January 7, 2013
Recruiting, Staffing & Employment News
Stable but Slow,
Employees Optimistic
Despite ADP’s optimistic report of 215,000 new private sector jobs, the U.S. Department of Labor reported gains of 168,000 in private payrolls, which was slightly higher than analysts’ forecasts. The overall growth in employment including government cutbacks netted an increase of 155,000. November payrolls were revised upward.
The goods-producing sector rebounded by 59,000 in December after a loss of 1,000 in November. Construction jobs also showed gains of 30,000 following a November dip of 10,000. Manufacturing increased 25,000 over a small increase of 5,000 the month before. (more…)
November 26, 2012
Cyber Monday E-commerce Records / Productivity / Hiring
Cyber Monday e-retailing predictions!
Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the Monday after Thanksgiving’s online shopping extravaganza. It is the online retail equivalent of Black Friday, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day.
In 2011, Cyber Monday was the biggest day in the history of US e-retailing at $1.25 billion in online retail sales, and beat the other top holiday shopping days.
(more…)
May 14, 2012
Pre-employment Screening; The New Player That Every Office Needs on Their Team.
From mega staffing firms to big time industries, from companies of communications and technologies to the small town restaurant owner simply searching for a few good servers; every business is faced with the same fears and problems of hiring that new employee. Pre-employment Screening can help bring some answers to these problems.
Most of us have worked in a time where a reference from a potential employee actually meant something. Remember when a resume filled with diplomas, past jobs, and community services truly displayed the character and essence of a person? Unfortunately, the days of a sturdy handshake sealing the deal have simply slipped away.
With the dawning of a new era, we have adapted and conformed to reality. We still hire new employees and expect a trustworthy relationship, accepting them into our circle. Now, we use a new team player which is at our fingertips to help us.
Pre-employment Screening is the strategic opportunity which gives the employer the potential to avoid hiring a harmful or even inappropriate employee. Pre-employment Screening is that new player. It is very accessible to anyone looking for that help. The choices of avenue are numerous. So, like that coach who seeks out that perfect player for his team, an employer must also find the right Pre-employment Screening Company which fits, best with his team members.
There are many Pre-employment Screening companies who adhere strictly to the internet. All exchange simply consists of emails. They remind us of the companies out there who have a computer generated phone system. The allusive customer service representative is never to be found. This type of Pre-employment Screening Company is not totally off basis. In our fast paced society, this is the perfect solution for companies who find human contact an interference and obstacle in trying to meet their daily deadlines. To be honest, that screening company fits perfect with many employers and their members. They are the perfect team player.
Let’s swing to the other side of the spectrum. What about the other employers who enjoy service, and want a personal touch? There is a choice for you also. Pre-employment Screening does not have to simply be only an email away. Look for that Screening Company who has a healthy balance. They are out there also and will have that person to talk you through your problems until you find your answer. They are found to be efficient and personal at the same time.
No matter which way your company swings in the scenario, your Pre-employment Screening team member is out there. It is crucial you find the right fit for you and your team members.
While Pre-employment Screening has the potential of being this year’s MVP, it is facing some game changers and issues which have come about. Yes, Pre-employment Screening might enhance the safety of you and your fellow workers or save financial loss, it might simply help an employer save face; but it is a subject which is growing and facing its own difficulties. This “new team player” or “rookie” is arousing a lot of attention and not all of it is good. It looks like Pre-employment Screening will have to play by some rules.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs background checks under federal law, but now there are a number of state issues that must be measured when selecting applicants for employment. With all 50 states being involved, to specify every state mandate, restriction, compliance, imposing and limitation would be too numerous and tedious to describe. The Associated Press, Washington, published April 25, 2012; announced “New gov’t guidance on employee background checks”. Trends are showing that while Pre-employment Screening will be regulated more and more by states and government, they will still multiply and that will lead to mutual escalations in effectiveness but also in difficulties. It seems, just like every game played by a team, the Refs have come out with new ways to enforce rules and change the way the game is played. Like every good player, Pre-employment Screening is too valuable to lose. It is here to stay and will adapt and learn to conform in every situation.
Now getting back to your team, be sure you are making a team effort in the hiring of an employee. Utilize the skills of others around you. Only you and your coworkers can decide “how a person fits into your company”, or “will they meet the qualifications that are necessary for this role?”, “do they possess the skills needed for this precise position?”
