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Latest News
February 12, 20150

5 Ways To Make Your Resume Work For You

 

1. Tailor It To The Job

A well crafted job description will clearly tell you what the employer is looking for – so pay attention. We recommend printing out the actual job description and highlighting the responsibilities and any key words that are used. By doing this, you will be able to clearly identify what skills and experience the employer is looking for so you can effectively match your experience. 

4. Keep It Relevant

While you assume your resume is all about you, and you are partially right, you must always keep in mind the needs of the reader, because in their mind it is all about them. Keep your messaging relevant to the position for which you are applying. Your resume is not an exhaustive list of all your skills, but rather a document explaining your qualifications for a specific position. 

 

 

2. Formatting Matters

You want to make sure that your resume is pleasing to the eye in terms of style, font, and spacing. Use clear headers and stick with modern and professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman with a font size of 12. While you want to make the document visually appealing, it is the content that matters most, so steer away from images and colors. For some more creative roles (i.e. marketing) you may want to consider adding some professional design to it. 

5. Proofread

Never send off a resume without thoroughly proofreading for spelling, grammar, punctuation and relevance. Before you submit your resume to a prospective employer ask a couple of trusted friends to review both the job description and your resume, and ask for and graciously accept their feedback. The more honest and critical feedback you receive, the better your final resume will be! After the edits and before sending, ask yourself “would I hire me?”

 

 

3. Grab Their Attention

Fold a piece of 8.5×11 inch paper in thirds, as if you would be sticking it in an envelope. That top section is the amount of time you have to grab the hiring managers attention. Use that space wisely – we suggest beginning with a qualifications summary, and a list of 3-5 bullet points matching your qualifications to the position they are hiring for. Also, be sure to not embellish your qualifications, as most times they will be verified. 

 

 

 

 


  

 

Resume Facts from BeHiring:

– On average a resume is reviewed for 6 seconds.

– There is a 17% chance your cover letter will be read.

– 76% of resumes are ignored if your email address is unprofessional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Latest News
February 12, 20150

5 Tips To Handle Negative Feedback

 

1. Assume Good Intentions

Rarely is it the case that someone actually enjoys giving negative feedback. When approached by someone with negative feedback, assume that they are taking the time to give difficult information because they not only care about the work itself, but they also want to help make sure you are successful. When you assume good intentions, you are more open to hear what they are saying. 

4. Be Thoughtful With Words

Whether you are having a conversation in the moment, or following up after you have had time to reflect, it is imperative that you choose your words wisely. Stick to facts and demonstrate that you are taking their feedback into consideration. If you are challenging one of their critiques, calmly explain your position by saying, “I hear what you are saying, please allow me to explain”. 

 

 

2. Avoid Emotional Reactions

It is natural to go on the defensive when you feel your work is being picked apart, but you must understand it is not personal. At all cost you should avoid arguments even if you believe you are right. You cannot control what another person says or how they handle a situation, however you can control how you react. You must remain  calm and professional at all times. 

5. Always Follow Up

When given harsh feedback, it is likely that the person providing the feedback is looking for some action. Remember, you have assumed their good intentions, so thank them for taking the time to help you and offer to follow up with them in a reasonable amount of time with a plan of action. This shows a tremendous amount of personal accountability and professionalism. 

 

 

3. Take Time To Reflect

While it is important to respond and/or take action on the feedback, it is okay to use some time to reflect. It is perfectly reasonable to politely acknowledge that they have given you a lot of to think about, and you would like to reflect on their feedback so you can give it the attention it deserves. This not only gives you the opportunity to look at things with a fresh set of lenses, it also will prevent you from reacting in the moment. Time equals perspective.

 

 

 

 

Feedback Isn’t Always Formal:

Keep in mind that feedback can come in a variety of ways including a casual conversation, a quick comment, a formal review or through an email. Regardless of what medium is used to provide the feedback, the key is to focus on these 5 tips and you are sure to handle it well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Latest News
February 6, 20150

How To Be A Workplace Standout

Congratulations, you got the job! Now, the real work begins.

If you want your new employer to take notice and appreciate your contribution to the team, simply follow these 5 rules and you are sure to stand out. 

Be on Time – Or Better Yet, Arrive Early.

The simplest things are often the hardest, like showing up on time. While your manager might not make a scene every time you are five minutes late, a level of trust is broken! Always arrive ten minutes early – grab your cup of coffee, take care of your morning greetings, and be ready to work at your scheduled time. 

Embrace Learning a New Way.

Yes, you were hired for this role because you had the skills and experience necessary. While you might be used to doing things one way, it is imperative to learn the way your new employer does it. First start by learning their process. If after some time you have suggestions, communicate them appropriately.

Don’t Forget the Reason Why They Pay You.

You are there to get a job done and to be as productive as possible. Consequently, stay mindful of how you are spending your time. Whenever possible, avoid time-wasters and distractions; this includes personal calls, internet surfing and non-work related conversations with peers.

Don’t Add to Workplace Drama.

