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Please browse our archive of pertinent articles, papers and helpful links to in-depth information on important issues.
Additional information regarding interview tips, hiring tips, attraction and retention strategies, industry news and trends, and our monthly newsletters, all offered from our tenured Staffing Consultants and staff, can be found under Articles & Insights.
April 2017: Successful Telecommuting
“Virtual Office” “Remote Worker” “Satellite” “Off Site” “Telecommuting” “iworkers, eworkers or Web Workers” “Portable Professionals” “Digital Nomads” “Non-Cubical Dwellers” There are many names for the increasing number of professionals working in a nontraditional office setting. According to a...
March 2017: Prepare For A Year With More Interviews
2017 rebound underway? In our limited view of the overall refining and chemical marketplace, we've experienced a very sluggish 2016 that ended with a flurry of mid and high-level management hires. Although it's not unusual for us to see last minute hires to meet year-end budget requirements, this...
February 2017: Spring Clean Your Career
After a full weekend of near record temperature highs in Houston, “Spring Cleaning” is on my mind. I know I’m probably a bit ahead of the curve on this, but having just put together: 2017 Goals, final tallies for 2016 and all my, not so “New” Year’s resolutions, Spring Cleaning is next on my...
January 2017: Overcoming Changes in the Workplace
2017, an economy on the uptick (maybe), a new administration with a stated commitment to support American businesses and lots of changes coming for the New Year. Good changes? Bad changes? Truth is we really don't know, but psychologists tell us that too much change even if it's good change can be...
December 2016: How to Have an Effective Performance Review
Pay and recognition are two of the most important factors that impact employee morale, performance and growth. From a company standpoint, if your business isn't keeping up with market trends, you can run the risk of losing talented employees and turning away top prospects. From an employee...
November 2016: Competition Increases for Big Data Talent, but Are They Replacing Other Jobs?
Data, when done right, increases efficiency which inevitably could translate into "somebody will lose their job." But as it turns out, demand is increasing for Big Data expertise as more companies become aware of the benefits associated with collecting and analyzing data, and unfortunately the...
November 2016: Being Thankful in the Workplace
In the U.S., this is the month for giving thanks. We give thanks for the love of our family and friends and for the joy of life's bounties. It is a wonderful holiday - one without the pressure of giving gifts. In so many ways, it is a time for real reflection and appreciation. And that would be...
October 2016: Politics in the Workplace
From the Presidential debates to lawn signs and TV ads to the Voters' Pamphlet in your mailbox, there's no denying that election season is in full swing. During a presidential election season, political discussion and debate are prominent, often at family functions, social gatherings and even at...
September 2016: Emotional Intelligence to Advance Your Career
At a recent WEN association presentation, the guest speaker (VP Human Resources from a major energy company) presented on the challenges and tips and tools you can readily access to improve your ability to communicate, navigate the political hierarchy of your organization and understand its...
September 2016: Refining & Chemical Salary Trends
A couple of months ago, Whitaker embarked on our first-ever salary survey for engineering and technical professionals in the refining and petrochemical industry. See the Results We decided to initiate this effort quite simply because nothing of its kind exists to our knowledge. Of...
August 2016: How to Manage Stress at Work
Early August puts us smack in the middle of the summer vacation season! Although it sometimes makes it more difficult to connect with candidates and clients who take vacation during this period, I'm always glad to see folks taking a break from work to enjoy time with friends and family - whether...
July 2016: Protecting Your Security & Privacy for Mobile Apps
Pokémon Go has become an overnight sensation with people of all ages and backgrounds spending more time on the app than on social media networks. As popularity continues to climb, companies are faced with new privacy and security concerns for those employees that play at work and even download the...
July 2016: Top Business Trends To Drive Success
The calendar page has turned to July which means that half of 2016 is now over. Hard to believe that time marches on so quickly! However it causes me to pause and reflect on how we have measured up to the personal and professional goals we set for ourselves and our businesses when we were making...
June 2016: How NOT to Network
LinkedIn, Twitter, Classmates.com, Facebook, Google+. Pinterest… “networking” opportunities are everywhere. Wikipedia lists OVER 200 current “major active social networking websites” excluding online dating sites. Ironically, with all this “interaction” I still believe that technology is actually...
May 2016: How to Bulletproof Your IT Career
Is it possible to bulletproof your IT career? Nothing in this life is ever 100% certain, however staying on top of new technologies and software programs, not to mention earning multiple certifications, is a way for an IT professional to show senior executives and hiring mangers that their skills...

