Staffing Solutions Featured in Post Dispatch Blog!

After a brief discussion of our current business strategies with Bonny, Steve Giegriech from the Post Dispatch wrote this blog about SSI!

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/stl-jobwatch/uncategorized/2009/04/clayton-staffing-firm-to-waive-fees-for-non-profits-seeking-volunteers/

More Unemployed Are Volunteering

The St. Louis Post Dispatch had a great front-page article today about the importance of volunteering.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/980CCB821C8675AA862575A7000CC88A?OpenDocument

To find out about about specific volunteer opportunities utilizing office skills, visit our website: www.staffingsolutionsinc.com

Twittering Your Way to a Job

Found an excellent blog today that explains in fairly good detail how one can use Twitter to find a job.

If you are not on Twitter or do not know how to use it in your search, please read and follow the links!
http://www.susanstrayer.com/kaleidoblog/twittering_your_way_to_a_job/#more

Medicine Available for the Unemployed- This week in St. Louis!

At Staffing Solutions, we know how important it is to have health and medical benefits while you are out of work. The Help is Here Express will be in the St. Louis area until Friday. To find out more, call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit www.pparx.org

They're Hiring

Good news...
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.4 million Americans found jobs in the month of February, which is slightly less than the 4.5 in January.

Fortune magazine recently published a report of the Fortune 100 companies who are hiring. Take a look!
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/fortune/0904/gallery.F500_hiring.fortune/index.html

Keep Yourself Looking and Feeling Great Without Going Broke!

At SSI, we truly believe that looking good is an important part of your life, even if you aren't currently working or bringing in a paycheck. When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you give off good energy! Good energy often leads to new job opportunities.

Below is a list of places where you can keep yourself maintained without going broke!

1) Vatterott College in the St. Louis area (North, South and St. Charles County locations) has a cosmetology program where students in their final stages of training offer haircuts, hair coloring, facials, waxing and manicures/pedicures. They are open Monday-Saturday, but we recommend you call ahead of time to be sure!
Sunset Hills contact: (314) 843-4200
North Park contact: (314)-264-1000
O'Fallon contact: (636) 978-7488

2) Paul Mitchell Academy St. Louis
Need an update on your 'do? Try the Paul Mitchell Academy, located in the Central West End. Students are learning cutting-edge (no pun intended) techniques and need to learn the basics of client interaction. Again, we recommend you call ahead.
(314) 361-8200

3) Aesthetic Institute of St. Louis
Has the stress of looking for a job gotten to you? Try getting a spa package from the Aesthetic Institute. Located in Overland, they offer VERY affordable services, including massages, facials, body wraps. Paper yourself for a day and it won't break the bank!
(314) 426-2882

4) National Academy of Beauty Arts
Located in South County, this school offers haircuts, highlights and makeup services to the general public. Call ahead to get a full list of services and pricing.
(314) 842-3616

Didn't find anyplace close to you? For a complete listing of all the cosmetology programs in the St. Louis area, visit the beauty school directory and see if there's someplace you'd like to visit:
http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/search/MO

Everyone needs a boost in confidence and what better way to get one than a new look?

Beware of Debt Settlement Scams

The New York Times published a very helpful article yesterday for those looking to work with a debt settlement firm. Please read and be careful when working with a credit agency!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/business/20settle.html?ref=business

Another nice note

At SSI, we have been doing our best to stay positive in a not-so-great job market. Even if we don't have as much activity in our office as we would like, applicants with whom we've kept in regular contact have been especially understanding and appreciative.

Here's one of the many nice notes we've received lately from an applicant:
"I really appreciate your concern for me. Of the three agencies I've registered with, Staffing Solutions is the only one that has even communicated with me even though I have emailed the others regularly as requested."

This goes to show you that being nice and helpful to everyone in need pays off- people do notice and appreciate your efforts!

But Don't Take Our Word For It...

Lauren Schwarze, an intern at KETC who interviewed our staff a few weeks ago, has been documenting her job search progress via video (she graduates from Washington University in just a few weeks!).
Looking for a job right out of school in this kind of economy has been especially tough, but Lauren remains positive and took some of our advice to heart. Crossing our fingers that she finds something soon!

SWIC Job Fair Tomorrow 4/16!

Come to the SWIC Belleville campus tomorrow from 9-11 am for a job fair. SSI and other great companies, including several healthcare agencies, area non-profits and banking/financial institutions will be there.

For a full list of companies and more information on the job fair, visit: http://wbi.swic.edu/careerplc/jobfairs.htm

Career Builder Now Twittering Custom Job Alerts

Really interesting article AND another reason why it's important to stay on top of social networking technology!

http://www.ere.net/2009/04/14/careerbuilder-now-twittering-custom-job-alerts/

We have been encouraging our applicants to join the "Big Three" online networks: 1) LinkedIn 2) Facebook and 3) Twitter. SSI has profiles and updates our job opportunities regularly on all three sites.

SSI Networking Links
Bonny's LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bonny
Abby's LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/abbyschwarz

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2784280427

Twitter: http://twitter.com/abigail184

Note From an Applicant

Over the past few weeks, we have gotten word that many of our applicants have found new jobs, which is exciting news!!! We received a very nice note from an applicant today:

"I am writing to let you know that I have received a job offer this morning and have accepted. I will need to cancel my appointment... I wanted to put my thoughts on email so that you share with your team and your supervisor. I truly appreciate your professionalism during this process. I have "registered" with other firms during the start of my job search, however, none of them treated with such professionalism and follow through as you did. Coming from the industry and sitting in your shoes (too many applicants, not enough job opportunities), I realize that you could have easily brushed my application and resume aside. You chose instead to connect with me, share your opportunities and thoughts in an honest and professional manner.

I would recommend you and your staffing firm to others and if I am ever in a position to utilize your staffing service in an "official" capacity, I will not hestitate to call.

Thank you!
Chris"

Receiving messages like this just made our day!

SSI Interview with KETC

KETC has been following the financial crisis and how it has affected people/businesses in St. Louis. They stopped by Staffing Solutions a few weeks ago to talk about the job market and what we are doing to help those who are out of work and looking.

Please, take a look at the KETC "Facing the Financial Crisis" blog:
http://stlmortgagecrisis.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/job-hunting-tips/


And our video

Blast From the Past

Bonny, our Company President/Ower just ran into a former applicant who we placed back in 1997! This is what she had to say about Staffing Solutions via email...

"Oh gosh, yes I remember you! Anytime I have had a friend looking for work, I always tell them what a great experience it was and that Staffing Solutions is the place to go. It’s not often you go into a staffing business and get to meet with the owner, and have a job the same week!

Great to hear from you!

Tonee"

Crazy to think that after 10 years, Staffing Solutions is still top-of-mind!