Our president, Stacey Bigelow, was chosen by ASA to speak for the industrial sector and made the following predictions:

• More businesses will experience additional production needs.
• Some of the clerical/administrative positions that were lost during the economic downturn will be restored.
• However, companies will continue to be cautious about committing to permanent hires.
• The biggest hurdle in this sector will be the shortage of skilled labor.

What else will affect the industrial sector?

Ms. Bigelow pointed out that in an election year, the business world tends to experience a feeling of being unsettled, as companies wait to see whether there will be changes in the country’s administration and therefore changes in how things are done. The financial troubles in Europe are also on many business owners’ minds.

What does this mean for you?

Between the uptick in work, the employee shortage and the global implications of the election and the European economy, more companies are utilizing the flexibility of staffing services. Why?

Simple. They help you work around those issues mentioned above.

• Need additional employees?
• Having trouble finding people with the skills you need?
• Not ready to add to your permanent payroll?

Your staffing firm can provide you with skilled, prescreened employees, whether temporarily or permanently. You don’t have to take the time to find them. You won’t have to pay overtime. You’ll have the people you need to get your work done, without worrying about layoffs or unemployment claims.

Economists predict that we’ll continue to see a slow but positive trend in employment throughout 2012, but it won’t be until 2013 until the economy really begins to pick up steam. Stay tuned to the Advance blog to stay up to date on industry trends and career advice—or call us anytime you’re looking for more.

Positive Opportunities to Build Your Network

Putting yourself into a variety of positions will allow you to find the employment you are looking for and need. There are various ways that you can use your everyday event to get attention from prospective hiring managers, business owners or others who could be in the know.

• Set out to make new friends and colleagues. Rather than waiting for your friends to show up, set out to meet others. Doing so could help you to build a network that is more versatile. It shows you are interested in others too.

• Give back to those who you meet. As you start talking to new people, find a way to stay in contact with them. For example, if they had trouble with their vehicle on the way to the event, offer to send them a text message with your mechanic’s name. If they are interested in a news piece you were speaking about, ask for an email address to send them the article.

• Keep your job description to a limit. Even if you are out of work, keep things simple and straightforward. Instead of spending a full minute discussing where you work, say something like “I’m currently helping a small business succeed online.” That gets them interested.

• Keep some business cards in your pocket, along with a pen. Though it is easy enough to add someone’s contact information to your phone right onsite, some people are hesitant to give this out. Rather, be sure you can hand them a business card in case they are in town and want to together.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make within an event is not making an impression. Sitting on the sidelines and not participating may be the easy road to take but it will not help you to grow your business or help you to land a new job. Rather, be active. Smile and look people in the eyes. Be memorable in a positive way. When you step away after a few minutes, thank the individual for talking to you. Invite them to contact you at any time. Allow the other person to feel that you gave them something during that initial few minutes.

By taking these steps, you grow your network. It does not matter if you are at your friend’s wedding or a corporate event in your industry. There are connections to be made in virtually any situation. If you make the connections, you could land the position of a lifetime. You can also use Advance Temporary as an opportunity to work with more companies this year, further expanding your network to find a great job.

What Is a Social Candidate?

The right candidate for any position needs to have the proper technical skills and the experience necessary to do the job. However, soft skills, including communication skills, are just as vital. Those who have limited social skills often lack the ability to use the knowledge they have to do their job properly. Turnover is higher. They often struggle with relationships within the workplace. Some never move from lower level positions due to their inability to communicate. They can even contribute to a poor morale among employees.

On the other side, a social candidate is one that does embrace working with others and has good communication skills to back it up. These professionals may stand out in an interview but they also stand out when researching them online. Here are some of the features to look for in the social candidate.

• Choose someone that understands and monitors the way his or her actions affect those around them.
• Does the candidate show concern for others through their actions and words? Do they understand how to manage other people’s feelings?
• Does the individual have good control over him or herself in terms of communication? When expressing emotions, do they do so in a negative, abusive or destructive manner? You do not want these traits in your workplace.
• Are they socially active? Often times, just noticing if a candidate is active in communicating with others (usually in a positive manner) helps indicate how effective communication skills are. Comparatively, a candidate that is not social active could be a factor.
• Is the individual highly judgmental? Does he or she describe others in a negative light or in a positive one? Those candidates that do not express positive insight but only negative information are often problematic in the workplace.

Why do social skills like these really matter to you?

As a business professional, every detail of the way a person looks, acts and speaks reflects directly on your business. A person that dresses inappropriately, for example, does not represent your company well. Likewise, hiring a candidate that has poor communication and social skills can mean that person’s interactions with your clients and business partners, as well as employees, can be negative. Rather, hire a social candidate with the skills to communicate properly and you could score a candidate you want to work with long term.

