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4 tips to get an entry-level legal assistant job

May 11, 2022 WAI Staff

Have you considered entering the legal field but don’t know how to begin? Whether you’ve studied for law school or your professional experience amounts to watching Legally Blonde a few times, you might be surprised at the opportunities available as a legal assistant. Washington, D.C., and other major metropolitan areas are ideal markets for entry-level legal assistant jobs. Being a legal assistant is different from being a paralegal, but you will still provide invaluable support to attorneys while gaining experience in the field. Here are our tips on how to land a significant position in this field..header-image{display:none!important;}

What is an entry-level legal assistant job?

Before explaining how to get an entry-level legal assistant job, let’s start with clarity on what it is and isn’t. Although every law office or agency has its requirements and expectations, there are general guidelines for this type of position.

Entry-level legal assistant job descriptions assume that legal assistants should be able to:

Organize files for the office
Compile facts for cases
Follow up on details relating to specific clients or interactions
Handle client or witness communication
Conduct research
File legal documents in court
Draft documents for litigation
Process, prepare, sort or proof legal documents
Maintain client files and information

Essentially, this position assists the lawyer. An entry-level legal assistant job description will involve all varieties of legal work in a supporting capacity. They act primarily as case managers, although some legal assistants also function as legal secretaries. Although they work alongside lawyers, they have different authority over legal documents and presentations.

How is a legal assistant different from a paralegal?

Legal secretaries serve on the administrative side, performing duties such as greeting clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments and maintaining the calendar. Legal assistants can also fill these secretarial roles while supporting the lawyer in other ways, from investigating to writing.

Paralegals perform more in-depth preparatory work and function more similarly to an attorney. For example, a legal secretary might type minutes, while a legal assistant might prepare the case brief and the paralegal could work to develop the ruling with the lawyer directly. Before applying, you can explore more details about these different job categories to determine where you feel best suited.

Can you become a legal assistant with no prior experience?

Becoming a legal assistant with no prior experience is possible, although the process may require dedication and education. Many legal assistants only partially need previous experience, but employers often look for candidates with other qualifications.

Continued education classes allow one to enter the legal assistant role without prior experience. Completing an accredited certification program or earning an associates degree in legal studies can provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the role in a Washington, D.C., legal office. These programs typically cover legal research, writing and the basic foundations of the legal system.

Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer opportunities can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Networking within the legal community, attending industry events and joining professional associations can also open doors to future job opportunities.

While lack of experience may be a hurdle for any job, emphasizing transferable skills such as organization, attention to detail and effective communication can make you a compelling candidate on your resume and during an interview. Expressing a willingness to learn and adapt to the specific needs of a legal setting can also make you more attractive to employers seeking motivated individuals for these highly desired entry-level positions.

Tip #1: demonstrate effective communication skills

If you want to get hired for an entry-level legal assistant job, it is essential to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Whether managing the lawyers’ schedules, compiling facts for cases, or drafting documents for litigation, you must get your point across clearly and effectively.

While many lawyers and legal institutions are willing to train entry-level workers on the minutiae of their processes and their specific law practices, they expect employees to come in knowing how to express themselves in appropriate and precise language with demonstrated writing skills.

Demonstrate your practical communication skills in your resume and during your interview. Legal assistants often manage communication with clients and witnesses, which is crucial in facilitating inter-office communication. Because of this, you must demonstrate your proficiency in that role.

Tip #2: highlight the experience you do have

Yes, we’re talking about entry-level legal assistant jobs, but that doesn’t mean you lack relevant experience. Don’t worry if you don’t have a legal background; you can showcase other experiences or traits that align you with the position, so make those aspects of your application clear.

For instance, you can demonstrate how you have already managed extensive schedules in the past or that you served in an administrative capacity or leadership position for an extracurricular group during your education.

Tip #3: Express a willingness to learn

When it comes to entry-level legal assistant job descriptions, they all seem to recognize that having the right attitude matters more than knowing the ins and outs of the law. While legal expertise is appreciated, it is unnecessary when you are starting in an entry-level role. What matters most is your teachability.

In our experience in Washington, D.C., most entry-level legal assistant job descriptions require an eagerness to benefit from the law firm’s expertise. It is crucial to present yourself as a competent communicator ready to learn how the law firm wants things done rather than showing up as a legal expert already entrenched in a specific structure or process.

Tip #4: Leverage expertise

Once you’ve polished up your resume and prepared for your interview by demonstrating practical communication skills, highlighting the relevant experience you do have and expressing a willingness to learn, it’s time to land an entry-level legal assistant job. While you can navigate your job search independently, leveraging the experience of professionals in the staffing field is more manageable, less stressful and more effective.

At Whitman Associates, Inc., we are celebrating over 50 years of providing expert staffing in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Start by emailing your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com to see what doors can open for you.

What to expect from entry-level administrative assistant jobs

May 11, 2022 WAI Staff

Are you looking for a versatile job that provides opportunities for growth and training? Working an entry-level administrative assistant job can be a challenging yet rewarding pathway, and many companies are hiring now for this position. Here’s our guide about what to expect from administrative assistant jobs throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area..header-image{display:none!important;}

An administrative assistant taking notes

What do administrative assistants do?

