Berks & Beyond Blog

Stephani Williams Hired for Management Role
in Rapidly Growing Harrisburg Market

Wyomissing, PA – Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc. is pleased to name Stephani Williams as Branch Manager of their Harrisburg office.   In her new role, Williams will manage sales, customer service and day-to-day activities for the branch.  Additionally, she will ensure that Berks and Beyond sends out only the highest quality employees with the experience, skills and work ethic to consistently exceed clients’ expectations.

Although Williams is new to the company, she is not new to the staffing industry.  In fact, she spent five years successfully managing several of the Harrisburg area’s largest staffing accounts, both in an onsite capacity and remotely from a field office.  Her knowledge of all aspects of temporary staffing have helped her to reduce turnover, improve fill rates, increase productivity and identify qualified associates to join her clients’ workforces.

“We’re thrilled to have Stephani join the Berks & Beyond team,” says Chris Garner, President of Berks and Beyond Employment Services, Inc.  “Her strategic workforce experience, passion for staffing and strong work ethic will help us maintain our position as a staffing leader in the Harrisburg market.”

Williams is equally excited about the opportunity.  “I’m looking forward to working with all of the wonderful local companies by providing them with great staff and customer service,” she says.

Outside of the office, you can find Williams in Philadelphia cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Flyers and Phillies.  She is also an avid traveler, having visited nine countries in 2011, and she enjoys spending her downtime with her friends, family and puppy.

What do you think will be the biggest challenges facing HR during the next decade?

This is one of the questions posed in a poll by the Society for Human Resource Management titled “Challenges Facing Organizations and HR in the Next 10 Years.” The survey responses, gathered from 449 HR professionals, show that:

Getting and Making the Most of Human Capital is a Key Priority

• Nearly half of the respondents (47 percent) cite obtaining human capital and optimizing human capital investments as the top investment challenge for businesses over the next 10 years.
• 29 percent of the respondents list obtaining financial capital and optimizing financial capital investments as the top challenge.
• Obtaining intellectual capital and optimizing intellectual capital investments comes in third at 12 percent.

To Attract, Retain and Reward the Best Talent, Organizations Should:

• Allow flexible work arrangements. According to 58 percent of HR managers surveyed, providing flexibility for employees to balance their life and work responsibilities is the most effective way to attract, reward and retain top performers.
• Cultivate a culture of trust and fairness. 47 percent of respondents say that creating an organizational culture where trust, open communications and fairness are emphasized and demonstrated by leaders is a key priority.
• Provide meaningful work opportunities. 40 percent of HR managers say that designing jobs to provide employees with meaningful work that has a clear purpose in meeting the organization’s objectives optimizes the organization’s ability to engage and keep top talent.
• Demonstrate a commitment to employee development (29 percent).
• Offer a higher total compensation and benefits package than organizations that compete for the same talent (23 percent).

While these survey results aren’t earth-shaking, they do serve to underscore an important point.  As businesses like yours emerge from the recession, they should get ready to compete for talent.

Berks & Beyond delivers customized staffing solutions and direct placement services to help employers throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania achieve sustained business success as the economy recovers.  What can we do for you?  Contact Berks & Beyond today.

The year is coming to a close, and hopes remain high that 2011 will usher in a cycle of renewed economic growth.  As was the case earlier this year when I posted statistics, improvements are still lagging in our part of the state.  To see how the Reading area stacks up against Pennsylvania and the nation, download the “Reading,Pa.pdf” file on this Selected BLS Economic Indicators page, last updated November 26, 2010.

The Reading MSA’s nonfarm employment is up only .2% from a year ago, which is substantially lower than the .9% rebound that Pennsylvania has experienced over the last 12 months.  But the news isn’t all bad.  While the state’s unemployment level is down only half a percent from this time last year, Reading’s level has dropped 2.6% – on par with the national average.   

For comprehensive employment statistics, follow this link:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Reading PA: Nonfarm employment and labor force data 

Want to learn more?

Contact us and a Berks and Beyond staffing professional will show you how our services can help you make the most of our current economy – by saving you money, reducing your risks and keeping your workforce lean and flexible.

Are you new to the employment market?  Just out of school?  Making a career transition?  Looking for a change?  If so, an informational interview is a great way to help you:

• Learn about an industry, a profession, or a career path in a chosen field
• Set yourself apart from the crowd in a competitive job market
• Get tips on how to prepare for and enter a given career
• Gain valuable insider feedback on potential future job openings
• Sharpen interview skills that may have become a bit “rusty” from disuse
• Practice selling yourself and your personal brand

In short, this type of interview can provide you with invaluable visibility, information and practice – all in a low-stress setting.

