April Nagel of firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search Appears Live on CNN

On Saturday, March 21, I appeared live on CNN Newsroom Saturday to address concerns about finding a job in tough economic times. The hour long segment featured an expert panel who offered advice to three job seeking candidates.

This was an opportunity to show viewers how to take control of their job search. We identified the most common mistakes that job seekers make, and offered some practical tips for surviving a layoff and landing another job. I also directed viewers to indeed.com, a resource for job trends, salaries and postings. In addition to this, I highlighted the SimplyHired.com, a job search engine that researches thousands of job sites and companies on the web.

In the end, I'm optimistic about the job search as a whole. Don’t be ashamed that you have been laid off. Be proactive and seek a solution. Tell everyone you know that you are out of work. You never know where the next great lead could be.

The City of Atlanta certifies firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search a Female Business Enterprise

Today I announced that the City of Atlanta’s Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBO) has certified firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE). Certification lasts for a period of two years and entitles the firm to be included in EBO plans submitted by contractors bidding on City of Atlanta projects.

We are thrilled to be acknowledged by such a widely recognized certification program. It has always been a goal of ours at firstPRO to encourage equal opportunity in the workplace. Earning our FBE certification was just another step in reinforcing our status as a woman-owned company and our commitment to diversity.

As a member of the EBO program, firms are encouraged to maximize their contracting opportunities throughout the city. Outlets for this include outreach sessions, local trade and business organizations and diversity programs. For more information, visit www.atlantaga.gov

Gender Protocol

At firstPRO Staffing and Executive Search, we were recently certified by the City of Atlanta’s Equal Business Opportunity Program (EBO) as a Female Business Enterprise (FBE).

Our certification as an FBE has also been a great marketing tool. While we have always been majority women owned, we had never gone through this particular process. Over the years, however, several of our large clients encouraged us to get our certification, and last year we saw no reason to miss this opportunity. Companies who have made commitments to a diversity program or do business with the government set aside a certain percentage of their vendor business for minority-owned businesses, and our certification automatically puts us in that category.

As a woman business owner, I believe that gender protocol has evolved in many (albeit subtle) ways. Today females are viewed more as individuals and defined more by the position they hold, their work ethic and performance results. Twenty years ago, however, we were still viewed simply as “women” and assumptions were made based on that fact. Male co-workers had difficulty not seeing us as females first, and were confused about how to treat us with respect but as work peers. But as awareness has evolved, there are less off color comments, sexual overtones and unacceptable, rude behavior. In regards to proper behavior and manners, I believe that the protocol for this should be gender-free as well. In other words, it is not a “ladies first” environment, although when it comes to ordering at a restaurant or getting off the elevator, it is still polite to allow women in the group to go first. As women, we need to make certain that we dress, speak and behave in a more neutral way.

At firstPRO, we work in a very results-oriented environment, and opportunities are created for individuals (not just women) based on those results. I do not believe that women can expect preferential treatment if they want to be taken seriously in the workplace.