Managing Millennials Successfully

Posted on 31st January 201931st January 2019

According to the Pew Research Center, 35% of the American work force consists of Millennials, making them the largest working generation. Given the sheer size of this group, why are so many companies having difficulty retaining talented employees under the age of forty?

Millennials bring unique qualities and skills to the workplace. They also have different expectations of how they are managed. PS&R offers some insight on how managers can approach this generation in the workplace:

Challenge them, but also have fun. Not only are Millennials incredibly well educated, but they also grew up during a time of rapid technological change. As a result, these younger workers want to be lifelong learners. They expect a challenge, so they are happiest when managers provide consistent opportunities for their development. You can show top talent in this generation that you care about their future career by putting learning and growth opportunities at the forefront of your workplace culture. Millennials also believe in work-life balance. You probably know of companies that have created common gathering spaces and weekly social events. This is likely an effort to accommodate the need of Millennials to integrate work with play.

Let them make a difference by working for you. Millennials grew up believing they were capable of changing the world. They were encouraged to be highly educated and to get involved with global events and social issues. This generation will relate better to an organization that has a broader connection to the outside world. As an employer, you can connect to Millennials by putting the mission and values of the company first. Make sure the culture involves giving back to the community in some way.

Show them their value. The recession in 2009 was difficult for all, but Millennials were especially hard hit. Many lost their jobs or their starter savings. Because of this, this generation is looking for reliable benefits that include a solid retirement plan and a wage that matches their cost of living. Showing loyalty to Millennials through compensation packages will make them work harder for you.

Turn to an experienced recruiting firm for help finding, hiring, and retaining top talent in the Millennial generation. Contact PS&R today at 617.723.1919.

4 Tips for Increasing Happiness and Motivation in the New Year

Posted on 4th January 20194th January 2019

The New Year is often a time for self-reflection and goal setting. But reaching goals is difficult if you are not feeling the motivation to make strides. Here are a few tips for staying motivated, balanced, and happy with both work and your personal life in 2019:

1. Become a list maker.

There is nothing more satisfying than crossing off “to-do’s”. Whether you keep yours electronically or the old-fashioned way; start each day off with a fresh list. The easier and quickest to accomplish tasks should be at the top. Work your way down to the harder and more labor-intensive assignments. Keep in mind that you should not be trying to solve the worlds’ problems on a daily basis – your list should be manageable and 100% doable. After all, the idea is to get every item crossed off by the end of the day, so you feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation for tomorrow!

2. Review and revamp your online presence.

It’s time to update! Get rid of that profile picture from 2015 with a fresh and recent photo. Add new skills and interests to your LinkedIn page. While you’re at it, why not update your resume to reflect your most recent accomplishments in your current job? You never know when an opportunity might arise, so even those who are not on the job hunt should be prepared.

3. Declutter.

Your desk, your email inbox, a junk drawer in your kitchen… these are all places where things tend to pile up. Facing this mess every day can bring you down and be demotivating without you even realizing it. Dedicate twenty minutes to organize each space in your life where things have become unruly. Take the time to shred old documents, erase and unsubscribe from unwanted emails, and throw away those broken pencils and expired CVS coupons. You’d be surprised how much better you feel seeing these places clean and organized.

4. Take some time for yourself.

Looking forward to a planned trip can be very motivating. Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles told ABC News, “Most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out.” Don’t put off planning the vacation time you have earned. Get something on the books now for 2019. If finances and vacation timing are making it difficult to plan your dream trip; consider taking a long weekend doing something you love. It could be camping, painting, cooking, or spending the day reading a book at your favorite local beach. Dedicating time away from work doing something that makes you happy will greatly improve your mood and motivation.

PS&R wishes you all the best for happiness and success in 2019! If your New Year’s goals include finding a new job, contact us at 617.723.1919.

Boston Tops List for Job Searchers

Posted on 19th December 201819th December 2018

Here is some great news for job searchers in and around the Boston area:

According to www.StaffingIndustry.com; “Boston is the best city to find a job both in the United States and internationally, according to research released by relocation services provider Movinga. The data examined economic strength and standard of living, as well as opportunities for women, young people and expats, in 100 cities. Twenty American cities make the international ranking, due to a strong job market and a booming economy.”

New York and San Diego also scored well, but Boston was the only US city that made the top 10 of the list.

The holiday season is upon is, but that doesn’t mean your job search should stall. This is a great time of year for networking, so get out there and mingle! A new year also means a new budget, so companies might be doing more hiring in January.

Give your career search a jump start and contact PS&R at 617.723.1919. Or visit our Job Listings page to find a job that’s right for you!

Is Your Recruiter Experienced Enough to Trust?

Posted on 29th November 201829th November 2018

Our clients believe that three major themes set Preferred Staffing & Recruiting apart from other recruitment agencies: Trust, Experience and Action.

