Blog
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Five mistakes to avoid when finding candidates for key positions
At a time of nearly full employment, recruiting employees who are high performers can be tough. That’s why employers should watch for missteps that can cost them a leading candidate or cause them to hire the wrong person. Such avoidable errors can send the recruitment process back to square one at the company’s expense of valuable time and money.
In order to get the most out of your recruitment efforts and land the candidates you need, plan ahead. When formulating your recruitment strategies, avoid making these mistakes:
- Assessing only for skills and knowledge – Evaluating a candidate’s skills and qualifications is vital, but so is assessing for personality and compatibility. Yet many companies never do this. Knowing that a candidate is a good fit for both your company and the position will result in a higher placement success rate. See our blog post on recruiting for personality as well as skills.
- Prolonging the recruitment process – If a recruitment process drags on too long, great candidates are lost and internal projects get delayed. If other employees pick up the slack for too long, morale can suffer. Don’t wait for the perfect candidate who may never materialize. Now, I’m not suggesting you rush ... Read More
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7 benefits recruiters offer job seekers in their search
Transitioning from unemployment or underemployment to a position that’s professionally, personally, and financially fulfilling can be one of life’s most arduous tasks. And while Central Pennsylvania’s tight job market currently favors job seekers, the hunt can lead to undue stress and even burnout when going it alone. As Charlie Kelly facetiously gripes in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: “Why don’t I strap on my job helmet and squeeze down into a job cannon and fire off into jobland?!”
Job recruitment companies like Tristarr Staffing exist to make that journey out of the “job cannon” and into “jobland” just a little bit easier. We recognize, however, that it can be daunting to take that first step. If you’re on the fence about utilizing recruiting agencies, consider these seven ways executive headhunters help place candidates like you:
- They connect you with prospects. A recruitment agency provides unparalleled access to jobs and positions that often aren’t widely advertised online or offline. As more companies search for qualified candidates every day, recruiters typically have knowledge of job openings first. This gives you a competitive edge over those who stick to prowling job boards like Monster and Indeed to secure a new role.
- They shepherd the process. ... Read More
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Building productive workplace teams with shared vision for success
Our 21st century focus on teams isn’t new. Successful industry executives and entrepreneurs have long recognized the value of teams in fulfilling a company’s purpose and producing positive results.
Industry titan Andrew Carnegie was a proponent of teamwork, defining it as “the ability to work together toward a common vision.” And his contemporary Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
Those are inspiring and convincing words, but even the firmest believers in teamwork can find it difficult to put into action. While a workplace retreat can be effective, gains made in a single day are too often lost upon return to the office. So, how can managers build teams of employees who embrace shared goals to produce profitable outcomes?
Want to create successful teams? Focus on these five qualities
- Leadership – Establish yourself as the leader. Set goals for the team that can be linked to the company’s success. Delegate responsibilities that will foster individual professional growth and will help achieve the team’s goals. Be objective and fair in resolving conflicts among team members.
- Trust –Trust in your employees’ abilities to perform their jobs well and allow them to make independent decisions as much as possible. The ... Read More
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Temp help wanted: Employers’ demands for temp staffing are growing
Temp staffing is on the rise, not just here in southcentral Pennsylvania but across the commonwealth. Last year in Pennsylvania, an average of 120,000 temporary employees worked each week, according to the American Staffing Association—a 5 percent increase from the year before. A total of more than 582,000 people filled temp jobs during 2017, an increase of 12.6 percent.
A substantial temp workforce is picking up the labor slack resulting from a shortage of skilled employees during this period of historically low unemployment. Businesses find that temp workers not only get them out of a jam but also have other advantages. Hiring temps can reduce their labor costs, unemployment claims, and time spent on recruiting.
There’s good news for temps, too. For many, the flexibility of briefer assignments matches their lifestyles and personal schedules. In addition, the chance to learn new skills increases their professional marketability. Some are even offered full-time positions with their temporary employer.
The hottest job opportunities for today’s temp staffers
In our service region, we’re definitely seeing a need for temps in some fields more than in others. Positions most in demand are in customer service and call centers, as well as in accounting support (mainly billing and accounts payable). ... Read More
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Managing low performers: Confront, communicate, coach. Then commend or can them
One of the most challenging tasks facing managers is how best to handle low-performing employees. Questions abound: Can they make an acceptable turnaround? What help should we give them? How many strikes until they’re out? How long until we cut them loose?
If they show a sign of promise, you might want to give them a chance to redeem themselves, particularly now when good employees are hard to find and recruit. Try coaching low performers and developing action plans for them. But know how and when to terminate them properly.
“While it’s never easy confronting individuals about poor performance, tolerating it is a failure of leadership,” says John Baldoni, executive coach and leadership educator.
Use a mixture of sensitivity and firmness when approaching low-performing employees. Don’t express anger toward them, and never disparage them in front of fellow employees. While no process is the only right way, here are eight effective steps to address subpar performance with employees from our HR consulting firm:
- Address the situation as soon as you recognize a problem. Don’t procrastinate or wait for a performance review while the problem continues.
- Find the cause and be objective. (Employees’ lack of skills, training, or motivation? Personal problems? Unclear expectations? Poor two-way communications?)
- Begin ... Read More