Category Archives: learning

The Significance of Submitting Your Resignation Properly

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Welcome back to another edition of the ComputerPeople Staffing blog! In the professional world, transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s a new job opportunity, a career change, or personal reasons, leaving a job is a common experience. One of the most important steps in this process is giving your employer a two-week notice. This standard practice is crucial for several reasons, and deviating from it—either by giving more or less notice—can have significant implications.

Why Two Weeks?

The two-week notice period has become a widely accepted norm in many industries, especially in the IT industry. It provides a balance between giving your employer enough time to find a replacement or redistribute your responsibilities, and allowing you to transition smoothly to your next chapter. Here are a few key reasons why this period is so important:

  • Professional Courtesy: Giving two weeks’ notice shows respect for your employer and colleagues. It acknowledges that your departure will have an impact and provides them with time to adjust.
  • Maintaining Relationships: The professional world is surprisingly small, especially in cities like Buffalo. Future opportunities often arise through networks and references. Leaving on good terms can preserve positive relationships that might benefit you later.
  • Smoother Transition: Two weeks gives both you and your employer time to ensure a smooth handover of your responsibilities. This can include training your replacement, completing ongoing projects, or documenting your tasks.
  • Protecting Your Reputation: Your professional reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Leaving abruptly or giving too much notice can negatively affect how future employers perceive you.

The Pitfalls of Giving Less Than Two Weeks’ Notice

While it might be tempting to leave immediately or give only a few days’ notice, doing so can have several negative consequences:

  • Burning Bridges: Leaving with short notice can frustrate and inconvenience your employer and colleagues, potentially damaging your professional relationships.
  • Legal and Contractual Obligations: Some employment contracts stipulate a notice period. Failing to comply can result in legal issues or loss of benefits.
  • Negative References: Employers may view a hasty departure as unprofessional, which can lead to unfavorable references that impact your future job prospects.
  • Unfinished Business: Leaving too soon might leave important projects incomplete or colleagues unprepared to take over your duties, reflecting poorly on your work ethic.

The Drawbacks of Giving More Than Two Weeks’ Notice

While more notice might seem courteous, it can also present challenges:

  • Awkward Work Environment: Knowing you’re leaving can create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Colleagues might treat you differently, and you might feel disconnected from ongoing work.
  • Productivity Decline: Employers might not assign new tasks to you, anticipating your departure. This can lead to a decline in productivity and job satisfaction.
  • Potential for Resentment: If your employer is unable to find a replacement quickly, a longer notice period can lead to frustration and resentment on both sides.

How to Give Your Two-Week Notice

When the time comes to resign, it’s important to do so professionally. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Write a Formal Letter: Draft a concise, polite resignation letter stating your intention to leave and your last working day. Express gratitude for the opportunity and experiences gained.
  • Speak to Your Supervisor/Manager: Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to deliver the news in person. This shows respect and allows for a direct conversation about the transition.
  • Be Prepared for Reactions: Your employer might try to persuade you to stay or express disappointment. Stay firm but respectful in your decision.
  • Offer Assistance: Show your commitment to a smooth transition by offering to help train your replacement or complete key projects before you leave.
  • Stay Professional: Continue to perform your duties to the best of your ability during the notice period. Leaving on a high note will reinforce your professional reputation.

In conclusion, giving a two-week notice is more than just a formality; it’s a crucial aspect of professional etiquette that benefits both you and your employer. By adhering to this practice, you demonstrate respect, protect your reputation, and ensure a smoother transition for everyone involved. Remember, the way you leave a job can be just as important as the way you start one. So, when the time comes, give your notice thoughtfully and professionally.

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Thanks for reading! If you are a business looking to fill your important IT roles, visit us at cpstaffing.com to learn more!

If you are a candidate and are looking for dream role, visit us at jobs.cpstaffing.com for our latest job postings!

And don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for new jobs, insights, blog posts and more! https://www.linkedin.com/company/computerpeoplestaffing

Written by Jeff Weiss

Wellness In the Workplace

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The end of summer is quickly approaching, kids are getting ready to go back to school, and you may be starting to evaluate your summer fitness progress (or lack there of). Eight hours at a desk five days a week can really take a toll, but at least over the summer, many people have highly active nights and weekends. As we all start to get ready to spend more time indoors, you may be wondering how you can make your workplace a healthy space to aid in your health goals. Read on to learn about our top three tips on how to have a guilt free workday.

