Industry events are an important part of one’s growth in their line of work. While it can be difficult to schedule in an event with all your other duties, the rewards you can receive (such as meeting industry leaders, acquiring new knowledge that can improve your skills, and/or promoting your company) have the potential to move you higher up the business ladder.

We often hear that it’s ‘Not What You Know, But Who You Know.’ If this is occasionally true (because let’s not discount the fact that a strong skill-set will get you far!) then networking with the community of your industry can prove to be beneficial to you if you are looking to move into a new position, or simply want to make new contacts in order to promote your business. At the very least, you can demonstrate your knowledge and advertise your expertise with the people who can contribute to the growth of profession or business.

And speaking of expertise, what better way to increase all the knowledge you already possess than to attend functions that give you the all the latest, up-to-date information available in your trade? And, not only are many events designed to inform you, topics that includes increasing your business are often presented in a workshop manner in which you’ll not only been given examples of how a particular tool has been proven effective, but also the way in which you can utilize it to your own advantage!

Networking is also a great form of advertising your company. We all know that branding is only effective if our target audience is exposed to it, and therefore meeting with potential consumers is paramount. But use it not only as an opportunity to spread the word about your company but also as a way to build a relationship with your consumers. You may notice familiar faces at these events as you begin to attend them regularly. Use this as your chance to get to know people on a more personal level; it can only increase your chances of being relied upon when they have a need!

Wondering how to get started? The first place you should go is the Associations that are relevant to your industry. In our case, it’s property management and therefore we belong to, and attend events by, the Rental Housing Association (RHA) of Sacramento, California Apartment Association (CAA), and many more, and the events they have held, such as trade shows and luncheons, have proved an invaluable source of information and opportunities to network.

Another great place to get associated with your industry’s community is LinkedIn Groups. Simply by joining a few relevant groups can open the door to expanding your brand and skills tremendously. You’ll receive emails about current topics of discussion, invites to events, as well as the opportunity to reach out individually to these people, great for the follow-up message after meeting them at a luncheon!

If you’re looking for opportunities to strengthen your relevance to your business community, and we all should be, then attending events should be at the top of your list! The knowledge you’ll gain, as well as the people you meet, can only serve to boost your business or marketability!

Happy Event Browsing!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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Is your office ready to take on the New Year? We found an excellent website, Valen’s Point (www.valenspoint.com), and we had to share with you their tips on how to make 2012 the most productive and prosperous year yet! Here are their 4 recommendations in improving your business ventures this year:

1. Review Current Projects:

Capture lessons learned, customer stories, and case studies. Review and take note of any negative experiences that may have occurred and brainstorm ways to correct these problems before they happen again. The value of your business is in the stories and experience of your best projects and customers.

2. Survey customers to measure satisfaction and look for opportunity:

It is best practice to conduct periodic customer satisfaction in order to address issues or validate your process. Understanding their level of satisfaction and why they continue to do business with you is necessary input for your strategy and plans.

3. Update your business plans.

Be specific with your plans and establish the actions and the measurements you can use to gauge success. Your marketing plan should include the development of content, execution of seasonal programs, and advertisements.

4. Update your referral marketing system resources with current material:

Referrals drive many small businesses and word of mouth advertisement is a significant means of business growth. Optimizing your referral marketing system begins with delivering a remarkable experience and being referral-worthy.

By mapping out the year and taking care in the execution towards accomplishing goals, you can successfully make 2012 an excellent year for your business! Remember that Renoir Staffing is here to provide you with the best temporary and direct-hire employees in the property management industry, which can leave you worry-free to focus on your year’s goals while keeping your business running smoothly.

Here’s to a great new year!

Maria Torres, Staffing Associate

You can find the complete article on Valen’s Point by clicking on the following link: Checklist! Planning and preparing for the New Year

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One of the best ways in which you can succeed as a staffing professional is to attend industry events. They are empowering and give great insight into current industry trends and up-to-date sales strategies. Simple run an internet search on your industry along with ‘associations’ and you’ll see the many options you’ll have to choose from! In regards to property management, California Apartment Association (CAA) and Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) are two examples of the excellent associations available to become a member with and grow your skill-set.

As Renoir Staffing’s San Francisco recruiter, I highly recommend California Staffing Professionals (CSP). They offer a wide array of services including an Annual Conference and their upcoming Staffing Owners Retreat. To view their upcoming events calendar, visit their website at www.cspnet.org.

Another great resource for training in staffing sales is Barbara Bruno. She has over 25 years of successful staffing experience and her webinars (another great and affordable resource!) can improve your “game” significantly! Sign up at www.recruitertraining.net.

