The Numbers Still Matter (Just Make Sure It’s The Right Numbers)

I’m a big fan of social media. When pitching a program to a client, I discuss the benefits of blogging, but focus in on the money you can make blogging in excess of what you’re currently making. In my view, if you’re not hiring more people or making more placements with your blog, then you have no business spending working hours on your blog.
Of course, this is also true for meetings, paperwork, hour and a half long interviews with bad candidates, RFP’s, reading ESPN at work, checking your e-mail, and talking about quality initiatives with your boss. The truth is that if you’re not making money, most of what you do is a waste anyway.
So when I’m training, and someone asks me how long they should spend blogging a week – I tell them 3-5 hours. That’s a big chunk of time, and the only people it makes sense for are those who already tightly manage their time. One of the first lessons I had in recruiting was the idea that planning was the most important consideration in my success. I had to plan my day, and then execute it. I had to know how many phone calls, interviews, submittals, sendouts, meetings and starts I needed to make quota. And over time, I saw that when you didn’t hit your numbers, you didn’t make your placements.
Terry Petra covers this in the Fordyce Letter, with some blunt talk. Stop Kidding Yourself – The Numbers Matter.
For over thirty years, I have documented the fact that achievement oriented people know their numbers in most, if not all, aspects of their daily activity. These top producers realize their numbers provide both a quantitative and qualitative measurement of how efficient and effective they are as staffing professionals.
In stark contrast, most recruiters/consultants who do not keep track of their numbers tend to be average to below average producers who spend the majority of their working day engaged in avoidance behaviors. They focus on pleasing processes versus productive results. They don’t want to keep track of their numbers because they don’t want to be held accountable. These individuals, who unfortunately make up a sizeable portion of our industry, waste approximately 50% of their time, energy, and resources everyday.
I’m fond of saying that recruiting is the one business where I can absolutely guarantee that if you’re making 100 calls a day, you’ll make $100,000 a year. No matter how bad you are, if you consistently make the phone calls, you make the placements. Terry takes it further, showing you that to be a “top producer,” you have to measure everything you do. Those who measure are winners, and those who don’t, are below-average performers.
We’ve seen a lot of changes in the staffing industry in the last seven years, and with the advent of some kind of economic slowdown that doesn’t seem to be affecting placements, we’re moving into a new cycle, perhaps one we haven’t seen before. Most of the things I and other bloggers are writing about are productivity enhancers. Once you have the basics down, these will improve your closing ratios and save you time. That only works if you already have the basics.
An ideal client is one that I can save 5-10 hours in sourcing and cold-calling in a week, who then takes that extra 5-10 hours and uses it to close even more business.
Article by Jim Durbin and courtesy of StlRecruiting.com

Sodexo at NSMH in Pittsburgh, PA!

On February 21, Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group secured a booth at the NSMH National Conference.
NSMH is the National Society for Minorities in Hospitality and it is the premier professional organization for minority hospitality students. NSMH addresses diversity and multiculturalism, as well as the career development of their student members. Last year we hired 19 managers at this conference and this year we are hoping to hire even more.
To make sure that our diversity programs are the best they can be, Sodexo works with groups like the NSMH and others like National Urban League, National Disabilities Business Council, National Council of La Raza and the Minority Business Roundtable.
Courtesy of Sodexo Careers Blog Making every day a better day.

RehabCare Supports Scholarship Fund In Maine

As part of our effort to promote relationships with academic institutions, RehabCare recently made a donation to the scholarship fund for KennebecValley Community College by sponsoring the school’s annual fundraising gala. This scholarship was designed to help students enrolled in health profession programs such as Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant and Nursing. In addition, a silent auction was held to raise even more funds. Items such as Red Sox tickets, cruises and a diamond necklace were offered up for auction. In fact, all three sets of Red Sox tickets went to the RehabCare table! It was a brutal battle but the ladies that won them couldn’t have been more excited. A jazz combo comprised of faculty members greeted the crowd as we milled about the gymnasium before the event started.
We also got to hear from three students who have benefited from this scholarship. They all gave very moving speeches on how this scholarship has allowed them to better themselves by continuing their education and how the stress of worrying about where the money for books was going to come from was gone. That alone was enough to see how beneficial something like this truly is.
A big thanks to Melissa Tilton and Kathi Charity for helping to arranage this. Both of them are graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College’s OTA program.
Article courtesy of RehabCare Student blog. RehabCare provides college recruiting for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Speech Language Pathologists.

Physical Therapy Helping Man’s Best Friend

Even man’s best friend needs therapy from time to time and that is exactly what the pooches in Englewood, Colorado are getting. A “growing trend” in nursing dogs back to health after injuries or surgeries is pool therapy! Take a look at this local news station’s website and see a little video of Guster, a seven year old golden retriever, who is being nursed back to health with the help of his physical therapist and pool therapy.
“Last summer, this seven year old golden retriever lost the use of his hind legs to spinal chord infection. His owner was afraid she would have to put him down.
Guster’s owner Tory Belsky says, “And just have to lie there and look at you that’s not quality of life because even though they’re wagging their tail, they’re wondering, ‘why?’”
But thanks to these workouts Guster is getting a second shot at life.
Physical therapist Marty Pease says, “He’s just made such an improvement.”
This is just a little story showing the broad reach of physical therapy. People from young to old benefit from physical therapy everyday and now even man’s best friend is taking part in the benefits of the PT world. If only this was around when my childhood dog broke his leg as a puppy!
Article courtesy of RehabCare Student blog. RehabCare provides college recruiting for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Speech Language Pathologists.

