Berks & Beyond Blog

These days, with a greater number of candidates vying for the same openings in your company, you may find yourself having to say “No” more often.  Needless to say, writing rejection letters can be an unpleasant and stressful part of the hiring process.

But even when you can’t offer a job applicant the position, you can still end the interview process on a positive note.  Here are some quick tips for writing candidate rejection letters in a constructive way, to build good will with candidates and position your company as an employer of choice:

• Send out the rejection letter promptly.  If you’re certain you will not be hiring the individual, let him know that he was not selected as soon as possible.  Even when the news is bad, your timely follow-up will convey a high level of professionalism.
• Always use formal company letterhead for a rejection letter and never handwrite it.
• Address your candidate by name.  Further customize the letter with the position for which he applied, as well as a supportive comment about the applicant’s qualifications, experience or enthusiasm.  Although a rejection letter is basically a form letter, your candidate shouldn’t feel as though it is.
• Be direct, but gracious.  Make it clear that there were other candidates more qualified for the job, but do so in a respectful way.
• When appropriate, encourage further action.  If the candidate is a good culture fit, and may be qualified for other openings with your company, say so.  Encourage him to stay in touch and apply again.
• Always end on a positive note.  Thank the candidate for applying and interviewing.  Wish him good luck in his career development.  Remember, this may be the final impression this individual has of your company – make sure it’s a favorable one.
• Close the letter formally with “Sincerely,” or “Best wishes,” and sign your name.

Don’t want to write rejection letters? 

Call Berks & Beyond, a leading Central and Southern PA staffing firm, with your direct placement needs.  We’ll handle every step of the process – from recruiting to testing and initial interviews - and only present you with the most qualified candidates.  If you decide not to hire an individual we refer, just let us know and we’ll take care of the rest.

Looking for a tinsel-free way to celebrate July 25th right here in Berks County?  Check out Incendio, who will perform this Sunday at the Gring’s Mill Amphitheater in Wyomissing:

Berks County 2010 Summer Concert Series – Incendio

Back by popular demand, this LA-based Latin guitar world fusion group (that’s a mouthful) features a unique alchemy of composition, technique and performance.  At the heart their music is the bold, romantic Spanish guitar, its timeless sound recast in powerful modern arrangements.  This concert is FREE and open to the public.  Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.  Refreshments will be available.  No rain date.  Click here for more information on Berks County’s 2010 Summer Concert Series.

The following top candidates are highly skilled, motivated and ready to go to work for you:

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL

Candidate Initials:  S. R.

Skills and Experience:  Extremely well-versed in all areas of administration, this candidate has marketing, HR and office management experience.  Able to multi-task; has the tenacity to stay with a project until it’s completed; unafraid to tackle what many would consider unpleasant tasks; active community volunteer.  Computer skills include:  MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Publisher, as well as several accounting programs.

Education:  College graduate.

Desired Pay:  $30,000/yr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Allison in our Reading office at Allison@berksandbeyond.com or call 610.376.9675.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULER

Candidate Initials:  T. B.

Skills and Experience:  Looking to join your company as a top-notch employee, this candidate has a superb background in customer service, purchasing and office clerical.  Worked for 5 years as a purchasing assistant and procurement controller.  Skills include:  switchboard, cashier, MS Excel, Powerpoint and Word.  Has been promoted several times by previous employers and would be a great asset to your company.

Desired Pay:  $19/hr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Heidi in our Pottstown office at Heidi@berksandbeyond.com or call 484.945.0516.

SALES PROFESSIONAL 

Candidate Initials:  M. B.

Skills and Experience:  This proven self-starter possesses over 10 years of sales experience, including advertising and inside sales through prospecting and cold calls.  Researched target companies for marketing and selling strategies; conducted marketplace research in order to generate new leads.  Strong computer skills.

Education/Awards:  B.A. in Visual Arts; Rookie of the Year Award for highest sales volume of first year.