Avoid the candy jar. We all know where the candy jar is located at work, and after a long morning, it can be difficult to avoid. A couple M&Ms may seem like no big deal, but they can add hundreds of unnecessary calories to your diet every day if you are not careful. If you are hungry or absolutely cannot go without that 3pm pick me up, try keeping natural sweets on your desk. Grapes, Cherries, or Apples work wonderfully!

Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is good for pretty much everything. It provides energy, promotes weight loss, helps your skin, prevents headaches, and boosts your immune system, just to name a few benefits. Bring a water bottle to work, and make it your goal to fill it up three, four, or even five times throughout the day. You can also set an alarm if you need that extra reminder.

Walk and Stretch. Walking throughout the day is a great way to promote health and fitness in the workplace. Take a walk during breaks, long conference calls (if you have a headset), or even just every couple hours to reward yourself for finishing a task. It may seem like no big deal, but getting up and moving around can make a huge difference in staying energized. If you are unable to get up regularly, try stretching at your desk multiple times per day to get moving and get a mental break from work.

How have you had success staying healthy at work? Comment below!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Five Hobbies That Make You Smarter

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We all have hobbies. Some are fun, some are relaxing, and some are just habit.  Our brains are designed to develop new connections and pathways during stimulating activities and these connections can actually increase our intelligence. Here are five hobbies that are great catalysts for doing just that.

  1. Reading. Anything, anywhere, anytime. Study after study has shown that reading is one of the best things you can do for your brain on a daily basis. It reduces stress, increases creativity, and increases problem solving ability. If you are reading this, you are off to a great start!
  2. Writing. This is a great hobby because it engages cognitive, optical, and motor skills, especially when you are writing by hand. Writing is also a great way to find an emotional equilibrium and reduce stress.
  3. Playing an Instrument. Playing any type of instrument has been proven to actually increase your IQ. It boosts creativity, self-expression, and provides an outlet for all the pressure of everyday life.
  4. Puzzles. Sudoku, solitaire, thoughtful board games, and crossword puzzles just to name a few. These activates are relaxing, stimulating, and amazing for your brain. They all increase neuroplasticity, which can help in problem solving, understanding, and looking at problems from multiple viewpoints. It also helps us to recognize patterns and can even help prevent depression and anxiety.
  5. Working out. Regular exercise is crucial for not only your physical health, but your mental health. Regular workouts cause our cells to become flooded with BDNF, a protein that has been proven to help with memory, learning, focus, concentration and understanding.

What hobbies do think make you smarter? Send us your comments!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

 

Employee Spotlight: Marilyn Seitz

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If you have been to our main ComputerPeople office, you probably know Marilyn.  She has been a part of our team for four years and she is always willing to help out wherever she is needed. Currently, Marilyn is our main receptionist, but she also serves as an accounting assistant, data entry extraordinaire, and provides assistance with HR filings and marketing/sales assistance. Marilyn is also a force to be reckoned with on the golf course – she plays multiple times every week! We sat down with Marilyn to find out a little bit more about her and her view of ComputerPeople, and here is what she had to say.

What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?

What sets us apart is how important it is to us that we find the right candidate for a job. We spend a lot of time searching and following up with candidates to ensure a perfect fit. Also, everyone on our staff takes pride in their work and goes beyond the call of duty. The goal is always to do a great job instead of doing “a job” that is expected.

What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?

It would have to be Christmas and birthdays. Around Christmas time, we gather as an office for a meal, gift exchange, and to spend time together. It is always a lot of fun! For Birthdays, we celebrate by bringing in a cake/dessert and taking time out of our work day to spend time together.

What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople?

I don’t think people realize how much time and effort is put into finding the correct candidate and following up to make sure everyone is on the same page.

What is something most people probably don’t know about you?

I volunteer at Millard Suburban Hospital in the Pre Administrative office and love it!!!

Thanks for all you do, Marilyn! You are an amazing addition to the ComputerPeople team!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Creating A Resume From a Template? Read this First.

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Resume templates are amazing tools. They allow candidates to create stunning resumes in a short amount of time. They are usually easy to read, cover all the details, and look very professional. However, if you use a template resume, there are a couple of mistakes that are easy to make. Read on to find out some of the most commonly made mistakes when using a template resume and how to avoid them.

Not filling in all of the sections. This seems so simple, but you would be surprised how often we see things like [company name here], [more detail about your role here], and [add your reference here]. Recruiters and hiring managers usually take about 30 seconds or less to review a resume, but that is an extremely noticeable mistake that will ALWAYS be caught. Employers want to know that you have attention to detail, and this is a quick way to get yourself dismissed from the candidate search. You can avoid this my reading over every word of your resume out loud before you submit. When you read out loud, your brain cannot skip over things and you will catch the mistake. We also recommend having one of our recruiters or a trusted friend read over your resume before you submit it.

