Tri-Starr Personnel Speaks

Economic Growth in San Antonio

2010-05-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

People I encounter ask almost daily how San Antonio's job market is doing. I am optimistic individual so my first response is always positive. I tell them we may not be completely clear, but give it time, it's coming. However, recently I attended a luncheon where concrete figures were shown to demonstrate San Antonio's economic growth. The speaker was Mario Hernandez, President of San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.

During his presentation he discussed several benefits of living in San Antonio. One of the major reasons is our great economy.

San Antonio is ranked #1 in America as the fastest recovering cities and ranked #1 as strongest metropolitan economy.
From March 2009 to March 2010 we have grown 2.4% in labor.
Our unemployment rate for March 2010 was 7.3% in comparison to our state, at 8.2%, and the U.S. , 10.2%.
Not only is the unemployment less, but our employment growth is +1.34%, Texas +1.64%, and the U.S. is -1.2%.

San Antonio is continuing to see an increase in jobs. Expectation of headcount for most businesses is expected for Q2 and Q3. Our city is definitely bouncing back in the job market. The question should no longer be how is the job market, but are we, as individuals ready for the increase in headcount, or for new opportunities?

By: Estelle Wilmer, Client Services Specialist

Using A Recruiter Provides Benefits

2010-04-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

The benefits of using a recruiter lie in their expert ability to search for, identify, qualify and produce an on-target candidate, and then aid in the acquisition of that candidate through the interviewing, negotiation and closing process. For the employer, this eliminates disappointment, lost time, counter offers and turn downs!

Recruiters have a proven method of identifying, attracting, screening and closing top talent that is well regarded even in today's job market. Hiring the best possible candidate is a serious collaboration between recruiter and client; not simply a chance encounter. An employer's goal when turning to a recruiter is to have their overall needs filled, not just the opening.

The relationship should be built on a mutual trust and respect, and a proven track record of success. Recruiters who consistently provide a select few "qualified" candidates, and whose performance and integrity are well-known in the marketplace are invaluable to the successful hiring process today.

Both applicant and employer benefit in a big way from the tight search, deliver and placement process that recruiters provide.

By: Janet Connell
President, Bullock Personnel

Tri-Starr Personnel Becomes KSAT12 Local Expert

2010-03-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Tri-Starr Personnel has become the first professional employment service to be recognized as a KSAT 12 Local Expert for our ability to provide quality staffing services to employers while bringing rewarding career opportunities to job seekers. KSAT 12 Local Experts are San Antonio businesses that are viewed by our community as providers of superior service, solutions and information.

Our KSAT 12 Local Expert campaign will allow us to better reach out to clients and candidates by maintaining a strong media presence through television, social networking and multiple web components. Beginning, mid-February, you will begin seeing commercials airing on San Antonio's local ABC affiliate station, KSAT 12. We will also have a corporate web page and link to our home page at KSAT.com.

Our commitment to integrity allows us to continually build lasting relationships with clients and gain valued recognition in our community for our team's hard work and determination. Our unique approach to staffing includes evaluating each client's corporate culture in an effort to better staff their facilities with employees who will make an excellent fit in their organization. Remember, we are here to serve you and we welcome every opportunity to advance your company through a tough economy by saving you time and money on talented personnel.

By: Juan Ramirez
Tri-Starr Personnel

How to Own an Interview

2010-03-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

I know many people out there have different ideas of what is important for a good interview, but for me the key is and has always been Confidence.

Most interviews are one-sided, uncomfortable, and many candidates leave feeling like they were under a microscope, asking themselves, “Did I do okay?” In your heart you already know the answer and you can bet the employer does to. The key is in understanding how interviews work. While each one is different, there will be an opportunity to impress the employer the way you want to. What you have to do is recognize when this chance comes up and make sure to take full advantage of it, for if you don’t you take the risk of not standing out and setting yourself apart from all the other candidates.

