Hiring & HR Insights

A new year brings new opportunities, fresh goals, and big expectations. But turning the calendar doesn't automatically move your business forward. Too often, companies enter January with ambitious plans but no clear strategy for achieving them. Priorities...

Performance reviews should be more than an annual meeting, a form rating, or another task to check off the year-end list. When done well, performance reviews create opportunities for stronger communication, clearer expectations, and meaningful employee...

The end of the year is filled with deadlines, budgets, holiday schedules, and planning for what's next. But before your business closes the book on 2026, there's one more area that deserves attention: HR. A year-end HR checkup gives your business a chance to...

Growth is a great problem to have, until the people side of the business starts struggling to keep up. For many growing companies, HR isn’t a priority until there’s a problem. An employee conflict escalates. A manager isn’t sure how to handle a performance...

Growth is usually the goal. More customers, more revenue, more opportunities, and eventually, more employees. But adding people without a strategy can turn exciting growth into operational chaos. As businesses expand, the informal processes that once worked...

The Hidden Risk of Outdated Policies An employee handbook shouldn’t be a document you create once, save to a folder, and forget about. As your business grows, workplace expectations change. Teams expand, leadership evolves, employment laws are updated, and...

Culture Keeps People: Is Yours Helping or Hurting Retention? Competitive pay and great benefits may get employees through the door, but company culture is often what determines whether they stay. Culture isn’t the mission statement hanging on the wall or the...

Promoted Doesn’t Mean Prepared. Promoting a high-performing employee into a management role often feels like the natural next step. After all, they’ve proven they can do the job well, so they’ll be great at leading others, right? Not always. Managing people...

(Hint: It Shouldn't Be HR Problems) Most business owners and leaders didn’t start their companies to spend their days mediating employee conflicts, answering policy questions, or handling workplace issues. Yet for many growing businesses, that’s exactly what...

For many small and growing businesses, the word compliance brings to mind endless paperwork, complicated policies, and a rigid corporate environment. Business owners often worry that introducing formal HR processes will create bureaucracy, slow down...

Built to Grow: Creating HR That Evolves With Your Business Growth is exciting, but growth without the right HR foundation can quickly create chaos. What works for a company with 10 employees rarely works the same way at 50, 100, or beyond. As businesses...

Fast Hires, Costly Mistakes Why Hiring Right Always Wins When a role stays open too long, pressure builds quickly. Teams are stretched thin, productivity slows down, and leadership often feels the urgency to “just fill the seat.” But hiring fast and hiring...

Right-Sized HR: Choosing Between Fractional Support and a Full-Time Hire As your business grows, so do your people’s challenges: hiring, compliance, employee relations, and culture-building all demand time and expertise. The question many organizations face...

The Handbook No One Reads… And How to Fix It Let’s be honest, most employee handbooks live in one of two places: buried in an onboarding folder or collecting digital dust in a shared drive. They’re handed out, acknowledged, and then… forgotten. But an...

Why One-Size-Fits-All HR Is Failing Your Business In today’s fast-moving business environment, companies can’t afford to treat their people strategy as plug-and-play. Yet many organizations still rely on cookie-cutter HR solutions: generic policies, templated...

The Power of Strategic HR Consulting The Power of Strategic HR Consulting: Building Stronger Teams and Safer Businesses In today’s complex business environment, companies face increasing pressure to maintain compliance, manage people effectively, and foster...

The 2026 Hiring Reset: Workforce Trends Every Employer Needs to Know The labor market in 2026 looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago. While hiring has stabilized in some sectors, competition for high-performing talent remains fierce....

Retention Strategies That Actually Work in 2026 Employee retention in 2026 looks very different from what it did just a few years ago. The workforce has changed: expectations are higher, career paths are less linear, and loyalty is no longer driven by perks...

Building a Strong, Future-Ready Company Culture In today’s fast-moving business environment, company culture isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a competitive advantage. Organizations that thrive through growth, change, and uncertainty share one thing in common: a...

How Leaders Keep Goals on Track in Q1 The start of a new year brings renewed energy, ambitious plans, and clearly defined goals. However, for many organizations, Q1 is also when goals quietly begin to slip off track. Despite strong intentions, leaders often...

Strategic Planning & Execution: The Key to Q1 Success The start of a new year brings fresh energy, ambitious goals, and well-intentioned plans. Yet for many organizations, momentum fades by the end of Q1. The issue isn’t a lack of vision, it’s execution....

Top 5 HR and Hiring Trends to Watch in 2026 The HR and staffing landscape is constantly evolving, and as we move toward 2026, organizations that stay ahead of emerging trends will be best positioned to attract, retain, and develop top talent. Rapid...

Set SMART Goals for 2026: Clarity & Accountability for Your Business and Team As the year winds down, many leaders feel the same mix of urgency and opportunity: urgency to close strong, and opportunity to reset what’s possible. Year-end is the best time to...

How to Boost Employee Engagement During the Holidays The holiday season is one of the most exciting times of the year, but for many workplaces, it can also be one of the most challenging. Juggling year-end deadlines, personal obligations, and seasonal...

Why Strategy Sessions Set You Up for a Strong January As the year comes to a close, many organizations focus on wrapping up projects and celebrating accomplishments, but the most successful teams also take this time to pause, reflect, and plan strategically....

How to Prepare for Open Enrollment: An Employer Checklist Open enrollment season is one of the most important, and potentially stressful, times of the year for employers. Between managing benefit renewals, meeting compliance deadlines, and ensuring employees...

How Personality Assessments Improve Hiring & Team Performance In today’s fast-paced, people-driven workplace, hiring for skills alone just doesn’t cut it. Technical qualifications can tell you what some can do – but not how they’ll do it, how they’ll work...

Top HR Best Practices for Q4 Success As the end of the year approaches, many companies are racing to wrap up projects, close sales, and hit their annual goals. For HR teams, Q4 is just as important–it’s the time to check in on policies, support employees,...

