Staffing Solutions of Hawaii

Why Flexible Hours Inspire Performance

2012-02-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

"What time do you want me to start work?" That's the question a new hire recently asked me. She looked a little startled by my reply. "I don't care."

But it was the truth. I didn't care—and I never have—what hours are kept by the people who work for me. You could say I'm the opposite of a control freak, in the sense that I have always resisted rules, for myself and for others. Why? Because once you have rules, you have to enforce them—and there's no more tedious task in life.

I'm relaxed about timekeeping in part because I had great bosses early in my broadcasting career. They didn't care about hours either. They trusted that, with a broadcast date in the schedule, any producer would work their socks off to make the best program on time—because that's how you advanced your career. Nobody ever said, "Wonderful timekeeping, shame about the show!" Read More.

Image compliments of inc.com.

Don't waste a minute tracking your employees' hours. They'll get more done.

5 Habits of Highly Successful Recruiters

2012-02-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

What makes a good recruiter great?

While everyone has a different opinion on what success really is (wealth? notoriety? the elusive work/life balance?), there are a few themes on what makes a recruiter a big success that keep popping up again and again. Here’s a quick look at what the successful recruiters do...

1. They track metrics.
At the end of the day, all that really counts is the number of job orders you fill. But it’s so interesting to look at all of the steps in between. What factors correlate with increased placements? Is it the number of cold calls you make per day? Is it sharing jobs with social networks? Successful recruiters know what numbers they need to hit on the way to their targeted number of placements. (p.s. want to measure your recruiting metrics, but don't know where to start? here's a great resource --> the metrics blue book.)

2. They adopt new technology quickly.
Part of closing a new client or gaining the trust of a hot candidate is always being available. And we are constantly evolving in how we are available to each other. Right now, tech-savvy recruiters are adapting to mobile recruiting in two ways:

a. Being accessible in mobile web browsers. People want to do everything from their smartphone. They want to shop, reserve a table for dinner tonight, and they want to search for jobs. So having a website that is accessible via a mobile device is a no-brainer.

b. Being accessible on the go. As a recruiter or account executive, you aren’t always tied to your desk. You’re out networking with people, facilitating interviews, and giving presentations. Having access to your ATS from your smartphone or tablet is a major part of being productive while you’re away from your desk.

3. They pick up the phone (see item #1)
If you’ve been tracking metrics, then you know that a certain amount of output yields a certain amount of input. Whether it’s cold calls or touching base with old clients and new connections, dialing out helps bring them in. Whether they use VOIP technology to slice through lengthy call lists faster, or dial the old-school way, successful recruiters are putting their time in on the phone.

4. They get there first.
Especially in high-volume contract staffing, the early bird gets the worm. Presenting a hot candidate means nothing if someone else has gotten there first. If speed isn’t your game, you may want to work on marketing your exclusivity agreement.

5. They move forward with purpose.
Whether you work a blended desk, or run a large firm, growth is always a goal, and making more money is always a goal. But it’s easy to burn out on the way to either of these goals without a core purpose.

Call it a value proposition, call it a mission statement, but your purpose defines why you come into work every day. It helps you to move past setbacks and disappointments, and helps to make your brand more enticing. And successful recruiters have a great purpose - to help companies grow by find them great talent.

What do you think? Do you find these habits present in all successful recruiters, or are they just myths?

Compliments of sendouts.com.

To Hire Well, Throw Away the Job Description

2012-02-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

The traditional way to hire is to decide what Mr. or Ms. Right is like and then go find the closest match. There's a better way.

If you want to innovate, you have to be willing to make mistakes. I take that as a given. In my new book Brilliant Mistakes, I chronicled scores of missteps and supposedly doomed experiments by the likes of the Wright Brothers, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling—all of which led to great breakthroughs.

But “brilliant mistakes” aren’t limited to iPods, science, and flying machines. They can also be useful in the curious mating ritual known as hiring new staff. The basic challenge in hiring, as in dating, is to find a suitable match efficiently in an ocean of possibilities. It’s all about knowing what you want – right? Well, only up to a point. Learn More.

Compliments of inc.com.

8 Things Your Employees Need Most

2012-02-15T09:41:00.000-08:00

Forget about raises and better benefits.

Those are important -- but this is what your staff really wants.

Pay is important. But pay only goes so far.

Getting a raise is like buying a bigger house; soon, more becomes the new normal. Higher wages won’t cause employees to automatically perform at a higher level. Commitment, work ethic, and motivation are not based on pay. To truly care about your business, your employees need these eight things—and they need them from you:

1. Freedom. Best practices can create excellence, but every task doesn't deserve a best practice or a micro-managed approach. (Yes, even you, fast food industry.)
Autonomy and latitude breed engagement and satisfaction. Latitude also breeds innovation. Even manufacturing and heavily process-oriented positions have room for different approaches.