Whether your work in staffing or many of the other sales industries out there, events, online training, and being a member of an association, can strengthen your sales skills and increase the level of success you enjoy from your career!

Theresa Cannon, Recruiter

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Happiness has wide ranging effects- Like improving your motivation. A study shows that adults and children who are put into good mood select higher goals and perform better than those that are unhappy. The GREAT news is that recent scientific reports show your happiness level is something that can be increased with a minimum amount of effort and that a full 40% of your happiness level is completely within your control. You may have suffered unfortunate life events, but you get a clean 40% at YOUR command. Don’t you want to be happier and in a better mood?

The Myths of Happiness:

1.       Happiness is something we find. This is not true, so don’t wait around for a magical occurrence.

2.       Our circumstances determine our happiness. This is not true, so don’t think, “IF only this would happen, THEN I would be happy.”

3.       You either have it or you don’t. This is also not true. As you read above, you’ve got 40% to develop. You CAN make improvements.

Here are some simple tasks that anyone can do to improve their level of happiness:

1. Express Gratitude- You can tell others or you can write it down.

2. Avoid Over Thinking And Social Comparison- Cut down on how often you rethink your problems and compare yourself to others.

3. Practice Acts Of Kindness- Practice this at least once a day. Hold the door someone, give a compliment, etc. Putting a smile on someone’s face will naturally make you smile too.

4. Nurture Relationships- Spend time and energy in cultivating and enjoying a relationship, or healing an ailing relationship.

5. Develop Strategies for Coping- Practice ways to handle or get over stress, hardship, or trauma.

6. Learn To Forgive- Write a letter in which you try to let go of anger or resentment of someone. It’s necessary to write it, but NOT necessary to mail it.

7. Do More Activities That Truly Engage You- Get involved in something that really takes your mind away from things. Get in the “Flow Activities” – You know you’re in a flow when you lose track of time.

8. Savor Life’s Joys- Pay close attention and repay life’s momentary pleasures and wonders.

9. Commit To Your Goals- Pick one or several of your goals and devote time and effort to pursuing them.

10. Take Care Of Your Body- Engage in physical activity, meditating, smiling, laughing and some “ME” time.

Being happy with yourself will reflect on your work and at home so put a smile on your face and don’t worry yourself with things that you have no control of.

“Smile- it’s the most generous thing you can do and an inexpensive way to improve your mood”

Maria Torres, Staffing Associate

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As a recruiter, an important part of my job is to find the best candidates that I can and to screen out the “undesirables.”  Companies don’t reach out to a staffing  agency unless they are in desperate need of help; many times immediate help.  With that knowledge, it’s critical that the candidates I work with not only have the skills necessary to jump in and give the relief that is needed, but are actually going to show up and work.  Sounds pretty basic and easy, but unfortunately it isn’t as easy as it might seem.  Even in today’s economy where I hear comments  all the time that I must have people coming out of my ears because the unemployment rate is so high, it’s not a whole lot easier to find really good, qualified, and reliable candidates.

We at Renoir Staffing take pride in the fact that we meet every single person that we work with, and I’m not talking about a 5 minute meet and greet;  we spend at least an hour with each potential candidate prior to making the decision of whether or not to represent them.  And, this is after we have reviewed their resume and done a phone screen to get an initial “feel” for them.  So, how do I screen out the good from the not-so–good?  Well, the first thing that makes an impression is when do they show up for the interview; are they early, barely on time, or late (and if they are late, did they call me ahead of time to let me know what’s going on)?  I have to assume that the way they approach the interview will be the way they approach any assignment I might send them on.  During the interview, there are many key things that I pay attention to.  One is all of the non-verbal cues:  how do they greet me (do they shake my hand and smile and look me in the eye?), how is their appearance (are they dressed appropriately? how is their hygiene?), what is their posture when they are sitting in my chair, do they look me in the eye when they’re talking to me, do they sit still, or are they constantly shifting when I ask them a question?  Then there are the verbal cues.  I ask open-ended questions and then just let them talk.  You can find out a lot when you let someone say anything they want – good and bad.  Based on what they say, I ask for clarification or ask more specific questions.  Sometimes that’s when you really find out where the truth lies.  For example, when I interview someone for a maintenance position, I hear a lot of “if it’s broken, I can fix it.”  It’s not until I dive in do I learn that “well, I can do minor repairs, but nothing too complicated.”  I listen to their tone of voice and level of confidence.  I also pay attention to if what they’re telling me seems truthful (I’ve interviewed people who couldn’t keep their story straight).  I also watch for their reaction when I talk to them about references and our very thorough background check.  Sometimes what they don’t say is just as important as what they do say.