Trust

Kathy Orcutt, founder and president of PS&R, is hands on with each and every client and candidate. Her professionalism coupled with her phenomenal listening skills put people at ease, confident in the knowledge that she is truly working for them. As the operator of a small business herself, she works hard to find small businesses and non-profits to work with. Kathy quickly connected with another local woman business owner in need of a temporary office manager. This business owner said; “This was the first time my company has used a temp agency, and we hit the jackpot when we found PS&R. They are so professional and Kathy Orcutt, the owner, treated us like we were her only clients!” There’s no need to deal with a large recruitment firm when you can have a reliable and personalized experience with PS&R!

Experience

PS&R was originally established in 1984. Now, with over thirty years of experience, we continue to provide top quality staffing services to companies and institutions in the Greater Boston area and beyond. Kathy’s team has placed temporary and direct hire candidates across all industries. We work with one particular client to seasonally staff dozens of temporary positions, and here is their enthusiastic response: “Preferred Staffing and Recruiting provides me with both quality and quantity candidates. They know the level of candidate talent that I require and personally meet with each and every one before submitting for my approval.” Our ability to produce multiple qualified candidates for every client comes from years of industry knowledge.

Action

It’s one thing to say you can place the right candidate but executing it is a whole different story! Our PS&R team succeeds because we treat every job opening as a new challenge, and we work tirelessly until the perfect match is found. We get back to our clients and candidates promptly with communication, so you know we are always at work helping you in your employment search. The COO of one of our clients says,“Kathy’s ability to find great people and deftly bring them through the entire hiring process has made our company much better and I look forward to working with PS&R again in the future!”

Come and learn why Preferred Staffing & Recruiting’s collaborative and consultative approach makes us the best staffing agency in the greater Boston area and the perfect fit for you. Visit us at www.psandr.com or call Kathy today at 617.723.1919.

Ask Kathy – Tips for Your First Interview

Posted on 6th September 20186th September 2018

Kathy Orcutt is the founder and president of Preferred Staffing & Recruiting. She has twenty years of experience in the recruiting industry in the great Boston area. As a woman-owned and DBE business, Kathy and her PS&R team provide permanent and temporary workforce solutions for a broad range of businesses.

We asked Kathy what advice she would give a candidate who is trying to make the best possible impression at a job interview. Here are her thoughts:

Dress professionally and be punctual.

Even if the company comes across as casual, you will make a better impression if you are overdressed rather than underdressed. Also, make sure you are on-time for your scheduled interview. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised by how often candidates arrive late without any communication.

Be a good listener and ask thoughtful questions.

Your interview is an opportunity for the hiring manager to learn about you, but you don’t want to drone on endlessly about your background and skills. Make sure not to talk over the interviewer and give them a chance to ask follow-up questions. When it’s your turn to ask questions, go beyond the basics. Inquire about the culture of the company and how the position fits and interacts with the broader organization. These types of questions show that you are interested in learning more about their business and the opportunity at hand.

Watch your body language.

Again, it might seem like a no brainer, but often when we’re nervous we lose sight of our body language. Make sure to smile and make eye contact. Try not to slouch or fidget while answering questions. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Understanding the New Massachusetts Equal Pay Law

Posted on 29th August 201829th August 2018

Our home state of Massachusetts is on the forefront of the movement for equal pay and rights for employees. Last month the equal pay law was updated to provide clarity on what constitutes unlawful wage discrimination. A key piece of the July 1^st update made it unlawful for employers to ask candidates for salary history information. Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that have adopted this kind of law.

To help you understand this new law, PS&R has gathered some questions that employers are able to ask, and some you need to avoid.

Employers CANNOT ask:

What is your current salary?
How much did you make in your last job?
How much of your compensation is base salary versus commission?
Why do you think this salary is appropriate for you?

Employers CAN ask:

What is your salary requirement or expectation?
What value would you bring to this job?
Did you meet your sales goals in your last position? (but don’t ask about earnings through sales)
Is there a type of pay structure you would be most comfortable with?

Remember that job candidates can volunteer pay history information on their own, it just can’t be actively solicited by a recruiter or human resources manager. Don’t forget to eliminate pay history questions from paper or online documents, such as employment applications.

Working with a Massachusetts recruiter like PS&R is an easy way to navigate this new law effectively.

Making the Most of Online Recruiting

Posted on 2nd August 20182nd August 2018

Online recruiting is how recruiters and candidates connect using the web. Job recruiting websites offer an efficient way to share job posts and resumes. With the use of Skype, Facetime and other video call apps, interviews and meetings can take place anywhere and anytime. Online recruiting has saved job seekers and hiring agencies both time and money.

One thing to keep in mind is that internet recruiting makes job opportunities more accessible to everyone. The ease of applying means that any single job post can be flooded with applicants. A human resource manager or recruitment specialist may see hundreds of resumes per post. This is great news for that recruiter, as they can quickly scan and pluck only the top applicants. But if you are looking for employment, you want to do what you can to stand out.

