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Coping with the Business Challenges of Summer

Coping with the Business Challenges of Summer

With summer upon us in Southern California it is extremely important for leaders to plan for the differing business dynamic that the summer months bring. Businesses must be prepared to meet customer needs, continue business as usual and continue to grow. Businesses face many challenges during the summer months including staffing issues, supplier issues and demand issues.

Staffing Levels

Most companies find that a majority of their staff would like to take time off during the summer. While some of this will be family oriented, with concerns centered on children being out of school, other employees will want to take time off while the weather and tourism offerings are at their finest. Fortunately there are certain strategies that can alleviate the staffing pressures that the summer typically brings.

In order to alleviate pressures of staffing levels, consider filling the gaps in creative ways. Offering opportunities to staff for assignments or acting positions can help to fill the void temporarily and can also go a long way toward building up capacity in your organization. Using a staffing agency to find competent temporary employees is another excellent way to replace lost staff during the summer months.

Supply and Demand

Depending on the business that you are in, the summer months can bring much higher demand for certain products or services, while supplies might fluctuate during this period. Dealing with supply and demand issues should be clearly defined in your business plan.

If your business relies heavily on specific supplies that are known to fluctuate during the summer, it is extremely important to ensure that you have planned out your contingencies in order to keep the supply level consistent. This might mean securing commitments from several different suppliers.

If the demand for your businesses products or services increases during the summer, your business planning process should identify your operational plan in order to adequately cope and accommodate your increased operational demand. This might include ramping up staffing to accommodate increased service demand or increasing inventory levels before the summer even begins.

iStaffing Agency helps Southern California companies locate, screen and place professional candidates into Management, Senior and Executive level positions. iStaffing Agency specializes in Human Resources, Accountants, Executives, IT Professionals, Loan Officers and other professional candidates in addition to candidates in the Entertainment and Nonprofit sector. iStaffing services all areas of Orange County and Los Angeles County. For more information about how iStaffing Agency can help your company with their staffing needs, please contact us today.

Senior Financial Analyst Job Description

Senior Financial Analyst Job Description

The senior financial analyst is essential to both the profitability and the financial stability of mid to large size companies in almost every industry in California. The role of senior financial analyst is sometimes used as a stepping stone to higher level positions like chief financial officer, director of finance or financial controller.

In the coming years employment of financial analysts is expected to grow much faster than any other occupation. Job growth will continue as investments become more complex and globally focused. Competition for these high-paying positions will remain fierce, with the best prospects holding advanced degrees as well as experience in the field.

A senior financial analyst is responsible for a wide variety of duties. Depending on the industry and the size of the business a senior financial analyst might be responsible for financial forecasting reports, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, overseeing mergers and activities related to audits and finance or preparing analytics and financial models. Depending on the company, a senior financial analyst might supervise other finance staff members. They typically oversee reporting, data management, prepare ad hoc analyses, monitor financial software and serve as managers on special projects.

Candidates for senior financial analyst positions must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. However, an MBA and prior financial analysis experience is preferred. Professionals who are looking to accelerate their career and pursue a senior financial analyst position can strengthen their knowledge by enrolling in an MBA program that specializes in Accounting and Finance. Professionals that have earned this accreditation are able to:

Apply modern theories of leadership, management and negotiation
Are able to solve real-world business challenges
Can analyze accounting data in order to reach managerial and organizational goals
Can use financial, statistical and economic data to assess and manage risk
Can integrate financial, personal and operations initiatives in order to lead with success
Are able to leverage advanced knowledge and skills in order to succeed as a senior financial analyst

Top employers look for senior financial analysts that possess solid organizational skills. Additionally, they prefer team oriented, motivated and collaborative individuals for this position.

iStaffing Agency helps place professional candidates into Management, Senior and Executive level positions in Southern California. iStaffing Agency specializes in Human Resources, Accountants, Executives, IT Professionals, Loan Officers and other professional candidates in addition to candidates in the Entertainment and Nonprofit sector. For more information about how iStaffing Agency can help you locate your next career opportunity in Los Angeles County or Orange County, California please contact us today.

Even Small Businesses Should Know When to use a Staffing Agency

Even Small Businesses Should Know When to use a Staffing Agency

Small businesses in Southern California understand how important it is to save both time and money. If a business employs people then there is a very good chance that a staffing agency can have a positive influence on that company’s bottom line. Let’s take a closer look at why.

Most small business owners have the misconception that only large companies can benefit from using a staffing agency. However staffing firms can benefit businesses both large and small. In fact there is a large magnitude of small businesses that rely on staffing firms. These businesses use staffing agencies to fill a variety of positions.

Staffing agencies help free up time by handling hiring needs when workloads increase. Time is often the most valuable commodity to a small business owner. When small business owners develop a relationship with a staffing firm they are able to resolve staffing issues in as little as one phone call.

