 The relationships our recruiters forge with candidates is a hallmark of our company's culture. It is what sets us apart from our competition. Join us weekly for a series called “Meet your Recruiter” and get to know the people that have your back as you look for a new job.
Meet Tom: Job Title and Areas of Expertise Senior Technical Recruiter 8+ years recruiting financial, administrative, professional services positions Have you always been a recruiter? I graduated from CMU with a Criminal Justice degree in 2008. After graduation, I began working within various psychiatric hospitals trying to find my way as a Psychiatric Care Specialist. My take away from that experience is that I love helping others, but I’ve since learned and feel as if I was born to recruit. What’s the most exciting part of your job? I take pride in building long lasting relationships with individuals. More of a pay it forward type role in my mind. Referrals within the industry are extremely important, and I love getting them. Relationship building has always been a strongpoint for me, and within this job, I get to use it every day. What do you do in your free time? Outside of work, I enjoy golf, tennis, hockey, and running. Family is huge for me, and I am extremely fortunate to be an uncle to an amazing niece and nephew. What is one question every candidate should ask during a job interview? Based on our conversation today, is there any reason why you can’t see me being successful in this role? If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Without a doubt, flying! Searching for a job can be overwhelming and daunting at times – a vicious cycle of sending resume after resume with few inquiries back. Recruiters can help candidates in their journey, providing both support, tips and tricks and having access to positions that may not even be posted yet. Reach out to Tom with questions you have about your career process at tcassidy@optechus.com.
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 Searching for a job can be overwhelming and daunting at times – a vicious cycle of sending resume after resume with few inquiries back. Recruiters can help candidates in their journey, providing both support, tips and tricks and having access to positions that may not even be posted yet.
OpTech prides itself on the relationships our recruiters forge with candidates. It is what sets us apart from our competition. Join us weekly for a new series called “Meet your Recruiter” and get to know the people that have your back as you look for a new job. Meet Marian: Job Title and Areas of Expertise Senior Technical Recruiter 15+ years recruiting healthcare, administrative, engineering, and information technology positions
 As 2020 comes to a close (thankfully), we start looking toward the new year. Traditionally most people make New Year's resolutions focused on exercise, eating, and sleeping habits. However, for many people this year, the pandemic has sent our career goals into a tailspin, set off course by everything from remote work, job loss, or budget cuts within organizations. Despite these derailments, not all is lost. Whether you participate in the activity of making resolutions or not, why not consider setting career goals (resolutions) this year. Here are seven career resolutions everyone should make, no matter where they are in their career path.
1) Be a Better Communicator - In 2021, take the extra effort to return emails and calls promptly, letting co-workers know the status of your work, projects, etc. and asking where they’re at on their own projects. Simply talk to people. Let them know when you're unavailable. Don't leave them hanging, and when someone helps you out, be sure to thank them. 2) Learn a New Skill - No matter what field you are in, there are hundreds of new skills you can learn that could benefit your career. This includes hard skills and soft skills. Not sure where to start. Think about your weaknesses and what you'd like to improve in this department. Maybe you are afraid of public speaking or maybe you need to learn a new program that is critical to your field of work. Once you determine the weakness you'd like to improve upon, set it as one of your work goals for the year and get it done. It may require taking a course online or joining a group like Toastmasters to improve your public speaking skills. You won't regret it. If it can enhance your work in your current job, your company might even be willing to pay for it! 3) Ask More Questions - Acknowledge that you don't have the answer to every problem and that others can help you be more successful in your job. If you don't understand something, speak up. Ask for clarification. Asking questions is a beautiful segway into growing your relationships with colleagues. It creates new dialogue and opens the door to collaboration. 4) Make New Connections - Whether you're your looking for a new job or not, you should always be networking and looking for ways to connect with individuals. Even during the pandemic, there are plenty of ways to make new connections. LinkedIn is a fantastic way to expand your reach; just make sure you put a little effort behind it. Provide a personal note or reminder of how you know one another. You may not be able to attend networking events in person but there are plenty of webinars with break-out sessions that enable people to meet and connect. Also consider networking with colleagues in your office. Seek out coworkers you don't know well and introduce yourself. This will show self-confidence, approachability, and respect for others, which in turn will help earn your colleagues' respect and increase collaboration. 