Using Social Media as a Business Strategy!

Posted by Suzanne McInerney – Communications & Marketing Specialist

In my new position as Communications and Marketing Specialist I am reminded of the importance of social media.  I realize I need to focus my thinking away from “what we do?” toward the better question of “why” we engage in social media and “how” it can advance the mission and goals of our business.  The difference between the “what” versus the “why or how” could very well the difference between success and disaster.

I believe the true success of how we utilize social media tools will be based on the psychology behind social media participation as it relates to business.  Being that ACSESS  is an association, the various social media tools will give us the opportunity to expand our sphere by listening, connecting, engaging and building relationship with staffing professionals, HR professionals, the media, government and other related associations globally.  This is important because conversations and relationships are what led to the creation of associations in the first place.  The same opportunity applies in every other business and industry.  The social web is simply a smarter tool with which we can all greatly expand our mission.  We can be ready when the platforms change (remember when Facebook became MySpace) but the “rules” will always remain the same:  Listen, Connect, Engage and Build Relationships!

The social web has dramatically changed the media communications landscape in a way much of the world has yet to fully understand.  I believe the progression of social media to date has proven that high paid mass media messages are generating only a lonely echo  So what will be your next social media move?

ACSESS Labour Market Survey: A Sneak Preview

By: Tania Richman
Marketing & Communications Specialist

There has been an increasing demand and need for staffing and employment statistics in Canada. I’m talking cold, hard facts that we can use to spark the interest of the press, analysts, researchers and policy makers. A way to reach out and grab their attention, as well as educate them on the truths of our industry!

The staffing and employment industry is a strong indicator of the economy. We know this; but there exists a good majority of the Canadian population that does not know this… yet! On the U.S. side, it’s been speculated and now proven through research of industry trends by our good friends, the American Staffing Association (ASA). In fact, new research released by the ASA on June 23 of this year has reinforced this notion with some added distinctions. According to the report, “Staffing employment is a strong coincident economic indicator when the economy is emerging from a recession and is a three-month leading indicator of nonfarm employment when the economy is emerging from a recession. The relative flatness of the index since the beginning of the year signals stabilization in staffing employment, which is a prerequisite for economic recovery.”

ACSESS is now ready to lead the charge and will be releasing a survey this Fall which will be a “real-time” indicator of the economy. We are currently working with industry leaders and government to establish this very important tool.

From a Public Relations perspective, this data will help gain attention and positive exposure from the media and help raise and strengthen the overall industry profile. Statistics gathered from this tool will provide monthly articles and marketing collateral – the opportunities and benefits are endless!

Stay tuned!

Is The Recession Over?

By Steve Jones, President of Design Group Staffing Inc. and ACSESS National President

Even though some economists have declared the recession officially over, nobody realistically expects a hiring boom to start any time soon. Is there really such thing as a “Jobless Recovery”? Not likely. The complete economic cycle has four stages:

1. Prosperity, 2. Recession, 3. Trough, and 4. Recovery.

Then…back to prosperity again! Jobs are created in the recovery period, but not in the trough.

Economic indicators suggest that we are in the trough. This is the time after a recession freefall, but before we start growing again. We are currently bouncing along in the trough (the bottom), with occasional moments of euphoria followed by equally frustrating moments of financial impatience. How long will the trough last? A close look at the staffing industry offers signs that an economic recovery may be near.

According to years of research conducted by the American Staffing Association, staffing industry employment is a three-month leading indicator of mainstream employment when the economy is emerging from a recession.

The best measure of the temporary staffing industry is total hours per week. The Canadian temporary staffing industry began its decline as early as February 2008. This was six full months before most other economic measures revealed that we were in a troubled economy. Temporary hours across all industries slowly declined from February 2008 to February 2009. This turned out to be coincident with the official recessionary months when Canadian GDP was also in decline.

The period from March through June 2009 remained relatively flat for the staffing industry. The staffing industry was able to inform us on a real-time basis during June that June was flat, yet it wasn’t until three months later that Statistics Canada could confirm. In early September, Statistics Canada officially confirmed that June was the first month within the previous 11 that Canadian GDP did not decline. GDP grew in June by .01% which is as close to flat as you can get. This supplies more evidence that temporary staffing hours are coincident with real-time economic activity and several months ahead of other economic measures such as GDP and employment measures.

Recently, in August and September, temporary hours have been creeping their way back up, assignment starts are gradually outpacing assignment ends and short-term assignments are getting a little longer. If past experience is an accurate predictor of the future, these moderate improvements in the temporary staffing industry suggest that there will be moderate hiring across the Canadian economy in Q4 of 2009, marking the beginning of a “Job Creation” recovery. Click here for a report on August employment data issued by Statistics Canada (The Daily, September 4, 2009).