Outside of staffing services, a staffing agency is able to handle many human resource services such as:

Performance evaluations, hiring, terminations, disciplinary matters and statutory issues
Group health plan administration
Payroll services
RSSP administration
Benefit plan consulting
Employee handbook, policies and procedures
Organizational effectiveness surveys

When a company utilizes these services early in their growth they are able to resolve many human resource issues before they are allowed to become a problem.

Many people do not realize the cost involved with hiring people. Online recruiting costs an average of $2000 per new hire and additional time is lost as the hiring manager is kept from their regular duties. Over time these types of hiring methods cost a company far more time and money than using a staffing agency.

While large companies hire employees on an ongoing basis, small businesses typically do not. When recruiting and interviewing isn’t common practice, issues can arise. Knowing how to properly conduct an interview is a skill that not everyone possesses. Often, the hiring of employees is based on emotion rather than fact and skills. A staffing firm’s evaluation program eliminates the guesswork. In fact most of the time, associates provided by a staffing agency prove to be a perfect fit.

iStaffing Agency helps Southern California companies locate, screen and place professional candidates into Management, Senior and Executive level positions. iStaffing Agency specializes in Human Resources, Accountants, Executives, IT Professionals, Loan Officers and other professional candidates in addition to candidates in the Entertainment and Nonprofit sector. iStaffing services all areas of Orange County and Los Angeles County. For more information about how iStaffing Agency can help your company with their staffing needs, please contact us today.

Using Temp Jobs to Boost your Career

Using Temp Jobs to Boost your Career

While temp jobs might seem like worthless endeavors to some people, these opportunities could be just what you need to further your career. Temp positions help bridge the gap between jobs, help job seekers get a feel for a different work environment and can possibly lead to permanent employment.

Even though experienced workers and college graduates might not think to consider temporary jobs, temp work has many benefits. During long periods of unemployment, a job that lasts a few months can be a welcome change and can even add to the relevancy of a resume. For first time job seekers, temp jobs provide much needed hands on experience.

Temp jobs are ideal for anyone that is unsure of what they want to do. Working briefly for one industry can help workers determine whether a career in that field is right for them. If the job is not to their liking, they are able to try out other temp positions without having to make any long term commitments.

Temporary jobs are a great way to stay employed while you are looking for permanent work. When an individual works one or more temporary jobs, recruiters and potential employers are able to learn what their individual strengths and weaknesses are. In addition, the job seeker can learn what job training or college courses can further their job prospects and make them a more valuable candidate in the future.

Another benefit to temporary employment is that candidates can work with a variety of people and employers and build a strong social network to use for job referrals. Additionally, when individuals continue to communicate with previous co-workers they create the opportunity to be called back for a position.

Temp jobs can be a valuable stepping stone for many people. Temporary jobs keep skills fresh and keep job hunters in contact with potential employers. When a temporary employee shows strong work ethic, ambition and initiative they might even be asked to take on a permanent position.

Questions you Should be Asking During an Interview

Questions you Should be Asking During an Interview

When interviewing in Southern California, it is extremely important to make yourself memorable. Asking questions during an interview demonstrates an interest in the position, a desire to learn more and creates a feeling of communication rather than interrogation. The following ten questions will help you impress your interviewer and make you stand out above your competition.

Is there an ability to grow with the company?
When you ask this question you show your ambition, drive and intent to stay long-term. Numerous studies have proven that employers prefer to hire employees who offer the greatest return on their investment.
What is a typical week like in this position?
This is a more practical question and encourages the employer to describe how the position fits into the larger framework of the company. It also allows you to imagine yourself in the position and encourages your interviewer to do the same.
What unique qualities does your ideal candidate have?
This question lets your interviewer know that you are willing to better yourself to become the ideal candidate for the position.
Can you describe the culture and atmosphere of the workplace?
This answer to this question will give you an idea of how you might mesh with your coworkers and how your personality and interests might be received in the office.
What do you like most about working for the company?
If you show a general interest in the interviewer’s experiences you make yourself a more memorable candidate. This question allows you to connect with the interviewer and gives you a firsthand account of the benefits if you take the job.
What is your least favorite part of working for the company?
This is a question that most interviewers are not used to answering. It forces them to evaluate their own experiences and puts them into an entirely different frame of mind for the rest of the interview.
What drew you to this company?
This question helps you build a better connection with the interviewer and gives you a closer look at what they value most when approaching a new position.
What are the typical hours and is overtime expected?
This question will provide you with an idea of how hard their average employee is expected to work.
How is success evaluated and rewarded?
If you understand before being hired what you need to do in order to advance then you can focus your energy on the tasks and responsibilities that are most valuable to the company.
Does the company offer extra training or education opportunities?

This question shows your enthusiasm for the position and your desire to continue improving.

