Adventures in Staffing, Part 2

Adventures in Staffing, Part 2. With extra free time these days, I thought I would look back at 35 years in the staffing world and share some stories.

Several years ago, as a rookie in the staffing field, I came across a candidate who was a very talented electrician with about 5 years experience. At the time, the manufacturing sector in NJ was booming and the firm I worked for had numerous job orders for industrial electricians. Four companies requested interviews with him. Due to his work schedule, we set up four interviews for this person all in one day. The sites were all close by so this was not an issue. ALL FOUR places offered him jobs. Salary and benefits were similar so we present the offers to him. He instantly chose one of the others because he checked out all four cafeterias and this one had the best food! Sometimes, it comes down to intangibles when faced with a choice of two or more opportunities! #staffing #careersearch #jobmarket #interviewprocess #interviewing #jobsearch #toptalent #jobadvice

Adventures in Staffing, Part 1

Adventures in Staffing, Part 1. With extra free time these days, I thought I would look back at 35 years in the staffing world and share some stories.

Just about anyone can be placed, regardless of their background, assuming everyone is up front and honest. While serving as a Career Services Director at a trade school decades ago, we had a student in one of our technology programs who was extremely belligerent toward her classmates and teachers.

Since we didn't have guidance counselors, problem cases ended up on my desk as I would eventually have to assist them in their job search. While this person was outstanding academically, something was off base.

As their last term was beginning, the student came to my desk and asked for a private conversation. After talking at length, I finally found out that she had been convicted of a felony where she was pretty much an innocent bystander but was poorly protected by a public defender.

A faculty member was a certified paralegal who did some research and found that the case could be expunged. With some explaining to a court official, the paralegal was able to help the student clear her record. She went on to land a job with a very large business products company as a field service technician. Never say never without trying!

Need Some Support?

Are you one of the many unsure how this rapidly growing crisis will impact your employment status / job search/ career goals? Are you a college senior suddenly left with much support from your school in finding your landing place in the professional world? Perhaps a live chat (remote of course) with a seasoned coach / recruiter who has also worked in Career Services would help! Email me at hblevin58@gmail.com or reply to this message to set up a time and date. No cost, no obligation for this chat!

Advice During A Crisis

Since the new (hopefully temporary) normal took hold in early March, I am finding that there are many people who are either in denial about the present crisis or simply hopeful that the sea will part enough for them to secure a new place of employments. Hopefully, those who control the fate of our country will focus on the best practices to get us all back to good health ASAP, which will in turn rebuild the economy, turning the attention of hiring managers back to the jobs they need to fill once again.

Here are a few things job seekers can do in the interim:

-Make sure your resume is current, interesting, easy to follow.

-Continue researching companies of interest and submitting your resume.

-Look for free webinars and workshops online to make productive use of your time.

-Be patient with companies who began the interview process pre-crisis who now need your understanding while they try to regroup.

-Never give up and remain positive!

#jobs #employment #employers #jobmarket #employmentopportunity #careersearch #interviewprocess #hiringmanagers

Networking Opportunities During the Crisis

Upcoming Virtual Transition Support Meetings

Sundays from 9:00 – 10:30 am: George Pace, an IT Technology Leader, in Partnership with TBCNJ, will start holding a weekly LIVE Webinar every Sunday until this crisis is over. The purpose of this Webinar will be to:

·         Share the latest Federal / State news as it relates to the Job Market

·         Providing updates to apply for Unemployment 

·         Discuss proactive Activities to start thinking about, including:

o   General Skills, Video Skills, Remote Networking approaches, and

·         Most importantly, understanding the thoughts and concerns of the attendees on the Webinar 

To access the webinar, just follow these steps:

1.    Go to www.facebook.com/keeppace

2.    In the left-hand column, you will see a Vertical menu with Home, About, Photos, Video's

3.    Click on Video's

4.    This will display the list of Videos on the Channel. The first one will have a "Red Box" saying LIVE. NOTE:  If you don't see the LIVE Button, it hasn't started yet.

5.    Click on that Video and it should automatically go into view mode.

6.    Make sure the volume is enabled on your device

7.    For those with Facebook account, you can ask questions by commenting in the discussion forum that is on the Right Hand side of the browser 

For questions, please contact George Pace at: keeppace@gmail.com.

Thursday, March 19th, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Emmaus Work Connectors will not be meeting face-to-face until further notice due to coronavirus precautions.. Instead, the meeting will be held online.  This month’s topic will be: Networking Tips shared by attendees. You can find more info and RSVP at: https://forms.gle/yC5iAnMCHbQjr27Y7. Questions, please contact Henry Will at: www.linkedin.com/in/henrywill4.