Now it’s time to bring in your “new player”. Let him finish up the process by closing some vital questions. “Has this person been honest on his facts presented in his resume?” and “do they have any history of violence which may concern the safety of your staff and company?” Lastly “is this person trustworthy and reliable for this position?”
Remember, superstars alone don’t win championships. A Pre-employment Search alone will not find the valued employee and answers you and your team is looking for, but solid united teams do! Utilize all of your team members in this team effort. Pre-employment Screening will be an amazing addition, and by reforming your efforts, you will recruit the person who fits impeccably with your office team.
That team will be the one who will lead you all the way to the end zone!
About the author:
Dawn Chalupnik is an Accounts Marketing Manager/Writer at Express Services. Express Services offers Pre-Employment and Background Information reports. The company’s website is: www.ExpressVerify.com
May 7, 2012
Staffing & Employment News
April Showers Turn Out to be a Drizzle.
April didn’t shower us with an abundance of jobs; with an increase of only 115,000 net, and 130,000 in private payrolls. This slow-down disappointed after March’s 154,000 new jobs and February’s 259,000. The biggest gains were in professional & business services at 62,000, retail trade increased by 29,000, health care rose by 19,000, and leisure & hospitality added 12,000. Goods-producing jobs increased by 14,000 after a 38,000 rise in March. (more…)
January 9, 2012
Staffing & Employment News
Growth Stronger than Expected
from Redfish Technology
December’s employment report showed progress in job creation with a stronger showing than expects. The unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, December payroll jobs hit a fairly healthy 200,000, private payrolls hitting 212,000. (more…)
January 2, 2012
Do It Yourself Recruiting
 Ryan Thomson
By Ryan Thomson, Executive Recruiter, Clean Tech Division
When helping new clients on their hiring priorities, I encounter a common thread that some think recruiting fees are costly and somehow easy to earn. Recruiting fees are typically a percentage of the first year’s salary, and yes, that can amount to a large figure when hiring executives and top performers. During a recent webinar on Closing Candidates in a Hot Market, an attendee asked “Why should I use a recruiter, they seem expensive for a job I can do on my own.” (more…)
December 26, 2011
Why We Need to Hire Fewer and Fewer People
 Dr. Ira S. Wolfe
By Ira S Wolfe
With an election year approaching and unemployment still high, lots of lip service and media ink are being wasted on ways to fix the jobless recovery. What a crock of $#!%.
While it is unquestionably heart-breaking to see good, hard-working, well-intentioned people become victims of corporate greed and negligent governance, much of the responsibility for getting a job (and keeping it) should fall on the shoulders of the individual and that includes individual executives and business owners. (more…)
December 19, 2011
Happy Holidays from our team to yours!
Whether you will get merry at Christmas, illuminated at Hanukkah, or dec’d out for Kwanzaa, we hope you have a great yearend!
Redfish is celebrating a great 2011.
 Rob Reeves, President, CEO – Redfish Technology
“Amid the Noise and Haste of 2011, we’ve managed to stay the course we set and solidify our partnerships in both the Tech Sector and the Clean Tech Sector. (more…)
December 5, 2011
Staffing and Employment News
Recruiting Forecast
Recruiters and hiring managers forecast modest job gains in early 2012, according to a national survey conducted by Dice Holdings Inc. released on November 28. In fact, almost half (47%) of hiring managers and recruiters surveyed said they plan additional hiring during the first half of the year. 43% of hiring professionals said that despite the economy, hiring plans have not changed; 21% are increasing hiring, and 30% are revising hiring plans downward.
“With so much uncertainty in the air when it comes to the economy and job creation, it’s a surprisingly positive sign that nearly half of respondents are optimistic about hiring at the start of 2012,” said Scot Melland, chairman, president and CEO of Dice Holdings. “Although modest in size, we’ve added private-sector jobs for 20 months now, and that modest job growth looks set to continue. We need to focus on removing any hurdles that impede companies from investing in America’s talent.” (more…)
July 11, 2011
Staffing & Employment News
Gloom and confidence, contradictory predictions on hiring and profits
Gloomy employment report numbers a surprise
The Employment Report for June has been called “moribund” and “abysmal”. On the eve of the report however, ADP predicted month-to-month strength in private payroll data, estimating a 157,000 gain. Other analysts also predicted better gains, projecting 125,000 in June. Instead, the BLS reported private payrolls at 75,000 and overall nonfarm payrolls at 18,000 due to declines in government sector employment (39,000 in June, 48,000 in May).
