Job Search Tips

The United States unemployment rate has always been a reflection of the country's economy. By definition, the unemployment rate is the number of workers in the labor force that is not currently employed but could be. Throughout the years, the unemployment rate has been a constant topic of discussion among leaders in a variety of industries and in politics. In today's working environment, the unemployment rate is at one of its lowest rates in years, due to many workers returning to work after the pandemic. Over time, we've seen waves of high unemployment and low unemployment, but are the current trends in unemployment pointing in the right direction of a healthy economy in our near future? How is Unemployment Measured? In...

Written by: Ex Hopson (they, them), a member of Scion's DEI Committee and Executive Recruiter for Scion Executive Search In honor and recognition of Black History Month, our DEI committee has shared their reflections and resources below.  2023 Black History Month While Black History Month was observed as early as 1915, it was first formally recognized by a U.S. president in 1976. For an incredible introduction to the generational experiences and histories of Black Americans, the National Museum of African American History & Culture has a virtual exhibit entitled, “Making a Way Out of No Way,” which can be found here: https://www.searchablemuseum.com/making-a-way-entrance. Please note, this link directs to an introductory “entrance” video which will auto-play. The full exhibit follows the video with additional themes to click through and...

Our workplace environments have seen a complete shift post-COVID and with the ongoing advancements in technology, we are witnessing one of the biggest shifts in the workplace in history. Along with tech advancements, this shift has made the job market incredibly competitive with the ability for virtual interviews and hiring. Now, headhunters are having to be even more strategic in how they find the right talent for their jobs. Candidates also have more accessibility to job postings than ever before, and this is becoming an obstacle for recruiters. Going into 2023, what are the biggest recruiting trends that HR professionals and manager can expect this year? We will break down some of the biggest recruiting trends for 2023 and...

Operations roles are some of the most important jobs for success in a company. Operations jobs can be defined as positions that focus on helping an organization run smoothly by using interpersonal, communication with individuals and teams, and project management skills. Typically, people who work in operations need to learn how to implement various business strategies and experience to help strengthen business performance. While operations positions aren't industry-specific, this means that there is a plethora of opportunities in different industries for a number of roles. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most popular operation roles and jobs that are currently hot in the market. Recently, we dove into the hottest roles for finance and...

A job description is a document that describes the duties and responsibilities of a particular position. This document is usually written by hiring managers or human resources professionals. The purpose of writing a job description is to attract qualified candidates who are interested in the position. Job descriptions are often used by recruiters and hiring managers to screen out applicants who don’t meet the requirements of the position, but they can also be a helpful tool that can end up attracting the best candidate. They also provide information about the qualifications required for the position. Writing a good job description can be challenging because it requires skills such as creativity, organization, and attention to detail. If you want to get...

For years, economic experts in the United States have discussed the reasoning for a skills gap in the labor force in the country. The advances in technology like artificial intelligence and automation have changed the nature of how work is done. These advances have created a skills gap in which companies are struggling to hire workers that are trained correctly and lack certain skills in order to perform certain jobs the way they are needed. In fact, American senior executives believe that about 44% of Americans lack soft skills like communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Executives also believe that workers lack technical skills, software skills, and leadership skills. In this article, we'll explain what exactly the skills gap...

The years of 2020 and 2021 had been an incredibly difficult time for American business owners and workers. The serious outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 left millions of American workers without a job and thousands of business owners with the tough decision to either cut down their workforce or simply shut their doors for good. As the American economy looks to make a comeback in the year 2022, we are seeing the shift from the beginning of the pandemic to a healthier working economy. However, the rise of the latest coronavirus variant could undo some of the progress we've made over the last year. Because of this worry, some industries are taking a cautious approach to their growth plans....

Moving into the new year of 2022, the American job market has experienced a whirlwind over the last 2 years. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the national shutdown, and more, some American workers are still trying to find their way back to the work force. With some companies cutting jobs or going completely virtual, finding the right job can be stressful. However, some workers are looking for a fresh start in a different city or state that features better job growth. In this article, we'll take a look at the one state that could be a big target for people looking for a fresh start and a new opportunity. The Best States for Job Growth in 2022 Before we talk about...

The new year is among us and with the new year comes a lot of changes. After the events of the past couple of years, positive change is something that a lot of job seekers are hoping for. However, with the recent rise of the newest coronavirus variant, the Omicron variant, the outlook for the American economy for 2022 now faces a lot of unknowns heading into the new year. The new variant hasn't slowed down people getting back to work though, as unemployment has continued to drop in the United States and will likely continue that trend into 2022. With more people looking to either return to work or seek another job, there are certain cities that could...

As our nation continues to recover from the global economic stress that was the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for the economy in 2022 is still a bit of an unknown. With the development of the latest strain of the virus, however, the United States may be facing another roadblock on the path to recovery. The coronavirus has already caused a significant drop in consumer spending and business investment, both of which are critical components of GDP growth. In addition, the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts have helped support the economy by lowering borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. But with the potential for future outbreaks of the coronavirus, it seems unlikely that we will see a return to...