How to Leverage Your Network to Land Your Next Job If you’re job hunting, you’ve probably been told to “apply online” as the first step. However, the surprising truth is up to 80% of jobs are never advertised. That’s right: the majority of opportunities are...

Why Employee Turnover Is Costing You More Than You Think Most leaders understand that high turnover means hiring more often–but that’s only part of the story. Employee turnover impacts your bottom line in ways many businesses underestimate, from lost...

Winning Top Talent Without a Fortune 500 Budget Many small and mid-sized businesses assume they can’t compete with large corporations when it comes to hiring. After all, they don’t have sprawling campuses, luxury perks, or Silicon Valley paychecks. But here’s...

Interview Questions That Reveal the Real Candidate Hiring the right person is both an art and a science. While résumés and LinkedIn profiles can give you a surface-level view, the true measure of a candidate comes out in the questions you ask during an...

The ROI of Working with a Staffing Partner: Why It Pays Off (Literally) In today’s competitive job market, finding and retaining top talent is more challenging—and more critical—than ever. For many businesses, the answer isn’t just working harder to fill...

Writing a Compelling Job Description Writing a compelling job description might seem like a routine HR task, but it’s one of the most powerful tools you have for attracting top-tier talent. A well-crafted job description doesn’t just list duties—it tells a...

Tailor Your Resume for Every Role: Stand Out, Get Noticed, Land the Interview In today’s competitive job market, sending out the same generic resume for every position just doesn’t cut it anymore. Employers are flooded with applications, and if your resume...

Being Prepared for a Workplace Crisis: Why It Matters More Than Ever In today’s fast-paced business world, the unexpected is no longer a possibility—it’s a certainty. Whether it’s a natural disaster, cybersecurity threat, leadership shakeup, or public...

Why Workplace Culture Is More Important Than Ever In today’s rapidly evolving work landscape, workplace culture has emerged as a non-negotiable cornerstone of successful organizations. It’s no longer just a “nice to have” — it’s a critical factor that...

What Job Candidates Really Want in 2025 As we navigate through 2025, the job market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, shaped by technological advances, shifting societal values, and the lasting effects of the pandemic-era workplace revolution. While...

The Importance of Effective Onboarding A company’s onboarding process is much more than paperwork and IT setup—it’s the foundation for a new hire’s experience, performance, and long-term success. When done right, onboarding boosts engagement, accelerates...

How to Write Job Descriptions That Attract Top Talent In today’s competitive hiring landscape, job descriptions are more than just a list of tasks—they’re marketing tools. The best candidates aren’t just looking for any job; they’re looking for the right job....

How to Spot a Great Candidate in an Interview Hiring the right candidate is crucial for business success. A great hire can boost productivity, foster a positive work environment, and contribute to long-term growth. However, identifying top talent isn’t always...

Building Meaningful Connections in a Virtual World: Strategies for Job Seekers In today’s digital age, networking is no longer confined to handshakes at industry events or coffee meetings with mentors. With the rise of remote work and virtual platforms, job...

How HR Tech Will Transform the Workplace The workplace is evolving rapidly, and HR technology is at the forefront of this transformation. From automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to employee experience platforms, businesses are leveraging new HR...

The True Cost of a Bad Hire: Understanding the Ripple Effect on Your Business Hiring the wrong person for a role is far more than just an HR headache — it’s a costly mistake that can ripple through your entire organization, affecting productivity, morale, and...

How to Stand Out in the Job Market: Actionable Strategies for Job Seekers In today’s competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. Employers receive hundreds of applications for a single role, making it essential for job...

The Future of Employee Engagement: Strategies for 2025 and Beyond Employee engagement has evolved dramatically over the past decade, and as we step into 2025, organizations must adapt to new trends and expectations. The future of employee engagement will be...

The Shift to Continuous Feedback Models: Transforming Employee Growth, Engagement, and Retention The traditional annual performance review has long been the cornerstone of performance management in many organizations. While this once-a-year process offers an...

Bridging the Skills Gap: How Staffing Firms Can Help You Find Top Talent In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, organizations face a pressing challenge: the skills gap. This gap, defined as the disparity between the skills employers need...

The Key to Retaining Top Talent: Why Leadership Development is Crucial for Employee Retention and Growth In today’s highly competitive job market, retaining top talent is more important than ever. Companies are constantly striving to attract skilled...

Key Updates Every Employee Handbook Needs Before 2025 As we approach 2025, the workplace continues to evolve at a rapid pace, influenced by changes in legislation, societal expectations, and workplace dynamics. To keep up, companies need to ensure their...

Workforce Planning for 2025: Aligning Talent Strategy with Long-Term Business Objectives As businesses gear up for 2025, workforce planning is more critical than ever. The rapidly changing economic landscape, evolving technologies, and shifting workforce...

On Friday, November 15, the District Court for the Eastern District of Texas invalidated the Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2024 rule aimed at increasing salary thresholds for white-collar exemptions (executive, administrative, and professional roles) and highly...

The Crucial Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Emotional intelligence (EI), often described as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and the emotions of others, has emerged as a vital quality for effective leadership. In...

Navigating Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Issues Workplace harassment and discrimination pose significant risks to an organization’s culture, productivity, and reputation. It is essential for employers to create a work environment that is safe,...

Building a Strong Onboarding Program for New Employees A strong onboarding program is essential for setting up new employees for success. Onboarding goes beyond paperwork and orientation; it introduces new hires to the company’s culture, values, and...

The Importance of Allowing Employees Time Off to Vote Voting is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to have a say in the decisions that shape their lives. For many, the ability to vote is not just a right but a...

Learn the importance of employee record retention in Oklahoma to ensure legal compliance and protect your business from potential disputes. In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations must ensure that they maintain accurate and comprehensive...

