Coronavirus Update For Our Employees

March 12, 2020

Dear Employee:

The coronavirus situation is highly fluid. As a valued member of our team, we want to take this opportunity to inform you that we are staying abreast of public health information and guidelines and will continue to monitor and assess the actual and potential impact.

The well-being of our staffing community and neighbors is paramount to us. We will continue to share up-to-date developments, as necessary.
Please take a moment to update your contact information by going to www.cornerstone-staffing.com and clicking on My Cornerstone. You can update your contact information by clicking on “Personal Info” and then “Contact Method.”

We are following government and health organization web sites, and we encourage you to review the same. These web sites include:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

Based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we encourage you to:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick; Stay home when you are sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe
  • Not wear a face mask unless you show symptoms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing (if soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol)

We trust you are already following the guidance and will apply the recommended safety policies outlined in the links above. Many of the most commonly suggested preventive measures are inexpensive. We will stand together to navigate this public health challenge and further the well-being of everyone.

Should you wish to discuss this issue or have any questions, please let your local branch representative know.

Sincerely,
Steven R. Drexel
President & CEO

Hot Candidates – March 2020

Payroll Specialist – #166567:  

Strong ADP experience including Workforce Now and ADP Enterprise.  Has processed multi-state payroll for up to 5,000 employees.  Great personality!  Available for CONTRACT or DIRECT HIRE

 

Senior Accountant – #114220:

Strong mix of General Accounting and Cost Accounting experience within manufacturing industry.  Bachelor degree in Accounting. Available for CONTRACT or DIRECT HIRE

 

Accounting Manager – #152601:  

Hands-on manager with experience supervising a team of 5.   Strong analytical skills and experience implementing internal controls. DIRECT HIRE

Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Are Intentional Job Hoppers Good Hires?

There was a time when employees expected to work for one company for years, if not their entire career. It showed stability and loyalty and you were rewarded for spending your career providing value to that company. Likewise, HR valued loyal employees versus job hoppers. The stigma with job hoppers was they probably don’t get along with others, can’t meet the job requirements, are unfocused, and/or not committed to the company.

Is there still some value in the 20th century HR wisdom regarding job hoppers as taboo, or is there a strong case for considering the 21st-century intentional job hopper? If we told you that today’s job hoppers had excellent soft skills and expertise, were laser-focused, and committed to adding value to your company? Would that change your mind? Today’s intentional job hoppers are driven to succeed and switch jobs frequently to chart their career path. Not because the work isn’t interesting or they don’t perform well, but because the next opportunity offers growth potential, new responsibilities, better salary and incentives. Those are powerful motivators to consider a job move.

We all know that when unemployment numbers are low it’s a candidates’ market. They are in the driver’s seat, have more negotiating power and quite honestly, don’t need your job. On the other hand, you are trying to fill a key position in your organization and you’re actively seeking strong candidates to join the team. So, if a job hopper’s resume came across your desk today, would you give that candidate as much consideration as a non-job hopper? We say, “yes you should!”

With diverse experiences and a variety of skills accumulated, job hoppers are agile, ever evolving and can quickly adapt to your environment to bring immediate value. In this decade of the “roaring 20s” job hoppers may bring the best perspective you might need to edge out the competition.

Gen X (Millennials), Gen Y and Gen Z are the most likely generations to job hop. A recent Gallup report reveals that half of the millennial generation – born between 1980 and 1996 – are unattached to organizations meaning they do not see a future with a company. Only three in 10 are emotionally and behaviorally engaged in their job and company. As Gen Y enters the workforce, job-hopping is becoming the norm. Baby Boomers used to be the least likely generation to job hop but that, too, is changing.

What are Job Hoppers Seeking?

Besides an increase in earnings and growth opportunities, common reasons people quit include:

  • Poor management
  • Little or no employee recognition
  • Flexible work/life balance
  • No company culture, or a toxic culture

What Can You and Your Company Gain by Hiring Job Hoppers?

When considering the resume of a job hopper, ask yourself what you will gain by hiring this candidate:

  • They are often top performers.
  • They manage change well, are highly adaptable and ramp up quickly.
  • They are confident and risk-takers.
  • They bring useful perspectives from previous job experiences.
  • They have a strong network.

The business world keeps shifting. Generational changes in the workforce along with the gig economy are have hiring managers revising how they perceive job hoppers. Don’t overlook the benefits they might bring to your business development objectives.

