Blue Signal Company Archives - Blue Signal Search

Blue Signal Gives Back 2020

January 12, 2021 by Amber Lamb

Closing out 2020 on a high note, we completed our 3rd annual company-wide event for Blue Signal Gives Back (BSGB). Giving back to the community is a shared passion among our employees, and each year we work to incorporate those values into what we do as a company. In 2018, Blue Signal donated $1,632.50 to the American Parkinson Disease Foundation. In 2019, we donated $2,052.50 to the Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome Foundation. This year, proving to be a 3-year trend, Ryan Walsh has won a whopping $3,986.50 to donate to the Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome Foundation on his behalf - all thanks to the combined efforts of the Blue Signal team.

How BSGB Works

Starting on November 16, 2020 and running through December 25, 2020 - every Blue Signaler was given the chance to choose a nonprofit charitable organization to represent. They certainly were off to the races! Employees were able to earn money based on metric points that were each assigned a dollar amount. Employees could earn points through correctly answering trivia questions, or even hitting goals like landing a placement! All efforts made an impact, and the competition was fierce. Each week our Human Resources Director, Jessica Walsh, sent out a progress report - building the excitement for the announcement at the beginning of the new year.

In the end, the team with the most points wins - taking all money earned from all teams and putting it towards the winning charitable organization. Blue Signal then makes a donation to that organization in the name of the winner!

2020’s Winning Organization - The Smith Kingsmore Syndrome Foundation

The SKS Foundation was established in 2019 as a non-profit foundation for children and families affected by Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome. SKS is a rare genetic condition that can cause a wide range of medical, intellectual, and behavioral challenges. The foundation is working to improve the quality of life of children affected by SKS by supporting cutting-edge research, collaborating with medical professionals, and strengthening community through worldwide awareness.

Researchers are continuing to learn more about SKS and are working to help special needs families gain more understanding/earlier diagnosis. The goal is to better understand the characteristics and the differences of MTOR conditions like Smith-Kingsmore syndrome to be able to design well-informed treatment plans.

The SKS Foundation happens to be very near and dear to Blue Signal’s hearts. 4-year-old Jameson “JJ” Walsh, the youngest son of CEO, Matt Walsh, was diagnosed with Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome in 2019. Early on, JJ had hearing loss and has undergone two cochlear implant surgeries to allow him to hear, which were a triumphant success! Despite his diagnosis, and with the support of the SKS Foundation and its incredible, growing community - JJ is a happy and healthy boy and is making great progress with the help of the amazing medical support he receives.

If you are interested in learning more about SKS and the Foundation, please follow this link.

Donate to the Smith Kingsmore Foundation, here!

Blue Signal Search Recognized as #2 Best Place to Work in AZ, 2020

December 17, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Blue Signal Search was recently recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as the #2 Best Place to Work in Arizona for 2020.

For 16 years, the Phoenix Business Journal has run an annual awards competition for best places to work in the valley. They categorize contestants by business size (Blue Signal being under 50 employees qualified as a “Micro Company” this year!) and winners are determined by employee feedback and participation. The competition presents a great opportunity for companies to learn what their employees are really thinking and provides contestants with valuable information they can use to improve day-to-day operations and overall workplace environment.

For the 2020 list, Blue Signal is elated to announce that we were ranked #2 as a Best Place to Work in Arizona! We were honored to be among the 100 companies that were recognized at the virtual event on December 8th, and we definitely took notes! The ceremony gave the floor to each winner to be able to talk about what makes their workplace such a wonderful place to be. Common themes included family-like cultures, opportunity for upward mobility, and transparency within their leadership. After a year of unprecedented workplace changes, it was really inspiring to hear about so many local businesses that overcame those challenges and found ways to make their employees feel valued and secure.

We want to thank each of our employees as well as members of the Arizona community for joining us on the adventure that was 2020. From pivoting to provide COVID response coverage, to keeping our loved ones safe by going remote - Blue Signal was put through its paces like many companies over the last year. We are forever thankful for our internal teams and all the immense patience, commitment, and passion they displayed despite the global turbulence.

