We love thank you notes!

This note made our day! CONGRATS Karmen....you will do great at your new job!! You are tops..and you deserve the best!

"Hello Bonny,
I spoke with Michelle on Friday. It was at that time that I was getting ready to contact you to let you know that I did get the job at ABC Company. I also wanted to thank you and your entire staff for all of your help. Your organization is fantastic. I will keep in touch and definitely contact you if I am in need of work.

Karmen"

The New Emerging Workforce......

Check any job search site and type in “freelance,” “temporary” or “contractor,” and you will find hundreds of job postings! As employers begin to cautiously hire again after one of the deepest economic downturns, many are turning to a contingent work force.

According to an article on msnbc.com by Eve Tahmincioglu, “Many labor advocates believe the contingency work force is on the rise and will become a mainstay in U.S. companies even after the economic hard times.”

This could become a permanent solution for some employers, eliminating a huge number of full-time jobs with benefits, says labor and business experts.

A contingent workforce provides a flexible and cost-effective way for employers to smooth out fluctuations in demand and production. This allows companies to stay lean and avoid hiring more permanent employees.

“Monster.com saw a 46.2 percent spike in contract job postings in March compared to the same month last year,” said Matthew Henson, a spokesman for the jobs site.

This new workforce can hurt workers because many of the benefits of being a full-time employee don’t apply, such as: sick or vacation days, retirement plans, guaranteed hours or health coverage.

Despite this, temp/contract work has kept many people afloat during economic hardship. Temping is an option for almost every type of professional in any industry.

Why do temporary/contract work? There are many advantages!

1. Earn a paycheck while you continue your job search!

2. Expand your network! You will add to the network of people who know you are seeking employment and who have direct experience working with you. If you make a positive impression, your new contacts may keep you in mind for future job opportunities! Recently, a SSI Applicant was temping at a company for a few weeks. Well, she did such a great job they requested her back for again a few weeks later for another temp job. THEN.....they received a perm opening and called us saying they wanted to hire her!! A fairytale ending!

3.Learn new skills! Each temporary position is an opportunity to gain new skills...or update your existing skills!

4.Stay Busy! It is important to stay busy and productive. Studies show when you aren’t actively engaging your brain that your brain activity slows down. This may affect your ability to interview well. Working will also improve your attitude and boost your confidence.

Be sure to check our website www.staffingsolutionsinc.com for current temp, temp to hire, and direct hire opportunities! Please contact a SSInc representative with any questions!

Inspirational song for a Friday!

Here is an inspirational song for those who need a little "pick me up!"

"Unwritten" from Natasha Bedingfield - the past is over...the future is full of possibilities!

The Professional Downside of Online Social Networks

Social networking sites, like Facebook and MySpace, can be one of the biggest threats to your job search. Many do not realize that people you won’t want reading your profile may be able to access it, and this can be negative for your career!

While social networking sites are a great way to showcase individuality, reconnect with friends and family, and extend your professional network, they also create a level of transparency that can cut your job search short. Employers are now, more than ever, searching candidates’ social networks or blogs to screen or weed out candidates.

According to a CareerBuilder survey, 45 percent of US employers are using social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn, to research job candidates. That is a huge jump from the 22 percent of companies who responded similarly in 2008. Another 11 percent of employers plan to start using social networking sites for screening.

Of the employers using social networks:
29% search Facebook
26% search LinkedIn
21% search MySpace
11% search Blogs
7% search Twitter

The survey also found that 63 percent of information technology and 53 percent of employers for business and professional services are among the top industries using networking sites to research candidates. Job seekers must be mindful
of the information they choose to post.

With all of the photo and comment sharing capabilities, social networking sites are prime real estate for all kinds of damaging material. A whopping 35% percent of employers reported that content posted on a candidate's profile has caused them not to hire that particular person.

Content that caused employers not to hire include:
*Provocative or inappropriate pictures or information
*Content related to drinking or taking drugs
*Bad mouthing a previous employer

However, 18 percent of those employers surveyed found positive content online that convinced them to hire the candidate.

Top examples include:
*Profile provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality and “fit” with the company
*Professional qualifications and creativeness were reflected
*Candidate showed solid communication skills
*Other people posted positive references about the candidate

This should not discourage individuals from utilizing social networking sites; it is just an eye-opener. Make your account private by checking out the privacy settings. You can set these to not allow the outside world to see your profile unless you’ve approved a connection with an individual. Times have changed; cleaning up and monitoring what you have posted online is just as important as building your resume.

We just had to share!

A sweet note we received from an applicant that made our day! So kind!

"Bonny and Pam,

I wanted to take the time to thank you for meeting with me this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with both of you. To say that I am very impressed with your agency would be an understatement. I am very excited with the prospect of partnering with you on my employment search journey.

I have received the job descriptions and feel that I would be a perfect fit for either position. I look forward to hearing from you with regard to the next steps in the interview process. I am confident that I would be a good representative for Staffing Solutions, Inc. and that my employment for either company would be a win/win situation for all.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Margie"

Margie: We really enjoyed meeting you and will be in touch! Thanks you so much for your kind words and are anxious to open that "right door" for you!

World's Most Admired Companies

CNN Money/Fortune released their annual list of the World's Most Admired Companies this morning! These companies are thought to have the best reputations according to a survey of executives, directors and securities analysts. For the 4th year in a row, Apple topped Fortune's Most Admired list!

Here are this year's top 10 most admired companies:

1.Apple
2.Google
3.Berkshire Hathaway
4.Southwest Airlines
5.Procter & Gamble
6.Coca-Cola
7.Amazon.com
8.FedEx
9.Microsoft
10.McDonald's