What Candidates Are Looking for When Job Hunting in the New Year

Job seekers are expecting a lot from employers in the coming year. You need to begin preparations now, so you offer what candidates are looking for. If not, they will turn to your competition for jobs instead.

Make sure you offer these key things for job seekers in 2022.

Diversity and Inclusion

Job seekers want to work for companies that prioritize hiring and honoring people with different backgrounds and abilities. It is important that candidates see themselves represented within an organization before they decide to apply. They also want to know that their unique talents and strengths will be celebrated and rewarded. If this is not the case, applicants will look elsewhere to find a workplace that values feeling like an important part of the team.

Transparency

Candidates want to see that management and leadership make business decisions in line with the company mission. Applicants want to understand why a company is hiring for a new role, expanding to a new location, or acquiring another business. Because job seekers desire to work for an organization whose vision and values are similar to theirs, candidates want to understand the direction the company is going in. Transparency builds trust, which contributes to high performance. If applicants feel they are not being given enough information about an organization, they will look elsewhere for employment.

A Top Candidate Experience

Job seekers expect ongoing communication throughout the recruitment process. They need to know that their application was received, where they are at in the process, and what the next steps are. Applicants also appreciate guidelines as to what to expect and when they should hear from you by. Otherwise, your star applicants are likely to apply with companies that provide a better candidate experience.

Opportunities for Advancement

Applicants want the ability to move up within an organization. Because career growth is so important, candidates need to work with managers who support their upward mobility. This includes offering training, coaching, mentoring, stretch assignments, cross-training, and other ways to add to skill sets. If you do not clarify career paths within your organization, job seekers will apply with other companies.

Begin Planning Your Accounting and Finance Staffing Needs

Job seekers place a high value on issues like transparency and diversity, and inclusion. They also want a top candidate experience and opportunities for advancement. Providing what applicants desire can mean the difference between hiring the best talent or settling for less.

When planning for your upcoming accounting and finance staffing needs, be sure to include Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. We have vetted professionals ready to help your business move forward in 2022.

How the Right Employees Impact the Growth of Your Business

Having the right accounting and finance professionals on your team promotes company growth. Along with finding ways to increase efficiencies and decrease costs, your employees contribute to the organization in other ways. By carrying out your company mission and remaining engaged in their work, they create a positive environment to work in. Because your team members prioritize professional growth, they strive to attain company goals that move the business forward.

Discover five ways having the right employees on your team benefits your company.

Company Mission

With the right employees on your team, your company mission is carried out. Because your team members help run your organization, they act according to its guidelines for conducting business. As the lifeblood for your company, your employees include company vision and values in their interactions. Behavior in line with your culture further enhances your workplace. Happy employees remain engaged and productive, increasing your bottom line.

Employee Engagement

When the right employees are on your team, they remain engaged in their work. Because your team members enjoy what they do, they continue to take on new challenges and excel. As their enthusiasm and confidence grow, collaboration, productivity, and job satisfaction increase. This improves employee retention.

Work Environment

When you have the right employees, they create a positive work environment. Because your team members effectively complete their work, morale increases. Since your employees stay motivated and engaged throughout the day, you provide recognition and rewards to promote their performance level. The energy of your team attracts other talented people who want to work for you.

Employee Growth

Having the right employees on your team means they value ongoing professional growth. Your team members enjoy setting new goals, reaching milestones, and celebrating successes. They regularly engage in training and continuing education, hold themselves and others accountable, and learn from mistakes. Because your employee evaluations consistently show growth over time, you reward your team members with bonuses, raises, and promotions.

Goal Attainment

Working with the right employees helps you reach business goals. They continually find ways to increase efficiency and revenue while decreasing costs. Your team members also meet deadlines, reach milestones, and celebrate successes. This paves the way to achieve bigger goals long-term.

Source Top Accounting and Finance Professionals

Having the right employees on your team increases the success of your business. When your team members carry out your company mission and remain engaged in their work, they create a positive work environment. Because your employees prioritize professional growth, they are driven to achieve business goals. All of these factors attract top talent to your organization, further enhancing your bottom line.

