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How to Craft a Standout Resume: Essential Tips for Job Seekers

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Embarking on a job search can often feel like taking on a full-time role, filled with its own set of challenges and requirements. One of the most critical tools in your job-hunting toolkit is undoubtedly your resume. Much like a handyman wouldn’t approach a job without his trusty toolbox, venturing into your job search without an effective resume is a step you can’t afford to skip.

As you set off on the quest to land your dream job, the journey begins with either drafting a new resume or refreshing an existing one. This document is your beacon in the vast job market, a game-changer that can significantly impact your search. Picture yourself, beverage in hand, sitting at your kitchen table, poised to tackle the task of summarizing your professional journey. As you do, let’s dive into some of the most pressing resume queries we often hear from

  • Is a one-page resume truly enough?
  • What details must be included?
  • Are there new resume trends I should be aware of?
  • Exactly what should I say about my previous role?
  • Do I need to list every job I’ve had?
  • What do employers prioritize when reviewing resumes?
  • What should I definitely leave out?

Formatting: Clarity is Key

Simplicity Reigns Supreme:
  • Opt for a modern, readable font like Arial or Times New Roman.
  • Stick to classic black and white. It’s professional and eliminates distractions.
  • Adjust font sizes strategically to highlight your name, contact information, and section headers.
  • Your primary goal is readability. Keep it straightforward and focus on legibility over design flair.
Alignment Matters:
  • Consistent left-side alignment ensures ease of reading. Avoid centering key elements to prevent confusion.
  • Ideal formatting allows for the resume to be segmented visually, making it easier for hiring managers to scan through.

Crafting Your Narrative

Accessibility is Essential:
  • Ensure your contact number is current and your voicemail professional and capable of receiving messages.
  • Use a frequently checked, professional email address, and stay alert to notifications.
Cut the Fluff:
  • Skip generic objective statements unless you’re transitioning careers and need a brief explainer.
  • Focus on what sets you apart, not on filler content.
One-Page Wonder:
  • Aim for a concise, one-page resume. It’s about giving a snapshot of your capabilities, not narrating your entire career history.
  • Highlight your most relevant experiences. If it doesn’t shine a light on your suitability for the role, it’s not worth including.

Detailing Your Professional Experience

Selective History:
  • List your three most recent jobs, providing a snapshot of your contributions in bullet points.
  • For older roles, mention the job title, company name, and dates of employment, unless they’re particularly relevant.
Bullet Points that Pop:
  • Focus on achievements, recognitions, and quantifiable contributions instead of routine job duties.
  • Use numbers to demonstrate impact and scale of your contributions.
Beyond the Basics:
  • Avoid overused phrases like “team player” or “hard worker.” Show, don’t tell, through your accomplishments.

Education & Skills: Tailoring Your Toolkit

Highlight Your Education:
  • List your highest level of education, including current studies, but leave out your GPA. Mention honors or recognitions instead.
  • Include certifications with relevant dates.
Skills That Match:
  • Align your skills with the job ad requirements. If multilingual, make it a highlight of your resume.

Experience Before Education:
  • Unless you’re new to the workforce, place your work history front and center. Your recent experience is what hiring managers are most interested in.

Additional Tips

Avoid Short-term Job Listings:
  • Omit brief roles to avoid appearing unreliable. Be prepared to discuss any resume gaps in interviews.
Handling Extended Leaves:
  • Be upfront about any significant breaks for caregiving or other reasons by listing them as you would a job.

References and Recommendations:
  • Skip the “References Available Upon Request” line. Bring standout recommendation letters to your interview instead

Candidate Source is Here to Help!

Crafting a standout resume is your first step towards securing your next opportunity. By focusing on clarity, relevancy, and highlighting your achievements, you’ll ensure your resume not only grabs attention but also makes a compelling case for your candidacy. Happy job hunting!