Tuesday, March 24th, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm: Free webinar featuring Lisa Rangel, Founder and Managing Director of Chameleon Resumes, who will give a presentation titled: How to Create Your LinkedIn Profile to Generate 6-Figure Job Interviews Faster.  There is nothing more important today for job seekers than being found on LinkedIn. This is where recruiters are. Where are you? Are you found? During this Webinar training you will learn: 1) Important new information regarding LinkedIn's recent desktop layout makeover, 2) Why the profile you currently have is costing you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, in lost income and what you need to do to fix it and put forth the right image that garners higher compensation, 3) Three proven techniques to increase your profile's visibility on LinkedIn, 4) Three little known ways to find leads and opportunity using LinkedIn that generate the interviews you want, 5) Six tactics to write an engaging profile that will have hiring managers wanting to call you for interviews that are right for you, and 6) How to write your LinkedIn Summary to rise above the sea of competition you face and get the interview call. You will learn all that, and much more. Click here to Reserve Your Spot for My LinkedIn Profile Masterclass Training

Thursday, March 26th, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm: Free webinar featuring Lisa Rangel, Founder and Managing Director of Chameleon Resumes, who will give a presentation titled: How to Create Your LinkedIn Profile to Generate 6-Figure Job Interviews Faster.  There is nothing more important today for job seekers than being found on LinkedIn. This is where recruiters are. Where are you? Are you found? During this Webinar training you will learn: 1) Important new information regarding LinkedIn's recent desktop layout makeover, 2) Why the profile you currently have is costing you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, in lost income and what you need to do to fix it and put forth the right image that garners higher compensation, 3) Three proven techniques to increase your profile's visibility on LinkedIn, 4) Three little known ways to find leads and opportunity using LinkedIn that generate the interviews you want, 5) Six tactics to write an engaging profile that will have hiring managers wanting to call you for interviews that are right for you, and 6) How to write your LinkedIn Summary to rise above the sea of competition you face and get the interview call. You will learn all that, and much more. Click here to Reserve Your Spot for My LinkedIn Profile Masterclass Training

Saturday, April 4th, Careers in transition is working on setting up virtual meetings starting with our April 4th meeting. We are in the process of securing 2 zoom accounts.  This will enable us to have our large group discussion as well as resume review.  We will provide more details on how to join the meeting as they become available to all of our groups.  The instructions will include how you can invite new members.  We are still working out some details of how the structure of the virtual meetings will differ from our regular meetings.  Hopefully everyone will understand as we work out the kinks during our first few meetings. Please monitor the group’s webpage at: Christ Church in Short Hills: Careers in Transition and your email for details as we approach April 4th.  Feel free to reach out to Glenn Resnicoff at 1-908-581-6874 or gresnicoff@gmail.com if you have questions or suggestions. These are very challenging times, but we have all been through them before.  We will get through this with each other’s’ support.

Saturday, April 11th, from 9:00 - 10:30 am: The Breakfast Club will host David Schuchman, Information Technology Consultant and Executive Chair of PSG of Mercer County, who will give a presentation titled: How to Work as a Consultant in the Gig Economy. Note, this will be a Virtual meeting, and the platform is being discussed. Last month we met on Facebook Live. Please stay tuned, and RSVP here on Meetup. I will announce the meeting once the logon details are complete, Adrienne Roman

Pre-Recorded Podcasts

The New York Science, Industry and Business Library, located at 188 Madison Avenue @ 34th Street, New York, NY 10016-4314, offers an extensive series of weekly programs pertaining to job search, training, and career advice. In addition, the library has numerous training classes on Microsoft Office, including: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Check it out; you will be glad that you did. Inquiries about programs may be made by calling 917-275-6975, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.  Click on their link at: http://www.nypl.org/events/calendar?location=65 for a detailed list of upcoming classes.  In addition to these great in-person classes, the library also recorded some of the presentations and they are available 24/7 on-line at: http://www.nypl.org/node/90324.  Check them out; I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of helpful information awaiting you.

Westport Public Library, located at 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880 offers an interesting series of weekly programs pertaining to job search, training, and career advice. Click on their link at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/events for a detailed list of upcoming events. In addition, many of these informative presentations are recorded and the podcasts can be viewed 24/7, when time allows, at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/digital/podcasts/searchresults?podcast_terms=jobseeker. This is a time saving and cost effective way of seeing a great presentation, from the comfort and convenience of your home. Isn’t technology great!