Achieving Professional and Personal Harmony: Strategies for Balancing Work and Life In today’s fast-paced world, striking a balance between work and personal life can seem like an elusive goal. The demands of a career often leave little time for relaxation,...

Navigating Success: The Crucial Role of Strategic Planning in Business In the dynamic and competitive landscape of modern business, the importance of strategic planning cannot be overstated. Strategic planning serves as a roadmap, guiding organizations toward...

The Benefits of Outsourcing HR with Barracuda Staffing and Consulting In today’s competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking innovative ways to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance productivity. One increasingly popular...

Building Bridges, Fostering Belonging: Creating an Inclusive Workspace In today’s diverse and interconnected world, fostering an inclusive workspace isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s also a strategic advantage. An inclusive workplace not only attracts top...

Discover the impact of remote work and how it is shaping businesses and influencing employees’ experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a seismic shift in the way we work, with remote work emerging as a predominant mode of operation for businesses...

Discover why human resources matters and its pivotal role in organizational success. In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, one integral aspect remains constant: the importance of human resources (HR). Often regarded as the backbone of...

In today’s competitive job market, attracting the right candidate for your organization is a crucial task that requires a strategic approach. The success of your company is inherently linked to the caliber of your team. So, how can you ensure you’re drawing...

Unlocking Opportunities: 5 Ways to Expand Your Network In a world driven by connections, expanding your network is a crucial step towards personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting in your career, building a...

The Power of Self-Awareness in Management In the fast-paced and dynamic world of business, effective management is a key driver of organizational success. While leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities are often highlighted, an...

Unlock the Secrets to a Successful Job Search In the ever-evolving landscape of the job market, finding the right employment opportunity can be a challenging endeavor. Job seekers often find themselves navigating a maze of applications, interviews, and...

In today's dynamic business landscape, human resources (HR) plays a pivotal role in shaping an organization's success. As companies navigate the complexities of talent acquisition, workforce management, and compliance, having a strategic HR partner becomes...

Gratitude in the Workplace: A Thanksgiving Reflection with Barracuda Staffing and Consulting As the Thanksgiving season approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the importance of gratitude, not only in our personal lives but also in the professional...

Barracuda Staffing and Consulting: 14 Years of Excellence in Workforce Solutions In the ever-evolving landscape of business and employment, a steadfast partner in workforce solutions is a rare gem. Barracuda Staffing and Consulting stands tall as one such...

Honoring Veterans on Veterans Day: A Tribute to Their Service Every year on November 11th, the United States commemorates Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring and appreciating the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day is...

The Crucial Importance of Keeping Your Employee Handbook Updated Discover why updating your employee handbook is crucial for legal compliance, clarity, and a thriving workplace culture. In today’s dynamic business landscape, companies face ever-evolving...

5 Spooky and Spectacular Ways to Have Fun This Halloween! Halloween is the perfect time to let loose, get creative, and have a ghoulishly good time. At Barracuda Staffing and Consulting, we believe in fostering a fun and vibrant workplace culture. Halloween...

Navigating Job Hunting with Barracuda Staffing and Consulting in a Post-Pandemic Climate The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the employment landscape in ways we never anticipated. Millions of individuals faced job losses, furloughs, and unprecedented economic...

Calming Interview Jitters: A Guide to Ace Your Next Interview Interviews can be nerve-wracking experiences. The combination of high stakes, the unknown, and the pressure to perform can easily send your anxiety levels through the roof. However, there are...

Crafting Your Resume: How Long is Too Long? In today’s competitive job market, crafting the perfect resume is essential to catch the eye of potential employers. However, one common dilemma that job seekers face is determining the ideal length for their...

In the world of business and management, the terms "boss" and "leader" are often used interchangeably, but they represent fundamentally different approaches to guiding a team. Barracuda Staffing and Consulting, a renowned player in the staffing and consulting...

How To Develop A Good Work Ethic In 5 Easy Steps A strong work ethic is a cornerstone of personal and professional success. It goes beyond simply showing up for work; it’s about dedication, determination, and consistently giving your best effort. In this...

Forging Alignment Between Workforces and Workplaces In today’s dynamic business landscape, the relationship between employees and their workplaces is evolving rapidly. As organizations strive to remain competitive and adaptable, they recognize the critical...

Trust forms the cornerstone of a healthy and productive work environment. Regardless of your role, whether you’re leading a team or collaborating closely with colleagues, fostering trusting relationships is vital. Let’s delve into some key tips to cultivate...

You don’t know you have a problem until you have one “You don’t know you have a problem until you have one.” This saying rings true in both life and business. Often, we are cruising along, thinking everything is fine, until a hidden problem or issue suddenly...

Training your team about the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) laws and regulations is crucial to ensuring a fair and just workplace, protecting your employees, as well as protecting your company from risk Here are 5 Equal Employment...

When you need to hire a new employee, either because of company growth or to replace a department employee, writing a good job description often gets tossed to the wayside. The hiring process can be time-consuming, as managers screen resumes and set up...

Staffing is Too Expensive! (Or is it?) Recruiting and hiring the right candidate for the right job is what all companies want. However, recruiting and selecting a new employee is an investment of time and money. The success of your business depends on the...

After you provide a job offer to a top candidate, expect them to receive a counteroffer from their employer. Because it costs less to retain an employee than hire a new one, managers are likely to give a counteroffer when employees decide to leave. This is...

What is Human Capital Management Human Capital Management (HCM) is the process of managing and developing the skills and knowledge of employees to maximize their value to an organization. It is a critical component of any successful business, as it enables...

The success of any organization is determined by the quality of its employees. It is important to create a welcoming environment for new employees to ensure they feel comfortable, secure, and valued. Establishing trust, promoting collaboration, and developing...

