Demand for temporary workers : Think outside the box

According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, the demand for temporary staff rose from 28% in 2009 to 36% in 2012. The need for flexible staff will only increase and industries which have always relied on temporary workers, such as the events and catering, must now compete with business sectors that historically have not tapped into temporary resources.

Beyond the rising demand for temporary employees, companies are also dealing with a skills gap issue across the board. 12 million Americans are still out of work and hiring managers are reviewing resumes and speaking with individuals who do not have the skills to succeed in their business. For example, manufacturing is becoming an industry of technology not just labor and many workers with previous experience in industrial settings don’t have the training to keep up with advances in the field.

Staffing companies are in a unique position in today’s workplace as their very product is qualified and vetted employees. In order to answer the demands of their clients they need to have an existing pool of candidates available for any potential upcoming needs. This often means that many exceptional employees are not able to be placed on assignments as the needs of the clients don’t match the qualifications of the employee. Staff is an art reliant on timing. A temporary staffing service doesn’t earn money on a candidate who never goes to work and it is not to their advantage to actively keep someone from working an assignment.

Some candidates prefer to wait for a long term or permanent position to become available before accepting an assignment, however often times short term projects become larger, long term assignments and can even lead to a permanent hire.

What if there was a way to market your "hot and ready" talent for short term tasks, cost effectively and efficiently?

NextCrew is a private labeled web based platform which allows companies to offer their temporary workforce to their clients for short term jobs as they become available. Clients can post job orders online and once approved, NextCrew can automatically notify their workforce that work is available. Once a candidate shows interest in the opportunity the staffing administrator can review their profile and confirm them for the job.

NextCrew also allows administrator to share standardized candidate profile with their client directly through the website. Standardized profile provides information about the candidate’s experience, licenses, work-history as well as their location and availability.

NextCrew provides a quickest way for you to find next available talent based on their location, skill and availability. NextCrew.com is an innovative online solution allowing you to efficiently manage communication and management of your workforce. By consolidating the different aspects of selecting workers, managing shifts, and communicating in a simple and easy-to-use website, NextCrew streamlines temporary staffing on a whole different level.

This is the service that temporary staffing industry has been waiting for. It can streamline the placement process for short term positions. Rather than calling hundreds of employees to fill dozens of positions a simple command can send a communication to all available candidates. This tool can also be used to effectively market talent to clients at an affordable cost and is very easy to use. NextCrew may be the best investment you make this year.

8 ways to manage your temporary workforce efficiently

Workforce administrators are often looking for the best ways to improve workforce management. When your business makes frequent use of contingent staffing it is important to understand how proper management makes process efficient

Workforce Management doesn’t have to overwhelm the daily duties of workforce administrators.. A web based system can cut down on administrative costs significantly while allowing your organization to scale and manage workforce effectively.

Based on the recent survey conducted on LinkedIn by a business club in Chicago, 33% of companies spend more than $5,000 per month to manage their employees.

Also, finding replacements for the last minute cancellation or no show is considered as one of the most time-consuming and/or frustrating aspect of managing a workforce.

 

There are 8 different ways you can manage your workforce effectively and efficiently.

1. Allow your staff to access and update their own information. The data entry and consistent updating of staff information can cost managers valuable time. By using an online self-service portal, your workforce can update their own contact information, skills, licenses, credentials, education and work history information. This can become quite valuable as you are matching candidates to opportunities.

2. Know staff location, skill and availability. The three most valuable facts to know about staff are where the employee is located, what skills they offer and whether or not they are available for work. By utilizing a system which contains such information about each employee you can streamline the process of finding the best employee for each job request.

3. Manage client job orders efficiently. At any given time a company may have dozens of job requirements which need placements. A real-time dashboard indicating confirmed and open jobs as well as quickly identifying who is working where is very critical.

4. Automate job alerts and reminders. People do forget their work schedule especially for short term jobs. Reminders are very important. Automated reminders keep your staff on track and clients happy with least amount of work.

5. Integrated time keeping and payroll. With a web based workforce management solution, your time spent calculating actual hours by your staff and processing payroll may be a thing of the past. Allow staff member to submit their hours online and integrate information with your payroll after review and approval.

6. Give staff access to their work schedule. Every temporary staffing recruiter has dealt with the nightmare of a staff member who was confused about the specifics of the job and didn’t show up. Once the damage is done the client needs a replacement and the employee is not likely to be considered for future opportunities. By allowing each staff access to their own schedules and the ability to apply for additional opportunities the communication breakdown may be solved.