Microcasts Featuring Win Sheffield, a certified career coach, consisting of 71 assorted Power of You Microcasts.  These 5-minute Microcasts answer various career questions, such as:

·         I have just been laid off and don’t know where to turn; what do I do

·         I am frustrated by my progress even though I am pursuing a variety of job options. What can I do to improve my results

·         Networking, I have very little idea who I should be meeting with or what to ask them. Can you help me get started

For the entire list of 71 five-minute Power of You microcasts, please click on the following link: www.winsheffield.com/podcasts.

Crisis Management

Hiring Managers:  While many industries are struggling in today's crisis situation, there are some sectors in need of immediate supplemental staff.  If you need to bolster your ranks quickly, SmartStaff Personnel can help you out and we are adjusting our rates to make the process affordable during the current National Emergency!  Please reply to this post or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300,  ext. 104.  #crisismanagement  #staffing #jobs #employment #nationalemergency #survival2020

Thoughts on the Pandemic

The current pandemic has touched just about everyone in one way or another. I hope things get under control sooner than later so young learners can return to their classrooms, people get back to their houses of worship, recreational facilities and entertainment venues reopen, our economy gets back in gear, and people return to good health. As a recruiter, I am very concerned about the well being of our workforce and not sure exactly where things are headed.

In recent weeks, people have called me who work two (sometimes three) jobs just to cover their essential needs.  The secondary jobs tend to be in the hotel/restaurant industry or retail. Retail, as we know, has struggled for years but the decline of the hospitality industry has happened rapidly as Covid 19 has taken control.  Many of these folks have seen their second jobs reduced or eliminated.  Even if things turn around by May 2020, it will take additional time for many jobs to reappear.

What does someone do to replace at least part of their lost income? Two industries which are exploding due to the crisis are supermarkets and warehouse clubs. Most of those businesses are posting needs for temporary help to meet their increased demands. Take  advantage of these opportunities, some of which may open future doors for you! 

Stay Connected During the Crisis

Virtual Recorded Meetings and Podcasts

The New York Science, Industry and Business Library, located at 188 Madison Avenue @ 34th Street, New York, NY 10016-4314, offers an extensive series of weekly programs pertaining to job search, training, and career advice. In addition, the library has numerous training classes on Microsoft Office, including: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Check it out; you will be glad that you did. Inquiries about programs may be made by calling 917-275-6975, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.  Click on their link at: http://www.nypl.org/events/calendar?location=65 for a detailed list of upcoming classes.  In addition to these great in-person classes, the library also recorded some of the presentations and they are available 24/7 on-line at: http://www.nypl.org/node/90324.  Check them out; I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of helpful information awaiting you.

  

Westport Public Library, located at 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880 offers an interesting series of weekly programs pertaining to job search, training, and career advice. Click on their link at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/events for a detailed list of upcoming events. In addition, many of these informative presentations are recorded and the podcasts can be viewed 24/7, when time allows, at: http://www.westportlibrary.org/digital/podcasts/searchresults?podcast_terms=jobseeker. This is a time saving and cost effective way of seeing a great presentation, from the comfort and convenience of your home. Isn’t technology great!

Microcasts Featuring Win Sheffield, a certified career coach, consisting of 71 assorted Power of You Microcasts.  These 5 minute microcasts answer various career questions, such as:

·         I have just been laid off and don’t know where to turn; what do I do

·         I am frustrated by my progress even though I am pursuing a variety of job options. What can I do to improve my results

·         Networking, I have very little idea who I should be meeting with or what to ask them. Can you help me get started

For the entire list of 71 five-minute Power of You microcasts, please click on the following link: www.winsheffield.com/podcasts.

Some Info

While I will share thoughts on how to stay active in job search during the CoronaVirus outbreak later, here is  some news to share:

All group meetings at Trinity Church have been canceled for at least the next two weeks out of COVID-19 concerns.  There will be no New Jersey JobSeekers meetings on March 17 or March 24.

Watch this space for more information, or visit our website at: https://sites.google.com/site/njjobseekers/home

Payroll Position Open

Part-time,  temp-to-perm, opportunity (about 20 hours weekly) for an experienced Payroll Clerk who MUST HAVE hands-on exp. w/ADP Workforce Now as well as MS Office including Excel.  Role includes processing bi-weekly payroll  for up to 100 employees; monitoring daily attendance; ensuring proper payroll deductions are made; prepare checks for distribution; interface with HR dept. as needed.  Pay rate: $20-23 hourly.  This position has potential to develop into full  time in the future. Submit resumes to harold@smartstaff.job or call harold levin, 908-508-0300,  ext. 104.