At Candidate Source, we specialize in connecting top talent with leading companies in the warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. Candidate Source is located in Richmond, VA. Our mission is to go beyond the traditional staffing approach, focusing on creating meaningful and productive matches.What sets us apart? Our unique sourcing model. We’re not just about filling positions; we’re about understanding the intricate needs of each role and the culture of our clients’ companies. This approach significantly increases our success rate in candidate placement, ensuring the right fit for both employers and job seekers.With our 24-hour placement warranty, we provide businesses with the flexibility and confidence to make the best staffing decisions, tailored to their specific needs.We believe in building strong relationships and partnerships, not just filling job vacancies. Let’s collaborate to streamline your staffing process and elevate your business success.

Workers Want 2

Top Priorities for Warehouse Workers in 2024: What Workers Want

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What do Workers Really Want?

Navigating the job market is an adventure filled with discovery and opportunity for both employers and job seekers alike. Especially for leaders in the manufacturing, logistics, and production sectors, grasping what top talent really want is fundamental to attracting the right candidates. As we inch closer to spring, let’s explore some insights into what’s shaping candidate decisions and how you can align your recruitment strategies to meet these evolving priorities.

1. The Almighty Dollar – Money Talks: 

In the competitive landscape of job hunting, salary isn’t just a detail—it’s a headline. In a market where skilled candidates often find themselves wooed by various employers, standing out is key. A competitive salary isn’t just attractive; it’s a signal. It tells potential hires that you value their skills and are willing to back that up with tangible rewards. This competitive edge can be the lighthouse that steers top talent to your shores, often becoming the crucial factor that sets you apart from other options. While future financial growth opportunities such as raises and bonuses are important, they may not tip the scales in your favor as much as the initial salary offer does.

Have you taken a moment to assess where your salary offerings stand in comparison to the market? It’s an essential step to ensure you’re not just participating but leading in the race for top talent.

2. Proximity – Location, Location, Location:

The convenience of a workplace’s location can elevate an opportunity from good to great. It transforms the daily trek to work from a chore into an effortless part of the day. Location serves as a quiet yet powerful influencer in a job seeker’s decision-making process, hinting at the luxury of extra sleep, reduced travel costs, and precious personal time. If your operation is conveniently located—a short commute away—highlighting this fact can be a significant attractor. This proximity could very well be the deciding factor in winning over exceptional talent.

It’s widely observed that positions within a brief, say 15-minute, commute from a candidate’s home are highly sought after. This preference underscores the value placed on work-life balance and the desire to minimize the daily grind of getting to and from work. Leveraging your location’s accessibility and the lifestyle benefits it offers can make your job openings far more appealing.

3. Shift Times Make A Difference:

The nature of light industrial work often involves shift work and a candidate’s decision can often come down to whether the job starts at 6:00AM or 8:00AM. These considerations play a crucial role for many job seekers, influenced by personal commitments or mere preference. The choice of shift can significantly tip the scales in favor of an employer, offering prospective employees the chance to mold their work schedules around their life, thereby enhancing job appeal and sustainability.

Historically, businesses structured shifts around operational demands, a feasible strategy when the talent pool was abundant, and turnover rates were lower. However, the landscape is shifting. Today, aligning job shifts with the specific needs and desires of candidates distinguishes a company in a competitive job market. Addressing the scheduling challenges faced by the hourly workforce and offering shifts that seamlessly integrate into their personal routines can spotlight your company as an attractive place to work workforce face challenges and finding a shift that fits into their life can make your opportunity shine! 

4. The Type of Work Makes a Difference: 

The diversity of the work and its setting significantly influences job choice for many individuals. In the realm of light industrial positions, there’s a broad spectrum ranging from specific roles like forklift operation, assembly tasks, to more physically demanding jobs. Additionally, the work environment—whether it involves solitary tasks or teamwork, and the physical conditions of the workplace, such as climate control or exposure to higher temperatures—also weighs heavily on a candidate’s decision-making process. 

