Where you have people, you’re going to have conflict. And the workplace is no exception.

As one of the top staffing firms in Florin – and throughout Northern California, we know that conflict typically arises out of stressful situations (think tight deadlines or complicated projects) or employees butting heads and not working well together as a result. This kind of conflict is all par for the course.

However, there are times when issues arise in the workplace that turn quickly from a simple conflict into a hostile confrontation. When this happens, how you react to the situation can be the deciding factor between a swift resolution or a major workplace battle.

To help you deal, here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

• Stay calm. When an employee is flipping out – yelling, waving their arms wildly, etc. – rather than interrupt them, let them finish their tirade. If you interrupt, you’re demonstrating that you’re not really listening and don’t care about what the employee is upset about.
• Be assertive, not aggressive. When they’re done, call them by their first name to get their attention. Then explain that you will listen and help them fix the problem, but that they need to lower their voice and calm down.
• Paraphrase their grievances. Next, show that you understand what they’re saying by repeating what they just said. For instance, “I want to understand why you’re so upset. Just so I’m clear, it’s because of…(insert issue here). Is that right?” By paraphrasing what the employee said and asking if you are perceiving the situation accurately, you’re showing that you are listening, which will help to diffuse the situation immensely.

Hopefully, by taking the steps above, you will be on the road to having a productive conversation and solving the problem. If not, though, and this kind of behavior is becoming a regular occurrence for an employee, then perhaps it’s time to let him or her go.

If that’s the case, and you’re looking for a replacement, give us a call. As one of the top staffing firms in Florin – and throughout Northern California – we pride ourselves on digging deep and asking questions that reveal more than simply the technical skills required for a job…all so we can find a candidate that’s just right for you. Learn more now.

You have an impeccable resume and referrals. You nailed all the job interview questions with concise and smart answers. You look the part in your expensive suit…but if you didn’t act it too, then it can cost you the job interview.

As one of Rancho Cordova’s top employment agencies, we know that bad body language – from poor posture to averting eye contact – can actually make more of an impression on the interviewer than a perfect cover letter and brilliant interview answers. And in fact, your body language says a lot more about you than what comes out of your mouth. It tells interviewers whether you are strong and confident, or timid and stressed out.

So if you think bad body language has cost you a job offer, what can you do moving forward?

One of the best ways to overcome bad body language is to conduct a mock interview with a friend or family member. Ask them to prepare common interview questions and go through the process with them. There could be things you’re doing that you aren’t even aware of, such as wringing your hands while you’re talking or constantly touching your hair or your face.

Here are some other tips to help:

• When you’re meeting an interviewer, make eye contact and smile. Offer a firm handshake, but don’t try to overcompensate by squeezing their hand too hard. Keep an appropriate distance and try to appear relaxed.
• When you walk into the interviewer’s office, don’t sit with your hat, brief case, or purse in hand. Set them aside somewhere. Sit up straight and avoid crossing your harms or hiding your hands. If you use your hands when you talk, that’s great. In fact, it shows you’re expressive and enthusiastic.
• Keep in mind that confidence is typically portrayed through body language. As a result, an employer can get a better sense of who you are simply by watching you. And if you’re giving off signs of stress, fear, or passivity, an employer is less likely to hire you because they know they can’t boost your confidence levels or help you work better under pressure.

And if you’d like additional help with your job search or with the interview process, give us a call. As one of Rancho Cordova’s top employment agencies, we’ll take the time to learn about your career goals, interests, and aspirations – all so we can help you make the next right step in your career. Contact us today to learn more.

Is your busy period coming down the pike quickly? Do you have an employee who’s out sick for an extended period of time? Are you experiencing an increase in your client base, but unsure whether that growth can be sustained?

If any of these questions sound familiar, then temporary staffing is certainly an effective option for handling your fluctuating staffing needs. But finding the right agency isn’t as easy as just opening the phone book. You must do your due diligence to choose a temporary staffing agency in Sacramento that’s right for you. Here’s how:

#1. Determine your needs.

First, ask yourself some questions to determine what your staffing needs are. For instance:

• Do you need one temporary worker to fill an office position or 20 for a call center?
• Do you need them full-time or part-time?
• What shift do you need them to work?
• How long do you need them for?
• What kinds of skills must they have?

And don’t just focus on your immediate staffing needs, either; look at the big picture and try to forecast future needs so you can choose a temporary staffing agency that can continue to deliver down the road.

#2. Shop around.

Once you have a more specific sense of your staffing needs, call around to several temporary staffing agencies in Sacramento to get a better sense if they have what it takes to help you. When you call, you obviously should ask questions about their capabilities, cost, and turnaround times. But you should also evaluate the intangibles. For instance, was your call answered quickly, or were you on hold for 5 minutes? Was the person you spoke with friendly or abrupt?