Desired Pay:  $30,000/yr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Katie in our Allentown office at Katie@berksandbeyond.com or call 610.435.9270.

The word “diva” no longer refers exclusively to a distinguished female opera star.

In recent years, the term has commonly been used to describe any difficult employee, male or female, who:

• is used to getting what he wants;
• thinks he needs no guidance or management;
• lives for drama in the workplace;
• is hyper-critical, sensitive and intolerant;
• is great at what he does.

If you have a diva on staff, you need to learn how to keep him in line without driving him out the door.  You need to find a way for your employees to co-exist peacefully and productively.  Here are some techniques for reigning in this high performing – albeit challenging – type of employee:

1. Nip annoying behaviors in the bud.  Discuss problematic behaviors immediately – before they develop into patterns.  This allows you to address issues without releasing a wave of emotional build-up.
2. Act based on facts – not gossip or rumor.  Too often, co-workers compound problems by spreading gossip.  So when drama unfolds, don’t assume what others tell you is true.  If you haven’t witnessed a diva’s inappropriate behavior yourself, look into it further.  Listen to both sides of the story, to be sure you get all the facts.
3. Keep open lines of communication.  Divas need to vent more than other employees.  Keep drama to a minimum by maintaining an “open door” policy.  If a diva has a chance to voice frustrations to you, he will be less likely to stir up conflict with other employees.
4. Keep your emotions in check.  Never stand around arguing with a diva.  Make your point once, clarify if necessary, and move on.  A difficult employee may get a rise out of seeing you lose your cool, so stay calm and positive.  If you need to, walk away from the situation and come back once you’ve regained your composure.
5. Make your diva part of the solution.  Give your problematic employee the opportunity to help develop a solution to the problem.  He is more likely to implement behavior change if he’s at least partly responsible for developing it.
6. Get outside help.  If sparks fly when you and your diva communicate, ask a neutral third party to step in.  With no ulterior motive or emotional ties to the situation, an objective individual may improve how you communicate and work together.

Of course, the best way to handle difficult employees is to avoid hiring them in the first place.  Berks and Beyond allows you to try a candidate out on the job, to see how he fits in with your corporate culture, before extending an offer for direct employment.  Contact us to find out more about our temp-to-hire staffing service.

Leading Southern and Central Pennsylvania Staffing Firm Named to Inavero’s Inaugural Best of Staffing™ List

Reading, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. has been named to Inavero’s inaugural Best of Staffing™ list.  The Best of Staffing™, presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, is the nation’s only client satisfaction award that recognizes exceptional service within the staffing and recruiting industry.

All staffing firms that competed for inclusion underwent a rigorous client survey process.  Careful analysis of nearly 17,000 client responses was used to determine customer satisfaction levels.  Inavero selected only those staffing firms that scored a 9 or 10 out of 10 from an average of 74% of their clients (outperforming the industry’s benchmark for client satisfaction by at least 22%).

Berks and Beyond made the grade – a huge achievement for a local staffing firm.

“This is a great honor for Berks and Beyond,” states Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond.  “We say every day how we strive to provide excellent customer service.  But in the end, it is our clients’ perspectives that really count.  Knowing that our clients view us as a very solid partner for their own businesses to succeed is the best compliment that we could ask for.”

The Southeastern and Central Pennsylvania staffing firm does not intend to rest on its laurels.  “Even though we have scored very well, we are not content to stay standing still.  We are already working on some areas that will continue to position us as the standard for service in all the markets we serve.  Thank you to all who participated in our survey.  Your input was taken very seriously.”

The following top candidates are highly skilled, motivated and ready to go to work for you:

BUTCHER – Allentown, PA

Candidate Initials:  J. N.

Skills and Experience:  Over 20 years of experience working as a meat cutter; 10 years as a manager.  This individual also worked as a fabricator and installer for nine years.

Education:  H.S. Diploma

Desired Pay:  $14/hr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Katie at Katie@berksandbeyond.com  or call 610.435.9270.