If you ask the right questions you will show that you are compassionate about the opportunity and not only how you need this job, but how the employer needs you on their team.
Ideas and information that will help on your next interview:

Know the Employer

Research the company you are applying for. Understand its history and what future it aspires to.
What is the culture of the company and the industry it is in?
What are the company goals for the next year and the next 5 years?
Know the job you are applying for. Study the job description and know what points of your past experience matches with their needs.
Know the competition – understand what their strengths and weaknesses are

Need for the position

What is the need for this position?
What are some issues that would be at the top of the priority list to correct if I started tomorrow?
What are the expectations for the first 12 months?
What happened to the individual that was in this previously in this position?
What does the company do well?
Where were they lacking?

Pitfalls to stay clear of

Never ask “What does your company do?”
Stay clear of money till the employer brings it up
Don’t focus on vacation and what holidays they take off
Stay away from health issues – both physical and mental – you need to show yourself to be reliable
Do not bring up Home issues – that’s where they stay at home. Employers don’t care about nanny drama
Name-dropping – while you might know some people that work within the company, you don’t know how the company perceives that employee.

Follow-ups / Follow-ups / Follow-ups

Question if there is anything you can clarify that has been said
Ask and provide any additional information about your qualifications
Find out how their selection process is and what are the next steps are for you

Always remember an interview is a two-way road. If you - Do Your Homework you can impress upon a potential employer that you can be a valuable asset to their company’s future success.

By: Chris Magers, Medical Recruiter

What is a good client to me?

2010-02-12T12:25:00.000-08:00

Since I have been in this business in this city for well over 20 years, I have had many, many clients. These clients come in all shapes and sizes. Some have been very difficult and demanding, and some have been very responsive and cooperative. Some allow me to do my job of screening and selecting just the right candidate based on their needs, and some put up road blocks to make that impossible. Some value what I do and some are intimidated by it. Many have come and gone, and then come back. Some I never hear from after our initial contact whether I successfully placed for them or not. Many I have forgotten, but a few very loyal ones I well remember.

I came across Tom Sineni and United Commercial Real Estate over 15 years ago while marketing a talented real estate candidate. Tom and I worked well together, had our Italian heritage in common and developed what was to be a very long, loyal and pleasant business relationship. Tom was responsive, allowed me to do my job, and always valued me as a business solutions partner! Tom created a very busy, hardworking and employee-friendly atmosphere that my candidates and I very much appreciated, so it was a win, win, win situation on nearly every placement occasion.

Tom lost his battle with cancer last week, and the real estate community lost a major contributor. I lost a very dear client.

I doubt I will in my recruiter lifetime meet up with another Tom Sineni. He was one of a kind!

My deepest sympathy to Tom's family, employees, friends, and business associates. He will be greatly missed.

By: Janet Connell

President

Bullock Personnel

The importance of creating the "Winning Resume"

2010-02-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Over the last year and a half everyone has seen the job market slim down, thus creating Supply and Demand within a job search. The demand for a job is high and the supply of resumes are high, so how can you, as a candidate, set your resume apart to ensure that yours will be at the top of the chosen list? Employers no longer are looking at those resumes that "resemble" what the job duties might entail. Instead they are looking for key words that a resume has that fits their necessary job skill. "Nearly one-in-four human resources managers said they receive, on average, more than 75 résumés for each open position, according to a nationwide survey by Careerbuilder.com." Your resume has to set apart from your competition to even be recognized from the beginning.

Taking extra steps to sell yourself is a must in this job seeker market, where as in the past you might have been able to get by with a simple ho-hum resume. Think of your resume as a piece of marketing material, would you even consider working for a company if they didn't present themselves in a manner worthy of your business? You may not want to read an entire message board about a company, but rather see their highlights-what is most important to their clientele, their expertise, and length they have been in business. These little things are their selling tools that set them apart from their competition, exactly what you would need to do to set yourself apart from your competition.

Below you will find some tips that we have found to be successful for improving resumes for some of our placed employees:

1. Really know who the company is by reading their job description and formatting your resume based on what they are looking for.

2. Apply to a position that fits your background; do not randomly apply to a position. Any future position that you might have been considered for may be lost, due to the fact that you did not take to the time to read the details of that job description. Do not assume that if you apply the company will automatically consider what is on your resume for other opportunities. If they do not see any skills that match what they are looking for your resume may be found in the deleted file.