Whenever possible, give your employees the freedom to work they way they work best.

2. Targets. Goals are fun. Everyone—yes, even you—is at least a little competitive, if only with themselves. Targets create a sense of purpose and add a little meaning to even the most repetitive tasks. Without a goal to shoot for, work is just work. And work sucks.

3. Mission. We all like to feel a part of something bigger. Striving to be worthy of words like "best" or "largest" or "fastest" or "highest quality" provides a sense of purpose. Let employees know what you want to achieve, for your business, for customers, and even your community. And if you can, let them create a few missions of their own. Caring starts with knowing what to care about—and why.

4. Expectations. While every job should include some degree of latitude, every job needs basic expectations regarding the way specific situations should be handled. Criticize an employee for expediting shipping today, even though last week that was the standard procedure if on-time delivery was in jeopardy, and you lose that employee

5. Input. Everyone wants to offer suggestions and ideas. Deny employees the opportunity to make suggestions, or shoot their ideas down without consideration, and you create robots.
Robots don't care. Make it easy for employees to offer suggestions. When an idea doesn't have merit, take the time to explain why. You can't implement every idea, but you can always make employees feel valued for their ideas.

6. Connection. Employees don’t want to work for a paycheck; they want to work with and for people.
A kind word, a short discussion about family, a brief check-in to see if they need anything... those individual moments are much more important than meetings or formal evaluations.

7. Consistency. Most people can deal with a boss who is demanding and quick to criticize... as long as he or she treats every employee the same. (Think of it as the Tom Coughlin effect.) While you should treat each employee differently, you must treat each employee fairly. (There's a big difference.)

The key to maintaining consistency is to communicate. The more employees understand why a decision was made the less likely they are to assume favoritism or unfair treatment.

8. Future. Every job should have the potential to lead to something more, either within or outside your company. For example, I worked at a manufacturing plant while I was in college. I had no real future with the company. Everyone understood I would only be there until I graduated.One day my boss said, "Let me show you how we set up our production board." I raised an eyebrow; why show me? He said, "Even though it won’t be here, some day, somewhere, you'll be in charge of production. You might as well start learning now."

Take the time to develop employees for jobs they someday hope to fill—even if those positions are outside your company. (How will you know what they hope to do? Try asking.) Employees will care about your business when you care about them first.

Article compliments of inc.com.

Happy Valentine's Day 2012

2012-02-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day

“Love is that condition in which the

happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

Robert A. Heinlein

From Staffing Solutions of Hawaii

Make a Great First Impression: 9 New Rules

2012-02-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

It takes more than a firm handshake to make a great first impression these days. Use these tips to make sure you're getting it right.

Basic business truths keep coming back in new ways. One of those truths is that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. We’ve been all told this since we were 2 years old. So why am I even talking about it? Because I see so many mistakes being made in this area on a regular basis. Some are old mistakes, but the new digital era also brings new mistakes.
Here are the new rules for making a great first impression.

Online Presence
It used to be that you made your first impression with a firm handshake, a smile and a pressed suit. Now your first impression precedes you–and it happens digitally.

Make certain your picture, profile and position are on your company website–as well as those of any people on your team you bring to a meeting.
Have a current and robust profile on LinkedIn. Almost one out of every two executives who are meeting with someone for the first time looks online prior to the meeting–and LinkedIn is one of the most frequently used platforms.
Restrict your non-friend Facebook access. There is no sense in letting your personal life drive your first professional impression, even if you think you have nothing to hide.

Your Team
The people who surround you are a clear part of your professional impression. Prospective partners and customers know that performance quality is driven by many people. Good teams create chemistry and confidence in the first impression.

Make sure your team understands all the same rules about grooming, handshakes, dress, smiles and eye contact that you follow. The first impression that your team makes is the first impression that you make.
Take the right number of people to a meeting. Base it on the number of people the other company is bringing. If you have too many from your side, you will make them feel overwhelmed; too few suggests a lack of understanding and respect. I like a 2:3 ratio–two of our side for every three of theirs.
Congruity is important. You don’t have to look, sound and act exactly alike. You do have to demonstrate some positive chemistry together.

Communication & Details
Because you are sending out so many first impressions before you connect face to face, you need to make certain you get all of the details right.

Emails: The agenda, appointment confirmation and logistics need to be managed well. Your emails need to have complete contact information–including names and titles for all attendees you are bringing.
Voicemails: Button down the details by making certain to leave the same information that you sent in your email on voicemail as well. You never know which communication technology someone prefers; they may only use one. Better to overcommunicate.
What to bring: Bring it all; bring it on paper and digital; and bring more copies than you think you need. That goes for collateral material, presentations and (if this is your thing) delightful parting gifts. Also, make certain everyone on your team brings his or her business cards.