“Administrative assistant” is a fairly vague job title. This position is often a “catch-all” for various internal and customer-facing tasks. In a broad sense, administrative assistant jobs control office efficiency and ensure operations run smoothly. This can involve a variety of tasks, including:

Answering and directing phone calls and emails
Organizing and scheduling meetings
Ordering office supplies
Assisting with special projects
Producing and distributing correspondence
Greeting customers or clients
Booking travel arrangements

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is a perfect market for this role, with so many private businesses, consulting firms and government contractors needing entry-level administrative assistants to ensure jobs are completed on time. While some of these descriptions sound more like a secretary or receptionist, there are some distinctions in those titles.

How is an entry-level administrative assistant job different from a secretary or receptionist?

In general, the following are basic differences between these three job titles, even though all of these job categories overlap and work together:

Receptionists serve as the first point of contact for an office
Secretaries handle document production as well as other office tasks
Administrative Assistants keep the office running smoothly and handle more project specific tasks.

In some office jobs, being an administrative assistant will look very similar to a secretary or receptionist role. Other times, often in larger companies, administrative assistants are specialists, like project managers, who oversee and ensure that overall work operations flow smoothly.

For example, rather than directly manning the phones, an administrative assistant may provide a receptionist with a flow chart of how to route calls more efficiently. In that context, working an entry-level administrative assistant job could also include serving as a go-between for the receptionist and the higher levels of leadership in the office.

When applying for an administrative assistant job in Washington, D.C., or the surrounding area, it’s important to understand the industry, company structure and work culture. Depending on the company’s needs, the role may look different from one place to the next. Many companies look for candidates willing to adapt and take on new responsibilities.

Why be an administrative assistant?

Being an administrative assistant is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers a unique blend of responsibilities and opportunities. At the heart of every successful organization, administrative assistants are crucial in maintaining smooth day-to-day operations. One of the main reasons to consider a career in this field is the chance to play an essential role in a functional business.

Administrative assistants serve as the backbone of an office, with jobs ranging from managing schedules and coordinating communication to ensuring that day-to-day tasks are handled efficiently. This role demands a diverse skill set, from organizational prowess to effective communication and problem-solving abilities. It provides a platform to develop and sharpen these skills in a professional setting.

Ideally, an entry-level administrative assistant job involves interaction with various levels of personnel in different departments throughout the office, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. Administrative assistants are trusted with responsibilities that contribute directly to an organization’s efficiency and success.

In addition, being an administrative assistant offers a gateway to gaining valuable experience across different facets of business operations, making it an excellent stepping stone for career growth. The role’s versatility, paired with the opportunity to learn and adapt to new challenges, make it an appealing choice for individuals seeking a stable position and the potential for promotions and professional development.

Developing your own system within the established structure

Administrative assistants work in a delicate balance. The role can be one of the most versatile office jobs because so many administrative assistant tasks need to be done throughout each workday. Managers often expect administrative assistants to bring their ideas and systems to fit within the established structure.

For example, maybe the traditional protocol is that the administrative assistant will make calls to confirm the next day’s appointments. The administrative assistant may be free to make notes in a client’s file or update calendar meetings in a manner that they find most efficient and helpful for the senior staff. Managers often appreciate assertive, independent assistants who can complete core tasks without asking too many questions.

Day-to-day management with a broad perspective

To succeed in an entry-level administrative assistant job, prospective candidates must recognize that they will be responsible for the day-to-day office management and the larger picture of the company’s goals and objectives. A detail-oriented mindset and the ability to concisely summarize key takeaways are critical.

Administrative assistants often put out many little “fires” throughout the natural workday. Still, they need to maintain a broad perspective so urgent tasks don’t replace the essential components of the role. Fast-paced markets like Washington, D.C. expect administrative assistants to keep up with action items and prioritize effectively, even in an entry-level job.

Serve as an assistant, not a manager

While administrative assistants track and monitor tasks efficiently, this is a supportive role rather than a leadership role, meaning that administrative assistants work directly under high-level management or other leaders in their office. In their jobs, administrative assistants typically will not make tough work-related decisions by themselves.

Administrative assistants have a specific hierarchical place in the company that may vary depending on the industry, company size and other factors. Regardless of the particular structure of a company, administrative assistants typically work very closely with the leadership they assist. In this role, you could expect plenty of formal and informal meetings and check-ins with one or more leadership roles at the office.

Get a specific snapshot of your possibilities

Each administrative assistant position looks slightly different. An administrative assistant job could be a great fit if you have the related skills of multitasking, prioritizing, organizing and ensuring others stay on task. Whitman Associates, Inc. helps place candidates in entry-level administrative assistant jobs in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. We have more than 50 years of expert staffing experience. When you’re ready to start your new career path as an administrative assistant, send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

The 6 Best Jobs for College Grads With No Experience

May 4, 2022Last updated on September 24, 2024 WAI Staff

Finding a job just after graduation can feel challenging if you have no internships or prior professional experience. You’re often competing against people with a fuller resume and years of work experience behind them. What are good entry level jobs you can do with no experience? It’s very easy to feel like you’re caught up in a catch-22 situation where you need work experience to find work.

