Renoir Staffing Blog

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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One of the primary reasons for Renoir’s success is that we truly care about our employees and the companies that we serve. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. Because of our thorough screening process and our recruiting teams’ ability to ask the questions that will help us identify what our employees and clients need, we can take pride in the fact that we have been successful in making great employment matches. Renoir also has a strong value system that we live by both as part of our internal culture and in how we treat those that we assist in the employment market. Our ability to stay true and consistent in our business practices as part of this value system helps us to continually be recognized as one of Northern California’s premier property management and real estate staffing firms. With intrinsic values that we live and operate by such as integrity, teamwork, accountability, professionalism, quality, dedication, and respect, companies can depend on us to be there when they need us.

The success that we have had over the past 25 years has now laid a strong foundation for our expansion into Southern California with offices now in Phoenix, Arizona and Newport Beach, CA.  Since we have built a strong reputation of meeting the staffing needs of our customers and forging solid business relationships, our referral network will make for a very easy and logical transition to these new markets. With the expertise and resources to not only evaluate but effectively respond what our customers and candidates day-to-day challenges are, we can be confident that we will continue the success we have had in Northern California to a client base in Southern California and Arizona as well.

We are considered the ultimate resource for employment matchmaking as we take the time to really understand the needs of the candidates that we represent and the client companies that we serve.  It is with our commitment to strive to be the best of the best and to execute on the delivery of our service offerings that Renoir Staffing will continue to uphold its’ long-time reputation of being the most reliable option for responding to the demands of employment challenges in the property management and real estate industry.

Arisha Williams, Manager of Staffing Services

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Many Recruiters have chosen their job because they love customer service and making people happy. On top of that, the job is extremely fulfilling as they are putting people who are often financially struggling to work!  However, it’s a position that is demanding: recruiters jump through hoops every day, multi-tasking like mad to make our client’s and candidate’s lives easier. Unfortunately, they catch a lot of flak from job seekers, who often wonder what their recruiter does all day. This week’s blog will be illuminating to all who wonder what it would be like to be a recruiter for a day!

“The race against time is what will make or break a recruiter.” This quote, included in an article for CareerDFW (see link at the bottom of this blog) describes perfectly what unfolds each and every day for a recruiter: a race. And in order to be successful, crossing the finish line must mean that a relationship has been built, either with a client or a candidate. Recruiters that do temporary placement have the added task of maintaining these relationships perfectly with their clients so that they are relied upon to fix an emergency situation at a property. Trust is key. Therefore, relationship-building is not something that can be achieved with automated systems. And it starts with the candidate. Once a recruiter begins to represent an employee, regular weekly communication to maintain their relationship is important. Employee satisfaction, including trust and loyalty, are built into the relationship over a period of successful assignments, but even before assignments begin, it is important for a candidate to understand their role in building a relationship with their recruiter.

To begin, a once a week check-in call is a perfect opportunity for a job seeker to update their contact information and stay fresh in the minds of their recruiter. It takes an average of 15-30 and is an invaluable way for a recruiter to get to know their candidate. Unfortunately, often candidates will call their recruiters but neglect to leave a message. Messages are documented, another great way to showcase your interest in being placed on assignment. Keep in mind, however, that candidates may not get a return call until the next day. Try not to let the frustration set in. The popular statement, “there is never enough time in a day,” is a reality for most recruiters. To build a rapport between job seeker and recruiter takes trust. To gain trust, takes time. Patience and communication will get you far with a staffing agency.

Here’s a quick glimpse at the duties of a recruiter: time sheets, schedules, assignment extensions, interviewing, referral calls, payroll issues, file compliance, renewals and complaints requiring additional problem solving, as well as going out in the field and bringing in more business.  Approximately 50% of these tasks will be pre-scheduled in advance and the other 50% will be unplanned and worked into the week as needed. Again, communication combined with patience is the most important ingredient for a successful relationship with busy recruiters!

Keep in mind we open the door for you as a new face to the client. Once we get you that interview or temporary assignment, it is ultimately the candidate’s job to prove that they are the person for that job, whether it is for one day or is a direct-hire opportunity! The candidate’s behavior is a direct reflection on the recruiter’s ability to weed out poor employees, bringing us back to skillful relationship-building. The more a candidate participates in the process, the more a recruiter will gain the trust needed to put them on assignment. As a recruiter, one must be very proactive and personable, meaning that they are always on the phone! It is wise for candidates to remember this tip: please be patient and keep in mind the service you give to your recruiter is the service you will get in return.