As the world becomes digitally porous, the aperture of perception gets bigger–but our control over it gets smaller. Use these new rules to make your best first impression.
Article and image compliments of inc.com.

5 Ways to Reward Your All-Star Employees

2012-02-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

There's no such thing as too much employee recognition. Learn five ways to reward your team.

I hope you’ll agree with me after reading this post that there is no such thing as too much employee recognition. In fact, I would imagine that the average employee at most companies is starving for recognition of any type. Heck, most of them rarely see any feedback at all except for the “dreaded annual review,” but that’s a subject deserving of its own blog post.

Over the course of leading numerous organizations I’ve had the privilege of being a part of, our teams used personality testing to supplement our training of staff. For every type of role, 85 percent or more of the people tested replied that they would be much happier and would work harder if they were recognized for their efforts. This seemed like a no-brainer to me since most of my teachers—at every level of my education—used this strategy wisely.

If you’re familiar with The Carrot Principle, you probably remember reading about how beneficial employee recognition can be to a company’s bottom line. The authors described a study of 200,000 employees that revealed that employee recognition not only increased efficiency, but paid off significantly for the companies that effectively implemented them. In some cases, these companies’ return on equity and assets were as much as three times as higher than that of other companies.

So, why are so many leaders still neglecting this invaluable practice? I believe many do for various reasons. Here are a few that immediately come to mind:

That is precisely how they have seen it done time and time again in previous organizations.
Most leaders received so little recognition on a regular basis themselves that they have no idea how powerful it can be in growing and retaining staff.
It takes extra effort.

If you’re among the leaders within your organization, you may be able to initiate some change at your workplace. Start by sharing this list of five ways to boost employee recognition. I hope you and your co-workers will like them as much as our staff here at Slingshot SEO does!

Here goes…

Compliments of inc.com.

Despite Expected Hiring Gains, Rate of Job Growth Still Behind 2011

2012-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

The hiring outlook for February 2012 shows a net gain in employment in the manufacturing and service sectors, although the pace of job creation lags that of January 2011, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) survey for February 2012.

Hiring will be steady in both sectors in February. Forty percent of manufacturers responding to the survey report they will add jobs in February 2012; approximately 21 percent of service-sector companies responding report they will be hiring.

“Though we continue to see an overall positive rate of hiring for both sectors, the gains are not as strong compared to the same time last year,” said Jennifer Schramm, GPHR, SHRM manager of workplace trends and forecasting.

Human resource professionals in both sectors reported increased difficulty with recruiting key candidates in January 2012 compared with January 2011. In addition, some new hires will see increases in starting compensation offers.

The LINE Employment Report examines employers’ hiring expectations, recruiting difficulty and new-hire compensation, based on monthly survey responses from private-sector human resource professionals at more than 500 manufacturing- and 500 service-sector companies. Together, these two sectors employ more than 90 percent of the nation’s private-sector workers. Read More

Government Contracting: How Are Small Businesses Doing?

2012-02-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Small businesses who obtain government contracts know that the U.S. government is a desirable client. But how are small companies doing when it comes to landing federal contracts or subcontracts? American Express OPEN’s second annual government contracting survey of more than 700 active small government contractors found they are facing some challenges, partly because federal government contracting spending was down 14 percent in 2011 compared to 2010. Here’s what else the study found:

Small businesses are spending more trying to obtain federal contracts. Learn More.

Phrases for Performance Reviews and Other Difficult Conversations

2012-01-31T09:46:00.000-08:00

How to Speak So That Employees

Listen and Take Action

Employees need feedback. They want to know how they are doing and if they are meeting their manager’s expectations. Feedback is fun when you can offer praise and satisfaction. It is more challenging when you need to discuss improving performance.

Organizations hold a performance review to provide feedback, encourage employee development, and assess employee progress and contribution. Whether an employee is meeting and exceeding job expectations is a critical component of the performance review feedback.

A formal performance review challenges the manager’s communication skills because the employee understands that the performance review will affect his compensation. This can cause conflict and hurt feelings.

Regardless of how your organization practices performance feedback, when you need to hold a difficult conversation, these phrases and approaches will help. Read more on reviews.

Super Staffing Needs For The Super Bowl

2012-01-30T11:13:00.000-08:00

Taking a look at an interesting staffing article with the Super Bowl just around the corner, we wanted to share just how much of an impact this American tradition can have.

..............

