Category: JOB INTERVIEW

In today’s job market, competition is fierce and your resume is often the first chance you have to make a great impression on potential employers. A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from the crowd and land the job you want. Here are some tips to help you write a resume that stands out in 2023.

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job:  One of the most important things you can do to make your resume stand out is to tailor it to the job you are applying for. This means customizing your resume so that it highlights your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements for that particular position. You should also be sure to use keywords from the job description in your resume, as this will help it get noticed by the hiring manager.
2. Highlight Your Accomplishments:  While it’s important to list your work experience, it’s even more important to highlight your accomplishments in each role. This will give the hiring manager a clear understanding of the value you can bring to their organization. Try to use quantifiable data to show the impact you’ve made in your previous roles. For example, you could mention how you increased sales, decreased costs, or improved customer satisfaction.
3. Keep Your Resume Short and Sweet:  In today’s fast-paced job market, hiring managers often have limited time to review resumes. That’s why it’s important to keep your resume short and to the point. Aim for a maximum of two pages and use bullet points to make it easy to read.
4. Use a Modern Design:  Your resume should not only be well-written, but it should also be visually appealing. In 2023, it’s important to use a modern design that is clean and professional. Avoid using fancy fonts or graphics, as these can detract from the content of your resume. Instead, opt for a simple, elegant design that will help your resume stand out from the crowd.  Pro tip, use a free resume builder to save time and put your best foot forward.
5. Show Your Personality:  Your resume is not just a list of your work experience and skills. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your personality and what makes you unique. Consider including a brief personal statement or summary at the top of your resume that highlights your strengths and what sets you apart from other candidates.
6. Proofread Your Resume:  It may seem like a small detail, but a well-proofread resume can make a big difference. Check for spelling and grammar errors, as well as any inconsistencies in your information. A single mistake can make you appear unprofessional, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to stand out.

By following these tips, you can write a resume that will help you stand out in 2023. Remember to be clear, concise, and highlight your accomplishments, and you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job.

Are you tired of endlessly submitting job applications only to hear crickets in return? Have you ever wondered why your perfectly qualified resume never seems to make it to the hiring manager’s desk? The answer could be that your resume is getting lost in the black hole of the recruitment process – the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

Don’t let that discourage you! ATS can actually be a job seeker’s best friend, as long as you know how to navigate it. Let’s take a look at the benefits of applying through an ATS and how you can make the most of this technology.

More Efficient and Streamlined Process

One of the biggest benefits of ATS is that it streamlines the recruitment process, making it more efficient for both job seekers and employers. ATS allows you to easily submit your application and track its status, reducing the frustration of waiting for a response. It also provides instant feedback on your application, allowing you to quickly make changes and improve your chances of getting hired.

Increased Fairness and Objectivity

Another benefit of ATS is that it helps ensure more accurate and fair hiring decisions. ATS algorithms use pre-defined criteria to screen resumes, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated objectively and fairly. This reduces the potential for bias and ensures that the best candidate is selected for the job.

Improved Candidate Experience

ATS also improves the candidate experience by making it easier for job seekers to apply for jobs and track their progress. With the ability to apply for multiple jobs in one place, you can save time and effort. ATS also provides instant feedback on your applications, allowing you to quickly make changes and improve your chances of getting hired.

Maximizing Your Chances of Getting Hired

To maximize your chances of getting hired through ATS, it’s important to have a well-written, keyword-rich resume that is optimized for ATS. You should also make sure to follow the instructions provided in the job posting and submit your application promptly.

In conclusion, applying through an ATS can be a great advantage for job seekers. It streamlines the recruitment process, ensures more accurate and fair hiring decisions, and improves the candidate experience. To make the most of ATS, make sure to have a well-written, ATS-optimized resume and follow the instructions provided in the job posting. With ATS, you can take control of your job search and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the interview process for that exciting job opportunity you’ve been eyeing. While the hard part may seem over, there’s one more important step to take: following up after the interview. Many applicants underestimate the value of this post-interview action, but it can make a significant difference in your chances of landing the job. In this blog post, we’ll explore why following up matters and provide you with some tips on how to do it effectively.

