Raza Rauf - The Advance Group

Correspondence: Say it in Writing

Raza Rauf on August 14, 2012

How can you land the engineering job you are after? Not just one to fill in the financial gap or one to get your foot in the door, but that sweet spot in the job you dream of. A good place to start is by creating an effective cover letter that gets attention.

Fine Tuning Your Resume

When it comes to grabbing the attention of employers, you really need to stand out in the crowd. With potentially hundreds of applicants applying for the same job, it is up to you to find the right words to say to get someone to pick out your cover letter and resume than someone else’s. The following tips can help you to use words on paper to convey why you are the best choice for the job.

Be enthusiastic. Why are you contacting the employer? What type of work are you looking for? Is there a specific position you are applying for? Be positive and encouraged in your wording.

Drop names. Did you learn about the job from an employee or someone else? Tell them about it in the cover letter. Be sure you have approval to mention the individual’s name.

Let your resume speak for itself. You do not have to provide a full autobiography of yourself in the cover letter but you should provide some overview of the aspects you believe are more relevant.

Do provide relevant experience on your cover letter. Without experience that relates, in some way, to the company’s position, you may not make it beyond that first cut.

Keep all negative words and connotations out of the cover letter. Keep it positive without making it some type of praising document. You want to come off as a genuine person with a passion for the position and with the experience for the job.

Avoid salary discussion in the cover letter. Some employers want you to provide a required salary, but rather than put down a specific number, offer a range. A salary range and noting that you are flexible, gives the company more opportunity to fit you within their budget.

Do include contact information. It could be one of those things you easily forget. Add your email address and telephone number to the cover letter.

Be polite and ask for the phone call. In other words, end your cover letter with a statement of thanks as well as a request for an interview. Doing so may spur the reader of the cover letter to pick up that phone.

Overall, employers want to see someone who is skilled and experienced, but also excited and enthusiastic about the position. Be sure your cover letter indicates this information within the first sentences.

Get your engineering career off to a great start by visiting the Advance Temporary staffing website – candidate center.

How to be an Eco-Conscious Manufacturer

Raza Rauf on August 6, 2012

Investing in a green manufacturing initiative may be at the top of your list of goals for this year. There is no doubt about it, this does offer various benefits. For one, it is great PR in a world where consumers love a company’s efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. It can also save the company millions of dollars over its lifetime in many instances.

Some companies are taking big steps, and making big investments, to be an environmentally conscious company and it is paying off in spades.

What’s Behind the Push?

For many companies, it is all about the demands of the consumer. Companies are making significant changes to their investment plans to fill the demands of the consumer. The consumer is demanding eco-friendly, environmentally-focused products. This is driving manufacturers to invest in newer technology that is more environmentally friendly. The immediate cost is simply worth it in the long-term.

Solar Installation

Diamond Wipes is a good example of this extreme investing for the payout to the company. The company installed a 3360 panel solar system on top of its new manufacturing facility in California. It cost the company $1.6 million to do, which is about 8 percent of their annual earnings. In doing so, the company is creating enough power to fill virtually all of its needs or even to exceed them.

The company’s investment may be a wise one. With 35 to 40 percent of it coming back to them over time through federal and state rebate programs. For the total payback, it could take seven to eight years to realize their investment and break even. Considering this, it could take the company a decade to break even. It may not sound financially wise, but for the company it’s all about good business.

The benefit, the company says, comes from the PR value found in both the consumer and the corporate customers. This particular company is mainly a business-to-business provider, and the green model it is taking will appeal to those companies they operate with over the entire supply chain.

Beyond the Solar Panels

Environmentally friendly initiative extends beyond solar panels. Companies are investing in methods that reduce emissions. Another option is to improve shipping and warehousing to ensure they are efficient. Moving to biodegradable products is also a key benefit some companies are enjoying. Some are also looking to cut packaging costs to reduce waste. Others are demanding greener base products from manufacturers, all with the goal of creating a more eco-conscious end product for the consumer.

The initial investment may not pay off for some time, but for many companies, it is worth it just to do good business. Meeting the consumer’s demands and fulfilling corporate customer’s needs is worth the investment.