Wanted: thousands of parking attendants, waiters and waitresses, hosts and hostesses, security guards, limousine chauffeurs, shuttle bus drivers, customer service assistants, babysitters, massage therapists and food service workers. Apply online, or in person, Super Bowl XLVI, Indianapolis, Indiana. Yes, able bodies, and staffing companies, are in high demand right now as Indianapolis businesses temporarily bulk up in preparation for the big game on February 5th at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Overall, the Super Bowl is expected to result in a total economic infusion of $384 million, according to projections by Michael Hicks, associate professor of economics at Ball State University. Although experts say it will have little impact on Indiana’s 8.7% unemployment rate, it will add $213 million in direct wages and 5,000 jobs. Learn More!

The Truth About Sleep & Productivity

2012-01-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

Arianna Huffington talks often about how the key to her productivity is sleep. It's a smart suggestion, not least because so many of us still imagine that the more we work, the more productive we are. For over a hundred years or more, this has been deemed nonsense.

The first productivity studies were conducted by Ernst Abbe at the Zeiss lens laboratories in the 1880s. They indicated what every other productivity study has shown since: that, up to around 40 hours a week, we're all pretty productive but, after that, we become less able to deliver reliable, cost-effective work. Why? Because when we get tired, we make mistakes—and the extra hours we put in are absorbed by correcting our errors. This is demonstrably true in industries like software coding, in which mistakes can cost a lot of time to put right. But it is equally true in manufacturing where more units of production also mean more flaws and waste. More Information.

2012 Book of Lists

2012-01-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

Having attended the 2012 launch party of Hawaii's Book of Lists, pictured are Staffing Solutions of Hawaii Contract Specialist Cassie Townsend, President Lisa Truong Kracher, Board of Directors Mary Pattee and Staffing Manager Alyson Emde.

Job Quest 2012

2012-01-25T17:44:00.000-08:00

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii participates in annual Honolulu, Hawaii Job Quest 2012.

Pictured are (left) Staffing Coordinator Berneta Asato and (right) Contract Specialist Cassie Townsend.

Tips for hiring the best of the best.

2012-01-25T17:37:00.001-08:00

How to hire like Warren Buffett...

Warren Buffett has said that when he is looking at his leaders for companies, he evaluates three categories of characteristics:

-- Intelligence
-- Energy
-- Integrity

His fundamental belief is that if a person has 2 of these, the lack of the third can kill a business. Do the fast math on the negative side of the equation:

-- Low integrity, high energy and high intelligence and you have a smart, fast-moving thief.

-- Low energy, high intelligence and integrity and you have a shop keeper, not an engine of growth

-- Low intelligence, high energy and integrity and you have strong functionary, but not a great problem solver or visionary

As you look at potential hires, how are you assessing these three categories of characteristics? Behavioral questions are good and standardized tests can be insightful. I like both and use both in my selection processes. In addition, I like exercises and assignments in interviews to provide a clearer picture. Here are some ideas to consider adding to your selection process: Learn More

2012: Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year

From Staffing Solutions of Hawaii

Year of the Dragon

Image compliments of Google.com.

Hire the "Best Fit" for your next job opening

2012-01-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

When you have employment cutbacks, and as a result, have less people on your team, everyone’s contribution becomes even more important. This is why it is critical to take the time to select the “best fit” when you finally have a job opening on your team and are hiring a new employee.

We’ve learned from experience that when you hire someone who is obviously not a good fit for the job or the organization, telling the person early on, saves time, frustration, etc., on everyone’s part. When the situation is not so obvious however, it can be quite uncomfortable. Even though each party may eventually come to the same conclusion, both parties may make great attempts to make it work, investing more time, more pain, etc.

My intention is not to be discouraging, but instead to be encouraging. Selecting a candidate who is a “best fit” is a skill that can be learned. With just a few shifts in your interviewing process, you can improve the way you select talent and ultimately enhance the productivity and cohesiveness of your team. 3 Steps to "Best Fit".

How to Find the Right Employee for Your New Business

2012-01-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

The right employee can be the difference between a productive business and a failure. A hard worker may not be able to fulfill all of your needs. You need to be sure of the tasks required by the position you're hiring for to create a list of requirements that your employee must fulfill. It's important to take the time up front and hire a person who will be an asset to your company in the long-term. Read more.

Image compliments of Google.

Career Resolutions: How to Negotiate a Raise

2012-01-18T08:32:00.000-08:00

As you set career goals for 2012, a raise might be on your list. After all, the economy is slowly recovering, unemployment is ticking down and your employer is likely in a better financial position than in the last year or three.

But before you go into your boss's office demanding more money, take the time to lay the groundwork for a successful conversation. This means researching the typical compensation and salary path for your industry, company, and job position. Most important, understand exactly what results your boss expects of you, so you can demonstrate that you've exceeded them.

"The framework of the conversation shouldn't be, 'this is what I want; I want a raise,' it should be, 'I know what the company wants of me: x, y and z, and I've done it,' " says Peter Handal, chairman and chief executive officer of Dale Carnegie Training. Learn More.

Image compliments of Google.

What should you look for in a new job?

2012-01-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

Few people are exactly alike when determining what makes them happy at work, but there are some key drivers of job satisfaction.

"Having performed countless exit interviews and evaluated job satisfaction criteria from a variety of employee surveys, I've found that there are a number of common factors that are important to employees, especially happiness and a sense of well-being at work," notes Rich Lakis, a human resources professional with more than 25 years experience.

Before making a leap into a new job, Lakis suggests you consider each of the following areas and ask these tough questions of yourself and your potential employer. Read more about looking for a new job.

Photo compliments of the Chicago Tribune.

Ready, Set, Hire!

2012-01-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

Dennis Padgett knows he's in a coveted position for these troubled economic times.

In the next few months, he'll be hiring 200 people for a new research and development facility.
His employer, Cobb-Vantress Inc., a poultry breeder based in Siloam Springs, Ark., is building a $19 million pedigree breeding complex in Deer Lodge, Tenn. Last year, the company opened a $14 million state-of-the-art hatchery in that state.

Despite the economic downturn, "We're doing fairly well," says Padgett, GPHR, director of world human resources at Cobb-Vantress.

While some industries have been hit harder by the recession than others, Padgett says the role he plays gives his employer a leg up. The expansion has, in turn, enabled it to create jobs and offer welcome news to citizens of struggling localities where new facilities are located.

He encourages innovation among 1,400 employees in eight states—and 2,500 employees globally—and nurtures relationships with universities and even high schools to ensure that a healthy crop of students pursue agriculture careers to fill future jobs in hatcheries and research labs.

"I report to the president, so HR is definitely involved in our strategic planning—and part of that planning process is determining what human capital we are going to need," Padgett says.
Open dialogue among executive-level leaders promotes growth: "It's all about moving our company forward," he says.

In this election year, the nation's high unemployment rate remains a hot debate. However, while politicians wrangle over how to create jobs, HR professionals are doing their part to put more Americans to work. They are:

Questions? Ask a SSOH Client

2012-01-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

How would you rate Staffing Solutions of Hawaii?

I rate Staffing Solutions of Hawaii as a – 5 – being superior for their associates meeting my company’s standard and has satisfied our staffing needs. In addition to regularly checking on the performances of SSOH associates placed at our company; in the past year Staffing Solutions of Hawaii’s services have improved. General comments about their staffing team are that I receive great service, their always timely and attentive to their clients needs. The staffing team at Staffing Solutions of Hawaii thoroughly understands my staffing needs and submits candidates that meet the job requirements. And finally when I call their office, my call is handled efficiently and professionally.

Richard Fonseca

AFLAC

Honolulu, Hawaii

Hiring Outlook for 2012 Remains Cautiously Optimistic

2012-01-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

Survey Reveals 4 Employment Trends to Watch in the New Year

CHICAGO, Dec. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Employers expect to add new jobs in the New Year, but are waiting to see how the economy shapes up before turning up the volume on hiring, according to CareerBuilder's annual job forecast. Nearly one-in-four hiring managers plan to hire full-time, permanent employees in 2012, similar to 2011. Employment trends among small businesses, which account for the majority of job creation in the U.S., are expected to show some improvement over last year. The nationwide survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive© from November 9 to December 5, 2011, included more than 3,000 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes.

"Historically, our surveys have shown that employers are more conservative in their predictions than actual hiring," said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. "Barring any major economic upsets, we expect 2012 to bring a better hiring picture than 2011, especially in the second half of the year. Many companies have been operating lean and have already pushed productivity limits. We're likely to see gradual improvements in hiring across categories as companies respond to increased market demands." Read More

Can You Get an Elephant Into a Refrigerator?

2012-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Listed below features an interesting article for tough and random interviewing questions.

Think that’s an odd question? How about this one: What do you think of garden gnomes? Glassdoor has 23 more questions just like those, compiled from thousands of interview questions posted to the employer review site during the last year by job seekers, some charmed, others perplexed, and some completely flummoxed by these kinds of oddball questions.

Pity the poor job seeker who did just what all the advice books and columnists advise — researched the company, read up on the industry, prepared for the inevitable “Tell me about your weaknesses” — only to be asked, “Please spell diverticulitis.” Learn More!