3. Bullet points versus the paragraph. Depending on the recruiter, they may tell you that they prefer one over the other. Be prepared to have a resume with each. From my own personal point of view, it is easier to read job descriptions when it is placed in a bullet format. Again, it is assisting in those key words and phrases, which we as recruiters, are looking for when reviewing resumes for a particular job.

4. Listing skills and qualifications are a must. You have the skills that the position requires so list them. Companies are more apt to select those individuals that are even remotely familiar with their software. The quicker they can get you up and running, the faster they are at receiving a return on their investment.

5. Education- if you are a recent graduate then place at the top of the resume, otherwise education should be placed at the end of your resume with your skills and qualifications.

Your resume is your "First Impression" to a recruiter, so dress to impress! Only you can market and sell yourself. If you don't sell yourself, how can you expect anyone to sell your experience, and in that case, to want to buy what it is your selling.

By: Estelle Wilmer
Client Services Specialist
Kennmark Bullock Personnel

So You Think You Can Hire On Your Own!

2010-01-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Because of the current economy and the number of available candidates in the market, it may seem easier for you to hire on your own without the expertise and cost of a Recruiter. But even in today's economy, the two Q's still apply: Quality and Qualified.

It's true that there are a number of available candidates, but Bullock Personnel takes great pride in presenting top talent that will make a real difference in your organization. We bring only the most qualified candidates to the table, and will not waste your time by sending candidates that do not fit into your company's culture.

A client of ours told us recently that they received 150 resumes for one VP level position. I suspect out of those 150 resumes a large percentage are out of town candidates requiring large relocation packages. In fact a large percentage of those resumes will not even come close to meeting the requirements of the job. Others who do meet some of the qualifications may not even have a genuine interest in the position and can be extremely difficult to reach. Furthermore, a majority of the semi- qualified applicants will find jobs in the time frame it takes the internal HR or Department Manager to get around to actually reviewing the resumes and setting up interviews.

The time, energy and revenue loss is massive and affects your bottom line. So even in today's economic climate, it pays to invest in experienced and proven recruiters who can narrow months of wasted search time down to a 30 minute meeting. Our recruiters are here to listen and evaluate your needs, and will begin work immediately to send you the top one to three candidates who meet your requirements and have serious interest in your job. We will then assist is successfully bringing your candidate of choice to a smooth close. We will partner with you to acquire maximum talent with minimum risk.

Call Bullock Personnel to compare what you are getting as a result of your own efforts to their selection of quality/qualified candiddates!

By: Janet Connell
President
Bullock Personnel

Finding the Right Opportunity

2010-01-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

Let me begin this blog with a fact, I know how today’s economic market affects the unemployed. When I first lost my job to due to a corporate buyout, I thought to myself, ‘No Worries, I have a great severance package, a nice 401k, paid vacation and sick time.’ I also received a nice stay-on bonus to help during the company’s transition and even had stock that I was able to sell. I was certain that the right job was out there for me and that any company would be foolish not to hire me. Well, guess what…it wasn’t’ that easy. And I saw the comfort of the cushioned bubble I had built around me quickly begin to burst.

A lot of people don’t realize that even though you are unemployed, you still actually have a full-time job of searching, résumé building, cover letter writing and interview scheduling. You may not be a salesperson, but when you are unemployed you automatically enter into a highly competitive job market where everyone becomes a salesperson trying their best to “sell” their skills to employers. And in order to stay on top, you have to outsell them and highlight your talent in a way that will distinguish you from the masses.

As a recruiter I am constantly asked, “How can I be successful in the job market today?” or “What can I do to help my chances in landing the job I go after?” There is no one word answer to these questions and there is no simple way to make it happen. To borrow from my Boy Scout days, you have to be prepared. You have to have the willingness to work hard and have a positive attitude in order to become successful. I talk to people all day long and it’s amazing to see how off target a prospective candidate is when it comes to the presentation of their résumé or their initial impression they portray when I first speak to them.