Benefits of a College Degree

Benefits of a College Degree

The labor market in Southern California is extremely competitive. In order to land the job, benefits and pay that you desire, you must have an advantage over your competitors. A college degree can help you tremendously with your career goals and is actually required for many jobs. Benefits of a college degree include:

Higher pay
Gain the college experience
Obtain trade skills
Greater opportunity for career advancement

People without a college degree typically make tens of thousands of dollars less each year when compared to individuals with a degree. Studies have shown a difference of $20,000 or more for a bachelor’s degree and $60,000 or more for a doctorate and higher. Over the course of a lifetime this adds up to nearly one million dollars in income difference. However, simply having a degree does not guarantee that you will get the job you want. Experience, personality and overall skills set are also important.

Some employers are less concerned about the major you studied and more concerned that you actually earned a degree. Having a college degree shows prospective employers that you have had the experience of making short, medium and long-term goals and that you are able to work through projects, find and use resources and assess your own work. All of these skills are extremely important in the workplace. Additionally, a college degree indicates that you have the aptitude to learn new concepts. Employers want to know that they are hiring someone who knows more than just their field. The core curriculum offered at most universities exposes you to far more your major field of study.

A college education exposes you to the skills necessary for many highly competitive and rewarding careers. Universities frequently consult with major employers in order to determine what skills are most desired, and adjust their curriculum accordingly.

Some jobs require a college degree to even be considered for the position. This is often due to social expectations or it might be because of certain certification requirements. In addition, advanced degrees are sometimes required for promotion. For example, managerial jobs, especially executive jobs, typically require a master’s or doctorate degree.

Job Description of a Retail District Manager

Job Description of a Retail District Manager

Many retail companies in Southern California have several locations in order to better serve their customers. Companies that operate several retail stores in a region must hire retail district managers to oversee the everyday operations of their stores. These managers are responsible for coordinating the movement and distribution of goods, handling the stores’ staffing needs and maintaining contact with the head office. Retail district managers must possess strong management skills and enjoy travelling.

The work of a retail district manager often involves working across several stores in an expansive area. A retail district manager should possess excellent time-management skills. They must be able to adhere to daily schedules and visit all of the stores within a designated time period. Retail district managers must have good customer service skills in order to interact with customers in a friendly and responsible manner. They must also have good leadership skills in order to keep employees motivated and to resolve workplace conflicts. Strong communication skills are also important so that they can adequately share operational information with store supervisors or managers on a daily basis.

The main responsibility of a retail district manager is to increase the operational efficiency of the stores under their management. They must review operational reports and determine each store’s individual needs. For example, if a store is understaffed, the retail district manager must coordinate the hiring and training of new employees. They must also maintain contact with the suppliers or manufacturers in order to ensure that products will be delivered to each store on time.

To become a retail district manager you typically need to hold a bachelor’s degree in business. Some companies might even require a degree in hotel management. Since employers require retail management experience, prospective retail district managers typically start in entry level positions in order to gain job experience. Retail district managers that are looking to occupy executive positions in business firms should consider acquiring a master’s degree in business administration or strategic management.

Using Craigslist to Find New Hires

Using Craigslist to Find New Hires

Today, Southern California is full of job seekers. When companies decide to hire new employees they have many options. In recent years, Craigslist has built a reputation as a great resource of free and low-cost classifieds online. However, relying on craigslist to fill local job openings might actually cost your company more time and money than you believe. In most cases, using a staffing agency to fill open positions is far more cost and time effective.

Craigslist offers businesses a simple method for posting job listings. Hiring managers can select a city, a category, open an account and post their job listing. The ease of the process was made even more appealing by the fact that job listings could be posted for free. As time passed, Craigslist began charging for job listings in several markets in an effort to filter out fraudulent and frivolous job postings.

However, fourteen years after the launch of Craigslist, the website is losing effectiveness as a recruitment source under the weight of its own success. In Southern California specifically, job seeker traffic has grown exponentially on Craigslist while the number of job postings has fallen. The result is that every single job that is posted on Craigslist is flooded with applicants, creating a backlog of work for hiring managers. Companies both large and small report receiving hundreds of replies to job postings within only 24 hours, however only one or two of these applicants end up being worthy of an interview. Companies must spend multiple hours reviewing the overload of resumes just to find the needle in the haystack.

Another issue with using Craigslist is the lack of customer service. Once a job listing is posted, returning to the website to make edits or remove the listing isn’t difficult if you’ve saved your confirmation email. However, if you require the assistance of a real person you are typically out of luck. Craigslist communicates with its customers solely through email. Because of the size of Craigslist’s database compared to the size of its customer service team, very few customers actually receive replies to their questions.

When companies consider online resources for attracting job candidates the results will typically mirror the quality of the source. In this case it really is true that you get what you pay for, in terms of both quality and the time required to identify qualified applicants.

iStaffing Agency helps Southern California companies locate, screen and place professional candidates into Management, Senior and Executive level positions. iStaffing Agency specializes in Human Resources, Accountants, Executives, IT Professionals, Loan Officers and other professional candidates in addition to candidates in the Entertainment and Nonprofit sector. iStaffing Agency services all areas of Orange County and Los Angeles County. For more information about how iStaffing Agency can help your company with their staffing needs, please contact us today.