Have you considered enhancing your job listings by doing more than just outlining responsibilities? Illustrating a typical day within your organization allows potential candidates to truly understand the role and decide if it aligns with their goals. This method not only conveys the essence of the job more effectively but also aids in pinpointing candidates who genuinely resonate with your team and the broader company culture.

Meet Candidate Source: Your Partner in Industrial Recruitment

At Candidate Source, we specialize in making meaningful connections between companies and candidates. Our approach goes beyond matching resumes with job descriptions; we focus on aligning values, aspirations, and cultural fit to ensure long-lasting employment relationships.

With our comprehensive support system, including appreciation programs and a unique placement warranty, we stand by the quality of our matches. We look at ourselves as the guiding light matching great companies with great people. 

Want to Learn More? Just as a lighthouse guides a ship through stormy seas, Candidate Source can serve as your guiding light. Whether you’re in pursuit of the ideal candidates to join your team or navigating the path to a new career opportunity, Candidate Source is dedicated to guiding you through.

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Recruiting Blog

Don’t Let Candidates Slip Through The Cracks

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Don't Let Your Next Employee Slip Through The Cracks

What would you do if you found out your sales team was waiting several days before following up with a prospect? I imagine this would not make you very happy. Well, the same mindset should be taken when it comes to candidates applying for a job with your company. Your recruiting department is losing candidates if they are not attending to applications promptly.

With unemployment still hovering around 3.6% (as of May 2022), the labor market remains tight. As you and your team continue your recruiting efforts, it is important that you are not leaving good candidates on the table.

Below I will share a few tips to help you streamline your candidate acquisition process and ensure you are not missing out on candidates who are interested in working for your company

Contacting Applicants

Recruiting new employees can be overwhelming. Whether it is the large number of applications, or what seems like constant voicemail messages, recruiting can be exhausting. That is why you must be patient, resilient, and STRATEGIC. 

Our team has found that for every hour you delay contacting a candidate, the odds of successfully connecting with the candidate shrinks. That is why we recommend being strategic about your recruiting strategy. 

Below are a few examples to increase your success rate:

  • Schedule recruiting blocks throughout the day to ensure all new candidates are reviewed promptly. 
  • Only advertise positions when your team has the bandwidth to contact the candidates who apply. 
  • If a candidate is working, reach out to them at times when your odds of reaching them are higher (lunch time and evenings). 

Scheduling Interviews

It may make sense to schedule interviews when it is convenient for you, but we challenge you to be more flexible with your calendar. When you and your team are reaching out to applicants, it is critical that you settle on an interview time that works for the candidate. Depending on the position, there is a good chance that the applicant has other interviews scheduled and you do not want them to ghost you. 

Here are a few tips our team lives by:

  • Schedule interviews for the next day. On day 3, the probability of the candidate ghosting you goes up nearly 47%. (This is based on internal interview statistics at our Candidate Source offices)
  • Try to schedule interviews on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Our team sees the highest number of no shows on Mondays and Fridays. This is especially true around holiday weekends. 

Offer Letters

This may seem straightforward, but do not drag your feet if you interview a candidate you like. While it may not be realistic in all scenarios, we recommend being ready to make an offer upon completion of an interview.

If you interviewing a candidate and feel like they are the one, DO NOT DELAY. If they leave your office without a job, there is a good chance they get another position before you make your offer. 

We recommend having an offer letter ready to go or, at the very least, let the candidate know they can expect an offer letter later that day. 

Technology & Expertise

If you are looking to maximize your recruiting team’s success, we recommend incorporating additional technology and expertise into your process: 

Texting:

  • People flat out don’t answer the phone at the same rate as they did just a few years ago. Our team utilizes a texting system to follow up with candidates who we do not reach by phone. This gives candidates the chance to research who we are, and call us back at a more convenient time.
  • Our team also utilizes texting to schedule interview reminders, schedule changes, important updates, and other important messages. These days, phones are nearly glued to people’s hands and a text has become a critical tool for relaying important info. 
  • We recommend https://www.textrequest.com 

ChatBots:

  • Many times, applicants hear about your business and want to learn more about your employment opportunities. By having a Chatbot on your website, you can capture these curious visitors and encourage them to apply. This is a proactive way to attract talent even if you are not actively hiring. 