Connie White, Recruiter

Special thanks to CareerDFW.org for the following article: A Day in the Life of a Recruiter

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Working in the Staffing Industry we are often asked how one can “move up” with a company. Being that many of the positions we staff are entry-level and/or temporary positions, this is a very relevant question. Here are some tips that I believe can help get you to the next level in your career.

• Research the Company – If you’re going to an interview or a temporary assignment, find out more about the company. Most companies have websites where you can find a good deal on information.

• Dress the Part  – Even if you’re not required to. Dressing the part shows that you’re serious and that you want to portray a professional image of yourself and the company that you’re working for. It is always important to be professional, no matter how casual the workplace.

• Ask Questions – Make sure that you are clear on tasks that you are assigned. It’s better to ask questions than to assume you’re doing something correctly.

• Develop Relationships- Your co-workers, especially those in management positions, are great resources for both information and networking. Learn from them!

• Take Initiative – If you have completed the task at hand, ask for more to do. If there is no one to ask, look for projects that can be done. Organizing the supply cabinet, cleaning, filing, etc. There is always something to do. Also, don’t be hesitant learning new skills! Developing your skill-set will not only expand your horizons, it is a great way to practice initiative and will be looked at positively by your employers.

• Volunteer for Special Projects – Supervisors usually appreciate people with a can-do attitude. This also demonstrates that you are a team player, something companies place a lot of value upon, especially when it comes to senior positions.

• Don’t Give Up – It can take months or even years to get into the role that you truly desire. But being consistent in your efforts for the betterment of the company and the team will not go unnoticed. Plus, as an added bonus, the better the work translates to a healthier workplace that everyone enjoys! Hard work and perseverance pay off.

One thing I always tell candidates is that working through a staffing agency is a great way to “test” different companies. Even the one day or short-term assignments can give you a sense of what a company is about. It’s a great way to find out which companies you’d be interested in on a permanent basis.

The following links are for two articles covering the steps to promotion which not only helped in the construction of this blog, but also delve further into the subject:

The Best Ways to Get Promoted

Moving Up the Ladder

Now go forth and land that promotion!

Erin Gilligan, Staffing Associate

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It’s no secret that there are a lot of job seekers out there right now, and a limited number of positions open. We’ve heard the statistics: one job posting receiving as much as a couple hundred resumes from job seekers.

How are you supposed to compete?!

We’ve given you interview tips in the past (not to mention what to wear to interviews!) so this week’s focus will be on the resume. It’s important because this is the first piece of information that a potential employer will receive from you and it’s critical in its’ role to getting you an interview and hopefully, the job!

We receive a lot of resumes here at Renoir Staffing. A LOT. We have a trained eye, like many employers out there, for what constitutes an impressive resume versus what is simply a mess of words. You don’t want all your experience, years of hard work, to be reduced to a mess of words, do you? Of course not! So let’s go over the basic format and content that will get you noticed, in a good way.

First, the cover letter. Not all employers require it, but in recent years as unemployment has soared, cover letters are used by companies to filter out the undesirable applicants. It’s recommended to always have one of these at the ready, just in case. Save a generic cover letter on your computer, one that can easily be adapted to the job description in which you’re applying. Cover letters are a great way to shine out from from the masses and they should follow a few simple rules:

1. Keep it concise. Granted, cover letters allow you to expand on the information in your resume, but don’t go overboard. Focus and elaborate only on the skills that really make you an asset to a company.

2. Keep it conservative. No, we’re not talking about your political views, but rather the way in which you talk about how fabulous you are (example: the word fabulous should not be found in your cover letter!). Avoid exclamation points, slang, and being overly confident. In essence, give yourself credit as an amazing employee but avoid coming off as obnoxious.

3. Know the job in which you are applying. This is critical. While it is time-consuming to research every company that posts a job you’re interested in shooting off a resume for, the current unemployment reality out there deems it necessary. You want the company to want you, right? You have to show them that you are interested in working for them, not just in working period. The cover letter is the perfect opportunity to show them that you know what they do, what their company culture is, and why you’d be the perfect fit. Do your research.

