I’d personally like to introduce you to our new Inside Hiring Report, an intelligence brief that delves into nine key industries from IT to legal.
The report, which will be release quarterly by firstPRO, shows growth in all of our industries during the first quarter, especially healthcare—which registered a 154.8 percent surge in placements from Q1 2009 to Q1 2010.
Intended for hiring managers, candidates and the news media, Inside Hiring Report also shows what positions are hot, which ones are not, and even which ones paid the highest in Q1.
Inside Hiring Report will be released within the next few days. If you like good news, I think you’ll be pleased.
-April
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
How to Avoid the Resume Abyss
If you’re in the hunt for a job, you should check this CNN video out. I was recently interviewed by anchor Fredricka Whitfield on how job applicants can get their resumes noticed…especially with employers who may be receiving a flood of resumes.
Among some of the tips:
•Tailor each resume for each job
•If you have a hard-to-pronounce name, give the employer a nickname
•Keep in mind your resume may first be read by screening software…so make sure you are using the hot industry-specific words
•Use energy words
Hope the video helps!
Among some of the tips:
•Tailor each resume for each job
•If you have a hard-to-pronounce name, give the employer a nickname
•Keep in mind your resume may first be read by screening software…so make sure you are using the hot industry-specific words
•Use energy words
Hope the video helps!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Buying Into Social Media Kicking and Screaming
When talking with other staffing execs lately, the issue of social media inevitably comes up. That was no exception at a recent Staffing Industry Executive Forum I was a panelist on.
After a discussion on building an engaging workforce, a break-out session on social media yielded these burning questions:
Will social media really help me better reach customers and candidates? Will it improve my brand image…better than “traditional” marketing? Should I actually incorporate social media into my business model?
The conclusions we derived—yes, yes…and most likely, yes.
Our session yielded this unavoidable truth: Social media is here to stay—especially with a new generation of professionals entering the workforce who grew up on the Internet.
We also left with some key tips:
• You should define who your buyers are, what you want your brand to be, and tailor everything toward that.
• You can add value to your social media endeavors by including webinars and “friend of a friend” introductions to targeted prospects.
• You MUST set rules, track results, and draw specific conclusions for your vertical.
• You can lose credibility if you don’t keep your sites current…so starting a program is a long-term commitment.
I’m now adamant about not mixing the personal with the business. I’m using my Linked-in account just for business. And I’m maintaining two Facebook pages—one purely professional and one for personal use.
I’m been brought onboard the social media train for years…slowly…kicking and screaming. But now, I’ve decided to fully embrace it.
Do I have concerns? I barely have enough time to keep up with my e-mails, let alone time to delve into the wide-open world of social media. But it’s something I’m sure will be well worth the effort.
I’ll let you know how it all goes.
-April
After a discussion on building an engaging workforce, a break-out session on social media yielded these burning questions:
Will social media really help me better reach customers and candidates? Will it improve my brand image…better than “traditional” marketing? Should I actually incorporate social media into my business model?
The conclusions we derived—yes, yes…and most likely, yes.
Our session yielded this unavoidable truth: Social media is here to stay—especially with a new generation of professionals entering the workforce who grew up on the Internet.
We also left with some key tips:
• You should define who your buyers are, what you want your brand to be, and tailor everything toward that.
• You can add value to your social media endeavors by including webinars and “friend of a friend” introductions to targeted prospects.
• You MUST set rules, track results, and draw specific conclusions for your vertical.
• You can lose credibility if you don’t keep your sites current…so starting a program is a long-term commitment.
I’m now adamant about not mixing the personal with the business. I’m using my Linked-in account just for business. And I’m maintaining two Facebook pages—one purely professional and one for personal use.
I’m been brought onboard the social media train for years…slowly…kicking and screaming. But now, I’ve decided to fully embrace it.
Do I have concerns? I barely have enough time to keep up with my e-mails, let alone time to delve into the wide-open world of social media. But it’s something I’m sure will be well worth the effort.
I’ll let you know how it all goes.
-April
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Colbert Report's take on the "Mancession"
It's not every day you get to be featured on The Colbert Report! Here Colbert gives his opinions on the Mancession.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Job Man Caravan | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, February 4, 2010
firstPRO Named a “Top Ten Best Staffing Firm to Work For” in the U.S.
I am very honored to announce that firstPRO has been named a “Top Ten Best Staffing Firm to Work For” in the U.S. by Staffing Industry Analysts Magazine. This great achievement demonstrates our devotion to our employees. Our company is a great place to work because our management recognizes employees who work hard and meet goals.
We like to promote the sharing of ideas, advancement opportunities, mentorship programs, and diversity. Our employees credited our commitment to advancing our employees from within and listening to their suggestions. Almost everyone on our executive team has been a recruiter at one point, and 95 percent of promotions come from within.
Staffing Industry Analysts ranked companies based on benefits, training, and retention. Representatives and employees from national staffing firms were surveyed and gave their opinions of their workplace. I feel privileged to have firstPRO included in this list as we continue this year to develop excellent employee relations.
Monday, January 25, 2010
New Year’s Resolutions to Boost Your Business
I love beginning a new year and always have. It’s so invigorating to feel as though you have a fresh start. I’m always energized, both professionally and personally. Sometimes you have things on your to do list and you never quit get around to doing them. Starting the new year allows you to re-evaluate your to do list, making a real point to prioritize and work hard to make sure the important things get accomplished.
Professionally and personally it’s a good time to “clean house” and organize desks, closets, files, etc. I always spend January performing audits on monthly bills and expenses, making sure that charges are accurate and that I’m actually utilizing what we are being billed for. This year especially, I’ve spent some time determining those costs that might be considered unnecessary and can be eliminated or items that can be renegotiated in a more advantageous way.
