The Applicant's Investment In The Interview

September 27, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Generally speaking, most hiring managers have a good idea of what they have invested in an interview considering time and resources. Have you considered your applicant’s investment? If your recruiting efforts leave you struggling to book interviews, now may be a good time to reconsider what your applicant is being asked to commit to.

Whether you are overbooking interviews or struggling to book them at all, take a moment to consider what an applicant has invested in the interview. With many hiring managers and recruiters targeting passive candidates or finding that many of their qualified applicants are currently employed, your applicant may be investing more than you have initially considered. Here are just a few of the investments an employed candidate may have made in order to interview with you:

Hourly compensation
Vacation or sick time
Time away from their current workload that they’ll likely have to make up another time
Jeopardized their current employment
Made arrangements to have others assist with their duties in their absence

Even if the applicant is a salaried employee and has been able to use paid time off to participate in the interview they have given you valuable time that they could have used for other occasions. Now consider the likelihood of them landing the position.

If you already have hesitations about their qualifications for the position, you may want to reconsider asking them to commit to the interview considering their investment in doing so. If you are struggling to attract candidates to attend an interview consider alternatives such as phone interviews, off-site interviews, after hours interviews, or video interviews to accommodate their schedules.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities? Visit our job board for more information! Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Have You Mastered Recruiting But Not Hiring?

September 25, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

If you haven’t learned the difference between recruiting and hiring, now is the time. While recruiting involves the process of locating, identifying, screening, attracting, and evaluating talent; hiring involves the conversion of candidate to employee. Unfortunately, many companies are unable to close the deal in time to convert an applicant to an employee before they are recruited away to other opportunities. How can you protect yourself from losing valuable talent?

While the hiring process involves crucial steps and processes, building a smooth system can eliminate costly downtime and turnover. Studies have shown as many as 58% of employees who take part in a structured hiring process are more likely to be with the company three years later. Here are just a few tools that can help you build a structured hiring program!

Online applications
Strong applicant tracking system
A streamlined onboarding process
A structured training program
Regular performance reviews including in the new hire period

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

How To Land A Job At A Job Fair

September 23, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Let’s face it, most job fairs are filled with hundreds to thousands of applicants like yourself that are all chasing the same positions. Standing out against the competition, especially when the hiring managers and recruiters are likely to be overwhelmed by the end of the day can be very difficult. Here are some great tips to help you land a job at a job fair!

1. Come prepared. Sounds simple right? Some simple steps such as dressing professionally, researching which employers will be on hand that you are most interested in meeting with, researching those companies, and having a professionally built resume are the biggest steps to achieving success at a job fair. Many applicants consider a job fair to be a less formal setting and may appear more relaxed in their dress, often run out of a resumes, and can be seen wandering about hitting every booth. Walking with confidence to the locations that you are most interested in pursuing a career with can quickly set the tone for your conversation. Better yet, have a personalized cover letter for each of those employers to demonstrate that you came to the event seeking a career opportunity with them specifically.

2. Have your pitch ready. You’ll likely have 60 seconds or less to speak with a hiring manager or recruiter. Creating a strong first impression is key. Speak confidently, be to the point, and make sure you are express your strongest skills and accomplishments during this time. There is plenty of time in the future to discover what positions they have open currently and what they anticipate for the future. This is your time to convince them of why they need to meet with you formally.

3. Demonstrate professional etiquette. Similar to any job interview you should come dressed professionally, avoid chewing gum, silence your mobile devices, and avoid strong smells such as smoke, coffee, or cologne. Make sure that the employer is focused on your skills and abilities, not something with your presence. Be sure to stand a safe distance behind the candidate ahead of you in line allowing them to speak confidentially with the hiring manager and not making either party feel rushed.

4. Leave with information. After meeting with each employer make any notes from your conversation on the back of their business card. This will allow you to follow up with information that may trigger them to remember your conversation such as “We had spoken in regards to your desire to expand your engineering services into the Phoenix market, that is something that I would have a strong interest in participating with”. Be sure to note any follow up actions that were requested of you such as submitting an electronic version of your resume. Remember to send a personalized thank you card within 24 hours, expressing your continued desire to speak further with them in regards to career opportunities and what you can bring to their organization.

Are Your Employees Job Hunting On The Clock?

September 20, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Are your employees looking to make a career move? A recent study released by Robert Half International Inc. found that as many as 48% of employees between the ages of 18 and 34 said that they are likely to conduct job-search activities at work. Even the most flexible of employers are likely not going to be excited by this statistic. What can you do to prevent your employees from seeking new opportunities, especially while on the job?