Advance Staffing Solutions in the central states of Ohio and Michigan can help your manufacturing program to become more eco-friendly. Find out how temporary staffing can support a more green manufacturing model.

Engage your Front Line Employees to Drive Growth

Raza Rauf on July 26, 2012

In a scenario in which management and front line employees remain distant to each other, there’s an increasing gap present in the ability to drive a business. In short, numerous studies, various research programs, and reports teach that a top-down strategy within the business environment is not a quality substitute for engaging employees and managers who operate the business at the customer-point. If this is the case, why is it still happening so often?

It’s a Tough Road

One of the reasons why so many businesses fail to take on this type of advice, of working in a front-line centered element, is that, for most situations, it is a game of staying at the top. The problem is, in a capitalism drive society, many businesses fail and even those that do not only remain at the top of their game for a short period of time. In a 2006 study conducted by John Stubbart and Michael Knight, the two looked at various firms and their history. The study found that of the six million firms included, only 10 percent were still in existence at their 40th anniversary. That study was done in 2006.

In many cases, businesses miss growth opportunities because they fail to engage the front-line worker and the managers on the scene. In fact, innovation is often unpredictable and based on unplanned connections within a business. In other words, some of the best people for finding these growth opportunities are those who work with customers on a regular basis, not top of the line (and often out of touch) management.

Think Like the Military

The U.S. military is a perfect example. While it may look like a top-down management style, it is just the opposite. Leadership and management within the military is dependent on a bottom-up design – the communication and learning within the troops comes from those men on the front lines, not those sitting in the offices. While the organizational chart displays a very complex method of managing these individuals, it is really the people on the ground that makes the biggest difference in the decision making and running of the organization.

In fact, in today’s military scenario, front line troops are given cyber technology to allow them to remain in constant communication with their leaders. These individuals have access to the top levels within the military. That is something that is not often easy to see within today’s management structure.

What does this mean for a business? It means CEOs need to create more points of interaction with their front-line workers. This type of leadership not only helps to grow a business, but it can also help to sustain it well past that 40-year anniversary so many do not make it to.

To build your team of front line employees, you need pre-screened and quality employees who can get the job done. Advance Staffing Solutions in the Toledo, Ohio and Michigan regions are there to help.

Considering Relocating? Research is Crucial

Raza Rauf on July 18, 2012

Are you willing to relocate for a job? Many employers are asking that specific question. According to a recent career survey, about 32 percent of employers said they were willing to pay new employees to move to where the jobs are. If you are one of those willing to make a move, potentially across the country, you may be enticed by such offers. Before you make the move, or even to find the opportunity to do so, put some time into research.

Looking for a Job?

Are you willing to relocate and want to find employers willing to help you to move? If so, you can do plenty to make that possible.

There are various keyword and category searches you can run on job sites that can help you to pinpoint relocation offers.
Do check out the areas where you would like to live. Perhaps you heard of a new business opening its doors across country. Do not just look for jobs for your local area, but also know the industry enough to know where the demand is. Then, pinpoint job ads for that area.
Ensure you are putting in the time and effort into proving yourself worthy enough for such a transfer. Why should the company pay you to make the move? You will need to show your value.

Though it may sound like a good idea to make such a move, it is also critical to put the time and effort into researching the location before making such a decision. How much do you need to make annually to maintain your living standards in the new city? What is the housing market like where you plan to move? Would a spouse be able to find a job to make it worthwhile to move, if both of you will work? Asking these questions is critical because, ultimately, you need to ensure such a move will be worthwhile to you.

How to Research

It is easy to research this information. You can do so by using the Internet to help you with relocation facts including housing values. You can also tap into the local market in the area you hope to move into. A real estate agent in that big city can probably help you to not only find an affordable home but even provide leads to jobs in the area for a spouse.

The bottom line is to make sure you research both the opportunities for relocation and the location itself before you commit to such a move. It could help you to avoid a costly mistake down the road. Of course, if the right opportunity is out there, knowing where to look to find it will help you to achieve your career goals, too.

Advance Staffing Solutions can help you with your job search! Be sure to check out our listing of new career opportunities in Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan.

