| Who We Are |
Devoted, perceptive, enthusiastic, caring and creative.
Check out our new website here and watch our company video to learn more about who we are and how we provide you with the best experience working with the Laufer and Associates team.
Tailor your job search directly on our website to find exactly what you are looking for and use our new job alerts to sign up for updates on the latest job postings that match your previous searches and be the first to see what new opportunities are knocking at your door!
 |
|
Stop By for a Virtual Visit!
|
|
|
|
| From the Desk of Julie Laufer |
 Hello Friends,This month, we dedicate our newsletter to all of our graduates of all ages and walks of life. It may be interesting to know that 57 percent of employers say they plan to hire new college graduates, up from 53 percent last year and up significantly from 44 percent in 2010, according to a new CareerBuilder and CareerRookie.com study. We’ve culled some interesting data – read on: Which majors are most in demand? As with years past, demand for business and technical majors remains high. The most sought-after majors this year include:
- Business – 39 percent
- Computer and information sciences – 28 percent
- Engineering – 18 percent
- Math and statistics – 14 percent
- Health professions and related clinical sciences 14 percent
- Communications technologies – 12 percent
- Engineering technologies – 11 percent
- Education – 7 percent
- Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities – 10 percent
- Science technologies – 7 percent
- Communication and journalism – 7 percent
The most common concerns employers have that recent grads may not be ready include:
- Too much emphasis on book learning instead of real world learning – 53 percent
- My company needs a blend of technical skills and soft skills gained from liberal arts – 35 percent
- Entry level roles are growing more complex – 26 percent
- Not enough focus on internships/apprenticeships – 16 percent
- Technology is changing too quickly for academics to keep up – 16 percent
- Not enough students are graduating with the degrees my company needs – 10 percent
What kind of paycheck can you expect?
Your pay will largely depend on what field you enter and the size and success of the organization, as well as what negotiation skills you bring to the table. But according to the survey results, employers are expected to offer new graduates the same starting salaries they did last year and nearly one-third (30 percent) say they expect their initial offers to increase.
Expected starting salaries for recent graduates break down as follows:
- Under $30,000 – 26 percent
- $30,000 to less than $40,000 – 30 percent
- $40,000 to less than $50,000 – 20 percent
- $50,000 and higher – 24 percent
For further guidance in a challenging market, reach out to us for help as you establish your footing in your next (or first!) job!
Warmest wishes,
|
| Success Story of the Month – Dorian Magee |
 I was looking to make a complete career change, and that is one overwhelming and intimidating task! I began to make out application after application until it seemed hopeless.Luckily, my sister emailed me an ad for a position that fit my skills, personality and need for growth. I applied and immediately got a call from Laufer and Associates. I was currently employed and had a hectic work schedule. They understood I was busy, and worked with me to set up a Skype interview to accommodate my schedule.After a small get-to-know-you session via Skype, they told me that they thought I would be a great candidate for the position. They helped me realize that even though this would be a huge leap for a complete career change, that I had the skills, knowledge and confidence to land this job. And they was right! With the help and guidance of Laufer and Associates I was able to make this change to further myself professionally and personally. I am so thankful that Laufer and Associates took a chance on me, and saw past my unique resume and work experience. They saw the bigger picture; I would be a passionate asset to this company and a great fit for the role.I am now in a whole new field of work and happily employed where I’ve felt welcomed from day one and that I feel I can take strides to grow. A huge thank you to Laufer and Associates for the opportunity, guidance and support I needed through this journey. Thanks again!
Dorian Magee |
| Temp of the Month – Katherine Shaughnessy |
 I came to Laufer and Associates for help in finding a job. Immediately they helped place me in a position that suited me perfectly. They met with me right after connecting on LinkedIn and went over my strengths, weakness, goals, interests, etc. Within a week they helped me land my first interview. They even helped prepare me for questions and comments the interviewer may ask. I felt extremely prepared and confident when going in to apply for my role.I now work at a firm in the Back Bay and could not be happier with the job I am in here. It feels great graduating from college and adventuring into something exciting and new. I am learning something new everyday and have made great relationships with my coworkers along the way. I am very grateful for Laufer and Associates for getting me started on a great career path. Thank you!
Katherine Shaughnessy |
| Graduates, It’s Your Time to Shine! |
 So your graduation is behind you; congratulations! It’s a time to celebrate this accomplishment with family and friends, take some time to relax and even travel if you are able. However, if you haven’t thought about or figured out what you are going to do after graduation, at some point reality will quickly set in. Now is the time to look at what your interests lie in, evaluate your goals and to determine the right path for you.The good news is that this year’s grads can look forward to the best job market in years, with employers expected to hire about 5 percent more graduates from the class of 2016 than the previous year, according to a recent report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.Here are some suggestions we have curated for you from Forbes and other reputable business publications that should have you well on your way to your post-graduation job:
- Do a personal “SWOT” (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. Make sure you know your strengths and provide examples to employers of how you could a contribution to their company. You also need to be honest about the things that you aren’t an expert in and show your eagerness to learn and grow.
- Target employers strategically. So many young graduates make the mistake of either applying for roles solely in one industry or they apply for everything; even if they aren’t interested or qualified. The most effective approach is to think about the jobs you are interested in and qualified for and look within different industries.
- Don’t limit your search to job boards or similar sites. You can learn about jobs by many different means including: Connecting with alumni, following organizations on social media, looking at a company’s “Careers” page or connecting with your ever so helpful local recruiter…like us!
- Consider temporary assignments or paid internships. Experts agree that doing some type of work is better than not working at all. Plus, you can continue your search and build your network and skills in the meantime.
- Reach out to your networks! Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and utilize it to connect with professionals and friends who can help you expand your network…
 Demonstrate your interest, knowledge and passion for the organizations you are applying for and interviewing with… We have heard so many employers say that as much as they are looking for a specific skill sets, they are truly seeking someone who is excited about working for their company and wants to be in a particular role.- Make sure that your social media presence online is professional. Use your settings to ensure that only your friends have access to personal contents, but still be careful about what you post.
- Finally, for recent grads without work experience, emphasizing your interpersonal skills can make you a much more attractive job candidate. Job hunters who are great communicators, team players and have strong business insights will shine.
|
|
The rules are simple. Tell everyone you know about Laufer and Associates and have them view our new website and contact us directly, or provide us with the names of qualified professionals. Once a person whom you have referred works as a temporary employee or gets placed permanently by Laufer and Associates at a client company, you will receive the cash amount listed below. $200 Permanent Bonus– You are eligible for our $200 Referral Bonus if Laufer and Associates place your referral in a permanent position. Referral must stay employed in position for the length of our guarantee period, commonly 90 days. $200 Temporary Bonus– You are eligible for our $200 Referral Bonus if Laufer and Associates place your referral in a temporary position. Referral must work as a temporary employee for at least 1,000 hours to qualify. There is no limit to the number of employees you may refer.Our experience has also taught us that great candidates often know other great candidates, so be sure to take advantage of our referral bonus program.
We love hearing feedback, stories, and suggestions from past and present candidates. Please email them to me at [email protected] Glidden