Communicate regularly. Do you regularly meet with individual staff members to discuss their careers, ambitions, and frustrations? If not, you should. Many workplace issues and frustrations can be addressed in a simple meeting. You may learn of current team members that would be interested and qualified for other opportunities within the organization.
Recognize regularly. Regularly provide feedback to your employees on their progress, achievements, and contributions to the organization. Sometimes simple forms of recognition such as a thank you card, email, or recognition in front of the team can be the motivation your staff needs to remain engaged with the company.
Reward regularly. How do you motivate your staff to excel? A strong employee recognition program including awards, bonuses, gift cards, or free lunches show your employees that your organization is committed to keeping them happy and rewarding them for their efforts.

As the market remains tight for top level talent, keeping your top performers happy and engaged is critical. Click here for more information on employee retention.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Are You Using Truck-Specific GPS?

September 18, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is continuing their efforts to help drivers reduce bridge strikes and other dangerous accidents by distributing cards to truck drivers warning of the dangers that can arise from using GPS units meant for non-commercial and smaller vehicles.

The FMCSA has posted warnings on their site and continues to bring awareness to the dangers that come from using improper equipment. A 2009 study found that about 80% of bridge strikes in New York were a result of large vehicles using the wrong navigation devices. With simple prevention, drivers can avoid these life threatening accidents that often result in serious injuries, heavy equipment damage, costly road repairs, and long delays for other motorists. Click here for a copy of the FMCSA’s GPS Selection Guide for CMV’s.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Best Construction Jobs In 2013

September 16, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

With the construction industry quickly gaining speed, many contractors are quickly growing their staff to accommodate the growing number of projects on their workload. Unemployment in the construction industry has almost dropped in half in the past 3 years and continues to show improvement. As projected by AOL, here are the Best Construction Jobs for 2013:

1. Cost Estimator– With an average salary of $62,670, cost estimators are responsible for a wide range of duties including project budgeting, cost proposals, and coordinating of services with prospective sub contractors.

2. Construction Manager– With an average salary of $93,900, construction managers are responsible for the planning, budgeting, coordination, and completion of construction projects.

3. Plumber– With an average salary of $51, 830, a plumber’s duties range from analyzing blueprints, to installing, maintaining, and repairing pipes and septic tanks while remaining in compliance with building codes.

4. Glazier– With an average salary of $41,620, glaziers prep, install, fasten, seal, and remove glass for windows; often working at extreme heights.

5. Cement Mason / Concrete Finisher– With an average salary of $39,370, these roles include installing rebar and reinforcement materials, pouring cement mixtures, spreading and leveling of cement mixtures, and applying sealants.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Cell Phone Etiquette In The Workplace

September 13, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

With over half of the adults in the United States owning a smartphone, it’s no surprise that their presence in the workplace has created some disruptions. Most companies have policies in place that include guidance on the use of mobile devices in the workplace, that will likely grow to include more specific technology as time progresses. Even if your company does not have a policy against or limiting the use of mobile devices in the workplace, exercising proper etiquette with your mobile phone or device can have an impact on your professional image.

Here are some quick etiquette tips for the use of mobile devices in the workplace:

Don’t allow interruptions. Do not interrupt a conversation with someone either on another line or in person to accept a call or respond to a message. Showing your colleagues and clients that they have your undivided attention is important to rapport and respect building in the workplace.

Make sure your mobile device is appropriately represented in the workplace. Whether it is a personal device or a company issued mobile device, if it is making an appearance in the workplace it should be appropriate for the environment. Make sure that your device has a professional ring tone, neutral case or cover, and your background photo is appropriate for the workplace. Inappropriate covers, background photos, or ring tones may be offensive to those around you and could result in a poor professional image or discipline.

Respect the no phone zones. Even a company issued phone should not be present in all situations. Meetings, lunch appointments, and restrooms are just a few places that your mobile device is likely not welcome. Silence your device and keep it in your bag, briefcase, or pocket.

Be respectful of those around you. Those around you will quickly grow annoyed with the constant ringing or vibrating from your device, especially in a cubicle setting. Be sure to silence your device and step away to take personal calls.

Don’t be an under the table reader. Let’s face it those around you are aware of what you’re doing. Responding to emails, texts, or surfing the internet below the table only draws more attention to you. If you feel the need respond to an urgent message, politely excuse yourself from the group.