#3. Investigate further.

Once you have a short list of temporary staffing agencies you’re interested in pursuing further, meet with each one to get answers to more in-depth and important questions, such as how they screen and test candidates, if they offer benefits to temporary workers (better benefits mean better quality candidates), and how long the average temporary worker has been with the agency. You can also ask the agency for references to past clients.

#4. Communicate often.

Once you do select a temporary staffing agency in Sacramento to work with, keep the lines of communication wide open with them. Give them as much detail as possible every time you need a position filled. In fact, the more you give them to go on, the better the results will be for you.

And if you’re interested in learning more about how Pacific Staffing can meet your temporary staffing needs, give us a call. Our temporary staffing services provide the ideal solution, giving you access to people with the skills and experience you need – when you need them, and only for as long as you need them.

As a Sacramento legal employment specialist, we know that law firms are like people; they all have their unique personalities. Some are more casual, while others are near cutthroat. And if yours sounds more like the latter, it can be tough to keep your head above water and walk the fine line between work and life.

While competition can certainly be a good thing, it can actually have a negative impact when taken to the extreme. To help you harness the power of competition, while still living a balanced life, here are some tips to consider:

Make yourself stand out.  

Having a key skill – that no one else has or very few other people have – can set you apart in the workplace. Even if that skill isn’t necessarily a part of your job description, use it if it enables you to make yourself indispensable – or more visible – to your boss. For example, if you speak French and your law firm needs documents translated, then offer to do it.

Adapt to change.  

In today’s world, things can change in an instant. One minute, the firm is humming along and then the next, a key paralegal has quit. When these things happen – as they inevitably do – offer to lend a hand where you can, even if the tasks aren’t traditionally a part of your job or department.

Keep track of your accomplishments. 

Every time you get positive feedback from a client, or put out a fire on the job, keep track of it in a file or notebook. When it comes time for you to make a case for a promotion or raise, or during your annual performance review, you can demonstrate the key value you bring to the table with specific examples of accomplishments.

Seek out a mentor.  

We all encounter situations at work where we’re not quite sure what to do. Your peers may not have the experience to offer advice, while you don’t want to turn to your boss and risk compromising your working relationship. However, if you have a mentor – someone who can advise you and help you hone and develop your skills – you can turn to this person in times like these.

Strive to maintain a balance. 

When you work in a competitive environment, it can be difficult to focus on things other than work, even in the evenings and weekends. But it’s essential you turn off the phone, put away the laptop, and do something other than work during your down time. You’ll be more energized and productive as a result.

And if your work environment is simply too extreme for your personality, let us know. As a Sacramento legal employment specialist, we work with a variety of law firms and organizations with legal departments; as a result, we can help you find an opportunity that’s a better fit for you. Contact us today to get started.

As one of Sacramento’s top employment agencies, we know that part of starting off on the right foot in a new job is proving to your boss that he or she made the right decision in hiring you. By following the tips below, you can show that you’re reliable, trustworthy, competent – and impress your new boss in the process. Here’s a look:

1. Under-promise, over-deliver. 

When assigned a task or project, set a time frame for your boss that you know you can beat. Accomplish all your objectives and then go the extra mile and toss in something extra for good measure. Consistently go above and beyond to stand out.

2. Have a “can-do” attitude. 

Don’t underestimate the power of having a “can do” attitude. Your boss is looking for answers and solutions, not for someone to shoot down every idea that’s presented.

3. Choose your battles. 

That said, there are certainly going to be times you disagree with your boss. If it’s over something minor, voice your opinion as diplomatically as possible. If it’s something you’d prefer not to discuss in public, then meet privately with him or her to talk about your objections.

4. Be prepared to answer questions. 

Try to anticipate your boss’s needs or questions. Research the facts and gather necessary information so you’re ready to impress with what you already know about a particular topic or issue.

5. Be a team player. 

Part of impressing your boss involves showing that you can get along and work well with others. So if another employee asks for help or has a question that you know the answer to, be quick to assist.

6. Focus on progress. 

When your boss asks for a progress report, don’t focus on all the things you’re waiting on; focus instead on what’s been done. Say something like, “So far, we’ve accomplished these three things. The next steps are to…” Don’t say things like “I haven’t had a chance to get to that yet.” Otherwise, your boss will begin to doubt your abilities.

7. Find out your boss’s priorities.

In other words, what’s most important to your boss? If it’s having the financials on his or her desk on the first of every month, then make it your priority to get them done. Demonstrate to your boss that their priorities are your priorities.

