Career

February 6, 2019 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

ASHLEE B. WATSO, SRS LEGAL RECRUITER

Strategic Recruitment Solutions (‘SRS”) is growing! In addition to celebrating their recent move to a new office space at 1555 Poydras Street, Suite 440, New Orleans, LA, they have a new team member. Ashlee B. Watso has now joined the team as a Legal Recruiter.

A New Orleans native with a legal background and business administrative expertise, Watso looks forward to her new role. Prior to joining SRS, Watso worked as a litigation paralegal and as a relocation manager. Her interest in job placement began in 2016 when she met Amy Shanks, director of the Louisiana Legal Division at SRS in New Orleans. “I was actually interviewing for a paralegal position.” Watso said, “After Amy and I discussed my legal background and my skills as an effective communicator, we agreed that I had the right tools to be a great recruiter”.

Solving Problems

Watso, who takes pride in her problem-solving abilities, will bring those skills to her role as legal recruiter. “For ten years I have been accessing what people need and finding the best way to achieve results. At SRS, the goal is to understand the needs of each employers and each job seeker,” Watso said. “Because the recruiters at SRS have formed relationships with their clients over decades, they understand how to help them reach their long-term goals. When you know what your clients’ value, it is easier to find them the right match.”

“Ashlee brings the right mix to our team at SRS team,” said Shanks, “I was impressed with her professionalism and her attentiveness. Because of her paralegal background and experience working for various types of law offices, she brings a unique understanding of our clients’ needs.”

SRS – A Leader in Legal and Information Technology Recruitment

For over a decade, SRS has specialized in recruitment for the Legal and Information Technology fields. When placing job seekers, SRS recruiters remain focused on matching the RIGHT person to the RIGHT position at the RIGHT company. SRS also offers unparalleled senior-level executive searches, management assessments and succession planning services.

For more than a decade, SRS has been matching top companies with top talent in the Gulf Region. With a focus on Legal and IT Recruiting, SRS’s recruiters are experts in their respective markets and can offer insight and guidance to help companies grow. Their second office is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 6160 Perkins Road, Suite 132.

Contact Ashlee B. Watso, Legal Recruiter
1555 Poydras Street, Suite 440, New Orleans, LA, 70112
Direct Phone: 504-417-4578
Email: [email protected]

January 2, 2019 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

TIME TO CHANGE JOBS? LOOK FOR THESE SIGNS

Ready to make a career change? — Considering a change? Look for these signs

Looking to change jobs? Each year begins with thoughts of new years’ resolutions as we think about how we can improve our lives. Because everyone’s interests and goals change over time, it is only natural to question. But how do you know when is the right time to seek new job opportunities?

Here are six indicators that it is time make a job change:

1. You are watching the clock

If you find yourself counting down the hours before you can head home, it is time to change jobs. Remember when your job was fresh, and you did your best to impress your employer. Don’t you want that enthusiasm back?

2. You need a challenge

Some employers do not have the resources to offer opportunities for development or advancement. If you are no longer challenged by your current position, take time to explore other options. The longer you stay at the end of a dead end street, the harder it will be to turn around and take a different direction.

3. You are bored

If your daily tasks have become mundane, you are no longer growing. You were hired for your experience and skill set, however, over time you have improved. Now it is time to challenge yourself again. Staying in a position that you’ve grown out of, out of a sense of loyalty or hesitation to change, will not help your employer. Furthermore, it will not help you advance your career.

4. You feel invisible

Do you feel your voice is heard at team meetings? Are you recognized or given credit for your accomplishments? Do you feel valued? If you have done everything you can to improve the dynamic of your workplace and still feel invisible, its time to move on. Seek new employment where you can make a real difference.

5. You no longer share the company’s vision or values

Remember back when you accepted your offer of employment, and you believed your employers’ values aligned with your own. Has that feeling changed? Are you still proud to identify yourself as an employee? A lack of shared values can be a powerful motivator. Look for a job with company leaders that inspire you.

6. You are stressed

Various events cause work-related stress. Are the demands of your job greater than you can comfortably manage? Do you work in a toxic environment that includes conflicts with co-workers or bosses or threats to your job security? Fatigue, irritability, and insomnia are signs of rising stress levels. Your body may be trying to tell you something.

Finally, as Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” If you haven’t found a job you love, keep looking. These signs are indications that it is time for a change. Don’t be afraid to start exploring your options. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we work with most of the law firms and technology companies in the Louisiana Gulf Coast region helping top performing professionals forge new career paths.

Furthermore, we can provide access to positions in the Legal and IT fields that may not be advertised on job boards or a company’s website. What are you waiting for? Search our current opportunities or submit your resume now to find a job that is the right fit for you!

September 20, 2018 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

IS A COVER LETTER STILL NECESSARY IN 2018?