7. Use best methods of communication. Each of your staff members may prefer a different form of contact method. Allow employees to setup their own communication method preference; either email and/or SMS so each candidate receives the type of communication that works best for their lifestyle. It shows each employee that you respect their requests and are able to comply.

8. Track staff performance for future positions. After each completed assignment, track staff performance. By analyzing past performance you can better understand how your workforce will handle future projects.

Are you thinking about an integrated solution to streamline your workforce management?
Consider all of the features offered with NextCrew and contact us today for more information!  

 

Who Moved My Cheese? The Changing Face of the Staffing Industry

Change is constant and the staffing industry certainly holds no exception. How we manage the hiring process - from top to bottom - has shifted dramatically in recent years, but many of the fundamental rules still remain. It's all about finding the right talent at the right time, place and price. It seems simple, yet there is no elegant formula. Mostly, temporary staffing relies on the grunt work of middlemen. But the efficiency with which employees are staffed is constantly improving, and those companies that fail to adapt may begin to wonder, who really “moved their cheese”?

Culture Shift in Hiring

In the past, staffing firms and departments managed talent in very different ways than we do today. What used to be a paper and pen, pick up the phone and beat the streets process is now far more streamlined and effective - when the right tools are in place, that is.

What separates good staffing firms from great ones is ultimately how easy they can make the hiring process for their clients. Each company has their own secrets, but one pattern is clear: the Internet has changed how our day-to day jobs. Only those businesses that adopt and integrate the right tactics, in this case the Internet, will survive in the competitive world.

Take the airline industry as an example. What once was the task of travel agencies, helping customers to find the best deals from point A to point B, is now automated by online systems that show real-time pricing options. The consumer completes purchasing directly with airlines in many cases, but there are also services like Kayak and Travelocity that aggregate a variety of prices and options for consumers. The leaders in the industry are those that tailor technology to their customers’ needs.

New Tools Shake Up Old Ways

We now have a broad range of tools available for managing billing and staffing projects, but not all tools are created equally. Some big names include Elance and Odesk, but lots of smaller entrants are shaking things up as well.

The big companies have a lot of the standard features like billing and records management. These have become a staple in the industry, helping us to keep payments flowing and staff positioned properly.

But some innovators like NextCrew, which is providing online staffing tools to staffing firms, are hitting the market with some creative tools. Two features that are unique include instant job matching and self-managed staff profiles. These tools are likely to become standards in the marketplace in upcoming years.

Instant job matching used to be something we could only dream about. When companies request temporary labor, we get busy with phone calls and emails to prospective staffers. In other words, it's still a fairly manual process. But with services like NextCrew, a job is posted and everyone who meets the criteria is immediately notified. In many cases, positions get filled with qualified candidates in minutes with little to no involvement from the staffing agency, a relatively hands-off, stress-free method.

The other key factor is presentability. Especially with temporary work, first impressions make all the difference. With self-managed staffing profiles, prospective employees can maintain their own profiles and manage content, much like a social media site. Not only does that lift a burden off of staffing firms, but also it allows them to see their employees as more than just names on a page.

The Change Is Here...

 

 The management of clients and employees is rapidly changing. The advent of online-based services has made staffing sleek and simplified, but new tools are constantly surfacing. How your firm implements these tools will determine where it lands in this industry. Be prepared, because the cheese is moving and it’s not going to stop anytime soon.

Rise of the Contingent Workforce: Are You Ready?

There's change in the air, and we're not talking about the elections. The nature of the modern workforce is shifting in significant ways. One of the biggest shifts we're seeing today is the rise of the contingent workforce - an entire, large segment of ready-to-work staff who just need or want to work a short-term job.

Businesses are more and more likely to need contingent staffing options to handle unique, short projects. Instead of hiring and training full-time staff, more firms are looking for ways to bring on specialized or temporary staff to meet their needs.

But there's also a trend in workers looking for temporary opportunities as well. From contractors that just need to fill in on some downtime to students looking for jobs to the unemployed trying to keep bills paid - more workers are looking for and ready to fill temporary positions.

Leveraging Technology

One of the keys to successfully engaging this contingent workforce is through advanced technological solutions. One such solution is NextCrew which allows firms to make a job posting and all qualified staff is immediately notified via text or email - no more picking up the phone at the last minute and trying to round up a crew. NextCrew also allows those looking for jobs to maintain their own records and profiles, taking pressure of the organization.

