Tag Archives: employment agency

Tag Archives: employment agency

Struggling to Find the Right Employee? Hire a Scrapper!

As an employment agency, one thing many of our new clients tell us is it’s hard to find – and keep – the kind of employees they need. Reading résumés, conducting interviews, testing out and hiring new staff comes with a whole slew of costs – time, money, productivity – and there’s nothing more frustrating than having to go through the whole process again when your new hire didn’t turn out to be the right fit. So, how do you make the hiring process more effective?

The first step is to change your perspective.

In a November 2015 Ted Talk, hiring expert and VP of Human Resources at UPS’s Information Division, Regina Hartley, offered companies some valuable advice about their outlook on hiring: Resist the temptation to always hire the candidate who “looks good on paper.”

Hartley broke down potential employees into two categories: Silver Spoons – who have prestigious educational backgrounds, impressive references and predictable, uncomplicated career achievements –and Scrappers – qualified employees whose résumés don’t make a great first impression. They might have gaps in their work history, done odd jobs, changed career paths, or have a more modest education, but also have the attitude and perspective that make them valuable, dependable employees. Hartley says employers often dismiss these less “impressive” candidates, and that’s a huge mistake.

Companies who prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their hiring – companies who hire Scrappers –outperform competitors who have a less-inclusive philosophy, Hartley says. The skills they bring may not look good on paper, and may have nothing to do with career experience, but they translate into productivity and commitment. These candidates know how to adapt, handle challenges, solve problems and grow with your company, while more conventional hires, Hartley says, may have a harder time doing what needs to be done. According to Hartley’s research, success in business begins with changing the narrative of traditional hiring – start considering the candidates you might otherwise dismiss, because they might be the most valuable to your workplace.

But, how can employers differentiate one of Hartley’s Scrappers from an employee who really isn’t cut out for the job? That’s where employment experts come in. A hiring agency has the experience and the resources to distinguish the best candidates, to dig deeper than what’s on paper, and to take all of the risk out of hiring. At Alpha North Group, we successfully connect businesses with a diverse range of job candidates every day. That means we know what it really takes – above and beyond a first impression! – to find the right match of employer and employee. Once we’ve found the right candidate, we prepare and can even temporarily hire them on your behalf. It gives your business the freedom to put your hires to the real world test and the freedom to try a different approach to hiring. Alpha North Group will never let you risk overlooking your next great hire. Call us today to see what a new perspective can do.

Six Ways Employment Agencies are Essential When Returning to the Job Market

Infograph full

Are you unhappy at work? Is your current job failing to meet your financial needs? Maybe you’ve recently lost your job, or have been on an extended break. Whatever the reason, you’re facing the challenge of returning to the job market and searching for your next opportunity. Even in the best of
circumstances, re-entering the job market after some time away can be one of the most intimidating and stressful times in your life. Not only are you tasked with figuring out your next career move, but you have to do the hard work of finding openings and making yourself noticed in an environment that may have changed dramatically since your last search. With so many new elements in play – and so many big decisions on your shoulders – the transition back to the job market has no shortage of shocks and surprises, making it easy to feel alone.

 

That’s where we come in. In a world of endless advice, endless choices and endless change, an employment agency can be the anchor you need to take the uncertainty and isolation out of returning to the job market. An employment agency understands what you’re dealing with and is your one-stop shop for the experience, tools and resources you need to make your return a successful one.

 

Here are the six ways employment agencies are essential in helping you return to the job market.

 

1: They Get to Know You

Ultimately, every individual returning to the job market is different. You have different goals, different backgrounds, different reasons for returning and different expectations. An employment agency is your advocate during the transition. Unlike an online job marketplace or classified ad, employment agency recruiters want to get to the heart of what you bring to the hiring table. In short, they want to get to know you. Their goal is making great employment matches, so they take the time to learn about your aptitudes, experiences and needs to determine where you can be successful.

 

2: They Have Your Next Job

While many professionals returning to work want to remain in a similar position, just as many aren’t sure of their next move, or are ready for a change. Putting your employment in the hands of an employment agency can bring you the clarity you need. After they’ve understood your unique skills and attributes, an employment agency gives you the vital information about fields needing your particular skills, who’s hiring, and what positions will help you get the career you want. An employment agency worth it’s salt thinks both analytically and creatively about your employment potential and can guide you into unexplored or unconsidered career paths. Most importantly, employment agencies are a direct connection to interested employers, so when the right opportunity opens up you’ll be one of the first in line.