More tips on (and examples of) cover letters? Click here.

Secondly, the resume. Does it give you anxiety? That’s okay! The first rule is to take a deep breath and remind yourself that not only are there other people out there feeling your pain, but that you can do it! And it’s easier than you think. Let’s get started.

1. Content. Grab a sheet of binder paper and a pen, don’t immediately start typing, make a draft first! Write down your last three to four jobs that you’ve had and what you did for them. What was your title? And don’t make up something to sound fancy, employers see right through that. What were your main duties? Be specific but not wordy. And make sure to include two to three achievements you accomplished while on the job! In the case of property management, did you increase residency rates by 20%? Now is the time to write it down!

2. References. Sorry, but your uncle won’t work here, even if you don’t share the same last name. You need to come up with two to three professional references, people who can vouch for your strong work ethic and ingenuity on the job. Are you new to the job market and possess little experience? That’s okay! Put down your volunteer work or past internships. A job doesn’t have to pay you to be a worthwhile component of your resume. Don’t have any of these? There are plenty of volunteer/intern opportunities out there you can gain experience out of. For example, resident activities and office administration. Show up and ask how you can help. This also constitutes as networking, you never know who you’ll meet and who they know, unpaid work can lead to careers!

3. Editing and layout. Here is one that is OFTEN overlooked. Once you’ve typed out your resume, look at it with a microscope. Are there typos? Are you using the correct form of their/there/they’re? Do the sentences ramble on and on (big no-no!)? Have you used fancy font (simple, readable font works best). What are these questions leading to? Keep it neat and clean. Employers want to review resumes quickly and efficiently. If your layout is messy, e.g. wordy, aesthetically complicated, missing dates or full job descriptions, chances are your resume won’t be placed in the interview pile. You can easily search on the internet for examples of templates that you can use to organize your resume in a way that will entice employers to read it.

More resume tips? Click here.

Remember, a presentable resume is the key to getting those interviews, and subsequently, your next job!

Thank you to About.com for the supplemental cover letter and resume tips to this blog. Be sure to check them out!

Jessie Williams, Marketing Coordinator

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Temps often don’t get the respect they deserve and with the downturn of the economy, it is taking temporary employees much longer to secure a fulltime position.

However, if a temporary worker uses an assignment as a working interview very often they are invited back, or asked to stay at the assignment longer.

Here are some tips on how to be the perfect temp:

Do your homework: If you have been assigned a position, do some research on the management company and the property. A good resource is the local Apartment Guides that can be found free at supermarkets and other stores.  If time permits call the property and introduce yourself.

Show up and look good: It is very important to be on time or a bit early and always look professional!

Forget you’re a temp: While you are at the property you are part of the TEAM and you work for them on behalf of the agency.

Throw away your watch: Clock watchers irritate dedicated bosses and key team members.

Expect no support: Understand that people won’t have that much time. Just get the work done.

Be yourself: But try and fit in! If you think you like the idea of becoming a temp-to-perm employee, work well with the team. As a temp, everyone gets to see all of you, which is a good thing if you’re hoping they’ll offer you a job. People often get jobs based on personality. Through temping, people who wouldn’t normally get the job, get the job!

Heightened skills: Soft or hard, you need to have good skills. Seek extra training if your skills are not strong.

interviews:Interviews are a very forced thing.  Working as a temp-to-perm obviously gets you out of the interview traumas. Employees who start as temps are often people who stay at the job. You get an opportunity to establish whether the culture suits your personality.

Interview your bosses: One of the beauties of temp work is you have the chance to select your prospective employer. Working as a temp also gives companies the chance to “talent spot” you.

Eyes and ears: Keep your ears open if you hear someone say that they need something done, and then volunteer to do the job. Don’t bury yourself in your desk.

Think Solution: Nobody recruits a temp unless there’s a problem they need solving. You should behave as though you’re a solution to a problem they’ve got!

Think long-term: Your temporary boss might pop up elsewhere – perhaps in your next permanent job. Show interest in their business. Don’t say ‘I’m sorry, I’m a temp’ when you answer the phone.