Your HR department is instrumental in recruiting the strongest candidates for your open positions. Is hiring a job hopper a good idea? Casey Resources knows the right questions to ask to differentiate a star performer from a poor candidate. Call us today.

 

Easy Tips to Start an Employee Referral Program

Employee referrals are one of the most effective methods for sourcing employees. Your top employees have similarly qualified connections who blend with company culture. As a result, tapping into their networks is in your best interest.

Follow these tips to start an employee referral program for your company.

Determine Your Hiring Needs

Figure out your current staffing needs, employee motivation, and company culture. Focus on which types of positions you need to fill, including whether some are harder to fill than others. Find out what your employees like most about your company and the work they perform. Determine what motivates your team to finish their tasks. Ask how they would describe company culture, such as traditional or progressive, formal or casual. You need this information to showcase what you’re looking for and why candidates want to work for you.

Set Hiring Goals

Create specific, measurable, time-restricted hiring goals. You may want to bring in a specific percentage of qualified candidates or aim for a few candidates increased by a certain factor. Or, you could focus on reducing your hiring costs by a set percentage in a certain amount of time. Provide the staff, time, and monetary resources required to pursue these goals. Assign an employee to lead your employee referral program and delegate tasks. Track your success and make the required adjustments.

Explain Job Requirements

Let employees know exactly what you’re looking for in candidates so they can refer connections. This is especially important if the openings are in other job functions or departments. Provide links to job descriptions in emails asking for referrals. Highlight what you’re not looking for to narrow your requirements further.

Select Rewards

Decide how to reward employees for referring candidates who accept a job offer. Although you may choose to give cash, find out what motivates employees to refer connections. They might prefer additional vacation days, tickets to a concert or sporting event, a gift card, or gym membership.

Provide Regular Updates

Keep employees in the loop as to where referrals are in the recruitment process. They’ll be more inclined to refer candidates in the future. Even when a candidate isn’t chosen for an interview, send the employee a thank-you email. Encourage them to continue to refer candidates.

Maintain Simplicity

Keep your employee referral program simple. Use HR software to automate the process. You might use email templates with social media links for employees to share when you need an opening filled. When a connection applies for a position, the program tracks which employee referred the candidate. Create rules for what happens if more than one employee refers the same candidate, how long a new hire must remain for an employee to receive an award, and other pertinent information.

Find Accounting and Finance Candidates

Find qualified candidates through Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a trusted employment agency, we reduce your time spent on recruiting, evaluating, screening, and interviewing candidates. Contact us for more information today.

 

Is Your Office in Need of a Little Bit of Love? 4 Signs Employee Morale is Low

Low morale reduces productivity and performance. When employees are not engaged, they often miss deadlines and turn in subpar work. Team members may show up for work less often or leave the company. As a result, you’re forced to spend more time hiring new employees. If you don’t improve the underlying causes of the situation, nothing will improve long-term. Here are three signs employee morale is low and what to do about it.

Increased Absenteeism

If employees call in sick more often or don’t show up for work, morale is low. They may perform the same tasks day after day and lose engagement. Staff might stop being inspired by their projects and view them as a series of to-dos before the weekend. Losing motivation behind work activities decreases productivity. Employees could be stressed and unsure of how to handle it. This can result in anger, depression, high blood pressure or poor immune function. To combat increased absenteeism, inspire your team to get back their motivation to complete their work. Remind them why they do what they do. Meet with each teammate every week to talk about their goals. Find out why those goals matter so you know how to keep your team engaged. If a team member needs help to reignite their passion for the company mission, determine outside projects they can work on. Allow team members to set their hours or work remotely as much as possible.

High Turnover

If you experience a substantial level of employee turnover, morale is low. Employees typically quit because something that used to keep them working no longer has the same effect. Perhaps they’re not having fun, are uninspired or aren’t developing relationships with coworkers. Keep in mind that when one staff member quits, it’s common for others to follow suit. To reduce high turnover, focus on collaboration. Implement tools and strategies to encourage colleagues to complete tasks together. Because people like to work with friends, they’ll get to know each other and have an increased reason to stay with your company.