What Workers Want from their Bosses this Summer

Raza Rauf on July 13, 2012

What can employers do to enable employees to be happier on the job? One thing they can do is to realize that summer is not when most workers want to put in long hours. Rather, a study found that in the summer, employees long for long weekends where they can cut out of work early on Fridays and flexible schedules to accommodate mid-week breaks. Is that outrageous? The same study found that employers are happy to offer these benefits.

Controlling the Schedule

There are many benefits to having some control over their schedule, employees note. A survey of 400 employees and more than 500 human resource managers provided the information. In the survey it was found that many employees expect these types of concessions during the warmer months.

41 percent of all workers participating in the study desire flexible schedules during the summer months.
28 percent of those who participated want the ability to leave early on Fridays.
Some employees desire company picnics and a more laid-back dress code during the warmer months, too.

It used to be that summer was time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business. It could be the fact that workers are putting in longer hours or it could be that more employers are hoping to accommodate the needs of their employees. In either case, employers are on board with providing such incentives.

Employers Offer Incentives

Employers who responded to the same survey were more than happy to extend some benefits to their employees during the warmer months. About 75 percent of them allowed for flexible schedules, which is the most commonly requested feature from employees. As far as Friday’s go, employers understand this need too. Accordingly, about 63 percent of them will allow employees to leave early on Fridays to get a bigger weekend in.

As for the other requests from employees, employers want to provide help there, too. About 50 said they reduced their dress code requirements and about 25 percent stated that they offered some type of picnic or outing during the summer for employees. About 6 percent stated they offered no benefits for this time of the year.

Should You?

A big question to ask then is should you be offering some type of incentive to your employees? It is a good idea to accommodate the needs of employees when it fits within your schedule and your abilities. However, it is critical to do so properly and that often means that there should be some level of supervision involved. While most will be more committed to their job when you offer incentives like this, there may be the one or two people who take advantage of it. That is why it is important to have monitoring in place.

Creating a Workplace Safety Culture

Raza Rauf on July 4, 2012

To create a safety culture within your business, do not focus solely on the safety programing. Rather, take it to the managers. Without managerial support, no type of safety program is going to be effective. Creating a safety culture, though, can yield positive results and reduce losses. To do this, the employer must prioritize the workplace health and safety in a meaningful way.

Creating a Safety Climate

In a study conducted at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, researchers found a significant link between those businesses with a positive safety climate and workplace injuries. The study also found that situations that interfered with family life or the demands in the family put a greater risk on employees and their ability to do their job. But, what makes a safety culture?

Key Components Required for an Effective Safety Climate

Creating a safety culture within the workplace is a key step every employer needs to take if that employer hopes to see significant changes in losses and employee safety. Rather than sticking up posters and a list of guidelines, it is best to create a safety culture that happens throughout all levels of the business.

Does the commitment to safety start with the business owner and top level management? Does the president of the company communicate the priority of safety within the business? Is it a focus of the company’s mission statement?
Are policies and procedures written down? Communication about safety must be effective and for that to happen, a set of procedures is necessary. Write them down and share them. The physical demands and functions of each job needs documentation.
Are sufficient resources provided to ensure a safety culture exists? This includes dedicating enough time, budget, staff and resources to achieve safety goals. It includes ensuring the team has the proper training and equipment for safety.
Is there a level of accountability present? When safety violations occur, what really happens? Does the employer take these actions serious enough to take action? This sets the precedent for every other layer in the business model.
What steps are taken and written down, to track safety procedures and policies? Is there a managerial task set up to ensure that safety tasks are managed? Do senior managers participate in this?

Creating an effective safety culture is critical to managing a business. Employers must make this a focus of their every day function as well as their mission. In doing so, it will not only help employers to achieve the goal of less liability and loss but it also enables employees to feel safe on the job.

For access to a wide range of candidates who are monitored by a supportive staff of recruiters, consider the advantages of hiring pre-screened and oriented employees through Advance Staffing Solutions in Michigan and Ohio.

5 Ways to Make Your Seasonal Hiring More Efficient

Raza Rauf on June 26, 2012

Hiring seasonal employees can be quite the challenge at times. The competition among businesses to attract top talent is fierce and heats up early during peak seasons. But, there are things you can do that will help you be more efficient and effective at finding those talented individuals to add to your roster of seasonal workers.

