Berks & Beyond Blog

Berks & Beyond employees choose temporary work for a variety of reasons.  Some like the extra cash and freedom temporary work provides; others want to gain experience; still others seek a full-time, direct position.

No matter what your reasons are for working as a Berks & Beyond temporary, you can use these six tips to succeed while on assignment:

Prepare yourself. Buy a memo pad to serve as your temporary employment reference book.  Once you accept an assignment, be sure to write down the following details and take them with you the first day:  company address and phone; client supervisor’s name; dress code; hours; name and phone number for your staffing coordinator.  Having this important information available will help ensure you are on-time the first day and get off to a great start.

Display a positive attitude. When you work as a temporary, you are put into unfamiliar situations with people you don’t know.  Make a conscious decision to approach your new work situation constructively.  Choosing to display a positive attitude – even if you’re a bit uncomfortable – can help you manage the stress of your first day.  Your optimism will be appreciated by co-workers and assignment supervisor alike and set the stage for a great working relationship.

Listen. Although you may be accustomed to completing work a certain way, most employers have specific systems and procedures already in place.  When your supervisor gives you your work instructions, pay close attention and take notes (in your memo book).  If any instructions are unclear, be sure to ask for clarification.  Your employer will understand that you are new, and he will respect your attention to detail.

Stay out of office politics. Every company you work for on assignment will have a unique corporate culture.  As a rule of thumb while on assignment, strive to remain neutral, avoid office gossip/politics/arguments, and focus on the job you have to do.  If conflict is making your work difficult, contact your staffing coordinator immediately.

Take initiative. If you finish your work ahead of schedule, ask for something else to do.  You will earn a reputation (with both the staffing service and the employer) as a hard worker.  Remember, productive, proactive temporaries land the best assignments – and are the first to be offered direct employment.

Keep in touch with your staffing coordinator. Check in with him periodically to explain how your assignment is progressing.  If your assignment is nearing completion, let him know so that he can get to work lining up your next one.  Finally, tell him what you liked or didn’t like about the assignment once it’s complete.  The better he understands your areas of strength and work preferences, the better prepared he’ll be to match you with the ideal opportunity.

Get on the Path to Career Success

Find out how Berks & Beyond can match you with the ideal employment opportunity.  With staffing offices in Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Pottstown, Carlisle and York, Pennsylvania, it’s easy to come in and learn more about our services, available jobs and what we can do for you.  Contact a Recruiter to schedule your appointment today.

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Like Berks & Beyond on Facebook.  It’s a fun, easy way to learn about our company, our staff and great employment opportunities in your area.

Are you using E-Verify?

If you are unfamiliar with this system, or its potential value to your organization, here is a brief overview:

This U.S. Government’s employment verification service started out as a test exercise known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program.  After a period of system testing and debugging, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered it as a live service to employers across the country.

Today, E-Verify is a voluntary federal program for employers that validates social security information and employment authorization.  Basically, the internet-based service verifies that a new employee is who he says he is and that he has the right to work in this country.

While the program has been the subject of intense scrutiny since its inception, E-Verify provides a number of potential benefits for your organization:

• E-Verify is a free system which allows you to screen out illegal workers.  It provides a fast way to find out right away if an employee’s Social Security number and employment eligibility documents are authentic.
• Reduce hiring liability. As the immigration crisis worsens, immigration enforcement actions will continue to intensify and criminal prosecutions for illegal hiring will continue to escalate.  By participating in the E-Verify program, and using it in good faith, you establish a rebuttable presumption that you have not knowingly hired an unauthorized alien.  Although it does not provide a “get out of jail free” card, it does effectively reduce your hiring liability.
• Discourage illegal workers. If you advertise your participation in the E-Verify program, it’s like posting a “Don’t Even Try It” sign on your front door.
• Level the playing field. In recent decades, employers who played by the rules and only hired legally were at a competitive disadvantage to those who hired illegally.  E-Verify can help you turn the tables, by leveraging the public support for employers who hire legally and strengthen their local communities.  Furthermore, if you use the E-Verify program in your advertising and PR, you apply pressure to competitors who may not be scrupulous in their hiring to use the system as well.
• Improve business relations. By participating in E-Verify, you demonstrate the value your organization places on integrity.  This can help you establish a solid foundation of trust with business partners, clients and vendors alike.

Berks & Beyond chooses to participate in E-Verify to make staffing simpler and safer for you.  Since 2007, we’ve screened every employee we’ve placed using E-Verify.  When we send you temporary employees, rest assured they are thoroughly screened and authorized to work for your organization.

Want to learn more?  Contact Berks & Beyond today.