However, the fact is that there are numerous opportunities open to people with minimal or no experience. There have to be, or else no one would ever be able to build a career. Plenty of companies out there make it a point to take in entry-level candidates for job categories that are a perfect fit for recent graduates.

Some of the best entry-level positions for college grads provide fair compensation for candidates with the right skills and commitment. Let’s look at the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience.

1. Salesperson

Sales jobs often get a bad rap, but they’re a great way to build vital skills that will be invaluable to you later on in your career. They can help develop your soft skills and teach you how to deal with rejection. It also makes you a good listener and an effective communicator in any situation. It’s a great job to apply for if you’re seeking an entry-level position.

It’s one of the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience because most companies out there need salespersons to sell their products and services. Not all sales deals happen at the same level, but the skill sets involved are the same. Moreover, salespersons are on the ‘frontlines,’ so to speak. They’re the ones interacting with the customers every day and they often have a better understanding of their pain points, industry dynamics, and the pros and cons of the company’s products. This is knowledge you can use to make a lateral shift into other company departments, such as marketing or product development.

2. Data Analyst

What are good entry level jobs in the tech sector if you have no experience? Everyone from financial service companies to consumer goods manufacturers, healthcare organizations, and hospitality companies need them. We are living in the age of Big Data, and this covers a wide spectrum of industries. Moreover, the need for collecting and understanding data is only growing. Data analyst is one of the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience because these positions are ubiquitous.

A data analyst interprets and structures data into information that a business can use. Responsibilities include collecting, interpreting, and organizing the data and then analyzing the results to pull business insights. It’s ideal for people with a head for numbers, but it’s also a job that requires creativity and business acumen. The way you present your data and how compelling your insights are can make a big difference to your business. With the right company, it can be one of the best paying jobs for college grads with no experience.

3. Real Estate Agent and Broker

Property management can be a rewarding career even if you’re an entry-level candidate finding a job right after graduation. In most cases, all you need is a high school diploma and a state broker’s license to get started. You might have to put in a little bit of time prepping for the real estate exam that gets you your license, but it certainly doesn’t dissuade the millions of Americans who opt to try their hand at real estate.

Like any industry, there are ups and downs in real estate. However, it’s also an evergreen industry in that people are always buying and selling properties, both residential and commercial. If you’re personable and willing to work hard, it’s one of the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience. In a recent survey, 85% of real estate agents said they were happy with their career choice and 71% of them were attracted to the earning potential of the job.

4. Project Manager

A quality project manager can be an indispensable commodity for a business. From troubleshooting problems to clearing bottlenecks and ensuring cross-functional communication, a project manager is a vital cog in the enterprise machinery. As with many of the other 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience, project management can teach you a range of skills, such as diplomacy, risk management, communication, and more.

Moreover, it’s often something that requires a learning curve even for experienced candidates. Each company and project has its own features and challenges. In most cases, project managers have to adapt to the processes, structure and dynamics of the company in question, which makes it ideal for candidates to find a job after graduation.

5. Nonprofit Assistant

If I want to make a difference in the world, what are good entry level jobs I can get with no experience? If this is your mindset, you should consider working for a nonprofit. Nonprofit organizations often have limited budgets, which means that this may not be the most high-paying job right out of the gate. However, these organizations often look for commitment and a willingness to work hard more than anything else.

One thing that makes a nonprofit assistant one of the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience is that you have such a wide variety of organizations to choose from. You can focus on finding an entry-level position with an organization involved in something that interests you. If there’s a cause you particularly identify with and feel you can contribute to, this might be one of the best jobs for you, even as a college grad without experience. It’s also a chance to meet a lot of different people and get some real life experience under your belt, which is always going to be beneficial later on. There are lots of different kinds of nonprofits to choose from, including public health advocacies to legal aid offices, social rights groups, and diplomacy nonprofits.

6. Client Relations

Managing client experience is a very important function for any business. Everyone from IT firms to consultancies, marketing agencies, and more, employ people to manage client relationships. Among the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience, it’s one of the best ones out there. All you need is a positive attitude and a nimble mindset to succeed.

Are you wondering what are good entry level jobs you can apply for with no experience when you want to work with people but don’t really like selling? Client relations could be for you. Unlike sales, you don’t have to worry about bringing in new clients and meeting quarterly targets. Client relations is more about maintaining existing relationships and ensuring compliance with contractual agreements. In this role, you’re often the primary point of contact for the client, a supplier and partner interface, and bridge to service-level teams in your company.

Don’t Let a Lack of Experience Stop You

Woman shaking hands with a man sitting at a desk

Recent college graduates sometimes complain that no one wants to hire them because they lack experience. This creates a dilemma, as they can’t get experience until they get hired. Fortunately, things aren’t really so dire. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70% of recent college graduates aged 20–29 were employed. So we know plenty of companies are hiring, even for entry-level positions.