In a world where discussions about the tough economy seem incessant, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of negative thoughts. However, dwelling on the negative can hinder progress. Today, let’s break free from that cycle and explore five powerful strategies...

Experience Barracuda Staffing’s unique approach: Permanent placements, exceptional service, and a unique culture. Your success, our priority. The perception often lingers that all staffing agencies adhere to the same playbook. However, at Barracuda Staffing &...

Always be truthful on your resume. Although you may be tempted to embellish your titles, job duties, or contributions, odds are the truth will be discovered. Even if your resume gets you an interview and job offer, you can lose the role when your employer...

If it feels like your business has no direction, then using KPIs to manage employees will change your business. Key Performance Indicators will help you determine where you are going, and how everyone is going to get there. Below are some ways that they help...

It is Time. As a small or mid-sized business owner, you are quickly realizing that there is not enough time in the day. It is time to take HR off your plate and give it to a professional. First of all, congratulations! Having an HR department is a great step...

Do you really need an HR department if you are just a small or medium-sized business? ABSOLUTELY! Leaders many times are involved in every decision made in their business. They manage every aspect of the business with incredible attention to detail to ensure...

Ever wish you had a magic wand that would make people work well together? Or that you could be sure each member of a team would contribute constructively, and the team would be productive and harmonious? Or that there was a tool that could improve hiring...

Right now times are very uncertain, very stressful and even a bit frightening. The COVID-19 outbreak has not only caused a health crisis but an economic crisis, as well. In a matter of days, millions of people found themselves suddenly out of work. Millions...

Communicating with your candidates is always important, but maintaining strong communication with them during a crisis can set you apart from your competitors. Thanks to COVID-19, our economy came to a grinding halt in March, and businesses are facing unique...

Because forklifts weigh at least 9,000 pounds, they’re extremely dangerous. Forklifts can move at 18 miles per hour, have one set of brakes, and are hard to stop. Since the weight of a forklift is unevenly distributed, it’s more difficult to drive and operate...

As a manager, employee turnover is one of your top concerns. Because of the cost of hiring, onboarding, training, lost productivity, and business errors are high, you need to be prepared for when staff members decide to leave. Here are three red flags that...

Working in a warehouse is a demanding job that requires both safety and comfort. One key factor that significantly contributes to your performance and well-being is your choice of footwear. When it comes to safety shoes for warehouse employees, the right...

The mental health of employees can affect your organization in multiple ways. In fact, mental health issues themselves can have such wildly diverse symptoms that they can be hard to identify. But an employee who becomes highly depressed or anxious can be both...

Even if you’re the most organized person, you may encounter circumstances that make you late for an interview. You might miss your train, get lost, or have to deal with a sick child. Because your tardiness may influence your chances of being offered a job,...

Generation Z is coming to the workplace! In fact, in many cases, Gen Z is already here. Gen Z, of course, are the age cohort born roughly between 1997 and 2012. That makes the oldest of them 23-years-old. For the next decade or so, every young person you hire...

As a manager, your responsibilities keep you busy. In many cases, you may be so busy completing your tasks that you forget to focus on important areas of your job. Perhaps you don’t openly communicate with your team, know what motivates individual members, or...

It’s never pleasant to fire an employee. It’s never pleasant to have an employee who needs to be terminated, as the process can be challenging. But we all know that occasionally, employees do need to be fired, or your business can suffer. Managers and...

As a contract worker, you have opportunities to gain a variety of experience in your field. These jobs showcase your ability to learn systems quickly and hone a variety of skills. When you have long-term contract work, employers typically view it as having a...

What happens when employees exit your company? It’s not just a matter of a farewell lunch and a handshake (although those can be part of it too if circumstances warrant). Having a firm plan for employee offboarding provides consistent employee experiences and...

Now more than ever, hiring managers and recruiters are turning to social media to learn more about job candidates. They want to find out more about whom they might call in for an interview or extend a job offer. As a result, you want your social media...

A no-call, no-show employee is one who doesn't call to say they can't come in and doesn't show up for their scheduled shift. When this happens, it disrupts your flow of business. Employees need to notify you when they're unable to make it to work on time....

A risk management plan is more essential for businesses in 2020 than its ever been. Human resources issues such as sexual harassment have been much in the news and may be prompting increased employee sensitivity or confusion. Drugs laws are being reformed in...

Recruiting is the lifeblood of your company. You need talented employees to keep business operations smoothly running. Because the efficiency and effectiveness of your recruiting process continues to evolve, you need to stay on top of what's happening in your...

During the holiday season, company outings are part of the year-end tradition for many organizations. While holiday gatherings can be important ways of rewarding your employees for their hard work and fostering loyalty, you need to make sure that your company...

Bad work habits can inhibit your professional success. Whether you're not clearly communicating with coworkers, being disorganized, or showing up late for meetings, your habits affect the people around you. Since bad habits don't get you what you want, you...

Each day from 2011 to 2029, approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers will reach the traditional retirement age of 65. Born between 1946 and 1964, Boomers are the first generation to face preparing for retirement on their own. Since many aren't ready to leave the...

Sexual harassment is a delicate task to tackle. It's important to handle any complaints regarding sexual harassment correctly. Here's an overview of the steps to follow to properly handle harassment complaints Make sure your company has a clear definition of...

After what felt like a successful job interview, you might wait a significant amount of time without hearing back about a potential offer. There may be a variety of reasons for this. Maybe the manager left on vacation and will make a hiring decision when they...

Onboarding is a vital time in your employee's life span with your company. Done right, the process can promote retention, engagement, and company morale – and set the employees up for success. Done wrong, it may turn off employees from the beginning. Follow...

Since warehouses have simple designs, they aren't made to protect against cold. As a result, working in the winter months can cause damage. With doors opening and closing throughout the day, snow, ice, and cold winds enter. Letting snow inside your warehouse...