Reduced Productivity

If employees are less productive than usual, morale is low. Perhaps you’ve been adding to team members’ workloads without providing the resources needed to fulfill the responsibilities. Maybe you’ve been micromanaging to ensure things get done on time. These actions make work less fulfilling and more of a chore, reducing interest in completing projects on time. To combat reduced productivity, provide your team autonomy. Placeless emphasis on how to do something as long as the goal is reached. Encourage teammates to be involved in making decisions. Remind your staff why their roles are important and the ways they add value to the organization.

Hire Motivated Accounting and Finance Professionals

Hire motivated accounting and finance professionals through Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a trusted Schaumberg employment agency, we reduce your time spent on recruiting, evaluating, screening and interviewing employees. Contact us today.

Should I Hire Someone Who’s Always Been a Temporary Employee?

When you come across a resume from an accounting or finance professional who’s worked only temporary positions, you might dismiss the candidate as not being focused or serious about having a regular job. However, it’s in your company’s best interest to stop and consider what knowledge, skills, and experience the candidate may have gained from their time with each employer. Odds are the candidate has exactly what you need to fill your open role. Here are four reasons why.

They Fill Skills Gaps

Temporary employees can fill the skills gaps in your organization. These short-term workers deal with short-term problems while nurturing long-term solutions in practically every industry and field. Temporary employees can fill staffing needs that other workers cannot. This is especially important when you don’t have time to find qualified candidates to complete a project or fill a niche position. Because an experienced temp already demonstrated they have the skills and experience necessary to excel in a role, they’ll be able to add value to your organization.

They Enjoy Their Work

Temporary employees are passionate about what they do. They enjoy having opportunities to grow and build their career. Because temps have to prove themselves every time they start working at a new company, their motivation level and willingness to go the extra mile are high. Temporary employees know how to set and achieve individual and team goals that add value to an organization. Even if they don’t have the exact hard skills needed to excel in your open position, temps’ desire to learn can make them well-qualified to fill the role. You may be able to set a trial period to see how their passion translates into value for your company.

They Provide a Fresh Perspective

Temporary employees bring your organization ideas to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Because they worked at a variety of companies, temps may be able to take on additional projects while fulfilling their main responsibilities. For instance, temporary employees could use their downtime to update your website or filing system. Or, you could ask them to complete other tasks related to their strengths and interests. The extra help you receive will be a welcome bonus.

They Quickly Onboard

Temporary employees know how to begin producing when working at a new company quickly. Their agility to learn job responsibilities and blend with culture makes them well equipped to begin benefitting the organization in less time than other workers. Requiring less time for onboarding and training means increased productivity and reaching business objectives.

Hire Top Accounting and Finance Employees

Hire top accounting and finance employees through Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a top Chicago area employment agency, our goal is to provide high-performance candidates who make strong contributions to your team. Get started with us today.

Casey Resources Wins Best of Staffing 2020

We just wanted to send a big “thank you!” to all our clients and associates who took the time back in the Fall to fill out a satisfaction survey from independent research firm, ClearlyRated. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81.3% for Client Satisfaction is significantly higher than the staffing industry’s average of -2%!, and 72.2% for Talent Satisfaction is significantly higher than the staffing industry’s average of 24%.

This is the seventh consecutive year we achieved ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing for Client Satisfaction and Best of Staffing for Talent Satisfaction awards, and the third year we have achieved its Diamond level. We appreciate your great partnership and look forward to continuing to serve you with outstanding support. #BestofStaffing #WorldClassService

 

Are You Meeting Finance Candidates’ Pay Expectations?

Part of the challenge in hiring finance candidates is meeting their pay expectations. Although many candidates have realistic ideas of pay ranges, some expectations may be too high or too low. Rather than turning to other candidates for interviews, take the time to decide whether a candidate whose pay expectations are outside your range may be worth considering after all. Here are some ways to do so.

What to Do When Pay Expectations Are Too High

If a candidate’s pay expectations are beyond your range, you want to avoid wasting anyone’s time by keeping them interested in the role. However, don’t give up on pursuing the candidate. Instead, send the candidate an email thanking them for their interest in the position. Let the candidate know their target salary is outside your range for the position. Share that if the candidate’s target isn’t firm, you’d like to discuss the role further. Otherwise, you don’t want to waste their time. Provide your pay range so the candidate can decide how to proceed. They might be able to go a bit lower in their pay expectations.