Staffing:

  • By outsourcing you’re recruiting to a staffing firm you can ensure that your applicants are being contacted promptly, and no one is slipping through the cracks. Staffing firms have robust recruiting teams that are in constant communication with candidates. 
  • You can dedicate a few hours per week to interviews and the staffing firm will do the rest. 

Interested in learning more? Candidate Source is based in Richmond, VA and provides temporary staffing, direct hire recruiting and consulting services to companies is Charlottesville, Richmond, Norfolk, and the Tri-Cities area. 

Help Wanted

Where Did All The Workers Go?

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While current supply chain issues are keeping business executives and small business owners up at night, the shortage of workers has not gone away. Despite expanded unemployment benefits coming to an end in September, businesses are still struggling to find workers and fill their open positions.
 
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are still five million fewer Americans employed than before the pandemic, and three million of them have left the workforce.
 
Companies have been clawing at every sign of hope that hiring would get easier, but it seems to only be getting more challenging.  According to the National Federation of  Independent Business, 42% of businesses raised compensation in September but still could not fill all of their openings. Overall, wage growth is growing at the quickest rate in 20 years. Between March and July 2021, wages in the transportation and warehousing sector increased 14.7%
 
Despite record wage increases, and significant increases to candidate acquisition budgets, employers are not seeing the results they need. As employers continue to make additional adjustments many continue to debate one of the common themes of the pandemic…”Where did all the workers go?”

Financial Cushion

Unprecedented government relief (Expanded unemployment benefits, Stimulus checks, Student loan moratorium, & Eviction bans) gave families the extra financial cushion they needed to stay on the sidelines until they deemed it appropriate to return to work. People know that when they are ready there will be a job waiting for them.

When the workers sitting on the sidelines decide they are ready to return to the workforce their new job will certainly pay more than the job they had prior to the pandemic. 

Immigration

Immigrant and non-immigrant visas were down nearly 54% between October 2019 and October 2020. This equates to nearly five million people. Additionally, unused green cards reached a record high in 2020. 

The Trump administration put a freeze on green card applications in April 2020 and most temporary work visas were halted in June 2020. While the Biden Administration reversed this policy it will take some time for the immigrant worker pool to be refilled. 

COVID-19 Impacts

Fear of Covid-19

  • Many older and immunocompromised Americans are choosing to stay home. 

Government & Employer Vaccine Mandates

  • Nearly 60% of the U.S. population has received at least 1 shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. On the other side of the coin, mandates are leading a percentage of workers to quit their jobs and sit on the sidelines. 

Harsh Reality of COVID-19

  • The pandemic has taken the lives of over 750,000 American workers. While ghoulish in nature, this fact is undeniable nonetheless. 

Early Retirement

Approximately 2 million more people have retired during the pandemic than experts predicted. This was especially true for American workers who worked in more vulnerable professions. Low income, front line workers who worked in more high risk industries exited the workforce more rapidly than white collar workers. 

Slower Birth Rates Catching Up

America’s prime age population stopped growing over a decade ago. With fertility rates continuing to decline, it will be nearly impossible for us to replace the hole that the baby boomer generation is leaving in the workforce. 

Article References:

  • https://www.axios.com/immigration-labor-shortage-fc4134fb-2d44-4c8d-afa7-eff46bf1741d.html 
  • https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-did-all-the-workers-go-labor-shortage-biden-administration-11633725434
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/20/global-shortage-of-workers-whats-going-on-experts-explain.html
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/gadlevanon/2021/08/17/the-top-trends-in-americas-job-market/?sh=58d92ce25c14
  • https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/10/how-do-you-make-7-million-workers-disappear/620475/
no-response-after-interview-ghosting-rh-2018

Why Are My Candidates Ghosting Me?