Confidence down despite projected rise in profits
The Conference Board measure of CEO Confidence dipped in the second quarter to 55, after rising in Q1 to 67. Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center said: “CEO confidence cooled considerably in the second quarter, a reflection of a sluggish U.S. economy. Looking ahead, expectations are that this slow pace of economic growth will continue. Regarding the outlook for profits over the next 12 months, the news was a bit more favorable, with about 70 % of CEOs anticipating profit increases.” (more…)
July 7, 2011
 Shannon Tinker
Hiring the Right Candidate:
Set Bait, Cut Bait
By Shannon Tinker
While staffing industry pros are acutely aware of the ins and outs of finding and closing candidates, I’d bet the rest of the world doesn’t spend much time contemplating the hiring process. In fact, during a candidate rich market, employers may land their dream candidate by skipping a bunch of hiring “steps,” including “the close.” But what happens when the market shifts?
An improving job market isn’t all roses and smiley faces. Simple supply and demand dictates, and unfortunately a flourishing job market also, lead to losing more candidates to competing opportunities. While tragic, some losses are unavoidable. Yet, other times a quick re-read of the “Closing Candidates 101” handbook may give you the upper hand.
Closing the right candidate really requires little or no sales ability whatsoever and is remarkably simple. Really. (more…)
June 3, 2011
Staffing & Employment News
Lower Private Payroll Numbers than Expected, partially due to Re-entry of Discouraged Workers in April?
The jobs market gained momentum over the last few months; in the prior three months the number of jobs added averaged 220,000. The May figures released today however came in lower than expected. While private-sector employment added 83,000 jobs, this was a disappointing reversal of previous months’ growth. Expanding Industries include professional and business services (+44,000), health care (+17,400) and mining.
When an economy is healthy, monthly payrolls gains of around 150,000 are considered healthy; in order to recover from a downturn economists expect increased upwards of 250,000 monthly.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics release questions whether the May numbers are a temporary soft spot or a new trend. Severe domestic weather is not apparently a factor according to the Labor Department, but high energy prices and Japan’s continuing challenges probably are.
“There are good reasons to suppose the third quarter will be better because we have seen some easing in commodity prices, gasoline prices are starting to come down and the bad effects on vehicle production of the Japanese problems will start to unwind,” said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, reported Reuters.
The good news is that initial jobless claims have eased from elevated levels. And while the unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent last month from 9.0 percent in April, this is probably due in part to the re-entry of discouraged workers who were motivated by the April hiring momentum, and re-entered the job market.
April 4, 2011
Staffing & Employment News
Gaining Traction, Momentum Continues
We had good news on the hiring front last week as the Association of Executive Search Consultants proclaimed 2010 to be the “Year of Resurgence” and the Business Roundtable’s first quarter 2011 CEO Economic Outlook Survey anticipated higher sales, increased capital expenditures, and additional hiring over the next six months, as well as a predicted real GDP growth at nearly 3% in 2011.
The Jobs Report backed up this optimism last week; March’s payroll employment gained 216,000, higher than the 200,000 predicted. January & February revisions were also higher by 7,000. While this is below the approximately 300,000 jobs needed on a monthly basis for significant impact on the unemployment rate over the next 5 years, it does surpass the 150,000 needed to keep pace with population growth. (more…)
March 4, 2011
Staffing & Employment News
Respectively Healthy Improvement
Before the revolutions started driving oil prices up, there was some heady optimism. It persists despite the anticipated impacts of expensive oil. Americans must be feeling optimistic, “auto sales reportedly rose 27% in February”, NPR reported, “as the economic recovery continued and consumers felt more comfortable taking on a car payment.”
The jobs report today showed a “respectively healthy gain” for the month of February, at 192,000, and December and January revisions were up a net 58,000. Professional and business services, health care, transportation & warehousing, construction, mining, and manufacturing all showed increases. ADP estimated yesterday that February’s private payrolls increased by 217,000 (a little higher than today’s report), and the Monster employment index went up 7 points to 129 in February with a sharp pick-up in online job recruitment. (more…)
February 9, 2011
Bernanke Weighs In, CEOs Too
Growing Optimism on the Hiring Front
The Los Angeles Times reported today that:
The Fed chief also gave a somewhat more positive assessment of the employment situation, after last Friday’s report showing the nation’s unemployment rate falling to 9% last month from 9.4% in December and 9.8% in November.