Personality conflicts, frustrations with processes, and lack of resources are very real in every workplace. These things can lead to drama. While completely preventing or avoiding office drama is likely out of your control – whether you actively participate in it isn’t. You are best served to keep things professional at all times. 

Be A Positive Brand Ambassador.

Be proud of the organization you work for and help it celebrate it’s successes. Tell your friends and family why you like it there and the good work they do. Steer away from any public criticism about the business or your job. You are part of a team now, and if the team does well, so will you.

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Latest News
January 16, 20150

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Shows Healthy Job Market for Maine

Q1 2015 Shows Healthy Job Market for Maine. 

ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the world’s workforce expert, recently released the first quarterly, employment outlook survey of 2015. And, the results are positive for the Northeast, including Maine. This report is the outcome of surveying 18,000 US employers across 13 industry sectors, where we asked the question, “How do you anticipate total employment at your location to change in the three months to the end of March 2015 as compared to the current quarter?”

All 13 sectors indicated a positive outlook over Q4 2014, with 17% of employers nationally indicating plans to hire in Q1. Leisure & Hospitality and Wholesale & Retail Trade are leading the growth on the national level.

In Maine, 21 percent of all the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 8 percent expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 69 percent expect to maintain their current staffing levels and 2 percent are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook* of 13%.

“For the first three months of the new year, employers are significantly more optimistic about staffing plans compared to Q4 when the Net Employment Outlook as -2%,” said April Clark, President, Manpower Maine “Compared to the start of 2014 when the Net Employment Outlook was 9%, the employment  forecast is brighter.”

Summary of Results for Maine

     Increase Staff   Decrease Staff   Maintain Staff   Don’t Know   Net Employment Outlook  
Q1 2015 21% 8% 69% 2% 13%
Q4 2014  16% 18% 65% 1% -2%
Q1 2014     17% 8% 71% 4% 9%

*The Net Employment Outlook is derived by taking the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in hiring activity and subtracting from this the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in hiring activity.

For the coming quarter, Maine job prospects appear best in Durable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Information, Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services and Education & Health Services. Employers in Construction, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing and Government plan to reduce staffing levels.

“This is all good news for our state, and in-line with what we are seeing across the Manpower offices here in Maine.” states Clark “While we are noticing an uptick in requests for employees this year – the hard truth is we are still dealing with a talent shortage, which is a challenge for Maine employers.”

Clark continued, “In addition to the Quarterly Employment Outlook Survey that Manpower produces we also collect data relating to the talent shortage. Many studies currently available are pointing to the idea that the Talent Shortage will continue to worsen in 2015. We look forward to sharing Manpower’s insights on this topic when we release our annual report later in the 2nd Quarter.”

You can read the complete survey results by clicking here.

The next Manpower Employment Outlook Survey will be released on March 10, 2015, and will report hiring expectations for Q2 2015.

About the Survey

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforces during the next quarter. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey’s United States results are based on interviews with 18,000 employers located in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, which includes the largest 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas based on number of business establishments. The mix of industries within the survey follows the North American Industry Classification System Supersectors and is structured to be representative of the U.S. Economy.

 

 

 

 

 

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Latest News
January 12, 20150

5 Ways To Increase The Quality Of Hire

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5 Ways to Increase The Quality of Hire

Be Realistic About Your Needs Vs. Wants:

Four Years. According to a LinkedIn study, that is the average time an employee will stay at your company. Keeping this in mind may help you better distinguish between your needs and wants. Knowing what skills are necessary to get the job done as the position requires today and for the foreseeable future will prevent you from over or under-hiring. 

Get Competitive With Your Compensation:

In today’s market you need to be focusing in on the passive job seekers, who are more selective. By being competitive with your compensation and benefits package you will pique the interest of those great candidates who are just waiting for the right opportunity to come along before they make their move. 

Understand Your Organizational Culture:

This means the good, the bad and the indifferent. The ‘ideal’ culture is often thought of as out of reach for many organizations. Culture isn’t about being like Google or Southwest Air, it is about knowing what makes your organization tick. 

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Going Social:

While employers are indicating that the #1 source of quality hires are job boards, social media is in a solid second place. While in most cases signing up for social media sites are cost-free, a strong and effective social media presence requires an investment in both time and money.

Recruiting’s 2015 Buzzword – “Matchmaking”:

Candidates come with diverse experience and skills, and while some companies may rely on expensive software to align keywords to qualifications, the fact remains that matchmaking is more of an art than a science. It’s about knowing your candidate, your company and the specific role you need to fill. With this in mind, Manpower has been Matchmaking since before it was all the rage. 

Want to Learn How We Can Help?

Contact us for a No Obligation Consultation.

Download the PDF.

Contact us link icon

 

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Latest News
January 2, 20150

New Year. New Job.

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5 Steps to Finding a New Job in 2015!

 

Set Long and Short Term Career Goals:

The most successful job seekers develop a long-term career path. Take the time to determine where you want to be, professionally, in 5-10 years. From there you will be better positioned to know what small steps you need to take to get there.