The following are a mix of traditional and innovative tips to get your name and skills out there. If done correctly they open more opportunities than ever before, even in today’s tough job market.

Personal Networking

Tell everyone you know you are looking for a job. Tell them to tell a friend and to keep their eyes and ears open. Let them know what you do and what you’re looking for.
Seek out and join local network groups that meet once a week or once a month to sit down and discuss what’s going on in the job markets and career fields, you might be surprised what leads you can generate.

Online Networking

Everyone uses the big web-sites like Career Builder, Monster and Yahoo! Hot Jobs. Expand your reach to the smaller job sites and profession-specific sites. All can lead to a potential opportunity.
Take advantage of social network sites as well. The advantages that Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer can be advantageous for you. But be mindful of what pictures and comments you post. You don’t want a hiring manager to look at your personal profile and notice a picture that to them may seem inappropriate. You will be dropped from consideration instantly. The resolution to this is have a personal profile for friends and family and then create a professional profile for the business networking. Also please make sure you stay on top these profiles. Nothing makes a person look lazier than creating a profile and failing to update or maintain it. Be sure to join groups, look at discussion boards and constantly update you status.

Professional Networking

It never hurts to call on old clients and companies you have done business with in the past. They may not be hiring but they in turn might be able to refer something or someone to you. Never underestimate what information they give you. Attending industry events keeps you name and your face out there. It reminds everyone you are still in the game, just looking for a new team.
Be flexible to opportunities in new or related fields, companies of different size and locations. Be aware of what’s out there!

Cover Letter and Resume

A good cover letter and résumé will quantify the value of your contributions to your previous employers. Sales points to focus on can be how you created profit, met deadlines, and improved customer service. Operational points would be controlling budget, reduce issues, and effectively building a successful team.
Keep your resume fresh. Job seekers who want to increase their chances of success should tailor their resumes to reflect relevant matching skills with the job posting(s) they are applying to. By doing this you may increase your chances of receiving an interview and ultimately earning a new job.

Getting Professional Help

There are many recruiters out there. The key is to find the one you are most comfortable with. A good recruiter will build an open dialogue with you and help you find quality job opportunities that match your skill set. They will be a motivating coach and address any deficiencies they find in your résumé and help you improve them. More importantly, you will know the ones that are there for you and want to see you succeed.

Finally the last thing I learned while I was unemployed is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Don’t be embarrassed to get help. You will find that having a support group will make this transition easier for you.

By: Chris Magers
Lead Recruiter
Kennmark Medical

Gobble till you Wobble

2009-11-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, there are still those out there who for some reason forget what to be thankful for. There is such much that we just take for granted and so many people who go out of their way to help those less fortunate on such a family focused holiday. It is important to remember that everyone can give back, everyone can pay it forward, and we just have to make a commitment to do it.

There are ways to help. If you can’t donate money or items to a cause, then why not donate your time? All the service groups in the city are always under staffed, especially when it comes to the holidays. Spending time helping organizers set up events, serving the people, and sometimes just being there to listen does so much more than donating money.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the best holiday traditions our community has to offer. In 1979 a restaurant owner named Raul Jimenez decided he wanted to give back to thecommunity by serving those less fortunate a home cooked Turkey Dinner. Since then the event has grown to service an immense amount of people.

With the help of over 4,000 volunteers they expect to supply anywhere from 25,000 to 28,000 people, serving up to almost 500 turkeys. What’s great about this event is that it is free to those who are deserving. Foundations like the Raul Jimenez “Feast the Heart” are great examples of giving back to those who just need a hand.

Event Information:
When - Thursday 11-26-09 from 10:30am till 6:00pm
Where - Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 200 N. Market Street, Exhibit Hall D and C
Cost - The event is free to the public

For more information please go to: http://www.rauljimenezdinner.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!!

By: Chris Magers

Assembling Opportunities

2009-10-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

In a struggling economy with unemployment on the rise, many businesses are being forced to close their doors or downsize their workforce. And while they are firing, TechForce is hiring and expanding our employee database more than ever before. In the past few months we have acquired a significant amount of job orders that have led to an enormous increase in our recruitment efforts.