Not listing all of your experience. Just because your resume template only has three sections of prior experience does not mean you should only list three sections of prior experience. It is definitely okay to break the mold of the resume template if you have extra sections to add. Also, don’t forget to add things like relevant skills or experience if that information would be applicable to the job. You can avoid this by brainstorming all of your experience and skills into an unformatted “master resume.” When you apply to a new job, make sure to highlight the most relevant things from your “master resume,” and do not include the things that are not relevant. You never want to lie or exaggerate on your resume, but it is definitely a great idea to tailor your resume to the job.

Not fixing your spacing. You should do everything you can to try and keep your resume down to one page, especially if you do not have a lot of experience. If you absolutely have to go on to two or three pages then that is okay, but do everything you can with spacing and margins to reduce the amount of pages in your resume before you submit. Your first priority should be that your resume is easily readable, but you also want to keep it as short as possible while still including details about your skillset and experiences.

Is your resume based on a template? Comment back with the mistakes that you caught or lessons that you learned!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen 

Interviewing 101: The basics of a fantastic interview.

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Do you have an interview coming up? We compiled some of the simplest things to remember when going in for an interview and divided them into lists of DOs and DON’Ts. Oh, and DON’T forget that our wonderful recruiters DO provide interview coaching if you need some extra help!

Do:

Do show professional body language. Do not slump or look too comfortable. Your body language will help the interviewer determine what kind of person you are within the first few minutes of the interview. Sit up and radiate confidence, professionalism, and fortitude.

Do focus your eye contact. Engage yourself in the conversation. Do not drift off away from the interviewer or look around the room. It is okay to occasionally look at any notes you may have, but be ready to maintain solid eye contact throughout the interview.

Do be prepared to concisely explain your job moves. That is going to be a question 100% of the time. You have to be able to articulately provide good reasons for moving around and this is something that often takes practice. Avoid “um” and “uh” by knowing what you are going to say ahead of time!

Do arrive on time. Not too early (desperate), definitely not late (irresponsible). Generally, walking in the door about 10-15 minutes ahead of time is appropriate.

Do bring a portfolio with paper, pen, the job description, your resume and references. This will show the interviewer that you are prepared and serious about the job opportunity.

Don’t:

Don’t touch your cell phone. Turn it off. Leave it in the car. Do not even give yourself the opportunity to look at it during an interview. If it goes off for some reason, discreetly turn off the ring without checking to see who is calling. You do not want to distract the interviewer away from your skills and accomplishments by allowing a cell phone to intervene.

Don’t trash your former company. This looks very bad on you, even if your former company was ridiculous. You do not have to lie or become your former company’s biggest fan, but always be respectful and gracious about your time with former employers.

Don’t behave anxiously. This includes moving around frequently, tapping your pen or foot, or any unusual movement or behavior. This distracts from your professionalism and credibility.

Don’t dwell on past accomplishments to the point of sounding conceited. You want to be confident and share your strengths, but you do not want to turn your interviewer off by making everything all about how wonderful you are. Besides, there will likely be plenty of interview questions that provide you with the opportunity to directly speak to what value you can provide.

We hope this helps you during your next interview! Comment below on the most important DOs and DON’Ts that you have learned (possibly the hard way) from experiencing interviews.

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

How To Be A Cover Letter Rockstar

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Cover letters can be scary to both experienced and inexperienced job seekers. What should you include in your cover letter? Should you even include a cover letter if it isn’t required? How do you know if your cover letter is acceptable? The reality is that you should not fear the cover letter. Here are a few tips to help you write your next cover letter like a pro.

Write one. ALWAYS write a cover letter. Yes, ALWAYS. The only exception to this rule is if the application specifically says not to write one, which is rare. Since most other people do not go the extra mile to write a cover letter, choosing to do so will set you apart and show the hiring manager that you are actually interested and prepared.

Keep it the right length. Your cover letter should be short. It should never go over one page. You can play with your font and margin if you need a couple extra lines, but try not to let that be too obvious. Also, never use comic sands. For anything. EVER.

Address it correctly. “To Whom It May Concern” is not going to help you stand out. You should address your cover letter to the manager of the department where you are applying to work. If you do not know the name of that person, just address your letter to the Hiring Manager.