This innovative platform is transforming the workforce by making it easier and easier for firms to actually get the staff they need quickly and efficiently. In the past companies have often found hiring full-time employees easier just so they have staff on hand for emergency projects. This doesn't have to be the case anymore.

Bigger Talent Pool = Better Results

The contingency workforce represents untold, untapped talent. Whether you are a staffing agency or your firm handles staffing internally, one of the keys to a successful project is getting the right people on the right job. The contingent workforce is incredibly mobile these days, and with the right systems like NextCrew in place, it's incredibly easy to bring in specialized staff quickly.

Staff utilization is a critical skill for staffing groups and a contingent workforce can be an excellent source of bringing in the right people fast. It just takes the right tools to manage the process.

And many of these staffers are looking for part time work for extra income. Contingent jobs usually last from a few hours long to several days, maybe a few weeks at most. So these staff can make some extra money, build their resumes, and move on without disrupting their current jobs, if they have one.

The rise of the contingent workforce is happening now and it's not going away anytime soon. The question is, are you ready?

NextCrew Transforms Short-Term Workforce Industry

From event planning to construction to the office: every growing business has the need for short-term staffing. But anyone who has dealt with this side of the business knows just how time-consuming and frustrating it can be. The typical process includes preparing a work order, sifting and sorting through candidates, and contacting them until you have your shift covered. This often takes place at the last minute requiring human resource teams to work after hours to get positions staffed.

With NextCrew, this entire process is streamlined, eliminating most of the steps traditionally required to staff short-term positions. Now you just post a work order and qualified candidates are immediately notified, respond, and can be managed in on one platform. Once a work order is posted, qualified candidates immediately receive an email or text notifying them of the opportunity, to which they can respond with the press of a button. You get notified of their interest and can finalize arrangements all from a single interface.

Post Once and Get Immediate Results

One of the most powerful features of NextCrew is the ease of engagement with qualified staffers. Instead of combing through resumes and profiles, the system automatically connects your work order to qualified staff in real-time. Candidates can immediately start responding to your work order. There's no need to send multiple emails or to pick up the phone. NextCrew connects with candidates in the way they prefer. The result is near immediate results from staff interested in the job. Post once and get the right people interested fast.

 

Self-Serviced Candidate Profiles

Candidates manage their own profiles, which takes all the pressure off of temporary staffing firms. No more data entry and perusing through page after page of useless resumes. Candidates can login, manage their credentials, contact information, and areas of interest. The result is reduced pressure on human resources staff who typically would have to manage the database of candidates.

One-Stop Work Order Management

Once candidates begin to respond to your work order, you have a number of tools for managing your project. From selection of candidates to communicating with those who have responded to your work order, you can quickly and easily stay on top of your project. The NextCrew platform gives you a dashboard for managing everything from the timing of your event or project to which staff will be on site at the time.
 
Private Label and Branded NextCrew Sites

For companies who simply want to integrate NextCrew into their brand, it's important to understand that NextCrew is simply a platform. You can provide your candidates and clients the tools available with NextCrew in a completely branded environment. You've worked hard to establish your brand! Use NextCrew to enhance it. You can host the NextCrew platform on your servers or use ours.

Why NextCrew?

NextCrew makes temporary staffing much easier and efficient with a near-social media-like interface. You only have to post a work order once and get real-time updates to the best candidates who can immediately respond with their interest. Staff up a project in minutes, not hours or days. And once you have your project staffed, easily manage your team from your dashboard.

3 Ways to Identify Applicants with the Right Skills

About 31% of 811 small-business owners and chief executives said they had unfilled job openings in July because they couldn't identify applicants with the right skills or experience, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal and Vistage International.

According to a recent article from the WSJ, it's particularly small businesses who are suffering from finding the right person for the job.  As a small business, adding even a few people with the correct skill set could mean substantial growth and profit, but spending the money to train someone with a needed skill may not be in the budget. On the opposite end, hiring someone, paying for their training and not having it work out means the company also loses. So what do you do as a manager or owner? Here are a few ideas to consider in your hiring process:

1. Think outside the box. Whatever way you typically hire your staff, do something different. It's like working out, if you do the same exercise day in and day out, you will always look the same. The same applies to your work staff. Take a look at your job description, is it interesting? "I’ve seen job descriptions in ads in which the company is looking for a person that can be a one-man IT shop.  It’s no wonder that these companies have trouble finding people that they feel are qualified for the position at hand. If this is your company, scale it back! Focus on the essentials only," says Scott Lowe an independent consultant, blogger, author, owner. 