It’s a myth that the best jobs are off-limits for college graduates with no experience. Finding a good job after graduation is all about identifying your priorities. What are you really after? Higher pay? A relaxed lifestyle? Experience in a specific industry? With a targeted approach, you can find a job that both fulfills your goals and offers you professional exposure. Do your own research on the 6 best jobs for college grads with no experience and see if one of them is right for you.

Interview Prep and Tips

April 29, 2022 WAI Staff

While every interview situation is different, we have created an ultimate interview prep guide to help you learn how to prep for an interview and will increase your chances of impressing the hiring manager and successfully landing a job offer.

One of the first interview tips is to always arrive on time. Plan to arrive ten minutes early for your interview. Potential employers will assume you have bad time management skills if you are late for a scheduled interview. This is almost more important with video interviews. If you have no commute or traffic, being late is inexcusable. Don’t forget to test out a video link prior to your interview, so there won’t be any technical difficulties to hold you up.
Talk positively about your former employer. Talking positively about a former employer will show loyalty and respect, which are both traits employers look for in potential candidates. If you didn’t have the best experience at your previous job, a good way to interview prep is to talk about the positive aspects, and frame any downsides in a respectful manner.
Another way to nail your interview prep is not to forget to bring a few copies of your resume with you. Even if you are not asked to bring a resume with you, you should always have a few copies on hand just in case you need them. If you are on a video interview, be sure to have your most up to date resume ready to share via email.
In interviews, you should avoid oversharing personal information. While it’s important to share your work experience and skills in detail, you should avoid talking too much about your personal life and opinions.
Another first interview tip is to get your interviewer’s contact information so you can follow-up. It’s always a good idea to follow-up after an interview with a note thanking them for their time and consideration. Be sure to get the hiring manager’s business card, LinkedIn or email.

You should make consistent eye contact with your interviewer. Displaying confident body language and making eye contact will help you further engage with the interviewer.
Avoid wearing a lot of cologne or perfume. As in-person interviews are on the rise again, you don’t want to aggravate your interviewer’s allergies or distract them with an overabundant fragrance.
It’s important to present yourself appropriately. This includes everything from dressing professionally for an interview, to choosing a neutral virtual background and good lighting for a video interview. Being dressed inappropriately or having your background be a distraction is one way to discount yourself from consideration.
Don’t be shy about conveying your interest in the company and position. Although you know you’re interested in the job, you have to convince the hiring manager. Potential employers want to see just how dedicated you are to working for them. Be sure to do your interview prep by researching the company, so that you can speak with confidence.
Avoid chewing gum, snacking, food or other distractions. Chewing gum during an interview is rude, and it can be distracting.
Our last piece of advice on how to prep for an interview is to remember to turn off your cell phone. You don’t want your phone ringing in the middle of an interview, so make sure you turn it off before the interview begins. Even silenced cell phones can vibrate or make noise, so turn your cell all the way off to avoid any unwanted distractions.

5 Common Resume Mistakes To Avoid

April 29, 2022Last updated on October 14, 2024 WAI Staff

Having a great resume is key to being successful in your job search. Your resume is typically the first impression an employer has of you, so it’s important that it properly represents you. Recruiters often receive hundreds of resumes for each open position. To speed along their process, they’ll often throw away a resume as soon as they note certain mistakes. We don’t want you to fall into that trap! To help, we’ve listed five resume mistakes you need to avoid that job hunters often make.

Scrabble letters spelling pause, breathe, resume.

1. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

The most frequent resume mistakes are errors in spelling and grammar. Common resume mistakes like this are the easiest way to get your resume rejected because employers are likely to assume you are careless or sloppy in your work.

Make sure to edit your resume several times before submitting it. It also helps to have someone else read it over — a new set of eyes is more likely to pick up on any small resume errors. Or, there are a plethora of free, online grammar and spell-check sites you can run your resume through before submitting it. Grammarly and Scribbr are two popular options.

2. Length

Submitting a resume that is too long or too short is one of the five common resume mistakes you need to avoid. While it’s important that your resume is not excessively long, you should not exclude relevant work experience just to fit everything on one page. You don’t want a potential employer to discount you because you left off relevant experience.

At the same time, you don’t need to include every position you’ve had since the beginning of your career. Some of your past jobs might not be relevant to the current position you are applying for. Feel free to leave off the coffee bar you worked at through grad school if you have more relevant experience to include.

However, having too short of a resume is also a common resume mistake. If you are a recent college grad or just out of high school and have only worked at one or two positions, try to expand upon your responsibilities to lengthen your work history. Also, you can include extracurricular activities you participated in if the experience you gained seems relevant to your career.

When expanding on specific positions, include quantitative details when describing your responsibilities. For example, if you worked as a sales representative, be sure to mention numbers such as your sales close rate, average deal, and number of sales per month.

