Written by: Connie Huber PHR SHRM-CP
According to ASA (American Staffing Association), every day, staffing businesses send more than three million employees to work in America’s offices, factories, hospitals, warehouses, and other work sites-virtually every place that people work, staffing employees are on the job.
The staffing industry, comprises of more than 20,000 staffing firms and nearly 1.7 million staffing employees , contributes over $160 billion to the US economy through temporary and contract staffing recruiting and permanent placement, outsourcing and outplacement, and human resource consulting.
STAFFING PANELS
PANEL 1: Myths about Working with Staffing Firms
- LT Ladino-Bryson, vCandidates, CEO
- Trevor Gamble, Blue Signal Search, Executive Recruiter
- Graham Greytak, HireRising, CEO
- Brendan Naper, NESCO Resource, Area Manager
Q: Provide a 2 Minute overview of your staffing firm/agency and your position.
vCandidates: The firm is a subscription based career eco system for candidates and recruiting professionals. vCandidates uses a cloud-based platform, mobile app, and CRM to give candidates the ability to create the best presentation of themselves. It is more than just a resume. LT has been in the entertainment business, but enjoys recruiting even more! In October, the website will launch the opportunity for candidates to access recruiters.
Blue Signal Search: Specializes in executive placement for industry leaders. Specialties include: wireless & telecom, manufacturing, cloud & managed services; engineering & construction; finance & accounting, emerging technology, human resources & logistics & supply chain. Trevor loves connecting talented, driven people to opportunities that enhance their careers.
HireRising: Concentrates on filling IT positions. This year HireRising will help 80 IT professionals land jobs at 50 local companies around the Valley. Graham founded HireRising without having any previous staffing experience.
NESCO Resource: One of the leading national staffing and employment agencies offering services in temporary staffing, direct hire, and a host of other staffing and recruiting solutions. Opportunities include Engineering & IT, Clerical & Light Industrial, and Accounting & Finance specialties. Brendan ran his own business and decided to go back into sales with NESCO. He is now a Branch Manager.
Q. Can you explain the different types of Staffing models?
vCandidates: Concentrates on full time positions. LT & team focus on finding the right fit for both the employer and candidate. Their goal is a permanent fit for longevity.
Blue Signal Search: Firm working with employers and making a commitment to employees. Goal is to find a forever career. Company is more dynamic than before.
NESCO Resource: NESCO is doing more contract work. 99% contracts with option to hire. People who perform well usually get hired.
HireRising: Provides direct hire, contract work, and short and long term projects.
Q. Staffing Agencies often get a bad rap. Why do you think this happens?
vCandidates: A lot of the bad rap comes from expectations of the candidate contributing to the myth. LT will go the extra mile if the candidate is into the job and employer.
Blue Signal Search: Employers, candidates and firms need to cooperate together. Transparency needs to be put in place and active.
HireRising: The bad rap is focused on the lack of follow up from recruiters.
NESCO Resource: There are a lot of recruiters currently trying to fill all the positions. Many are using Sourcers. Their goal is to comb databases for candidates. Many lack the professionalism of a Recruiter.
Q. How should candidates best build a relationship with you?
HireRising: Try to make contact with candidates on a weekly basis. If candidate does not hear from HireRising, they should reach out to the agency every 2-4 weeks.
vCandidates: LT encourages the candidate to make themselves memorable. Candidates need to remember to build a positive relationship with the recruiter & remember the challenges the recruiter faces. Your mantra should be Pause-Think-Act! Age differences should encourage professional and personal development.
NESCO Resource: Reminded us there is also reverse ageism. Everyone should respect one another regardless of age.
Blue Signal Search: Focus on experience is shifting to the value the candidate can bring.
Q. What is the most effective way to stay in contact with your Staffing Firm? Phone, email, text?
vCandidates: LinkedIn.
Blue Signal Search: When networking, go to meet people where they work.
HireRising: Recruiter is focusing on relationship with client.
NESCO Resource: Phone.
Q. TELL US A SUCCESS STORY.
vCandidates: LT had an employer that had a mindset of the perfect candidate. LT found the right candidate but with a different skill set than what the hiring manager had wanted. LT continued to gently present her candidate.
Blue Signal Search: Trevor had a candidate from another country and was unable to find an employer to hire on a full time basis. The man did contract work. Trevor stayed in touch with the man & eventually was able to help him find a full time job.