Are cover letters still needed in 2018? — Make sure your cover letter is readable on a mobile device

Most people dread writing cover letters. Sometimes they require more effort and customization than your resume. Are you wondering if your cover letter is worth the extra effort? The answer is “Yes.”

Regardless of whether you think cover letters are “optional,” you should still include one with your resume. Just ask human resource or hiring managers.

In a 2009 survey, cover letters were preferred by 56% of hiring managers. Fast forward to today’s market where applicants can submit their résumé delivery by email or online, and the percentage drops to between 30% and 49%. So how do you tell whether the hiring manager that you are trying to impress reads cover letters? The answer is, there is no way of knowing.

What we do know is that the concept of introducing yourself and setting yourself apart will always be paramount in your job search. Therefore, submitting a cover letter gives you another opportunity to shine.

We also know that because the candidate screening processes has become increasingly digital and mobile, it is important that your cover letter is impactful and short enough to fit on a mobile screen.

Here are three essential guidelines for writing a cover letter:

1. Make sure your cover letter goes beyond your resume.

Your cover letter is more than an opportunity to re-state your education history and experience. When reading your cover letter, your potential employer can hear your voice through your writing style. When writing your cover letter, make sure to include insights into your work ethic and values. Finally, make sure you write in an engaging style showing that you are motivated and eager to be a part of the team.

2. What do you know about the company and position you are applying to?

Before beginning to write, research the employer and job position thoroughly. Research can go a long way in the application process; it will show that you have an attention to detail. Make sure to customize your cover letter each time you apply for a new position. Finally, always research the hiring manager’s name before addressing your letter.

3. Use your cover letter to show how your skills go beyond the criteria of the position you are applying for.

Your cover letter should expand on your resume, not re-state it. Expand on a specific section of your previous work experience or on the unique skills you bring to the position. Directly address how you will be an asset to the company beyond the required job responsibilities. Furthermore, as you expand on these different aspects, make sure to limit your cover letter to one page. This will save the hiring managers’ time and be much appreciated.

If you are ready NOW to take the next step to advance your career, call us today. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, are your one-stop shop for information, guidance, and insight into the legal and IT markets. For decades we have been instrumental in helping job seekers find their dream jobs. To get started, search our current opportunities or submit your resume today.

January 3, 2018 by Amy Shanks Leave a Comment

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH 5 NEW YEARS’ RESOLUTIONS

NEW YEARS' RESOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CAREER — Want to jumpstart your career in 2018?

5 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

The beginning of a new year provides the perfect opportunity to advance your career. If you are starting a new job or looking to improve your current career prospects in 2018 you’ve come to the right place. These 5 simple lifestyle changes will put you on the right path to achieving your career goals:

Be On Time: Punctuality is incredibly important when it comes to making a good impression on your managers and co-workers. When you show up five or ten minutes late, it reflects your lack of commitment. It also gives the impression that you have poor organizational skills. By being on time, you will do wonders for your reputation. You will also eliminate the stress that comes from running late. You will be surprised how much this small adjustment will help you advance your career.
2. Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle: One of the worst things you can do in your career is work so hard that you forget to take care of yourself. In fact, studies show that taking care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and exercising actually increases your productivity. Make it a goal in 2018 to strike a good work-life-balance. This will benefit your personal life and advance your career.
Build Your Network: As you build your network by utilizing your professional-social skills you will create career opportunities. Make a goal in 2018 to make new connections or renew an old connection at least once a month. Staying active with social networking sites (such as LinkedIn and Google Plus), attending business social events and networking events within your industry will help you stay visible. Remember, not all job and career opportunities are listed. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions we are here to help you succeed in your career goals so make sure you keep in touch with us so that we can keep you posted on new opportunities.
Networking can advance your career!
Develop A New Skill: A good way to advance your career is to learn something new or expand your skill set. Make it a goal in 2018 to identify what new skills you would like to learn. Then book yourself into classes or teach yourself using online tutorials. There are plenty of low-cost and flexible training opportunities on the market. You can attend full time or in your free time. Or maybe you want to improve your personal skills, in that case, you may want to read our 15 Tips to Gaining Likeability in the Workplace.
Be More Organized: The start of a New Year is that perfect time to get everything in order. Once you organize everything, you can easily find what you are looking for and increase your productivity. Make it a goal to start 2018 with a clean inbox. This means organizing important emails into folders, deleting unnecessary emails, and unsubscribing from junk emails.

Organization leads to efficiency and productivity — An organized desk leads to a productive career.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?

If you are ready to take the next step to advancing your career, call us today. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we believe in making the job search process a completely candidate friendly experience. So why not send us your confidential resume today and start the New Year off right. Upon receipt of your resume, we will then set up a face to face interview to discuss your goals. At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to give you an honest assessment of your resume and let you know how your goals fit into the current market.