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The increased use of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives can make us feel like we live in the future. There have been some recent advancements in AI technology, and it's even playing a role in modern recruiting. AI can improve the hiring process, but it can also hurt it. Here are some things you should know about AI and recruitment.

How AI Improves Recruiting Processes

Artificial intelligence has a lot of great uses when paired with experts in various industries. For recruiting, AI serves to streamline processes to avoid too much administrative work so recruiters can concentrate on the more specific aspects of sourcing and placing candidates.

Saving Time

The most significant aspect of using AI is saving time in the recruitment process. AI technology can quickly scan existing resumes to return results so recruiters can start from that point forward. In the past, recruiters were responsible for reviewing an entire database of applicants to determine who would be qualified.

Removing Bias

AI also can remove unconscious bias from the processing of sourcing and recruiting. Unconscious bias is how our brains often try to see the commonalities in one another while ruling out the differences. AI can help avoid this pitfall in the hiring process.

Finding Candidates

AI can also assist in the sourcing of candidates. There are a variety of technologies currently available that can use AI to search comprehensive databases or job boards to help find qualified candidates faster so you can move directly into the contact phase.

Improving Candidate Experience

AI can also help improve the candidate experience. Knowing communication is critical; many companies are utilizing AI as ChatBots to help answer frequently asked candidate questions and maintain positive contact in the early stages.

The Problem with AI in Recruitment

AI isn't an infallible science. There are plenty of pitfalls around using AI in recruiting. For example, you can use AI to monitor skills testing, but the same physical indicators for cheating are often present in anxious people. AI can also miss details that might impact a candidate's performance. It's always best to combine AI with the human touch.

If you're currently struggling to hire, get in touch with the itec team of expert recruiters!

Have you thought about a career in quality control? There are many things to consider when looking into a new career path. What is quality control? What qualifications do you need for success? And how can you get started? Here are a few things you should know if you believe a quality control position is right for you.

What Is Quality Control?

Quality control is a significant part of manufacturing. As products are assembled or fabricated, it's essential to ensure that each piece meets the expected standards. Someone who works in any aspect of quality control will maintain these standards and ensure that products are compliant and correct when used.

What is a Day in the Life of Quality Control?

Several job titles fall under quality control. You may work as an analyst, associate, technician, or specialist, but all QC positions handle many of the same tasks. You will inspect and test products or parts and keep accurate records of the results. You will log all defects you discover. You'll also be responsible for maintaining any equipment for these processes.

What Skills Do You Need for Quality Control?

Along with any specific technical skills you might need for the industry for which you apply, you will also need to bring several soft skills to the table. You'll need good teamwork skills, fantastic attention to detail, good communication skills, excellent writing skills, and the ability to prioritize and manage your time.

How Do You Find a Quality Control Position?

Do you think a quality control position is right for you? If you have the background and skills to become a quality control technician, the first step is to apply with an agency specializing in manufacturing or similar industries like itec group. 

If you think you're ready to pursue a QC career, browse the open roles at itec group! 

Today, job seekers are looking for employers who value them and are invested in their career growth. One way to show appreciation to your team is by finding ways to invest in their mental and physical wellbeing. Here are low-cost ways to support every aspect of employees working with your organization.

Offer Mental Health Days

Understanding that employees sometimes need breaks to clear their heads should be acceptable in the workplace. By offering a robust PTO package without specifying the reasons for being out of the office, your employees can feel okay when they need to take time off.

Provide Access to Counseling

It's easier than ever to provide access to counseling and therapy. Your insurance provider may offer these services, or you can consider subsidizing a subscription to an online therapy platform such as Better Help.

Watch for Burnout and Create Solutions

It's crucial as a manager to watch for signs of burnout in your employees. When they lose interest and excitement about their jobs and the quality of work goes downhill, it's worth reaching out. Check with them and help create solutions to improve employee satisfaction.

Practice Gratitude

It's a small gesture, but it can go a long way. Creating a grateful culture is contagious; you'll notice when you're more thankful to your employees they express more thanks to their peers. Remember to thank your team for everything they do, not just the big things.

Offer Group Classes and Fitness Challenges

Access to fitness opportunities is an extra perk you can offer your team to invest in their wellbeing. You can bring in a teacher for a group class, maybe in Yoga or Tai Chi. Or you can create a fitness challenge such as counting steps.

If you're still looking to hire, get in touch with itec group!

Have you considered working with a recruiter to advance your engineering career? While most job seekers could benefit from working with a recruiter, tech job seekers should always harness the power of a staffing firm. Why? Because they have access to a vast network in your industry to help you find your next great opportunity. Here's what you should know.

Recruiters Want to Find the Best Talent

The top priority for recruiters is finding the best talent for their open positions. They are committed to their client companies to source top talent and place them in the roles. That means they will work hard to find a job for you because you will reflect well on their abilities to identify top candidates.

