When we go to college, some of us arbitrarily pick a major and assume that we’ll automatically find great jobs after graduation. After all, how many 18 year olds know precisely what they want to do with their lives? But, the choice of college major could have a profound impact on your career path.

Definitive evidence shows that certain majors are more likely to have higher career earnings than others. And those majors also happen to typically be the most in-demand. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top majors and their impact on careers:

• Healthcare -  Whether you are interested in nursing, or are considering medical school to become a doctor, healthcare remains one of the most in-demand areas of expertise in today’s job market. Healthcare careers are often called “recession proof,” because the demand remains high, no matter what the economic situation. And as the baby boomer generation moves into retirement years, the demand for healthcare workers will only increase. The average starting pay for a nurse today is more than $50,000.
• Accounting & Finance - Tax laws are tricky, and as the government continues to tinker with laws to try and fix the economy, the need for up-to-date, skilled and experienced accounting and finance pros is expected to remain steady. Professionals in this group also tend to be higher-income earners. The average annual pay for accounting and finance graduates is approximately $50,000.
• Engineering – Alternative energy continues to be a hot topic and area of growth in this economy, and the demand for engineers is expected to remain steady. According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, eight of the top 10 best-paid majors in the country are in engineering. Starting salary for a petroleum engineer is approximately $90,000. Computer engineering majors should expect approximately $60,000, and mechanical engineers should also expect around $60,000 to start.

Searching for great-paying job?
Come to CornerStone Staffing! We partner with top organizations across DFW, and we’ll find you a job that meets your needs and goals.

Ever notice how job interviews are a lot like first dates? The similarities are eerie: in both instances, the other person is sizing you up, determining whether or not there’s a match with their needs, and to an extent, each holds your fate in their hands.

And much like a first date, you can make an impact on how job interviews work out. Here are some dating tips that can make a positive impact on your interviewing skills:

• Don’t badmouth your ex. While you will inevitably discuss former jobs during an interview, you should never discuss your exes on a first date. That is a cardinal rule! But one area you should be wary of is saying anything negative about previous employers. This makes you look unprofessional and bitter. And even worse, it can inspire a potential employer to wonder what you are saying about them! Resist the urge to badmouth your previous employers and you’ll come out ahead.
• See what you have in common. On a first date, you spend a good deal of the time talking to find out what you might have in common. In a job interview, you also want to relate to the interviewer, and the company to which you’re applying. Show them how your skills and experience translate directly to the position and their needs. You’ll be sure to knock their socks off!
• Ask about next time. At the end of the first date (as long as it went well!), it’s often polite or expected that you’ll ask about seeing the other person again. In a job interview, you should also ask about next steps. Ask the interviewer about the next steps in the process, when you should expect to hear from them, and any other information that can help you. Asking about next steps will show extra initiative as part of the hiring process, and will also help you be prepared to understand timelines and courses of action if you don’t hear back within a specified amount of time.

Looking to “go steady” with a new employer?
Come to CornerStone Staffing! We’ll help you find a great job to reach your career goals.

Recent data shows that nearly 40% of people over the age of 13 own a smartphone. Whether you have an iPhone, Android or Blackberry, smartphones have made it easier than ever to view, share and send information – wherever you are.

Are you using your smartphone in your job search?

Mobile job applications and websites are becoming increasingly popular tools for recruiters and job seekers. And if you’re not leveraging this technology as part of your job search, you could be missing out.

Here are four apps we recommend to help you with your job search:

1. Business Card Reader - Ever what you’re supposed to do with all those business cards you collect at networking events? By the time you make it home, you may have even lost a few in your backseat, never to be seen again. Instead of sloppily managing these important contacts, put your smartphone to use. With Business Card Reader, you simply take a photo of the business card within the app and all that contact’s pertinent information will be added to your contacts. This app is available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones for less than $10.
2. Jobs by CareerBuilder - Careerbuilder is a leading job site on the web, and its app is a great tool for searching and applying to jobs. With Jobs by CareerBuilder, you can view the entire database of approximately 2 million jobs by a variety of criteria, including keyword, location, company and employment type. You can use your phone’s GPS to identify nearby jobs, and you can apply to jobs right on your mobile device. This app is free, and is available for iPhone and Android.
3. LunchMeet – Looking for networking opportunities? With LunchMeet, you can sync your phone and LinkedIn accounts to find nearby professionals who are open to lunch meetings for networking. This app is free, and available for the iPhone.
4. Labor Stats - The Bureau of Labor Statistics website is a treasure trove of information for job seekers. Emerging hiring trends, industries showing job growth and other pertinent, recent data is available on the website. And with the Labor Stats app, the information is now available right on your smartphone. This free app is available for iPhone and Android devices.