5) Read a Career Related Book - Books are a great way to provide new perspectives and can improve your performance, your outlook, or your personal habits. 6) Stay Out of Office Politics - Office gossiping really won’t get you anywhere in life. Who cares if so-and-so did xyz to so-and-so? If a colleague tries to engage in a little gossip, give one-word answers and follow with an “I’m really busy, I’ll catch up with you later.” 7) Assess your Social Media Profiles Every couple of months you should review your online profiles to ensure they match what you want to share professionally. You may need to change your privacy settings or remove images that you wouldn't want your colleagues seeing. This is imperative when you are looking for a job. A study from CareerBuilder revealed that “70 percent of employers now use social media to screen job candidates before hiring them” This coming year will be unique. 2021 will still bring challenges, but why not start off on the right foot and try something different; set career resolutions that will ultimately translate to all other parts of your life.  OpTech is committed to providing its customers with exceptional talent to fit their business needs. We also believe strongly in helping and giving back to the communities in which we work and reside. As a result, a few years ago, we developed a dedicated program for veterans returning to the workforce after completing their active duty. The program not only places a veteran in a new position, but allows him/her to transition into civilian life seamlessly.
The Value of Hiring a Veteran Veterans generally bring the core values of discipline & commitment to all aspects of their work. They are trained to think and react logically and be a valuable team player in the workplace. Program Outline OpTech works directly with a number of organizations and partner companies to place Veterans. Some of these groups include: Hiring our Heroes, Inforum's Next4Vets and MI Virtual Career Fairs, which help Veterans find civilian jobs. OpTech's program is multi-faceted and has been established to accomplish several objectives, including identifying, recruiting, training and assisting veterans in finding jobs and advancing their careers after their military service. Our success in employing veterans has earned us a Silver Level Employer certification status by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.  Today’s job market is competitive. A successful job hunt can be both time-consuming and at times, even daunting. It is easy to get bogged down in the world of job boards – a vicious cycle of sending endless resumes that yield few results or inquires back. In moments like these, a recruiter may be your best option to finding a permanent position, contract work, or a specialized assignment. Below are the top ten reasons you should consider a recruiter the next time you are in job search mode:
OpTech can help you find your dream job. An award winning firm. Forbes ranked OpTech number 56 of 250 nationwide last month for Best Professional Recruiting Firms. To see a list of all job opportunities available at OpTech, click on the link below.  Today we celebrate Women's Equality Day nationwide. This year, we also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s constitutional right to vote. These anniversaries are wonderful reminders of how far women have come in forging gender equality, but there is also the realization, sadly, of how far we still need to go.
Despite our strides, less than five percent of CEOs at S&P 500 companies are women, and less than a quarter of the members of Congress are women. Couple that with pay inequality and continued sexual harassment in the workplace, we must push harder and continue to speak-up and speak-out for a gender equal world. OpTech is a women-owned business, and it is our fearless leader and founder, Ronia Kruse, that has overcome insurmountable obstacles by starting and growing a company from scratch. We applaud her strength, grit and determination, and we admire her for standing up and making a change. She encourages us every day and leads by example, showing us that we, too, can break the glass ceiling, just as she did. Today, we celebrate the strides and progress of women everywhere, but we also recognize the need for change. Join us in forging the same path for yourself, for your daughters, your sisters, and your wives. We believe strongly in moving forward. We encourage everyone, both men and women, to exercise your right to vote. Today, more than 68 million women vote in elections because of the courageous suffragists who never gave up the fight for equality. In honor of the historic suffrage slogan, “Forward through the Darkness, Forward into Light.” Let's continue to move forward together.  As the coronavirus health pandemic wages on, the outbreak is creating long-lasting changes to the way we live and work, both out of necessity and desire. As business leaders recognize that employees can work relatively easily from home and do so productively, we are seeing a shift as most executives are encouraging remote work. As the workplace is changing rapidly, so is the process of getting a job. The new norm is virtual interviewing, via video conference. For those of you unaccustomed to video interviews, here are 5 tips to consider as you prepare for your first one or your next one.
