The landscape of employee benefits packages can be a bit of a maze to navigate. If you've already landed a job or you're in the process of deciding on the job that's the right fit for you, these benefits play a crucial role in your overall job satisfaction as well as your financial well-being. So it's only natural to have questions! Today, Jessica Lepp, Director of Operations at ROCS Staffing joins me to share her valuable insight on what recent graduates can anticipate when reviewing their employer's benefits package. We'll delve into the various types of health insurance plans, time off benefits, retirement savings plans, and other perks that companies may offer. Plus, Jessica shares her most valuable piece of advice for recent college graduates just "Leaving the Nest." Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jessica! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just "Leaving the Nest."   In This Episode [00:34] - Kathleen introduces her colleague Jessica Lepp, the Director of Operations at ROCS Staffing, who is here to share her journey and role at ROCS and offer listeners valuable insights for understanding the complex world of employee benefits and company perks. [01:53] - Jessica shares with us how her role has evolved over her ten years at ROCS, and the relationships she built  [08:57] - Jessica shares what benefits are, the percentage they make up of an employee's total compensation package, and the elements—like health insurance and 401(k) plans—typically included.  [09:45] - The introduction of benefits into the hiring conversation. [10:02] - Jessica shares how some companies use benefits to differentiate themselves with specifics generally being introduced at the offer stage. [11:03] - Breaking down the most significant components of the benefits umbrella: medical, healthcare, dental, and vision coverage. [12:06] - Jessica uses a car insurance analogy to explain the concept of health insurance costs, the employer's portion, and the employee's financial responsibility. [15:29] - The complexity of insurance terminology: Jessica explains some of the key concepts like "premium", "deductible" and the "yearly out-of-pocket maximum." [17:22] - Discussing various time-off requests and accrual, like sick time, vacation time, and PTO. [17:45] - Jessica elaborates on the accrual method, where employees earn PTO as they work, and how it can vary by company, including rollover and "use it or lose it" policies. [22:34] - The financial benefits and perks offered by employers: Jessica provides insights into the importance of retirement savings plans and the value of paying your future self first. [25:37] - Jessica describes Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for more options for managing healthcare expenses. [30:51] - The importance of paying attention to waiting and enrollment periods for things like health insurance and your organization's policies so you are ready with your selections.  [37:42] - Jessica shares her top piece of advice for recent graduates just entering the workforce. [39:24] - You can connect with Jessica on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected]  [39:34] - Thanks again for listening to Leaving the Nest. To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at [email protected]. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.   Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast    Connect with Kathleen: [email protected] LinkedIn  Call: 571-446-2819   Connect with Jessica: [email protected]  LinkedIn

Today, I am joined by Kevin Nunes. With over a decade of experience, Kevin offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay of factors that contribute to a successful career journey. Kevin shares his insights on the significance of taking chances and pursuing your passions, and the crucial role networking can play in opening doors and creating opportunities. Listen in as he shares how to leverage internships and campus involvement to kickstart your career. Plus he offers his valuable insight into the most important attributes hiring managers are seeking in recent college graduates "Leaving The Nest." Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Kevin! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just "Leaving The Nest."    In This Episode [00:33] - Kathleen introduces her guest Kevin Nunes, VP of HR at Quick International, here to discuss his career journey and offer his advice for entry-level job candidates. [01:19] - Kevin introduces himself, and talks about his role at Quick International, and his journey within the company. [02:56] - Kevin discusses his college experience at Quinnipiac University and being a student-athlete. [04:21] - The challenges of time management as a student-athlete and the structure it provided Kevin. [06:39] - Time management advice and comparing college student schedules. [08:20] - Kevin's transition from college to career, starting as an Intern at Learning Dynamics. [09:32] - Kevin explains Learning Dynamics, his internship experience, and the impact on his time management skills. [12:02] - Kevin discusses his internship at Learning Dynamics and the difference between that and his current office job. [13:06] - Kevin shares his thoughts on transitioning from academic settings to professional responsibilities. [14:15] - The learning curve in adulthood and professional development. [15:10] - Kevin discusses the value of professional etiquette and learning from trial and error in the workplace. [16:31] - The importance of diving into learning experiences and mentions the gaps between academic and professional preparation. [17:22] - The real-world skills not typically taught in academia, such as interviewing, conflict resolution, and accountability. [18:07] - Kevin shares an awkward experience with sending a handwritten thank-you note and the importance of being conscious