Receptionist Opportunity

Our client, in the Madison NJ area, needs someone with 2-4 years exp. as a Receptionist w/strong administrative skills.  Hours are Monday-Thursday 10:00-6:00 and alternate Fridays/Saturdays 9:00-3:00.  Must have excellent interpersonal skills as will be scheduling appointments,  interfacing with clients and staff.  Excellent organizational and computer skills also needed.  Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin, SmartStaff Personnel, 908-508-0300, ext. 104.

Licensed Clinician

Our client is a counseling center, Madison NJ area, attending to the needs of children, adolescents, and their families.  At present, they are looking for experienced Clinicians licensed to work in NJ who must have at least 3-5 yrs. work experience (beyond internships) to join their growing organization.  Part-time, flexible schedules are available with the potential to become full-time in the near future.  Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin, SmartStaff personnel,  at 908-508-0300, ext. 104.

Employment Numbers

Things could get very interesting in the coming months between the impact of the Coronavirus and the uncertainty of of the Presidential elections (happens every four year, not just this time)>.

Economy added 273,000 jobs in February — but coronavirus will likely take a bite next month

nbcnews.com

Impacts of Corona Virus

The tension caused by the Corona Virus definitely seems to have derailed the hiring process somewhat in the past few weeks. Unfortunately, the media is assisting with this in a negative way.  A prominent NJ based talk radio station read a report today which said that many employers are urging their staffs to work from home. The anchor mentioned that manufacturing companies are struggling because hands-on production workers simply can not make products long distance as they need raw materials and equipment.  My take is that we need to proceed with caution and extra care but that shutting down the nation will result in even worse long term impact. 

Jersey Job Club

March 2020 – Jersey Job Club workshop schedule

Somerville One-Stop Career Center at: 75 Veterans Memorial Drive East, Somerville, NJ, 08876
Phone: 908-704-3000 Space is Limited – registration is required
You can register at the reception desk or by phone at: 908-704-3000

Date Seats Time Workshop Title
Monday: Mar.-02-2020 26 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Expert Speaker: NLP – Tools for Real Life
Tuesday: Mar.-03-2020 26 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM The Right Career for You
Tuesday: Mar.-03-2020 26 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Path to Employment: Starting Your Job Search
Wednesday: Mar.-04-2020 26 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
SkillUp – Greater Raritan (Introduction to free training program to all Somerset and
Hunterdon county residents)
Friday: Mar.-06-2020 26 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Jersey Job Club - Entrepreneurship
Monday: Mar.-09-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM JJC – JJC/ES/Training Orientation
Monday: Mar.-09-2020 26 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Expert Speaker: Apprenticeships – For Finding Jobs and Building Careers
Monday: Mar.-09-2020 16 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
JJC – Requested Group Session – Strategy/Planning/Accountability – Prerequisite:
Attend at least one of the Standard Jersey Job Club workshops or by invitaton
Tuesday: Mar.-10-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Top Notch Resumes I: The Basics
Tuesday: Mar.-10-2020 26 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Top Notch Resumes II: Advanced
Friday: Mar.-13-2020 26 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Master the Art of Networking (Break Included)
Tuesday: Mar.-17-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Acing the Job Interview I:
Tuesday: Mar.-17-2020 26 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Acing the Job Interview II: Mock Interviewing
Friday: Mar.-20-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Top Notch Resumes I: The Basics
Friday: Mar.-20-2020 26 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Top Notch Resumes II: Advanced
Monday: Mar.-23-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM JJC – JJC/ES/Training Orientation
Monday: Mar.-23-2020 16 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
JJC – Requested Group Session – Professional Introduction/Networking Practice
Prerequisite: Master the Art of Networking workshop or by invitation
Tuesday: Mar.-24-2020 26 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Acing the Job Interview I:
Tuesday: Mar.-24-2020 26 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Acing the Job Interview II: Mock Interviewing
Friday: Mar.-27-2020 26 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM LinkedIn 101
Monday: Mar.-30-2020 8 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
JJC – Requested Group Session – Mock Interview Session
Prerequisite: Acing the Job Interview workshops or by invitation
Friday: Apr.-03-2020 26 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Jersey Job Club - Entrepreneurship