Here is what our employees had to say:

“I feel like this company and the role I am in fit everything I need from an employer and job at this point in my career. I feel empowered to make decisions, I feel that my ideas and voice are heard, I feel that I am given ample opportunity to learn new skills, and I ultimately feel as though I have a say in where my career takes me with this company. Also, they have a great amount of respect and understanding when it comes to work/life balance - unlike many other organizations that want you to punch the clock no matter what else is going on in your world. I really appreciate the trust and respect I am given in this role.”

“Blue Signal Search is an environment that offers the support to be successful and the flexibility to be fairly autonomous. Agency recruiting is a very difficult industry and yet for those people who are willing to put in the hard work and dedicate themselves to the right activities, they can achieve that success at Blue Signal. The leaders are accessible and the training is thorough. The technology and other resources are extensive. I would recommend Blue Signal for either someone new to recruiting or a seasoned recruiter looking for a less "corporate" setting where they can create their own destiny.”

“My company cares about me as an individual and is invested in my growth. Many of my friends lost their jobs during COVID, and experienced major anxiety. Blue Signal assured us, provided multiple avenues to support us both professionally and personally through tough times, and pivoted so we were helping those impacted by COVID by finding nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals to fill needed roles. I am proud to be part of this family-like atmosphere and a culture that actually cares about me.”

“Blue Signal is a great place to work. The company is focused on ensuring not only the work success of all employees but also the well-being and growth of each individual both in and out of work. Everyone is treated fairly and with respect. Leadership is constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve all aspects of the business. Culture is the number one most important thing to everyone.”

“It’s a growing company and stable at the core to where job stability and success is never in doubt. They create an environment that allows employees to thrive in their career and overall enrichment.”

PBJ Best Places to Work 2020 Blog Graphic

Blue Signal values quality and fit over quantity and convenience. More than your typical transactional staffing firm, our executive search tactics utilize our relationships and a thorough understanding of client and candidate needs to make the best placements possible. When it comes to clients and our company itself, Blue Signal emphasizes culture and community first. It’s part of our approach to connect with the needs of our customers and is part of how we keep ourselves grounded and involved. When COVID-19 swept the nation in March of 2020, the Blue Signal team was able to pivot business strategies in just 2 days to offer recruitment services for Critical Infrastructure sectors that needed essential workers quickly. With excellence as a priority and a culture that promotes camaraderie, Blue Signal is hands-down a great place to work.

More about Phoenix Business Journal: Phoenix Business Journal (PBJ) is Arizona’s premiere resource for breaking business news, including daily updates, weekly publications, and industry insights. PBJ is a member of the American City Business Journals (ACBJ) - the largest publisher of metropolitan business newsweeklies in the United States. ACBJ has 44 business publications across the country, reaching more than 3.6 million readers each week.

More about Blue Signal: CEO Matt Walsh founded Blue Signal in Chicago in 2012. Since then, the business has grown into a multimillion-dollar executive placement firm, with 16 employees based in Arizona, and 37 nationwide. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, our recruiting team brings together experience that delivers top talent in a variety of industry niches including telecom and technology.

Record-Breaking Month at Blue Signal Search

August 13, 2020 by Amber Lamb

As of August 2020, Blue Signal has shattered records and has reached over 1,000 all-time company placements, among other achievements!

This month, Blue Signal is delighted to announce our 1,000th placement. What does 1,000 placements mean? 1,000 placements represents 1,000 big breaks, celebrations, goals met, and lives changed - just to name a few. The difference one job can make on families, careers, organizations, and industries is unmeasurable. At Blue Signal, we’re passionate about creating these opportunities for impact, and are ecstatic to have reached this new level of achievement.