Here are some things for job seekers to keep in mind as you navigate the online world of recruiting:

Pay attention to detail– Make sure your resume is updated, proof-read, and that it is appropriate for the job you are seeking. If you are sending your resume via email, be sure to use correct grammar and spelling. Your resume is less likely to be opened if an employer sees errors right away.
Network – Check in with your professional network or use LinkedIn to see if you already know someone who works for the company. An internal referral can go a long way.
Clean up your social media presence – Don’t be surprised if your Facebook and Twitter accounts are being viewed by hiring managers. Delete incriminating photos and inappropriate posts – these could turn off potential employers.

Find the best recruiting website for you and consider the tips above, and you are one step closer to your next great opportunity!

3 Ways to Improve your Company’s Image

Posted on 24th July 201825th July 2018

You are a busy HR executive with the goal of attracting, hiring, and retaining the best staff for your business. Whether you have partnered with a recruiting agency or you are doing the hiring on your own, here are some steps you can take that can leave a lasting impact on the brand of your company. These actions will help get like-minded candidates to your door faster and make you more successful.

1. Networking

Be proactive in cultivating relationships outside of the office. Hiring managers should be engaging in network-related social gatherings, communicating through career-related blogs, and joining job seeker networks. Put yourself out there to create a positive and viral message about your company and the culture it provides. If your company is part of the broader community, you are bound to attract more talent.

2. Perpetuating Culture

The key piece here is awareness. Use social media and job review web sites such as Great Place to Work and Indeed to learn what employees are saying about your company. If you are informed, you can respond to questions or inquires in a way that will build on your business reputation. For example, if you know an area in which your company is lacking you can discuss your focus on improving that area. You can also use positive feedback to reaffirm and reinforce where your company is currently exceeding.

3. Transparency

Consider the fact that job seekers touch dozens of companies a week, either by sending resumes or going on interviews. A future employee is bound to remember the hiring manager who responds to their emails, sets timelines on when they will hear back, and follows through on those timelines. Whether that person lands at your company or another, they will have a positive feeling of their experience with you. Communication and transparency are key to creating a good reputation and brand for your business.

If you’ve hired Preferred Staffing & Recruiting to help with your hiring, you can be sure that we are taking all of these steps to find you the best candidate for the job.

Top 3 Recruiter Myths and Truths

Posted on 10th July 201810th July 2018

Recruiting agencies are hired for their knowledge and the networks they use to find the best candidate for your open jobs. Using a headhunter can be very beneficial for a busy HR executive. There are some misconceptions about the recruiting industry that may have been true at one time but are not now.

Here are a few myths (and truths) about executive recruiters…

1) Why do I need a recruiter?

You may have noticed that even some very large corporations with substantial human resource departments always work with recruiters. Corporate HR staff often partner with professional staffing agencies because recruiting requires a lot of time. Additionally, it requires some specialized skills that your team might not have. Recruiters have a broader network to pull from and we focus solely on your job vacancy until we find the perfect candidate for your company.

2) It’s a myth that Recruiting agencies are costly

Yes, you do have to pay recruiters for their work. Because, it’s that exact work that frees you up to get your daily responsibilities completed. You won’t need to scan resumes, actively recruit, post to online job boards, or field phone calls from unqualified applicants, all because we will do the preliminary work for you. The value of a professional recruiter can be seen in your personal productivity.

3) Another myth is that working with a Recruiter takes extra time

A recruiting agency can actually streamline the process for you. We have the experience to handle the initial steps of the search quickly and thoroughly so that you see only the most qualified candidates. Your valuable time will be utilized when it counts – to choose which of the final top-notch applicants would be the best fit for your company.

What to Expect When You Work with a Recruiting Agency

Posted on 21st June 201828th June 2018

A recruiting agency can offer a wealth of knowledge about recruiting, hiring, and retaining staff, so make sure you are getting the most from the agency you pick. Here are some things you should consider when interviewing an agency. Your professional recruiter should be happy to answer all of your questions and act as your perfect partner.

Communication is probably the most important piece of your partnership. Your recruiter is the liaison between your company and your next new employee. If you and your recruiting agent have a good rapport and communicate effectively, then you will have confidence that they will find you an employee who is a good fit for your company. So, when choosing a professional recruiter, make sure to partner with a good communicator who will provide relevant updates and ask the right questions during the search process.

Typically, you will sign a contract with an executive recruiter outlining certain aspects of your partnership. Some smaller details may not appear in the contract but are still very important. For example; what is the screening process that your recruiter uses? How many applicants will they present for each job opening, and how soon will you see these resumes? If you know that everyone has the same expectations, the process is bound to go smoothly.

It’s also important to give your recruitment manager the tools they need to find you the best possible candidates. Teaching them about the culture of your company and providing detailed job descriptions will help them find the right match.

Now that you’ve chosen the best candidate for the job and are ready to extend an offer, it’s time for your recruiter to really shine. It’s possible that this person is entertaining other job opportunities or is concerned about the details of your offer. Your recruiter is there to help you communicate and negotiate to get that perfect candidate signed.

Above all, remember that top recruiting firms are the ones that make the client their main priority!