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| From the Desk of Julie Laufer |
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 Stuck in unemployment purgatory? One of the best ways to ease the transition back to full time work is by temping. We'll get to why this so important in a moment. Interestingly, a bill has been proposed in the Senate: SB843 – Sen. Barrett, Michael (D) – An Act Providing Fair Chances for Employment, and to Ban Discrimination of the Unemployed. Although this bill has not yet passed, there is fairly heavy evidence of employers' adverse response, or at least, indifference to those who have not worked for some time. Until this bill passes, (and it remains to be seen how an unemployed person would be able to substantiate a claim) temping is an excellent plan to get you back into the mix. Unemployment insurance may be a salve for the short-term, but over the long haul, you may want to reconsider getting back into the work force through any means necessary, and as soon as possible. Indeed, sitting out the market is unhealthy for your resume. I hear many candidates state that they are 'waiting for the right permanent position', and that temping is simply not an option. They are not mutually exclusive. You can do both. It is human nature for people to covet what others have. I suppose the same can be said for you as Employed Person. Companies want the best, the brightest – and it seems, the Employed. Let us get you working.
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| Success Story – Jaimie Hall |
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 When I decided I was ready to leave my last job I felt pretty lost. I had no idea what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I was ready to start a career at a good company.
After putting my resume onto an online job board, I was bombarded by staffing agencies – None of which seemed to fit my needs. When I got in touch with Laufer and Associates, I instantly knew that they were perfect for me. They were able to understand my skillset and help me apply it to a new field.
At my new job, I instantly fell in love with helping people, the work environment, and the company culture. Being converted to a full time employee is a dream come true. I am truly grateful for the opportunity Laufer and Associates provided me.
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| Temp of the Month – Ted Mooney |
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 When I first lost my job I expected to find another one quickly, but then months went by without any luck. Hunting for employment became a job in itself, and it was a job that had me stressed out and depressed. Finally, a friend and former colleague recommended Laufer and Associates. I did not have any previous experience with recruiting firms, but I was willing to try anything.
I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am to have been referred to Laufer and Associates. Within a week of making contact I was at their office for an interview, and within two weeks I had a job. And not just any job – some of the best, most fulfilling work I've ever done. The position that Julie and Cristin found for me was perfect, and something I never would have discovered on my own. They have never stopped making me feel like my career was a priority to them, and they still follow up with me to this day.
To anyone sick of the job hunting grind, I cannot recommend Laufer and Associates enough. Give them a chance and they will not only find you a job, they will find you an amazing job.
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| Five to Fifteen |
 The sound of crickets after Interview Round #1? Ask yourself: Is my hair neat? Do I have on my best suit? Am I wearing too much perfume or cologne? (We advise not to wear ANY). Is my handshake weak? Am I smiling? The first 5-15 minutes of an interview are the most crucial minutes in the interviewing process. A new survey from CareerBuilder found that 49% of employers know whether a candidate is the right fit (or not) within the first five minutes. A stunning 87% know within the first 15 minutes.
In those first vital minutes, you barely have enough time to tell them about yourself, let alone your career successes. What elements are influencing their decision? A national survey of more than 2,000 hiring managers, across all industries and all company sizes shared what blunders job seekers make in the interview process. Susan Ricken, writer for CareerBuilder, provides us with some interesting statistics in her article, "What Not to do in the Interview". From several employers' perspectives, these are the top mistakes they reported:
Eight Common Mistakes
- Appearing disinterested — 55 percent
- Dressing inappropriately — 53 percent
- Appearing arrogant — 53 percent
- Talking negatively about current or previous employers — 50 percent
- Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview — 49 percent
- Appearing uninformed about the company or role — 39 percent
- Not providing specific examples — 33 percent
- Not asking good questions — 32 percent
Eight Body Language Mistakes
- Failure to make eye contact — 70 percent
- Failure to smile — 44 percent
- Bad posture — 35 percent
- Fidgeting too much in one's seat — 35 percent
- Playing with something on the table — 29 percent
- Handshake that is too weak — 27 percent
- Crossing one's arms over one's chest — 24 percent
- Playing with one's hair or touching one's face — 24 percent
Take it from us and employers around the United States, avoid these common mistakes. When you are interviewing, you need to be your best self – especially in the first 5-15 minutes. For coaching points, be sure to ask your recruiter to be direct and honest about ways you can improve on your interview game. As much as it may feel like a small bruise to the ego, being open to honest coaching points can deliver you into your new job.
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| LauferTrend |
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 This bad habit tops the list of common mistakes – eye contact.
70% of employers stated that lack of eye contact during an interview is one of the largest mistakes someone can make.
Whether you feel nervous, intimidated, or shy, look into your interviewers eyes to prove that you are confident and ready to take on the job that is up for grabs!
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| Referral Program |
The rules are simple. Tell everyone you know about Laufer and Associates and have them view our 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.
$100 Permanent Bonus– You are eligible for our $100 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.
$100 Temporary Bonus– You are eligible for our $100 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.
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 We love hearing feedback, stories, and suggestions from past and present candidates. Please email them to me at [email protected].
Cristin Skjegstad
Cristin Skjegstad
Communications & Marketing Manager
Laufer and Associates
109 State Street | Suite 401 | Boston, MA 02109
tel: 617-367-2800 | fax: 617-367-1600
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.lauferandassociates.net
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