Our team works to make lasting relationships. We cater to the wants and needs of clients while matching the long-term and overall career goals of candidates. As a partner in the process, we ensure everyone’s best interests by going beyond job descriptions and getting to the heart of our client’s goals and individual’s ambitions. In short - Blue Signal cares. With this philosophy in mind have we been able to reach this milestone.

As thought leaders in our various industry specialties, Blue Signal is constantly looking to share new ideas, best practices, and industry insights with everyone. Our social media pages are constantly updated with hot jobs, interview tips, networking opportunities, and more. Because of this intel, we have gained a following on social media. This month, we reached new heights with over 80K followers on LinkedIn.

Blue Signal would like to thank its clients, candidates, partners, and community for supporting our vision. We hope to transform what people know about talent acquisition by putting relationships first. Here’s to our journey towards becoming the best recruiting firm in the world!

Whether you’re seeking a job or seeking talent to bring onboard, Blue Signal has the connections and the expertise needed to support your journey too. Follow us on LinkedIn to learn more, or contact us today to help fulfill your staffing and recruiting goals.

Blue Signal Ranked #2 Top Executive Search Firm in Arizona

July 29, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Blue Signal Search was recently recognized by AZ Big Media as the #2 Top Executive Search Firm in Arizona for 2020.

“Ranking Arizona - The Best of Arizona Business” is an annual publication by AZ Big Media that is Arizona’s largest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. It annually ranks companies based on the opinions of clients, partners, and customers with one simple question: “With whom would you recommend doing business?”

Blue Signal has been granted this award two years in a row, after earning last years’ 2nd place spot as well. We are so proud and humbled by the recognition from our very own home state! Not to mention, having a slot among the best in the business is such an honor. The fact that so many of our clients and peers would choose to work with our business is a testament to the number of lives we have positively impacted in our line of work. The services and personalized care we give when approaching any hiring need has helped hundreds land new jobs, launch their careers, and reach new heights.

More about AZ Big Media:

AZ Big Media has been reporting compelling business and lifestyle news for Arizona for over 30 years. They cover everything from breaking business, to real estate news, to lifestyle features, professional tools, event information, and even magazine articles. To learn more about their print and online publications, visit their site here.

More about Blue Signal in AZ:

Blue Signal was founded in Chicago in 2012, and since then, has grown into a multimillion-dollar executive placement firm with offices in the Phoenix and Chicago areas. Blue Signal has established itself as the premier executive search firm within wireless/telecom, IoT, cloud and managed services, medical & healthcare, manufacturing, emerging technology, and related industry niches.

At Blue Signal, we know that talent is a business’ best asset - and we are skilled in finding the exact professionals you need to reach your goals. Our targeted, specialized searches deliver highly qualified professionals to meet every hiring need. With over 120 combined years of recruiting experience, we can help your company find the right people for every unique company culture and industry niche. Our team works with both job seeking candidates and talent seeking hiring managers to find the perfect fit. Contact us today to explore your options, and jumpstart your team toward success.

Forbes’ Best Temporary Staffing Firms 2020

July 16, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Blue Signal Search has been recognized as part of Forbes’ annual list of America’s Best Temporary Staffing Firms for 2020.

This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on July 14, 2020 and can currently be viewed on the Forbes website, here.

America’s Best Temporary Staffing Firms awards list is comprised of the best recruiting agencies based on independent surveys involving over 26,500 recruiters and 5,400 job candidates and hiring managers. Out of the 22,500+ recruiting agencies in the United States, and as the youngest five-star recipient on the list, Blue Signal is ecstatic to be recognized as one of Forbes’ 2020 list of America’s Best Temporary Staffing Firms.

Blue Signal would not have achieved the success you see today if not for our incredible and talented network of professionals and industry leaders. We have taken this trust and opportunity and turned it into an exciting change for all - whether that is through finding someone a new job or providing the talent behind a company’s next industry-disrupting move. Our recruiters and supporting team members know the importance a career move can make to better the lives of others - and take that responsibility seriously.

Blue Signal is incredibly grateful for the support and backing we’ve received from our partners, clients, candidates and the industry as a whole. In the future, we will continue to push through industry boundaries and change the game to better serve those involved.