Image compliments of Google.com

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii: Holiday Hours

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

In observation of the holiday, Staffing Solutions of Hawaii will be closed on Monday, January 2nd. We will resume business at our normal hours beginning on Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:30am.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

Questions? Ask a SSOH Employee

2011-12-30T12:26:00.000-08:00

What advice can you provide for someone interested in becoming a SSOH employee?

I have worked with/for Staffing Solutions of Hawaii off and on for over 13 years now. When I first approached the agency, it was still a franchise of Remedy Intelligent Staffing. At the time, I was fresh off of a 7-year stint as a convenience retail manager, and had not a clue of what I wanted to do next. Thanks to the very first assignment I had with SSOH I discovered that I had a real knack for working in the medical/health insurance field. That eventually prompted me to return to school to earn my A.A.S. in Medical Office Administration at Heald College Honolulu. I'm now working on a second A.A.S. in Health Information Technology, again at the Honolulu campus of Heald College.

I've had several long-term assignments with SSOH that have turned into permanent placements, and each of those jobs has added to my knowledge and my marketability. And, when the time has come to shift gears and try something new, SSOH has always - ALWAYS - been willing and able to put me back to work.

I think the best advice I can give someone considering working as a temp with SSOH would include the following pointers: a) stay in regular contact with your Staffing Coordinator; b) give honest feedback about your current assignment (in a positive fashion) to your SC; c) be willing to receive feedback from your SC, even if it's in the form of "constructive criticism"; d) always start and end your daily duties on time; e) be positive and flexible; f) remember that your SC is there to make sure that you have everything that you need to do well on an assignment, and to help you improve your skills; s/he is your lifeline!

Miriam E.

Honolulu, HI

How to Break Into a Career in Human Resources

2011-12-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

Many people are eager to start a career in Human Resources, as it is a fast-growing field with many lucrative opportunities. Career analysts expect the number of HR jobs to increase in the projected future and the median annual income is above the national average. For these reasons and more, you are probably wondering how to start an HR career of your own. You will find some useful information below that will guide you through the process.

Education and Training for a Human Resources Career

There are HR professionals with a wide variety of educational backgrounds. However, many HR positions require candidates with a minimum of a four-year degree. A bachelor's degree in human resources, personnel or some other related subject will offer the best training for an HR career. Such a degree will also be more highly regarded amongst hiring managers. Still interested? Read more about jobs in HR.

Image compliments of Google.com.

Human Resources Management Employment

2011-12-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

Looking for basic information about Human Resources employment? Want to know what the Human Resources Department does? Thinking about a career in Human Resources? Are you interested in what Human Resources employees do and what their job titles mean? Looking for Human Resources employment? Is a job in Human Resources your dream? Here are all the basics, the fundamentals about Human Resources employment that you want and need to know.

What is Human Resources? Want to know about Human Resources? Are you interested in understanding Human Resources as a function in an organization and potentially working in Human Resources employment? Need all of the basic information about Human Resources management, job functions, and the role of Human Resources and several HR functions, and the HR department within a company? You've found the basics here.

Image compliments of Google.com

Job Interview Tips: How to Interview Potential Employees

2011-12-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

Want job interview tips to help you select employees? These job interview tips will help you assess the skills, experience, and cultural fit of your potential employee. The job interview is a powerful factor in the employee selection process in most organizations. While the job interview may not deserve all of the attention that it receives, the job interview is still a powerful force in hiring.

Background checking and checking references are also key factors in your hiring decisions. Hopefully, you have added these checks of factual information to your hiring decisions, too. But the job interview remains the key tool in assessing the candidate's cultural fit. The job interview remains the tool you can use to get to know your candidate on a more personal basis. The job interview process helps other employees own the new employee when he or she joins your organization. Use these job interview tips to help your team select superior employees. Additional Information

Image compliments og Google.com

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii: Holiday Hours

2011-12-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

In observation of the holiday, Staffing Solutions of Hawaii will be closed on Monday, December 26^th. We will resume business at our normal hours beginning on Tuesday, December 27^th at 7:30am.

Mele Kalikimaka

Image compliments of Google.com

Mele Kalikimaka 2011

2011-12-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

Mele Kalikimaka

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii

8 Ways To A Healthier Workday

2011-12-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Work can consume the better part of your day, no matter if you work in an office or at home. With so many pressures and responsibilities related to our jobs or businesses, it is easy to forget that work can be challenging to our mental and physical health. But, it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you can be healthier while you work, and healthier overall.

1. Take breaks
Taking a break is essential during the work day. Find time to step away from the computer or desk once or twice during the day. Working continually can actually hinder your overall ability to stay on task and complete tasks well. Taking a break can help refresh the mind and body and help you pull through the rest of the day. Learn More.