 

3: They Know the Details

Professionals returning to the job market have an understandably different set of needs from entry level employees.  You need to know the details – like salaries, opportunities for advancement and workplace culture – to decide if a job will work for you. Employment agencies have the information you need to help with every step of the job search, from deciding whether to apply to how to negotiate your salary once you’re hired.

 

4: They Get You to Work

Sometimes, finding the ideal industry or right salary range isn’t your first priority. When you find yourself returning to the job market, you don’t always have the luxury to be picky. You just need to get back to work. Employment agencies, especially those that aren’t specialised by industry, connect you to temporary, contract or permanent jobs almost immediately, so you’re never losing income even while you’re still job hunting for your next opportunity.

 

5: They Help You Search

The legwork of finding that next opportunity is a full-time job in itself and can be especially daunting if you haven’t done it in a while. As soon as you set up a profile or make a call, employment agencies start finding you matches based on your credentials and requirements. Turning to an employment agency takes the search off your plate, freeing you to take an interim job, courses, or any other steps that will get you back into the working game.

 

6: They Keep You Current

Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Are you taking advantage of personal branding? Involved with the right professional associations? Is your networking strategy creative enough? Overwhelmed? Of course! Who wouldn’t be? Staying current in today’s job market – and trying to keep up with all of the advice about how to do it – is overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. An employment agency can tune out the noise and tell you what you really need to get the job, regardless of your age, skill level or experience. They have the insider knowledge about what today’s employers expect and can get you started in acquiring what you need to keep up. At Alpha North Group, we give our candidates real, manageable ways to navigate today’s job market, and even have a dedicated space where they can access the internet if they aren’t equipped to get online at home. Employment agencies understand the challenges of modern work and strive to keep their candidates informed and in control of the process.

 

Every day, professionals returning to the job market make Alpha North Group their first call. We make the transition easy and connect them to great employers who want their expertise and experience. We can do the same for you. Contact us today.

How to Find a Good Temp Agency in Toronto. Part 2

They use the city.
Understanding and working with the unique employment ecosystem of Toronto is integral to a temp agency’s ability to make successful connections. A good temp agency understands how the city influences the way people work and uses this knowledge to look beyond the usual qualifications to make great matches.

Diversity:
Toronto has the wonderful advantage of being home to a culturally and ethnically diverse population. A good local agency should have the tools to see diversity as a part of life and not a barrier. For job searchers who aren’t fluent in English or are new to the city, a Toronto temp agency is a way to connect to employers that have the right tools and workplace culture to help you succeed – something that may prove harder for an agency with little familiarity with the city and its employers.

Choice:
Toronto temp agencies are unparalleled in terms of local choice. Toronto works 24-7 and its many industries need all kinds of employees, which translates into opportunities, especially for candidates looking to test new career paths or accommodate non-traditional schedules. In a city of 5 million and growing, turning to a Toronto temp agency can also connect clients to a huge range of talent. It’s ideal for filling a big order with quality employees and even more ideal when you’re trying to find someone with a niche skill set. By default, Toronto temp agencies have access to more employers, more candidates, and more variety. A good local temp agency knows it, and isn’t afraid to use it to their – and your – advantage.

Logistics:
Matches that work logistically – giving clients employees who are able to be on time, show up at a moment’s notice, or have reliable access to transportation to get to and from work every day – is an often overlooked element of successful, happy career connections. Taking the logistics of getting to and from work seriously is especially important in a gridlocked metropolis with a transit system that’s struggling to keep up. A good Toronto-based temp agency will understand what it really means to get to work in the city and are better equipped to find reasonably accessible workplaces and deliver reliable, punctual candidates to their clients.

They build great relationships.
Good temp agencies use great service and strong relationships to build lasting partnerships with their clients and connect the best candidates to great jobs. A good agency’s service puts you first. They should be there when you need them, meet your timelines, answer your questions, and address your concerns and problems fairly. Beyond that, a good agency gives you the kind of individual attention that results in successful connections. Great employer-employee matches are made by employment experts who approach the hiring process with passion and creativity, and know the right questions to ask to make sure your expectations are met. That means working closely with their clients to understand their workplaces and decipher what kind of employees help them prosper, and working closely with their temps to make sure they make mutually beneficial connections. By being thorough in getting to know their clients and candidates, an agency equips itself to build strong databases and match any job to any employee. And, once they’ve made that great match, a good agency will always follow up to make sure you’re satisfied with their service.

At Alpha North Group, we want finding a great local temp agency to be easy. If you have any questions about our temp connection services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

This entry was posted in News and tagged : , , , , , , on April 18th, 2016