As you search for your next opportunity you have thousands of options at your fingertips. As remote jobs continue to stay mainstream (see our blog about 2021 staffing trends) you no longer have to consider a specific location when searching. But, have you thought about including temporary, or contract positions within you search? They provide ample benefits to you as an employee as well as for your career and resume. Read on for our five benefits of temporary jobs!     Build Your Professional Network  Anywhere you work, regardless of the duration can and will build your professional network. If you are breaking into your career or want to grow your network, considering—and taking a temporary job will give you the opportunity to work with various people and departments, particularly...

Class of 2021. Congratulations! You’ve endured extreme circumstances and prevailed. As you enter the next season and seek out your dream job, we know that it includes a myriad of emotions. We’re here to lend some advice and encouragement as you step into this journey- and as always, we would be thrilled to assist you with your job search, apply today!     It’s never to early to network.   Networking is key to a successful job search. Sometimes it less about what you know and more about who you know. For more networking tips- read our blog!   Stay organized.  With informational interviews, coffee dates and multiple zoom meetings, you want to make sure you are staying organized. We’ve got 5 tips to stay organized- whether you’re at work or...

You want to shine when searching for your dream job. To do that, you’ll need to be strategic in how and when you market yourself. We understand that sticking out as a top candidate in a sea of talent can feel daunting but with these tips below, we hope you feel prepared to connect with and land your dream job!   Understand Your Target Audience Regardless of the type of job or industry you are seeking, you’ll need to do a bit of market research to key into and understand the key decision makers in that field, and how you’ll need to approach them. Google is always a safe bet to start with: looking up people in your network or at a...

Keywords: you’ve likely heard of using keywords in SEO (search engine optimization) to boost a site’s ranking and visibility. But, have you heard of using keywords in your resume to enhance your job search? Having an online presence is becoming more important to connect with potential hiring managers and businesses and establishing yourself in SEO rankings can be extremely helpful as you network and search for your next opportunity. We’re here to share why and how to use keywords to enhance your job search. Keywords you want to include: Your name. Think about it, you include your name in your resume, online portfolio, LinkedIn profile and more. Your name is an easy to search keyword, so ensure that it is searchable...

  We can all agree, your job search can be exciting and exhausting. It takes mental endurance to relentlessly put yourself out there, network and go through the interviewing process. Sometimes, a job search can even feel like it’s zapping you of your energy. That’s why we’ve put together a list of easy things to do to energize your job search.   Document your accomplishments Along with listing your years of experience and tenure- don’t forget to brag a little. You need to state your accomplishments on your resume, otherwise hiring managers won’t know about them. List the ROI that you’ve made in previous positions and on teams.   Take breaks Approach your job search in a way that can be sustainable, rather than leading to...

  You’ve likely heard a myth or two about the staffing industry. Have these myths perhaps steered you away from utilizing a staffing firm for your job search or a hire? In this blog, we are shedding some light around the misconceptions around staffing so you can make an educated decision as you add to your team or find your next career opportunity!   Myth: It costs money to work with a staffing agency to find a job Fact: Job seekers should never have to pay to work with a staffing agency. Businesses and organizations (the client) will pay a fee to an agency who have vetted, recruited and presented candidates who match the client’s job requirements as well as culture and mission...

At Scion Staffing, we understand motivation. It’s our job to connect the best talent on the market to local, remote and national businesses and organizations. Our recruitment team walks alongside job seekers- some who are in their hardest season- to coach, encourage and motivate every step of the way throughout the job searching process. Needless to say, we get motivation. That’s why we’ve put together a list of encouraging and motivational books that you should read as you begin this new year. Whether you are beginning your job search, running a successful company or just hope to receive new insight and motivation- this list is for you.   Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization- John Wooden John Wooden’s goal in...

Why do you do what you do? In your career, with your daily life decisions and relationships, do you know what your why is? Is your why connected to your values, a mission or some other pillars that guide your life? Have you thought about what motivates you to get up each morning and clock into your work? Are you feeling stuck, not knowing what you want to do? Perhaps you’ve just graduated and don’t have a clear direction of what your next career step is. Or, maybe you’ve been working for over a decade and still don’t feel like you’ve found your sweet spot. We believe that defining and understanding your 'work why' can transform your job, and help you...

  So, you’re ready to join an organization with a core mission that strives to do good in the world. Or, perhaps you’ve found yourself in a position that fits perfectly within a nonprofit. As you begin or continue your job search, we’ve put together our favorite tips that will equip and ready you to be a stand-out mission matched candidate! Grab your pen and paper, take a few notes and read on to learn how to ensure you are a top-notch nonprofit candidate.     Have the right tools Your resume and cover letter should be the shiniest tools in your toolbox. They should be proofed for grammar and spelling as well as specifically catered to speak directly to the mission of the nonprofit you are hoping to work with. More than having the...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] We're Highlighting our Technical Division this week and diving into what the top tech talent should include on their resume. The resume. The place where you compile your accolades, tell your career story and hope that it's the golden ticket that will help you land your dream job. That’s a lot riding on a piece of paper. Think of your resume as your elevator pitch for why you are the best fit for the job. An elevator pitch lasts between 20 to 30 seconds- and these days, that’s generous compared to the 6-7 seconds a hiring manager spends looking at a resume before deciding to keep it or throw it out and move...