Blue Signal’s various service offerings - from contract placements to permanent hires - are designed to benefit both clients and candidates. Our focus is to move candidates forward in their career goals and provide customized, individual action plans and introductions to prospective employers. With each of our clients, Blue Signal guarantees confidential replacement searches, new launches, project management hires, or high-profile openings to ensure both clients and candidates can reach their highest potential.

More about Forbes:

Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world.

Forbes’ international network of editors, journalists, and contributors fuels the creation of content distributed through Forbes.com, Forbes Magazine, research and insights reports, signature live events, and much more. Its trusted journalism includes franchises such as Billionaires, 30 Under 30, Forbes 400, and Self-Made Women (to name just a few) and its highly respected investment newsletters.

With a legacy unlike any other, Forbes remains true to founder B.C Forbes’ mission stated on the cover of its very first issue, to be “devoted to doers and doings.”

More about Blue Signal:

Blue Signal was founded in Chicago in 2012, and since then, has grown into a multimillion-dollar executive, contract, and temporary placement firm with offices in the Phoenix and Chicago areas. Blue Signal has established itself as the premier executive search firm within wireless/telecom, emerging technology, cloud, medical/healthcare, IoT, and related industry niches.

At Blue Signal, we believe hiring the right people is the best way to transform business. Our targeted, specialized searches deliver highly qualified professionals to meet every hiring need. Our team has decades of combined experience in finding the right people for each unique company culture, industry niche, and project need. To read more about our achievements, follow this link to our other awards.

Our team works nationally with both candidates and hiring managers to find the right fit in their target market. Contact us today to let us know how we can help.

Help Us Help Others

May 11, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Blue Signal has been working to support coronavirus relief through recruiting efforts in critical infrastructure industries including healthcare, critical communications, telehealth, logistics and supply chain, food and agriculture, biotechnology, hospitals, and other key areas. We have a successful track record of filling searches in these areas, and understand that now more than ever those roles cannot afford to be left open. By recruiting the nation’s top-talent to help front-line efforts - and with several placements made in critical infrastructure, healthcare, and public safety - our people are helping to save lives.

But we cannot do it alone! If you or someone you know possesses critical business operations skills, we would like your help! Through referrals, contracting, and even permanent placements, we can work together to support COVID-19 relief. We have openings nationwide in first response and crucial roles - and our clients are moving fast. We urge you to explore our open jobs page on a regular basis, and if you feel you or someone you know is a fit - please reach out. Anything you can provide can make a difference.

In an attempt to stretch these efforts to the most support possible, Blue Signal is excited to announce recent donations made to Feeding America, UNICEF USA, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and the Arizona Community Foundation to support COVID-19 relief. We donated a portion of our earnings from placements made with our critical infrastructure clients - making sure that money spent during the pandemic works to support its relief efforts. Here are some of the ways those organizations are putting donations like these to life-saving use.

Feeding America

On March 13th, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization announced the establishment of the COVID-19 Response Fund to support food banks across the country as they work to feed communities impacted by the pandemic. Feeding America has a network of over 200 member food banks across the country. This fund of $2.65 million will enable food banks to secure the resources they need to serve the most vulnerable members of the community during this difficult time. With the COVID-19 Response Fund, Feeding America is launching national food- and fund-raising efforts to support people facing hunger and the food banks who help them. If you would like to contribute, follow this link.

UNICEF USA

UNICEF has been helping fight the coronavirus pandemic through several initiatives. To date, they have delivered nearly 6 million protective items to health workers, and over 6 metric tons of medical supplies to front line efforts. As the lead humanitarian agency for children’s wellness, they operate in over 190 countries by responding to as many as 300 emergencies per year. Fortunately, they are poised for assisting in COVID-19 relief efforts because they have years of experience supporting similar initiatives. To learn more, or contribute to the cause, follow this link.