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6 Steps Successful People Take

2011-12-21T12:59:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what makes people successful? I’d be surprised if you answered no. I have yet to meet a person that doesn't wonder what it takes to be a big-time success.

What is so different for successful people? How did they get where they are? Why are you where you are in your life? It’s easier and more comfortable to believe that success just happens to some people. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Read More.

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Employee Performance Review Tips

2011-12-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in what will make your performance reviews effective and motivating? I've pulled together my ten best ideas from participating in and observing performance reviews throughout my career.

Performance reviews are not inherently bad - and done well - can help you create a motivational, rewarding work environment. Done poorly, performance reviews are disheartening and damaging for both the manager and the employee. Learn More.

Image compliments of Google.com.

Gift Your Boss or Coworker?

2011-12-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

Holiday shopping for your boss or a really valued coworker is a challenge. You know the work side of their world, but you may be unfamiliar with their homes, hobbies, or interests.

Even when you are familiar with these aspects of their personal lives, you may be uncomfortable buying them items of a personal nature. Yet, you want to remember them and let them know that they participate in your work world in a meaningful way. (Read More)

Pearl Harbor - 70 Years Ago

2011-12-07T17:17:00.001-08:00

Pearl Harbor 70 years ago changed the face of America.

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii would like to especially thank all the WWII Veterans and their families for the sacrifices made.

SHRM's 2012 HR Trendbook

2011-12-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Feels Like Recession, But ...

Though economists say we are now well into our third year of recovery from the 2007-09 recession, high rates of unemployment, continued economic uncertainty, volatile markets and debt-burdened national economies have made many around the world feel like the Great Recession never ended. These factors are prompting many leading forecasting bodies to readjust their views of what lies ahead in 2012. Most predictions are less optimistic now than they were when 2011 began.

Read more.

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Questions? Ask a SSOH Recruiter

2011-12-02T17:18:00.001-08:00

When screening through resumes, what do you look for?

When screening through resumes, there are several key components that a resume should include. Key point #1: It is very important one showcases that they are a self-motivated individual that is currently active and can offer an abundance of skill sets/talents/experience to the company they are applying to. Key point #2: Do your homework! Know who you are applying to and tailor your resume to fit the job description provided along with examples of previous experiences where you have applied these skills and been successful with the results!

Key point #3: Whether you highlight your longevity at your current company, following through with higher education, or volunteering while actively looking for employment, it is crucial that one demonstrates initiative and unswerving persistence and that this is showcased in their resume! If there is a gap in history, explain the reasoning for it and highlight your productivity within that timeframe.

Honolulu, HI 96814

(P) 808-949-3669 (F) 808-949-4022

http://www.staffingsolutionsofhawaii.com/

Celena Kamimura

Staffing Coordinator

1357 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 810

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

From our family to yours,

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i

Happy Thanksgiving

SSOH Announces Employee of the Year

2011-11-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

Employee of the Year

We are proud of our expert employees working at Staffing Solutions. Each year, we honor one of our employees with our prestigious Associate of the Year designation. SSOH’s staffing team looks for someone who has displayed ongoing, outstanding Attitude, Dedication, Responsibility, and Growth.

2011 Employee of the Year, Edward Paz
Edward Paz has been an outstanding Staffing Solutions of Hawaii employee since September 2010. Ed quickly stood out as a person having exceptional work values and ethics throughout completing numerous temporary assignments and getting positive performance feedback from all of his managers. His easy going personality and determination to excel in any given assignment proved he was more than an average job seeker; he was looking to make a difference within our clients’ companies. As a financial accounting specialists, Edward’s background includes over 15 years of experience working with accounting, audit, project management, financial reporting and security. His experience has provided him with a skill set for sound supervisory, information technology and project management skills.

In October 2011, Ed was offered a permanent position as a Systems Administrator at a major healthcare organization. He received excellent client performance evaluations including productivity, attitude and ability to learn new tasks. His long standing record for reliability and dependable attendance combined with his dedication to see tasks completed are true testaments to why Edward has been chosen as Staffing Solutions of Hawaii’s 2011 Employee of the Year.

Edward's comments about SSOH:
"I began working for SSOH in September 2010 on a temporary accounting assignment for a major healthcare organization. From the first day I met the staff my experience has been the most positive, rewarding experience I have every encountered with any professional staffing or recruiting firm nationwide. The single most impressive quality that I will always remember about the staff of SSOH is their commitment to integrity. Simply stated, they have always done what they say they are going to do. When they committed to get back to me, they always followed through on their commitments. I quickly learned I could count on each and every member of the staff to provide a consistent level of high-quality service, which I still find refreshing.

