Seasonal Jobs – Short Stints Blog

When do you know you need to hire a temporary employee?

As an employer, it might not always be easy for you to know what is the best option between a hiring full-time employee or hiring a temporary employee. Depending on the type of business you are running or the stage you are in, the best option for you might vary.

When do you know you should hire a temp employee?

You are still in the startup phase

During your startup phase, it is very important for you to focus on saving money and remembering that cash is king. Hiring a full-time employee might cost you a lot of money considering basic wages, benefits and taxes. Plus, there are training and recruiting costs. Hiring a temp employee in this stage will allow you to save money. A staffing agency will be hiring the individual under their unemployment and worker’s compensation claims which could decrease your overall cost while giving you the time to really see if this temp employee is the right fit for your team. Before you decide to bring someone onto your team and make a large investment in time and resources, it is important to give them time to prove themselves.

The job that needs to be done does not require a full-time employee

The most successful entrepreneurs and employers are not the ones who necessarily started on a big budget, but the ones who took the time to understand how their business and money worked. Knowing your business and its different needs will allow you to make the right choices when it comes to deciding which type of employee works best for this particular role and season. Sometimes, you will realize that an employee does not need to be in the office 5 days a week from 9 to 5. Certain roles, especially when it comes to creative projects, allow you to hire temp employees who will help you complete a certain task for a limited period of time. A common mistakes employers make is failing to identify the roles that do not require a full-time employee but could be executed by a freelancer.

You are going through a rough financial stage

Every business goes through rough stages that forces them to change strategy and reconsider certain things. Sometimes, laying off some full-time employees might be the solution but keep in mind that downsizing can have a negative effect on your business’ image and on stock market prices. It is best to find alternatives that will help you keep your employees while still focusing on cutting operating costs. This is where temporary employment comes in handy. Hiring temp employees will allow you to cut back on costs and get back on your feet.

When you are unsure of the direction your business is taking

Sometimes, the vision is not clear and that is ok. The important thing is not to make any important long term decisions or investments during that period. While you are still figuring out the direction your business should take, it is bets to hire temp employees. This will give you the flexibility you need to try out different strategies until you find what works for you.

When you need additional help but cannot hire an employee full-time

If you need additional help for a project that is due, but don’t want to hire somebody full-time, a staffing agency would be able to find a contractor that has the skills and abilities you need! You could also consider hiring an intern to get the job done.

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Rise of the Temporary Employee

Post a job for FREE today on Shortstints to find the right temporary employee for you!

Ann-Sophie Ovile, Writer, Short Stints

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4 Reasons you should find yourself a temp job while in college

While in college, if you manage your time well, you can create opportunities that will benefit you in the long run, such as making the right connections and acquiring experience. Temping is a great way to do so. A temp job doesn’t just have a way to make money, it can service as a gateway to better opportunities. At the very least, you will gain more clarity about your career path.

Here are 4 reasons why temping while in college is a great idea.

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How to Make Short Term Work Matter to Employers

Most job seekers have an employment history that has nothing to do with the current position or industry they’re pursuing. However, short term work and temp jobs don’t have to be useless. Use them to your advantage, especially when you don’t have a solid history of relevant or related experience just yet. Let’s explore how to make short term work matter to employers.

Translate your skills. Every job requires a different set of soft skills and hard skills. Reflect on the various skills you needed and acquired working in your position. Soft skills are particularly useful because most are universally wanted by every employer. List every skill and responsibility at every position, and then translate them into useful skills for the current position you’re applying for.

Show you’re a quick learner. Every employer desires workers whom can learn quickly. If you have to list irrelevant work experience, demonstrate how that role allowed you to learn something new. Show hiring managers you were able to excel in a difficult situation as well, and how you learned from it and came out on top.

Focus on results. Companies want results. The better you can demonstrate and show you can achieve results, the better. In most cases, unrelated short term work and temp positions aren’t going to have job responsibilities that will align with your new desired role. Skip listing responsibilities, and provide examples of accomplishments and results. Focus on your actions and the positive benefits.

How do you highlight short term work to hiring managers?

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Why Job Hopping Won’t Ruin Your Career

Job hopping is often met with strong and mixed opinions. It’s when workers stay at a company 1-2 years before moving onto the next opportunity. Some job seekers think it harms your chances of getting hired while other employees find it helps them get the most out of their career. Are you considering job hopping? Here are some reasons why job hopping won’t ruin your career.