WAREHOUSE / CLERICAL - Allentown, PA

Candidate Initials:  A. I.

Skills and Experience:  Former Marine with various warehouse skills including, but not limited to:  forklift, pallet jack operator, shipping and receiving.  This multi-tasking, professional candidate has office experience working as an inbound/outbound customer service representative.  Great interpersonal and MS Word/Excel skills.

Education:  H.S. Diploma; some college

Desired Pay:  $11/hr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Katie at Katie@berksandbeyond.com or call 610.435.9270.

ASSEMBLER, 1st SHIFT - Pottstown, PA

Candidate Initials:  M. W.

Skills and Experience:  Experienced worker with over 22 years in the warehouse industry.  Skill set includes:  dry wall, inventory, janitorial, painting, receiving, supervision, child care.

Desired Pay:  $12/hr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Heidi at Heidi@berksandbeyond.com or call 484.945.0516.

Expansion Means Better Service for Area Employers

Harrisburg, PA –Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. will hold the Grand Opening of its sixth office on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.  Although the staffing and recruitment firm has served the Harrisburg market for over three years, the additional location will allow Berks & Beyond to provide expanded and more responsive service to area employers.

“We see the Harrisburg office as a natural extension for our business.  Over the past few years, we’ve watched the staffing and recruitment needs of the Harrisburg market evolve; this new location will help us better meet those needs,” states Chris Garner, President of Berks & Beyond.  “We are staffing the Harrisburg office with seasoned professionals, some of whom have over 25 years of staffing experience.  These veterans will help ensure we deliver exceptional employees and customer service from the day our new office opens its doors.”

Berks & Beyond’s sixth location is located at 1505 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011.  Like the existing offices, the expansion location will provide clerical, industrial, managerial, and technical staff for temporary, temp-to-perm, and permanent placement services.

While Berks & Beyond currently provides staffing solutions to employers throughout much of Southern Pennsylvania, the Harrisburg office will broaden the company’s service area to include the following towns and cities:  Boiling Springs, Camp Hill, Carlisle, Colonial Park, Dauphin, Dillsburg, Enola, Harrisburg, Hershey, Highspire, Hummelstown, Lemoyne, Lewisberry, Marysville, Mechanicsburg, Middletown, Mt. Holly Springs, Newberrytown, New Cumberland, New Kingston, Shepherdstown, Shiremanstown, Steelton, and Wormleysburg.

Flexibility.  Extra income.  Work experience.  An avenue to direct employment.  The reasons people choose temporary work are as diverse as the assignments they select.

But whether you are looking to earn some extra cash, or are seeking full-time employment, here are several things you can do to make the most of temporary assignments: 

1. Dress the part.  You will fit in, perform, and feel better if you’re dressed appropriately for the type of work you’re doing.
2. Act as if the job is permanent.  Give your best effort on each assignment – you never know where it might lead.  If an employer is impressed with your performance, he can work with your staffing service to offer you direct employment.
3. Learn all you can.  Each assignment provides fresh opportunities to learn.  From practical job skills to industry-specific knowledge, capitalize on every chance to gain valuable skills and experience.
4. Test the waters.  If your career path is uncertain, temporary work affords you the ability to try out different jobs, at different companies, in varied industries.  Find out where you fit by accepting diverse assignments.
5. Network.  A temporary assignment puts you in a unique networking position.  While at work, you have the opportunity to interact and develop relationships with business colleagues whom you might not otherwise meet.  Leverage this “inside track” access by sharing your career interests and goals with managers you encounter on the job.
6. Communicate.  If you enjoyed an assignment and would like to work for the employer again once it’s over, say so.  Your staffing consultant and supervisor can look for additional opportunities for you to work in a different area of the company.  And if the assignment was not right for you, consider why.  Try to understand why the job or the employer didn’t meet your needs, so you can choose an assignment that’s a better fit the next time.

We want to help you get the most from your experiences as a Berks and Beyond temporary employee.  Please visit our website to learn more about the services, support, and resources we provide.