Include the right things. First of all, you should grab the reader’s attention. There are several ways you can do this such as creatively introducing yourself, asking the hiring manager a question about his/her needs to fill the position you are applying for, or explain your interest in the position. Next, you should capture the reader’s interest by explaining why you are qualified for the position based on your experience, education, ideas, etc. Explain what sets you apart from the multiple other people that have applied for the position. In the following paragraph, share a few notable accomplishments with the hiring manager. The idea is to write something that will cause the hiring manager to want to meet you. If you are applying for a job in another area, it is important to tell the hiring manager why you are applying for a job in that area. For example, if you live in Tampa and you are applying for a job in Buffalo, you should tell the hiring manager why you want to live in Buffalo. If you do not do this, some managers will immediately discount your job application. Finally, directly ask the hiring manager for an interview.

Feel it out. Not all companies are created equal, so you are going to have to use your judgement if you want to strike the right cord. You never want to try to be something you are not, especially in an interview situation, but if you know a company is super relaxed, you might want to play around with your wording so that you give off the right impression. However, never try to be funny or not serious in a cover letter. You want to be yourself, but your cover letter will likely be a first impression, so make it a good one!

NOTE: Always follow the instructions of the employer when applying for a job!

Good luck!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Let’s Talk Podcasts

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Are you a podcast person? I am. I did not really start listening to podcasts until I discovered they were an excellent way to pass time on my 45 minute commute to work. Since then, I have started listening to them everywhere. At the gym, on road trips, and even at home. Read on to discover the top reasons why I believe everyone should listen to podcasts.

They provide listeners with a constant opportunity to learn and think.  Podcasts help listeners to think creatively and inspire innovation. Podcasts have grown so much over the years, and you can pretty much find a podcast [or 50] on just about any topic. As a business person, podcasts are a great way to constantly learn about your field. Listening to a great podcast once a day would be like attending a business conference every week.

They are free. You have to pay for most music streaming services, audiobooks, and even some sports broadcasts. But not good ole podcasts. It is free to subscribe to your favorite channels or download individual podcasts as needed.

They are convenient. Since podcasts are available right on your smartphone, you literally do not need anything to start listening to podcasts right now. Just find a podcast that you like and click play!

 

My Favorite Podcasts:

  • TEDTalks – Nonprofit Organization
  • Freakonomics Radio – Stephen J. Dubner

 

What are some of your favorite podcasts to listen to and why?

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

How Do I Standout From All The Other Candidates During My Job Search? Wise Words from Our Rockstar Recruiter Brooke DeLucia.

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Brooke DeLucia has been a recruiter at ComputerPeople for over 20 years. She has seen it all and has worked with candidates from all over the world. We asked Brooke one simple question. What is the most important quality that a candidate can have to make them standout from the rest?

Brooke’s Response is gold.

“Drive & Professionalism.   Having the ability to sell yourself as a driven individual with the aptitude and hunger to learn can make all the difference.   Your body language can make or break an opportunity, no matter how qualified you are for the job. It’s still important to be respectful, attentive and professional when you are interviewing.  Don’t slouch in your chair, don’t pick lint off your suit, don’t chew gum or swear. It may seem basic but sometimes the people you least expect are the ones making these mistakes!”

Thanks for the words of wisdom, Brooke! Connect with Brooke Here.

 

 

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Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

 

What Is Involved In The Process Of Working With Our Recruiters?

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With spring in the air, college students graduating, and job fairs coming up, we know that a lot of you are looking for new jobs.

If you have never worked with a recruiter before, or even if you have just never worked with ComputerPeople before, here is what to expect!

OUR PROCESS

When you work with ComputerPeople, you are no longer alone in your job search. Our recruiters are seasoned experts who know the ropes in the sometimes daunting quest to get you hired. Most new candidates begin their relationship with ComputerPeople by applying to one of our existing jobs, or by simply emailing us with their resume and the type of job they are seeking [more on this below].

Next, we will schedule an interview with you so that we can learn more about what you are looking for. We will discuss any position(s) that you have already applied for or present new positions that we think you might like. We are not intimidating interviewers who are going to grill you on everything –  we really just want to get to know you better and learn about your amazing talent, experience, and what the job of your dreams really looks like.

At this point, we will go over your resume and if necessary, suggest changes or tweaks that will help you to stand out better. The next step is that we become your own personal marketing department by promoting you and your top skills to the best companies around WNY.

We have been in the business for 50 years, and our clients trust us to match the best candidates with the positions that they need filled. If WNY is not the place for you, we can still be your partner by utilizing our NPA network of recruiters to get you placed with the job you’ve always wanted.

Ready to start your job search with ComputerPeople on your side?

Review current open positions here or email us with your resume at ComputerPeople@cpstaffing.com

 

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Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen