The EPG Connection

Emerson Personnel is proud to announce that our August 2009 employee of the month was Lorraine Conlin. Lorraine registered with Emerson Personnel Group in May looking for either temporary or temporary to permanent office employment.  We were able to send Lorraine out that same month on a long term temporary position in Pennsauken.  Lorraine is still working with our client to this day~ Lorraine is enjoying her position very much and our client is just as pleased!!  Congratulations Lorraine!

Congratulations to our July 2009 employee of the month, Michelle Williamson.  Michelle registered with Emerson Personnel Group in March of 2009.  Her computer software and keyboarding scores were superb. We immediately placed Michelle with one of our Center City Philadelphia clients in April of 2009 and she is still there!  Our client is extremely pleased with Michelle.  Thank you, Michelle, for a job well done!

Congratulations to our June, 2009 employee of the month, Kimberley Murray.  Kim registered with Emerson Personnel looking for administrative work on either a temp or direct hire basis. She tested wonderfully on our software evaluations and presented herself very professionally.  We were happy to send Kim to one of our best clients.  Following is what this client said about Kim. “I wanted to tell you just how much Kim Murray was fabulous.  She was very thorough, pleasant and a joy to work with.  I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”   Kim is now working on a maternity leave for Emerson Personnel and she has made another client very happy!  Congratulations Kim!!

By Denise Kersten, USATODAY.com As the jobless rate continues to rise, few are exempt from layoff jitters. Downsizing, re-organization, a shift in strategy — whatever you want to call it — can make going to work seem like a game of musical chairs. But there are some proactive measures you can take to ensure you’re not left standing at the end of the round. Companies rarely select employees for layoffs randomly.Performance is the number one factor employers use to determine who to shed and who to hang onto, according to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Other major considerations: job function and skills. Unlike length of tenure with your company, these are areas where you can exercise some control by making yourself indispensable. No plan of attack is layoff-proof, but the sooner you start your offensive, the greater your odds will be.

“You can’t just turn the switch on and say, ‘Okay, I’ll be good now,’” warns Debra Cohen, Director of Research at SHRM. What you can do is start working right now to convince your boss that the company can’t afford to lose you. Here’s how:

Keep Your Chin Up
“When word starts getting out [that there will be layoffs], people tend to feel less motivated to help the company,” says Chris Jones, owner of PoliTemps, a staffing agency in Washington, D.C. But as bad news circulates, it becomes more important than ever to resist a workplace slump in performance.

Managers are looking for people willing to tackle extra responsibilities after staff reductions. Pitching in and working beyond your job description shows you’re competent, efficient and flexible.

Find a Safe Haven
Look around you. See any new faces? If so, you may want to join them. Many companies hire in areas that are bringing in revenue while they trim staff in departments that aren’t meeting the bottom line.

“Try to migrate to the area of the company where there’s growth,” says Richard Bayer, Chief Operating Officer of the Five O’Clock Club, a career counseling and outplacement firm. If you can identify the organization’s prioritized operations you may be able to follow the company resources to a safe zone. To anticipate the company’s shifting directions, track industry trends, talk to the firm’s leaders about their goals, sit in on meetings and read about the company. Of course, simply locating safer waters isn’t enough.

“Take a look at where the organization does have needs, and determine if you have some talent or skill that they could use,” Cohen says. To get the ball rolling, ask questions about new initiatives, discuss your related skills or experience and volunteer your extra time.

Brush Up
Sharpening your skills could also save you. “Once the axe is falling it can be too late. Before that time, if you see trouble on the horizon, make sure your skills are on the cutting edge,” says Bayer. Enhance your expertise by taking classes at night, utilizing on-the-job training opportunities or volunteering for new projects. Joining professional associations can also keep you current. Plus, it’s great for networking — in case your preemptive strike fails to protect your position.

Create Buzz
“You have to manage your internal PR,” Bayer says. “Take control of the way people see you.” Consider this scenario: You meet the head honcho in the elevator and he or she politely asks how things are going. What do you say? ‘Fine’ is the wrong answer. Instead, use the opportunity to mention a project you’re working on or a recent accomplishment. Don’t talk the boss’s ear off, but exude enthusiasm and give them a concrete reason to remember who you are.

“Project an image of someone who’s up-to-date in their career,” Bayer says. “You’re respected in your profession. You’re a member of associations. You bring outside information into the company. You’re a person who takes initiative.”

