Category Archives: successful

The Importance of Proactive Succession Planning in Future-Proofing Your Company

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Welcome back to another edition of the ComputerPeople Staffing blog! In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of your organization is more critical than ever. Succession planning is a key strategy to achieve this, providing a roadmap for the seamless transition of leadership and essential roles. It addresses fundamental questions such as who will be retiring, how to replace them, and the risks associated with not having a succession plan in place. Proactive succession planning is essential to future-proof your company against unforeseen challenges and maintain operational continuity.

The Need for Succession Planning

The demographic shifts, particularly the impending retirement of baby boomers, make succession planning a pressing concern. As a significant portion of the workforce approaches retirement age, companies face the risk of losing experienced and knowledgeable employees. Without a plan, the unexpected departure of key personnel can lead to substantial knowledge loss, decreased morale, and significant disruptions in business operations. Succession planning mitigates these risks by preparing the organization for seamless transitions.

Benefits of Proactive Succession Planning

A well-thought-out succession plan offers numerous benefits. It ensures smoother transitions and reduces downtime, maintaining business continuity. Proactive planning also improves employee engagement by fostering a culture of talent development and retention. Employees are more likely to stay with an organization that invests in their growth and provides clear career advancement opportunities. Succession planning also helps in identifying and nurturing future leaders, ensuring the organization remains competitive and resilient.

7 Factors to Consider in Succession Planning

Identifying Key Positions

Determine which roles are critical to the organization’s success and require succession planning. These positions often include senior leadership roles and other key operational roles that are vital to business continuity.

Assessing Talent

Evaluate the skills, experiences, and potential for advancement of current employees. This assessment helps in identifying individuals who are well-suited to take on larger responsibilities in the future.

Training and Development

Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to prepare potential successors for future roles. Investing in employee development ensures that they are ready to step into critical positions when needed.

Knowledge Transfer

Implement strategies for transferring critical knowledge from outgoing leaders to successors. This can include mentorship programs, documentation of processes, and shadowing opportunities.

Internal vs. External Succession

Consider whether to promote from within or recruit externally. Internal promotions can boost morale and retain institutional knowledge, while external hires can bring fresh perspectives and skills. Weigh the pros and cons of each approach to determine the best fit for your organization.

Timeline and Contingency Planning

Establish a timeline for succession planning activities and develop contingency plans for unexpected events. A clear timeline ensures that succession planning is proactive rather than reactive, and contingency plans provide a safety net for unforeseen circumstances.

The Cost of Not Investing in Succession Planning

Neglecting succession planning can lead to increased recruitment costs, decreased productivity, and the loss of institutional knowledge. Companies that fail to plan for leadership transitions often face operational disruptions and a decline in employee morale. Real-world examples abound of organizations that have suffered due to inadequate succession planning, underscoring the importance of being proactive.

4 Steps to Build an Effective Succession Plan

Start Early

Begin succession planning well in advance to allow sufficient time for talent development and transition. Early planning ensures that potential successors are adequately prepared for their future roles.

Engage Leadership

Gain buy-in from senior leadership and involve them in the succession planning process. Leadership support is crucial for the successful implementation of succession plans.

Communicate Transparently

Keep employees informed about succession planning initiatives and their role in the process. Transparent communication fosters trust and ensures that employees understand the importance of succession planning.

Monitor and Adjust

Continuously monitor the effectiveness of the succession plan and make adjustments as needed to adapt to changing circumstances. Regular reviews and updates ensure that the plan remains relevant and effective.

Conclusion

Proactive succession planning is vital for ensuring business continuity and long-term success. By starting early, engaging leadership, and communicating transparently, organizations can mitigate risks and prepare for the future. Don’t wait until it’s too late—begin your succession planning today to secure the future of your company!

If you need assistance with developing your succession plan, our IT staffing agency is here to help. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can support you in creating an effective succession strategy tailored to your organization’s needs.

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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

How To Stay Focused When The Sun Is Calling Your Name

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We finally have nice weather and the sun is a frequent visitor here in Buffalo. Since we’ve been cooped up all winter and spring (that rain!) we all want to enjoy as much of this summer as we can. Only problem…? We still have to work! How many of you look out at the beautiful sun shining while sitting at your desk wishing you could be outside doing literally anything else?! Well my friends, I have good news and I have bad news. For most of us our responsibilities are a year-round thing. But I have some ideas on how to keep your focus in the right place.