And if you’re looking for a new boss to impress, we can help with your job search too. As one of Sacramento’s top employment agencies, we will take the time to listen and learn about your career goals, work environment preferences, interests, and aspirations. Through this approach, we can find opportunities that are a terrific showcase for your unique talents and personality. Learn more now.

As a manager, you want your employees to be happy, healthy, loyal, and productive. But could all that be as easy as implementing a wellness program at work? It certainly might play a big part.

In fact, a recent survey by Principal Financial Group of 1,121 employees at small and mid-size businesses reported that employers who offer wellness programs enjoy increased retention, attendance, and productivity. Here’s a look at the numbers:

• More than half of the respondents said they are more productive as a result of wellness programs.
• 40% agreed that wellness programs encourage them to stay with their company.
• More than a third said they missed fewer days of work as a result of a wellness program.

Furthermore, for every $1 employers spent on a wellness program, they saw absenteeism costs cut by an average of $2.73 and medical costs cut by an average of $3.27.

As one of the top staffing agencies in Sacramento, California, we certainly understand that implementing a wellness program for a smaller organization can be more challenging – but it can also clearly provide a return on investment. So it may be well worth the effort. To help you get started, here are some tips:

Reach out to your insurance company. 

Some insurance companies promote wellness programs by giving employees discounts on premiums and other wellness related activities. They may also offer additional services, like free health screenings or flu shots, which you can include as part of your wellness program.

Reach out to local fitness centers. 

If you don’t have the space to add an office gym, then contact your local fitness center and ask if they offer group discounts for your employees.

Make the program voluntary. 

When it comes to health and fitness…and more specifically, weight…no one likes to feel like they are being singled out. So don’t mandate that workers get involved. Make it casual and fun and let your employees decide whether to participate.

Offer incentives. 

While you don’t want to punish those who aren’t involved, you do want to incentivize those who are trying to make healthy changes in their lives. One way to do that is by offering rewards. For instance, you can have a campaign to help staff smokers quit and offer a gift card to those who are successfully able to do so.

As one of the top staffing agencies in Sacramento, California, we know that wellness programs can be a win-win for employers and employees. As an employer, they enable you to reduce rising health care costs and improve employee retention and loyalty, while also helping your employees live a healthier, more productive life at home…and at work.

Whether you work in a doctor’s office, hospital, or at a health insurance company, disaster is inevitable. It happens even at the most well-run organizations. The real challenge comes when you’re the one in charge – and expected to lead your team out of the crisis.

As one of the top medical staffing agencies in Woodland, we know that staying calm is your first critical step. You have a lot at stake…but getting angry or pointing fingers will only make matters worse. So it’s important to stop, assess the situation, and determine a proper course of action.

Here are some other ideas to consider when dealing with disaster at work:

Be objective.

Even if you’re feeling angry, stressed, and uncertain, don’t let those emotions get in the way of doing your job. Be objective and approach the crisis like it’s simply a problem that needs a solution. Turn it over in your head and look at it from all sides. Later, once the issue has been resolved, you can figure out what you and your team need to do in the future to avoid similar scenarios.

Be healthy.

If you’re facing a crisis, and you have high blood pressure and are running on four hours of sleep, you already have a strike against you. But when you feel good – eat well, get enough sleep, and take care of yourself – you’ll be a better leader as a result and you’ll get less stressed when crisis strikes.

So make it a habit to be healthy. That doesn’t mean exercising two hours a day and only eating veggies, it just means living a balanced life and making wise decisions regarding your health and nutrition.

Be positive. 

In this world, being positive is becoming harder and harder. But those with a positive attitude tend to be able to resolve conflict easier and more effectively. Not only that, but your positive attitude will impact employees – in a good way. They’re much more likely to respect an optimistic and confident leader than they are a negative, angry, and uncertain one.

So look on the bright side. A workplace disaster is an opportunity to prove yourself. Should you overcome it successfully, not only will you gain more confidence in your leadership ability, but your boss will surely take notice too.

And if a recent disaster has anything to do with HR and staffing problems, then let us know. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in Woodland, we can ensure your facility is staffed with the medical professionals you need – including NPs, RNs, PAs, and LPNs – when you need them. Contact us today to learn more.

Asking good questions during a job interview not only allows you to evaluate whether the Rancho Cordova job is right for you, but it also helps you stand out in the interviewer’s mind. Asking bad job interview questions can also help you stand out – just not in a good way.

To help you avoid the latter, here are 5 interview questions you should avoid asking at all costs:

1. Does this position allow job sharing or telecommuting? 

Already you’re expressing a lack of interest in working full-time or working in the office with potential co-workers. Not a good signal for hiring managers. So unless job sharing or telecommuting were specifically mentioned in the job description, don’t bring it up.