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work with Berks & Beyond?  If so, read on.  Here’s what two of our employees have to say about their experiences with us:

Berks & Beyond’s Reading Office

“Berks and Beyond is a great employment staffing agency.  When looking for a job on my own, it was difficult waiting to be called for an interview.  My recruiter was excellent at matching my skills and experience to the job position I have been working in for the past four months.  My thanks to everyone at Berks and Beyond.”

–Debra Rothrock

Berks & Beyond’s Allentown Office

“I have been with Berks and Beyond since the end of November 2010.  Since I signed my papers with them, they have been great to me.  I got my first job before I even left the building that day!  Within one week of my first assignment, they were calling me a better job offer because they knew I needed better pay and hours.

When I got laid off from my second job, they got me another job within a week.  I have been at my third job now since January 2011 and I have Berks and Beyond and their staff to thank!  Before Berks and Beyond I had a very hard time getting a job.  Now, I have a great job that I love with people that are great!  Thank you so much Berks and Beyond!”

–Tonya Liotti

Write Your Own Employment Success Story

At Berks and Beyond, we do something many of our competitors don’t – we listen!  Contact us today and tell us about your wants, needs and interests.  We’ll match you with a great temporary, temp-to-hire, contract or direct position.

Can staffing services really drive profits?  In a word, “Yes!”

In today’s economy, businesses need to do everything possible to maximize the R-E=P equation.  And if your company is like most, your employment-related expenses are among the biggest line items on your company’s P & L.  The more actively you manage these expenses, the more profitable you can become.

Of course, driving profits is about more than just cutting costs.  It’s also about maximizing workforce productivity and effectively matching your human resources to the changing challenges and opportunities your business faces.  Used properly, staffing services can play a vital role in achieving all these ends.  Here are just a few ways temporary employees can drive profits in your organization:

• Stay lean and flexible. Design a strategic staffing strategy that limits core employment to that necessary for minimum production volumes.  Staff up with skilled temporary employees to meet peak demand periods or sudden surges in business.
• Focus on core activities. A staffing professional can help you critically examine work flow processes in your organization to identify administrative, repetitive or other support tasks that are being performed by highly compensated employees.  Bring in temporary or part-time contingent staff to take over these tasks and free valuable team members to focus on their most vital priorities.
• Lower employment-related costs due to turnover. Take a look at your hiring and termination costs by job functions.  Determine where high turnover positions exist and re-staff with temporaries to reduce hiring, training and termination costs.
• Reduce overtime expenses.  Work with your staffing representative to analyze your overtime expenditures.  Look for opportunities to use supplemental temporaries instead of overtime to reduce labor costs and prevent employee burnout.
• Shorten learning curves. As your company incorporates new technologies, bring in contract technical professionals to support your project teams.  They can help get your employees up-to-speed and productive more quickly, saving time and money in the process.  Once training is done, so are your training expenses.
• Capitalize on new opportunities. Have you ever had to table a great idea, simply because you didn’t have the resources to work on it?  For those times, consider supplementing your team with temporary and contract employees.  From support staff to senior executives, highly qualified temporary employees can be brought in to either manage the execution of new ideas or support your internal team while they work on the new opportunities.

Berks & Beyond Employment Services – Driving Profits for Pennsylvania Employers

Need to aggressively manage staffing expenses?  Looking for new ways to increase productivity?  Have a great business idea, but lack the human resources to turn it into a reality?  Contact Berks & Beyond today.  We have the knowledge, business expertise and highly skilled candidates you need to get work done and become more profitable.

What do you think of when you hear the term “temporary employment”?

Most people regard temporary work as a means to earn extra cash, maintain a flexible work schedule, gain work experience or fill employment gaps.  Did you know, however, that temporary employment can also be a great option if you’re looking to change careers?

With a broad range of assignments and projects available, temping can be a highly effective way for you to break into a new field – but it probably won’t happen by accident.  To use temporary employment as a true career change catalyst, you must intentionally structure your work experiences.  Here are a few tips:

Choose the right type of staffing service for your career interests. Before registering with a staffing service, visit their website or contact the office directly to find out what types of placements they specialize in.  Some staffing firms place people in a wide range of industries and positions, while others specialize in a specific field.

Be upfront with your staffing specialist. When you interview with a recruiter, let him know that you are looking to change careers.  Tell him about your skills and experience and ask how they might transfer into a new field.  Discuss your need for challenging assignments that will help you try out different jobs, develop new skills and evaluate new career options.  When a staffing specialist understands your needs, he can do a better job placing you in opportunities that will drive your career change.

Treat every assignment as a learning experience. In addition to performing your required job duties, use each assignment as an opportunity to learn about the employer, the industry and potential career opportunities.  Ask questions, observe co-workers, talk to your supervisor and let him know that you’re looking to make a change.  Take as much knowledge and experience away from each assignment as you can.

