Berks & Beyond Blog

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

MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL in Pottstown, PA

Candidate Initials: G. R. B.

Skills and Experience: Solid ethics, true professionalism and an excellent work history – combined with years of management experience in both manufacturing and customer service – ensure this individual will thrive as part of your management team.  Diverse experience includes: managing five departments and hundreds of employees; serving on teams to improve quality and safety; production management in the direct mail and billing industry; military experience.  Act fast – this candidate won’t last long!

Desired Pay: $20 / hr.

For more information on how this candidate could become part of your team, please contact Heidi in our Pottstown office at 484.945.0516 or e-mail Heidi at Heidi@berksandbeyond.com.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL in Reading, PA

Candidate Initials: C. F.

Skills and Experience: Well-rounded individual with extensive, stable work history in the manufacturing industry.  Specialized experience in administrative support and accounting functions, including: budgets and operational analysis; strong accounts payable skills; administrative support to VPs and Controllers.  Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, customer service and computer skills.  This top-notch candidate is open to temporary, temp-to-hire and direct placement opportunities.

Desired Pay: $13 – 15 / hr.

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

Reading, PA knew it was poor.  But now it knows just how poor.

While the problem of poverty has been a major problem in the city for years, residents, business owners and government officials reeled after a September 26, 2001 article in the New York Times named Reading as the poorest city of 65,000 or more in America.

According to the November 2, 2011 Bctv.org article “Frustration reigns at poverty forum in Reading” by staff writer Madelyn Pennino, hundreds of people gathered this past Tuesday for a town meeting to address the issue of poverty.  During the forum, dubbed “Reading:  The New Face of Poverty,” citizens and panelists provided a number of thoughts on how to eradicate the problem, including:

• Taking responsibility and cooperating to make a difference.
• Cleaning up the city.
• Making it easier for businesses (large and small) to come in and thrive.
• Improving educational and training opportunities.
• Attacking crime.
• Embracing cultural diversity.

While the ideas seem sensible, frustrated city residents said that the city and the public are not nearly on the same page in how to make changes that will bring the city’s poverty level down.  Participants did agree, however, that ignoring the problem hasn’t worked and poverty is everyone’s issue.

During the forum, Reading Mayor Tom McMahon acknowledged that many good-paying jobs have left the area, and that our state does not have the best incentives for attracting new businesses.  When asked how it could be made easier for someone to open a business in Reading, McMahon said there is a one-stop shop every Thursday morning in City Hall where city officials offer that kind of help.

Reading’s poverty issue is both deep and complex, and it will not be easily resolved.  As our community sorts through the economic challenges it faces, Berks & Beyond offers advantages to businesses and job seekers alike.  During difficult times, our staffing services help clients control overhead, avoid costly hiring mistakes and manage an unpredictable economy.  For those who are out of work, Berks & Beyond provides viable employment opportunities (many of which are direct) that provide much-needed income.

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

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Candidate Initials:  D. C.

Skills and Experience:  Well-rounded supervisor with extensive maintenance experience to manufacturing equipment and building facilities.  Diverse duties have included:  overseeing preventative maintenance; managing maintenance staff (including electrical, electronic, mechanical, HVAC, fabrication and engineering specialists); daily delegation of troubleshooting, repairs and maintenance tasks; taking attendance; safety; budgeting.

Education and Certifications:  H. S. Diploma; U.S. Navy – Electrical, Electronics; HVAC Certified; Electrical Certified; EPA Licensed.

Desired Pay:  $18/hr.

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT / ASSISTANT BUYER

Candidate Initials:  C. H.

Skills and Experience:  With over 5 years of sales, customer service, administrative and office experience, this professional, personable individual has developed outstanding organizational, team playing, communications and interpersonal skills.  Well-versed in Microsoft Office applications.  Four years of sales and buying experience, as well as financial aid/student loan experience, make this candidate an even more valuable addition to your team.

Certifications and Clearances:  Student Loan certification; updated FBI, Criminal and Child Abuse clearances.

Desired Pay:  $14 / hr.

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

SHIPPING & RECEIVING SUPERVISOR

Candidate Initials:  J. A.

Skills and Experience:  20 years of supervisory and managerial experience has allowed this seasoned candidate to develop proficiency in all logistical aspects of shipping and receiving, including:  distribution, inventory control, returns processing, LTL/TL and warehousing.  Knowledgeable in MS Word / Excel and UPS/FedEx shipping; has attended management training as well as other seminars.

Certifications:  OSHA Certified; Forklift Certified.

Desired Pay:  $45,000 / yr.

To learn more about this candidate, please contact Denise in our York office at Denise@berksandbeyond.com or call 717.843.0031.

Have you ever noticed that some people always seem to end up climbing the career ladder faster than everyone else?  While it could be because Mom or Dad is the boss, more than likely it’s because they work hard and follow these five tips:

• Always display a positive attitude.
  Your attitude can be a powerful self-fulfilling prophecy.  If you have a negative attitude, 9 times out of 10 you will fail.  But, if you bring a positive attitude and display confidence, strength, and determination, you WILL be successful.
• Stay educated.
  The best way to ensure success is to stay one step ahead. Research your industry. Know what’s happening and what the experts say will happen. Look for trends. When you find them, start to train yourself in these areas. Knowledge is power.
• Create a personal elevator pitch.
  First impressions mean a lot.  If you only had 30 seconds to convince someone you were a hard-worker and a leader, what would you say and do?  Plan this ahead of time; you never know when it will be needed.
• Learn to network.
  Unfortunately sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know (at least to begin with).  Learn to network. You can even network within your own company. Invite co-workers to lunch. Take the time to walk by someone’s office to say hello. And actively seek out opportunities to network outside of work by joining organizations, groups, etc.  You start by seeking out your local chamber of commerce to learn of upcoming events.
• Be open to new opportunities.
  Read trade publications. Listen to people in your network.  When a new opportunity presents itself, don’t sit back and wait.  Take the initiative to inquire more–and don’t be shy!

And speaking of new opportunities, if you’re in the market for a new job or just curious about what is out there, please call us today.  As a leading Lehigh Valley employment agency, we offer a variety of excellent jobs.