#1 Test your technology Similar to an in-person interview, get as much information about the video interview ahead of time. Ask your hiring manager or recruiter how the interview will be conducted? In particular, find out if there is a specific conferencing tool that the firm uses. After you confirm the video platform they use (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or FaceTime), download the software and take it for a test run. Also, test your connection speed and ensure your video microphone is set to a reasonable volume. Remember, however, if your technology glitches during the interview, take a deep breath and get back on-line. This is an opportunity to showcase a wonderful soft skill – calmness under pressure. Once you are back on-line, apologize for the delay and move on with the interview. #2 Dress the Part Since you are video interviewing from home, it might feel reasonable to wear whatever you want for the interview. You aren’t leaving the house, right? Even though you may be sitting near your bed for the interview, you definitely shouldn’t look like you just rolled out of it. You don’t need to wear a suit, but you should dress “business casual.” This may mean a button-up shirt, blazer, and chinos while women may consider a blouse and blazer. Dressing up highlights your interest in the job. Additionally, studies have shown that people feel more competent when wearing formal business attire. #3 Choose your interview space wisely The downside of the video interview is that it gives interviewers a sneak peek into your personal life. As a result, make sure your space is free of clutter and distraction. Ideally, you should select a well-lit space with a neutral background, preferably near a window or a lamp. Be sure to log-in for your interview five minutes early and make any last-minute adjustments based on what you see on the camera. #4 Connections make long-lasting impressions During any interview (whether it is in-person or virtual), you want to be yourself. Ultimately, this is best for both you and your future employer, because ideally, you both want a good cultural fit. However, with that being said, it is important to make a connection with the person interviewing you. Don’t be afraid to chit-chat about a common interest for a minute or two. The recruiter might enjoy this break from the routine questions they plan to ask. Don’t force it though; it’s not always easy to connect with everyone, but if you can, it will set you apart from a candidate that has equal skills as you. #5 Follow-up Right Away Just like an in-person interview, it is critical that you follow-up within 24 hours of your interview. Send a thank you email to everyone that interviewed you. Nothing has changed on the thank you email front. Remember to highlight something you discussed during your interview: maybe something you connected on or even a challenge you could help their firm overcome. Following up shows interest and keeps you top-of-mind. Mastering the art of the virtual interview make take time, but give yourself some space as you adjust to this new way of acquiring a job. As a final take away, remember that communicating confidence is a key so sit up straight, smile and make eye contact with the camera.  Zoom has become the universal go-to when it comes to attending meetings while working from home, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few great features that you may not know about. Some are more useful than others, but then again, vanity could be important. I mean, who doesn’t want a beauty filter? Read on to learn more.