I believe that cash will be king for the next several years and we’ve made resolutions to contribute more towards savings, for both the company and personally. I want to work harder this year to teach my children the value of a dollar and reinforce how important developing a strong work ethic is for a lifetime of success. I am also committed to spend less time electronically communicating and more time face to face. We want that attitude to carry over to our client relationships and we want to spend more time working on relationship building and networking.
At the office, each manager presents a 2010 plan including revenue goals, marketing goals, staff growth, etc. It’s documented and we refer to the plan throughout the year, again to ensure we don’t get sidetracked from our original goals and all remain on the same page.
In 2009 many lessons were learned. Nothing is forever or a sure thing. We absolutely can adjust to things we might not have believed possible. We need to go back to the basics, develop an attitude of gratitude and work harder than ever before. The business community is recovering, we see growing signs of it every day but it will be at a slow pace and the change in our lifestyle and attitude may be a long term necessity.
Professionally and personally it’s a good time to “clean house” and organize desks, closets, files, etc. I always spend January performing audits on monthly bills and expenses, making sure that charges are accurate and that I’m actually utilizing what we are being billed for. This year especially, I’ve spent some time determining those costs that might be considered unnecessary and can be eliminated or items that can be renegotiated in a more advantageous way.
I believe that cash will be king for the next several years and we’ve made resolutions to contribute more towards savings, for both the company and personally. I want to work harder this year to teach my children the value of a dollar and reinforce how important developing a strong work ethic is for a lifetime of success. I am also committed to spend less time electronically communicating and more time face to face. We want that attitude to carry over to our client relationships and we want to spend more time working on relationship building and networking.
At the office, each manager presents a 2010 plan including revenue goals, marketing goals, staff growth, etc. It’s documented and we refer to the plan throughout the year, again to ensure we don’t get sidetracked from our original goals and all remain on the same page.
In 2009 many lessons were learned. Nothing is forever or a sure thing. We absolutely can adjust to things we might not have believed possible. We need to go back to the basics, develop an attitude of gratitude and work harder than ever before. The business community is recovering, we see growing signs of it every day but it will be at a slow pace and the change in our lifestyle and attitude may be a long term necessity.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Business Etiquette for Holiday Gift Giving
Workplace gift giving is a tricky area, especially in a year when people
don't have a lot of extra money to spend. It should not be considered
mandatory, but it is wise to find out what the company's policy is on
exchanging gifts at the holidays. If you are unsure about what to do, find out how the company has handled holiday gift giving in years past.
When firstPRO was a much smaller company, we would do a Secret Santa gift exchange. Now that we are have over 100 employees, that is not as feasible, so each department is free to arrange what they would like. Many of them have adopted traditions among themselves, like a holiday grab bag.
If you exchange gifts with your co-workers, use common sense. Do not give anything with an adult, discriminatory, political, gag, religious or intimate theme. No gift is better than giving the wrong gift in a business setting. The more formal the business relationship, the formal the gift should be.
Some other things to keep in mind:
1. If there is an established budget, stay within it.
2. If you are unsure of what to get for a colleague, a gift certificate
is an acceptable choice, just make sure it's from a store that he or she enjoys.
3. If you are giving a handmade item, no matter how talented you are,
make sure he or she does not feel obligated to display, consume or use whatever it is you made.
4. If you give holiday cards to co-workers, stick to secular sayings such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings."
5. Unexpected gifts do not have to be reciprocated. All that is required is a warm "Thank you!"
Proper etiquette says that you are not required to give your boss a gift,even if they give one to you. Responding with well written thank you note is enough. One of the best gifts I have been given by my employees is a charitable contribution or charitable act they did on my behalf.
Giving gifts in the workplace is a thoughtful way of letting colleagues and clients know that the business relationship you share is important to you. Just remember, the best gift you can give to your fellow workers and management is to be a positive, productive and mannerly employee all year long.
don't have a lot of extra money to spend. It should not be considered
mandatory, but it is wise to find out what the company's policy is on
exchanging gifts at the holidays. If you are unsure about what to do, find out how the company has handled holiday gift giving in years past.
When firstPRO was a much smaller company, we would do a Secret Santa gift exchange. Now that we are have over 100 employees, that is not as feasible, so each department is free to arrange what they would like. Many of them have adopted traditions among themselves, like a holiday grab bag.
If you exchange gifts with your co-workers, use common sense. Do not give anything with an adult, discriminatory, political, gag, religious or intimate theme. No gift is better than giving the wrong gift in a business setting. The more formal the business relationship, the formal the gift should be.
Some other things to keep in mind:
1. If there is an established budget, stay within it.
2. If you are unsure of what to get for a colleague, a gift certificate
is an acceptable choice, just make sure it's from a store that he or she enjoys.
3. If you are giving a handmade item, no matter how talented you are,
make sure he or she does not feel obligated to display, consume or use whatever it is you made.
4. If you give holiday cards to co-workers, stick to secular sayings such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings."
5. Unexpected gifts do not have to be reciprocated. All that is required is a warm "Thank you!"
Proper etiquette says that you are not required to give your boss a gift,even if they give one to you. Responding with well written thank you note is enough. One of the best gifts I have been given by my employees is a charitable contribution or charitable act they did on my behalf.
Giving gifts in the workplace is a thoughtful way of letting colleagues and clients know that the business relationship you share is important to you. Just remember, the best gift you can give to your fellow workers and management is to be a positive, productive and mannerly employee all year long.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