Center for Disease Philanthropy

The CDP has created a COVID-19 Response Fund that works to support preparedness, containment efforts, response, and recovery activities for those affected by coronavirus as well as the responders on the front lines. With each of their initiatives, the CDP seeks to use philanthropy to shorten the recovery period from the event, and achieve full recovery as soon as possible. Their work helps to support improving communities’ resilience and the well-being of the people who live there. To support their mission, follow this link.

Arizona Community Foundation

The Arizona Community Foundation has created a COVID-19 Response Fund to support nonprofit organizations as they respond to the pandemic. Partnering with several local corporations and foundations, the fund will be used to support gaps in relief not covered by federal or state funding. Donations to the COVID-19 Response Fund help Arizona communities educate and provide support to healthcare front lines within the state to combat coronavirus. If you would like to get involved, follow this link.

Celebrating World Book Day – Top Staff Picks

April 23, 2020 by Amber Lamb

World Book Day is an annual event that has been celebrated since 1995 - promoting reading, publishing, and copyright. As professionals, or just as people looking to better themselves, reading can offer incredible insight into new ways of thinking. At Blue Signal, we are constantly looking for ways to sharpen our services, better connect with others, and build ourselves as individuals and as a company. The best way, in our opinion, is through continuous learning. Several of our team members have shared their secrets to success through some of their favorite books. Read below for some of Blue Signal’s recommendations!

Jason Parker’s Recommendation

Shackleton’s Way, by Margot Morrell

Shackleton’s Way is a book about the trials of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s efforts to save 27 men stranded with him in the Antarctic for almost two years. Through his own words as well as diaries of his crew members, this book discusses how Shackleton’s leadership and crisis management skills can be applied to the business world.

“It’s a true story of survival and success and someone who leads by example. I couldn’t put the book down!” says Jason Parker, Senior Executive Recruiter. “Not only was it a true story, but after every chapter it broke down the individual lessons to look back on and how it helps you grow. It’s one of the most action packed, danger driven, survival mode books I’ve ever read. They were considered explorers and heroes of their time in an era where there wasn’t much more.”

Jeff Williamson’s Recommendations

Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup, by Bill Aulet

In the book Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup, Bill Aulet teaches people with great products how to turn their innovative idea into a successful business venture through a 24-step framework. It covers common obstacles, focus being the key to success, and strategy on how to stand out.

“This book is a must read for any entrepreneur. Bill Aulet is the Dean of Entrepreneurship at MIT, the most successful university for spitting out noteworthy entrepreneurs and businesses. This book is a step by step playbook to the big picture of setting up a company. Must read and read again,” suggests Jeff Williamson, Senior Executive Recruiter at Blue Signal Search.

Jeff - How Any Startup Can Achieve Traction

Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth, by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares

Pulling from the author’s own experiences, Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth teaches readers how they can build the right customer base for their business. Compiled with interviews from over 40 successful company founders, this book helps entrepreneurs with ads, targeted media, email marketing, and SEO knowledge to help them find the marketing mix that best supports their goals.

Jeff calls this a “great read for evaluating different marketing channels and selecting then testing your marketing channel.” He suggests entrepreneurs “stay focused in that channel before migrating to a different one.”

Lacey Walters’ Recommendation

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Outliers explains how many successful people have reached their goals. Leveraged by proven studies from musicians, athletes, to business owners, Gladwell denotes that success is a matter of practice and hard work. Natural talent is a mere bonus.

“The reason I picked this book up to begin with was because I’d been hearing about the 10,000 hour rule,” says Lacey Walters, Director of Marketing. “The rule says to become world-class at anything, you have to put in 10,000 hours of practice, which equates to about 5 years of uninterrupted 40-hour work weeks’ worth of practice.” For Lacey, Outliers taught her “the importance of practical intelligence, or knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect. This is a huge component to becoming successful. More so than just looking at IQs."