November is a time to remember what we're thankful for – and your HR team does more than you even know! Here are four big reasons to be thankful for your Human Resources department. 1. They help managers hire the best people From crafting job descriptions and...

Year-end reviews are vital for analyzing the success of your company. They can be occasions to motivate your employees and to make sure that company goals are being met. Follow these tips to make the most out of these company meetings. 1. Discuss the year's...

Finding skilled employees can be challenging. No matter how much time and money you invest, you don't always know which sourcing methods are best or which hires will remain the longest. For these reasons, you need to get creative with your recruiting methods...

Company culture influences a variety of company aspects – hiring, retention, risk – the list is almost infinite. Yet company culture is hard to quantify, just because it's made up of informal, intangible qualities and actions. A company that expects employee...

Like everyone else, you have bad days at work. You may have a conflict with a coworker, forget to bring your lunch, or have to work late and miss an important event. However, when you repeatedly have bad days that turn into weeks or months, there may be a...

On a regular basis, you should make sure that policies essential for corporate compliance are in place. Corporate compliance ensures that the company and its employees follow all relevant regulations, laws, standards, and ethical practices, both in company...

Making your job candidates feel appreciated is the right thing to do. They view your company in a more positive light. Even if candidates don't get the job they wanted, their experience will make them more likely to apply for another job down the road....

Your resume needs a concise skills section so a hiring manager can determine the value you may create for an employer. With the limited time they have to see whether you might be a good fit for a position, you need to clearly show why you're most qualified...

New laws and regulations always spark conversation – and the 2018 legalization of medical marijuana in Oklahoma is certainly likely to be a leading topic of discussion, in workplaces and beyond. Oklahoma was the 30th U.S. state to make marijuana for medical...

Turnover is expensive. The time and money spent sourcing, screening, interviewing, hiring and training a new staff member quickly add up. One way to reduce these costs is by offboarding. Determining the reasons employees leave and making changes to remedy the...

Working with a recruiter may be beneficial to your job search. They offer a vast network with unadvertised roles that result in less competition for interviews and increased odds of receiving an offer. Because many people have misconceptions about what...

In the past year, sexual harassment has been significantly featured in the news because of the #MeToo movement. Company leadership and employees need to understand internal harassment can come in a variety of mediums – verbal, physical, and sexual. When...

A resume is what a candidate uses to express interest in a job opening. However, it doesn't tell the whole story about who they are. Besides the fact that job seekers may not have all the requirements you'd like for a position, you cannot tell from a resume...

Like many employees, you may frequently change jobs for a variety of reasons. However, many employers still view job jumping as an obstacle to hiring. Because they want longevity and a greater return on investment, many hiring managers would rather bring...

Social media recruiting provides a variety of benefits. You can reach passive candidates, see talent and passion firsthand and gain candidate information without a resume. You also can find a great culture fit, filter out bad candidates and save money on...

The workforces at many manufacturing facilities are aging. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that approximately 10,000 baby boomers are retiring each day. This creates an abundance of openings in senior roles waiting to be filled by younger...

Ever thought about your corporate culture? What does your company represent from employees and to the client? A company's culture helps define who that company is, inside and out. The culture within a company is influenced by the core values, morals, and...

Employees are your company's greatest assets. Their ability to innovate is what determines your long-term success. For this reason, you need to think critically about how to increase employee retention. Knowing how to measure the impact of employee turnover...

What style of performance review should a business perform and when is a good time? When a business has multiple employees and they all have different hire dates, how well do you manage multiple reviews? Should you schedule them all within the same time...

How you dress for an interview says a lot about you. Because your image is your personal brand, you want to stand out and be memorable for the right reasons. Since the first impression determines how the hiring manager emotionally reacts to you, it can be the...

Back to School and the Impact on the Workforce Back to school and the impact on the workforce With summer coming to a close and fall about to be in full swing, how does employers combat the back to school time? Do your employees have school age children that...

5 Traits to Look for in Your Next Recruiter When hiring a staffing recruiter, there are specific traits to look for. Although every recruiter is different, the best ones have a number of characteristics in common. When hiring a staffing recruiter, focus on...

Tulsa Staffing: Manufacturing Salary Guide According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturers in the United States are the most productive in the world. Because they far surpass productivity in other major manufacturing economies, workers...

Are Your Employees Engaged or Disengaged? Employee Engagement: Are your employees engaged or disengaged? In today's dynamic work environment, the question of how well we truly know our employees takes center stage. While employees clock in and occupy their...

Tulsa Staffing Company: Experiencing Growing Pains Every business goes through growing pains. No matter the size of the company, problems always will exist. However, early-stage companies tend to feel more pressure than later-stage ones because there...

Alone in Your Job Hunt I Don't Know Where to Begin Maybe it has been a while since you last looked for a job, maybe it's your first time, or maybe you're somewhere in between. No matter where you fall, we can help you get started on your job hunt. It starts...

Endless Applications The Endless List of Open Jobs If you go to search for a job on the internet right now, you'll probably spend about a day sorting through the results. That's just on one job board. Not to mention that there are multiple job boards and some...

Job Hunting Has Changed Job hunting has changed have changed over the years. It's a digital era, impersonal, and resumes are now required. You may be used to the old ways of getting a job, but you'll find that the environment has changed completely. Not sure...

The Importance of Human Resources to Any Business Employees expect if you own a business, you have proper policies in place. Unlock organizational success: Dive into the importance of Human Resources in fostering growth, employee well-being, and strategic...

Bad Experiences with Staffing Agencies In the world of staffing agencies, not all are created equal. We're well aware of the assumptions that surround staffing agencies, and we understand that past negative experiences can leave you skeptical. If you've been...

Unprepared for the Job Hunt We'll Work With You We can help you out no matter what stage you're in. From those who have never been interviewed before to those with experience, we've got solutions for you. Our Four Dimensional Matching process ensures that...

