Why We Love Working in the Environmental Field

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Wind Power Environmental Engineering

To us, working in the environmental field every day is an honor. It allows us to sit down at our desks each morning knowing there is a bigger purpose behind our work. While we may not be changing the entire planet or solving major world problems, each step we take as environmental recruiters can help to make the world a better place, one person at a time. To know we are a part of that is more than we could ever ask for.

The environmental field is constantly changing, and a large part of our job is to stay up-to-date on the news, trends, and projects that are happening within our arena. While there is always a little bit of bad mixed in with the good, it is a pleasure each morning to read about the positive direction that the environmental industry is moving in. Whether it is a new compliance regulation being implemented or the hard working individual at an environmental consulting firm being honored for their innovative work, there is always something positive happening to counteract the negative.

During this presidential election year, climate change and the future of our planet have been bigger players than ever before. The issues facing the environment are being brought to light after many years in the shadows, and as long time players in this industry, we know that public awareness is the first step to change. Like anything, it’s the small details that lead to bigger things. To be able to create a better world for future generations, we must continue to monitor our infrastructure. The best way we know to do this is by placing top talent to be a part of these projects. When we set out to search for candidates to engineer the future of our society, we seek the best of the best.

Our world will constantly be evolving. Buildings, bridges, and parks will never stop being built in countries all across our planet, but by making sure that the top project managers and environmental engineers, geologists and biologists, compliance specialists and remedial design engineers, are the people calling the shots, we are doing our best at making the world a better, safer, and cleaner place, one person and one project at a time.

Tried & True Daily Habits to Get on the Path to Success

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daily-habits

In some way, shape or form, our daily lives are all a part of our path to success, no matter what that is defined as. Whether it be to meet a sales goal or to start a business, to buy a house or to travel the world, it’s human nature to set goals and want to achieve them.

Society today drives us harder than ever before. In our constantly connected world, it can be even more difficult to find the focus to achieve our goals. It takes discipline, passion, commitment and a burning desire to succeed.

If your view of success is anything like ours, these five tried and true daily habits will help you to stay on the path to reaching your goals.

Plan your day.

Take five minutes at the end of the day to create an action plan for tomorrow. Start by making two lists: one of your high priority projects and another of your meetings and other commitments. Next, combine the two to create a schedule. Sitting down to work the following morning will feel less dreadful when you have a plan already in place.

Shut down distractions.

We live in a very connected world, one in which it can be difficult to not constantly feel like we’re being pulled in five different directions. Make it a habit to put your phone on silent, only check emails once an hour at a designated time, and block social media sites during scheduled work hours (Cold Turkey is a great tool for this).

Though less obvious, but perhaps even more important, don’t get distracted by other people’s journeys. It is important to realize that your journey is unique. You cannot compare another’s success to yours.

Stay in the know.

Begin your mornings browsing through your industry news. Grab your cup of coffee and bookmark a few well-known websites that are relevant within your industry. It never hurts to stay on top of what is happening, and you never know when that knowledge can come in handy.

Network.

This makes for a nice midday break. Spend 15 minutes before or after lunch networking on LinkedIn or writing an email to an old colleague. Connections are so important; you always want to be maintaining old ones and building new ones. This goes for face-to-face networking as well. Attend a seminar, join a group, or grab coffee with a co-worker. Aim for once a week face-to-face networking, and you’ll never be happier you did.

Make health a priority.

Your health and well-being affect every area of your life. Make time for workouts, pack a healthy lunch, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and get enough sleep. A workaholic is far less productive than a smart worker. YOU are a priority, so be sure to prioritize YOU.

Success is a big deal, no matter what kind of success you are seeking. It’s important to remember that, without all the little days in between, you wouldn’t be able to achieve the big picture, so make the most of them.

What daily habits help keep you on track to reaching your goals? Tweet us @RigsbySearch!

How to Craft an Interview Thank You Note

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thank-youThank you notes may seem like a silly formality of the past, something that Mom forced you to do as a kid following birthdays and holidays. But, per usual, Mom was right. That tedious task of handwriting note after note is a vital mannerism in the professional world today, and job interviews are no exception.

Still, most candidates do not send a thank you note, which makes the ones that do really stand out. Not only is the practice of sending a thank you note a professional courtesy, but it also serves to remind the hiring authority of your name, which can be especially helpful when some time has passed or when many candidates are interviewing. The hiring authority has a lot on his or her mind, and your thank you note will serve as a kind reminder that behind the position titles and job descriptions are people, one in the same.

So, the next time you return home from a job interview, take a few minutes to sit down and draft a thank you note. The sooner, the better, which leads us to our first piece of advice.

Timing is everything

Write and mail your note within the first 24 hours. Not only will your punctual timing impress the hiring authority, but the things discussed in your interview will be fresh in your mind.

Don’t leave anyone out

If you interviewed with more than one person, make sure to send an individual thank you note to each one of them, and don’t forget to double check their name!

Send a letter even if you didn’t get the job

If you somehow already know you did not land the job in the immediately hours after your interview, send a thank you note out anyway. You never know what connections might be made.

Proofread

This goes without saying. Any spelling or grammar mistakes would just be embarrassing and could do more harm than good.

Say thank you twice

Along with your handwritten thank you note, it is important to also send an email Immediately following the interview.

What to include

Use this opportunity to highlight anything that you wish you had said in the interview. If you forgot to mention a certain experience related to the job, now is the time to include it. It is also important to reemphasize any skills and qualities that the employer liked about you and that would be vital to the position.

Keep it short and sweet

Everyone is busy, so you’re better off not writing a multiple page thank you letter to your prospective employer. There is no need to encompass your whole meeting in the thank you note. Keep it simple: kind, gracious and to the point. A good way to close is to reiterate your interest.

Include your contact information

Put your phone number and email address right there underneath your name. You don’t want a hiring authority to have to jump through hoops to try to get in touch with you.