UNITEMP Blog

How essential are you to your employer?

For the past several years, we’ve lived in a mode where seemingly nobody’s job is safe.  And with labor costs comprising the vast majority of a company’s operating costs, there’s (unfortunately) good reason for employees at all levels to be concerned about job security.

When employers have to let workers go, they typically start with employees they consider “non-essential.”  The best way to stay out of this category is by making yourself indispensable on the job.  Here’s how:

• Make your boss look good. Your direct supervisor is the most critical person to your success in the workplace.  Like it or not, your success is closely linked to his.  If you want to keep your job, get a raise or earn a promotion, one of the smartest things you can do is make your boss look good.  Do what he asks, when he asks it.  Try to anticipate his needs.  Talk him up to his supervisor.
• Go above and beyond the call of duty. If you want to cultivate value, respect and trust in the workplace, develop an entrepreneurial spirit on the job.  Volunteer for additional assignments or identify opportunities to improve products, processes or services within your company.  Make a habit of doing more than what you’re asked to do.
• Honor your commitments. Meet your deadlines. Do what you say you’re going to do.  If you make a mistake on the job, find a way to fix it and take responsibility for implementing the solution.  When you develop a reputation of under-promising and over-delivering, you greatly increase your value to your employer.
• Maintain a positive attitude, even when under pressure. Smile.  Approach your work with an upbeat attitude.  When problems or stress start to mount, don’t fall victim to negative thoughts/talk/actions about  your situation.  Instead of being part of the problem, be a part of the solution.  If you are unconstructive or unhelpful on the job, you give your employer good reason to look for your replacement.
• Take responsibility for your own career development. In today’s “right-sizing” workplace, don’t rely on anyone else to safeguard or guide you in your career.  Be proactive in protecting your job by:  learning new skills; finding a mentor to help you develop and grow professionally; investing in training and development courses in your areas of expertise; staying on top of industry trends that may impact you or your organization.
• Be a team player. Look for ways to improve communications and increase the value of your role in any team of which you’re a part.  Always support your boss and your team.  Most importantly, try to avoid the petty arguments with co-workers that may jeopardize the success of your work – and ultimately your job.
• Try to excel in areas where others are weak. Look for tasks your boss considers unpleasant, or isn’t particularly skilled at, and volunteer to take them on.  Examine your co-workers’ proficiencies and try to strengthen your skills in areas where they are weak.  Become an expert in a relevant subject that will make you a more valuable employee.  When you possess skills, experience and/or knowledge others don’t, you make yourself that much more indispensable.

Become an Indispensable Part of Your Next Team with UNITEMP

UNITEMP can match you with a great New Jersey administrative, technical or professional temporary, temp-to-hire or contract opportunity that can put you on the path to career success.  Contact UNITEMP today, and use the tips above to become an indispensable part of your next work team.

You know it’s coming – that moment about three quarters of the way through your interview, when the hiring manager asks:

“So, do you have any questions for me?”

Believe it or not, the worst thing you can say at this point is “No.”  Interviewers actually want you to ask questions.  In addition to helping them provide more complete information, your questions give potential employers insights about your preparedness, personality and level of interest in their available positions.

Take advantage of this opportunity to shine.  Customize this sample list of potential interview questions to showcase your knowledge, position yourself as a leader, demonstrate your interest in the job – and learn critical information to help you make an informed decision:

1. Why is this position available? This seemingly innocuous question can provide valuable information about the company’s culture and performance.  The position may be vacant because it’s new, because someone was promoted from within (potentially good signs) or because the company is plagued by high turnover.
2. How would you describe the ideal candidate? This question is a form of transference, encouraging the hiring manager to imagine you actually performing the job as he is describing it.  Listen closely to the skills and characteristics he mentions and point out those that you possess, citing examples.
3. How would you describe the company’s culture? Your success in a position isn’t only about performing job duties; it’s also about how well you fit into the environment.  Your interviewer is certainly sizing you up for a cultural fit.  You should be doing the same of your potential employer.  When evaluating the interviewer’s response, consider whether or not the company’s culture is one that will align with your personal values and will likely support your success.
4. What are the next steps in this process? Hiring organizations vary greatly in their selection processes.  Some have multiple interviews; some require extensive skills and behavioral testing; still others conduct only one or two interviews before making an offer.  This question will help you set expectations and remove post-interview anxiety by helping you understand: timelines for making a decision; whether or not additional testing/screening will be required; when the new hire will be brought on board; whom you may hear from and when; when and how you should follow-up, should you not hear from anyone.

Other Potential Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

• Who would be my supervisor?
• Whom will I supervise?
• With whom will I be working most closely?
• What are the current plans for expansion or cutbacks?
• What are the biggest challenges this company faces?
• What do you like most about working for this company?  The least?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this position?
• Will I receive any formal training?
• Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization?

As you ask these questions, feel free to jot down a few brief notes; however, you should not let note-taking distract from the conversation.  Before you leave, be sure to thank the interviewer for his time and (if applicable) let him know that you’re sincerely interested in the job.

UNITEMP – Committed to Your Job Search Success

UNITEMP is committed to helping you find rewarding employment.  With a great team of experienced staffing specialists, we have the resources and experience to match you with the ideal temporary, temp-to-hire or contract opportunity.  Contact a Recruiter today or Search Jobs online.

What questions have you asked while in an interview which proved valuable?  Ever ask one you wish you hadn’t?  Please leave us a comment below.

How’s business?  The ASA Staffing Index can help you answer this question.

