess

When making workforce decisions,?the choice between hiring an experienced professional or a new graduate depends on various factors. Temporary or full-time needs, company size, team size, budget constraints, time sensitivity, deadlines, and future succession planning all come into play when deciding which route to take for a particular job opening. It's important to consider the evolving demographics of the workforce, with four (sometimes five) generations present: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and how their attributes and work behaviors complement your team and align with future goals.

Let's explore the pros and cons of hiring experienced professionals and newcomers.

Experienced Professionals

Pros:

• Extensive Knowledge and Skills: Seasoned professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, resulting in higher-quality work and performance due to their years of experience.
• Immediate Impact: Experienced professionals can hit the ground running, requiring minimal training and making quick contributions.
• Mentoring and Leadership Potential: Their experience allows them to act as mentors, guiding younger employees and transferring valuable knowledge. This fosters team development and organizational success.
• Established Networks: Experienced professionals often have well-established networks within their industry, opening doors to new business opportunities, partnerships, and potential clients.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: Experienced professionals come with a higher price tag, especially if they possess industry or technology-specific skills. This can strain the organization's budget.
• Resistance to Change: Extensive experience may lead to a mindset resistant to adopting new methodologies, potentially slowing down innovation.
• Generational Gaps: As experienced professionals may belong to older generations, collaboration and understanding among different age groups in the workforce could be affected.

Early Career Professionals

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Hiring entry-level or career-switching professionals tends to be more cost-effective, as their salaries are generally lower. This is advantageous for businesses with limited budgets or roles that don't require extensive experience.
• Fresh Perspectives and Enthusiasm: Early career candidates bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm to the workplace, infusing energy and sparking creativity.
• Technological Proficiency: Younger generations are typically adept at leveraging digital tools and platforms, which is valuable in today's tech-driven business landscape.
• Long-Term Investment: Organizations can mold and develop early career talent according to their specific needs, fostering loyalty and long-term commitment through growth opportunities.

Cons:

• Lack of Experience: New professionals may lack the experience and expertise required for complex projects or specialized tasks, resulting in a learning curve and potential impact on productivity or work quality.
• Training and Supervision: Hiring inexperienced professionals requires additional time and resources for training and supervision, potentially burdening existing employees and limiting their productivity.
• High Turnover Risk: Entry-level employees may be more prone to exploring other opportunities or changing jobs frequently, leading to higher turnover rates.

Consider these pros and cons when evaluating your hiring strategy. To make the right decision, assess your business needs, goals, technological environment, budget, and the availability of time and resources for training and development. Striking a balance between experienced professionals and new grads that aligns with your organization is crucial. Managing generational diversity within the workforce is also essential for collaboration and maximizing employee strengths.

Happy talent hunting, and feel free to reach out to discuss your thoughts and strategy…There are many considerations to take into account, and the pandemic (dynamics in the workplace since 2020) have changed too!

Debbie joined Precision Recruiting Solutions Group? in Spring 2021 with more than 15+ years of experience dedicated to the recruiting & staffing industry, coaching and advising finance & accounting, human resources, and IT professionals on a direct-hire, retained, and temporary basis. She is a graduate of Clarion University of PA (now PennWest) with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and watching sports.

By:?Erika Krenn

It comes as no surprise that we are living in a layoff era. Whether you are behind a desk in the corporate, working on-site in retail, or healing others in healthcare, Covid has changed the scope of your business. At the very least, you know someone who has experienced firsthand changes in their work world. There are so many factors as to how and why, but instead of pointing fingers at the culprit, we have to equip ourselves with a job safety plan.

If you lost your job, know that you are not alone. I did a quick Google search and found that 28% of Americans have been laid off in the past 2 years alone, while 40% of all Americans have been laid off at least once. (Zippia.com). Additionally, I am just like you; the same thing happened to me when my team was let go due to a reduction in force in March 2023. For reference, I worked in tech as a corporate recruiter - ALL of us were getting laid off and the market was as competitive as ever. Your industry might be different, but this is a good place to start.

HERE'S WHAT I DID:

Day 1

• Be gracious.?First, before 5 PM, I sent a thank you email to all of the leaders and awesome coworkers whom I interacted with frequently. I sent them my personal email, cell phone number, and resume in case they know anyone who might be hiring.
• Update LinkedIn.?I changed my LinkedIn to “Open to work” and listed all of my preferences.
• Deal with Unemployment.?Evaluate your unemployment benefits, as well as your full severance package.
• Get healthcare!?Take it from me.
• Acknowledge your emotions.?I let myself be sad for the rest of the day. I unplugged, took a walk, took myself to get ice cream, and called my friends and family.

Day 2 through Day 45

• Create a job search plan - bonus points if you set your own KPIs.?I got to work, but instead of working for my company, I changed the narrative and began working for myself. I set a personal goal of answering every LinkedIn message by EOD, and set my own KPIs for job applications per week. My personal KPIs started out at 10 applications/day, then when I started getting interviews, they changed to 10 applications/week.
• Update your resume and create a customizable cover letter.?Check out my colleague,?Melissa Shapiro's articles on?resume writing?and?cover letters.
• Polish your skillset.?Utilize LinkedIn, Coursera, and other free online tools to remain relevant in your area of focus.
• The job search became my normal 8-5.?I got up, made coffee and breakfast, checked my email and LinkedIn, and revised my resume and cover letter as needed. I started the job applications, took lunch at noon, and kept going until I either hit my goal for the day or 5 PM rolled around.?
• Stay positive and persevere!

Day 45

• Evaluate the job offers.?I got three job offers, evaluated the pros and cons of each, and accepted my first choice. I let the other organizations know that I accepted an offer and that I was out of the running. As a recruiter, I know that this saves my recruiters a lot of time! So I made sure to extend that courtesy of withdrawing my application.
• Prioritize your mental health, do more things you love, and spend time with people you miss.?Once I connected with everyone, I concluded my job search process and took time to enjoy myself. I traveled, visited old friends, sharpened my hobbies, and tried new things.

Day 61

• I started my new job, as a recruiter for?Precision Recruiting Solutions Group?!?

I was grateful for the time I spent investing in myself, and I felt a renewed sense of confidence in myself as a professional and as a recruiter. I am grateful for the experience of being a candidate because it can only help me better serve my candidates moving forward.

Remember, losing a job is a setback, but it can also present new opportunities for growth and development. Stay focused, adaptable, and proactive in your approach, and you'll increase your chances of finding a new and fulfilling employment opportunity. If you ever need advice, just know you can reach out to me!?

Erika is a Recruiter with Precision Recruiting Solutions Group?. She previously worked with a tech startup, RoadRunner Recycling, where she developed her recruiting skills for the last 3 years. She holds a BA in Psychology from Gannon University, with minors in Journalism and Theatre. When she is not working, she is an active participant in Pittsburgh’s acting scene, with credits in both film and theater productions. Erika loves to travel, try new coffee shops, and has been teaching herself photography!

Internal?#PRSG?Milestones