3. Too Much Personal Information

Getting too personal is another one of the five common resume mistakes you need to avoid. Employers are going to hire you based on your work experience, not on your favorite hobbies. You can have a section for “Skills and Interests” on your resume, but you should avoid listing more than one or two interests unrelated to the job. It’s better to allow your interests to come up naturally. In a job interview, if your interviewer mentions their love of volleyball, then that would be an appropriate time to mention you share the same interest.

It’s not necessary to mention your marital status or children on your resume — these are also common resume mistakes. Again, a potential employer is only interested in your professional background.

Don’t include your picture on your resume. At this stage of the application process, it is better to allow the recruiter to judge you solely based on your qualifications and work history — not your appearance. The exception is if you are applying for an acting or modeling role.

Close-up image of a person writing with a pen

4. Too Busy

You want your resume to be easy for the recruiter to read, allowing them to quickly note how qualified you are for their position. Creating a resume that is too busy is an often overlooked one of the top five common resume mistakes you need to avoid.

For example, some people choose to use more than two fonts. Instead, keep it simple, so that an employer’s eye can easily follow your work history down the page. There is no need to go crazy with bold and italicized fonts in different colors.

Avoid using borders and underlines to separate sections on your resume. As long as you have everything labeled appropriately, an employer will be able to understand it.

5. Missing Critical Information

Don’t make the common resume mistake of forgetting to include pertinent contact information. Make sure the header of your resume includes your full name, phone number and email address. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or your address. If an employer doesn’t have your contact information, they won’t be able to reach you to set up an interview or offer you a job.

Always list the month and year you started and finished each position on your resume. Job seekers avoid adding dates to their work history for various reasons, but this is a huge common resume mistake to avoid! Omitting dates makes employers feel that you are hiding something.

List the appropriate job title for each of your positions. New employers will most likely conduct employment verifications on your work history and reference checks, so it’s important you have all the correct information. If there is a discrepancy with your job title or dates of employment, your new employer will be suspicious.

Lastly, one of the biggest of the five resume mistakes you need to avoid is leaving off software or programs that you’ve used. Be sure to list these, especially since an employer may be screening resumes electronically, and you don’t want to be overlooked because of what you left out.

Find Your Dream Job

Keep these five easily avoidable common resume mistakes on hand next time you update your resume and you’ll be sure to land a great job in no time! If you’ve been struggling with the job search for some time, consider working with a staffing agency for a qualified partner in seeking your dream job.

8 Tips For Making A Career Change

April 25, 2022 Julie Lindgren, President, Whitman Associates, Inc.

Wondering how to change careers with little or no experience in a new space? You’re not alone! It’s perfectly normal and quite routine to want to explore something new. Our outlook and life goals tend to change with time and so do our professional ambitions. Most people spend most of their waking hours, or a third of their lives, at work. After a long time in one job, you may find that it’s just not fulfilling anymore.

The important thing when you feel this itch is to act on it and not bury it. Making a career change is an exciting life event and you should treat it as such. Keep a positive attitude and avoid getting bogged down by the work involved. The fact that you’re reading this blog is an excellent start!

Here are our top suggestions on how to change careers even with no experience outside your industry.

1. Identify Your Reasons for Wanting a Change

The process of making a successful career change begins with yourself. If you feel unsatisfied with your current job or a lingering irritation when you’re at work, dig a little deeper to understand what’s driving those feelings. Is it your team or the office environment? The pay? The work itself?

The most common reasons people change their careers include gaining a better work-life balance, increasing salary or benefits, and challenging themselves professionally. Identifying the reason you’re unhappy will help you find a career that makes sense for you. You can then create a plan and work towards a definite goal, instead of spamming resumes at new job listings.

2. Discover the Right Career for You

It’s possible that you might have identified your reasons for making a career change, but you don’t know which career to change to. This is a good thing! It means you’re taking time to consider your options instead of making a hasty decision.

A good place to start is your skillset. Think about the similarities in your previous roles. Are there any skills or activities that stand out to you? A career in product development also makes you an excellent researcher and analyst. These are useful skills for a lateral shift into anything from consultancy to business intelligence.

Make sure you’re not just ideating within yourself. Talk to people and solicit opinions. You’d be surprised at how many have been through the same situation and can offer useful career advice. Speak to your boss too — if you have a relationship that allows that. They can highlight your strengths and weaknesses as they see them and give you new ideas for your move.

3. Upskill Yourself

Sometimes, you may lack the necessary hard skills for a particular job. This is often the case when making a career change in a technical space. For instance, you might have a background in operations and discover that you have a passion for coding. In this case, it’s a good idea to spend some time and money on a coding course.

This is how you change careers with no experience in your new field. Recruiters will notice your commitment to your new career and consider it a positive in your application.

4. Keep an Eye Out for Opportunities in Your Company

Making a career change doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours scouring various job portals. Sometimes, the right opportunity can be available in your own company. We’ll let you in on a secret. Internal hiring is often the most favored way for recruiters and hiring managers to fill a vacancy. This is because the candidate is already familiar with the company, industry, and work culture. This cuts down on the time you have to spend adjusting to a new place and can let you hit the ground running.