Reinforce Your Interest

Following up after an interview allows you to reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and the company. It shows the hiring manager that you genuinely cared about the opportunity and took the time to express your continued interest. This can set you apart from other candidates who may not have taken this step, helping you to stay top of mind with the hiring team.

Address Any Unanswered Questions

During the interview, there might have been questions that you didn’t get a chance to ask or topics that need further clarification. The follow-up provides an excellent opportunity to address these unanswered questions. It demonstrates your attention to detail and genuine desire to fully understand the role and the company.

Showcase Your Professionalism

Crafting a well-written follow-up email or note demonstrates your professionalism and strong communication skills. It gives you another chance to showcase your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and professionally. Remember to proofread your message carefully before sending it to ensure it is error-free and reflects your best self.

Personalize Your Message

Taking the time to personalize your follow-up message shows that you were genuinely engaged during the interview and not just going through the motions. Reference specific points discussed during the interview and mention any standout moments or connections you made during the conversation. This level of personalization demonstrates your attentiveness and helps the hiring manager remember you more vividly.

Express Gratitude

Always express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the position. Thank the interviewer for their time, insights, and the chance to learn more about the company. A simple gesture of gratitude can go a long way in leaving a positive impression.

Following Up Do’s and Don’ts

DO:

• Send your follow-up message within 24-48 hours after the interview.
• Proofread your message carefully before sending it.
• Personalize your message and reference specific points from the interview.
• Express gratitude for the opportunity.

DON’T:

• Be overly persistent or pushy.
• Send a generic, cookie-cutter follow-up message.
• Forget to proofread for typos or errors.
• Expect an immediate response or become discouraged if you don’t receive one.

The follow-up is a critical step that should not be overlooked after an interview. It reinforces your interest, allows you to address any unanswered questions, showcases your professionalism, and provides an opportunity for personalization. By following these tips and adhering to the do’s and don’ts, you can maximize your chances of standing out and leaving a lasting positive impression on the hiring team. So don’t hesitate – take that extra step and follow up after your interview. Good luck!

Remember, every interview and situation may be slightly different, so adjust these tips to fit your specific circumstances.

You’ve heard the old saying, “To get a job, you have to interview like it.” But what does that really mean? When you’re interviewing for a position at a restaurant or in the food service industry, you’ll likely be facing multiple interviewers at once. This can be intimidating and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, if you know what to expect and how best to approach it—and if you prepare well beforehand—group interviews can actually be an opportunity for great insight into your potential new career path. Here are some tips:

Prepare

• Research the company, including the interviewers and what they do.
• Prepare for questions you might be asked.
• Practice answering common questions in a group setting ahead of time so that when your name is called during an actual interview, you can confidently walk up to the front of the room and present yourself as someone who has done their homework and knows what’s expected of them as an employee.

Be yourself

• Be yourself.
• Be honest. If you’re not sure about something, don’t try to guess or make something up–just say so! It’s better for the interviewer(s) and for your own credibility if you admit when you don’t know something than if you try to fake it and get caught.
• Be confident in what work experience and skillset you do have; this will help show them that they are hiring an employee who knows what they want out of this job position and has some idea of how they plan on achieving those goals once hired by their company (i.e., by being proactive).
• Be personable! This should go without saying, but remember: people hire other people because they enjoy working with them; so be friendly, polite and respectful during all stages of your interview process — from application submission through final decision-making meetings with management!

Provide examples of when you’ve handled difficult situations in the past

• Provide examples of when you’ve handled difficult situations in the past.
• Show that you are a problem solver.
• Demonstrate that you can think on your feet and make quick decisions when necessary.
• Show that you’re a team player who works well with others, but also knows how to take charge when necessary (and knows when it’s time for someone else to take charge).
• Demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly by listening carefully during conversations with others, speaking up when necessary, asking questions if something isn’t clear or understood correctly by either party involved in such conversation(s), etc…

Stay focused on the questions being asked and avoid speaking outside the scope of the question.