The ASA Staffing Index, developed by the American Staffing Association, provides a current measure of staffing industry employment trends.  Published weekly, the index estimates the weekly changes in the number of people employed in temporary and contract work.

Index numbers are reported just nine days after each work week ends, making it a virtual real-time measure of staffing employment trends.  ASA research shows that staffing employment is a coincident economic indicator and leading employment indicator – especially when the economy is emerging from a recession – making the index especially relevant right now for businesses across the nation.

The ASA Staffing Index also serves as a valuable resource for economists, journalists, analysts, researchers and policy makers who are interested in current trends in staffing employment.  Participants account for more than one-third of industry sales offices.

Two numbers are reported weekly.  The first is the weekly percentage change in staffing employment.  The second is the index itself, which shows staffing employment trends over time.  Both numbers are normally posted on the ASA web site on Tuesday mornings.

This Week’s Staffing Index:

Follow this link to view current ASA Staffing Index data.

Monthly Report – April 2011

Staffing employment in April is 7% higher than in the same month last year, according to the ASA Staffing Index.  The index for April is 92, up one index point from 91 in March, suggesting that U.S. staffing employment has increased 1% over the past month.  Staffing employment is typically lowest during the first few months of each year and grows during the subsequent months.

UNITEMP – In-Step with New Jersey Employers’ Changing Needs

UNITEMP delivers customized temporary and contract staffing solutions to help companies like yours achieve sustained business success as the economy recovers.  What can we do for you?  Contact UNITEMP today.

Have you recruited a new employee with great potential, but want a trial period to evaluate him on the job?

Are you trying to work around a hiring freeze?

Would you like a more efficient way to manage seasonal help, interns, retirees or contractors?

These are just a few of the reasons employers like you throughout New Jersey use payroll services.  This flexible outsourcing solution helps them reduce the cost and simplify the process of payroll administration.  Here’s how the service works:

1. You transfer an employee or candidate you’ve sourced onto the staffing firm’s payroll.
2. The staffing firm handles all required paperwork and becomes the individual’s employer of record.
3. The staffing firm then manages the entire payroll process, from payroll taxes to W-2’s.  Additionally, they are responsible for unemployment and workers’ compensation.
4. You keep control of your employees by setting pay rates, assigning jobs and managing their activities.

Payroll services are a simple solution with a variety of benefits:

• Save time, money and work by offloading employee payroll processing.
• Mitigate employment risk.
• Lower employment costs such as workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance and benefits.
• Reduce the hidden costs associated with hiring and termination.

Are payroll services right for your business?

Learn more about the features and benefits of UNITEMP’s UNIPLAN “Your Third Option” by contacting UNITEMP directly.  Our staffing professionals will help you assess your workforce challenges, to determine if UNIPLAN payroll services make sense for you organization.

Ever play “whisper down the lane”?

Also known as ”telephone,” this popular children’s game provides a simple, yet critical illustration of how important information can get lost in translation.

Great fun if you’re just playing around, but not so great for business.

When it comes to ordering temporary personnel, most of UNITEMP’s clients call in their job orders.  Sure, it’s quick and convenient, but did you know that placing your order verbally is not the most effective way to work with us?

The reason is simple – verbal job descriptions can change as they’re transmitted from person to person, resulting in a “whisper down the lane” effect.  Consider, for example, how many people are potentially involved in the “lane” of communication when a job order is placed.  A department manager contacts HR with a need; HR contacts a staffing service coordinator with the order; the coordinator speaks with the staffing firm’s recruiter; the recruiter then communicates the job description to an employee. 

See the potential problem?  While a verbal approach may seem easier, challenges can arise when duties get added or subtracted, or if job titles change over time.  As a result, the staffing provider may not send you the best match for the assignment.

At UNITEMP, we highly recommend that you submit or approve a written job description to which everyone in the line (or “lane”) of communication can refer.  Doing so will eliminate miscommunications, misunderstandings and confusion, and ensure that you get the best employee for the assignment.

Improve your temporary staffing success by working with UNITEMP, your New Jersey staffing service.

Social Media Helps Leading NJ Staffing Firm Connect with Clients, Employees

Hackensack, NJ – You have one new friend request.  UNITEMP Temporary Personnel invites you to “Friend” their Facebook fan page. 

While millions are using Facebook to keep in touch with friends, the leading New Jersey temporary and contract staffing firm is using this social media platform as part of their progressive internet marketing strategy.

The page allows UNITEMP to interact with clients, employees and applicants on a whole new level.  “People are spending more and more time online, and Facebook provides a convenient way to reach them,” says Ted Kissel, President of UNITEMP Temporary Personnel.  “This page helps us share real-time staffing and job posting information, and encourages our clients and employees to give us their feedback.”

Containing several interactive features, the page contains valuable information for managers, temporary employees and job seekers alike.  Visitors can leave comments or ask questions on UNITEMP’s “Wall”; browse the “RSS / Blog” tab, which displays their company blog feed; or even search for up-to-the-minute administrative temporary, contract and full-time job listings.

So why should you become a fan?  Kissel is committed to adding real value for everyone who becomes a fan of UNITEMP.  “We want to provide timely, relevant information about temporary help and the staffing industry, particularly for our New Jersey customers, employees and job seekers.  So if you want to further your career, find a job or ask a question, the page can be a valuable and fun tool.”

To become a fan of UNITEMP, just log onto Facebook and type “UNITEMP Temporary Personnel” in the search box at the top of the main window.  Select UNITEMP Temporary Personnel from the results list, and then click on the “Like” icon.