Recruiters are coming “out of the shadows” to connect with candidates on social networking sites, so as a job seeker it’s to your advantage to put yourself in the best possible position to do the same. Here’s what you need to know about social media for your job search, so you can do this successfully.

• Create a professional profile. The personal profiles you have been using are not going to cut it with a serious job search. Too many posts and embarrassing photos are the norm with personal profiles. Instead, start from scratch with a professional profile that includes a business headshot photo (get a friend to do this for you), a copy of your resume, a link to your professional portfolio or blog, all tied together in a business-worthy looking template. Add in a phrase that describes you and what you want – much like your resume objective statement.
• Show off your accomplishments. Your social networking profile should be the spot where you showcase your talent, so make it work for you. Include intelligent posts, with links to your published articles, blog posts, artwork, and projects. Make sure to promote these across many channels by adding them to popular sharing formats like Digg and Sharethis for starters. Write interesting posts in industry forums and link back to them in your social media networks.
• Do your research on companies. Social media can be a great way to scope out potential companies you might like to work for. Simply go to each company website and become a follower on all social networks. Then take the time to learn more about the company culture, objectives and people there. Be sure to “like” or follow posts that appeal to you to show your support. Never use social media to blatantly self-promote, but rather to encourage others to get to know you by befriending them.
• Participate in social network groups. Social networking is fun because it allows you to go directly to industry specific groups and get to know your peers – oftentimes from around the world. If you are hoping to get into a specific career industry, or if you are about to graduate with a new degree, this insight can be invaluable. Besides, many recruiters visit these groups and post job opportunities on a frequent basis, so you may put yourself in the right place at the right time simply by participating.
• Connect with people who count. If you want to land a job, very often you must pass the “gatekeepers” to get in to certain companies or industries. These are people who look at candidates to determine if they have what it takes to join them. Find out who these gatekeepers are and get to know them on social media networks by politely asking for introductions from peers who know them, or inviting them to become your friend. Then take the time to thank each person individually and asking them to share something about themselves first, before launching into your career aspirations. Use this very effective targeted approach, and you may just end up with an invitation to interview for a new job.

Need more tips to be successful with your job search in 2012? Be sure to come back often to the Advance Temporary blog for great job search ideas and support with your career through our temporary staffing services.

Create a Job Search Strategy

As you gear up for your job search, plan a strategy. Only apply to positions you are truly qualified for; not those that you lack experience or training in. You are wasting your time (and that of the HR staff). Instead of applying to everything under the sun, apply to positions you have true skills in that are most likely to land you a position. Tailor your existing skills to fit the job requirements of the position. This means spending more time preparing a killer resume and cover letter.

At the same time, diversify your search. Employers are using job-posting boards, but many are using other tools as well. Consider local and online networking opportunities. Use social media to help you to connect to the right people. Some agencies still want you to apply in person, but far more are expecting an application through the online resume links on their website. Do not wait for the prospective employer to post a job ad, either. Apply to companies that posts positions right on their website.

Stand Out from Other Job Seekers

There are many ways to do this. For example, when you do get to an interview, avoid the standard or trained answers to questions. Answer in a way that is going to make it look like you did your homework. Be sure to research positions and the company culture before you apply. Often, you can learn a great deal by networking through sites like LinkedIn. Hiring managers may post information there that is helpful to you.

When you are searching or scrambling for a job, it is easy to see an opportunity and shoot off an email right away prior to reading it in full. You want to get in before everyone else does. However, you may be missing the real opportunities because you are not listening to what the prospective employer is looking for in this position. Communication, through words written or spoken, is critical to get right.

Take the time to set your goals, too. As you work your job search, give yourself goals along the way. Possible goals may be the number of jobs you apply to each day. You may join a professional organization, sign up with a contract-staffing agency, or even do some volunteer work to boost your resume. Ensure that you are working towards finding the ideal job for you one-step at a time. You can do this better with goals laid out in front of you.

Advance Staffing Solutions is excited to announce the opening of our newest office location in Southgate, Michigan.  Read more about our grand opening in the News-Herald.

According to a survey conducted by Mashable in September 2011, the average user spends 8 hours a month on Facebook alone and countless other time on other social media sites. However, a recent survey revealed that regardless of common belief, only 8 percent of recruiters actively use social media to find candidates. That’s a potential span of time when many candidates are updating their information, uploading resumes, and looking for opportunities to become fans of recruiting and staffing agencies. The best course of action for a staffing agency with a social media page is not to try to earn as many fans as possible, but rather focus on connecting with desirable candidates. In other words: make friends, not fans.

Here are some tips for making the most of social media to find the best candidates faster.