The best way to avoid this is by staying focused on the questions being asked and avoiding speaking outside the scope of the question. This can be difficult because you may be nervous, so make sure you ask for clarification if you’re not sure what they are asking or feel like they need more information.

If you have a tendency to ramble on and on about irrelevant topics, try taking notes during an interview so that when it comes time for your turn to answer questions, everything has been organized into something manageable (and concise). If someone starts answering a question before it’s been asked, politely remind them that they need wait until they’ve heard all three parts: “What was your previous job?” “Why do we want someone with experience in this area?” And finally: “Tell us about yourself.”

Listen carefully to other interviewers, as they may have insight into a different part of the business than your direct interviewer.

When you’re in a group interview, it can be hard to know what questions to ask. But don’t be afraid of asking questions–your direct interviewer may not have all the answers and will appreciate your initiative. Additionally, if something isn’t clear as they’re speaking, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification!

If there are two or more people interviewing you (and most restaurants will have at least two), then everyone should get an equal amount of time talking with you. If one person seems like they are dominating the conversation more than others, take this opportunity to speak up and share your thoughts on something that was just discussed.

Consider bringing examples of your work and/or educational experiences to share during the interview.

The group interview is a great way for you to showcase your skills and experience. If you have any examples of work or educational experiences, consider bringing them along with you. Your goal is to show that you are qualified for this position. You don’t need to bring in every single thing that shows how awesome you are; just bring some things that highlight the skills and traits listed in the job description.

You may want to prepare ahead of time by writing down what exactly it is about each example that qualifies it as a good one (for example: “I worked on this project where…”). This will make it easier for everyone involved during the interview because they’ll know exactly what kind of information they’re expecting from each person sharing their experiences/examples during their turn at bat!

If possible, try not having more than two-three examples ready ahead of time so as not overwhelm yourself with too much prep work beforehand but still giving yourself enough time between now and then so nothing slips through cracks due out later down road (which could lead up feeling unprepared).

There are many things to consider before, during, and after a group interview, so it’s important to be well prepared.

• Prepare for the interview. Before you are even invited to a group interview, you should be prepared with all of your resume information and references in order. If you don’t know who your references are going to be talking about or what they’re saying, how can they give an accurate assessment?
• Be confident and comfortable. In order to perform well in any type of situation, it’s important that you feel comfortable with yourself and confident in your abilities–and this goes double when you’re being interviewed by multiple people at once! You want everyone involved with hiring decisions making the right choice based on their own impressions rather than any outside pressures being applied by other candidates or managers trying too hard (or not hard enough) with their questions/answers.
• Listen carefully to questions posed by managers/supervisors during interviews so that later down line when there’s pressure from coworkers asking “why didn’t I get hired?” etc., there won’t be any surprises coming back around full circle again either way because someone forgot something important about themselves which could’ve costed them job opportunities elsewhere down line if not corrected before hand.”

We hope these tips will help you feel more confident in your next group interview. Remember that it’s important not to focus on the other people who are there with you–the only person whose opinion really matters is the one asking the questions! If at any point during the process, take a deep breath and remember that everyone has gone through this or something similar before (even if it doesn’t seem like it). We wish all of our readers good luck as they continue their journey towards success in whatever field they choose!

Learn effective strategies to streamline the hiring process and reduce time to hire in the hourly workforce.

Understanding the importance of reducing time to hire

Reducing the time to hire is crucial for businesses operating in the hourly workforce. A lengthy hiring process not only leads to increased costs but also hinders productivity. When positions remain vacant for an extended period, it puts strain on existing employees, resulting in burnout and decreased morale. Moreover, it can lead to a loss of potential revenue as customer demands may not be met efficiently.

By understanding the importance of reducing time to hire, businesses can prioritize finding suitable candidates quickly and efficiently. This involves analyzing the negative impacts of a prolonged hiring process and recognizing the need for a streamlined approach.

In addition to the operational benefits, reducing time to hire also improves the candidate experience. Candidates who experience a long and complicated hiring process are more likely to withdraw their application or accept a job offer from a competitor. By prioritizing efficiency, businesses can attract and retain top talent in the hourly workforce.