1) Start the hiring process earlier than your competitors. This might seem like overkill; but it is the most effective way to ensure that you’re getting the employees that are forward thinking and ready to roll once the season begins. The most important aspect of this is that it doesn’t leave you scrambling to find workers at the last minute.

2) Hire more workers, initially, than you believe you’ll need. For whatever reasons, most companies lose a lot of seasonal workers throughout the season. Some workers meet their personal goals and no longer need the work, others find permanent positions, and still others find that they really aren’t as suited for the work as they believed they would be. You need to be prepared for this ahead of time and have contingencies in place, such as a workforce that’s sufficient to lose at least two-thirds of its numbers throughout the season or a handy list of backup candidates to call in if needed. Some companies continue hiring throughout the season in order to replenish their numbers as well.

3) Invite previous employees to come back. In fact, if you’ve had people who have worked well for you in the past you might want to not only invite them to come back but also to ask them for referrals. They know what the job entails and that they’ll be the ones “picking up the slack” if they don’t recommend hard workers. They are often better able to pick out and refer good, solid employees for you than most HR staff members could easily identify from a stack of applications.

4) Hire your customers. The people who buy your product day after day and year after year are often the people who are best suited to get excited about working for your company—even if it’s in a seasonal capacity. They know your brand. They use your brand. They are in an ideal situation to help promote your brand as well. If you really want to reel them in, consider letting them know about any employee discounts or other perks you have to offer.

5) Develop a reputation for respecting your employees. There are few things that can go further to help you get good employees, seasonal or otherwise, than developing a reputation that says you show your employees respect. It can overcome many workplace deficiencies such as only offering seasonal work, paying less than some competitors, and even offering fewer employee benefits because it’s become such a rarity in today’s businesses. Be that business and you’ll be much better able to entice talented seasonal workers to your business.

The above ways can make a big difference in your efforts to hire the cream of the crop when it comes to hiring seasonal workers. For even more success with recruiting seasonal temporary workers, Advance Staffing provides many excellent candidates year round.

3 Emerging Technologies for Workplace Safety

Raza Rauf on June 21, 2012

Safety is a major concern for business owners today in every industry. From office and factory floor workers to delivery and long-haul truck drivers, emerging technologies are making workplaces safer every day. Here are three prime examples of technology that’s emerging to improve safety and promote wellness in the workplace.

1) Electronic drive logs. The industrial transportation industry is getting a technology makeover that goes way beyond adding a few creature comforts to the cabs of trucks. Long-haul truck drivers face many dangers and risks in association with their long hours on the roadways. Paperless logs of their mileage, speeds, and gas consumption may not seem to be all about improving safety at first glance, but it has quite a few unintended consequences that err on the side of safety-minded driving. That’s good news for truck drivers on the roads as well as the, passenger vehicles that share the roads with them. These electronic records can help businesses boost efficiency, cut costs, and implement higher safety standards for their drivers.

2) Ergonomic office equipment. Ergonomics may not seem all that technological in nature at first, but there is a great deal of innovation in the products that are designed to make office spaces safer and more comfortable for employees. From office chairs with ergonomic designs to office equipment that’s designed to minimize risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome there is a wide range of emerging technology in the office that makes the office space a little more “user friendly.” But, did you know that there are also new tools and technologies for shop floors and industrial applications that involve ergonomics? In fact, the latest advances in ergonomic technology involve push carts that are used for transporting various shop materials. Traditionally these carts have been heavy and difficult to maneuver. New, ergonomic technology leads to carts that handle much more deftly when pushing or pulling large volumes of weight allowing employees to do so without risking back injuries or overexertion.

3) 3-D visualization technology. Believe it or not, different people have different standards when it comes to safety. It’s tough for big and small businesses alike to implement a written safety policy that works across the board with the same degree of success. One man’s risk may be playing it safe to the other man. It’s all about perspective. That’s why 3-D visualization can be so useful. It doesn’t tell a story that has room for interpretation but paints a picture that’s impossible to overlook or misunderstand. This type of technology explores risks and potential consequences without putting any actual person at risk as an example.