Build Your Resume:

Your resume is a living document. Keep your long-term career goals in mind and take on projects and positions that will help move your closer to achieving those goals. As you learn new skills or take on more responsibilities be sure to add them to your resume.

Develop Your Professional Network:

To tap into the hidden job market it is important to have good connections. Using social media to build a network is one way to do it – but it in no way replaces getting out in your community and meeting people. Volunteer and be active!

Use Your Resources Wisely:

There are countless resources available to support your job search. Know what they are and how they can best support you. To get the best results you will want to use a variety of resources including staffing firms, job boards and community programs.

Interview With Confidence:

Take the time to research the company, their goals and their culture. This will allow you to ask good questions and be able to speak about how you can best support the organization. Being prepared will demonstrate you genuine interest in the position and their business. 

Download the PDF.

Contact The Manpower Team To Learn How We Can Help!  

 

 

 

JROTC Students with Penny Picard of Manpower Maine
Latest News
December 17, 20140

Manpower and Community Deliver Over 550 Holiday Greetings to Local Heroes

JROTC Students with Penny Picard of Manpower MaineAuburn, ME (12/16/2014) – This holiday season more than 550 cards will be sent to local service members; thanks to Manpower Maine, The American Red Cross and thoughtful Mainers! This is Manpower Maine’s 2nd annual drive to support the American Red Cross “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. Holiday greetings were collected by Manpower Maine and delivered by the Red Cross to Maine veterans, military families and active-duty service members around the world.

April Clark, Manpower Maine President, said, “The team at Manpower believes it is important to send well wishes to those that protect and serve our country.” Clark added, “We are grateful for the sacrifices that our dedicated service members make for our country, this is one simple way for people in Maine to show their gratitude. This year we were thrilled to have participation from several local organizations, like Nokomis Regional High School.”

“To me, being a Veteran, seeing people take time to do this for our troops is so heartwarming,” said John McKim, JROTC Instructor, Nokomis Regional High School. “As for my school, we will gladly participate again.”

According to Manpower Maine’s President, “We put the call out to the community in November and were inspired by the response – it is a testament to the heart of Maine when people stop and take time out of their busy lives to do something that will mean so much to someone else. We are proud of the communities we serve and thank you!”

About Manpower Maine
With over 53 years in the state, Manpower is Maine’s leader in employment solutions including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training, outplacement and consulting. Manpower employs thousands of Maine citizens and connects hundreds of companies with the talent they need to succeed and grow, through offices in Bangor, Augusta, Rockland, Auburn, Portland, Biddeford and Springvale.
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Latest News
October 3, 20140

October is Manufacturing Month

Each year in the month of October we celebrate those that help build Maine! Maine has a rich manufacturing history that has been battered over the last several years due to labor shortages, the cost of keeping mills open in our state and the overall cost of business. However, one thing is for sure – Maine is filled with people committed to making sure Manufacturing has a solid future in Maine.

#MfgDay14: 

The MFG Day Mission*

MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.Supported by a group of industry sponsors and co-producers, MFG DAY is designed to amplify the voice of individual manufacturers and coordinate a collective chorus of manufacturers with common concerns and challenges. The rallying point for a growing mass movement, MFG DAY empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.

Manpower’s Role in Keeping Manufacturing Thriving 

For more than 50 years, Manpower-Maine has worked with manufacturing organizations to support their workforce needs – and we continue to do just that. Read our most recent white paper on the future of Manufacturing. 

 

Image of Heidi Sawyer
Latest News
October 1, 20140

Sawyer Joins Manpower Maine

Image of Heidi SawyerAuburn, ME – Manpower Maine is pleased to announce the addition of Heidi Sawyer to the Auburn office in the role of Manager, Market Engagement.  In this role, Sawyer will be responsible for managing communication and marketing initiatives for all Manpower Branches in Maine, while building a community that supports the growth of Maine’s economy.

Sawyer joins Manpower bringing more than 8 years experience in employment advertising, marketing and public relations. Most recently, serving as the Marketing Manager for JobsInTheUS.com, Sawyer developed a passion for helping Maine get to work and we are fortunate to have her bring the same knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to Manpower’s candidates, associates and clients.  

She currently resides in Lewiston with her husband and teenage son, and is actively involved in the community as a member of the steering committee for the Young Professionals of Lewiston/Auburn (yplaa) and Co-Chair of the yplaa Betterment Committee.

Manpower has been a part of the Maine business community for 53 years and currently serves thousands of candidates and hundreds of employers. To learn more about Manpower Maine visit their website www.manpowermaine.com or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/manpowermaine.

About Manpower Maine

With over 50 years in the state, Manpower is Maine’s leader in employment solutions including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training, outplacement and consulting.  Manpower employs thousands of Maine citizens and connects hundreds of companies with the talent they need to succeed and grow, through offices in Bangor, Augusta, Rockland, Auburn, Portland, Biddeford and Springvale.