Ready to jumpstart your career in 2012?
Come to CornerStone Staffing! We’ll help you find your next great career opportunity.

Do you know what motivates your employees to come to work each day? Many employers would probably cite money as the primary reason employees show up for work every day. But there are, in fact, many other reasons employees choose to work for your company (yup, your employees choose to work with you!).

You can help ensure happier employees who are invested in your company by offering additional means of support and motivation for their workdays (besides salary!). Here are just a few examples:

• Offer ample opportunity for advancement. Very few people want to do the same. Exact. Thing. Every day for the rest of their lives. It’s in our very human nature – we want to grow, learn and achieve. So be sure to provide your employees with opportunities to advance in their careers. Set defined career paths during annual reviews. Offer help and assistance for your employees to reach their goals. And be available for questions or concerns regarding your employees’ career paths and goals.
• Be flexible. Flexible work arrangements are becoming increasingly common within organizations across the country and globe. Technology has made the difference between an off-site employee and one just around the corner nearly indiscernible. Your employees may be seeking more flexibility in their work arrangement. Whether they want a work-from-home opportunity, are seeking more flexible hours, or are looking for other means of flexibility, be open to suggestions, wherever possible. Your employees will appreciate the effort, and will be happier with their jobs.
• Provide teambuilding opportunities. We work with them every day, and yet for some of us, we hardly know the person in the next cubicle. We’re talking about co-workers, and the ability to work together as a team is essential to a successful business. And when your employees know and appreciate the people they work with, they’ll feel like more of a team, and less of an “office drone.” Once a quarter (or how often you can afford it), take your team (or if you’re a larger company, a department) offsite and engage in a teambuilding exercise. Putt putt. Bowling. Or get creative. The opportunities are endless, and the results are great.

Need talent?
CornerStone Staffing works with businesses across the DFW area to help them increase productivity and reduce cost. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business.

We know it’s a tough economy out there, and competition for job openings is fierce. Many job postings result in hundreds of resumes! You may feel like your job search is a hopeless one, but you shouldn’t! You’re going to be a tremendous asset to your next employer – you just have to stay focused. And most of all, you need to be sure that you don’t appear desperate!

Desperation can kill your chances of landing a job.

It’s human nature – we don’t want to be around desperate people. You could have the most perfect resume possible, but if you give off an air of desperation during your interview, it could turn off a recruiter and result in more time on unemployment. If you’re feeling frustrated with your job search, and a bit desperate, do not fear! Here are three tips for taming desperation, so you can land your next great job:

• Keep yourself busy. When you’re desperate for a job, it will seep through. So if you’re sitting around all day emailing resumes and feeling depressed, odds are you will come off as depressed when you eventually land an interview. Take the opportunity presented to you by your job search and volunteer in the community, meet with friends, and pack your schedule. Leave enough room for your job search, of course, but if you’re busy, you’ll be much more confident — and much less desperate — when you go to interview.
• Network extensively. Your confidence level will increase, as will the odds of you finding a great job, if you network extensively with professionals in your area. Use your LinkedIn account to its highest potential by joining groups and participating in them. Get out to local mixers and meetings for professionals. You never know who you’ll meet, and you’ll gain confidence associated with an expanding professional network.
• Tame your excitement. It’s good to be eager when you meet with a potential employer, but be careful not to sound too overjoyed if you’re called for an interview. There is a fine line between eager professionalism and desperation.

Looking for a job in the Dallas Fort Worth area?
CornerStone Staffing has them! Search our available jobs today to get started.