It’s also a great way for you as a candidate to comfortably ease into a role you’re not familiar with.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Start Over

If you’re truly passionate about making a career change, then go all the way. Consider taking a pay cut or even starting at the bottom of the ladder if you need to. Doing this doesn’t mean that your career thus far has been wasted. On the contrary, your experience will shine through and let you rise quicker than your peers in the same role. Remember that the whole point of making a career change is to move on from a job that’s holding you back.

6. Network Well

Your network is highly correlated to your net worth. Research has consistently shown that referred candidate hirings result in much better outcomes. Tap into your professional and personal networks to find people who can help you and maybe even refer you. If you don’t know anyone personally, be bold and put yourself out there. Seek out people in the industry or function you want to move into. Be upfront with them about the fact that you’re making a career change. You might not earn referrals with every connection, but at the very least, they’re likely to agree to be an advisor or sounding board in the future.

7. Find Someone to Show You the Ropes

Part of your objective with networking should be to find a mentor—someone you can rely on for practical guidance and in-depth advice. A good mentor is someone who has achieved a lot of success in the space you want to move into. Their experience can be a huge asset and help you plan effectively as you make your shift.

Also, consider volunteering and pro-bono work when making a career change. This is a great way to gain hands-on experience in a new area. It’ll also help you add something relevant to your CV and make useful connections.

8. Consider Starting a Business

Starting your own business is an excellent option for early, mid, and late-career professionals. It means you’re taking matters into your own hands and you don’t have to worry about how to change careers with no experience. You learn on the job.

As a freelancer, solopreneur, or entrepreneur, you don’t need to grind out a rigid recruitment process. You can let your skills speak for yourself with your prospective clients. A hidden advantage in making such a career change is that as a business leader, you tend to connect with other business leaders.

A career change can be a big boost for your professional and personal life. If you approach it right, it’s likely to be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

If you’re actively thinking about making a career change, consider registering yourself with Whitman Associates. We’re professional staffing experts based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Explore all our job openings, including our permanent and temporary jobs to find a good fit for your move. Browse through our employment tips and job-search advice for more information on how to change careers with little or no experience.

Why You Need a Business Card When You Are Unemployed

March 23, 2022 WAI Staff

.header-image{display:none!important;}ul,ol{margin: 0 0 20px 24px;}Many times, people wrongly assume that if they are unemployed or a recent graduate that they do not need a business card. This is a very bad assumption. If you are unemployed you should most definitely have a business card on you at all times. You never know who you might meet that could lead you to a job. A business card is, if nothing else, a big reminder on a tiny card. Most people keep business cards and go through them periodically when searching for new leads.

The point of having a business card when you’re unemployed is to create a physical reminder of your availability and to give a quick snippet of your information and qualifications. If you unexpectedly meet someone who would be a great industry connection, having an “about me” business card is much more professional than, say, writing your name and phone number on a restaurant napkin.

If you’re wondering about what to put on business cards when you’re unemployed, where to get them printed or how to format the best design, explore our advice here!

What to Put On Your Business Card When You’re Unemployed

Business cards when you are unemployed are a little more complicated than the average creation. You have no official title or position, no logo or branding, and no official business phone line. But, you’ll need to create a professional image if you want to provide people with your information, fast track your job search and put yourself out there in the market.

It’s also important to include your industry or degree on your card. For instance: “International Relations” or “Automotive Repairs.” If you have a specialized license or certification, include that as well, even if you haven’t had a job as a “Licensed Social Worker” or “Certified Business Analysis Professional” yet.

All “about me” business cards should have the following information:

Full Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Degree or Industry

Flesh out your job seeker business card with examples of additional important information about you:

Website, Portfolio, or LinkedIn URL (if applicable)
You can put a link to your site within a QR code or type the web address.
Job Title
Specialty or certifications

Where to Get a Business Card

Office supply stores and printing shops are happy to help design and print your business cards, but full service can be somewhat pricey if you are unemployed and on a budget.
You can save money and buy the paper from an office supply store and print “about me” business cards yourself using Microsoft Office or a similar program. If you want more professional cards, you can check out Moo, VistaPrint or other similar companies. Whichever route you choose, you can explore templates and designs to ensure your business cards look professional, even if you are unemployed.

Who You Should Give Your Business Card To

If you’re wondering who to give business cards to when you’re unemployed, the answer is everyone!
Ok, maybe not exactly everyone, but networking is the key. If your friend says, “My uncle works in that industry, you should talk to him,” ask if you can give him your business card. When you see an opportunity to hand out a business card at a professional event or conference, don’t hesitate. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do. Always make sure you have plenty of cards on you when you go to any type of networking event, career fair or interview.

More Advice from Whitman Associates, Inc.

Business cards when you are unemployed are a great way to jumpstart your hiring process. Looking for a little more guidance before diving into the job searching pool? Whitman Associates, Inc. is always here with advice and support. Explore our blog for job seekers or reach out to us for more personalized strategies today!