2. Is travel a necessary part of the job? 

If the job posting stated that travel is required, then you already have your answer. So asking this question will make you sound less-than committed.

If the posting didn’t state anything about travel, wait for the interviewer to bring it up. Asking right away makes it sound like you’re automatically opposed to the idea of some travel, which equates to “inflexible” in the mind of an interviewer.

If you really need to know and the interviewer isn’t bringing it up, then rephrase the question in a different way, such as “How much travel does this position entail?”

3. How many breaks would I get each day? Does your company have a break room? 

“Breaks” shouldn’t even be on your mind when you’re interviewing for Rancho Cordova jobs. You should be asking questions that help you determine whether the job and the company are a good fit for your skills and personality. In addition, asking these kinds of questions in an interview simply makes you sound like a lazy clock-watcher.

4. How long does it take to get promoted? 

You haven’t even landed the job yet and you’re already asking about promotions?! Steer clear of this kind of question in your first interview. Instead, if you’re asked back for a second interview or offered the job, then ask about “opportunities for advancement.” If you use the word “promotions,” the interviewer may question your intentions.

5. Are we almost done? I have to be somewhere. 

Ask this question and kiss that job offer good-bye. Not only is it completely rude, but you’ll also be seen as indifferent about the Rancho Cordova job and flaky to boot. Also, don’t glance at your watch, or take out your cell phone and look at the time. Keep in mind, the longer your interview, the better. So whatever you have scheduled afterward can wait.

At the end of the day, you want to ensure that the questions you ask an interviewer are smart and appropriate. Otherwise, you could raise barriers and cause the interviewer to doubt your professionalism.

And if you need some help preparing for interviews and finding out about jobs in Rancho Cordova and Northern California, let us know. As one of the leading employment agencies in the area, we work with many top employers and can give you access to a range of exciting opportunities.

Search jobs in Rancho Cordova and Northern California now.

Downtown Sacramento Professional Organization has an immediate opening for a Legal Administrative Assistant/Paralegal to work in a fast paced, diverse environment. Candidates must have at least 5 years experience as a Legal Assistant with demonstrated increasing responsibility. The position is responsible for working with General Counsel researching legal articles, documented case decisions and statutes. Preparing legal documents, contracts and reports. Scheduling appointments, conferences and calendaring as well as handling all outgoing correspondence from the Legal Department.

Required Skills:

• Ability to develop and maintain databases
• Expert level experience with MS Office Suite
• Able to handle pressing matters efficiently and tactfully
• Highly organized , editing and proofreading skills required
• 5-7 years experience as a Paralegal / Legal Assistant
• Paralegal Certification preferred

Click to apply

When you think of speed dating, what comes to mind? Likely, it’s something along the lines of: Meeting with multiple potential suitors and asking a series of questions over the course of just a few minutes, all so you can get a sense of whether that person is right for you.

So can the concept of speed dating be applied to the recruiting process?

Perhaps. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in Northern California, we know that many medical schools are now using this type of approach in order to interview students and better assess their communication skills. While they don’t call it “speed dating,” they do call it MMI, or multiple mini interviews.

Why this new approach? 

One of the biggest patient complaints in the health care field isn’t necessarily related to the medical skills of a physician, nurse, or therapist. It’s more about the communication skills – or lack thereof. This is critically important because lack of communication has been identified as one of the top causes of medical errors.

And through MMIs, the idea is that you can get a better sense of a candidate’s communications skills. Obviously, these shouldn’t be the be-all, end-all of your hiring process. But done right, MMIs may be able to help you to better assess “soft skills” so you can make a good hiring decision for your health care organization.

That said, MMIs aren’t right for every health care organization.  

For instance, if you don’t have enough trained staff in place – who know the right questions to ask and how to interview effectively – then the process likely won’t run smoothly for you.

In addition, candidates may not be as comfortable with this process. They may also not feel comfortable interviewing in a room with other candidates out of fear that their job search could be exposed. If that’s the case, you can modify the process and interview each candidate privately, rather than interviewing candidates simultaneously. Again, though, this would take a good amount of staff resources to get it done this way.

The bottom line is that you need to hire qualified medical professionals with strong communication skills. How you get there depends on your unique needs and the resources of your organization. Integrating MMIs into your recruiting process may or may not work for you. But it’s certainly something worth considering.

And if you need additional help with your hiring process, please give us a call. As one of the top medical staffing agencies in Northern California, we can help ensure your facility is staffed with the medical professionals you need, when you need them. Contact us today to learn more.