Do you own a mobile phone? Take a look at your phone right now. More than likely it’s a smart phone. Maybe an iPhone, or an Android device. But that little phone has quickly become a major part of your life, hasn’t it?  As a society, we are constantly on the go, and we expect our information, tasks and friends to go along with us – all through that little phone.

So why shouldn’t recruiting go along with it?

Larger corporations are making a major push for mobile recruiting, but your business can take advantage of technology right now, and can make it easier for on-the-go professionals to apply to your company on their smartphones. Here are three ways you can start taking advantage:

• Write more concise job descriptions. While we may be used to digesting information on a 3.2” screen, that doesn’t mean we want to read pages and listings with 500 words. Keep your job postings short and sweet. More concise job postings are likely better-written anyway. Give pertinent information to candidates in an easy-to-read manner.
• Use job board services with mobile platforms. Many job boards and job websites offer mobile sites and apps to smartphone users. And when you post jobs with those sites, you’re therefore gaining entry to many of the more than 82 million smartphone users across the country. Simply Hired, Indeed and LinkedIn are a just a few of the companies offering job postings on a mobile platform.
• Consider developing an app. If you’re going to make a major push toward mobile recruiting, you may want to develop your own company app. This is the most cost-intensive way to go, but it can also offer you the highest reward, as users will have an icon on their phone with your logo. It’s an excellent way to solidify your brand and engage potential talent. To find out more without making a major time and cost commitment, reach out to the technology department of a local college with your interest. You may end up getting a discounted (or free) app!

Searching for talent in the Dallas Fort Worth area?
Come to CornerStone Staffing! Our extensive network of professionals includes a range of talent across several industries. We’ll find the right candidate to help your business.

Larger corporations are making a major push for mobile recruiting, but your business can take advantage of technology right now, and can make it easier for on-the-go professionals to apply to your company on their smartphones. Here are three ways you can start taking advantage:

Seasonal employment positions can be a great way to gain experience, find work in between full-time positions, and have job flexibility.

Turn your seasonal job into a full-time opportunity!

During your seasonal assignment, you may find yourself wanting to stay as a permanent employee.  While there are no guarantees, there are ways to help increase your chances of being asked to be a permanent member of the team:

• Get results. Deliver results as if you were a permanent part of the team already. Remember that the number one reason you have been brought aboard is to get work done, so be as efficient and productive as possible. Take notes during meetings and follow up to learn as much as possible about your job and organization, so that you can excel in your role. If you have to stay late, do it and don’t complain. On the flip side, don’t show up late or leave a few minutes early. You want to look interested and engaged in the position.
• Look the part. How you dress as a seasonal employee should be no different than that of full-time employees. Always ask about an office dress code before starting a new position. And if you see other employees straying from the code, be sure to adhere to it closely anyway. If you want to become a permanent member of the team, details count!
• Take a genuine interest in the company. Become involved in meetings by taking notes and asking follow up questions. Make suggestions and contributions to discussions, and show genuine concern for the future of the organization. Be sure to stay smiling and don’t be phony when interacting with co-workers.
• Be a part of the team. Be sure to learn and remember people’s names and understand their roles in the company. This will make you more personable, but will also help you understand your role within the company. At lunch or during breaks, don’t be afraid to discuss your career plans with co-workers. When assessing candidates and seasonal employees, management may talk to members of the team for their input. Getting to know your co-workers and being a member of the team makes it much more likely management will consider you a part of the team too.

Looking for a job in DFW?
CornerStone Staffing can help! Search our available jobs today to get started.

Feel like you’ve gone on hundreds of interviews, and you’re doing everything “right?” Yet, you still haven’t found your next job? You could be in an interview slump!

The key to a successful interview isn’t always going “by the book.” In fact, there are some common interview myths that may be holding you back.

Beat the interview slump!

Banish ineffective interviews and land your next job by avoiding these three interview myths:

1. There is only one “right” answer.
More often than not, an interviewer isn’t hoping for a particular answer during your interview. Interviewers are typically paying attention to how you respond and react to the question, rather than your actual words. In other words, it’s not necessarily what you say, it’s how you say it!

