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Can recruitment strategies change with the job market? Is it always necessary to find just the right person for a job—or can a square peg be reshaped to fit into a round hole?

Currently, with record low unemployment, hiring managers might need to consider candidates who are short on desired skills but are a good company fit. On-the-job training can often fill the gap. But what else can help to ensure success?

Kate and Rob: A study in recruitment strategies and outcomes

Kate and Rob started the same day in customer service positions. Neither had the related experience the hiring manager had in mind. But they appeared eager to learn new skills. At the end of a six-month probation, Kate had enjoyed her customer interactions and was respected by team members. She was a shoo-in for a permanent job. But Rob struggled to address customers’ concerns adequately, and he didn’t manage staff well. He and his employer both realized he was in an ill-fitting role and agreed to part ways.

Neither Kate nor Rob were ideally experienced for their jobs. So, why did Kate succeed in her new position, while Rob didn’t last?

Kate thrived because her personality was well suited for it. Rob’s, however, ... Read More

You feel like your job search has reached a dead end. All the excitement you felt when you first started looking for your next big opportunity has deteriorated into frustration and despair, as you fruitlessly send out resume after resume and attend uninspiring interview after uninspiring interview.

You’re looking for an escape from the job-search treadmill. People have suggested a staffing agency as a possibility, but you’re reluctant. From what you’ve heard, using a recruiter doesn’t seem like the best option for you.

But before making a final decision, you might want to dig a little deeper. People often go into the job search with preconceived notions about staffing agencies. But many of those assumptions are wrong.

Here are four common myths about the staffing industry and the truth about how a recruiter can help facilitate your next opportunity.

1) Myth: Recruiters Only Offer Temporary Positions

It’s true: Many staffing firms provide short-term gigs. That only represents a portion of what recruiters do. Most agencies offer a variety of placements, allowing job seekers to set their own balance between flexibility and long-term commitment.

Think of it like a dating site. Some people prefer a casual relationship. Others are looking for something long term. The matchmaker ... Read More

LANCASTER, PA – Mar. 4, 2019 — TriStarr, a staffing, recruiting and consulting agency based in Lancaster, has appointed Scott Fiore president of the company.

“For nearly 24 years, Scott has been a positive and strategic force within our agency,” says Joan Paxton, founder of the 30-year-old company. “His leadership skills and wide counsel have helped grow TriStarr to the successful company it is today.”

Fiore joined TriStarr in 1995 and has been vice-president and partner of the firm since 2000. He serves on the boards of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, where he is vice chairperson, and the Affiliated Staffing Group.

Paxton plans to remain actively involved in the business of the company.

About TriStarr

TriStarr is a staffing, recruiting, and consulting agency serving client companies, as well as temporary and permanent workers, in the Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, and southern Berks County markets. With experience in a wide variety of businesses and industries, TriStarr has developed specialized tools and processes to ensure that its people will be the best fit possible for any company.

How you interview job candidates can make a big difference in the success of your most important hires. Knowing what and what not to do, as well as what and what not to ask, can also keep you out of hot water.

Interviewing is time-consuming and requires organization; it can be frustrating and even stressful. It’s not surprising, then, that so many companies depend on job recruiters for their most significant hires. Whether you decide to go it alone or hire a professional recruiter, you will eventually be interviewing candidates. So, equip yourself now with good interviewing skills to assess your finalists.

You are likelier to make the right hires if you interview smartly and effectively. And as you no doubt have learned, the wrong hires cost time and money, and the hiring process restarts at square one.

Make our 5 do’s and 5 don’ts for interviewing part of your recruitment strategy

Do’s:

1. Look over candidates’ resumes before interviews. Well, of course, you say? You might be surprised at how many people don’t. Be organized and know what you plan to ask before interviews start.
2. Be positive and make candidates feel at ease. This builds a better rapport with them and encourages them to respond openly and honestly.
3. Ask candidates the same set of questions. This allows you to compare ... Read More

Did you hear the one about the job candidate who texted with his mother for responses as he filled out a job application? Or the one about the guy who didn’t remove his motorcycle helmet for his job interview?

These aren’t jokes missing their punchlines, but rather real stories about candidates who raised red flags before they could be hired. (We’ll give the biker credit for flipping up his visor.)

When you’re recruiting employees, pay attention to red flags that can signal trouble ahead should certain candidates be hired. If you encounter red flags during the recruitment process, it’s best to heed them and not wish them away.

So, what are the most conspicuous warning signs? Do frequent job changes still matter? Maybe. Do typos on resumes still matter? Yep.

These issues should raise concerns when recruiting employees

1. Resume issues – To be sure, spelling and grammar still matter because good written and verbal communication skills remain important. But resume issues can go deeper and include poor organization, vague experience, incomplete information, and lack of measurable results.

2. Questionable work history – While frequent job changes can have valid reasons, particularly with younger employees, inquire to find out why. Be alert to large gaps in employment ... Read More