I feel very fortunate, since joining SSOH, to have been consistently employed with quality organizations. I recently achieved my goal of obtaining a permanent job utilizing both my information technology and financial accounting skills. However, I know being consistently employed and achieving my goals are a direct result of the dedicated, positive-minded staff of SSOH who believed in me and aggressively pursued opportunities that were a great fit for my skill set. I honestly believe you will not find a more effective organization to assist you in your job search. I will continue to recommend SSOH over any other professional staffing firm to anyone I meet in the job market. I wish all my Ohana members working for SSOH best wishes in their careers."

Employee Job Satisfaction

2011-11-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

The external forces influencing employee attitudes

Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) has released its annual “Employee Job Satisfaction Survey”. Rounding out the top five key factors that keep employees happy is (1) Job Security (2) Opportunity to Use Skills and Abilities (3) Organization’s Financial Stability (4) Relations with their Immediate Supervisor (5) Compensation/Pay. The survey results look at ‘Top employee job satisfaction factors” to “External forces influencing job satisfaction”. Provided in Figure 1, the survey lines out fourteen key aspects for employees to be happy and satisfied with their jobs and the organization they work for.

Rounding out the survey, SHRM highlights how the rising cost of healthcare has become an issue for employees with their lack of wage increases. The survey provides an insight into how Human Recourse departments can help take action within the control of the company to assist their employees and keep the company’s moral at a satisfied level.

Learn more about the survey by reading the most recent publication: Workplace Visions.

Questions? Ask a SSOH Recruiter

2011-11-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

What makes SSOH a step above the rest?

What makes Staffing Solutions of Hawaii a step above the rest is definitely the close knit team work. We use that to our advantage of staying on point with our clients’ needs as well as our candidates. It is in our best interest to work together to insure that we are meeting expectations. We also take the time to build trust as well as lasting relationships. We believe that shows through our success so far!

Samantha Tolentino

Human Resource Coordinator

1357 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 810

Honolulu, HI 96814

(P) 808-949-3669 (F) 808-949-4022

http://www.staffingsolutionsofhawaii.com/

SSOH Employee Testimonial

2011-11-15T10:26:00.000-08:00

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii *Hot* Commodity Employee

Frank B.

Waipahu, HI

Since recently moving to Hawai'i from California, I have been relentlessly searching for job opportunities and unfortunately resulting in just dead end leads. BUT I've finally found a resource that provides the quality and efficient professionalism needed especially during these economic times for Hawai'i job seekers. Staffing Solutions of Hawaii has already referred me over four job positions, thus increasing my job search opportunities, confidence & success rate! In addition, I have the peace of mind knowing that Staffing Solutions of Hawaii works just as hard for me, as I do for my own career. Thank you for ALL the hard work & opportunities that you provide!

See other testimonials on Yelp and Google Comments.

Questions? Ask a SSOH Recruiter

2011-11-08T17:15:00.001-08:00

What makes an impressive resume?

Less is more! When putting together your resume this motto is very important. A resume that is detailed and to the point will get more positive attention that one with pictures and fancy borders. For each position listed on your resume be sure to include 3-4 bullet points that highlight your duties in that role. Hiring managers compare what you have done in the past with the position they are recruiting for.

Cassie Townsend

Staffing Coordinator

1357 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 810

Honolulu, HI 96814

(P) 808-949-3669 (F) 808-949-4022

http://www.staffingsolutionsofhawaii.com/

How To Find A Job During A Recession

2011-11-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

How To Find A Job During A Recession

Questions? Ask a SSOH Recruiter

2011-11-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

What are 3 keys factors to landing an interview?

Three keys to landing an interview are to ensure that you have a well-polished resume detailing not only your duties but also accomplishments, an “attention” grabbing cover letter, and follow up after the resume has been submitted. Follow up is key as it shows that you are really interested in their job opening and not just submitting your resume to any position.

Alyson Emde

Staffing Manager

1357 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 810

Honolulu, HI 96814

P: (808) 949-3669 F: (808) 949-4022

www.StaffingSolutionsofHawaii.com

Staffing Solutions of Hawaii

2011-11-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Employment and Staffing Solutions

Looking for employment? Looking for employees? For more than 20 years, Staffing Solutions of Hawaii has been the solution that connects people to jobs. Staffing Solutions of Hawaii is your one-stop resource for jobs available in Honolulu and throughout Oahu. Not only do we post jobs awaiting qualified candidates, but we also work directly with employers to match candidates with jobs.

Finding the right employee can be an overwhelming task. With Staffing Solutions of Hawaii, we focus within candidates’ areas of expertise to provide the employers with superior results (Temporary, Temporary-to-Hire, and Direct Hire). For the active Job Seekers, our staffing team will help assist you in finding the job you've been looking for based on your background and desires.