Reach out to Casey Accounting & Finance Resources when you need to add professionals to your accounting and finance team. See why we have been awarded the Best of Staffing® Award for service excellence for the seventh year in a row, an honor that less than 1% of all staffing firms in the U.S. and Canada receive. Get more information today.

5 Things You Need to Know About Unemployment Claims

With the recession going on because of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies are reducing their workforce in response to changes in operations. As a result, your organization’s unemployment claims may be increasing. If so, your experience ratings are being reevaluated, which can cause your state unemployment tax rates to increase. Therefore, you need to know how you can minimize the impact of unemployment claims on your business.

Discover five ways unemployment claims impact your company and what you can do about it.

Minimize Your Terminations and Reductions in Force

Reduce your number of terminations and reductions in force as much as possible. Some employees who lost a job could claim unemployment benefits if they were terminated due to financial cutbacks, because they weren’t a good fit for the job, or because of a minor incident. These numbers affect your state unemployment tax rates. To avoid termination or reduction, consider a furlough or temporary reduction in hours or pay.

Check Your Base Year Employer Forms

Pay close attention to the Notice to Base Year Employer forms you receive. These come when a former employee becomes separated from their next employer and files for unemployment benefits. The forms show the percentage of their unemployment you’ll be charged unless you respond within 30 days. Your response can limit the number of benefits your company ends up paying.

Your Account May Be Charged for an Employee Who Quits

Be aware that your state unemployment insurance account can be charged for an employee who quits because of reasons attributable to your company. For instance, a change in the worksite may increase the employee’s commute or difficulty of travel. Because the amount of money you pay in unemployment benefits is related to the number of former employees who collect payments after leaving your company, you want to keep this number to a minimum.

Protect Your Company with Documentation

Maintain detailed records on each employee. Clear documentation can prove the validity of your response to an unemployment benefits claim. Your records should include employment policies, job descriptions, contracts, offers, and other job-related information. Have the employee sign every document to show they reviewed and understood the information.

Manage Your Workforce with a Staffing Agency

One of the best ways to manage your fluctuating workforce needs is to partner with a staffing agency. Because the agency bears the liability for temporary and contract employees, it also is responsible for their unemployment benefits. You can blend temporary or contract employees with your full-time staff with no financial impact on your company when they leave.

Hire Accounting and Finance Professionals

Unemployment claims have a significant impact on your company’s bottom line. Implementing the above tips to reduce the expenses related to your unemployment insurance can help your company save money long-term.

When you need help reducing the amount of money your organization spends, get in touch with Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. Our staffing consultants can provide innovative and creative solutions that exceed your expectations. Get more information today.

Simple Employee Incentive Ideas for The Summer Months

Summer months at the office can be challenging. Most employees are either on vacation or thinking about what outdoor activities they wish they were participating in. Because motivation and productivity are important, you need to provide additional incentives for employees to stay focused and complete their projects.

1. Work Outdoors

Allow employees to work and hold meetings outside. Being in natural light improves communication, reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure. Plus, enjoying fresh air and sunshine increases productivity and employee morale.

2. Offer a Flexible Schedule

Give flexibility in work hours. Perhaps your employees can come in late or work remotely one day each week or work a half day on Fridays. Having greater control over their work schedule means employees have more time to enjoy the outdoors.

3. Implement Casual Dress Day

Offer Casual Dress Day on Fridays. Let employees wear t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops to the office. You may even suggest themed dress days, such as Hawaiian Day, to add to the fun. Your employees will feel more relaxed and complete more tasks.

4. Set Up a Company Event

Set up an outdoor company event. You might arrange a barbeque, golf outing, theme park visit, or baseball game. Perhaps you could host Summer Friday gatherings where employees can mingle and recharge. Maybe host a company party at the office or a manager’s home. In any case, your employees will appreciate the camaraderie and be more motivated to return to work on Monday.