Optimizing job descriptions and requirements

One of the key strategies to reduce time to hire is to optimize job descriptions and requirements. Clear and concise job descriptions attract qualified candidates who possess the necessary skills and experience. Avoid using jargon or complex language that may deter potential applicants.

Additionally, it is important to revisit the job requirements and ensure they are realistic and relevant. Sometimes, job descriptions may include unnecessary qualifications or experience that could exclude potential candidates who could excel in the role. By accurately defining the job requirements, businesses can attract a larger pool of qualified candidates and expedite the hiring process.

Implementing efficient applicant tracking systems

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can significantly reduce the time to hire in the hourly workforce. These systems automate and streamline the recruitment process by organizing and managing applicant data, resumes, and job applications. With an efficient ATS in place, businesses can easily filter and screen candidates based on specific criteria, shortlisting only the most qualified individuals for further consideration.

ATS also allows for seamless communication between recruiters and candidates, reducing delays and ensuring timely updates. By implementing an efficient applicant tracking system, businesses can save time, improve collaboration among hiring teams, and expedite the overall hiring process.

Utilizing pre-employment assessments and screenings

Pre-employment assessments and screenings are valuable tools in reducing time to hire. These assessments help evaluate candidates’ skills, knowledge, and aptitude, ensuring they have the necessary capabilities to perform well in the hourly workforce. By incorporating assessments early in the hiring process, businesses can quickly identify the most qualified candidates, eliminating those who may not meet the requirements.

Screenings such as background checks and reference verifications are equally important in ensuring the credibility and suitability of candidates. These screenings help mitigate potential risks and ensure a safe work environment for all employees. By utilizing pre-employment assessments and screenings, businesses can make informed hiring decisions in a shorter period, reducing time to hire.

Streamlining the interview and onboarding process

Efficient interview and onboarding processes play a vital role in reducing time to hire in the hourly workforce. Businesses should strive to conduct structured and focused interviews that assess candidates’ qualifications and cultural fit. By utilizing interview templates and standardized questions, businesses can ensure consistency and make objective evaluations.

Moreover, streamlining the onboarding process is essential for a smooth transition from candidate to employee. Providing new hires with clear instructions, necessary paperwork, and training materials in advance can significantly reduce the time taken to get them up to speed. By creating a structured onboarding program, businesses can enhance productivity and shorten the time it takes for new employees to contribute effectively.

In conclusion, reducing time to hire in the hourly workforce requires a comprehensive approach. By understanding the importance of efficiency, optimizing job descriptions, implementing applicant tracking systems, utilizing pre-employment assessments, and streamlining the interview and onboarding process, businesses can expedite the hiring process and secure top talent.

In today’s digital age, more and more job interviews are being conducted virtually. Whether it’s a phone interview or a video call, virtual interviews have become the norm. Here are some tips to help you nail your next virtual interview and increase your chances of success:

1. Test Your Technology

Before the interview, make sure that your internet connection is stable and your device is working properly. Test your audio and video settings to ensure that you can be heard and seen clearly. Familiarize yourself with the platform being used for the interview, such as Zoom or Skype, and ensure that you have downloaded any necessary software or plugins ahead of time.

2. Dress Professionally

Just because you’re being interviewed from the comfort of your own home doesn’t mean you can dress casually. Dress as if you were having an in-person interview. Not only will dressing professionally make a good impression, but it will also help put you in the right mindset for a professional conversation.

3. Prepare Your Space

Create a clean and professional environment for your interview. Make sure there is adequate lighting, and remove any distractions or clutter from the background. Choose a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted, and let anyone else in your household know that you have an important interview and need minimal disturbances.

4. Practice Nonverbal Communication

During a virtual interview, nonverbal communication plays an important role in conveying your interest and engagement. Maintain good eye contact by looking into the camera, rather than at your own image on the screen. Sit up straight and use hand gestures sparingly to appear confident and engaged.

5. Research the Company

Just like with any traditional interview, it’s important to research and familiarize yourself with the company you’re applying to. Visit their website, read about their values and mission, and learn about recent projects or news. Show your enthusiasm and knowledge about the company during the interview to demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

6. Prepare Answers to Common Questions

Anticipate and prepare for common interview questions, such as those about your strengths and weaknesses, your previous experience, or how you handle challenges. Write down and practice your answers to these questions to ensure that you’re well-prepared and can respond confidently during the interview.