Boosts job satisfaction. Studies have shown job satisfaction decreases the longer you are with a company. If you hate your job, should you stay there? With job hopping, you have the opportunity to choose work that you enjoy and makes you happy.

You’ll get paid more. At many companies, raises only increases a little every year based on performance. But job hoppers can start at a new position making more than before. Salary negotiation can play a key role here as you accept a new job offer – something you wouldn’t necessarily be able to do at your current positon.

You can climb the career ladder quicker. Often, getting promoted in-house takes a long while. Sometimes several years. However, with job hopping, you can apply for management roles with your background and skill set. You could get hired for the positon you’ve been waiting for at another company.

On the other hand, it is important to note that job hopping has downfalls too. Some employers may see job hopping as something that harms your reputation. In the long run, you may lose skills as well.

Job hopping isn’t for everyone, but it’s something to consider. Internships, short term work, and temp positions are all excellent ways to try it out.

Do you think job hopping is beneficial or detrimental to your career?

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3 of the Top Job Outlooks for 2016

Job outlook can be an important factor when considering a major or switching careers. Every year, our needs for work as a society shift. Some job demands and growth are higher than others, and some jobs slowly decline. Here are 3 of the top job outlooks for 2016.

Web Developers. Web developers have a high projected growth of 27% by 2024, and it’s no surprise as individuals and companies rely more heavily on technology and the internet. As our demand for mobile device and online shopping increases, so will the need for qualified web developers. The average wage of a web developer is $63,000, or $30/hour.

Home Health Aides. Though the salary is low for home health aides, there is a significant demand for these positions. As baby boomers begin to retire, and many choose to retire in their homes, rather than facilities, there will be a need for home health aides. The average salary is $21,000, and workers are not required to have a high school diploma. Instead, training and education happen on the job. Depending on the employer, formal training, workshops, and lectures may be required as well.

Engineering. The job outlook is exceptionally positive for biomedical engineering. You’ll need formal education (e.g., at least, a bachelor’s), internships and other forms of work experience to be employed in one of these fields. You’ll need to have a higher education, and be a competitive candidate. But with the increased demand for these jobs, more positions are popping up everywhere. Projected job growth is 72% by 2018, and the average salary begins at $54,000, and by mid-career can reach $98,000, or more.

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IT Jobs – What is an Information Technology Specialist?

Information technology jobs are a strong and evolving industry. There will always be a demand for specialists in these fields as our reliance on computers and technology continue to grow. There are many different IT jobs out there, one of which is an IT specialist. But, what is an information technology specialist?

Job description. IT specialists work with computer-based information systems, such as computer hardware and software apps. In general, they operate, design, or maintain technology products. Specialists work with many different companies and are not confined to the IT industry alone. They can also provide technical support to organizations and businesses when needed.

Education and Certifications. You can gain experience through internships and temp positions, and they’re the most popular options. Most specialists have at least a BS; however, education can range from associates to a doctoral degree. If you’re interested in a career field as an IT specialist, consider majoring in one of the following degrees: computer science, math, engineering, statistics, information science, or operations research.

Salary and Job Outlook. Any field in IT has a strong growth outlook. By 2024, information technology specialists are expected to grow 12%. The median annual salary is $52,000; however, education and experience influence this number as well. Someone with a doctoral degree will make significantly more, on average, than an individual with baseline certification or associates.

What interests you in a career as an information technology specialist?

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Clerical Jobs – What Are Clerical Skills?

Clerical skills are necessary and essential for basic office jobs and tasks. There are many different administrative positions, and some require more experience, training, and skill than others. If you’re interested in office jobs, we’ll cover skills you need to get hired and succeed in most positions. So, what are clerical skills?

Answering the Phone. Being able to handle multiple phone calls, both answering, placing callers on hold, and transferring appropriate calls to the right individuals is an essential skill. Most clerical employees handle phone calls more often than other duties.

Typing. A strong WPM is essential. Most employers seek employees that can type 60 words per minute with few errors. It’s also important to be familiar with Microsoft Word and other word processing programs.

Scheduling. Schedule management is an important skill for many job seekers. Often, you’re hired in a busy office environment where employers don’t have the time or organization skills to manage schedules. That’s where you come in. Scheduling can include booking flights, arranging travel, and confirming meetings, among others.

Math. Clerical employees often deal with numbers, so they must have strong basic math skills. You need to be able to add sales, tally receipts, and operate a basic calculator or adding machine. Plus, you’ll need to be able to verify your math quickly for accuracy.