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Have your interviews become a little one sided?

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing businesses to juggle a lot more than just delivering their products and services. Over the past few months, businesses have faced unique challenges that have left employees both mentally and physically exhausted. 

Day to day business has become increasingly complex throughout the pandemic as businesses balance worker safety and customer satisfaction, while also ensuring their company stays solvent. One of the pandemic’s reoccurring challenges has been the struggle to attract and hire new employees. Despite historically high unemployment, many businesses have had job openings go unfilled for extended periods of time and have even struggled to get candidates in for interviews.

While some industries have had more success than others, any business hiring hourly workers has been on the so called “hiring hamster wheel”. Across all verticals, no shows to phone interviews, video interviews, and face-to-face meetings have skyrocketed leaving organizations scratching their heads.

When hiring is tough, most of the blame tends to fall on the candidates and the general feeling that they are the problem. In reality, this is not the case. Candidates are in short supply and have more options than before. Candidates are making conscious decisions to show up to the interviews that align most with their employment goals. 

We want to provide you with a few insights on WHY this is happening and WHAT we recommend to help you find candidates who show up for their interviews.

Why Are You Being Ghosted?

You’re Moving Too Slow

Most hourly candidates searching the job boards for their next position want to start working quickly. Since there is overwhelmingly more demand than supply, quality candidates have a lot of options. Any lag in responding to their applications will give someone else the opportunity to hook them first.

CS Recommendation

We recommend blocking off time each day to handle application review, candidate calls, and interviews. When you have job openings it is important that you make filling them a priority. Candidate relations should be an appointment on your calendar until you get your openings filled. Candidate applications should be reviewed within 24 hours of receipt.

Your Process is Complicated

In today’s job market, candidates are interested in starting quickly. When candidates are submitting applications they are drawn to key phrases like “Immediate Openings”, “Start Tomorrow”, & “Immediate Hire”. Make sure if you have an immediate need that your process aligns with that posting. If you tell an applicant during their initial phone screen that the process will involve 2 interviews, a ride-along, and a reference check, there is a good chance they will not show up for the interview. Firms need to simplify their process or candidates will give up and move on before you have a chance to meet them.

CS Recommendation

Take a few minutes to review your hiring process with your team and see if there is anything that can be eliminated simplify your process. We also recommend interviewing some of your current employees to see if they have any ideas or feedback regarding the onboarding process. Overall, try to be flexible with candidates so that you do not lose a potential all-star.

You Aren’t Engaging

Your number one goal during the initial phone screen is to engage the candidate and get them excited about the position you have available. In this scenario the employer is the sales team trying to sell the candidate on why they should come to the interview. Since employers generally call candidates that they want to schedule for an interview it is important that you are prepared before speaking to them. If you fail to engage the candidate and sell them on the position the probability of them showing up for the interview will plummet.

CS Recommendation

During the phone screen it is important that you take the time to dig deep with your candidate and learn more about what they are looking for in their next position. This is your opportunity to engage with the candidate and begin to build a relationship with them. Think about the feeling you got the last time a sales person really sold you on a product or service. It is your turn to make your candidate feel that way about your job opening .

Timing Matters

Scheduling a candidate’s interview can be challenging, but it is important that you find a time that works for both of you. If a candidate tells you they can’t interview at a particular time don’t attempt to twist their arm and get them to agree. This is a recipe for a no show and an empty slot on your calendar. Furthermore, it is important that your interview time is within 48 hours of your phone screen. If you push the interview too far out you are giving competitors the opportunity to swoop in and steal your candidate.

CS Recommendation

Ask your candidates when they are available to interview and then build your schedule around them. The sooner you are able to fill your job openings the sooner you will be able to focus on other priorities. There is no benefit to pushing interviews out over a 3-5 day period because no shows will increase and your productivity will suffer.

We realize that hiring in today’s environment is no easy task. If you have any questions about the current job market, or how to improve your specific process, we are always here to help.