Failure to Plan: HR Policies Legal Battles and Fines If there's an issue that is large enough, it can be extremely costly going through legal battles or paying fines that your negligence has warranted. Do you have the money to pay for that? Can your company...

Forgetting About HR There are so many boxes to check off as a business owner. Included in those boxes, and often one of the most difficult to deal with: human resources. When you're a fast moving business owner, it can be very easy to forget about the burden...

The 5 Keys to Job Success Certain people always have great jobs. They always seem to land the promotion. And they always seem to be successful with everything they touch. Is this just luck or a coincidence? Nope! These people don't wait for things to happen,...

The Truth About the Cost of a Staffing Agency It's Not as Expensive as You Think We hear it all the time. "Staffing agencies are too expensive." In reality, partnering with a staffing agency would save you money. We'll definitely save you time. It's more...

A Common Misconception: Staffing Agencies Don't Understand Us One of the reasons that most people are afraid of hiring a staffing agency is because they believe that we don't understand your business. In a nutshell, it's just a misconception. If we work with...

Myth: Barracuda Only Staffs Blue Collar Our process has resulted in lower turnover for our clients and a higher job satisfaction for our contractors. We have an outstanding record of permanent placements with our clients because we work tirelessly to find the...

Issues with Employee Turnover Issues with Employee Turnover 1. Time and Money Spent Odds are you already see the initial problem with turnover. It takes time and money to replace people that decide to leave or are fired. Those who are fired were more than...

Growth is Good, Until It's Not Your Company is Growing Too Fast Growth is good! Getting more and more orders, serving more and more people, and stretching more and more to make ends meet. Your company may have just exploded into prosperity, and you're...

Dealing with Unqualified Candidates You Don't Have to Deal With It Let's face it, you, as the client, have way too many other things to focus on than resumes. Our method is to post the position you're hiring for, and then we screen them to see if they are...

The Hiring Process Is Too Long Insights News, advice and thought leadership from our experts. Dedicated Account Manager: You will be assigned to a dedicated account manager for all your staffing needs who will be available to you any time of day.. Job...

The Cost of the Wrong Hire Disengagement Your team is only as good as its weakest link and poor performers lower the bar for the rest of the team. Unfortunately, disengagement can be contagious. It is crucial to catch a 'bad apple' quickly so they don't...

Personal and Professional Development What it Means for Me To become a true leader and overall better person, I have to start making changes for myself. It's great that I want to do something to try to change the world, or at the very least someone else's...

Appropriate Body Language in an Interview Let's talk about appropriate interview body language. I know that this may be a surprising topic because you wouldn't normally think there is much to it, but it's something everyone needs to be mindful of. Not...

How to Create the Best First Impression with Your Resume Start with Experience When creating your resume you should begin with all relevant experience. You can choose to place your jobs in order of relevance or recency. Both are acceptable, but you may find...

10 Things You Shouldn't Wear to an Interview Make a Lasting Impression: What Not to Wear to an Interview It may seem self-explanatory that these things are not interview attire, but let's go over them anyway. Excessive Perfume or Cologne Put the bottle down,...

Interview Tips: Your Path to Interview Success Be Early It's very easy to get stressed out when you see minutes ticking away as you sit in your car stuck in traffic. If you plan to leave early, you can avoid the stress of seeing those minutes pass and...

The Importance of a Good Resume Building Your Resume: Honesty When building your resume, it is always best to be honest and upfront about your experience, background, and skill set. It's never a good idea for you to stretch the truth or flat out make stuff up...

3 Things That WOW in an Interview 3 Surefire Ways to Wow Your Interviewer and Secure the Job When you have scheduled an interview with a staffing agency or potential employer, you want to stand out and be remembered. A lot of times when two candidates have...

The Four P's of Professional Etiquette in the Workplace I want to take a moment to talk about professional etiquette in the workplace. Whether you're in a corporate office setting or an industrial manufacturing setting, it's always important to consider your...

Remaining Professional When an Interview Doesn't Go Your Way Understanding It is imperative to understand motives while in the job interview. For both the candidate and the hiring manager it is important to understand there is stress involved. Stress could be...

10 Tips for a Successful Interview: An Interviewer's Perspective Tips for a Successful Interview We've all been there. The nerves, the constant stream of doubt funneling through our minds, the sweaty palms, wardrobe malfunctions, trying to decide on the right...

Questions in Your Interview Ace interview questions with Barracuda's insights. Maximize your preparation and land your dream job. All the hard work and preparation has been put in, and now it's your time to shine. It's important for the candidate to...

The Power of Positivity Unlock the transformative Power of Positivity with insights from Barracuda. Embrace optimism for a brighter future. The most powerful force in the human psyche is how we describe ourselves to ourselves in my opinion. I fully believe...

Prepare for an Interview Research the company. Before going to an interview, make sure you have done some solid research on the company you are applying to along with the position you are pursuing. Look into what the company does, what their mission statement...

The Barracuda Difference Company's Needs The first dimension we consider when looking to match a candidate to an open job is the company's needs. This is what makes the job open in the first place and is the starting point of any candidate search....

Community Involvement at Barracuda Staffing Our Involvement Here at Barracuda Staffing we are extremely involved in the community. It is a very important aspect of any small business to make themselves known around the community. It is also very important...

A New Year, A New Career: Take a Leap Changes This time of year also brings the opportunity to make those not so easy changes in your life. Like changing industries within your career. This is not as easy as saying, "I am going to go work for the competitor...

The Power of First Impressions Why They're Important First impressions are very important for a number of reasons. During your first impression, it is very important to present yourself the best way you possibly can. You are not always just representing...

What Your Recruiter Needs From You: Honesty Honesty is always the best policy! As a recruiter, I want my candidates to know I am here for them. My main objective is to find a job you actually want to go to and succeed in. Barracuda has built a reputation of...