I believe interviewing is an art that takes years of practice in order to learn all of the clues and things that should trigger a red flag. Even then, no matter how hard you try to dig up any dirt or skeletons, there will be some that will slip through the cracks.  Just like a lot of other things in this world, interviewing is a numbers game.  You just have to have enough candidates in your pool to make sure the odds are in your favor.

Colleen White,  Recruiter

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Does it really make a difference what you wear to an interview?  In many cases it does. According to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55% of another person’s perception of you is based on how you look. It is best to dress for success and if you are not sure what the dress code is for the organization you are interviewing with, it is best to dress on the conservative side. Another rule to observe: It is also much better to be overdressed than underdressed!

All jobs may not require the same type of attire for an interview. Here are a few pointers that have worked for me and other people I know: You should wear a solid color suit or slacks, with a coordinated blouse or shirt, coordinated tie (men), moderate shoes, light jewelry (women), light perfume/cologne, and your hair should be neatly groomed. However, depending on the position it may be appropriate for you to dress more casual. In that case, I think it is acceptable to wear jeans that are clean, neatly pressed without holes, with a coordinated shirt (not a t-shirt), moderate shoes, light jewelry (women), light perfume/cologne, and again, your hair neatly groomed. Last but not least, you should ALWAYS look in the mirror before heading to the interview!

La Terra Francis, Accounting Manager

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The inspiration behind this blog provided by:

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/dressforsuccess.htm

As a staffing professional for almost 15 years, I have noticed many changes in the staffing industry over the years.  What hasn’t changed is the fact that companies have always come to rely on utilizing staffing services to fulfill many short-term and even long-term staffing needs.  While the staffing industry has had to respond to the various economic changes over the years, there has always been a need for companies to rely on flexible staffing solutions to respond to their ever-changing employment requirements. For example, there were over 2.2 million temporary jobs created in July 2011. And for over 25 years, Renoir Staffing has been the premier staffing resource for property management companies in finding employment opportunities for many of the industry’s top talent.

The most common needs for staffing help are to cover for vacation, employment leave, and/or when there is a vacant position.  During a recession, it is not uncommon for many companies to reach out to staffing agencies to look for qualified candidates to fill full-time positions on a temporary-to-hire basis.  With an increase demand for work productivity but less staffing resources, the need for temporary help becomes much more popular.  This option allows both the employer and the employee to evaluate if there is a mutual fit.  Staffing firms like Renoir Staffing can prove to be a good resource to provide this type of solution.  This is even more common with specialized staffing firms such as Renoir as it is more challenging for companies to find the top industry talent due to such a competitive market.   So remember that a temporary assignment could lead to greater chances for a longer term opportunity and always put your best foot forward.

So what has changed?

With the advantages in technology and the social media buzz, it is becoming much more common for staffing firms to utilize social media sites as Facebook and LinkedIn to network, promote and advertise open positions and, most importantly, RECRUIT!!  While the use of job boards and company websites prove to still be one of the most traditional ways that companies look for qualified candidates, social media has proven to be an easier and more effective ways to reach out to the candidate marketplace.  LinkedIn is the most widely used as a professionally-based method to get and stay connected.   We at Renoir recommend that our candidates create and update their LinkedIn profiles in order to be more attractive to potential employers.  Remember this is the best way to advertise and summarize skills, experience, accomplishments, and allow potential employers to assess an individuals’ qualifications if they are looking to fill an open position. It can also be a better method to highlight some of your other professional achievements, showcase your talent, show what industry associations you are involved in, and review employment recommendations.  Referrals are always the best way to get your foot in the door so make sure to always  ask for colleagues to add recommendations on your profile.

Conversely, LinkedIn is a wonderful way to find out more about companies and allow individuals the opportunity to evaluate the company profile that lists executive management, vision and mission statements, employee profiles, and even a link to the company website for further discovery. Remember, job seekers need to research the companies that they might be interested in working for as well so LinkedIn becomes one of the best ways to find out more than what a typical website might offer.

In addition, joining groups on LinkedIn provides a wonderful way for individuals to network, learn more about trends of a company or industry, and even participate in group discussions and blogs.   It’s all about NETWORKING!!!

While Facebook is most commonly used for personal connections, it has recently introduced a platform called BeKnown in partnership with Monster to allow Facebook users to distinguish between personal and professional contacts.  While still relatively new, it seems to allow the over 500 million active users on Facebook to have a professional exchange that is separate from the personal outlet that most users look to this site to provide them.   Most companies, including Renoir Staffing, utilize their company profile on Facebook  as a way to share fun stories, industry highlights, and news and information for its’ clients and employees.