Welcome to Candidate Source – Your Strategic Partner in Contingent Staffing, Contingent-to-Hire, & Direct Placement. At Candidate Source, we specialize in connecting top talent with leading companies in the warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. Our mission is to go beyond the traditional staffing approach, focusing on creating meaningful and productive matches.What sets us apart? Our unique sourcing model. We’re not just about filling positions; we’re about understanding the intricate needs of each role and the culture of our clients’ companies. This approach significantly increases our success rate in candidate placement, ensuring the right fit for both employers and job seekers.With our 24-hour placement warranty, we provide businesses with the flexibility and confidence to make the best staffing decisions, tailored to their specific needs.We believe in building strong relationships and partnerships, not just filling job vacancies. Let’s collaborate to streamline your staffing process and elevate your business success.

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Where Did All The Applicants Go?

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Unemployment Has Skyrocketed, But Where Are The Applicants?

The past 60 days have been unprecedented, and have presented the business community with unique challenges. Across all industries, businesses have had to adapt and make changes to their day to day processes. While some businesses were forced to close due to government orders, others saw their sales skyrocket due to increased demand. For businesses who have seen an increase in demand, many have had to add new employees to their organization. Typically, this wouldn’t be an issue, but application traffic has plummeted during the pandemic. As communities across America begin to reopen, businesses will be even more desperate for employees. Despite record unemployment, businesses will have to fight over the limited number of applicants or be left with open job slots. 

During past recessions, higher unemployment rates have resulted in a significant increase in applications. Unfortunately, the pandemic has created a unique recession and applications have actually decreased over the last few months.  

Below we will investigate some of the major reasons for this unique challenge and offer some insight into potential solutions as you navigate the candidate marketplace. 

Expanded Unemployment Benefits

  • In the state of Virginia, unemployed workers across all industries can qualify for almost double their working salary. This is due to the CARES Act that provides unemployed workers with an additional $600 in weekly benefits. 
  • Since many unemployed workers are being paid more to stay home, there is no motivation to jump back into the workforce
  • In some instances, our team has spoken to employees who are now earning almost $750 per week in unemployment benefits. These are employees who, prior to the pandemic, were working part time earning $125 per week.

Virus Fears 

  • COVID-19 is a very real threat, and for many, the risk of infection is not worth the risk. 
  • Many workers are at a high risk or have family members who are at a high risk.
  • Workers are scared to be around other co-workers or customers.  

Employees Aren’t Hunting

  • Many employees who managed to keep their jobs during the pandemic are not on the hunt for a new job. Employees are grateful to have a job and do not want to take a chance of messing up what they already have. 
  • Until consumer confidence begins to return we anticipate that currently employed candidates will stay put. 

Child Care

  • With schools closed, many workers have had to resign from their jobs in order to stay home with their children. Most blue collar jobs do not offer “work from home” options and employees do not have the financial means to afford costly child care services. 

Tools To Help Fill Your Openings

When the economy fully reopens, businesses will not have the luxury of time and will need to begin earning revenue immediately. Due to the above factors, many employees will choose not to reenter the workforce and prioritizing candidate acquisition will be pivotal to a company’s post-pandemic success. 

Below are a few insights and recommendations that we hope will help your hiring team as they work to attract candidates today, tomorrow, & into the future:

Create Effective Job Ads

  • It is critical that the job ads you place on your website, job board, and social media account are designed correctly. Your #1 goal is to get a potential candidate to click apply. If they are not a good fit, you can make that call, don’t let a potential candidate talk themselves out of the job before they even apply.
  • Check out our blog post on writing effective job ads https://www.thecandidatesource.com/creating-job-ads-that-work/

Reach Out

  • Many candidates choose not to apply for positions because they lack experience despite the fact that they may be a perfect fit for the position. By reaching out to candidates you can educate them on your openings and why they may be perfect for the job. 
  • Career changes are extremely common during economic downturns as employees begin to look for positions that may offer more security than the position they just left. 
  • Just like selling a potential customer on your product or service, selling a candidate on your company can be just as rewarding