of how you come across. [20:12] - Kathleen emphasizes the value of standing out through memorable actions. [21:37] - Kevin shares how he chose industrial organizational psychology, and how he got involved with Learning Dynamics. [22:11] - Kevin discusses his interest in industrial organizational psychology and networking to secure his internship at Learning Dynamics. [24:31] - Kevin advises listeners to prioritize networking over blindly submitting resumes online for better career prospects. [25:13] - Kathleen discusses the importance of networking and how students sometimes underestimate their existing network. [26:15] - Kevin shares an important point with listeners about the limited differentiating factors in early career stages and the importance of networking and experiences beyond your GPA. [28:41] - "Leaving the Nest": Kevin shares his gradual transition from college to adulthood, adjusting to a routine, and letting go of certain college habits after starting his first full-time job. [30:23] - Kathleen discusses the challenge of adjusting to a set schedule after the flexibility of college and mentions her experience hiring recent grads who struggle with the change. [31:23] - Kevin explains his current role as responsible for the HR function at Quick International Courier, which operates in multiple countries, and highlights the complexity of managing HR across different locations. [33:20] - Kevin acknowledges the challenges of working in a large company but also appreciates the opportunities for growth and making a significant impact in a more decentralized organization. [34:46] - Kevin contrasts the stereotypical processes of large companies with his experience at KN, where he's had the opportunity to contribute and make a name for himself. [36:04] - Kathleen congratulates Kevin on his almost twelve-year tenure at KN and inquires about his career growth within the company. [36:38] - Kevin reflects on his journey of working his way up at KN and shares the contributing factors.   [38:48] - Kevin shares a poignant story about how a role he currently holds became available due to unforeseen circumstances and highlights the role that luck has played in his career path. [40:49] - Kathleen reflects on the unpredictable nature of career paths and how various factors often come together to shape one's journey. [41:38] - The attributes and qualifications Kevin looks for when hiring entry-level candidates for HR and talent acquisition roles. [42:06] - Kevin emphasizes the importance of behaviors and character in entry-level hires and how to develop the desired behaviors a job candidate needs. [42:58] - Kevin shares some specific scenarios where behaviors and character traits play a significant role in evaluating candidates' suitability for a role. [43:30] - Kevin shares his advice for interviews and the importance of providing specific examples from past experiences, that showcase a positive attitude and energy. [43:51] - Kathleen shares her insight into what might tip your hand in an interview if you lack experience. [44:26] - Kevin emphasizes the importance of avoiding societal pressures in career choices, highlighting the importance of knowing your true career goals and balancing your professional ambitions with other life priorities. [46:06] - The less glamorous aspects of growing your career.  [47:43] - Kevin talks about the importance of grit, and staying focused in the face of setbacks. [48:35] - The realities of career paths and social media portrayals.  [49:07] - You can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn where he welcomes connection requests and messages from professionals seeking advice or networking opportunities. [49:58] - Thanks again for listening to Leaving the Nest. To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at [email protected]. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.   Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast    Connect with Kathleen: [email protected] LinkedIn  Call: 703-579-6677   Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn

In our last episode, we talked to John Ragano of SWBC Mortgage to discuss financing a home. Today, I am joined by Sydney Beckman, Realtor at Jennifer Mack Properties of eXp Realty, to discuss the process of finding and buying your first home.   From your buyer's consultation to finding "the one" and finally making an offer, Sydney shares the ins and outs of buying your first home. Sydney explains the first thing you need to do before starting your home search and the steps you can take to ensure a smoother transaction.  Plus, why it's essential to work with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you make informed decisions.  Listen in to learn the most important factors to consider when searching for your dream home, what to know about new construction, why you shouldn't skip the home inspection, and more!  Interested in Real Estate as a career? Sydney shares the process of becoming an agent and the skills required to succeed.  Buying your first home can be a complex process, but with Sydney's guidance, you'll have the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and navigate the journey with confidence. Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Sydney! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just Leaving the Nest.    