Staffing firms like Renoir are in the business of finding people jobs, and good jobs at that. The bridge between the old and new ways of recruiting has been very exciting for the staffing industry as a whole. We are in a very unique position to leverage our expertise with the old and new ways of finding talent.  Here at Renoir Staffing, we take pride in utilizing many various resources to reach out to candidates in the property management field to connect them with great companies in the industry that are hiring. Companies come to Renoir because they trust that we can find them the employees that they need.  Through the use of creative and innovative methods to seek out these individuals, it’s one of the reasons Renoir has been the most successful property management staffing firm in the Bay Area.

The following resources were used in the research for this blog:

http://www.staffingindustry.com/Research-Publications/Daily-News/BLS-U.S.-Temp-Employment-Flat-in-July

http://www.staffingindustry.com/site/Research-Publications/Publications/SI-Review/August-2011/Social-Media

Arisha Williams, Manager of Staffing Services

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I am hearing from so many hiring managers that they just don’t have the time anymore to sift through hundreds of resumes only to get maybe a handful that actually have the experience they are looking for.  There are so many people out of work these days that a lot of people are applying anywhere that is hiring.

A staffing agency is the answer to the problem.  As a recruiter, one of our jobs is to sift through all of the resumes on the internet!  We dedicate  a lot of time to finding employees with the skills these hiring managers need, and in the case with Renoir Staffing, since we specialize in property management, our employees have the Residential and Commercial experience desired by the real estate industry.  When companies are at thier “wits end, a staffing agency can help by providing them candidates to interview that already have been pre-screened  and pre-qualified for each position.

A good staffing agency should consult with you on the level of skills and experience you desire for the position needed to be filled, and this is one of the priorities of Renoir Staffing: to make sure to get you the right person for job, right away!

Lia Lovelady-Harrison

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As of January 1, 2011, the following are the Minimum Wage Laws across the States:

The Federal minimum wage is $4.25. The State of Washington has the highest minimum wage of $8.67 hour. The states of Georgia and Wyoming have the lowest minimum wage of $5.15. There are no state minimum wage for Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Nevada minimum rate depends if you have health benefits insurance provided by the employer, $8.25 with no health insurance and $7.25 with health benefits insurance.

There are 4 states that have a minimum wage set lower than the federal minimum wage. There are 18 states with minimum wage rates set higher than the federal minimum wage.  There are 23 of the states that have a minimum wage requirement that is the same as the federal minimum wage requirement. Five states do not have an established minimum wage requirement.

The minimum wage for some states depends on annual receipts or number of employees. Puerto Rico has minimum wage rates that vary according to the industry. There are 10 states that have minimum wages that are linked to a consumer price index. As a result of this linkage, the minimum wages in these states are normally increased each year, generally around January 1^st.

If you ever plan to move out of the State of California you should look up the wage rates for the state you are moving to. California has one of the best premium pay for after designated hours, daily and weekly.

The previous information, and more, can be found at the following website:

www.wagehour.dol.gov

Carol Martinez, Payroll Administrator

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The summer heat has arrived and many of us have jobs that require we be out in the hot sun. Working outside during the summer requires a lot more thought and preparation in regards to protecting our health than any other time of year, especially in areas where the temperatures are often above 90 degrees.

It’s easy to forget to take precautions against the heat and just walk out the door to get the job done, however, doing so is often a guarantee that we’ll pay for it later on. And usually by the time we notice that the sun exposure is getting to us, the damage has been done!

The following are some quick tips to combat the negative effects of the heat. They’re easy to remember and get in the habit of doing so we can enjoy working outside!

1. Clothing: To protect yourself from becoming overheated you’ll want to keep your clothing loose and light (if appropriate to the job you’re performing) and wear long sleeves and pants to avoid the harmful effects of UV rays.

2. Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen regularly (every couple of hours, especially if you’re working with water and/or sweating a lot) and at a high SPF (at least 30 0r 45).  Carry a small tube in your pocket so that it is always on hand and easy to remember to apply.

3. Water. Drinking plenty of it! It’s best to drink small amounts regularly rather than a large amount all at one time.

4. Know the signs! You need to rest, cool down, and drink fluids if you experience the following: headaches, lightheadedness, hot dry skin, etc. Please click the following link for more information on heat exhaustion and what you can do to combat it:  http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf

Remember, appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and drinking water can ensure that you’ll not only be working safely, but enjoying the outdoors at the same time!

Protect yourself and have a great summer!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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Special thanks to David Goguen at the FindLaw website for providing the information for this blog post. You can read his post at: http://blogs.findlaw.com/injured/2009/06/employee-safety-tips-working-outdoors-in-summer-heat.html