Build new skills while on assignment. Most staffing services offer free skills training to individuals who register with them.  While on assignment, use non-work hours to take advantage of training resources, building skills that will help you in your next career.

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Tips for Managing Career Changes

If the thought of changing jobs and/or careers causes you anxiety, you’re not alone.  The truth is, there is a certain amount of instability inherent in changing jobs.  Here are a few suggestions to help manage the stress:

Focus on developing your skills. Choose projects/assignments/jobs that help you build new skills and develop expertise in a certain area.  When your learning curve flattens out, ask to be reassigned or look for another opportunity.  Continually building your skills will ensure you’re in demand.

Adopt a job changing mindset. Instead of focusing on the instability of a job change, view it as an opportunity.  Get used to the notion that you will change jobs frequently throughout your career.  When it’s time to make a move, your job changing mindset will make the transition much easier.

Keep your job changing skills sharp. You’re not going to stay at any job forever, and you don’t know how long it will last.  But if you keep your job hunting skills sharp – networking, interviewing, keeping on-top of temporary opportunities that serve your career interests – you will always be able to get work when your needs, or your company’s needs, change.

Berks & Beyond – Your Career Change Partner

At Berks & Beyond, we do more than just place you in a position.  We listen to your needs, learn about your skills and experience, and then present you with work opportunities that are a perfect match for you.  If you’re looking to make a job change, Berks & Beyond is the ideal partner.  Contact us today to learn more about job opportunities throughout Central and Southern Pennsylvania.

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work as a temporary employee for Berks & Beyond?  If so, read on.  Here’s what our employees have to say about their experiences with us:

Berks & Beyond’s Reading Office

“My experience with Berks & Beyond was great because it allowed me to establish a contact with a recruiter and she was great in getting back to me in a timely manner – which is CRITICAL when you are dealing with a temp agency because otherwise you can get lost in the shuffle.  My recruiter gave me confidence she was on top of things and that IF/WHEN something came up, she would get back to me.  If anyone is looking for work, please make sure you contact Berks & Beyond.”

–Francis Delauretis

Berks & Beyond’s On-Site Godiva Location

“In the changing workplace, Berks & Beyond opens the door of opportunity to businesses otherwise unapproachable.  The service educates one about areas open to use one’s skills and abilities.  I personally experienced the professionalism of (Berks & Beyond’s) staff for their job, coupled with concern and empathy for their client in these difficult economic times.  This conduct was evident starting with the owner (Chris Garner), continuing through the office staff to the on-site manager.  Thank you, Berks & Beyond, for giving me the opportunity to serve and be productive.”

–Cheryl Bortz

Berks & Beyond’s York Office

“First of all, I would like to thank you for considering my qualifications.  It was a pleasure meeting you.  I really appreciated your work of helping me (in particular), and the others in a professional manner, and making an immediate positive impact on our careers.  What you are doing is truly impressive.”

–Son Duong, H.

Put your success story here.

Any staffing service can claim they’re the best, or that they’ll find you the right job opportunity.  But we’re not just “any staffing service.”  So, once again we’ve gone straight to the source - to show you what our employees have to say about their experiences with Berks & Beyond:

Berks & Beyond’s Reading Office

“When I decided to go back to work after taking some time off, I was finding it difficult to gain employment again with so few jobs available in today’s economy.  The Berks & Beyond staff looked at me and my experience, not the small gap in my resume.  The Berks & Beyond staff were professional and courteous.  I am now back working with people and helping them achieve their goals.”

     –Helen Keating

Berks & Beyond’s Pottstown Office

“Thank you for all the help you have given me with my job search.  I especially appreciate the information and advice you have provided, and the contacts you have shared with me.  Your assistance has been invaluable to me during this process.  I am very confident that Remcon Plastic will make a wise decision, whether I’m part of that decision or not your staffing has fulfilled my every expectation.  Again, thank you so much.  I greatly appreciate your generosity.”

     –Rafael Ortiz-Colon

Berks & Beyond’s York Office

“I have worked with Berks and Beyond for about 4 years doing various warehouse assignments.  My experience working with the York office has been great.  They are wonderful people to work with, and I have enjoyed the various companies that I have worked with.  I have never had any complaints with the staff or had a problem getting a new assignment.  Berks and Beyond knows who I am and what I can do and they make the right match from there.  It is my pleasure to work for Berks and Beyond.  Thank you for everything!”

     –Elsa Diaz

Berks & Beyond’s Reading Office

“The benefit of working with Berks and Beyond is that they find you great jobs with great pay.  And, it’s great having an on-site coordinator for our daily issues.  They are always there when you need them.”