In partnership with Vutex, a Toyota Supplier, we have been able to bring over 200 jobs to the South San Antonio area. And the demand for skilled assembly workers is still growing, bringing hope to many local residents in need of employment.

To meet the demand, TechForce is collaborating with local newspapers, libraries, online media resources and even hosting job fairs at Southside hotels to spread the message that we are immediately hiring for open positions on a continual basis. Our goal is to provide job opportunities to hundreds of qualified, reliable candidates per month who can demonstrate good faith and meet productivity goals in a promising industry for a reputable company.

Please assist us in giving back to our community by keeping our businesses sufficiently staffed and our residents steadily employed. If you know of anyone who is in need of a job, can successfully pass a drug screening and has a clean background, please refer them to TechForce, (210) 227-9911. We will be happy to hear from them. Let's keep our city growing and continue to be on the forefront of America's recession.

By: Juan Ramirez

Tri-Starr Personnel

H1N1-2009 Knowledge is Power and Awareness is Survival

2009-10-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

By: Chris Magers

On October 18, 2009, as I was watching this segment on 60 minutes, I found it to be both positive and saddening.

We all know that the H1N1 virus is or was out there, but how many of us know of the H1N1-2009 strain. The video segment discusses this new strain of virus, how it works, the history, and how it has become a pandemic. While the virus itself may only affect 1% of our population it can be truly devastating to that 1%.

In today’s world we have all heard the saying, “Knowledge is Power.” I also believe that “Awareness is Survival!” By being aware of this virus and of its behavior, we can arm ourselves with the knowledge of how to keep its devastating reach at bay, with the decisions we make.

Calming Fears and Preventing Disease

2009-09-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

We all know how the news works: it is almost guaranteed that bad news precedes good news. This fact is no different concerning vaccines, and many healthcare professionals are facing the difficult task of removing the barriers created by bad press.

It is difficult to come across a pharmaceutical product that does not have an incredible list of possible side effects. If these risks are associated with oral medications, you can easily see how concerns would increase when administration of a drug is by syringe! Children have an innate fear of needles, and parents sometimes feed into this apprehension. Coupled with the parents’ own fears of adverse reactions, a large percentage of our child population goes without vaccinations, especially during flu season.

In fact, during the 2007-2008 flu season, only 22% of children ages 6 months to 23 months in the United States were fully vaccinated against influenza. As a result, over 121 child deaths were reported to the CDC and more than 20,000 children were hospitalized due to complications directly related to the flu.

The good news is that the flu vaccine is effective in children over 65% of the time. With full vaccinations (in the 6 to 23 month age range, a vaccination and a booster is required) these number rise, and local clinics, doctor’s offices, employers, and even some neighborhood grocery stores make the vaccinations readily available.

So, how can you, as a healthcare professional, ensure that our children are protected from the flu?

Be educated about vaccinations of all kinds. Be sure to know the myths versus the facts. Did you hear from a fellow coworker that a certain vaccination is linked to a strange side effect? Take the time to learn about it and research the information. Anticipate the questions asked by patients of any age, and be ready to respond to the different theories and alternatives offered by the people you know.

Share information with your fellow staff members and your patients. Not many of us know that the flu season can last until May! Most people believe that flu season ends in January or February when, in all actuality, this is when flu activity peaks. With this in mind, flu vaccinations in your office should begin in late August and continue to be available through spring months.
Provide opportunities to your patients. Encourage your facility to send out cards that remind patient families to get vaccinated. If they can’t afford vaccinations at your facility or clinic, know and suggest the other locations in your area that offer the vaccines at a lower cost. While we are all concerned with the revenue generated by services at our facilities, we also have a primary responsibility to care for the patient and their families.

Don’t Forget About the CDC’s 2009 National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 6-12. This is the perfect time to raise awareness in your neighborhood or facility. The designated week is right in the middle of the holidays, and kids love goodies, candy and toys along with the other festivities surrounding the season. When their attention is on the fun stuff, shots may not seem so bad.

