Of course, the catch is that being prepared includes many things–it is never as simple as the title implies!

First, have a current resume.  You can get help putting together a resume at a local workforce center.  (I’ll write more about resumes in a future article.)

Second, know the position you are applying for.  If you are interviewing for a saw position, don’t say you prefer operating a press machine.

Third, be prepared to talk about yourself.  Know your job history and know your strengths and don’t be afraid to talk about them.

Fourth, never say anything negative.  If you are asked about your weaknesses, be prepared with something that is either not job related (eating too much fast food) or something that can be turned into a positive (you are organized to a fault which may bother some co-workers, but it works for you).

Fourth, again! Never say anything negative. Do NOT bad-mouth your previous employer; not your supervisor; not the equipment; not the hours or the pay, and definitely don’t have anything negative on your resume.

That’s it!  Be prepared and be positive.  If you have the qualifications for the job, you have just increased your chances of getting hired.

Why Temp?

Every business that has employees will find itself in need of a little extra help sometimes.  You might expect the need, such as an employee taking sick leave for a scheduled surgery or when you need extra hands for holidays, vacation, spikes in business or business expansion.  Or, you might be completely blindsided by the entire thing, such as when an employee is injured or someone walks off the job.

Temporary employees can work for a couple days, a few weeks or even months, depending on the situation, giving you flexibility to run your operation at a profit.  Using a temp for a short period of time makes everything less complicated and keeps things running smoothly while your regular employee is out of commission.

For those companies left in the lurch by an employee, using a temp gives you time to do an extensive search for the perfect employee with the specific skills and qualities you are looking for.

 Why an Agency?

You could probably find a temporary employee on your own, so why use a temp agency?  the reason is simple: EFFICIENCY.  Businesses don’t have time to look for someone to fill a temporary position.  In very large companies, it is quite possible to have several people on leaves of various types.  If you have more than 50 employees you can pretty much guarantee you will need a temp employee occasionally.  If you find your own temp and that person does not work our you have to start over.  If you use an agency, you call them and they replace the worker for you.

An agency keeps a full roster of potential employees.  All you need to do is specify the skills needed and the agency will save you time, energy and money when they:

• Screen
• Interview
• Check References
• Check for convictions
• Schedule drug tests (when appropriate)

With the detailed screening done ahead of time by the agency you may even encounter an employee so great that you decide to hire him or her permanently.

Another efficiency is that you do not have to do the temp employees’ payroll.  You don’t have the paperwork involved in hiring; you don’t have to check IDs or social security numbers.  You don’t have to give your HR Department added work for a short term employee and you don’t have to fix any errors on any pay checks or send out W-2s.  The list of forms you do not have to fill out goes on and on.
The true answer to the question “Why Use a Temp Agency?” is that is saves you money–what business wouldn’t like that!

Written by Parris Vitela, Sue Wilson and Brice Rhode

Many people don’t seem to realize that when you come in to complete an application that is the time you are making the first impression to that employer.  Some reasons for not getting past the application (no interviews and/or jobs) include bringing children or a significant other with you; talking on a cell phone; coming in dirty and/or in inappropriate clothing and eating while in an interview.

Most hiring managers see at least 50 applicants for each job opening and so have to “weed” through them very quickly.  If you bring someone else with you, it shows that you are not confident in your abilities.  If you bring children it says that you don’t have reliable child care so probably won’t be reliable on the job.

Cell phones are a plague on society in my opinion.  If you are on a phone call when you ask for an application and/or when you turn it in, you won’t get a job, period.  It tells me — and every other recruiter — that you are not seriously looking for work.  That may not be the case, but if your social life (phone calls) are more important than making a good first impression, you won’t get a job, period.

For some reason people don’t seem to see coming into a staffing agency as applying for a job, but it is.  If you have dirty clothes, torn clothes, your breath smells of booze or you haven’t combed your hair, you are making a bad impression.  You also don’t want to overdress.  If you come in looking for a construction job dressed in a suit and tie that could work against you also.  That looks like you dont’ want to get dirty so is inappropriate for the job you say you want.

I actually had an applicant bring fried chicken to an interview.  She apologized for not having had time to eat her lunch and get to her interview on time, and then she asked me to tell her about the job while she ate.  She didn’t get a job.

Sue Wilson

Human Resources Manager

Next month I’ll write about what to do to help make a great first impression.

Labor All
304 N Snelling
St Paul MN, 55104
(651) 917-5387

For directions and more information about our new office, visit our Labor All St Paul page at:

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http://labor-all.com/general-application/

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