Excellent customer service is reflected in the mission statements and policies of many companies of all sizes and from all industries. Recently, I have experienced both exceptionally good and exceptionally poor customer service. Here are a few examples of each which represent different industries and different parts of our country: 1. After numerous transfers and almost two hours on the phone attempting to arrange TV service for my son in his new apartment, an installation ti

Many businesses, including staffing agencies such as San Luis Personnel Services, were greatly relieved to receive the news today that California AB 5 is “dead for now”. The California legislature considered the bill in 2017 and continued it to 2018 with a hearing scheduled for January 18th in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The Chairperson of the Assembly Appropriations Committee declined to take the bill up for a vote in the committee which effectively killed the bil

The greatest challenge facing many businesses in 2018 will be the shortage of applicants seeking jobs. “Now Hiring” signs are posted in windows, “Now Hiring” banners hang from the fronts of stores, recruitment ads appear on company websites, recruiting websites, job boards and in various media. The share of Americans either employed or actively looking for work has shrunk to 62.7% from 66% in 2007, the beginning of the 2008-09 economic downturn. The reason for the decrease is

Our current almost full-employment job market is bringing on an additional challenge for employers. A recent survey from Robert Half, a global staffing firm, indicated that four in ten workers stated they were likely to look for a new job within the next year. For those in the survey aged eighteen to thirty-four, the number who stated they were likely to seek new employment in the next twelve months was sixty-eight percent. An increase in turnover is to be expected in today’s

The Department of Labor recently published a blog on the aging labor force. The blog started with this fact: “Our workforce is aging. By 2024, nearly 1 in 4 people in the labor force are projected to be age 55 or older.” In 1994, 11.9% of the labor force was 55 or older.  In 2004, the percentage had grown to 15.6%. In 2014, the percentage reached 21.7%. By 2024, the percentage is expected to be 24.8%. That’s quite a trend! Reasons include: Many of those 55 or older are health

With numerous job openings and a very low unemployment rate in our area, it is the perfect time for those thinking of returning to work or of making a career change to take action. For those who took time off to provide child or family care, those who retired and want to return to work, those who took time off to travel or those who want to make a career change, this is the time to study your options and to review opportunities. There are many opportunities available for both

We’ve been asked quite a few times recently what the appropriate attire is for a job interview. The “anything goes” fashion rule that applies in some workplaces does not apply for most job interviews! While suits and ties are no longer expected, conservative dress is still our recommendation. There is never a second chance to make a first impression!  The outfit you select to wear for a job interview is a big part of that first impression so don’t miss the opportunity to make

A very positive trend for workers seeking or considering upward job mobility was reflected in a recent article in The Tribune. The article, “More People in U.S. are Quitting Their Jobs” stated that it is becoming more common for people to quit their jobs — a 17 percent increase in the past year. This is a key trend for job opportunities–one which has not been seen very often since 2008. The trend is apparent in the restaurant and retail industries and will likely emerge in ot

Whenever we are asked what field has the most job openings, it’s an easy response, “Accounting”. Year after year, we see significantly more positions available in accounting than in any other field. A quick review of our recent job postings shows that slightly more than half of the openings are accounting related. Openings include all levels of Accounting: entry Accounting Assistants, Accounting Administrative Assistants, AP, AR, Payroll Managers, Controllers, CPAs. Posit

The job market is definitely improving for job seekers: new positions are being added; positions left vacant for a year or longer are being filled; employees are resigning for new opportunities with other companies. A recent CareerBuilder forecast predicted that approximately half of the companies surveyed are planning to add employees during the second half of 2014. A recent survey by MRI (Management Recruiters International) reported that almost a third of offers rejected