Data Entry. Accuracy is important as well, and this is most common for data entry clerks. While they may use the general keypad, most of their work deal with numerical numbers. Familiarity with Excel is a must for most employers as well.

Filing. Organization is key here. Many companies have numerous files, especially if you work in the office of a college, dental, or medical establishment. Most filing is alphabetized. Employees must handle some files under the same letters, and know how to file them properly.

What do you enjoy most about working in office environments?

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Office Jobs – What are the Duties of an Administrative Assistant?

Administrative Assistant (AA) is a popular career choice for job seekers looking for office jobs. Busy companies and employers will always need individuals to perform clerical and administrative tasks so the office can run smoothly and efficiently. Positions are filled by both entry-level and veteran administrative assistants, depending on employer needs. Many times employees filling these roles are interns, seasonal workers, or temps. Let’s explore the duties of an administrative assistant.

Phone Operation. AAs are usually at the front of an office building answering incoming calls. They respond to questions, and screen calls when necessary, take messages, and transfer calls to appropriate individuals and departments.

Prepare Documents. Often, administrative assistants prepare and revise memos, business emails, correspondence, and other materials for employers. They may be solely responsible for the document from start to finish, while other times, documents need a second look before being sent or presented.

Schedules. Schedules are a large part of their duties. This task can range from booking meetings, confirming appointments, booking travel arrangements, or preparing weekly schedules for supervisors and staff.

Filing. Filing and organization are essential skills of admin assistants. They may file important documents and folders in their appropriate places, or retrieve files when necessary. With filing, they may also maintain staff, parking, cash, and telephone records.

Trouble Shooting. When problems arise, admin assistants must be creative to solve enquiries and any administrative issues quickly. If the problem cannot be resolved, they must know the chain of contact to address the problem.

What do you believe are the key roles of an administrative assistant?

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Marketing Jobs – Best Jobs with a Marketing and Advertising Degree

Obtaining a degree in advertising and marketing opens up many different career paths. The marketing and advertising industries are huge, and successful. Most salaries in these positions are well-paid, and businesses and organizations will always need experts in the field to sell their products and services. With so many opportunities, what are the best jobs with a marketing and advertising degree?

Advertising Manager. Advertising managers plan and manage marketing and advertising for companies and organizations. Your duties can range depending on the size of the business you’re working with. Larger companies may outsource all their advertising to agencies while smaller entities may have you write and prepare the marketing and advertising pieces yourself.

Marketing Manager. Marketing managers are responsible for developing marketing strategies. They must align their strategies with the business’s ideals, mission, and goals. Plus, they can help predict demand for products or services. Marketing managers can also create strategies for pricing and collaborate with a team of public relation and sales experts to develop campaigns for product promotion.

Product Management. The primary goal of Product Managers is to develop and market products or services for a company. They collaborate with many different departments, including product development, and research, and often engineering. They have the keen ability to create products based on customer needs and use their expertise to market the product.

Marketing Communications. Marketing Communication Managers plan, implement, and manage customer and potential buyer communications. This field in marketing directs campaigns, creates press releases and other press materials, as well as develops web content in collaboration with the web department.

What draws you to marketing and advertising?

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Secretary Jobs – What Does a Secretary Do?

Secretaries, also referred to as personal assistants, perform essential office duties for individuals, companies, and organizations. They provide support to staff so things can run smoothly. There are many different kinds of secretaries, such as medical, legal, and executive. So, what does a secretary do?

Office Support. Secretaries may serve more than one supervisor, or work for only one individual. They assist the staff with clerical and administrative duties to help their busy employers. Secretaries can work in-house for a company, or be hired virtually. Today, many companies are outsourcing secretarial duties to virtual assistants online, if they can.

General Tasks. Secretaries must be professional at all times. They complete different tasks, depending on the employer. Most often, they perform typing in Microsoft Word and Excel, schedule meetings, book flights and travel, and prepare weekly schedules. In addition, they answer and transfer phone calls, create and reply to emails, operate fax machines, and some may even revise and edit memos and documents.

Specialized Duties. Some secretaries have specialized skills if employed in legal, medical, dental, or higher education offices. Tasks and duties will vary from employer to employer, and not all secretaries will perform the same tasks. For instance, legal secretaries may be responsible for the preparation of motions, subpoenas, complaints, and summonses. On the other hand, medical secretaries may communicate with insurance companies and transcribe medical complaints and patient information.

What draws you to a secretarial career path?

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