Prioritize Your Day – Make a list of everything that needs to be done that day or that week. You’ll get a feeling of accomplishment when you get to cross things off the list while you’re actually getting things done! A list is a way to hold yourself accountable for your responsibilities and unless you put “slack-off” on your list, you won’t have time to!

Shift Your Work Hours – Find out how flexible your job/manager is and if you can switch up your hours. Coming in an hour early means you get to leave an hour early! This would allow for more friend/family time in the sun!

Keep Yourself Busy – If you are busy doing your work or helping others complete a task, you really don’t have time for much else. Keeping yourself busy will help keep you focused and make the day fly by!

Get Outside More – This is our goal! If it’s possible, eat your lunch outside. Or take your laptop and finish that report outside. Even a quick walk or a few minutes outside in the fresh air can help to reboot your mind and body and help finish out the day.

Take The Day! – Most of us get the weekends to recharge, some of us don’t. Whether you do or not sometimes an extra day is exactly what we need. So if you’re capable to take a personal day, do it!

These are just a few ideas on how you can stay focused at work when the sun is shining and calling your name outside. Staying focused through the summer months make it easy to transition into the fall and winter months and keeps you ahead of the game!

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

 

Doing This After An Interview Could Help You Get The Job

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Sending a follow-up message to thank the interviewer can make the difference between getting hired and being rejected. Of course it won’t save you if your interview went badly from start to finish, but it can definitely sway their decision if it’s neck-and-neck between you and another candidate!

Below is an example of a thank you email or note that should impress any potential employer.

A good interview thank you email or note should contain these three essential pieces:

  1. Show appreciation for their time and thank them
  2. Mention something specific you talked about in the interview, so they know it’s not a cut & paste email
  3. Express interest in the position and tell them you’re excited to learn more

There are also two optional steps you may want to include…

  1. Invite them to contact you if they have any questions/concerns, or need clarification on anything discussed
  2. Show that you’re confident you can perform well in this role and explain why. Tell them why you feel you could excel in the position

Here is the example…

Hello <Interviewer’s Name>,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me <yesterday/Friday/etc.> about the <Job Title> position at <Company Name>. It was a pleasure talking with you, and I really enjoyed hearing all the details you shared about the opportunity.

The information you shared about <Something specific about the job that interests you> sounded particularly interesting. 

I am confident that my skills will allow me to come in and succeed in this role, and it’s a position I’d be excited to take on. 

I’m looking forward to hearing from you about the next steps, and please don’t hesitate to contact me in the meantime if you have any questions.

Thank you again, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best Regards,

<Your Name>

At the end of the third paragraph, you could also add details about WHY you feel confident you’d succeed in this role. That will make this thank you email more convincing. So, try to remind them of something you shared in the interview, like a piece of past experience, or a skill you have, that will prove to them you’ll be able to come in and be successful in their role.

Nowhere does it say you have to write a thank you letter after an interview, but it definitely can’t hurt! Use this example as just that, an example; mess around with it and make it your own! You’ll “thank me” later!

Written by Lindsay Olewniczak

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

“Post” For The Job You Want

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You know the saying “Dress for the job you want”? Well in today’s social media crazed world, a new spin can be put on that saying… “Post for the job you want!”

I don’t consider myself to be very old, but I can actually say “Back in my day we didn’t have things like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.” Facebook was introduced in 2004, Instagram was in 2006 and Twitter was started in 2010. Before then, we relied on texting, a good old fashioned phone call (what’s that?!) or even face-to-face communication! You couldn’t post selfies or check in to places so everyone knows your every move and whereabouts. There was a bit of mystery in the world (the good kind) and sometimes I find myself reminiscing about that simpler time.

Now EVERYTHING is on social media: Your family, friends, OFTD (outfit of the day), even your breakfast, lunch and dinner (because we need to know that!). But what some people don’t realize is that possible future employers are searching for you on these sites and are checking to see what kind of person you are even before they are calling you in for an interview.

If you don’t have your accounts set to private (or even if you do sometimes) companies are able to search for you and check out your pages on all social media sites. If there are things they find on there that do not follow their beliefs or projected image, you could be placed in the “No” pile very quickly. Is that fair? Personally, I think so! You can’t put whatever it is you’re putting out there and not expect to be judged or labeled. And while I do not condone judging or labeling, it’s the sad truth that this is being done every day. I can see where employers are coming from in wanting to know as much about a person before they hire him/her to work for their company. It’s your job to keep that in the back of your mind when you’re posting updates, pictures and stories.