Brent Stokes’ Recommendations

Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson

A popular pick among Blue Signal’s team, Who Moved My Cheese helps readers better anticipate, acknowledge, and accept change, helping them in all aspects of life. “While this book has been around for some time, it is one of the most timely and appropriate books for what is happening in our world today.” says Brent. “Your business does not and WILL NOT look the same. This book helps you cut the hemming and hawing and get to what is important – finding your cheese!”

The Five Disfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni

The Five Disfunctions of a Team outlines the causes of dysfunction on teams ranging from the workplace to social groups - and gives readers tips on how to overcome them. The author explains that creating a functional team requires courage and discipline.

“This book is a MUST for any leader,” Brent states. “It is extremely digestible since it is actually written as a parable/story. This book exemplifies the challenges every team faces and offers a practical framework for developing cohesive and trusting teams.”

Atomic Habits, by James Clear

James Clear is one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation. In his book, Atomic Habits, he discusses strategies on how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master tiny behaviors that over time will develop into significant results. These tips help change the way you see progress and success when seeking to achieve any goal.

Brent Stokes, Senior Executive Recruiter, says, “This was the single best book I read last year. It is great research, science, and it is broken into extremely practical/digestible bits! After reading this book, not only did my results at work go up, but also in my personal life. I decided to go from sitting on the couch to running a half marathon in 6 months.” As a testament to how he reached his own success, Brent states, “This book will change your outlook, shift your perspective, and give you a lifetime of value.”

Brent - You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar

You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar, by David H. Sandler

Breaking the rules of conventional selling, You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar gives tried and true advice on tackling the highly competitive landscape of sales. Brentagrees, saying “This is the hands-down best book on Sales that I have ever read. The Sandler Method gets beyond transactional sales and vendor relationships, and it moves you to a role of a Trusted Advisor. You will cease to see your role in the sales equation as a middleman, and you will start to see yourself as the physician who is essential to the healing of your customers’ pain points.”

Building a StoryBrand, by Donald Miller

Building a StoryBrand teaches readers the seven universal story points all consumers resonate with, the real reasoning behind consumer purchasing, how to simplify brand messaging for better audience understanding, and more. This book supplies a major tool for improving brand and customer connections.

“Your image matters. Whether professionally or personally, you have a brand, and people know you by it,” Brent learned. “This book helps you get crystal clear in very practical ways on how to own your storybrand. This book even comes with access to a portal and ancillary materials to help you get to the deepest parts of your values, what you do, and how you do it. Be prepared to have an elevated personal and professional brand when finished with this book.”

Kelsey Campion’s Recommendations

The Lombardi Rules, by Vince Lombardi

Author Vince Lombardi is considered by many to be the greatest NFL coach of all time. His book, The Lombardi Rules, examines strategies and methods that led Lombardi to his record 7 NFL titles. Applicable to today’s business world, these tips help readers become leaders in their own domains. Kelsey recommends this book, “because it is all about mental toughness, how to hold accountability for yourself, and how to be a motivator.”

The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz

The Magic of Thinking Big is a motivational book, providing useful methods for thinking and behaving in ways that help readers attain satisfaction and success in all aspects of their lives. One of Kelsey’s favorites, she states that it, “reminds you to be human and to live without those that have your best interest at heart. It helped teach me that if you can think successfully, you can eventually be successful. It reiterates that success doesn’t happen overnight, but will if you keep pushing forward.”

Awaken the Giant Within, by Tony Robbins

Written by a national leader in the science of peak performance, Tony Robbins’ Awaken The Giant Within reviews strategies and techniques for mastering your emotions, body, relationships, finances, and life. Kelsey recommends this motivational book for a way to, “help take control of your own life. It teaches you how to be successful.”

Third Circle Theory, by Pejman Ghadmimi

The Third Circle Theory helps break down the stages of an entrepreneurial journey. This book is full of advice on how to view the world, understand people's motivations, and discover the difference between confidence and arrogance when it comes to building success. Kelsey says, “The Third Circle Theory helps you discover your purpose in life. It’s a great book for those who have an entrepreneurial spirit.”