7. Have Examples Ready

When answering interview questions, it’s often helpful to provide specific examples from your past experiences to support your answers. Prepare a few examples that highlight your skills, accomplishments, and problem-solving abilities. This will help you provide concrete evidence of your capabilities and make a stronger impression on the interviewer.

8. Follow-Up with a Thank You Email

After the interview, send a follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. Use this email as a chance to remind the interviewer of your qualifications and to express any additional thoughts or ideas that may have come up during the interview.

By following these successful virtual interview tips, you can impress potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job. Remember to stay calm, be yourself, and showcase your skills and qualifications confidently. Good luck!

Read original interview here, courtesy of Voyage KC. 

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Blaise Pastoret. Blaise was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Billy Giordano.

Blaise, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I have been in restaurants and bars for over 25 years. I have held many positions, from Executive Chef to General Manager. I oversee multiple different outlets from quick-service fast food to upscale esoteric dining.

Since partnering with Billy, we have made significant strides in hiring and the process of how we do it, thanks to Staffed Up.

Please tell us more about your brand, LHM Hospitality Group
LHM as a company has a lot of moving pieces. LHM is opening up a sister rooftop lounge in the county. The first Three-Sixty Lounge has been a success going on twelve years. These are St Louis staples. Inside Westport Plaza LHM has gaming bar and has done amazing since day one. It’s high volume structure works well in the 14,000 sq ft space. This large and very successful accomplishment, LHM opened in 2017. It has since come back to its normal peak business since the pandemic and welcoming more guests each day. Cheshire Restaurants – I was part of the management team in 2013 and was a part of every venue. This forest park set location is truly unique and an epic experience from basso italiano to Boundary Event space and Cigar Club. This property holds something special in my heart as it is a historical building and has been so consistent in business and hospitality.

So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Billy Giordano and StaffedUp and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with StaffedUp.
Billy is very important to me as the owner – what I mean by that is, I would not have gone down the road of entertaining the staffed up app if Billy wasn’t at the helm. He is professional, truly genuine in his brand and cares about it in a big way. He is on top of any issues or needs that arise very quickly.

His confidence and help to make anything work for us truly made me a believer of Staffed Up. After using Staffed Up in all 11 locations I oversee, it absolutely sold itself. We pick up over 70% of our FOH staff from Staffed Up. A couple of years ago we added on the onboarding feature that is amazing and takes out a lot of leg work that operations previously had to do.

Staffed up is a tool I would not want to work without. It brings something much different that indeed or ziprecruiter.

There is no question that restaurant owners are looking for ways to improve their business’ cash flow—particularly in the past few challenging years. Restaurants have been heavily impacted by COVID-related restrictions since March 2020 and are now faced with record inflation.

Relief is within reach.

Rockerbox https://www.rockerbox.tech and StaffedUp have combined their respective industry expertise to help restaurant owners execute employer-based tax credit optimization programs that will increase cash flow and attract desirable job candidates. The mission of Rockerbox is to introduce every small business owner in the U.S., particularly restaurants, to the power of employer-based tax credits.

“When you combine this with StaffedUp’s web/social integrated Applicant Tracking System that focuses on effective hiring marketing, while decreasing turnover and time spent in hiring for the high-turnover restaurant employer, we’re talking about a serious and tangible ROI opportunity,” says Billy Giordano, StaffedUp CEO and co-founder.

By embedding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) screening tool inside StaffedUp’s unique, innovative system, job applicants will have an easier, more efficient process for submitting their WOTC eligibility information.

“This will result in more applicants being screened for WOTC eligibility, and if more applicants are screened, then more tax credits are captured by the restaurant,” says Philip Wentworth, Jr., Rockerbox founder and CEO. “The result is better technology, improved screening percentages, and more tax credits.”