Accidents and safety violations in the workplace cost businesses in more ways than one. The human factor, involving the injury or loss of a valuable employee, coworker, and/or friend, can be significant. However, there are other costs to the business that also need to be taken into account – damages, liability, loss of productivity, and repairs. Emerging technologies, such as the three mentioned above, can save your company time and money. More importantly, it can help protect your greatest asset: your employees.

Find out how Advance Staffing Solutions can support your efforts for a safer work environment.

Can’t Find a Full Time Industrial Job? Start as a Contractor

Raza Rauf on June 13, 2012

The job market, despite news claims of an economic recovery, is still fairly slim in certain sectors – particularly the industrial sector. That means there’s a lot of competition for full time employment in this sector. Even if you have a resume that’s thick with experience, it can be a tough market to break through. While it may not seem like the most attractive option to many people with years of experience in various industrial fields; there is some merit to signing on as contract labor. Here are just a few of the potential benefits you might want to keep in mind as you explore your employment options.

1) Contractor jobs are in wider supply than full-time industrial positions. If you look through your local Sunday paper or even the job listings online you’re sure to see that most of the listings use language such as: temporary position, contract position, contract-to-hire, etc. It’s not a slim majority either. You’re leaving a lot of potential income off the table if you skip applying for all of the temp-to-hire positions that are available in favor of seeking full-time employment with benefits.

2) Contract jobs mean money right now. Some of these positions even offer daily pay for daily labor. This means that you get paid at the end of the day for the work you’ve done. Depending on how long you’ve been searching for work, the fact that you don’t have to wait two or more weeks for your first paycheck is a huge benefit to keep in mind. It can mean the difference between a steady diet of Ramen noodles or a little meat and having a little bit of meat and potatoes on the menu.

3) Many companies simply aren’t hiring direct any more. They’ve realized that they can save money and training hours by hiring contractors for the openings. When they find promising contractors they keep them in mind for full time positions as they arise. Contractors also don’t generally get the same benefits packages that full-time employees receive although they do typically earn very similar wages so this does save companies money. More importantly, it gives you, as the worker, and the company an opportunity to test the waters before making any formal commitment for long-term or full time employment.

Once upon a time, contractor jobs had a negative connotation in the field of industrial work. That simply isn’t the case today. If you’ve been running yourself ragged from one interview to the next with no results to show for your efforts, then it’s time to explore the potential benefits of becoming a contractor. It might make a world of difference in your current financial situation and could easily lead to the full time job you really want.

Be sure to get in touch with Advance Staffing Solutions for access to a wide range of industrial career opportunities.

Lean Six Sigma- Reasons Your Organization Needs it

Raza Rauf on June 7, 2012

When it comes to manufacturing and engineering processes, efficiency is the key to success. The Lean Six Sigma strategy applies the best of the Six Sigma concepts within a lean production based environment. While Six Sigma focuses on reducing waste and increasing speed, lean production is focused on cutting costs and improving quality of goods. When combined, a Lean Six Sigma becomes a catalyst for sustainable corporate growth.

Corporate Benefits of Lean Six Sigma

There are several reasons why your organization needs Lean Six Sigma in order to realize this success. Obviously, increased efficiency and quality are important elements of business success, but there are many more reasons to implement a Lean Six Sigma program within your organization. Read on to learn more about Lean Six Sigma’s benefits.

Sets the organizational standards. As you begin to implement a Lean Six Sigma program in your organization, you will begin to elevate the processes that occur across all departments and levels. This will help to set organizational standards that are consistent for all. Once you do this, you will establish a clear set of guidelines that all managers can follow as they recruit, onboard, train, and develop employees.
Easy to implement knowledge. The beauty of a Lean Six Sigma philosophy is that it makes sense in any business. This means the knowledge of the program can be implemented quickly to produce much faster results than other quality assurance programs. By sticking to the guidelines presented in Six Sigma, a lean production program can be taught to all in the company in a short period of time.
Value to customers increases. For any organization, being able to rise above the competition can be the difference between gaining a new client or losing out. By proving that your processes are superior as a result of your Lean Six Sigma practices you can distinguish yourself and get more positive opportunities.
Improves business sustainability. Investing in a Lean Six Sigma program can provide a valuable source of business sustainability. Once implemented, the processes in the workplace become more efficient, saving in labor and materials. This can lead to long-term opportunities for growth and expansion.