Delivering Happiness, by Tony Hsieh

Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, shares in his book Delivering Happiness the lessons he learned throughout his life, leading up to his successful sale of Zappos to Amazon in a $1.2B deal. It discusses how the corporate culture can be a large indicator of success through happiness. Kelsey suggests this book is, “also great for entrepreneurs. It helps teach you that if you create a happy environment for those around you, it will make you more successful.”

Matt Walsh’s Recommendations

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
Predictable Success, by Les McKeown
The E-Myth and The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael E. Gerber

National Walk to Work Day – Blue Signal Edition

April 3, 2020 by Amber Lamb

The Blue Signal team has gone fully remote in light of recent social distancing restrictions. In order to stay safe, yet still have some work-time fun, we decided to share what it looks like for us to "walk to work" on 2020's National Walk to Work Day. How do you walk to work?

#HireBlue #COVID19 #Coronavirus #WalktoWorkChallenge #Quarantine #QuarantineActivities #OnMyWayToWork #SocialDistancing #WalktoWorkDay2020 #StayHome #StaySafe #Challenge

All rights belong to rightful owner(s).

No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposes only.

Song

Dancing With Myself (Live At Hatfield Poly)

Artist

Generation X

Writers

Billy Idol, Tony James

Licensed to YouTube by

WMG; Abramus Digital, BMG Rights Management, ARESA, CMRRA, Global Music Rights LLC, Sony ATV Publishing, LatinAutor, ASCAP, and 11 Music Rights Societies

National Puppy Day: The Dogs of Blue Signal

March 23, 2020 by Blue Signal

This National Puppy Day, we focus on the bundles of fur that bring us so much joy: our dogs. With most of the nation adopting a work from home policy, owners around the country are able to spend more time with man’s best friend. Although we don’t need an excuse to obsess over our pets, today it is important to bring awareness to the millions of shelter dogs still looking for their forever homes.

Blue Signal takes pride in our philanthropic efforts to give back to the community and causes we’re passionate about. Last year, Blue Signal took part in our annual Blue Signal Gives Back: Puppy Edition. Volunteers were able to donate their time to play, feed, and give love to puppies who were up for adoption at the Arizona Humane Society! This allowed us to give back to the community in a way that positively impacted the lives of many shelter pups.

Today, take a moment to give your pets some extra love and attention, appreciating the four legged creatures that reside in our homes and hearts.

Check out some of our adorable Blue Signal Dogs in the gallery below!

Take a look at some of our other Blue Signal pets below!

Best Practices for Video Interviews in the Midst of COVID-19

March 13, 2020 by Amber Lamb

Amid the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus - also referred to as COVID-19 - many organizations are opting to go remote in order to slow the spread among their employees, students, and travelers. Companies like Twitter, Microsoft, and Apple are heading up the shift. So far, school districts, professional sports leagues, food service companies, and nearly every other industry has been affected.

The good news? With today’s technology, this doesn’t necessarily have to halt business operations like interviewing and hiring. In order to prepare yourself for the change in scenery, we have compiled some key strategies for video conference interviews.

Use a reliable computer, not a mobile device.

Use a laptop or desktop computer; avoid using phones or tablets for a video conferencing call. Test the internet connection, speakers, microphone, and software. Use a high-quality webcam and a headset, if possible; headsets reduce background noise and improve audibility for both interviewer and candidate.

Test out the technology.

Become familiar with the video call software in advance, under the same circumstances as the interview. Companies may use Skype, Google Hangouts, Facetime, or another platform. Download the interviewer’s preferred software and allow plenty of time to practice using it. The username (e.g. jonsmith1), display name (e.g. Jonathan Smith), and profile image should all be simple and professional.

Skype interview tips

Although the conversation is the most important aspect of the interview, technical issues and poor sound quality can lead interviewers to subconsciously form a negative impression. Use a fast, reliable internet connection. If a technical issue arises during the interview, address it immediately rather than risk a miscommunication.