We will continue to share insider information about the employment and recruitment marketplace in future issues of the Staffing Insider. We would encourage you to share our email with friends and colleagues who might be interested in joining the discussion about HR issues and solutions in the upcoming recovery.

Register here to join the Staffing Insider distribution list and find printable versions of back issues.

This is a reprint of the September 9, 2009 issue of the Staffing Insider. This issue was written by Steve Jones, President of The People Bank. The Staffing Insider is a regularly published insider’s view of human resources issues and staffing industry best practices, trends and success stories.

The staffing industry is not going anywhere!

By Sharlene Massie, CEO – About Staffing

In this incredibly competitive job market, employers seem to question staffing agencies on who we are, what we do, and how and why they should use an employment service when a few bucks invested in an ad can attract a ton of candidates for any job opening. Our industry certainly has flipped our sales targets in the last year or so. Up until the last quarter of 2008, we spent all of our efforts attracting candidates and turning away not so perfect clients (employers). Now, we compete for job orders with other staffing agencies and hope we have built enough relationships to withstand the market shift.

There really is no perfect job market for staffing agencies; either there are no jobs and too many candidates looking for work, which is our current market, or there are too many jobs and no available candidates, which was the market over the past 15 years, until this recession hit. It is no wonder the candidates looking for work now are confused; many have never experienced this job shortage. Employers are still hiring though, even if the unemployment rate has risen.

Staffing agencies are not going under, not going bankrupt, or closing their doors. We never do, we may merge or sell, or cut expenses, or change direction with the economy, but we don’t close. Employers are using staffing agencies to help manage their human resources functions in a variety of ways, as we are truly experts in people in the workforce. We do know how to attract the very best candidates for any job, in any industry, in any function. We do offer flexible terms and choices for hiring, such as temporary placements, executive hires, or direct (permanent) hires. Staffing agencies can usually accommodate whatever need an employer has for hiring, as long as it is a reasonable, legal, and ethical request. We fill in gaps, we take care of confidential hires, we take care of urgent staffing needs, we take care of unsure placements, and we take care of difficult hiring vacancies. We will always be an industry that companies and candidates will need, in any economy. We are experts in reading between the lines and finding out what is really needed in a job opening, and we do the same thing for the candidates. We figure out where people might be a great fit, and how to help the employers become successful. We build relationships and determine skill sets, both hard and soft.

Staffing agency personnel are professional and personable, they work incredibly hard, care about their clients and candidates, and have a true finger on the pulse of the workforce. Is our industry suffering? Yes, a little, but it is only for the short term. Will we survive? Yes, absolutely. Our industry dates back to the 1920’s, or so. We started during the great depression, so we are certainly going to survive this little blip. Onward and upward, our industry is pumped for the last quarter of hiring.

Positive Statistics for IT Staffing

As a continuation of my last entry – I wanted to include some of the statistics that came out of the recent survey by Sapphire/IBM which indicates positive growth for IT over the next few quarters.

• 87% of respondents (largely CIOs, VPs, and Directors) said their IT staffing levels would stay the same or grow over the next quarter.
• This demand is driven by a number of positive developments. These include: the installation of new enterprise-wide applications (26%); increased workload (23%); increased customer/end user support (16%) and organizational growth (15%).
• Demand for permanent employees is increasing. Of those companies planning to increase IT staff, 37% of respondents expect to hire IT professionals for full time positions over the next quarter. 43% expect to increase permanent hires over the next 12 months.
• Contract resources are also in the hiring mix, with 21% of those planning to hire opting for contract resources and a further 37% a combination of contractors and permanent staff.
• Key Roles: Project Managers and Business Analysts. The growth in the demand for these roles suggests organizations are once again ramping up projects and need managers and analysts to assist with the front-end process.
• Key Skills: Application development tops the list, with 33% of respondents expecting IT staff increases citing it as a skill they will be looking for over the next quarter and into the following 12 months. Applications that will attract the most attention include: .net (27%) and Java (25%). Infrastructure technology skills were also popular, with 26% looking for those skills, and 34% planning increases in a combination of application development and infrastructure skills.
• Talent requirements vary according to size of organization. Web development/design skills are greater among small to mid-sized companies as well as desktop support skills. In mid-sized companies, network administration is the most sought-after skill, while larger companies see more value in IT security and telecommunication support.
• Offshoring and nearshoring are most pronounced among large corporations and in Quebec, where incidences approach or exceed the 50% mark. In fact, Quebec-based companies are twice as likely to offshore and nearshore as the rest of the country.
• Current users are generally satisfied and 12% of non-users report their companies are considering using offshore/nearshore staffing services during the next year.