Tips for Successful Informational Interviews

• Do your homework.  It goes without saying that you’ll get out of the informational interview process what you put into it.  Read industry journals and go online to research any company in which you’re interested – before making phone calls.
• Identify people to interview.  If you know anyone who could make an introduction for you, don’t be shy – ask him or her.  Additionally, you can contact an organization directly, or visit its website, to obtain names.
• Prepare for the interview.  Develop a short (15 – 30 second) overview of yourself, including your reasons for requesting the interview, as a way to introduce yourself and set a context for the meeting. 
• Initiate contact.  Contact the person by phone and mention how you obtained his or her name.  Ask if it’s a good time for the individual to talk for a few minutes, emphasizing that you are looking for information – not a job.  Request a convenient time to schedule a 20 – 30 minute appointment.
• Develop a question list.  Use online resources to create a list of informational interview questions to ask.
• Conduct the interview.  Dress the part and arrive a few minutes early – just as you would for a traditional interview.  Re-introduce yourself and ask your most pressing questions first.  Listen well, take notes if you’d like and respect the individual’s time by limiting the length of your interview.
• Find out how your skills will translate.  If you already know how your experience will benefit a potential employer, now is the time to say so.  But if you’re unsure where you might fit into a department or company, the informational interview provides a perfect opportunity to find out.
• Be honest.  Since you’re not interviewing for an available opening, be candid about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as career goals.  If your skills and priorities are not a match for a particular organization, the interviewee may be able to connect you with potential employers that are more in-sync with your needs.
• Say “Thank You.”  Be sure to let the individual know how much you appreciate the time and information.
• Follow-up.  Send a thank-you note within one to two days.  If appropriate, keep in occasional touch with this person – the relationship you initiate could become an important part of your network.

A Final Thought

Informational interviews can happen anywhere and anytime.  So keep an open mind and seize potential opportunities whenever they present themselves – because you never know who might be helpful in your career search.

If you’re in the market for a new job, or are just curious about what kind of jobs are available right now, please call Berks and Beyond today.  We offer a variety of excellent temporary and direct employment opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.

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

COMPUTER NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR – HELP DESK

Candidate Initials:  D. B.

Skills and Experience:  This IT professional has over 10 years of experience in computers and information technology, including:  building networks using TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and NetBeUI compatible protocols; installing UNIX/Linux servers with IP Tables, IP Chains, NIS, NIS+, ICPM and Multi-Path; installing wireless, HPNA and Ethernet media; working with servers running UNIX, Linux, Solaris and Windows 2000/2003 server platforms; building and installing proprietary computer systems; contructing cross-platform networks; installing, reconfiguring and upgrading Cisco routers and firewalls.  Over the years, this individual has worked in a variety of roles, including network administration, sales, help desk and technical support.

Desired Pay:  $35,000/yr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Audrey in our Harrisburg office at 717.737.5001 or e-mail Audrey at Audrey@berksandbeyond.com.

OFFICE / CUSTOMER SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

Candidate Initials:  Y. M.

Skills and Experience:  With 10 years of experience, and a superb background in customer service, bookkeeping, accounts payable and billing, this motivated candidate is looking to join your company as a top-notch employee.  Previous experience working in a college’s financial aid department.  In addition to being bilingual, this individual’s special skills also include:  ADP Payroll, bank reconciliations and collections.

Education:  2-year Accounting degree.

Desired Pay:  $13/hr.

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

As you may know, Berks and Beyond recently opened our new Harrisburg office.  We’re pleased to report that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Harrisburg – Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical area has weathered this recession better than many surrounding areas. 

To see how the Harrisburg area stacks up against the state and the nation, download the “Harrisburg-Carlisle,Pa.pdf” file on this Selected BLS Economic Indicators page, last updated January 25, 2010.

The Harrisburg – Carlisle MSA’s unemployment rate was 7.6% as of December, 2009 (tied for 94th place in the nation).  Overall, Harrisburg lost fewer jobs last year as compared to both the state of Pennsylvania and the nation as a whole.  For comprehensive employment statistics, follow this link:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Harrisburg – Carlisle PA: Nonfarm employment and labor force data 

Want to learn more?

Contact us and a Berks and Beyond staffing professional will show you how our services can help you make the most of our current economy – by saving you money, reducing your risks and keeping your workforce lean and flexible.