2. Don't be Picky. Have you had the same position available for over four months? Why isn't it filled? Are you holding out for the 'perfect' candidate? Time to re-evaluate your process because you may be losing more money by waiting so long that to hire someone with 80% of what you are looking for. "Often, it's not until someone has truly gone through the interview process, accepted the job, come aboard and worked with you for a little while that you truly start to learn who they are," says article 'Tips for Hiring the Best Employees.'

Of course you need to pick a candidate that is qualified and has passion for your vision but reflect on past candidates and why they didn't 'fit the bill' and what of those items could have been preventable.

3. Temp period. Point #2 wasn't meant to scare you into hiring just anyone. It's not a shot in the dark but there are certain variables you will never predict in the hiring process. Enter the temp period or temp workers. Give your new positions an introductory period where you get to see what someone is like in the office, keep in mind there are growing pains with any person but pay attention to how crisis is handled and what is accomplished. 

"We hire people to a four-month contract position to evaluate how they perform in real situations, assess their cultural fit and see if they have a hint of jerk in them.  After four months, we've historically hired around 20 percent of those put on contract," says entrepreneur Joe Reynolds.

What are some tried and true ways that have helped you hire excellent staff? If you are an employee, what do you think sets you above the crowd?


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About NextCrew: NextCrew.com is aiming to help business owners find qualified temporary staff. Just register your open shifts or positions today at www.nextcrew.com and organize and find your crew in one place. Browse our directory of local staff specific to your skill need.


Photo by marcobellucci 

Temping your way to Happy

Like test driving a vehicle, temping is your opportunity to 'test drive' a job before you make a serious commitment. Benefits are clear to employers, but people choose to be temps and freelance for a variety of reasons. Combining the benefits with your requirements, you can temp your way to happy!

The unemployment rate resting at 8.2% for the second month in a row the traditional way of finding work isn't cutting it. Many have created their own small businesses and switched their skills to freelance-only contract work. 

While some may say this type of work unpredictable, many are seeing the benefits of choosing path of least resistance. We reported last week that Temp work is on the rise based on June's employment numbers, and we wanted to dig a little deeper and investigate why people are choosing this route in their career path?

Top reasons we found? Money, flexibility, skill-building and potential permanent placement.

The Test Drive

Long time temporary worker David Shea advises on analyzing each placement, "All jobs should be considered independently, and on their own merits, as to what they offer, and what they require of you to change/sacrifice. Be flexible, and you will find yourself more often employed than not."  

Trying a new opportunity as a temp, you have to put your best foot forward and are then an easy and obvious choice if/when your position may become permanent. Michelle Tillis Lederman, founder of Executive Essentials, a corporate training and coaching company believes that doing temp work dissolves an employers belief that certain tasks will be 'below' you and also gives the impression of work ethic and a good attitude. Can we say HIRED?!

Skills Built

Every job will require a different set of skills. Many entry-level jobs are mostly skills you can perfect, while picking up a few new skills as you go. "Having a temp job will often allow you to learn many new skills to add to your repertoire, in addition to honing and increasing your current skills. These sometimes involve soft skills, such as customer service, time management, attention to detail, etc. But often, you'll learn hard skills as well, such as how to operate new technology, or learn new software, which is a great benefit to highlight on your resume," says Shea. A good question to ask yourself is, what will this job teach me? 

FREE lancing

Choosing to be a freelancer, contract/shift based worker means you are in charge. Business depends on your own schedule and motivation. "I chose temping because a permanent position in a corporate environment felt like a noose around my neck. Being with the same company for 15 years seemed like a death sentence to the 20-something artist in me," said Stefanie Petersen, 41 in article "Take this temp job and love it."

Freelancing allows to you follow your interests more specifically. Internet and Fashion Entrepreneur Loren Ridinger gives on her blog the top reasons she chose to do freelance writing. "I get to spend more time with my friends and family (no 9-5). I decide which projects I want and which projects just aren’t the right fit. I can work right from my own home (even in my pajamas!). I can always look for more freelance opportunities. I get to write about the things I love!"

What are your major selling points for temp and freelance work? Why does it work (or not work) for you?