Good luck and happy printing those business cards.

The Benefits of Temporary Employment

March 17, 2022Last updated on November 14, 2024 WAI Staff

There are many changes on the horizon for the working world. With COVID forcing offices to transition to work-from-home and the discussion of a great resignation as burnt-out employees seek a better work-life balance, employers are scrambling to figure out how to keep their employees on board. One solution to your struggles could be temp work. Whether you’re an employer who’s struggling to find good help or an employee who wants to explore unique work opportunities, there are many benefits to temporary employment that could be the key to finding what you need.

Are you considering temporary employment as a business or as an individual? Learn more about the benefits of temporary work for you when you read this overview from the experts at Whitman Associates, Inc.

Temporary Employment Benefits for Job Seekers

Temping offers employees unique benefits that long-term positions often don’t. Temporary employment through a reputable staffing agency can help job seekers secure flexible, well-paying positions that provide predictable work opportunities without a long-term commitment. Depending on the candidate’s situation and circumstances, temping can provide a variety of perks, including the following.

Explore Different Careers

Whether you’re new to the workforce or considering a career change, one of the benefits of temporary employment is the chance to learn about a variety of careers and industries before you make a commitment to a long-term placement. For example, you can spend a few months in corporate accounting before exploring what it’s like to be a legal assistant in civil rights law. You might be surprised to discover which careers and positions you enjoy the most!

Gain Experience

Another benefit of temporary work is that it allows you to gain experience in a variety of industries — or even one industry — without being stuck in any particular position. As you move from job to job, you’ll learn many diverse skills that will make you more attractive to employers in the future.

Find New Opportunities

Even if you prefer temporary work, you never know when an opportunity will turn out to be the perfect fit. Whether it’s a permanent role or getting your foot in the door of an industry that you weren’t initially qualified for, temp work can broaden your horizons.

Build a Network

Many people live by the mantra, “It’s not what you know, but rather who you know.” Temporary work can provide you access to a continuous flow of professionals which you can use to build up your personal and professional network.

Earn Money on the Side

The last benefit of temporary employment for job seekers is that it allows you to continue earning money as you search for the perfect placement. There are no strings attached with temporary work, so you can job hunt guilt-free. Even better, temporary employment can act as a stepping stone, helping you build your resume, gain experience, and meet new people.

Benefits of Temporary Employment for Employers

There are just as many benefits of temporary work for employers as there are for employees. Sometimes, you just need someone to fill in the gap while a current employee is on family leave. Other times, you’re testing the waters to see how a newly created position may interact with your current workflow. There are plenty of reasons to choose temporary employment for your business!

Preview Employee Potential

You’re not sure which type of person would be the best fit for a particular role, so you want to have a few trial runs before extending an offer. One benefit of temporary employment for business owners is a preview of the employee’s work quality, productivity, and teamwork. You don’t have to worry about hiring someone full-time, only to let them go when you realize they’re not suitable for your company.

Fill in the Gaps

Many people cite work-life balance as their reason to stay or leave a particular company. To ensure your employees feel like they can live their lives fully, you need to be able to cover for them when they take time off for family leave, vacations, or other extended sabbaticals. For employees whose work simply cannot wait, a temporary replacement allows your company to keep up its operations with minimal interruptions.

Wait for the Right Fit

Some positions require a very specific type of personality or skill set. If you’re struggling to find the perfect person for a particular position, a temp provides your HR team with the breathing room they need to ensure they’re hiring the right person. Instead of rushing and compromising to fill a position with a substandard candidate, this benefit of temporary employment allows your company the opportunity to take a little extra time exploring your options for a permanent hire. And who knows, maybe your temporary employee will turn out to be the perfect fit!

Find Seasonal Workers

Whether you need to hire additional people during peak season each year or you need an extra set of hands for special projects, temporary hires ensure you have a contract in place for just as long as it’s needed. Specific contract lengths for the short or long term are a major benefit of temporary work for employers.

Finding What You Need With Whitman

These are just a few of the benefits of temporary employment for both employers and job seekers. As the professional work landscape continues to evolve, we’re here to ensure you find what you need to fit your life, career, and business growth. From non-profit staffing to career advice for professionals, we do it all!

Reach out to our expert team today to discuss open positions, contracts, and more!

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Temp Agency Tips: How To Impress a Staffing Agency

March 8, 2022Last updated on July 25, 2024 WAI Staff

With so many job seekers flooding the job market today, employers are seeking assistance from staffing agencies to help them sort through the market and fill open positions. When you apply for a job online, you are likely responding to a posting from a staffing agency or a recruiter. It’s more important now than ever to understand your options and knowing how to apply to a temp agency.

When using a staffing agency during your job hunt, you should make an effort to impress staffing agencies. To do so, you need to know what to say when calling a temp agency and how to treat the person on the other end of the line. Considering questions to ask a staffing agency beforehand can be the difference between an impressive interview and a misfire.