Offer Bonuses

  • Utilize your current employees to recruit for you. We recommend rolling out a robust referral program that will incentivize your team. To ensure that you design a referral program that your employees want, we recommend surveying your current workforce and asking them what type of incentives would motivate them to refer candidates. If you are worried about what they will say, offer 4-6 different options and see what they prefer. You may be surprised. 
  • On the other side of the coin, we also recommend offering a creative hiring bonus. Instead of a chunk of cash, we encourage you to be creative and think outside the box. Consider offering a “Welcome Aboard Package” that gives new employees a few choices. From a gift card to a nice restaurant, to 4 passes to Busch Gardens, the goal is to make them feel appreciated and thoughtfulness goes a long way. Offering cash is impersonal and doesn’t create any type of memory. 

Hire A Staffing Firm

  • To ensure your positions do not go unfilled, it is critical that you have more than one vehicle for attracting candidates to your business. Staffing firms will recruit candidates specifically for your business and work on your behalf to sell them on your company. The best part is you don’t pay anything unless they find you someone and fill one of your positions 
  • Staffing firms also offer you and your team a flexible workforce. If you are uncertain about demand and how long it will last, you can bring on employees temporarily without any long term commitment. This will allow you to meet customer demand without jeopardizing the company’s future. 

Demonstrate Appreciation & Gratefulness

  • For the employees who stuck it out during the pandemic we suggest doing something to show them how much you appreciate them. We have listed a few ideas that we have seen implemented by different firms in our community:
    • Buy lunch and/or dinner every Friday 
    • Offer bonuses or pay raises
    • Hazard pay 
    • Loosen the dress code
  • Remember that many employees may be working full time and earning less than one of their friends who is sitting at home on unemployment. That can be extremely discouraging. 

Adjust Hiring Requirements

  • Since unemployment was at historic lows prior to the pandemic, many businesses had already begun to loosen hiring requirements. We recommend doubling down on this effort. 
  • Meet with your managers and identify what skills are: 
    1. Absolutely essential
    2. Trainable
    3. Nice-to-Haves 
T2H-

Maximizing Temp-To-Hire Arrangements

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Understanding Temp-To-Hire Strategies

If done correctly, a temp-to-hire recruiting strategy can be a powerful tool for your business. In order to take full advantage of temp-to-hire relationships, and experience their unique benefits, you must first understand how they work. We want to share some insights on the fundamentals and some tips on things you can do to increase your success rate. 


As you onboard new associates your team will have a front row seat to evaluate the associate’s work ethic and overall skill set. In addition to an associate’s skills, your team will have the opportunity to evaluate a candidate’s soft skills and their ability to fit into the overall culture of your company. At it’s core, a temp-to-hire arrangement is a working interview that will give your company an in-depth look at the type of employee your candidate will become.


It is important to remember that temp-to-hire arrangements are a two-way street. While your business will have a front row seat, your candidates will as well. The initial contract period will give candidates a look into your company’s operation, types of growth opportunities, culture, & other employees. Candidates will use contract periods to learn more about your company and decide whether or not your company is somewhere they want to call home. We like to think of the contract period as the dating stage for both parties ? 

Kicking Off A Successful Relationship 

From day one, you want to ensure your temp-to-hire associates feel welcome. In the workplace, first impressions are critical and can dictate the overall direction of the relationship. As you onboard new temp-to-hire professionals you want to do everything you can to make them feel valued while also putting a plan in place that sets them up for success. Do not forget that this is a “trial” for both parties and it is your responsibility to create a workplace that will attract high-quality candidates. 