Consider adding cell phone etiquette into your next staff training or meeting agenda to help eliminate distractions or disruptions in the workplace. Chances are there are several staff members who are losing productivity due to their cell phone usage and causing disruptions to those around them.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Costs of Delayed Reporting of Workers' Compensation Claims!

September 11, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Does your organization make timely reporting of workers’ compensation claims a priority? Studies have demonstrated the costly effects of delayed reporting for organizations in the United States. The costs of delayed reporting will vary by employer based on the fact that each claim is different, each employee is different, and each injury may involve different circumstances. However, regardless of the nature of your business there is a direct correlation between the reporting time and the cost of the claim.

The faster a workers’ compensation claim is received by the adjuster, the faster and more controlled the process is. The adjuster is able to conduct a thorough investigation while the facts of the claim are still readily available, before the employee and any witnesses may forget key details that are critical to the claim. Prompt reporting can also help to eliminate any delays in providing appropriate medical care and wage benefits to the injured employee.

Recent data released by Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. found:

Claims that close within 30 days of occurrence cost an average of $287 and about 90% of those claims will remain medical-only cases.
Claims that remain open 31-90 days jump to an average cost of $722.
Claims that remain open 181-365 days jump to an average cost of $6,875

A recent study completed by NCCI on lag time also found:

Week two after the date of the incident cost an average of 18% more than claims reported during the first week.
Weeks three and four following the date of the incident averaged a 30% increase in claims cost.
After four weeks the costs increased an average of 45% higher.

Making sure your staff is familiar with the importance of quickly reporting any incidents and injuries is key to controlling your costs. Any injury regardless of it’s initial significance should follow the same reporting process that should be clearly outlined in the employee handbook and regularly posted in break rooms and other common areas.

Why Your Business Should Be On LinkedIn!

September 9, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Whether you are just jumping into social media through other sites or have avoided a social media presence for your company altogether, your business needs to be on LinkedIn!

LinkedIn, unlike some other social media sites, was designed to be used for professional networking purposes only. From individual profiles to groups and company pages, the layout and format is intended to connect professionals with common interests. By doing so, LinkedIn has avoided many of the workplace blunders and law suits that other social media sites have become attached to. Almost 3 million companies have created Company Pages on the site and over 5.7 billion professionally oriented searches were conducted on the site in 2012 alone, making LinkedIn a powerhouse for marketing, recruiting, and career development opportunities.

Not sure where to get started? Here are some quick tips!

Create a Company Page. Make sure to include a photo, preferably including your logo for brand recognition.

Build Your Followers. Announce to your staff that your company has joined LinkedIn and invite them to follow you as well as invite additional followers who may have an interest in your line of work, product line, or general industry.

Build Your Content. Provide your followers with informative content on a consistent basis. Post articles of interest, blog posts, company updates, and job postings to keep your company name and page fresh on their mind and their newsfeed.

Be Interactive. Make sure to measure engagement with your followers and learn which topics gain the most engagement from your audience, as well as what content seems to fall through the cracks. Make sure that you respond quickly and professionally to all comments, questions, and inquiries.

As with any network, a social network following can take time to build. The more members of your team that are involved with sharing your page and content to their connections, the faster your engagement will grow. Identifying members of your organization that may have access to articles of interest, industry trends, and general discussions can greatly advance your branding opportunities.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Computer Ergonomics And The Workplace

September 6, 2013Posted by: Jenna Mathieu

Have you ever considered the effects of your workstation on your health or your organization’s bottom line? If not, you should. According to the U.S. Department of Labor repetitive stress injuries have cost employers over $20 billion in workers’ compensation claims; factor in the pain, loss time, and loss of productivity and the numbers become astounding. While many work stations are built and assembled to a standard size, employee height, comfort, and position vary greatly. Here are some great tips on computer ergonomics that may decrease potential for injuries, increase physical energy, and increase productivity in the workplace!

Keep the top of the computer screen at or just below eye level and approximately 20 inches away from you.
Make sure your chair is adjusted for you. Your back should remain supported, your feet should rest flat on the floor or foot rest, and your knees should be at approximately a 90 degree angle when seated.
Position your keyboard so that your wrists are straight and your elbows rest at a 90 degree angle. Consider a keyboard tray or wrist rest to provide additional support if needed.
To avoid strains on your neck and eyes, place a document holder at screen level.
Change positions frequently to release tension on your body. Consider standing and stretching every hour briefly.
Keep your most frequently used items within easy reach.

Some simple adjustments can quickly make your workplace more comfortable, safe, and productive. Speak with your employees about additional available equipment such as foot rests, wrist rests, and document holders to reduce strain and pain in the workplace.

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.