Recruiters Have Access to Jobs Not Available to the Public

One of the hidden benefits of working with recruiters is having access to more jobs than the public. Many companies will approach a staffing service before publishing a job posting online. If the recruiter fills the position, it never ends up posted to the public. You will have access to these opportunities.

Recruiters Can Help You Negotiate the Best Offer

Negotiating salary can be scary and even tricky. But when you work with a recruiter, they're on your side. They will work between you and their client to get you a great package.

Recruiters Become Your Career Support System

Just because you've accepted a position doesn't mean your relationship with your recruiter is over. Careers go through many ebbs and flows, and if you find yourself looking for a new job in the future, your recruiter is the best person to contact immediately. They know that you're a proven performer and will be able to help you find your next opportunity.

If you're considering working with a recruiter, get in touch with our team at itec group!

Are you dealing with high internal turnover? There are a lot of reasons you might see attrition among your employees. However, evaluating your company culture to determine if it could be the cause is always a worthwhile activity. When you dive deeply into your culture, here are five red flags you should keep in mind.

Overworked and Overwhelmed Employees

When you conduct an exit interview, do your employees indicate that they feel overwhelmed by their workload? If your employees are doing the work of multiple people, it's time to change how work is distributed. To alleviate this, consider hiring additional staff to take the workload off your employees.

Micromanagement

Another major issue with many companies is the existence of micromanagement. When your management team is so involved in day-to-day operations, employees feel frustrated that they have no autonomy to do their work. You've hired your employees because they are qualified professionals, so avoid micromanaging.

Poor Work/Life Balance

When your employees feel like they take work home with them, even on a psychological level, your organization's work/life balance is off. Give your employees ample PTO and options for flexible schedules or work-from-home arrangements. This can add value and provide a better balance between work and life.

No Clear Path to Advancement

Employees don't like to feel stuck. If they can't advance in your company, they will likely seek that advancement elsewhere. Provide your employees a way to grow their careers with continued learning and development and options to use new skills within your organization.

No Diversity Representation in Leadership

Another big concern for employees today is diversity within the company. This doesn't just mean hiring diverse employees but also practicing equity and inclusion by giving diverse employees access to leadership positions. Representation matters at all levels, including within the company's management and c-suite positions.

When you're ready to hire, get in touch with itec group!

Do you work to live or live to work? You've probably heard people say these phrases to you, but what do they mean? You might cross the line from career fulfillment to career burnout if you live to work. On the other hand, if you work to live, you may miss out on true career satisfaction. So how do you strike a balance in your career? Here are some ideas to think about.

Disengagement

Disengagement from the meaning of work leads to the assumption that work is only for the paycheck. Yes, we need money to thrive in our economy, but humans aren't motivated by money alone. Meaning is just as essential, and when we remove any purpose beyond the monetary value from any action we take, we tend to go through the motions.

Overload and Burnout

But pushing ourselves at work can also lead to negative consequences. Maybe we do love our jobs, but when we make our careers our only priority, we are likely to suffer from overload and, eventually, complete burnout.

The Drive for Perfectionism

Some people are driven by the need to be perfect. That means pushing career goals to the limit. And while striving to be the best at something is a worthwhile goal, sometimes it happens at the cost of everything else. Perfection can sometimes be a mask for other concerns and feelings.

Finding a Balance

There is a happy medium between working to live and living to work. Finding that sweet spot where you can earn the money you need to maintain your lifestyle without working so hard that you find yourself in a state of burnout. Seeking an employer who values work/life balance and recognizes employees as complete people with lives both in and out of the office.

Looking for a new job? Check out the open opportunities with itec group!

Are you having trouble filling your open career opportunities? Various factors, including the fallout of COVID-19 and The Great Resignation, lead to more open positions than qualified candidates. But that doesn't mean you can't attract great talent to your doorstep with the right incentives. Now is the time to consider a sign-on incentive to inspire and attract candidates to apply for your open roles. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Sign On Bonus

Many companies are embracing sign-on bonuses for new hires in any position, not just new hires in executive roles. The idea is to incentivize accepting a job during a challenging hiring season. Talent may consider leaving current positions for new opportunities when the offer includes a generous bonus.

Tuition Repayment

For many people, the cost of their student loans can be crippling. Companies can help the process by offering tuition repayment programs that help employees pay down their debt faster. This will become increasingly important as student loan forbearance is made necessary as the pandemic ends.

Expanded PTO Options

Time off has always been a selling point for employees. And as everyone refocuses on their work/life balance in the wake of COVID-19, a solid PTO plan is increasingly more critical. Expanded PTO programs will give employees more career satisfaction and the ability to return to work refreshed after being away from the office.