2. You’re not going to get the job unless you have the most experience.
If this were true, why even bother with the interviewing process? Sure, there are possibly hundreds of people applying for a particular job opening. But if the highest indicator of success in a role was previous experience, the hiring process would be much simpler (and cheaper!). Most employers are searching for a combination of skills, traits and education. So get in there and show those interviewers what makes you great!

3. Don’t give long answers.
Many job seekers think that it’s best to keep their answers short in interviews, so that the interview moves quickly. In reality, interviewers likely hope that your answer will be long and informative, so they don’t have to come up with another question! Don’t miss a great opportunity to further sell yourself for a position. Now is the time to put all your research and background information on the company to use. Experts suggest interviewees should be talking during about 2/3 of the interview, so make sure you have plenty to say once you get there?

Searching for your next career opportunity?
Come to CornerStone Staffing! We partner with some of the top employers across the Dallas Fort Worth area, and we’ll help you reach your career goals.

Feeling a little hectic now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season? With family commitments, parties and gift-buying, it might not seem like you have time to work on your job search.

Focusing on your job search during the holidays is critical.

The holidays offer a unique opportunity to expand your professional network and land your next great job opportunity. Self-promotion at the holidays is critical to your job search success! Here are some tips to help you maximize the opportunities presented this holiday season:

1. Attend networking holiday mixers.
We’ve mentioned before how important it is to become involved with local networking and professional organizations. Now is the time to put them to use! Attend holiday mixers or parties, and share your festive greetings – but also your business card! Make small talk and be genuinely interested in the festivities, but be sure to mention your background and job hunt whenever possible.

2. Send holiday greetings.
Did you send out your holiday cards yet? Be sure to include past co-workers, professionals with whom you have networked, and other professional contacts on your holiday card list! A thoughtful gesture like a holiday card will help remind your contacts about you, and you can even (briefly) remind them that you are available for the right position.

3. Keep networking at other holiday gatherings!
Sure, you’ve attended the holiday mixers and parties for your professional organizations, but don’t tone it down when you attend other holiday gatherings! Family parties, casual gatherings with friends…these are all opportunities to network. You don’t want to be a pest, but holiday parties are a great, informal way to make small talk and position yourself and your qualifications to other professionals. Your casual chit-chat may just end up landing you your next great career opportunity!

Looking for a head start on your career in 2012?
CornerStone Staffing offers temporary and permanent career opportunities in a range of specialties. Our experienced recruiters are experts at matching your unique qualifications and experience to the perfect career opportunity.

When it comes to holiday bonuses, some employees tend to count on them as part of their salaries (as evidenced quite clearly by Clark Griswold in the holiday classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”). But, in a difficult economy, are they really necessary?

What is the standard on holiday bonuses?

There is no federal or state law that says holiday bonuses are required, so you have no legal reason to give them to your employees. But, there are intangible benefits to giving a little extra to your employees at holiday-time. Corporate culture can have a dramatic effect on productivity, and can seriously impact your bottom line.

Here are three tips to help you give your employees a holiday bonus, without breaking the bank:

• Consider giving bonus vacation days instead. Yes, these technically cost your company; however, they do not require cutting additional checks, and often the work missed on days off is completed by that employee on his or her other days that week. So, rather than give a cash holiday bonus, consider offering one or more bonus vacation days for 2012 (depending on how many days your company can afford to “give”).
• Give something “thoughtful.” This is easier for small businesses, but offering a small, but personal gift to employees can have a more profound impact than a large check. If your company is larger, consider having department heads take care of this part. Take the time to know and understand your employees, then provide a small gift that has a personal touch to it. Your employees will feel genuinely appreciated.
• Provide a team bonus. Rather than dole out individual gifts or checks, why not consider offering a large-scale team activity later in the winter. Everyone has experienced the post-holiday blues from time to time, so having a fun outing to look forward to later in the winter or early spring can be a nice way to keep some pep in your employees’ step.

Looking for talent?
Contact CornerStone Staffing. We work with some of the most talented and qualified professionals across the DFW area, and we’ll find the perfect match for your needs.