     –Barbara Santiago, Jessica Morte, Christian Rivera, Leticia Santiago

Put your success story here.

Are you between jobs?  Returning to the workforce?  Looking to gain experience or greater job flexibility?  Call Berks & Beyond today.  We’ll listen to your needs, match you with a great temporary, contract or direct opportunity in Central or Southern PA, and make you our next staffing success story.

Help your staffing service help you.

Continuous improvement should be a goal of any business relationship – your relationship with your staffing provider is no exception.  Help your staffing firm deliver better results by providing them with frequent, measurable feedback.  By letting them know what they’re doing right, as well as how they can improve, you can make your staffing function even more efficient and cost-effective.

Ask internal staff who supervise temporary employees to periodically fill out a simple report card for your staffing service.  It can evaluate quality of fills, ease of working with the staffing specialist, timeliness of service, etc.  Then, share the feedback with your staffing provider.  They will use the information to identify opportunities for improvement, to further customize the service they deliver, and to make your job as easy as possible.

Here are a few sample questions to consider:

The Staffing Firm

1. How well does the staffing firm demonstrate an understanding of your business?
2. How well does the staffing firm meet your expectations?
3. How would you rate the staffing firm’s service, as compared to other services you’ve used?
4. How would you rate your staffing service representative?

The Employees

1. How well do the employees fit the assignments?
2. How would you rate the employees’ attitudes toward their work?
3. How punctual are the employees?
4. How prepared are the employees (i.e., how quickly do they get to work)?

How well are we doing?

At Berks & Beyond, we pride ourselves on the quality of both our service and our employees.  We want to know what we’re doing right and where we can improve.  Please contact us with your feedback, so we can deliver even better results for your organization.

Recently downsized or laid off?  New to the workforce?  Looking to earn extra cash?  Trying to break into a new field?

Consider working as a temporary.  Today’s staffing firms employee millions of individuals in virtually all fields of work, from day labor to executive, and offer a variety of advantages:

• Flexible work options.  Work when and where you want to work.  You can work only during school hours, take the summers off, or take an extended break.  As a temporary employee, you have the freedom to accept assignments that work with your schedule.
• Employee benefits.  In addition to a paycheck, many temporary staffing agencies provide benefits to their workers.  These benefits typically include vacation pay, sick pay, access to medical insurance and a 401(k) plan, and are available to employees who fulfill certain employment requirements.  Be sure to inquire what benefits are offered when you apply or interview.
• Opportunities for direct employment.  Temporary assignments allow you to get a foot in the door with an employer.  If an employer is impressed with your skills, work ethic and job performance, he can work with the staffing firm to offer you direct employment.
• Gain experience.  If you’re a recent graduate, re-entering the workforce, or would like to make a career transition, working as a temporary can help you gain valuable on-the-job experience.  In addition, many staffing firms offer free training to build or enhance your skill set.
• Variety.  If you enjoy new experiences or are unsure about your career path, temporary work can provide the variety you need.  You can test out different jobs, companies and industries – without long-term commitment – and find out where you fit best.

Ready to take the next step?

Join the Berks & Beyond team.  We’ll provide you with a rewarding temporary assignment that offers the variety, flexibility, benefits and job experience you need.

You’ve just won a three-month contract with a major new client – congratulations!  Now, you need to figure out how to get the extra work done. 

Should you pay your current employees overtime, or bring in temporary help?  Consider the following sample cost analysis.  It is based on an annual salary of $40,000 ($20.51/hr.), vs. time-and-one-half overtime, for one employee:

Cost Analysis

Although this is just a sample exercise for illustration purposes, it clearly demonstrates the economic rationale for using temporary employees.  When you need additional productive hours on a temporary basis, staffing services can lower costs, reduce burnout and improve the productivity of your direct staff.

Berks & Beyond - The Lehigh Valley’s Staffing Economics Experts

Need help assessing the cost of a staffing strategy?  Contact Berks & Beyond.  Our experts will work with you to determine the most productive and cost-effective way to get your work done.

Cost Analysis Assumptions

* Temporary staffing rates vary by market, but the relationship (ratio) between pay rates remains the same.

** Fringe benefits include:  holiday pay, sick leave, vacation pay, personal days, insurance, F.I.C.A., S.U.I., F.U.T.A., worker’s compensation, etc., based on a national average of 31%.

*** Based on U.S. Chamber of Commerce national average statistic of 12%, which includes firms that pay no benefits.  For small firms with moderate benefits programs, this cost is typically 40-45% of payroll, and for larger firms with extensive benefits programs, the cost can be up to 100% or more of payroll.