Flexible Scheduling

Another critical perk for employees today is the ability to create more flexible schedules. Working different hours or from home is helping many employees accept and stay in jobs. Flexible schedules can assist with commute and child drop-off issues that often arise for employees juggling work and personal lives.

Access to Training and Development

Another significant incentive to encourage talent to accept your job is access to training and development. One of the main reasons employees leave jobs is because they feel like they've topped out and cannot advance or learn any more in their careers with an organization. Provide pathways for continued learning and advancement.

If you're struggling to find the talent you need, get in touch with itec group! 

Congratulations, you've moved forward in your job search. Maybe you were even extended a job offer, but it's dependent on your background check. If you've never had an employment background check before, it's okay to feel anxious. Here is what you can expect when a company runs a background check on you before starting your new job. 

What Are They Looking For? 

Employers have various reasons to check backgrounds, but always know that background checks are only done when there is a bona fide business need. They might check information like work history, credit, driving, criminal, court, bankruptcy, military, and drug test results. Before conducting these checks, they will need to inform you about what they're looking for and why. 

What Can You Do to Prepare?

You may think there's not much you can do to prepare for a background check, but you'd be surprised. When you start your job search, do these things: 

• Clean up social media and check privacy settings
• Keep good records of past employment and education
• Have copies of your documents on hand
• Always be honest
• Let your references know they may be contacted

What Industries are More Likely to Run a Check? 

Background checks are generally performed by certain industries that have specific requirements. For example, healthcare employees have a precise and rigorous background check before hiring. Manufacturing, transportation, government jobs, and financial services will run the appropriate background checks for their requirements. 

What Are Your Rights? 

It's crucial that you understand your rights regarding background checks. Federal laws protect your rights in these cases in both Canada and the U.S. Know what employers can ask. For example, employers can ask about education, previous employment, and public records such as credit or criminal history. They are not permitted to ask about personal health or genetics. You are entitled to the results of your background checks and if you feel like your background check resulted in discriminatory hiring practices, seek assistance. 

itec group still offers a wide array of career opportunities, check them out!

In a world where the workplace dynamic has shifted quickly, managers are looking for new and better ways to motivate their teams. But what if we told you there was one tried and true method worth bringing back? Should you make 1-1 meetings with your team a priority again? Here are a few things to consider. 

Discuss Goals

If neither you nor your employee have determined goals related to personal growth and development or the company's long-term vision, you're doing your employees a disservice. Goals are the cornerstone of workplace satisfaction and ensure that both you and the employees are meeting expectations. 

Understand Problems

When problems arise in the workplace, if you're not getting information from the source, you're not likely to solve problems effectively. When something isn't going right, don't make assumptions. Talk to your team member about what's going on. You may be surprised to learn what the root cause is and that it's something that can be resolved. 

Make a Plan

Managers often fail at providing enough details on projects, leaving employees to guess at certain aspects. While we would hope they would ask clarifying questions, employees also don't want you to see them as weak, so they often don't. Instead, when discussing new projects, make a clear plan that is easy to follow.  

Build the Relationship

Meeting with your team members one-on-one, whether in person or via video, is also an opportunity to build that relationship. You want your employees to know that you have their backs, that you're on their side, and that you are a resource for any information they need. You can get to know what motivates and drives them. 

If you're ready to hire top talent, reach out to our team at itec!

Do you feel like your career may have come to a screeching halt? Maybe your career growth has stalled, and you're not quite sure of the reasons why. It's helpful sometimes to take a step back and reevaluate where you've been and where you want to go. Here are some possible reasons why your career growth has hit a wall. 

You Stopped Learning

Sometimes we stall out in our growth and development because we're burned out on the desire to learn anything new. But when you stop learning, you stop growing. Now is the time to reassess what you're doing. If you're not interested in learning more about the current path, it may be time to choose a different approach. 

Make a plan to learn one new thing a week. It can be something specifically related to your current position or anything else you've been interested in. Read personal development books, learn a new hobby, or take online classes. 

You're On Auto-Pilot

Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work? You know your job and can do it with your eyes closed, so you do. You can quickly stall out in your career when you're running on autopilot. What's worse is you have a higher potential of making mistakes. 

Take a minute to determine the source of your dissatisfaction. What can you do to shake things up if you're running on autopilot? Take on a new project. Or, if you realize your current role won't satisfy your need for something new, it may be time to look for a new opportunity. 

You Don't Have an Action Plan

Maybe you're not moving forward in your career because you've never made a plan that can help take you to the next level. Sometimes something as simple as goal setting can help you break out of a rut and take your career in a new direction. 

Consider setting SMART goals to help you get to the next level.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-based

Know what you want to achieve, how you will measure success, make it attainable and relevant to your long-term goals, and give yourself a deadline. 

If you're looking to get your career back on track this year, get in touch with itec group!