The above information was taken from the Sapphire Canada/IBM press release (Aug 25, 2009). For more information contact: Sarah Van Lange, Fleishman Hillard Canada for Sapphire Technologies, (416) 645-8173, sarah.vanlange@fleshman.ca; Leslie Plan, IBM Communications, (416) 478-9840, laplant@ca.ibm.com

Signs of Recovery: IT Staffing on the Rebound!

We all know the staffing industry is a good economic indicator! Especially after a recent study released by our good friends, the American Staffing Association (ASA) which concluded that staffing industry employment is a strong coincident indicator when the economy is emerging from a recession.

If you were keeping up on your staffing news yesterday you would have noticed a few articles which hinted toward a light at the end of the tunnel for the current recession.

One article that I found on the Forbes website indicated that technology, customer service and sales jobs would be the first to be filled as the economy improves. According to a survey done by Robert Half International and CareerBuilder, “53 percent of employers expect to hire full-time employees in the next 12 months while 40 percent will hire contract, temporary or project professionals. And 39 percent of those surveyed said they will add part-time employees.”

To read the full article, click here.

Another article featured in the Financial Post spoke of a positive future for IT, and that staffing for this industry would skyrocket over the next three months. The article, based on a joint study done by International Business Machines Corp. and ACSESS member company – Sapphire Canada, confirmed that “nearly 90% of businesses expect to maintain or increase the size of their IT staff in the coming quarter.”

Click here to read the full article, which features quotes from ACSESS National Director and President of Randstad Canada – Terry Power.

“Top 40 Under 40″ Nominations

Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40″ is a national program founded and managed by The Caldwell Partners to celebrate our leaders of today and tomorrow, and to honour Canadians who have reached a significant level of success but have not yet reached the age of 40.

ACSESS encourages our members to submit names of individuals in your company who meet the following criteria for nomination: Vision and Leadership; Innovation and Achievement; Impact; Growth/Development Strategy; and Community Involvement and Contribution.

Nominees must be under 40 years of age as of December 31, 2009 and must be of Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.

Note: Nominee kits are sent directly to the nominee in October 2009, and are designed to be completed by the nominees themselves. The nominator’s name is kept confidential.

Nominations are due November 6, 2009

For more information, or to make a submission visit: www.top40award-canada.org

Job Seekers: How to Select a Staffing Company

Congratulations! You’ve decided to take a step in the right direction by using a staffing agency in your job search. Now you might be wondering… “How do I find, apply to and choose a staffing agency that’s right for me?” Read on to learn more on why using a staffing company is an excellent career move, and some tips and tricks on finding the right one for you!

“Where Do I Start?”

First and foremost, you will want to ensure the agencies you apply to are reputable. One way to be certain is to deal strictly with ACSESS members.

ACSESS’ mission is to promote the advancement and growth of the employment, recruitment and staffing services industry in Canada, and serves as Canada’s only national advocate for ensuring professional ethics and standards in this industry. With more than 1,300 member offices from Vancouver, B.C. to St. John’s, Newfoundland, ACSESS members represent 85% of the total volume of business in the staffing services industry in Canada. All member companies pledge annually to uphold the Association’s Code of Ethics and Standards which promotes ethical treatment of employees and clients, and strict adherence to all applicable human rights, employment laws and regulations.

Job seekers are encouraged to choose ACSESS member companies to ensure that your rights as a candidate are protected. By using ACSESS member companies, you will be comforted in knowing that you are dealing with a solid and highly regarded agency.

To find ACSESS member companies in your area, click here.

“How Do I Choose?”

Think of choosing a staffing agency as a partnership. Employment firms want to find hard-working and talented employees. As a candidate, you will want to find an agency that suits your wants and needs. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Back to Basics
It’s important to start from the beginning and focus on exactly what you’re looking for in a job. Do you want to work part-time or full-time? Are you looking for temporary, flexible assignments or a permanent position? Sort out all details and expectations beforehand; everything from hours and location, to salary and working environment.  

Write out a list of all your skills, talents, knowledge, education and past experience. Think of the type of work you want and don’t want. Again, this will help you focus on finding the right firm for you.

2. Build a Great Resume, Sell Yourself!
A resume is a key tool in the job search process. Staffing firms receive many applications each day so it helps to have a well developed resume that will stand out from the others. If you’re really stuck and need help writing a quality resume, many agencies will give you a hand at no cost.

A resume will either open or close doors, so make certain that it’s unique and up-to-date, and highlight your finest skills, education and experience. A good recruiter will be able to sell you, but first you must be able to sell yourself!