The More You Grow – Career Growth for the Win! Complacency is a common issue in many aspects of life such as relationships, finances, academics, and even careers! Becoming complacent in your career can lead to stunted career growth and unhappiness in the...

Employee Appreciation It's the Small Things There are so many things that come along with being appreciated as an employee. One thing that really means a lot to me – and I'm sure a lot of other people as well – is the celebration of small wins. Whether it's...

Being Professional on Facebook Social media and Facebook is a big player in the professional world now. Almost everyone at some point has had a profile and more and more companies are looking at profiles before making a hiring decision. Why is it so...

Professional Development Why? Professional development is an important aspect of all adult lives, but especially so for recent graduates or individuals who are new to a particular industry. A lot of us want to ask what our new company is going to do for us in...

Customer Service Skills You Will Need to Survive the Workplace Working in the customer service industry can be a very fast-paced, rough experience if you don't have the right skills to help you out along the way. There are a few different skills that I've...

Resume Types and When to Use Them Chronological Resumes The chronological resume begins with a list of the job applicant's previous work history. This list of jobs appears in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first. The strength of...

Health and Wellness at Work "To keep the body in good health is a duty… Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." ~Buddha This quote may seem cheesy to some and overlooked by others, but to truly live our best life we must take care...

What to Wear to Your Interview Before the Interview At Barracuda Staffing, we recruit for a variety of positions ranging anywhere from the executive level, to general labor positions. One of the most frequently asked questions a recruiter encounters is, "What...

3 Tips Help You Ace Your Interview Before You Walk In Going to an interview can be a very stressful and nerve wracking experience, especially if you are not prepared and uninformed about the job or even the business you are applying for. There are a few...

Resume Dos and Don'ts The DO's of Creating a Resume Do highlight your most relevant experience that applies to the position you are seeking. To do this, create a "Skills" section on your resume, listing specific skills you have obtained through your past...

Is Your LinkedIn Profile Complete? As social media becomes more important in our professional lives, LinkedIn grows in necessity. If you're looking to build your network, considering a new job (especially in a professional sector), or establish credibility in...

Why Barracuda Is Better A Perfect Fit The first one of ours being, "We aggressively pursue the perfect fit for all" and that is probably the most special part about this company. We will never just treat our candidates like cattle and place them in a job they...

Correcting Bad Habits and How to Build Good Ones Address the Reason Why You Need to Stop Why is your habit so bad anyway? Until you actually come up with the reason and acknowledge the impact of your habit, you'll never get over it. Do you have a habit of...

10 Tips for a Great Cover Letter Always include important information Your name, address and telephone number (including area code) should be easily visible on every cover letter you send out. It will be the first thing the reader looks for when trying to...

3 Time Management Tips Scheduling The first and most important tip I have is to schedule your days. I have a planner that goes down to fifteen minute intervals, but you could always start with just an hourly plan. In fact, I recommend starting with larger...

4 First Day Tips Count on Barracuda Staffing as your partner in achieving a successful first day! Explore these vital first day tips to ease those initial jitters. First off, congratulations on landing your job! It's thrilling and feels like a weight is...

Ways Your Staffing Agency is Failing You Sending You the First Candidate They Have You called your agency and told them that you have an opening that you need filled quickly. They sent you someone almost immediately, that's great! Or is it? It can be a great...

Five Tips to Help You in Your Job Search Searching for a new job is something most of us have to do at least once in our lifetime. It's daunting, constantly changing, and sometimes it's plain awful. I was just in your shoes looking for my perfect job myself....

Improving Your Interview Skills General Tips Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Greet interviewer with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and a smile. Monitor your body language. Monitor the interviewer's body language. If they stop taking notes and seem ready to...

Barracuda: Now Serving All Your HR Needs Barracuda is now a one stop shop for your time-consuming human resources tasks! Barracuda Staffing can certainly still find quality people to fill open positions and hiring needs. We have built a reputation for quality...

The Importance of Professionalism Professionalism is extremely important in all areas of the workplace; however, it is especially important when applying for a job and moving through the process of getting hired. As a recruiter I have many examples of times...

Why You Should Consider Trade School Instead of a Four-Year College An Alternative to Consider People approaching high school graduation should seriously consider trade school. A traditional four-year degree is not for everyone and trade schools offer a...

8 Ways to Network Using Social Media Unlock the power how to network using social media. Learn how to expand your connections and boost your professional presence online 1. Let people know you're looking Include in your Linkedin Headline and switch on the...

Learning to Lead Before You're Management Be as Helpful as Possible There are three additional points to this one: Be Dependable. Be Timely. Be Friendly Dependability A leader should always be dependable. When you're given a task, or promise to complete a...

Great Leaders Make Great Employees To retain great employees, it is imperative to first be a great leader I can confidently say Barracuda Staffing is built from great leaders. Within our organization, this becomes a trickle-down effect. All our employees are...

Making Your Resume Speak Volumes When crafting a resume many people take the approach of this being a necessary evil, but in reality, it does not have to be such a daunting task. In a world moving quickly to automation, resume filtering is becoming among the...

Employee Appreciation Is More Than A Yearly Event March 2nd was employee appreciation day. The topic should be on every boss' mind, but if you are only recognizing your employees once a year, you're way off mark. Research shows that happy employees are more...

Social Media and the Job Search Social media has come to penetrate almost every part of our daily lives. When you are looking for a new job opportunity, your online presence can both help and harm you. Few understand just how many recruiters and HR teams rely...

How to Keep Your Team on Track During the Holidays Between holidays, family vacations, and parties it is difficult to stay on track during the last two months of the year. It's even harder to lead a team full of distracted employees, complete those end of the...

Why Should I Hire A Staffing Agency Locating Talent: It happens every time; you post a high-skill level job for a mechanical maintenance tech, for example, and within hours, you are flooded with resumes of people who have absolutely no mechanical maintenance...