Check for software updates and close all other programs.

Some computers automatically restart when they install updates. Do not chance the computer unexpectedly restarting in the middle of the conversation! Before the interview, install any updates and make sure that no automatic restarts are scheduled. Close every other program other than Skype during the conversation, especially ones that generate noise, pop-ups, or notifications. Candidates should send a clear signal that the interviewer has their undivided attention.

Do a mock interview.

Practice with a friend or Blue Signal recruiter to gather feedback and make adjustments. Nuances that are otherwise unnoticed can stand out during a video call. Give the friend practice questions to read, and have them evaluate body language, expression, voice, and the content of the response. Check for distracting behaviors, such as staring down at the keyboard, fidgeting, the use of filler words such as “um,” or distracting hand gestures. All of these behaviors are harder to moderate when the audience is on a screen instead of in the room.

This is also a good time to practice a confident, enthusiastic delivery of responses. Record answers, if possible, and gauge whether they need revision before the interview. The interviewer only has one chance to hear the answer to a question!

Create a desktop folder of reference documents.

Some reference documents and notes can help to move the conversation forward. For instance, supporting documents such as sales figures may be handy to have during the conversation. Save documents to a new, dedicated folder on your desktop. During the adrenaline-filled moments of the interview, this will avoid a frantic search to find a key piece of information.

Use notes.

Aside from a desktop folder of helpful documents, keep a separate printed set of notes. This includes a resume copy, a quick reference sheet of company research, the job description, and any other key facts. Keep notes organized and easy to read; large blocks of text are difficult to glance through quickly and may result in the candidate frantically shuffling through pages or losing focus as they look for the fact they were trying to find.

One advantage of Skype interviews is the ability to use notes. Keep them out of view of the webcam and avoid shuffling them or reading off of them during the interview. Conduct the same level of research that would be appropriate for an in-person interview.

Put the camera at eye-level or higher.

Looking down into the camera creates an illusion of a double-chin, while looking up into a camera emphasizes confidence and compliments cheekbones and jawlines. If necessary, raise the level of the laptop by placing it on a box or stack of books (make sure they are sturdy, first). Before the videoconference, test out the camera and adjust it to the optimal height, angle, and distance.

Maintain eye contact with the camera, not the face on the screen. Be certain that the camera is at the top of the laptop to make this more natural. Looking directly at the camera gives the illusion of making eye contact with the interviewer while looking at the screen gives the impression of looking away from the interviewer’s eyes.

Choose an appropriate background.

A bare, solid-colored wall makes the best background. No controversial or confidential material should be in view of the camera. The interviewer will want a clear, unobstructed view of the candidate’s face and shoulders. When in doubt, sit farther back.

During the interview, the goal is for the interviewer to focus on the conversation, not the surroundings. If the background is distracting, it will detract from the content of the conversation. Well-lit rooms are preferable, but avoid very bright lights and sitting close to a window. Sunlight can cause a glare that makes it difficult for the camera to adjust to show the candidate’s face.

Dress for success.

Candidates should prepare their appearance as they would for a face-to-face interview. Keep body language neutral and positive, and avoid fidgeting. Body language is more difficult to read over a video call, so smile and engage the interviewer clearly.

Smile, smile, smile.

Smiling has countless positive benefits. It is scientifically proven to calm nerves and lower stress hormones in the bloodstream. Smiling conveys openness, attentiveness, and interest. Enthusiasm is contagious, and it will encourage the interviewer to engage and show interest in the conversation.

This market adoption of work-from-home alternatives may signify a shift in the way the world goes to work, and is especially beneficial during the trying times of a health crisis like the Coronavirus. Whether temporarily operating from your home desk - like for an interview - or making your home office your own personal HQ long-term, the above tips are applicable for all WFH situations. Stay healthy out there! And for further professional hygiene checkups, reach out to one of our qualified Blue Signal recruiters.

To download further interview tips and information, follow this link to our comprehensive interview guide.