First Job Offer Reminders

Your second job interview is finally over, and the phone call you’ve been waiting for comes. The dream job of your life is going to be a reality. But the question now is to take or not to take the job. There are many factors that need to be considered before jumping into an entry-level job that may appear great on the outside. Some things to consider:

• Turnover rate
• Company mission statement
• Benefits package
• Days open and work hours
• Work environment
• Promotion opportunities
• Location
• Salary

Each of these issues can make an employee very satisfied or extremely miserable. The worst thing to happen to a new gradute is to be taken advantage of on their first entry-level job. On a positive note, the company usually lets the interviewee have a few days to make a decision. A career should be challenging, but not completely burdensome. Although the temptation to accept the first job that comes is hard to say no to, working at a horrible company, or better yet a failing company is even harder.

Engineering Internships

If you are a college student looking for a career in fields such as preliminary engineering, environmental and hydraulics, construction, or traffic, you might consider an engineering internship with The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Perhaps your interests, education, and background will take you to a promising career in engineering. WSDOT’s Transportation Engineering Internships last three years, where each year, an intern’s responsibilities increase.
Transportation Engineer interns qualify for a variety of benefits including:

• Summer work experience in engineering
• Opportunities to work during the winter and spring break to obtain experience in engineering
• Job rotation opportunities
• Various leave opportunities
• Dependent care assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Deferred compensation plans
• Training and educational benefits program
• Paid holidays
• Commute Trip Reduction incentives
• Flexible work hours
• Credit union membership
• Group rate auto and homeowners insurance

Source: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Employment/Students/Internships.htm

Entry Level Engineering

Transportation Engineer 1
The Transportation Engineer 1 is an entry level job opportunity in engineering from The Washington State Department of Transportation. All college engineering students and graduates can take advantage of this offer. Anyone who studies engineering could find a career starting from the entry level job.
The Washington State Department of Transportation or WSDOT believes each of its employees are worthwhile, and call for them to enhance how the company does business. Workers should strive to do their best in serving their customers, and achieve success in the right manner. WSDOT is a multi-modal transportation agency, in charge of planning, constructing, and running a complex highway system along with operating a large ferry system, and freight and passenger rail system.
For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Employment/Students/Default.htm

Entry Level Computer Jobs

There are various types of entry level jobs in computers. Therefore, college graduates with computer science degrees should have plenty of opportunities to find jobs in their field. If you don’t have a degree, there are still entry level jobs in computers available, depending on the area of information technology you’re studying. These include the following: ISP/NOC call centers, corporate helpdesk, junior programming positions, freelance PC repair/installation services in your local area, and shop (store) assistant in a computer retail outlet.

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Interviewing

Interviewing may be the scariest part of a job search. The professionals will always say to practice what you are going to talk about before you go in, but any red blooded American can tell you this is not enough.
Any time you apply for a job, you should always research the company. The same principle applies for interviews. Before you go in, check out the website, read some information and take notes. Always bring a pen and paper, preferably a high quality note pad. Interviews are like auditions, you have to sell yourself, but you have to be legit. So know the company, and always ask questions.
Do not be afraid or intimidated. Remember that the company has to sell themselves to you as well. So take confidence in knowing that they brought you in because they think you are good enough.
Interviews can be unpredictable and go very unexpectedly. So, you have to do the best to control the things you can. Be calm and make sure you dress is up to code. Be polite and smile, introducing yourself to everyone you meet.
Just remember to be prepared. Researching may be the biggest part of nailing that interview. But don’t neglect researching yourself. Be ready to answer any questions about your resume or your experience. You will do just fine!

Babyboomers… on Social Security? Hello Generation Y!

Did you see in the news that the nation’s first baby boomer received her first Social Security retirement benefit [on February 12]? Kathleen Casey-Kirschling, 62, was born one second after midnight on Jan. 1, 1946. The retired teacher who lives in Earleville, Md., and Vero Beach applied for her benefits online, and received her payment by direct deposit.
Here are some scary facts… over the next two decades, nearly 80 million baby boomers — about 10,000 per day — will become eligible for Social Security. And, if no changes are made, the Social Security trust fund is projected to deplete its reserves in 2041 and will begin paying out more in benefits that it collects in payroll taxes in 2017.
How old will you be in 2041? Me? I’ll be 71… ready to retire. And I guess if adjustments are not made I will not relying on social security!
I know I’ve said this before on this blog but with Kathleen Casey-Kirschling officially marking the beginning of the baby boomers retiring, I can’t help but think about the changes we will see in the work force. As the baby boomers start retiring Generation Y “kids” will become (some already are) the “players” in our workforce. They are the managers, supervisors and executives of tomorrow.
Are we in store for drastic changes? Should we be scared? Or do we sit back and relax and let the “younger generation” lead us into the future just as the “older generations” led us into the present?
And how do we attract and retain the Generation Y? I found a great white paper on exactly this subject Yahoo! Hot Jobs – if you didn’t read it the last time I posted it – read it now. It is a must-read for recruiters, employers, employees, parents, teachers, Generation X’ers, and Baby Boomers!
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Download the PDF document, and read about our future leaders. You will not be disappointed.