Because the market is saturated with job seekers, employers are choosing to use staffing agencies to hire more temporary or temp-to-hire employees than to hire permanent employees directly. While staffing agencies can operate similarly to a typical human resources department, they specialize in finding the right person for the right job — and weeding through all the wrong resumes. Make sure you have what it takes to impress a staffing agency with these expert temp agency tips!

1. Speak With Respect

If you’re wondering what to say when calling a temp agency, you should let respect be your guide. Job seekers tend to believe that since they are not speaking directly with a hiring manager from the company they want to work for, they don’t need to turn their A-game on for their contact. Yet staffing agency interview questions can make up the bulk of interviewing experiences. To impress staffing agencies, you should treat every interaction like an interview.

A recruiter at a staffing agency serves as the initial screener for an open position. If you want to be considered for a job with their client, strive to make a good impression on the recruiter. When coming up with questions to ask a staffing agency, feel free to ask for clarity on any parts of the process you may be unsure about. Make sure you speak professionally, honestly and politely with any representative you encounter from a staffing agency. Treat them as you would any other hiring manager in a job interview. If you can’t impress the staffing recruiter, you’ll never get to turn your charm on for the hiring manager.

2. Follow Instructions

This is one of the most underrated temp agency tips and the most important. Hundreds of people can apply to the same job posting daily, so staffing agencies typically try to screen candidates before even viewing their resumes. For example, a job posting might say that all interested candidates must include a cover letter or a salary requirement with their resume. If you don’t include the requested paperwork or information, you could be immediately disqualified without your resume even being viewed. Following instructions is the bare minimum requirement to impress staffing agencies. If you have any questions about how to apply to a temp agency, it’s better to ask than risk making mistakes.

Whether you receive a response to your resume requesting more information or a recruiter asks you to call them at a particular time, the best temp agency tips dictate that you do your best to follow all the instructions you receive. Temp agencies and recruiters are busy — the best way to impress staffing agencies is to show respect for their time by following their instructions. Staffing agencies usually won’t waste time talking to someone about a position if they have proved they cannot follow basic directions. If you are choosing questions to ask a staffing agency, do not ask for information they have already provided in their application request.

3. Be Enthusiastic

For job seekers planning on how to apply to a temp agency, our next temp agency tip is to be enthusiastic. If you receive a call from a staffing agency and you are interested in the position they have, show them! Passion and excitement for a particular role are easy ways to impress staffing agencies. Staffing agencies won’t want to send a candidate on a job interview with their client if they don’t sound enthused about the position.

Some staffing agency interview questions are tailored to gauge the enthusiasm of potential applicants for positions. While you don’t want to be overly eager, what you say when calling a temp agency lets them know whether you want a position — passion will usually impress staffing agencies. Enthusiasm shows you are willing to commit to the interview process and would accept an offer if you received one.

It’s also a vital temp agency tip, to be honest with a recruiter if you aren’t interested in a position. They won’t want you to feign enthusiasm only to turn down an offer at the last minute. This may result in difficulty getting interviews if you plan on applying to a temp agency in the future. All staffing agencies prioritize trustworthy candidates who follow through. If you hope to impress staffing agencies, consider what questions to ask them to help you know if an offer or organization would fit your circumstances. Be straightforward with the staffing agency about precisely what you want and need in a position. The more honest you are with them, the more they can help you.

4. Be on Your Best Behavior

If you do end up temping with a staffing agency while you wait for a full-time position, treat each temp assignment as you would a permanent position. A positive attitude and taking initiative are two temp agency tips that go a long way towards impressing the staffing agency and employer you’re working for. You could potentially be considered for a full-time position should one become available.

Even if this temp assignment doesn’t help you gain a full-time position, you might do well enough on the job to impress the agency that placed you. As a result, they’ll want to continue working with you and put you on more assignments, saving you from having to keep planning on how to apply to a temp agency. The staffing agency will be more inclined to consider you for any permanent opportunities they have, emphasizing the importance of impressing staffing agencies.

On the other hand, if you treat a temp assignment as just a way to make money, and have no respect for the client or the agency you’re working for, they will be less inclined to work with you in the future. Take that opportunity to formulate questions to ask as you deepen your relationship with the staffing agency you are currently employed.

5. Making the Most of Staffing Agencies

Staffing agencies aren’t just an excellent tool for employers; they also help job seekers with successful employment. You can explore temp agency tips, guides to impress staffing agencies and employers, and tons of advice to help you find and keep a job. Ensure you take full advantage of an agency’s services because they could be the key to helping you find your dream job.

An Unexpected Transformation: How To Move From Temp To Full-Time

June 29, 2018 WAI Staff

In 2018, employers have greater access than ever before to an incredibly large pool of candidates. As a result, an increasing number of employers are embracing the luxury of taking their time to find the perfect new team member via hiring people on a temporary basis prior to offering permanent, full-time employment. While this may seem disappointing for those seeking full-time employment, that doesn’t have to be the case. As David Shindler, an employability specialist, explains: “It’s a two-way street, as employers can see how you perform and how you fit in. I know of people who have had jobs created for them as a result of the impact they have made.”

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