We have outlined some of our keys to successful temp-to-hire relationships: 

Where to Start on Day 1?
  • An employee’s first day can be extremely stressful and it is important that you make all new associates feel welcome. We recommend creating a “first day plan” that you can share with your staffing partner before an associates first day. Things we recommend including are: 
    • Where to park
    • Who to report too
    • What to expect 
    • Break room or locker notes? 
    • One page orientation reviewing a training plan
  • While this may seem simple, it presents a picture to new temp-to-hire associates that they are valued and you are excited to have them join your team. 
Training
  • While some jobs seem easy and should not require much training, it is important that new associates feel “trained”. We have heard stories from candidates over the years where they were shown a short video and then expected to meet a daily quota. While there may not be anything wrong with this scenario, it presents a picture to new associates that their success is not important and the best training you can provide is a 15 minute, pre-recorded video. 
  • We recommend identifying trainers who new associates can shadow for their first week. During the first week they will have daily check in meetings to ensure they are comfortable and do not have questions about their position. After the first week we recommend moving to a weekly check-in. 
  • Investing this type of training for all new candidates will go a long way with the type of candidates your company is eager to attract
Provide Positive Feedback  
  • Encourage your trainers and managers to provide your temp-to-hire associates with feedback and be quick to offer positive feedback. When you start a new job you are always curious how you are performing, especially if it is a “contract” position. 

Tips To Increase Your Conversion Rate

Just like an employee you hire directly, it is important that you have an onboarding process for temp-to-hire associates. While some employees turn out to be a bad fit for one reason or another, your staffing partner wants to do everything they can to ensure temp-to-hire associates are converted successfully. Successful conversions are a win for all parties. 


Below we have listed a few tips that we have seen increase conversion rates and make a significant difference in associate morale. While these may not make a difference to some new hires, high-quality associates are looking for organizations that check all of their boxes. 

Convert Quickly
  • Many companies wait up to 6 months (double the typical conversion period) to convert a temp-to-hire associate. For an employee who is interested in a long term opportunity this can be extremely frustrating (especially if they see your team hiring new associates directly). 
  • Our team is extremely passionate about our clients converting temp-to-hire associates which is why we offer our clients extremely affordable terms and quicker conversion periods. We want to encourage our clients to convert as soon as they are ready. While this may cost us money up front, we are interested in building long term relationships that are fruitful for our clients, employees, & candidates. 
Be Honest & Transparent
  • From the beginning, communicate honest timelines with your staffing partner. If you know you plan to keep temp-to-hire associates as a contract employee for longer than their original term, you should be upfront. This will allow your staffing partner to communicate accurate timelines with candidates and ensure they are prepared before accepting the position. This will go a long way and give candidates a good first impression 
Boost Morale 
  • Converting employees early, or even on time, will boost the morale of your other temp-to-hire associates. This will paint a picture that your company is serious about offering long term opportunities and will keep your associates engaged. 
  • One of our clients, who has 15 temp-to-hire associates, offers a monthly “Employee of the Month” award just for their temporary associates. This has been a huge hit and has created competition between the associates. Deep down, associates know that if they are being honored with the EOM award they are close to becoming a full time member of the company’s team.
Everyone Wants to Feel Included
  • One of our distribution clients offers their full time employees a monthly attendance bonus. To ensure their temp-to-hire associates feel included, they offer the same bonus to them as well. This helps them feel apart of the team and allows them to begin to experience the types of benefits they will have once they are converted. 
  • Since your ultimate goal is to convert your temp-to-hire associates into full time members of your team, we recommend doing everything you can to help them feel included. Something as simple as a badge (that doesn’t say temp) can go a long way to helping them feel included.
  • If you have a holiday party or other celebration we recommend including temp-to-hire associates in the celebration. These are small, inexpensive gestures that go a long way.

Happy Hiring!

When executed properly, temp-to-hire arrangements can be an extremely effective recruiting tool for your business. Like any vendor relationship, it is important that you partner with a staffing vendor who not only has a good reputation, but who is honest with their candidates. Since your staffing partner will be in the trenches, selling your company to potential candidates, it is important that you believe in them and have faith in their processes. 

If you have any questions about selecting a staffing vendor we are here to help. We would be happy to include our selection playbook free of charge. Email me at corey@www.thecandidatesource.com

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