5. Provide Additional Recognition

Give extra recognition to employees who cover for colleagues away from the office. For instance, give the employee a hand-written thank-you note expressing your appreciation for temporarily taking over. Or, have a conversation to express thanks for going above and beyond to help out. Or provide the employee with a gift card to their favorite restaurant to further show your gratitude. Enter those employees in a drawing to win an additional paid day off or tickets to a summer concert, movie, or sporting event.

6. Reward Perfect Attendance

Give rewards for each summer month that an employee has perfect attendance. You may set a price point and offer a gift card to the restaurant, store, or other destination of the employee’s choice. They will be more inclined to show up for work each day and perform their best.

7. Arrange a Company Team for a Charity Event

Organize a company team to participate in a local charity event. There are a variety of walk/runs in major cities every summer. In addition to being a proud corporate sponsor, your employees may be given a day off to help set up and/or run or participate in the event. You build the cohesiveness of your team while supporting the local community.

Get Help with Filling Your Finance and Accounting Jobs in Chicago, IL

When you need to find summer staff, reach out to Casey Accounting & Finance Resources, a top employment agency in Chicago!

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Strong Economy, Robust Hiring, and 8 Staffing Trends!

As recruiting for talented staff becomes more difficult, Casey Accounting & Finance Resources is experiencing record levels of placements for accounting and finance talent.  Our secret to success?  Dedicated recruiters with an average of over 10 years recruiting accounting & finance talent.

As the demand for increasing workforces continues, Staffing Industry Analyst has identified eight trends affecting staffing including the following:

  • The global economy is doing OK
  • Technology/automation
  • Skills shortages
  • Legislation
  • Gig economy
  • Public perception
  • Procurement sophistication
  • Rise of Asia

For additional information on these 8 trends, please click here: Read More

 

Celebrating 20 Years!

We are excited to be celebrating the 20th anniversary with our sister company, Arlington Resources, this month!

With this upcoming celebration, we look at the role of flexible staffing in the work force and where it is today. The temp penetration rate — temp jobs as a percent of total employment — rose to 2.069% in July 2017.  “The temporary penetration rate continues to increase at a solid pace, even at record levels, giving more evidence of a secular shift,” said Tony Gregoire, Director of Research, The Americas, at Staffing Industry Analysts.

As more workers in America look for alternative work arranges and additional opportunities to supplement their incomes, temporary and contract staffing services can fulfill their needs. With nearly thirty-one percent of workers within the United States currently employed as contingent workers, companies are granted access to a more diverse, and affordable, group of employees. Thus this rise of the role of temp jobs in today’s workforce can lead to a competitive edge for companies throughout America.

We look forward to helping you with your recruiting and staffing needs!

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The 6 “R’s” in Recruiting!

Finding great candidates is every recruiter’s dream come true!   A great employee helps a company grow and be successful. Being aware of The 6 “R’s” in Recruiting will put you ahead of the rest of the organizations vying for the top candidates and victory will be yours!

Reviews

What is being said about your organization on social media sites such as Glassdoor and Facebook?  When a Google search is done of your company, what reviews are showing up and how many stars appear? Managing your brand and responding to good and bad reviews will put you in a good light with candidates. Candidates want to see good reviews and positive experiences when applying to work at an organization.

Responsive Design Websites

Are your recruiting applications and communications available on a mobile platform?  Constantly using smartphones, candidates are looking for new opportunities.  Will they be able to find yours?  Post short videos about your jobs on YouTube and incorporate a link from Google Maps so candidates can find you.

Referrals

Great referral programs bring in high-caliber candidates to your organization.  Need we say more!

Reduce your Hiring Time

Speed is important.  Candidates lose interest when the hiring process is dragged out.  Take a look at how long it takes to hire a candidate from start to finish and see where you can tighten your process.

References

Get it right and check their references.  Automated reference checking programs increase the response rate and accuracy of the reference checks.

Recruiting Firm

Working with a highly regarded staffing and recruiting firm can help significantly in finding great candidates quickly!  Let Casey Accounting & Finance Resources find top financial staff for you!