HireRising: Graham had a candidate that was qualified but did not have a current job for him. Graham stayed touch with him and after 18 months the perfect job presented itself. The story is a great reminder that it may take a while to find the right position.
NESCO Resource: Brendan came across a candidate who was down on his luck. He was a veteran, living in low income housing and did not have a car. Brendan drove the man to his interview and got him a job.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS:
Q: Do you continue the relationship with Staffing Firms when you have a job?
Absolutely!
Q: How do Staffing Firms help a candidate with a niche skillset?
The candidate needs to help educate the recruiter.
CURRENT OPENINGS
vCandidates: In house recruiters and salespeople.
Blue Signal Search: Product management, engineer and manufacturing.
HireRising: Everything IT; and all levels.
NESCO Resource: 105 openings. Please see website.
PANEL 2: Advantages to Working with Staffing Firm
Nick Mazur, APN USA, Recruiting Manager
Ryan Nouls, Trupath, CEO
Christian Kaijser, Career Evolutions, Manager Director
Jerilyn Arthur, Atrilogy Solutions Group, Senior Account Director
Q. Give us an overview of your Staffing Firm/Agency and your position.
APN USA: Works on staffing for nurses and car dealerships.
TruPath: Very diverse in types of positions that they fill. Do not want to become niche.
Career Evolutions: Will do anything they can to help.
Atrilogy Solutions Group: Recruitment done nationwide. Do both direct placement and contract work.
Q. Why should someone looking for a new position work with a Staffing Firm?
TruPath: Agencies work with multiple staffing firms. They build relationships with all types of employers. Candidates should check in every month.
APN USA: Include staffing firms in your search. It broadens your possibilities and network.
Career Evolutions: Finding a job is a numbers game. Knowing someone or working your way into an organization through informational meetings.
Atrilogy Solutions Group: Recruiters are your cheerleaders. Will go above and beyond to work with candidates.
Q. How do we best prepare to work with Staffing Agencies? What is negotiable?
Career Evolutions: Think about what you do well. Do not take a rejection personally.
TruPath: Remember that the recruiter is working on your behalf. You can negotiate salary.
APN USA: The more recruiters you have working for you, the better.
Atrilogy Solutions Group : Be honest with self and recruiters.
Q. What do you like about your job?
Atrilogy Solutions Group: Never a dull moment. Really enjoy the people aspect.
Career Evolutions: Put people to work. Feel good about helping someone. It is great to hear thank you and that the candidate is happy with their job.
APN USA: Being open and honest. Work with profit and non-profit companies.
TruPath: They are following up with employers and enjoy seeing how candidates have contributed.
Q. How can a candidate best prepare for an interview with you? What about an interview with a client?
TruPath: Prepare just as you would for an employer. Learn as much as you can about the job and employer. Be enthusiastic.
APN USA: Know what is expected. What is the process you will go through? Determine if there will be testing.
Atrilogy Solutions Group: Allow the employer to get to know you.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS:
Q: How do you find Staffing Firms that are a good fit? How to work for the best companies?
Atrilogy Solutions Group: The best company is the one you like and is a great fit.
HOT JOBS:
Atrilogy Solutions Group: IT. Over 60 positions are available in Arizona.
Career Evolutions: Software developer, sales, product manager are a few examples.
TruPath: Manufacturing; all types of positions.
APN USA: Nurses, nurses, nurses!
CAREER CONNECTORS ACADEMY
Brighton College, Ryan Golden, Enrollment Advisor
Ryan shared the exciting news and details about Career Connectors new partnership with Brighton College! The partnership forms Career Connectors Academy. The Academy offers a wide variety of accredited online college programs along with many professional development classes. The focus is on quality and affordability.
A few of the best accredited online certificate programs that are being offered to Career Connectors at a reduced price are: Information Technology Certification Programs, Business Management Associate Degree Online, Paralegal Certificate, Medical Assistant School, Legal Nurse Consultant Certification and Online Professional Development Classes. Career Connectors members will receive a 30% discount on the programs and certifications. For more information go to the Career Connectors Academy website.
Closing
Jessica Pierce, Founder & CEO, Career Connectors, closed the meeting by thanking Highlands Church & the volunteers. The next Career Connectors meeting will be in Gilbert on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 and features Kevin Dumcum, as speaker for the topic “Kick Start Your Job Search. For additional information on this event & future events, please visit the Event Schedule.