So before you post pictures of your crazy Friday night, or engage in a social media “altercation” think twice. The things you post on any of your accounts could cost you that job you have your heart set on! #didntgetthejob #backtothewantads #whoshiring …DISLIKE!

Written by Lindsay Olewniczak

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

Doing These Things Could Cost You Your Dream Job

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It is very exciting when you apply for a job and get the call to come in for an interview! But there are a few things that may slip your mind amidst all the excitement and nerves. Here is a list of some obvious (or not so obvious) things to remember NOT to do when interviewing.

Arriving Late – Shoot to arrive about ten minutes early. Make sure to factor in traffic and getting lost; if you arrive earlier, no worries. Showing up early will show your possible future employer that you are good at time management and care about the job.

Not Reviewing Your Key Points – Make sure you go over your resume and achievements prior to your interview. This will ensure that you can answer them straight away without referring to your resume. Your confidence will shine through while answering questions about yourself and past jobs.

Not Looking the Part – If you have the time and ability, find out the company’s dress code prior to the interview. If you cannot find this information, always dress smart. It looks better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Smoking Before You Go In – Don’t! That will be one of the first things noticed about you. Not only will the room smell like smoke for the duration of the interview, it will smell like smoke after you leave.

Having Your Phone On – It looks very unprofessional when your phone goes off during an interview. This is a time that should be focused solely on the interviewer and their questions/your answers. Even if you put your phone on silent there may be an alarm you forgot about that might still go off. If it’s possible, turning your phone completely off is the best thing to do.

Using Slang or Curse Words – This is most likely the first time meeting these people and making a good first impression should be at the top of your list. It’s best to come off as polite and not use such words.

Lying or Over-exaggerating – Saying you speak five different languages and lead your previous department to an all-time high will not help you if it’s not true! Be truthful about your accomplishments. Focus on the skills and achievements that could be valuable in your new role.

Bringing Up Personal Matters – Don’t discuss your views on controversial topics or personal issues you may be experiencing. Keeping your discussion professional and positive will look much better to the interviewer(s).

Going Off Topic – Listen carefully to the questions being asked. Try to stay on topic and keep answers concise and relevant. If you go off on a tangent you will miss out on making your point.

Going for an interview can be a very exciting yet stressful experience and there’s a lot to remember to do and not do during one. Try to be yourself and stay as calm as possible. Remember, the interviewer may be nervous too! Good luck!

Written by Lindsay Olewniczak

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

Employee Spotlight: President and CEO Cindy Neese

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Cindy has been on the ComputerPeople team for over 34 years. She started out as a Sales Representative in May of 1984, just 14 years after ComputerPeople first opened its doors. Over the years, she worked hard to progress into the roles of Sales Manager and VP of Sales before she was promoted into her current role, President/CEO of ComputerPeople. Cindy is an excellent example of a selfless leader. She is always putting her team first and coming up with new ways to make everyone at ComputerPeople feel loved, valued, and heard. We sat down with Cindy to find out a little bit more about ComputerPeople and about Cindy herself! Read on to find out what she had to say.
 
What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?

There are a few things that really set us apart from others. Our longevity in the market, the tenure of our in-house employees, and the relationships that we have built through 50 years of doing business in the Buffalo community definitely set us apart from the crowd. However, I am most proud of the fact that we make it our business to understand our customers culture. We do this in order to do a better job of determining the best candidates for a company to create the perfect employer-employee match for every job order.

What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?
My favorite office tradition is at Christmas. For this holiday, we always go out for a team lunch and then do a secret Santa gift exchange.  We have shared many laughs together as associates steal gifts from others!
 
What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople?
We were the first privately owned specialized IT Staffing firm in Buffalo.
 
What is something most people probably don’t know about you?

I play the piano and I love flower gardening!

Cindy, we all appreciate everything you do to make ComputerPeople such an amazing place to be!

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 

Weird Interview Questions That You Will Hopefully Never Have To Answer

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Have you ever been asked a super random question during an interview? I have, and it definitely threw me off guard. The ComputerPeople Staffing recruiters decided to create list of the weirdest interview questions they have ever heard. I guess any question is fair game in an interview these days!

  • If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?
  • What would you say if a penguin walked into this room wearing a sombrero?
  • If you were to get rid of one US state what would it be and why?
  • Name 5 uses for a stapler, without staples.
  • If you were a fruit what would you be?
  • Do you make your bed every morning?
  • What is in the trunk of your car right now?
  • What did you wear for Halloween last year?
  • If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
  • Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
  • If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?

Have you ever been asked a weird question during an interview? What was it?

 

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