Know your objectives: Is it to earn money, be valued or increase your network?  It could well be all three!

Impliment these tips and you’ll be well on your way to securing a job, permanently!

Karen Quennel, Recruiter

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Recruiters in the property management staffing industry often receive resumes with no experience for a leasing position they have available.  This may be the case because over the years a leasing position has been seen as a gateway or entry level position in the Property Management industry.  While at one time that was true and in some instances still is, there are many things that our clients are looking for when selecting a person to be on the front lines in one of their offices. Qualities that entry-level job seekers often don’t possess.
Most people believe that a leasing agent is just another sales person.  Over the years this is less and less true.  The Leasing professional is so many things and just like any other property management positions, you wear many hats. And, more frequently than not, at the same time!  Anyone that has leased before can tell you that at any given time you will need to learn how to shift gears and do so quickly while providing the highest level of customer service possible.  
Ask yourself the following questions:  Do you like people?  Are you a good listener?  Do you communicate well?  Can you multi-task like no other?  Is customer service a high priority?  Does paperwork scare you?  Can you close the deal?

Do you like people?  
As a leasing professional, you will have to interact with many diverse groups of people from all walks of life.  The key is treating everyone in a fair and consistent manner to help them find the best home suitable for what they a looking for.

Are you a good listener?  
The leasing person is often referred to as the local counselor of the community.  You are on the front-lines literally and that means several things.  You are the first impression of the community so it is very important that you listen to your prospective renter about their situation and what they’re looking for.  As opposed to real estate sales, you have become a part of their day-to-day interaction long-term.  Multi-family communities pride themselves on resident retention and therefore maintaining fewer turnovers means that you will see this person again and again.  When they have a service issue, pay their rent, and hopefully renew their lease, they will expect to see that familiar, friendly face and sometimes even need an ear to release their woes.

Do you communicate well?
Communication is the key in about every industry, but for Multi-family personnel it’s even higher.  If there is a possibility of doubt about day-to-day communication, it can be disastrous.  Meeting and exceeding the customers expectation is priority one, there is no half way.  If you make a commitment, you had best keep it.  If you can’t, communicate in a way that others can understand.  You will save you a lot of headaches on the back end.  Not to mention you must be consistent in that communication otherwise you open the door for a Fair Housing complaint.

Can you multi-task like no other?  
As a Leaser, you are not simply expected to do sales.  It is your responsibility to maintain files accurately, follow up on all phone activity, walk your tour route, and act as an assistant at times.  The most successful leasing people I have ever met have this down to a science.  They plan their days effectively into segments, always leaving time for the inevitable walk-in and daily surprise.  

Is customer service a high priority?  
Without the customer, why have someone to maintain them?  Each person should feel welcomed at your desk.  Whether it’s the first time or the fifteenth time they have been at your desk that day.  Remember that they moved here in part because of you.  They will choose to renew or move based on the value you place on your customers.

Does paperwork scare you?  
Here is where most people get lost.  They believe that leasing is just sales. It’s so much more! You must maintain your guest cards and keep your follow-up documentation up-to-date.  You will have to put together your files for approval.  You will need to update and manage all interaction with your residents in their files and sometimes in the computer database.  Most companies have checklists for their files.  Make sure that you are following this as one missing piece of paperwork could lead to a file not being approved or inconsistency in your business practices.

Can you close the deal?
You may say to yourself, of course I can!  But could you do it consistently and not sound like a used car salesperson?  There are subjective ways to subtly close and have a future resident emotionally attached to their home before they sign the dotted line.  Are you savvy enough to ask the right questions, listen to their needs, and catch the special moment so that they can visualize themselves in the space?

A leasing person is someone that is highly relied upon to keep the community full.  As you can see it’s not just close the deal and move to the next.  It’s a commitment to your community to be the expert on your resident’s needs and keeping them happy!

Jacquee Landry, 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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This week check out the newly released Renoir Staffing newsletter! We’ve had a busy summer this year: new office and recruiter, amazing events, and great new clients who love our rock star employees!

Check it out here: Renoir Newsletter

The team at Renoir Staffing would like to thank all the clients and candidates that make this company the leader in the real estate staffing industry-we appreciate you!

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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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