NASCAR, Frogs, and Bunnies, Oh My! What Your Email Address is Saying About You.

Leaving an impression is good, right? Well, that depends.

How, exactly, are you leaving a memorable impression? With a charming personality? Perfect. With a sharp suit and a good handshake? Fantastic. With an email address that causes an employer to do double take? Not so good.

The Great Lost Art of the Handshake

We tweet. We text. We IM, but the ultimate “Instant Messenger” in an interview is the Handshake. Technology is fantastic, but don’t be quick to dismiss the perennial stand-by for introductions; the handshake.

For the most part, we’ve gone far beyond the origins of this gesture, which in Medieval times provided a way to demonstrate the absence of weapons for the approaching parties.

From an employment perspective, we’ll focus on using the handshake as one facet of making a good impression on your interviewer, and potential employer.

Tips for Job Searching in Today’s Job Market

The job market is tricky right now. Employers see the unemployment rate and stick with the perception that qualified candidates are available for the choosing. Job seekers are suffering the old catch-22 similar to the very first time they ever searched for work: Must have experience, but unable to get experience without a foot in the door.

And the staffing industry gets to hear both sides of the story.

So what can prospecting candidates do to improve their chances of being selected?

Risky Business

As a recruiter, I am in the business of helping people change. Whether it’s their choice or not, changing jobs can change a person, and certainly change a lifestyle. In my role, I have started to notice how most people will let their fears get the best of them. They settle with the cards they are dealt in life, rather than looking deeper into the different ways they can be played. People do like comfort, but comfort doesn’t always equate to success.

How the Rules for Dating Apply to Your Job Hunt

While talking with a candidate one day, I couldn’t help but be turned off by the words and actions they were displaying. I knew they were a good candidate for some of the positions we were working on, but everything they were saying and doing told me there was no way I could set them up to interview with my client. After my chat with them, I was reflecting on the day and realized how similar job hunting is to dating. You’re trying to put your best foot forward, not stumble over half your words or yourself, or spill a drink on yourself, all while trying to seem calm and collected.

Celebrity Staff Recognizes Employee of the Year

Celebrating with professionals from each of the staffing divisions within C&A Industries, Inc., Celebrity Staff was thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of our 2011 Employee of the Year, Cathy F. at our Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 15.

Let’s go Have Some Fun in the Sun!

Summer is here! Heat, humidity, and days when we all look out the window wishing we were out at a ball game, on the golf course, or out at the pool. Many of us save those beloved vacation/PTO days to use during the summer when the days are long and there is lots to do outside. And we should! We work hard all year to save up that time off so we can get out and enjoy some fun in the sun.

Jedi Mind Tricks at Work

Complaints at work. We’ve all got ‘em, we’ve all heard ‘em. Some of this might sound familiar.

Susie is always late. Bob talks too much. Joe makes a lot of mistakes and no one does anything about it. Anne uses her cell phone even though it is against policy. The complaints go on and on . . . and on and on. It’s easy to find problems and fault, isn’t it?

The Low Down on Working with a Staffing Agency

It’s always interesting meeting with a new client and getting to know about their business. Among others, I’ve had the luxury to learn first hand about the logistics, insurance, and legal industries.

The majority of my assumptions about what they do were quickly proven wrong. As much as I think I understand the generalities of an organization, I simply base it off previous experiences, educated guesses, or hearsay. None of that screams factual.

Bull$h*t and the Blarney Stone

Back in college I was lucky enough to study abroad as part of an international exchange program in London, England. A group of us traveled as much as we could on the weekends. One extended weekend we crossed the Irish Sea to visit Ireland. Of course we had to visit Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland and kiss the Blarney Stone. This is a real stone that has been kissed my millions of people including movie stars, writers, and world statesmen.