Develop an inviting profile targeted for your niche market. When you create your social media presence, make sure you develop a profile that’s appealing to your target industry market. For example, if your specialty is sourcing IT and technology professionals, include this in your profile keywords and include news and articles about this market in your post feed. This sends a clear message to job seekers what qualities you are looking for in candidates.

Provide links to your company recruiting portal. Be sure to give visitors a chance to learn more about your company and career opportunities by including a direct link to your main corporate website. If you do not have a career portal set up, not is the time to do so. Each week, you can then link to your career portal as you post new assignments and opportunities at your company. Use your social media as a support to your main career website, not as a substitute.

Invite promising candidates to learn more. One of the best ways to use social media to find superior candidates is to conduct a candidate search by career specialty. Many social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, allow for keyword searching in the main menu. Search for candidates who match your needs, whether they are active or passive job seekers, then invite them to become your fan at your social media page. Send a warm welcoming message and follow up only with those who do, as they have expressed interest in learning more.

Highlight your top open assignments and events. Social media is about connecting with more people in a meaningful way, something that recruiters have done for decades. Use your social media outlets to highlight your top open assignments by posting links and what you are looking for in candidates. Create open house events online and invite your friends to attend to learn of new employment opportunities. Then use this medium to communicate with potential fans who have the qualities you are looking for.

Learn more about recruiting and career tips as you come back often to the Advance Staffing blog!

Sylvania, OH 419-882-7646

Monroe, MI 734-457-0056

Southgate, MI 734 288-3654

Here are a few tips that are sure to get you back in the habit of effective recruiting before you know it.

Know What You’re Looking For

Before you can come up with a proper recruitment plan you need to know exactly what kind of employee you’re looking to hire. What positions need to be filled? What qualities or traits make a prospect a good fit with your corporate culture? Are you willing to take big risks in order to find truly innovative staff or do you prefer to stick with traditional characteristics and experience for the position in question?

These are all important questions that can really shape the hiring and interview processes. Once you’ve identified the kind of employee you need or want to hire then you can begin the search in earnest.

Set Deadlines to Find Qualified Candidates

It’s easy to get lost in a sea of maybe and tomorrow. Time is a luxury you don’t have when you need someone to pick up slack or start making changes now. Give yourself a hard deadline to find a group of solid candidates and set up interviews.

Once you have a deadline in place you can tailor your search process to get the fast results you need. An added sense of urgency can serve as a huge motivation and help keep you on target for the “less glamorous” aspects of looking for new hires.

Utilize Every Available Recruiting Option

You are no longer relegated to a time when the Sunday paper was your best recruitment tool. The rules have changed and technology is changing them even more. Don’t forget to place notices of positions on your company website. Make sure you’ve made it mobile device friendly as well as many people are conducting their job searches on the go these days.

Take advantage of recruitment services, like Advance Temporary Services. You’ll be surprised at how effective they can be (and cost effective) by eliminating the daily grind of finding new, highly skilled candidates for the positions you have available. More importantly, they can do the hard work of prequalifying candidates for the positions you have available so that you’re only seeing the best of the best available and not forced to sift through many unqualified applicants that aren’t likely to be a good fit for the culture of your company.

Social media is another excellent tool you can put at your disposal to find a sea of applicants for your positions. You just might find the perfect choice in short order. More importantly, you’ll have a list of qualified people the next time a position becomes available.

Recruiting new hires doesn’t have to be a painful prospect – even after a long absence. This is cause for celebration; not dread. Just keep these tips in mind and you’ll have the cream of the crop knocking on your door before you know it. For help finding the best employees this year, contact Advance Temporary Services!

Photo Credit: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Chet with Amy from Monroe and Darlene from Southgate

Toledo Area Human Resource Association held a wine tasting to benefit the SHRM foundation and the Beach House Family Shelter.  A few of the Sylvania staff attended and had a wonderful time for a good cause!

Stacey, Linda, Jaime and Alicia from the Sylvania Branch

New Staff
Welcome to our new additions to the Advance Team!

Jamie Pattison, Business Development for the Sylvania office.  Jamie has an extensive background in career assessment and placement.

Jenny Smith, Business Development for our NEW Southgate branch and Ann-Marie Dean-Alexander, Personnel Coordinator for our Monroe branch.  Both with a superior customer service background, ready to take your job search or staffing needs to the next level!

New Office
It’s official!  Our new downriver office is open for business!

15975 Eureka Rd
Southgate, MI 48195
734-288-3654
downriverjobs@advancetemps.com

Our New Southgate Location!

Darlene, Donna, Winter, Jenny and Tara are excited to be able to assist you with your staffing or employment needs!

All of us at Advance Staffing Solutions wish you a SAFE, HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year!  We look forward to working with you in 2012!