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A Season of Thanks! What We Are Grateful For!

As Thanksgiving is upon us, we reflect on how fortunate we are and what we are grateful for in our everyday lives as we work to place our great candidates in outstanding jobs with great companies!

  • I am grateful for the CUBS world series! Go CUBS Go! And to work for a great family oriented company that has allowed me to purchase World Series gear! Erika
  • I am grateful for being able to assist candidates in finding their dream job and making an impact in their life!  Jessica
  • I would like to give thanks to all the amazing people I get to work with! This is by far the best company I have worked for and I can’t wait to see where the next year brings us!  Elizabeth
  • I am grateful for my health and for the passion that I have to live a healthy lifestyle.  Cheryl
  • I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful people:  co-workers, clients and candidates!  I’m also grateful for my old horse that still likes to go out on trail rides.  Freedom is a wonderful thing!  Denise
  • I am grateful for having found my calling with such a great team and how positively it impacts me, my clients, my candidates, and my family.  Noori
  • I’m thankful for the clients and candidates who’ve trusted me to help them.  Pete
  • I’m thankful for having the opportunity to experience the world of staffing. I work with a great group of people who have taken the time to guide and teach me in this industry. This opportunity has given me the chance to see how rewarding staffing truly is.  Erin
  • I am grateful to be part of a team that is so passionate about what they do, as well as, supporting each other.  Renee
  • I’m grateful for the relationships I have been able to build with both my clients and candidates. The trust someone places in you when looking for a new career is something we take very seriously and I’m grateful that many people have put that trust in me this year.  Adam
  • I am thankful for my freezer because it keeps my frozen pizzas preserved day in and day out.  Jake
  • I’m grateful for the organization that I work at. It allows me the freedom and independence to utilize my own unique means of developing meaningful relationships with my clients, prospects and candidates. I am also grateful for both my partnering director and myself to have been on this ride for over 20+ years together. Eileen
  • I am grateful to be a part of Arlington Resources and work with amazing people!  Brooke
  • I am grateful to be able to maintain a strong work/life balance. Health and happiness to all this upcoming holiday season!  Rob 
  • The Cubs, our social committee, and our wonderful team have made 2016 one of the best years ever!  I am grateful to have such meaningful work, a great team that makes it happen every day, and being able to help others along the way.  Happy Thanksgiving!   Patty

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4 Skills Every Candidate Needs in Every Industry

If you’re putting yourself out there on the job hunt and want to secure a position sooner rather than later, make sure your prospective employer can identify some key skills and attributes that will make you the perfect candidate for the position. Whether you’re exploring an accounting career or working in finance, your future employer needs someone who is not only a hard worker but also has certain traits that will help them succeed with the company for the long term.

Here are four skills every candidate needs in every industry:

1. Communication

Even though your role may be fairly independent, you may be required to work with other departments, lead a team and collaborate with other staff members on certain projects. Having strong written, verbal and listening skills is critical for your success in any position. You need to be able to relay information concisely and respond to other people’s communications effectively.

2. Empathy and Emotional Awareness

Being able to understand your own emotions, and being aware of the emotions of others is a skill that can be developed. Some people have more emotional awareness than others, and this trait is important in both work and social situations. Being able to relate to someone and looking at their point of view can make it easier to get along.

3. Accountability

Being accountable for your actions is critical in a workplace environment. You need to admit fault and work on finding an effective remedy. Knowing what you are accountable for and who you are accountable to is important in any position. If you are in a management position, you need to enforce accountability among your team members.

4. Teamwork

Working as a team means always contributing your fair share and also making sure you are not taking all the credit for a job well done. Do your best work and bring others up so they can do the same at every opportunity.

When you’re searching for accounting jobs or need some help to take your career to the next level, talk to the professionals at a leading Chicago accounting recruiting firm. Casey Accounting & Finance Resources provides career tools, including assessments and professional resume reviews, to help you find your ideal job. Contact us today!

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