What to Do When Pay Expectations Are Too Low

If a candidate’s pay expectations are well below your range, you might be tempted to think the candidate won’t be a good fit for the position. However, keep in mind that previous pay is not an indication of a candidate’s true value. Because it’s hard to know which pay range is appropriate for a certain role, companies don’t always properly compensate employees. As a result, being paid below-market-rate doesn’t mean you should dismiss the candidate. Instead, find out whether they can perform the work according to expectations. Or, rather than asking about pay expectations, tell candidates your range upfront. Let them know that pay depends on specific skills and experience, then ask whether they’re still interested in the role.

How to Provide Context Before Discussing Pay Expectations

If your company doesn’t like including pay expectations in job postings, and some overqualified candidates may be looking for higher pay than you’re offering, you might dismiss the thought of calling them for an interview. However, consider meeting with overqualified candidates to discuss details of the role and benefits. Since they know little about the position before talking with you, they don’t understand the responsibilities, pressures, hours, or other information that affects pay expectations. After gaining a better understanding of these factors, candidates are in a better position to decide what their pay expectations should be and whether to move ahead in the recruiting process.

Set Reasonable Pay Expectations

Set reasonable pay expectations with help from Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a top Rolling Meadows employment agency, we understand the current job market. We find you qualified finance candidates, set up interviews, and help negotiate adequate pay expectations. Contact us to get started today.

4 Reasons Employee Retention Should Be a Top Priority in 2020

Given the costs involved with recruiting, employee retention needs to be among your biggest priorities. An effective retention plan fosters engagement, creates an authentic company culture, and shows you value what your employees care about most. Here are four reasons employee retention needs to be a top priority in 2020.

Employee Retention Conserves Resources

Retaining employees saves time and money. With the salary spent on HR and other departments involved in the hiring process, as well as the reduced productivity and output a new hire brings to a role, you could spend 6-9 months’ salary each time you replace a salaried employee. Even worse, replacing high-level employees can cost in excess of 150% of their salary. More hours spent advertising openings, reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates, and contacting references means less time for other tasks.

Supported Employees Remain Loyal

When you provide employee support as part of your retention plan, staff remain loyal to your company longer. Team members who feel valued, appreciated, and connected to your organization are less likely to leave when recruiters call or opportunities come up. Supported employees feel trusted, autonomous and engaged. They’re responsible for making a variety of decisions, receive constructive real-time feedback and have their contributions recognized. Staff who have support are well compensated, listened to and offered ongoing professional development opportunities. They’re treated with respect, offered opportunities to advance and given challenges to move their career forward.

Employee Turnover Is Contagious

When one employee leaves, others may feel encouraged to follow suit. This is especially true if a new hire starts work and finds out team members have been around for a short period of time. If the staff doesn’t stay very long, new hires might not feel encouraged to stay either. Because people are social creatures, we talk about almost everything. If there are significant issues affecting your team’s cohesion, teammates will discuss it. As problems increase in size because they’re not dealt with, employees feel encouraged to leave for a better work environment. In contrast, being welcomed to the team by employees who’ve been with the company for years and love working for you provide new hires confidence that they made the right decision in coming to work for the business.

Employees Get Stressed by Turnover

Turnover is stressful on your team. This is especially detrimental when teammates’ friends leave the company. Team members often leave because they miss working with people that they spend time with outside the office. Having significant numbers of employees leave affects collaboration and culture. Teammates feel stressed because of pressure to take on additional responsibilities, resulting in less time to perform their own work. To combat this issue, offer remote work options, additional paid time off, and other methods for reducing stress.

Hire Top Accounting and Finance Employees

Hire top finance and accounting professionals through Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. As a leading Rolling Meadows staffing firm, we fill your direct-hire, temp-to-hire and temporary staffing needs. Contact our leading finance recruiters today.

2020 Accounting and Finance Salary Survey Available!

Casey Accounting & Finance Resources has compiled updated salary data for the fields of accounting and finance. With the start of 2020 now passed and the recruitment industry getting busy, having the most up-to-date information is vital!

With compensation trends changing on a monthly basis, both sides can benefit from having this information during job negotiations.

Casey Accounting & Finance Resources can help financial professionals who want to learn more about what salary expectations should be. We have compiled our salary survey list with updated facts and figures including job descriptions for more than 110 accounting and finance positions for the Chicago metropolitan area.

Email us today at FinancialSalarySurvey@caseyresources.com and we will be happy to share this with you.  In the “YOUR MESSAGE” section, please enter “2020 Accounting & Finance Salary Survey”.