Features of Zoom Record a meeting or create a video Whether you have a free or paid Zoom account, you have the ability to record your meeting to a laptop or computer using the desktop app. Maybe you need to deliver a message to your staff via video. You can use Zoom to take a video of yourself, record it and post it on social platforms or email it. Video feature is not available with mobile currently (unless you have a paid account). Once you have recorded a meeting, the files can be uploaded to a file storage service like Dropbox or a streaming service such as YouTube. To utilize this feature, got o Settings > Recording, and click “on.” When you're the host of a Zoom meeting, click the Record icon on the bottom toolbar. Emoji Reactions on Screen Let’s say you are muted during a meeting, but you need to send something to the presenter or host. Emoji reactions allow you to send a thumbs up or down, a clapping emoji and so on to anyone without disrupting the meeting at hand. Please note, these reactions have a yellow skin tone by default, but you can customize them on your desktop app if necessary. Click on the reactions tab at the bottom of the meetings screen. Here you can choose the emoji you want to share. It will automatically disappear after five seconds. Turn on the Beauty Filter Yes, it’s true. Zoom has a beauty filter for all of us who aren’t wearing make-up or getting spiffy like we once did when we were going into the office. Zoom’s beauty filter smooths over one’s appearance, providing a look of dewiness. It is incredibly similar to the beauty mode on a phone’s selfie camera. How to use it? Click the up arrow next to Start Video. Click Video Settings, and under My Video, check the box for Touch Up My Appearance. Bonus – One more feature worth sharing The magic of the Spacebar in Zoom Meetings Shortcuts are always nice, especially when you are using an app all the time. As we all know at this point, it is standard practice to mute yourself when you aren’t talking and just listening. If you are like me, you may forget that you are muted and start talking when a question is asked of you, only to realize you were muted for the first 10 words you uttered. You can mute and unmute yourself with just a click of the spacebar.  Coronavirus has sent many American workers into a tailspin. Whether you want to or not, many have been forced into remote working. How do you avoid distractions and remain productive? Those accustomed to remote work share some simple tips on how to stay on-task and make sure the hours don’t slip by. Here are some suggestions:
#1: Get Dressed When You Get Up Working in your pajamas might sound glorious at first, but it can really hinder your work. Treat your day like you were going into the office. Get up, shower, and get dressed before you log-in. It signals your brain that this is time for work and not lounging around. Plus, it boosts your productivity and self-esteem. #2: Set Up Your Workspace It is really important to dedicate an area of your house that is used for working. It could be a true dedicated office, a dining room table, or maybe a make-shift table in a spare bedroom. Having a space solely dedicated to work helps people psychologically by triggering the brain to know it is time to work the moment you sit down. #3: Set A Schedule Depending on where you are working, you may need to adhere to their working hours (e.g. 8 am – 5 pm), but everyone is slightly different. You may be more productive in the morning. If this is the case, maybe start your day earlier and complete more difficult tasks before emails start rolling in. Then structure your day for meetings during working hours. Whatever you choose, make sure you adhere to your work’s guidelines, but be sure to take a few breaks here and there, as you would in an office setting. #4: Communicate Frequently Over-communication is key when working from home. Many companies have instant messenger systems like Slack or Microsoft Teams. You may need to email more or even spend more time on the phone. Over-communication with colleagues and managers is best to stay connected and on task. As a result, you may want to set up daily or weekly check-ins with colleagues. If you are feeling isolated, you could also conduct Skype or Zoom video meetings. #5 Maintain Your Hours One disadvantage to remote working is that everyone thinks you are on-call and available around the clock. Establish times that you are off-the-clock. At some point in the evening, you need to close your computer and stop taking phone calls and reading emails. It is important to have down time too and being home makes it harder to do. People often say that the lines get blurred, which actually hinders productivity in the long run. These are just a few tips to get you started. Take each day one step at a time. We are living in an unprecedented time, and it is scary and uncertain. Try using these tips to guide you as you navigate remote working but overall stay well and healthy. As International Women's Day approaches, we are reminded of how far women have come in forging gender parity, but we are also reminded, sadly, of how far we still need to go.
Despite our strides, less than five percent of CEOs at S&P 500 companies are women and less than a quarter of the members of Congress are women. Couple that with pay inequality and continued sexual harassment in the workplace, we must push harder and continue to speak-up and speak-out for a gender equal world. OpTech is a women-owned business with more than 20 years under its belt, and it is our fearless leader and founder, Ronia Kruse, that has overcome insurmountable obstacles by creating a company from scratch that focuses on tech and IT solutions (overall a male dominated industry). We applaud her strength, grit and determination, and we admire her for standing up and making change. She encourages us every day, and leads by example, showing us that we, too, can break the glass ceiling, just as she did. Today, we celebrate the strides and progress of women everywhere, but we also recognize the need for change. We take these pledges to heart now and into the future: "I will forge positive visibility of women." "I will call out gendered actions or assumptions." "I will try to influence others' beliefs and actions." "I will challenge gender stereotypes and bias." and finally, "I will celebrate women's achievements." Join us in forging the same path for yourself, for your daughters, your sisters, and your wives. We believe strongly in moving forward: Each for Equal! |