Behave Yourself
Managers may use layoffs to rid themselves of staff with personality problems — those with whom they have conflicts, or who have trouble getting along with others. Don’t remake your entire personality, but pay extra attention to your workplace manner. Remember the basics: “Try to be collegial, don’t take credit for other people’s work and be known as someone who supports other people,” Bayer says. And most importantly, amid layoff pressure and stress, keep your temper in check.

presented by Dynamic Resumes
www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comHow do you calculate what you NEED when you negotiate salary? And what do you SAY in response to the salary question? Back in my recruiting days, I would sometimes hear candidates tell me that they figured out that they NEED to make $X dollars in their next job. But to be brutally and completely honest, I know for a fact that the employers do not CARE what you “need” to make. In general, it is not that they are heartless…but they do have a different point of view. It is a business point of you and you NEED to understand this if you are going to negotiate effectively for a position.

When employers hear candidates describe what they NEED, it is a real turn-off. The candidate has not addressed the items that the employer cares about. In order to successfully close an offer, you must address the employer’s needs and what they care about. What does the employer care about? They care that they have found someone who is good at what they do, that the candidate is going to help them (with efficiency, professionalism, product development, customer service, etc.) to impact the bottom line in some way. They care that the individual is a good “fit” with others in the department, that they are on board with the company culture, and that the salary offered will be within their budget and within the range of what the position can pay.

What if their range does not match your NEEDS? After all, we really do have NEEDS, right? And you certainly must calculate your needs to know if a job is worthwhile for you to accept. But do yourself a favor - keep that information to yourself, please! What should you do? First, figure out if you want the job and if you want to work for that company. If so, find out what their range is, research market pricing for comparable positions in that geographic area (try www.salary.com), and yes, of course, calculate your true NEEDS, not just your wants. Use the knowledge of what you can DO for the employer to show your value and give them compelling reasons to WANT you. Keep in mind that salary is one portion of a total compensation package. Where are you willing to be flexible? If the salary is not the best, maybe you can get more vacation time, a better health package, a better pension plan, a car allowance, a sign-on bonus, etc. Think outside the box people! And, if you have given the employer those compelling reasons to WANT you, you never know what creative options they will come up with to be sure that you will say yes to them!

presented by Dynamic Resumes
www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comWe just cleared Labor Day weekend and suddenly the signs of fall are all around - the weather has become cooler, leaves are already falling, and displays at the mall are clearly reflecting a new season. It’s as if everything around us is in “update” mode, even Mother Nature. Though we may not want to say good-bye to summer, seeing the transformation is truly refreshing. The changes invigorate and energize. Things are fresh and different. We sit up and take notice of the updates. Sometimes, we can’t quite put our finger on what is different, but we feel a change around us and our senses are enlivened…we are attracted to it…we turn our head to do a double take.

So the question is – where do you stand in this update season? Have you “refreshed” yourself? Are you in update mode so that others – particularly employers – will sit up and take notice of you? In this highly competitive time during a difficult economy, don’t we all want employers to be attracted to us as candidates? To do that double-take? Here are some ideas to “update for fall”:

Professional Involvement – Be sure you are participating in professional associations in your field. Contribute to your profession, perhaps by serving on boards or committees to share your expertise. Read industry journals to be informed.

Seminars and Training - Attend seminars or courses to stay current with new trends and skills.

LinkedIn Review your LinkedIn site to be sure everything is up to date and that you are maximizing its potential. Check your profile to see that it is exuding your brand.

Career Management – Evaluate the current status of your career. Review your current goals. Craft a plan for how to get there.

Resume – Ensure that your resume is current. Review it to see that it is targeted and market-focused. See that it reflects your value to employers. Powerfully illustrate your unique accomplishments.

Network – Keep in touch with your network. Serve as a resource to those you can help.

Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook – Use social networking on the web to reach out to others. Be sure messages convey the right image and that you would not mind a potential employer seeing what is there.

Image – Don’t be offended by this one but… have you taken a critical look in the mirror? Do you look a little outdated? Maybe you could use a lift through a new hairstyle or clothing. Or perhaps, a new exercise routine could give you a fresh glow.

Good news - the local recruiters I know are saying that job orders are increasing (hooray!). So invest time to update “you”. You will feel more confident and will project a cutting edge impression that will turn those heads!