To learn more about improving your workforce processes and getting more from your human resource strategy, be sure to consider the advantages of using a contract staffing company like Advance Staffing Solutions.

SMART Asset Management in Manufacturing

Raza Rauf on May 29, 2012

As we move rapidly into the new age of manufacturing, SMART asset management can and should be an integral part of an industrial environment. Consider that more innovators are focused on creating a “smarter” planet, with technologies connecting more aspects of business and personal life than ever before. We are all interconnected through our communities, our corporations, and even other nations.

The manufacturing business as a whole is also getting smarter. Since the dawn of robotics and computerized machinery, the industrial world can produce faster, better and at higher levels of quality than even humans can in some cases. It’s as if the entire manufacturing world is trying to keep up with consumer demand at lightning speed.

Therefore, it makes sense that SMART asset management is a part of the equation for millions of manufacturing companies worldwide. Every industry uses some form of SMART management. Here are some examples:

Sensors built into vehicles that alert manufacturers of malfunctions to a central computer center.
Smart meters from energy companies to reduce waste with a demand response system.
Manufacturing data centers that process information from equipment on the production floor.
Buildings with smart systems that close window shades, adjust lighting, and secure entrances.

In the manufacturing world, there are most likely to be practical applications for SMART asset management to control a variety of materials, personnel functions, and customer data. SMART software can monitor inventories using RFID tags, place routine orders for regularly used materials, automate shipping and receiving, detect equipment use and failures, and more.

SMART asset management for manufacturing means being able to collect advanced data using sensors and actuators. This data translates to analytics which can then be used for a variety of purposes from incident response and staffing to inventory control. It’s clear that SMART asset management serves a critical purpose and will continue to do so for many years.

Be Smart about Workers’ Comp – Reducing the Costs of Claims

Raza Rauf on May 20, 2012

As an employer, your bottom line comes down to keeping staffing costs low and productivity high. This is partly achieved through providing a safe environment in which employees can do their best work. Unfortunately, workplace accidents can and do happen – costing your company a hefty sum in workers’ compensation claims and lost work hours.

While you cannot 100 percent prevent all accidents from happening, there are ways to develop a policy on safety that can help your organization to avoid being involved in frequent and expensive workers’ compensation claims.

Provide Safety Training Sessions – from the very first day of employment, make it a priority to give employees the information and training they need to avoid accidents or injuries at work. Teach employees the proper way of lifting and carrying objects, the safe operation of all company equipment and vehicles, what to do in a crisis situation, and how to limit exposure to harmful work elements such as chemicals, fumes, and heat. Hold a monthly safety meeting and send out frequent reminders on safety topics, inviting employees to see more information as needed to prevent workers’ comp cases.
Hazard Communication Procedure – This is an area that many companies forget to emphasize, however it can be beneficial in preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace. Establish a procedure for reporting possible hazards on the job, and make sure that all employees understand what to do if they spot a problem. Make sure your employees know where to find the latest information in the MSDS book in case of chemical exposure. Even office printer inks and cleaning chemicals should be included.
Evaluate Workplace Ergonomics – Since repetitive stress injuries, like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and back strain, are growing as a source of workers’ compensation claims in many organizations, making changes to the work environment makes sense at times. Take the time to observe your workers in process, and note the strain they experience by standing on hard floors, using their hands to perform strenuous tasks, and the state of their chairs and desks. You may be able to cut down on the number of workers’ compensation cases merely by investing in more ergonomic equipment.

Remember, if an accident occurs on the job, the key is to make sure that the employee gets prompt medical attention to avoid a lengthy and costly workers’ compensation claim. Have an occupational medicine center nearby to refer employees to and be sure to document everything immediately to reduce the chances of an injury becoming worse than it has to be.

Another option for reducing workers’ compensation claims is to work directly with a staffing agency like Advance Staffing Solutions to manage a contract workforce for you.