Rockerbox exists to look for ways to improve the overall WOTC optimization process with innovative technology, such as StaffedUp’s program. Wentworth and Giordano predict the average restaurant owner can improve cash flow up to 40% by participating in this first-of- its-kind WOTC optimization program.

In addition to his executive role with StaffedUp, Giordano is also a restaurant owner and Rockerbox client. “When we apply innovation to traditional WOTC optimization practices, we are able to achieve better outcomes for all stakeholders–applicants, employers, and partners,” Giordano says. “Where else can a restaurant owner improve cash flow up to 40%? Communication and application of innovation are our key differentiators with the Rockerbox partnership.”

Rockerbox and StaffedUp are looking toward improving restaurants’ bottom lines with other tax credit and cost reduction programs. Along with WOTC optimization, Rockerbox and StaffedUp provide additional growth and profitability programs to restaurants. The impact of these programs on cash flow could result in a significant bump in cash flow—up to 70%. A summary of these programs:

FICA Tip Credits

FICA Tip Credits are automated through an integration with Rockerbox technology. The FICA tip credit, formerly referred to as the “Credit for Portion of Employer Social Security Paid with Respect to Employee Cash Tips,” is intended to provide some relief to restaurants and food service employers that pay an employer’s share of employment taxes on tip income paid to their employees by someone else (customers). https://www.rockerbox.tech/payroll-processing-restaurants/. “Although the shorthand name of the law mentions only FICA taxes, it allows employers to take a credit against their federal income tax based on the amount of FICA and Medicare taxes paid on tips reported to the employer,” Wentworth says. “The credit reduces the federal income tax of the employer by an amount based on the employer’s share of employment taxes paid on a portion of reported tips.”

Empowerment Zones

Empowerment Zone (EZ) credits are automated through an integration with Rockerbox technology. In order to create jobs within their communities, employers who hire “targeted employees”; also receive a 40% tax credit on the first $6,000 of first-year-only wages. https://www.rockerbox.tech/empowerment-zones/ Targeted employees are defined as high-risk youth residents within the EZs, food stamp recipients, SSI recipients, vocational rehabilitation referrals, and others. Credits can be applied to full- or part-time W2 workers.

Cost Segregation

Cost Segregation is an engineer-based study of all the individual assets purchased in a real estate transaction (purchase and/or lease). https://www.rockerbox.tech/cost-segregation/ This allows the restaurant owner to use an accelerated depreciation schedule resulting in higher tax deductions in the early years of the purchase/lease of a property, thus improving the restaurant’s cash flow. Cost segregation studies require offline calculations performed by analysts and engineers.

ERTC – Employee Retention Tax Credits

Many restaurants are eligible for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) https://www.rockerbox.tech/ertc/ due to state, county, and/or local government shutdown orders impacting their normal operations in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. In less than 20 minutes, the tax credit experts at Rockerbox can help restaurant owners determine if their restaurant is eligible to participate in the ERTC program. (Through a comprehensive analysis, Rockerbox recently helped a fast-casual restaurant capture more than $600,000 in ERTC!) Even if a restaurant participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Restaurant Relief Fund (RRF), it may still be eligible to participate in the ERTC program.

Fully Automated Payroll

Rockerbox Payroll is the easiest way for restaurants to process payroll online. Run payroll anytime, from any device in less than one minute. Plus, tax filings and payments are handled automatically, and employees gain access to many more features to include employee self- service and online paystubs. https://www.rockerbox.tech/payroll-processing-restaurants/

If you are a restaurant owner who is ready to ditch your old WOTC provider and make the move to a modern, results-driven ATS with an integrated WOTC optimization provider, start the conversation today by requesting a free eligibility assessment at https://www.rockerbox.tech/free-assessment. Learn more about Rockerbox at https://www.rockerbox.tech and StaffedUp at https://www.staffedup.com.

Mark your calendar for an upcoming webinar on how to make this profitable transition, scheduled for every Monday and Thursday afternoon at 3:00pm Central http://bit.ly/3HR4Mej , or sign up for a one-on-one demonstration at http://bit.ly/40YTNIz

Billy Giordano
StaffedUp
+1 573-219-0394
billy@staffedup.com