Adventures in Staffing, Part 23

When writing about topics in staffing, I try emphatically to avoid talking about politics and current events. Sadly, I need to deviate slightly today. In over 30 years of filling job opportunities with the best candidates possible, I never consider race, age, gender, nation of origin, or religious beliefs when selecting candidates to submit. Of course, there are specific jobs which require certain types of residency status because of security clearances or the ability to be multi-lingual due to the nature of the business. Otherwise, the best available candidates are the ones who I will submit. There is no room in our society for racism, bigotry, or disrespect. Enough said! Elise Prezant Patty Kremen, Barbara Sunberg, Esq. Sheri D. Leach Paul Cecala, Certified Career Coach Wendy (Schwab) Schnall John R. Fugazzie MBA Jaime Reap-Hanratty Merle Moyer Carmen Anello Richard Carapiet Dan Klein Deborah Johnson Carmen M. Sapara 

Adventures in Staffing, Part 22

 Adventures in Staffing, Part 22. Back in the Dark Ages (1980's), I worked for a big box retailer. After toiling in older and smaller sites for a few years, I was elevated to a large venue that was on the verge of opening its doors. Among my duties as an Assistant Store Manager, I was assigned to overseeing staffing. Being a new store in a vast retail wasteland we had challenges finding and retaining team members.

The HR leader paged me to her office one day. A high school senior walked in saying that a manager offered her a job to start that day. All offers were usually made by the leader or me. I checked with my colleagues and no one knew her. We needed part-time help as turnover was incredibly high. We did a quick interview and learned that the high school work study adviser mentioned to her that we were hiring even though she wasn't part of her school's program. This young lady helped her aunt set up and operate a small clothing boutique which had just been sold. She really needed a job and decided to simply show up properly dressed and ready to work!
Our decision was to give her a shot and she was on the floor the same evening. A month later, we were using her talents to train other newly hired part-time staff. Being opportunistic is not something to be taken lightly!

Adventures In Staffing, Part 21

 Adventures in Staffing, Part 21.

One of the things I have always taught candidates and coaching clients is to never burn bridges when leaving a positions. Whether it is simply to ensure a good future job reference or keep the doors open for a potential return down the road, there is no reason to have a less than pleasant exit. This also applies to clients which may decide to try other options. Remain professional while they test the waters. You never know when they might be back. Please read the attached article about the University of Nebraska which is quite insightful. #commonsense #bridgeburning #Future #Covidchangesthings #NCAA #footballisnteverything https://omaha.com/sports/college/huskers/teams/football/shatel-is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-nebraska-in-the-big-ten/article_ef5bd995-3b11-5967-8e32-6d6cff4a1cab.html

Adventures in Staffing, Part 20

Adventures in Staffing, Part 20.
Thanks to social media, there are millions of experts pontificating daily on politics, civil rights, the current pandemic, the economy, and, in case I forgot to mention, politics. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and, most recently, Tik Tok have become incredibly strong influences on our society. In the past, you could keep your viewpoints well hidden when interviewing for a new opportunity. That is no longer the case. You should get hired simply because you are the best fit for a job. Unfortunately, hiring managers are becoming very adept at digging around the web and you might just lose an opportunity because of your online conduct. The old addage, 'think before you talk', should be modified to 'think before you post'!
Patty Kremen, Barbara Sunberg, Esq. Elise Prezant Sheri D. Leach Susan English Jennifer Giudice Wendy (Schwab) Schnall John R. Fugazzie MBA Leeanne Galayda Irene Moulketis

Common Sense

Adventures in Staffing, Part 19.

Adventures in Staffing, Part 19.

Each year, I try to find at least two or three dates to present workshops to job seeker support and/or networking groups to help those in my region with the process of re-entering the workforce or finding ways to improve their employment status. This has been part of my routine for at least the past seventeen years and I look forward to each meeting.

With the Coronavirus outbreak, new doors have opened for these presentations as virtual meetings have become commonplace. I just spent a few months talking about the need to redirect and focus your search during a pandemic. I am trying to select a new topic to create a presentation around and would love your input! Please feel free to comment about topics of interest.

Finally, are you the organizer of a networking group, Career Services Rep/Director of a trade school or college, or someone else who runs programs for job seekers? I can Zoom to you anywhere and everywhere. Please send me a note if I can help your group! Paul Cecala, Certified Career Coach Wendy (Schwab) Schnall Jennifer Giudice Elizabeth (Libby) Huegel, MS, CSM, CSPO Sheri D. Leach Susan English John R. Fugazzie MBA Leanne Applin, MHRM, CPRW Jan Goodman Aaron Meyer Maurice Salth Gabrielle Clissold Carmen Anello

Virtual Networking Event

Are you unemployed, underemployed or seeking a career change?

Are you looking for a lifestyle change
or a better balance between work and family?
You are invited to attend our free
JOB SEEKERS SUCCESS GROUP
A group for active job seekers that focuses on strategies and issues

affecting your job search

“Interviewing in the COVID Era”
Presenter: John Hadley
Career Search Counselor, JHA Careers

Date: Wednesday August 5, 2020
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.

This program will be conducted via Zoom

Please contact JFS at 908-725-7799 X108

or eprezant@JewishFamilySvc.org to pre-register and to receive the Zoom invitation
Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is a not-for-profit,
non-sectarian social service agency whose purpose is to preserve and strengthen
the quality of individual, family and community life based on Jewish values.

Funding for this program provided by a grant from
The Arnold A. Schwartz Foundation and Magyar Bank

Adventures in Staffing, Part 18.

2020 will certainly go down in the history books one of the most bizarre years ever. Somehow, I imagine a chapter with many subtitles spanning about 40 pages. One subtitle will likely be something like 'Adapting to the New Pandemic Inspired Workplace.' Predicting what that will look like is still rather foggy to me right now. Were I pressed for an answer, I would see a reluctance by many industries to adapt to remote employees because of the nature of their businesses. I would also predict that large companies will find innovative ways to safeguard their workers by modifying office layouts. Company sponsored lunches and breakfast meetings will likely disappear or go through dramatic changes. The dilemma many parents will face if children can only attend school part time will not be an easy one to resolve. Even if they can perform their jobs from home, will they be able to balance this with serving as part-time teachers at the same time? How will retail stores cater to their customers while at the same time addressing social distancing? This is just a short list of items I am sure will be dealt with by companies and staffing firms in the coming months (years) to follow.