3. Do Your Homework
Once you’ve figured out what you’re looking for and have a polished resume in hand, start to do some research and make a list of the different firms that interest you. Look for ones that align with your professional goals and what you would like to do. Visit each company’s website and determine which ones are a good fit. Most companies will give you the option to apply online or to send your resume via e-mail.

4. Meet and Greet
Once you have applied to several different firms, you will most likely start getting calls to come in and meet a recruiter within a few days. Prepare for each meeting like you would for an interview. Know your resume inside and out, dress appropriately, be friendly and assertive. Also, be upfront with what you want. Let the recruiter know what type of work you are looking for, what hours you are hoping to get, and so on.

Last but not least, pay close attention to how you are treated at each agency. If you are treated poorly, or unable to establish a good relationship with the recruiter from the get-go, you might want to consider a different agency. A poor rapport with your firm could potentially hurt your performance with a client down the road.

5. Be Patient, Yet Persistent
It is important to keep in close contact with each agency to find out what is happening. Follow-up with each company to let them know you are still interested. If you feel that the company is not doing their part in finding potential positions, then look elsewhere! There are likely several agencies in your area so if one doesn’t pan out, don’t get discouraged. Move on to the next and keep trying. You are bound to find one that will be able to find the right job for you!

Why Use a Staffing Agency?

There are several reasons to seek out the services of a staffing agency. If you are looking for permanent or temporary work, staffing companies are a great source for finding the right job for you!

Whether you are a recent graduate taking your first step into the world of work, an experienced professional wanting a change, a retiree looking to keep busy or a stay-at-home mom inching your way back into the workforce, staffing agencies place different types of people in different situations everyday; They can help place you into a position that suits your needs.

Types of Placements

There are three main types of job placements staffing companies can provide:

Temporary or Contract: You work for a staffing firm, and work in the environment of their client’s business for a period of time.

Temporary-to-Permanent: You work for a staffing firm for a period of time on a trial basis, and are placed in positions. This placement occurs so that you and the staffing company can determine which position is the best fit. Once this fit has been established, you become an employee of the staffing firm’s client.

Direct Hire or Permanent Placement: This scenario occurs when you are recruited by the staffing firm and then hired by its client.

An executive search firm works with professionals and others in specific fields and matches them with companies who require specific skills to fill a job role.

Here are five reasons why using a staffing firm might be the right choice for you:

1. The Job Experts
Staffing companies find work for hundreds of thousands of people each year. They are the experts at recruiting and placing employees into temporary, contract or permanent positions in companies of all sizes and in every industry. No matter what your past experience and background entails, there is a job for you and staffing firms are there to help you find it.

2. Opportunity… and Flexibility!
Staffing agencies place job opportunities at your fingertips, and offer flexibility. Be empowered by taking control into your own hands; you have the ability to choose the assignments you want, and turn down those you don’t want. Work when and where you desire, part-time or full-time, short-term or long-term… The options are endless.

3. Free Services
You know how they say “nothing comes free in life?” This isn’t the case with employment agencies. Their services are 100% free! In fact, it is against ACSESS’ Code of Ethics for members to charge applicants for their services. ACSESS supports efforts to abolish fee charging by non-member companies and has taken a lead role in conveying these positions to government.

Employment agencies no longer simply match the right candidate with the right job. They now offer a surplus of free job-related assistance such as resume and interview tips, and many will even provide necessary job training and security clearances. These services can help build your resume and experience, in turn making you a more employable candidate.

4. Bridge to Permanent Work
If your goal is landing permanent work, going through an employment agency is the right choice. More than half of temporary and contract workers are able to move on to full-time employment. Temporary work can be quite rewarding and have additional long-term benefits. In many cases, it is a great way to gain experience and get your foot in the door. It’s also a great way to get a job fast and can be very fulfilling. Who knows… taking a temporary gig may even help you land your dream job!

5. Competitive Wages & Paid Holidays
Staffing agencies offer great wages and benefits, and in many cases have policies that exceed minimum employment standards. Though this may vary depending on location and experience, agencies make sure they stay competitive in this area in order to draw the best talent.

ACSESS Planning Session

A group of industry leaders recently came together to focus their attention on ACSESS business during a strategic ‘short term goals’ planning session. About a dozen or so executives from member companies along with ACSESS staff focused in on three key areas and came up with measurable plans for each.

The three areas that were deemed to be most important to ACSESS at a National level were:

1. Government Relations
2. Public Relations & Communications
3. Revenue

The team focused in on these areas, developing tactics and plans of action to help our association and in turn our members. ACSESS will continue to meet on a regular basis in order to solidify our position as the voice of the staffing, recruitment and employment industry, and to ensure that we continue to serve the needs of our membership.

ACSESS’ next National Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd in Toronto.