He said: “Notable declines in the unemployment rate in December and January, together with improvement in indicators of job openings and firms’ hiring plans, do provide some grounds for optimism on the employment front [1].
In spite of this week’s conflicting short term data, we should be celebrating that the U.S. unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to a low unseen since April 2009: 9%. Better yet, numerous surveys and CEO reports are optimistic: the outlook for 2011 is to refocus on innovation, competition, and hiring [2].
Redfish Technology reports surging demand in Software as a Service and Cloud Computing as well as Solar and Clean Tech companies, “From VP of Sales in high tech positions to PV Project Engineers, (more…)
February 4, 2011
Staffing & Employment News:
Companies Refocus on Innovation, Competition, Hiring
Despite uncertainty, companies are refocusing on innovation, and hiring to gain/keep competitive edge. CEOs and search consultants express confidence in 2011. The biggest risks remain the recession, but talent acquisition may also be a challenge.
The latest short term data is in today. Despite a smaller gain than anticipated in payrolls, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to a low unseen since April 2009: 9%. Short terms data aside, the outlook for 2011 is to refocus on innovation, competition, and hiring.
The 14th Annual Global CEO Survey [1] shows that CEOs are aiming at immediate growth and a big jump in revenue growth prospects over 2011. Confidence levels are rising across the board with more companies anticipating growing their payrolls than they did in 2010. According to the survey, as hiring plans gear up, a shortage in talent is becoming more apparent; two-thirds of CEOs believe they’re facing a limited supply of skilled candidates. (more…)
January 12, 2011
Staffing & Employment News – Optimism and Hiring over next six months
Recruiters are often called a bellwether of the economy, and as such we’d like to share good news with you. Redfish Technology more than doubled our production in 2010 and we look forward to a strong year ahead.
According to ExecuNet, two-thirds of executive recruiters anticipate more management talent over the next six months in spite of the continued measures to contain corporate headcount. ExecuNet wrote in a press release that in December that their “benchmark Recruiter Confidence Index revealed that 66 percent of 144 responding executive recruiters are “confident” or “very confident” the executive employment market will improve over the next six months, up five points from November and the highest confidence registered since the second quarter of 2008.” (more…)
December 17, 2010
Optimism about Growth and Employment Evidenced in Recent Reports, Surveys
CEOs and NFIB surveys show growing optimism: higher sales anticipated, plans for hiring and capital expenditures.
Jobless Claims
New unemployment claims continued to decrease reaching an anticipated 420,000 this week. The four-week moving average has improved for the sixth week in a row and continuing unemployment claims also have come down, a good sign of payroll growth. (more…)
December 1, 2010
Holiday Rush – The Yearend is Busy!
 Joanna Edwards
By Joanna Edwards, Executive Recruiter, High Tech Sales & Marketing Division Manager
As I write this, a beautiful snowfall blankets Sun Valley, Christmas music is playing and eighteen resumes were in my inbox prior to 6am MST. It can only mean one thing: yearend is approaching. We are just weeks away from January 1st and in the world of recruiting it is typically our busiest time of year for a multitude of reasons.
First, many companies and/or hiring managers have a specific number of open roles they must fill prior to EOY, or they lose the open requisitions, or worse their MBO or an equivalent monetary sum. (more…)
October 11, 2010
Staffing & Employment News
from the Redfish Technology October Newsletter
C-Level Confidence:
There is growth in hiring in the private sector. The third quarter Vistage CEO Confidence Index survey showed the level of confidence up for the 7th consecutive quarter. Reportedly 46% of CEOs plan to expand their workforce in the 3rd quarter survey, up from 39% a year ago. According to the latest survey by CareerBuilders and USAToday, 21% of employers plan to hire in the fourth quarter. Last quarter 25% of employers reported adding to headcount, and the previous two quarters of 2010 also saw improvements both in sequential and year over year hiring. While a lot of the hiring is for impermanent positions, many employers plan to transition workers to permanent positions. According to the survey, the positions most likely to be hired for contract or temporary staff in the last quarter of 2010 are: IT (27%), Administrative (25%), Engineering (12%), Finance and Accounting (12%), Sales and Marketing (10%), and Creative & Design roles (9%). The American Staffing Association’s staffing index rose to the highest level in two years. Hitting a reading of 100 in the week of Sept. 20th, this is the first time since May 2008 that the index has reached 100. (more…)
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