In This Episode [00:32] - Kathleen welcomes Sydney Beckman, a Realtor from Jennifer Mack Properties of eXp Realty, to discuss the house-hunting process today. [01:48] - Sydney introduces herself and mentions that her team covers Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia [03:02] - The first step for first-time home buyers who want to work with a realtor. [05:04] - Sydney walks us through her buyer consult with every new client, where they discuss budget, location, size and qualities to look for in a house [06:41] - Sydney reveals a crucial aspect of working with first-time homebuyers: managing their expectations and how she guides them toward finding their dream home. [07:54] - Sydney's recommendations to buyers to help them get a better understanding of what they want. [09:26] - The benefits of going to open houses. [10:54] - What you can and (probably) cannot change—Sydney shares the dos and don'ts of house hunting and the most important things to consider that will help you find the right house for you. [13:19] - Kathleen shares her love for watching Fixer Upper with Joanna Gaines and how it relates to house-hunting [13:38] - Kathleen discusses how buyers often miss little details during showings. Sydney offers her advice for going through things in detail—especially approximately how long you should spend with a home inspector at the house.  [15:14] - Don't rely on Zillow— how to really get the inside scoop on houses in your price range that will be coming up for sale (especially in this low inventory market). [16:33] - Ready to buy? Sydney talks about what goes into making the right offer, the process of putting an offer on the house, and how to strategize the offer price based on the market and other factors. [18:16] - Kathleen talks about the importance of finding a trusted realtor and the one piece of advice she has for first-time home buyers.  [19:18] - There's a house for everyone—Sydney recounts an experience with clients who initially were only looking at resale houses but ended up finding their dream home in new construction within their budget. [19:56] - Kathleen talks about how she and Jason also wanted new construction, but the prices often skyrocket with added features. [21:39] - The inside scoop on new construction: Sydney shares her own experience of finding and purchasing a new construction home and the process of selecting a lot and model, plus what to be mindful of.  [25:33] - Knowing the players involved in your real estate transaction and what happens before you receive the keys.  [26:37] - Putting your trust in your realtor for more than just finding your dream home—how to work with them to line up the other professionals you need to get the deal done.  [27:55] - The importance of using local lenders and title companies. [30:21] - Thinking of a career in real estate? Sydney talks about becoming a realtor, the skills (and flexibility) required for the position, and her favorite part of the job. [34:21] -If you'd like to work with Sydney, you can contact her via her profile  or find her on Instagram!  [34:48] - To find your next job, visit us at ROCSjobs.com. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at [email protected]. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.   Resources: ROCS Grad Staffing Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast    Connect with Kathleen: [email protected] LinkedIn  Call: 703-579-6677   Connect with Sydney: Sydney's Website  Instagram LinkedIn  

Leaving The Nest - Episode 4: Video Interview Tips Before 2020, we rarely had video interviews.  Back then, many companies relied on technology for their interviews that dated back to the 1800s: the telephone.  Our society became masters of the audio age. The only way to get real "Face Time" with a company during an interview was to be there in person. And until 2020, many companies were completely content with that. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the interview landscape has changed.  Video interviews have become necessary.  And for many companies, they have become the preference.  Now, it feels like 9 out of 10 interviews we're lining up for our clients are through video.  In our last episode of Leaving The Nest, we spoke about phone interviews.  Don't get me wrong, mastering the phone interview is crucial.  These phone interview skills are essential to laying a solid foundation for video interviews.  That's because video interviews can be very similar but with the extra umph of turning your cameras on.  This is Leaving the Nest and my name is Kathleen Pellegrino from ROCS Grad Staffing.  Our mission is to help you find a job out of college and thrive in the real world. In today's episode, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you nail your next video interview. I can't wait for you to "see" what's in store for this one, enjoy! In This Episode: [00:42] - Kathleen introduces the topic of today's episode: video interviews.  [01:15] - Kathleen explains how video interviews used to be a rare tactic, but since the pandemic, video interviews account for almost 9 out of 10 interviews. [01:49] - We learn tips on how to prepare for a video interview. [02:56] - How long do video interviews typically last? [04:05] - Backgrounds in videos are conversation starters and Kathleen explains why this can be a good or a bad thing. [05:20] - What cameras are the most ideal for video interviews?  Kathleen shares her advice. [06:45] - There are many video conferencing softwarnales being used for interviews today.  [07:49] - Ready...set...hold...  Kathleen warns that video conferences may not start right away, but we should be ready nonetheless as they can begin when we least expect them to. [08:42] - How can we show confidence over a video call? [09:45] - Kathleen reveals one of the best practices of elite video callers: the mute button. [11:24] - What is required for a video interview? [13:00] - Kathleen explains why she prefers it when candidates take written notes instead of typing it out. [13:20] - Kathleen recaps some of the major points covered. Connect with the ROCS Grad Staffing Team: Visit our Website: ROCS Grad Staffing Current Job Openings Give us a call at: (703) 579-6677 Send us an email: [email protected] Check us out on social: ROCS Facebook Page ROCS on Instagram ROCS Grad Staffing LinkedIn Company Page Connect with Kathleen: [email protected] LinkedIn Call: 703-579-6677