Don’t be frustrated with the Mom’s that “couldn’t imagine doing that to their child” or the Dad’s that heard about “that thing that kids only get when they get vaccines”. Give them the information they need to make the decisions that could possibly save their child’s life.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/season.htm

Families Fighting Flu, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/fff/36289

By: Elena Hill
Medical Client Services Manager
Kennmark Medical

A bridge worth crossing...

2009-09-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

As you are aware, the unemployment rate is high which makes each employment opportunity even more challenging to obtain. As a job seeker, you can only do so much on your own. Kennmark Bullock Personnel has connections with a vast selection of companies that offer a variety of positions. So why are you limiting yourself?

The American Staffing Association wrote:
Everyone knows that there's no such thing as a truly permanent job. But most staffingemployees and most staffing clients want something staffing firms have to offer: a bridgeto permanent employment. Most staffing employees who want a permanent job get oneeventually-43% get hired by the staffing client. Nearly one-quarter of those who got apermanent job say they got it faster because of their temporary or contract work. And,particularly important for staffing clients engaged in the war for talent, less than half ofstaffing employees are actively seeking permanent employment elsewhere while working for a staffing firm-the majority are either using their temporary or contract job as their sole means for finding a permanent job, or they simply prefer temporary or contractwork.

In other words, staffing firms provide the only way to access some of the besttalent America has to offer. Moreover, staffing firms develop talent. Nearly 90% of staffing employees say their temporary or contract work experience made them more employable, mostly by developing new or improved skills and receiving on-the-job experience; 20% attributed their enhanced skill levels to specific training provided by their staffing firm. A majority said the work strengthened their resumes, and four in 10 said the experience helped them gain self-confidence and improve their work habits.

(Source: American Staffing Association) http://www.americanstaffing.net/staffingsmarts/l_extraordinary.html

By: Shannon Grenet

Client Services Manager

Kennmark Bullock Personnel

Embracing the Client

2009-08-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

We are in a tough economy with a growing demand for experienced healthcare workers and a steady decline of qualified personnel to satisfy this need. In this stressed-out market, clients will not tolerate issues related to personnel quality, untimely candidate submissions and most importantly, customer service. While we are spending a strenuous amount of time sourcing and recruiting potential candidates, clients are finding it easier to turn them down and scrutinize resumes more closely than ever. More and more clients are cutting back on outsourced staffing due to cost and the negative connotations often associated with staffing companies.

Clients have many vendors bombarding them with marketing pitches on a continual basis. But more often than not, customers are turning away sales calls due to negative past experiences with staffing companies delivering them inferior personnel for costly fees.

The solution to this problem is to provide personnel who not only match all qualifications according to clients' job descriptions, but who also demonstrate talent. Now, we have to personally embrace our clients and examine the key elements of their corporate culture to ensure that the candidates we submit will ultimately make a profitable impact in their daily operations and provide positive outcomes for the patients of their facilities.

With more and more hospitals and treatment centers emerging, consumers have increasing choices in healthcare. Now, a hospital's brand and reputation are more important than ever. Every patient's experience in their facilities is important to their growth, reputability and particularly, profit. We need to build trusting relationships with our clients so they may build lasting relationships with their consumers. We can do this by defining the values of their company and finding personnel who will embrace their culture and prove to be an integral role in the delivery of a superior hospital experience for which their brand strives.

Our goal should not simply be to fill a vacancy but use our experience and business intelligence to help hospitals attract new patients and keep them coming back for all healthcare issues. In turn, if we help our clients strengthen their ties with patients and expand their reputation in the community, they will want to grow a lasting relationship and rely on us to provide the majority of their outsourcing needs. We will have to deliver quality for our clients with less spending and be able to demonstrate just how much time and money they will save by outsourcing their recruiting to a company who truly understands their vision. Through a wide range of services, we will provide consistency. And we will do it efficiently, with the ultimate purpose to provide an exceptional experience for our candidates, our clients and their patients.

By: Juan Ramirez

Tri-Starr Personnel