Why Work With a Staffing Agency? Why should I use a staffing agency to help me find a job? Most people who have used a staffing agency to find work have had an unpleasant experience at some point – I've had several of them myself! Many of the problems a...

What is an ISO 9001 Shop Like? What's the Point of ISO Standards Anyway? The Independent International Organization for Certification published a study titled, "Comparison between manufacturing companies that are ISO certified and those that are not certified...

What Motivates You and the People Around You? A 2016 Gallup Poll on the State of the American Workforce indicated that 51% of the workforce is either looking for new jobs or watching for openings. Whether you are an Employer or an Employee, this statistic...

Bloom Where You're Planted Many times, we focus on how hard it is to find a job, but too many times it turns out that the hardest thing for many of us is keeping a job. Inevitably, once you start a new position in the hopes that you have left behind various...

How Can I Get My Employees To Do a Better Job? Get ready to dive into our blog on elevating employee performance and guiding your team towards doing an even better job. Unlock insights to inspire growth and success within your organization. It is always such...

When to Ask For a Raise Length of Time at the Company Depending on the circumstances, if you have been at a company for less than 6 months – and in some cases less than a year – it might be unreasonable to expect a pay increase. In many cases, the salary you...

What Happens When I Don't Get Along With the People at Work? Identifying The Drama Triangle We were introduced to a book called The Empowerment Dynamic™, by David Emerald, at a recent luncheon: in his book he explores something called "The Drama Triangle", a...

How Do I Cope with Difficult People at Work? What's in It for You? If there are things you want to accomplish, perhaps sending your kids to college one day or owning a house, or even getting a new truck, your ability to build the kind of life you want will be...

What To Do When Work Feels Overwhelming Strategies for Coping with a Heavy Workload The most important thing to do is to calmly and clearly identify the exact nature of the situation: Is the situation temporary or permanent? If it's temporary, decide how long...

Could Your Employment History Be Holding You Back? Why It's Time to Get Serious About Your Employment History: After three years, Jim had developed a reputation as a job-hopper, never satisfied with his current situation, and this made him look unreliable on...

Key Elements to Consider When Selecting a Staffing Agency What Kind of Industries Does the Agency Service? Many staffing agencies specialize in only a few related industries. While this may be ideal if your own hiring needs will be restricted to only a...

10 Business Benefits of Working with an Oklahoma Staffing Company 1. You're Partnering with Experts Even if your company has the budget to hire an in-house human resources manager, that's just one tiny part of your workforce taking responsibility for the...

5 Things Your Resume Can Do Without Putting together a resume can be difficult. Having to think of all those little details can get exhausting or, at the very least, tedious. A lot of people probably think they need to be Shakespeare to craft the perfect...

Be On Time: 7 No-Brainer Tips on Punctuality Being on time is one of the most effective ways to build confidence and trust with everyone in your life. Unfortunately, it often seems that being punctual has become quaint and outdated? For instance, take a look...

Top 5 Reasons HR Is On The Move Discover the driving forces: 'Reasons HR Is On The Move.' Explore trends reshaping the HR landscape in our insightful blog. source credit: Meghan M. Biro – Forbes.com "Today an estimated 50 percent of large companies outsource...

Your Workforce and the IRS Health Care Tax – Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions for Employers Why the Number of Your Employees Matters Employer benefits, opportunities and requirements under the health care law are dependent upon the employer's workforce...

6 Reasons to Outsource Recruiting & Staffing Put your best foot forward with the quality of your work by getting help from Barracuda Staffing to assemble a high-caliber workforce. 1. Finding Great Candidates Yes, even in this economy organizations are having...

Things You Can Do After A Really Bad Job Interview Everyone can have a bad job interview. Knowing some things you can do to salvage the wreckage can leave you in a much better place. Here are some excerpts from a Forbes.com article that we think can really...

A New Year, a New Career! Turn the page on a New Year, and open the door to a New Career! Explore exciting opportunities and growth in our latest blog from our owner and CEO, Kevin Burr. This time of year is always a time of reflection and goal setting for...

Worker Safety and Staffing Agencies Barracuda Staffing specializes in meeting the needs of Oklahoma Employers. Acting as your own human resource department, Barracuda Staffing draws all level of employees ready to fill positions. Whether you're in need of...

8 Helpful Tips on How to Get and Keep the Job Knowing what skills you need to develop to make yourself a valuable resource to employers, such as being reliable and responsible, will help you succeed in the work world. Here are a few other tips to help you in...

Taking Steps to Manage Stress Taking Steps to Manage Stress: Uncover practical solutions and tips for a calmer, more fulfilling life in our blog. Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations create the most stress and...

Job Search: 5 Simple Steps to Interview Success Do Your Research – The more background information you have on the company, the more confident you will feel during the interview. If you know who will be conducting the interview, try to research them prior to...

Refitting Veterans to Assume Tulsa Jobs in Their Civilian Tour of Duty Refitting Veterans to Assume Tulsa Jobs – Explore our blog for insights on helping veterans transition successfully into new careers Despite a drop at the start of 2013, the unemployment...

Avoid Bad Employees, Let Staffing Agencies Fill Vacant Tulsa Jobs Avoid bad employees – trust staffing agencies to fill Tulsa jobs with the right talent. Learn more in our blog. Every office has one, that employee that spends more time on Facebook than...

Employee Resigned? Staffing Agencies Can Quickly Fill Jobs in Tulsa Employee resigned? Fast-track your hiring with staffing agencies for Tulsa jobs. Explore the benefits in our blog.” Employees are the most important asset that companies have, but some leave...

Nothing But the Truth: Interview Honesty in Landing Jobs in Tulsa OK Interview honesty is key to landing jobs in Tulsa, OK. Discover the importance of truthfulness in the hiring process in our blog. A surge of new jobs has been created in Tulsa OK, as a...